Chapter 36

Aria’s POV

I wake up to the sharp sunlight streaming through the curtains, tugging me from the depths of a dream I can’t remember.

My head throbs like a bass drum, pounding in sync with the music from last night—a melody of laughter and shouted secrets that now feels like a distant echo. I squint at the clock on the bedside table; it reads 2:15 PM.

“Ugh, no way am I awake this late,” I groan, covering my eyes with my arm.

“Welcome to the land of the living!” Maira’s voice comes from the bathroom, her tone drenched in sarcasm. “I thought we lost you to the tequila gods!”

“Very funny,” I mutter, rolling over to find Emily sitting cross-legged on the other bed, her expression equally pained.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, and I can hear the hint of concern in her voice.

“As good as I can feel after last night’s fiesta,” I reply, wincing as I try to sit up. “What time did we even go to bed?”

“Honestly, I think it was around four-ish,” Maira calls, emerging from the bathroom with a towe