Brice leaned against the porch railing, rolling his shoulders as the summer heat pressed against his skin. The street was calm, the hum of distant cars blending into the lazy rhythm of the afternoon.
Sabrina stretched her legs out in front of her, her gaze flicking toward Brice with that familiar smirk still playing at her lips.
"So," she started, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm having a little party here later. Just a few people, nothing crazy." She leaned back against the porch column, tapping her fingers absentmindedly against her knee. "You should come."
Brice exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "Party, huh?"
She nodded, kicking at the air like she was weighing the idea. "Yeah, small thing. Grandma's gone for the weekend, so I've got the house to myself. Figured I'd take advantage before she gets back and starts lecturing me about not leaving dishes in the sink."
Brice chuckled under his breath. "Sounds like Ms. Hernandez."
Sabrina grinned, shrugging. "She's got her rules, but whatever. Anyway, it's nothing big—just some music, food, a few people hanging out. You in?"
Brice hesitated for a moment, glancing down the street before looking back at her. He wasn't really a party guy—not the type to get caught up in loud conversations or messy social energy—but Sabrina's invitations had always been different. She wasn't just inviting him to a party. She was inviting him into the space she trusted, the space she knew he belonged in.
Still, before he could answer, she gave him a knowing look, like she had already predicted his usual response.
"Don't overthink it," she teased. "Just come, have a drink, talk to people, maybe even have some fun for once in your life."
Brice sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Fine. I'll stop by."
Sabrina clapped her hands together, triumphant. "That's what I like to hear." She pushed herself up from the porch, stretching her arms. "Starts around eight. Try not to be late, because if you show up when things are already dying down, I'm gonna clown you for it."
Brice rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be there."
Neither of them noticed the way the wind shifted slightly, the faintest trace of something different in the air. A change so small it was almost unnoticeable.
For now, the world still felt normal.
Brice stepped through the front door, the cool air inside a welcome contrast to the summer heat pressing against his skin. The house smelled faintly of lavender and aged wood, a mix of Sabrina's grandmother's careful housekeeping and the years embedded in the walls.
Sabrina followed, shutting the door behind her with a soft click before plopping onto the couch next to Brice, stretching her arms over the backrest like she owned the place. And for now, she did—Ms. Hernandez wouldn't be back until the weekend, leaving the house entirely in her hands.
Brice leaned back, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. "So what's the plan for this party?"
Sabrina shrugged, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone. "Nothing wild. Just some drinks, some music. Few people coming over later."
Brice nodded, his fingers drumming lightly against his knee.
The conversation drifted into easy chatter—random topics, pointless jokes, thoughts about the heat, how summer had a way of stretching time out, making everything feel slower. But mid-sentence, the distant sound of sirens cut through the conversation.
Brice turned his head toward the window, his gaze settling on the brown curtains. Through the fabric, he caught the flashing red and white lights of an ambulance speeding past, the urgency in its movement unmistakable. It wasn't unusual—accidents happened, people got sick—but something about the way it tore through the neighborhood felt different.
His eyes lingered on the fading streak of light for a second longer before he shifted back, shaking off the thought.
Just as he did, footsteps echoed from the stairway.
Juan appeared at the bottom step, tugging his hoodie over his head, eyes flicking toward Brice and Sabrina before settling on the floor like he was lost in his own thoughts.
Sabrina glanced up, resting an elbow against the arm of the couch. "Where you headed?"
Juan pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the screen before sliding it away. "Back home. My cousins are down the street, figured I'd go chill there for a bit."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "You avoiding the party or just got better plans?"
Juan smirked for half a second before shaking his head. "Nah, I'll swing by later if I feel like it."
Brice watched him for a moment, not because there was anything unusual—Juan was always coming and going—but because the tension in the air had shifted slightly. Maybe it was the ambulance. Maybe it was nothing.
But something didn't feel right.
And neither of them knew how much that would matter soon.
Brice leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees for a moment before exhaling and pushing himself up from the couch. The air inside Sabrina's grandma's house was cool compared to the lingering summer heat outside, but he could already feel the weight of the evening settling in.
Sabrina glanced up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. "You leaving?"
Brice nodded, adjusting his shirt as he stretched slightly. "Yeah, gonna head home for a bit, freshen up. I'll be back before the party starts."
Sabrina smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned back. "You better. If you bail on me, I'm calling you out in front of everyone."
Brice let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. "Noted."
He turned toward the door, stepping out as the warm air wrapped around him again. The streetlights had begun to flicker on, casting a soft glow over the pavement.
As he made his way down the sidewalk, he glanced toward the house across the street, catching sight of Juan still playing with his cousins. The younger kids sprinted toward him before veering off back into the yard, their laughter carrying in the air.
Brice kept walking, turning down the next street toward the familiar corner where his mother's house sat, tucked neatly between its neighbors.
Inside, it was quiet. Still.
His mother was still at work, leaving the house empty like always at this time.
Brice exhaled, running a hand over his face before heading toward his room.
Time to clean up, throw on something fresh, and get ready for the night ahead.
The air outside was changing, but he didn't know that yet.
Not yet.