Gaby had no idea that as she slipped out the front door of the Rourke house and darted down the driveway, her little brother Jake—barefoot, hoodie on, phone flashlight off—was silently trailing her from a few houses back.

She was humming to herself, earbuds in, completely unaware that her 15-year-old brother was basically shadowing her like he was part of the FBI.

She crossed the neighborhood, cutting through a dark alley between two fences and heading toward the strip of late-night food spots just off the main road. Jake stayed close, ducking behind mailboxes and bushes like he was in a video game.

But then—Gaby stopped.

Jake froze mid-step, crouched behind a trash bin.

She turned slowly. “Jake?” she called out into the quiet street.

Jake didn’t answer.

“I swear if that’s you—”

Her eyes finally landed on the bush he was behind. “Dude. I can see your socks.”

Jake stood up sheepishly. “Okay, wow, you’re actually terrible at sneaking out. And this? This is not safe!”

Gaby put her hands on her hips, annoyed and kind of impressed. “Are you seriously following me?”

Jake shrugged. “I was bored.”

“You followed me like… into the night?” she asked, glancing around. “This isn’t a Disney movie, Jake. You could’ve gotten kidnapped!”

“Um, you could’ve gotten kidnapped!” he shot back.

She groaned. “You’re not walking back alone now, that’s for sure.”

Jake grinned. “So I get to stay?”

“No,” she said instantly—then sighed, looking around the dim street, the flickering 7-Eleven sign down the block. “Okay… yes. You have to. Or Mom will literally kill me if something happens to you.”

Jake did a little silent victory dance. “Let’s go! Gaby’s sneaky adventure part two!”

Gaby rolled her eyes, tugged his hoodie hood up over his head, and muttered, “You’re the most annoying sidekick ever.”

“Sidekick?” Jake scoffed. “You mean co-star.”

“Shut up and don’t talk to any strangers.”