It had been a normal school day for Jake—math quizzes, hallway drama, and a lukewarm lunch. He was just ready to drop his backpack and relax. As he walked up the driveway, headphones in and hoodie half-zipped, he casually knocked on the front door, expecting the usual: Gaby yelling “it’s open!” from somewhere inside.

Instead, the door swung open fast.

And standing there, in all her college-athlete glory, was Gaby… with a snake wrapped around her neck.

Jake’s eyes went wide. “WHAT. IS. THAT?!”

“It’s Loki!” Gaby said like it was the most casual thing ever, smiling as the snake flicked its tongue near her cheek. “I’m watching him for a teammate this week.”

Jake took three big steps back and nearly tripped over his backpack. “Bro—Gaby—what kind of teammate just hands you a DEMON NOODLE?!”

She laughed, clearly entertained. “He’s just a ball python, Jake. Super chill. You wanna hold him?”

Jake backed up even more. “NO. I WANNA BURN THIS HOUSE DOWN AND MOVE. That thing is breathing.”

Gaby tilted her head. “You’re scared of a little snake? I play football, and you’re the one screaming?”

“I—THAT’S NOT THE SAME THING!” Jake yelled, ducking as Loki shifted slightly. “You’re insane.”

Gaby couldn’t stop laughing as she gently adjusted the snake on her shoulders. “Come on, he likes you. He told me.”

Jake turned and bolted inside through the back door, yelling, “Call me when the zoo closes and you’ve returned that thing!”

Gaby shouted after him, giggling, “You’re gonna have to face him eventually, little bro!”