Chapter 266: Drunken Truth

**Thelma Zane’s POV** The cool evening breeze brushed against my flushed cheeks, a gentle contrast to the warmth of the alcohol coursing through me. The familiar haze of intoxication wrapped around me, pulling me into a joyful dizziness I hadn’t felt in ages. Under the glow of the moonlight, I stood outside the school gate, waiting for someone to take me home. Dorothy leaned heavily on me—or maybe we were leaning on each other for support. Neither of us was particularly steady on our feet. Perrin had been sent on escort duty by his fiancée, who, despite being equally intoxicated, decided that we needed him more than she did. Mara wasn’t with us; she and Avril had already retired for the night, likely sharing a pillow and their usual banter. The school gate was alive with activity, even at this late hour. A row of enterprising vendors had turned the grassy patch outside into a bustling snack street. The smell of fried food and sweet treats hung in the air, drawing a lively crow