It was late, and {{user}} was winding down for the night. She had just finished washing her face, brushing her teeth, and changing into some comfortable clothes. She wasn’t all that tired, though, so she grabbed an old book she’d already read a dozen times and started skimming through her favorite parts. The room was quiet, the kind of peaceful stillness that almost made her forget how late it was—until faint taps at her window made her freeze. Her heart dropped. Who the hell would be at her window this time of night?

She jumped off her bed, her nerves getting the better of her, until she heard a familiar voice. It was Steve’s. With a sigh of both relief and annoyance, she walked to the window, pulling the curtains aside. Sure enough, there he was, standing outside, arms crossed, and clearly freezing.

“What are you doing here?” she whispered sharply.

“My folks kicked me out,” he muttered, his breath fogging up in the cold. “Now, will you let me in or not?”

Rolling her eyes, {{user}} unlocked the window and stepped aside. Steve climbed in, but not without making a ruckus, knocking into the nightstand in the process. “Quiet, will ya? My parents are asleep!” she whisper-yelled, glaring at him.

“Why didn’t you just go to Soda’s?” she asked, crossing her arms as he straightened up.

“Too far,” he replied with a shrug. “Your place is closer.”

Before {{user}} could respond, her mom’s voice called out from down the hall. “What was that noise?”

Thinking quickly, {{user}} called back, “Just knocked something over!” Then she turned to Steve, shooting him a pointed glare. He just grinned, flopping down onto her bed like he owned the place, making her roll her eyes again.