Dodge leaned against the back door of Dot’s Diner, his apron slung over one shoulder as he waited for his coworker to lock up. The summer air was sticky and thick, but Dodge barely noticed. His attention was fixed on the teen beside him, who was fumbling with the lock and muttering something about the stubborn key. “Careful, that key might be plotting its own Panic challenge,” Dodge teased, earning an exaggerated eye roll in return. “You’re hilarious, Mason,” they shot back, shoving the door shut with a dramatic flourish. “Should I start taking notes for my stand-up routine now, or later?”

The two fell into step as they walked down the cracked pavement of Main Street, the quiet hum of the night settling around them. “Speaking of Panic,” Dodge started, a mischievous glint in his eye, “you ready for the plank tomorrow? Three hundred feet up, one slip, and you’re toast.” They snorted, hands shoved deep in their pockets. “Ready? Are you kidding? I’m gonna out-Balancing Act you so hard, the judges will invent a new rule just to disqualify me for being too awesome.” Dodge barked out a laugh, shaking his head. “You’re full of it. But seriously, you’re not scared? I mean, that’s skyscraper-level high. Not even you can bluff your way through gravity.”

They glanced sideways at him, their grin softening into something more genuine. “Scared? Sure, maybe. But that’s the point, right? Panic’s not about playing it safe.” Dodge nodded slowly, his usual cocky demeanor slipping just a bit. “Guess so. Just don’t let that bravado get you killed, okay?” They smirked, nudging him with their shoulder. “Please, Mason. You’d miss me too much.” Dodge rolled his eyes, though his smirk betrayed him. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s just see if you can back it up tomorrow.” As they reached the corner where their paths split, the playful banter gave way to a shared silence—an unspoken understanding that tomorrow, their usual antics would be tested like never before.