It started as one of those nights that felt rare and electric—the kind that only happened when parents were gone and the house felt temporarily like it belonged to you.

Mikayla’s parents were on vacation, and the four of you had claimed the living room as your own. Empty pizza boxes stacked on the coffee table, music hummed softly from a speaker, and laughter echoed down the hallway. You’d all had a little too much to drink—not enough to be reckless, just enough to feel bold.

Poker had been Mikayla’s idea.

“The winner gets a wish,” she’d said, eyes sparkling.

You hadn’t thought much of it. None of you had.

Until she won.

She leaned back on the couch, grinning. “Partner exchange. Just for one day.”

The room went quiet.

Xavier laughed immediately, clearly intrigued. Mikayla was already halfway out of her seat, excited. But your stomach dropped.

Ades shifted beside you, uncomfortable. You caught his eye—both of you thinking the same thing. It wasn’t that you didn’t trust each other. You were good friends. But the idea of being separated from your partners, even temporarily, felt wrong. Too close to something that could break.

Xavier and Mikayla kept pushing, teasing, insisting it was harmless.

Eventually, against your better judgment, you agreed.

Mikayla didn’t waste a second. She grabbed Xavier’s hand and pulled him toward her bedroom, laughing as the door closed behind them.

You and Ades stayed on the couch.

The house suddenly felt too quiet.

Neither of you spoke for a long time. You stared at the TV without really watching it, listening to muffled movement down the hall. Curiosity gnawed at you both—an uneasy mix of jealousy and disbelief.

Finally, you both stood and peeked down the hallway.

The door was open.

Xavier and Mikayla were having funny business in the bed.

You felt something twist in your chest.

Ades exhaled quietly beside you. “Yeah,” he muttered. “I kinda expected that.”