The phone rang at 9:16 PM.

Vi had been halfway through reheating leftovers, slouched against the counter, lazily arguing with Caitlyn over which movie to put on. The kitchen smelled like soy sauce and fried rice. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Then her phone buzzed.

Your name lit up the screen.

She answered immediately, smile already forming.

Vi: “Hey, kid. You walking in or calling to beg for a ride?”

But you didn’t answer right away. There was a pause. Not static, not silence, just the sound of breathing. Shaky. Uneven.

Vi straightened, all amusement gone. Caitlyn seemed to notice as she goes over and listens in closely.

Vi: “Hey. You good?”