THE TWO IBUPROFEN I swallowed last night have zero effect on my pounding head when I wake up. It's pitch dark in the room because of the blackout curtains, and I slam my hand down on the nightstand trying to find my phone and turn off the loud and insistent alarm.

"Fuck."

Once the sound stops, I turn on the bedside light, squinting into the room with a groan. The bus leaves in forty-five minutes. Thank God I'm packed and ready to go. I take a quick shower, pull on board ...