Nick had insisted on a sleepover.

It wasn’t anything big—just blankets thrown over the couches, a random movie playing quietly in the background, and the kitchen light left on while the rest of the house stayed dark. Matt had gone to bed an hour ago grunting at you guys to stay quiet, and Chris had yelled something about “not being loud” before disappearing down the hallway.

You and Nick lasted maybe twenty minutes before deciding you needed popcorn.

“I’m making popcorn—be quiet,” he says, reaching over you for the microwave buttons, his shoulder accidentally knocking into yours.

“Shut up!” he laughs as you stumble back into the counter, barely catching yourself. The bag of popcorn slips from his hands and lands on the floor with a soft thud.

There’s a pause.

Then you both start laughing hysterically, trying—and failing—to stay quiet.

The microwave starts beeping obnoxiously in the background, completely forgotten.

“Can you guys keep it down?” Chris asks tiredly as he walks into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He looks between the two of you, then at the popcorn on the floor. “It’s literally midnight.”

Nick bends down to grab the bag, still grinning. “We’re being quiet.”

Chris stares at him for a long second. “You’re really not.”