Sleepover Denied, Then Summoned

was at my friend’s house having one of those days that feels almost illegal. No responsibilities.

Unlimited snacks. Time didn’t matter. We played Xbox for hours, trash talking like

we had sponsors. Then we hit the pool, cannonballing until our legs gave out.

Came back inside, dried off with towels that smelled like cinnamon dryer sheets, and destroyed a

family-size bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Sun starts setting. Sky turns that fake cartoon orange.

We lock eyes. Same thought. Same goal. At the same time we say,

“Can I sleep over?” He runs to ask his mom. I’m in the doorway trying to look extra

harmless. Like, Hello ma’am, I say thank you and I’ve never committed