we might be falling in love - patricio o' ward

new years in vegas

December 31st, 2022

As the soft morning, actually no, midday as it was actively 4pm and the party was starting at 10pm, light filtered through the curtains, a chorus of groans and mumbled exclamations filled the air, signaling the slow awakening of the group sprawled across Pato and Astraea's room. Rubbing their eyes and exchanging bewildered glances, they attempted to piece together the events of the previous night, their memories blurred by a haze of music, laughter, and too many cocktails.

"Wait, how did we all end up here?" Lando exclaimed, his voice laced with confusion as he surveyed the scene before him, his gaze shifting from one slumbering figure to the next.

Carlos scratched his head, a bemused expression on his face. "I have no idea, mate. Last thing I remember, we were tearing up the dance floor at Tao."

Astraea stifled a laugh as she sat up, her hair tousled from sleep. "Well, it looks like we had a bit too much fun last night," she remarked, casting a playful glance at Pato, who grinned sheepishly in response.

Heidi chuckled, stretching languidly as she surveyed the room. "I guess we all needed a slumber party after that epic night out," she said, her tone light-hearted as she brushed a strand of hair from her face.

As they slowly began to rouse themselves from their makeshift beds, the group exchanged stories and fragments of memories from the night before, piecing together a patchwork of laughter, camaraderie, and shared experiences. Despite the throbbing headache and lingering sense of disorientation, there was an undeniable sense of joy and connection in the air, a reminder of the bonds that had brought them together in the first place.

With a collective effort, they gathered their belongings and made their way to the living area, where the promise of a new day and the anticipation of the upcoming New Year's party awaited. Though the night may have been a blur, they knew that the memories they had created would be cherished for years to come, a testament to the enduring spirit of friendship and adventure that defined their lives together.

As Astraea attempted to navigate the chaotic sea of requests for room service, she found herself swept up in a whirlwind of competing voices and overlapping demands.

"Okay, okay, let's try to keep this organized," she called out, her voice barely audible above the cacophony of chatter. "Who wants what?"

Lando waved his hand eagerly, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. "I'll take a cheeseburger with extra cheese and a side of fries, please!"

Carlos nodded in agreement, chiming in with his own order. "Make mine a double cheeseburger with everything on it, and a milkshake on the side."

Meanwhile, Daniel and Heidi exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "We'll have the club sandwich and a Caesar salad," Daniel said, speaking over the din.

Heidi nodded, adding, "And don't forget the extra avocado on the side!"

As Astraea scribbled down the orders on a notepad, she couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the chaos unfolding before her. With each passing moment, the room seemed to grow louder and more chaotic, the air filled with laughter and good-natured banter.

"Alright, got it," Astraea said, her pen poised over the notepad as she attempted to make sense of the jumble of requests. "Anything else?"

Just as she thought she had managed to wrangle the chaos into some semblance of order, another voice piped up from the crowd.

"Can I get a pizza with extra pepperoni?" Pato interjected, flashing Astraea a playful grin.

She rolled her eyes playfully, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Of course you can, Mr. Pepperoni Lover," she teased, adding the request to her growing list.