“I’ve been trying to find you both. Let’s split, this scene is tired.”
“Well, looks like I got outvoted,” Wes says as we make our way out of the gardens. Soon we’re near the entrance and he glances down at his watch, then around. He looks torn, like he’s thinking of staying with me. He exhales a deep sigh. “I should probably go with them. I don’t trust them to get back by themselves in this state. Are you okay to take an Uber?”
“Oh.” I’m caught off guard. “Yeah. No big deal.”
“Cool.” He stands there for a second, staring at me. Is he about to kiss me in front of everyone? It would bea little awkward, but I’d welcome it in a heartbeat. “Um, sorry to ask, but can I have my jacket back?”
“Oh.” My stomach sinks. “Yeah, sorry.” I shrug it off and hand it to him, shivering.
“You’re the best.” Wes wraps me in a tight hug and kisses the top of my head like a parent would their child. “See you soon.”
“Yeah. See ya.” I watch as Wes and his friends pile into a car and depart, leaving me standing there, and it feels a little like I’m being left on the dance floor in front of the whole school again. A taxi is idling out front and I flag it down, quickly rattling off the address to the B and B.
I climb in, wondering why all of this is so unsettling. He’s different now, obviously, more responsible. It’s good of him to look after his friends. So why doesn’t itfeeldifferent? A response from Nico blinks up at me from my phone. I do my best to read it even though the car feels like it’s spinning.
It was my pleasure. I snuck a plate in the fridge for you too, in case you’re hungry when you get back.My chest warms, for just a second, as I try to ignore the pit in my stomach.
CHAPTER 10
I’m certain it’s a nightmarewhen Anya yells, “Wakey, wakey!” before ripping the covers off me and flicking on the lights.
“What’s happening?!” I sit straight up, gasping for air. “Is there a fire alarm?” That would be the only reasonable explanation for the horror unfolding before me. We should not be awake. It’s pitch-black outside, and the migraine in my right temple throbs in sync with a nearby shrieking alarm. I swear it’s only been twenty minutes since I got back from the villa party, and ten since I fell asleep. “What is that noise? Make it stop!”
“Just my alarm, Sora. No fire.” Mari fumbles with her phone. “Sorry!”
“What time is it?” I push matted hair out of my face, then blindly feel around under my pillow until I locate my own.
“Four forty-five. You better get up; we’re going to be late.” Anya slings her backpack over one shoulder and waits by the door. She’s all dressed and ready while I struggle to figure out what has happened in the universe to make any of this acceptable.
“Four forty-five? In the morning? Late for what? What in God’s name even happens this early?”
“The sunrise boat ride with Nico. We all talked about it yesterday,” Anya says. “He’s got plans to show us around for the whole day.”
“You’re joking.” I throw myself back onto the bed and bury my face under one of the pillows. I flash back to a conversation that I only vaguely remember Anya and Mari having while I was making plans to meet up with Wes.
You havegotto be kidding me. I got home less than three hours ago. My mouth is all fuzzy and dry from drinking, and the literal last thing I want to do is be stuck on a tiny boat bobbing in rough waters as champagne sloshes around in my very empty stomach. In fact, there’s nothing I can even think of that sounds less appealing in the present moment.
Anya tilts her head to the side, studying me. “Why are you so tired, Soraya? When did you get back?”
“Um, I don’t know. Probably ten?” I lie.
“Well, that’s still almost seven hours. Not to mention we slept in yesterday.” Anya is over me being a sloth. She is practically out the door, losing more patience by the second. “I mean, I feel great. I think I’m fully adjusted.”
“I haven’t been sleeping well.” I emit a muffled groan from under the pillow. “Everything hurts.”
“Come on, Sora. You don’t want to miss this. Nico said there’s going to be an entire breakfast spread—they’re even going to have bellinis!” Mari adds.
I silently curse from beneath my pillow fort. More alcohol was the last thing I needed, but there is no easy way to explain why I am hungover and feeling like decimated roadkill. Or how I’ve gotten less than three hours of sleep.
“Okay, okay. Fine. You win. I’ll go.” I throw the pillow off my face and sit up, trying to see the spinning room through my blotchy vision and throbbing headache. “I’m coming. Just give me five minutes.”
CHAPTER 11
After quickly dousing my facein ice-cold water and bracing myself over the sink until I am mildly certain I am not going to throw up, I get myself in gear. I manage to change into a swimsuit and stuff a backpack full for our boat ride before meeting Anya and Mari in the lobby. We make it down the winding stairs to a small marina under the glow of moonlight, and I have to admit, the fresh air is doing me good. I give myself a tiny pep talk: I can lay out on a boat and suntan. Hungover or not, I could do that. I will make the best of it. Nico will hopefully have packed one of those sparkling Pellegrinos. Fizz has always settled my stomach. I can recline on my towel in the sun. Sweat out the alcohol.
Do nothing.
Chill.
