The school bell echoed through the halls for the last time that year. With summer break officially here, I practically sprinted home, leaving behind the weight of textbooks and schedules. The warm breeze followed me as I unlocked the front door and stepped into the familiar comfort of my home.
The living room was alive with soft music and the hum of editing equipment. Sam sat on the couch, hunched over his laptop, while Colby lounged in a chair nearby, spinning it lazily as he scrolled on his phone. The two of them were so in sync it was almost creepy—Colby would stop spinning just as Sam’s music paused, and when Sam glanced up, Colby set his phone down, as if they shared some unspoken rhythm.
I waved as I passed through. “Hey, I’m home!”
“Yo, how was the last day?” Colby called, leaning back in his chair.
“Uneventful,” I said, shrugging. “But no more school, so I’m not complaining.”
Sam smiled, his attention still on the screen in front of him. “Well, congrats on surviving another year.”
“Thanks,” I said with a grin. I headed upstairs to drop off my bag and wallet.
In my room, I tossed my purse onto the nightstand and stared out the window for a moment. The sky was bright and endless, promising a summer full of possibilities. My mind wandered to snacks. I was craving something sweet, and since Sam and Colby always appreciated snacks too, it was the perfect excuse to ask them for a little extra money.
I bounded back downstairs. “Hey, can I borrow a tiny bit of money for snacks? And do you guys want anything?”
Sam looked up from his laptop. “You don’t need to borrow anything. Just grab twenty bucks from the jar in the kitchen.”
“Yeah,” Colby added. “Get some good stuff.”
“Okay, but specifics,” I said, crossing my arms.
Colby smirked. “Alright, iced tea for me, obviously. And maybe some gummy worms or peach rings.”
Sam thought for a moment. “Dr. Pepper for me. Oh, and grab me something chocolate—like a Snickers or Reese’s.”
“Got it,” I said, heading into the kitchen. I grabbed a crisp $20 bill from the jar on the counter and pocketed it.
As I walked back into the living room, Colby added, “Don’t forget the gummy worms!”
“I won’t,” I said with a laugh. “But if I do, you can’t complain.”
“Oh, I’ll complain,” Colby teased.
Sam rolled his eyes. “Ignore him. Just don’t forget the Dr. Pepper.”
With their orders in mind, I grabbed my keys and headed out to the corner store.
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