Fallen Angel [Bellamy Blake]

Chapter 36: a chance

When I came to, my head was killing me.

Not just a dull ache—no, this felt like someone had taken a rock and slammed it against my skull over and over again. Which, honestly, wasn't that far off from my recent experiences.

I groaned softly, squeezing my eyes shut before forcing them open again. The world swam for a second, the edges blurring before slowly settling into place.

Thick canvas.

Dim light.

A familiar but unfamiliar layout.

Wait—

This wasn't my tent.

It was Bellamy's.

I pushed myself up slowly, careful not to move too fast. The pounding in my head only intensified as I tried to piece together how I got here.

Nothing.

A complete, empty gap.

The last thing I remembered was... dancing?

Teaching some kid an Irish jig?

I frowned.

I didn't even know how to do an Irish jig.

"Great," I muttered. "That's new."

I dragged my boots on, fingers clumsy and slow, then stepped outside.

Night had already settled over camp, but the noise hadn't died down. Laughter, shouting, the clinking of metal cups—Unity Day was still in full swing.

"Hey, partner!"

I flinched at the sudden volume.

Jason waved me over, already halfway through another game. "You down for another round, champ?"

"Uh... not right now," I said, wincing slightly.

He shrugged it off easily, turning back to his group.

I scanned the camp, spotting Clarke near one of the tables—laughing.

Actually laughing.

The sight caught me off guard.

It was rare, seeing her like that. Light. Unburdened, even if just for a moment.

I found myself smiling as I walked over.

Just as I got close, Fox landed a perfect shot into one of the cups. The group erupted into cheers, and Clarke grabbed the drink without hesitation, downing it like she had something to prove.

"Kat!" she shouted when she saw me.

I resisted the urge to clutch my head at the volume.

"What do you know," someone behind her snorted, "princess can party."