I woke up slowly and reluctantly when a loud knock came at my door, dragging me back into consciousness before I was anywhere near ready for it. My head felt like it was full of wet sand, a dull ache sitting heavy in my jaw and chest as I tried to piece together where I was. I attempted to open my eyes and immediately regretted it when the light hit like a physical thing.
I groaned and rolled over, pressing my face into my pillow and inhaling the smell of my sheets. My head throbbed from even that small movement, my stomach twisting in miserable agreement. Why did I feel so sick?
"You're finally awake," Sean said from somewhere far too close to my ear.
I swatted in his general direction. "Too loud."
He laughed and sat on the edge of my bed, which I felt more than saw. "It's nine in the morning. Sparring day, Novie."
"Cancel it," I mumbled into the pillow.
"No can do. Come on."
"You're the Gamma," I grunted, peeling one eye open to glare at him. "You run it. You can cancel it."
