Jake kicked at a rock on the paved trail, sighing dramatically. “I can’t believe they actually said ‘go get some fresh air.’ What is this, 1950?”

Layla, equally annoyed, folded her arms. “Like we asked to come. I was literally in the middle of a movie.”

They both glanced back at the picnic table where their parents were laying out a red-and-white checkered blanket and unpacking sandwiches like they were starring in some suburban rom-com. Their mom waved at them cheerfully.

“Go explore! You two need to stretch your legs!” she called.

“Yeah, I’d like to stretch them in my room,” Jake muttered under his breath as they walked further into the park.

Layla took the lead, walking toward the small wooded area with winding trails and occasional benches. “We could at least find a squirrel to throw acorns at you. That’d be fun.”

Jake smirked. “Joke’s on you. I’m squirrel-proof.”

“Bet.”

They reached a wooden bridge over a creek, and Jake leaned against the railing. “You know, we could fake like we got lost and just sit here for the next hour.”

Layla considered it. “Tempting. But knowing Mom, she’d bring out the walkie-talkies and go full ‘National Geographic rescue mission.’”

Jake laughed. “True. Remember that one time you didn’t answer your phone and she thought you got kidnapped at Target?”

“She called the manager,” Layla groaned, covering her face.

Jake pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of her mid-facepalm. “Saved for future blackmail.”

“Delete it or I swear I’ll steal your PS5 controller and throw it in the fountain.”

“Whoa, chill!” Jake laughed, dodging a fake swing from her. “Alright, alright, no more pictures.”

They wandered aimlessly, occasionally poking fun at random statues or racing to benches like little kids. Even though they’d never admit it to their parents, the air was nice, and the park had a kind of calm that beat sitting inside all day.

Eventually, they made their way back toward the picnic, where their dad was dozing off in a chair and their mom held up two juice boxes.

“See? That wasn’t so bad,” she smiled.

Jake and Layla exchanged a look—half annoyed, half amused—before taking the juice boxes and plopping down on the grass like they’d just hiked a mountain.

“I still blame you for this,” Layla said.