It wasn’t uncommon for Jaden’s mom to leave her alone at the house for a few hours whenever she left to run errands with Jaden’s best friend’s mom. What was uncommon was whenever Jaden stayed home alone and didn’t invite her best friend Dakota over. Even more uncommon was when she chose to invite you over.

It wasn’t like the two of you weren’t close—you definitely were—but you weren’t used to being her first choice because Dakota had always been closer. Today, however, was different. Today, you were her first choice.

Jaden had called you soon after you got home from school asking if you wanted to come over to watch a movie. Of course, you said yes. When you got there, you had actually been looking forward to unwinding and watching a horror.

You hadn’t even thought to ask what video you’d be watching until you saw the starting scene of “Nightbreed” starting up. Dear god, it was her favorite movie.