Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter 49

I toss and turn in bed, my mind replaying last night on a loop. No matter how hard I try, I can't shake the restlessness gripping me. Every time I close my eyes, flashes of Aiden creep back in—his touch, the way he looked at me, the heat between us. Frustrated, I flip onto my back and stare at the ceiling, my chest tight with all the questions racing through my head. Why did he act like that? Was it just the alcohol messing with us? Or was there something real buried beneath it all? Will he tell Amina? Should I tell Amina? But, there's nothing really to tell right? Nothing happened...

I groan, kicking the blankets off in frustration. Lying here isn't going to help. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, feeling the heavy weight of last night still clinging to me. After a moment, I grab a sweater and throw it on, my bare feet hitting the cold floor as I stand.

I know I won't be able to sleep anymore, not with all this buzzing in my head, so I decide to head downstairs and clear my mind. Maybe some fresh air and a joint will help.

The cabin is quiet, still wrapped in the early morning silence as I tiptoe down the creaky stairs. The smell of wood and the soft glow of the embers from the fire make the space feel cozy. I grab a joint I rolled, slip on some boots, and quietly step outside onto the terrace. The cold air hits me immediately, a sharp contrast to the warmth inside, but it's refreshing. I light up, taking a long drag, letting the smoke curl through my thoughts.

I lean against the wooden railing, the snow-covered landscape stretching out before me, serene and untouched. My mind races back to Aiden—how close we got. Obviously, how could I even think of anything else?

I shake my head, trying to push it all away for now, and focus on the view as I finish the joint.

Once the buzz hits, I head back inside, flicking on the kitchen lights and deciding to make myself useful. I rummage through the fridge, grabbing eggs, bacon, and whatever I can find for breakfast. The rhythm of cooking distracts me for a bit, and I crack eggs into a bowl, setting up a small station to make pancakes.

The smell of sizzling bacon soon fills the air, and I get a little lost in the motions, whipping up a feast for everyone before they start dragging themselves out of bed, undoubtedly hungover. I prepare plates, lining them up neatly on the table, and set out aspirin and huge glasses of water for each person. They're going to need it.

Just as I finish plating everything, I hear movement from upstairs. The first signs of life.

Footsteps thud lightly on the stairs, a shuffle that signals the start of the hungover parade. I glance up from the plates just as Kai appears, his hair a mess, eyes bleary, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Holy shit," he grumbles, eyeing the spread of food with a groggy smile. "How are you even alive?"

"Good morning," I reply, handing him a glass of water and an aspirin. "You're going to need that."

As Kai sits down at the table, more sounds come from upstairs—doors opening, muffled voices. Belle and Amina appear next, both looking equally disheveled. Belle raises an eyebrow at the sight of food, but her appreciation is clear as she grabs a plate, while Amina immediately reaches for the aspirin.

"God, this is exactly what I need," Belle mutters, collapsing into a chair. "I don't even remember half of last night."

Amina nods, still holding her head. "I'm never drinking absinthe again."

I smile weakly but don't say much, turning back to the stove to flip the last few pancakes. My mind keeps drifting to Aiden. Where is he? My stomach twists at the thought of seeing him, the tension from last night still thick in the air for me, even though no one else seems to have picked up on it.