Caught Sneaking In Late

I was one step away from getting away with it. Shoes off. Lights off.

Quiet as possible. Then the floor creaked. Loud. From the dark, I hear,

“Why are you whispering?” My heart stopped. Dad turns on the light. Mum’s right there.

They don’t yell. Dad just says, “Next time… text us.” Phone gone.

Grounded. But weirdly… I slept better knowing they were waiting.