Twenty-Six
I wake the next morning and allow myself a few minutes to lie there smiling before getting up. I might have a mother in hospital and a mentor who hates me, but I’m finally doing what I’ve always wanted to do, I have actual, real friends who are doing the same thing, and I get to occasionally hang out with a cool Underground tattoo artist who thinks I look good in evening wear.
I get to the Guild dining hall in time for breakfast, but the only other person sitting at our usual table is Ned. Gemma is apparently ‘not feeling well,’ and then Ned receives a message from Perry saying he overslept and only just woke up.
“Must have been quite a party, huh?” Ned mumbles.
“It was. I think it’s safe to say Gemma won’t be eating any chocolate bonbons for a while.”
Ned nods. He then sho
