By the time the music shifts again, my head feels like it's packed full with cotton.
Not spinning anymore, just heavy and pressed in from the inside.
I keep my posture straight anyway. Shoulders back. Chin level. Ivy's voice echoes in my head, telling me not to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me fold.
Zane stands a step away from me, close enough that I can feel the heat coming off him, far enough that it's obvious we aren't pretending to be anything soft.
Lucas doesn't move far either. He's hovering, pretending not to be, eyes sharp every time I shift my weight.
I'm tired.
Not the kind of tired sleep fixes. The kind that sinks into your bones and makes everything feel slower.
My grandfather catches my eye from across the room.
I know what it means.
I straighten, take a breath, and step toward him. Zane notices immediately. Of course he does.
"Where are you going?" he asks quietly.
"To end this night," I reply. "Before I do something embarrassing. Like collapse."
