"Welcome home, sweetheart," Nico says as I enter the house. He thinks it's funny to act like an old couple or something.

"It's my home," I remind him. "You're simply a guest."

"Mhm. Well, since I'm going to be a guest for a while, we need to go get my stuff."

I give him a look. "Didn't I tell you to figure it out?" I ask.

"I did," he says, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. My stomach starts to churn as he walks towards me. "How do you feel about breaking into a house?"

---

I cannot believe I am doing this right now. Every ounce of my body is filled with regret as I watch Nico try- and fail- to climb the walls of his house like an idiot.

"This is harder than I thought," he admits.

Shaking my head, I take a look around. It takes me less than ten seconds to spot a potential entrance.

"Can you not get in through there?" I ask, pointing to a gate closing the backyard. His eyeline follows where I'm pointing.

"Good thinking, Cho," he says, placing a hand on my arm.

"You really didn't think of that?" I ask as he starts to walk over.

"Well, there's a password I need to actually get in," he says, walking straight to a keypad.

"Your dad's birthday?" I suggest. No good. He tries his own birthday too. Nothing. His thoughtful face becomes somber as he types in another code. The keypad beeps green and Nick's face lights up.

"What was it?" I ask, not even realizing that I'm asking for the code to his house.

He doesn't really seem to notice or care. "My mom's birthday," he says and forces a smile.

I think in 9th or 10th grade, Nico's parents got divorced and his mom left town. That's why they moved out of our neighborhood.

Without thinking, I reach for his arm and give it a squeeze. I know what it feels like to lose your mom. A light, forced laugh escapes him and he smiles down at me. His eyes are softer than I've ever seen them, sadder. Nico is never sad. For some reason, this makes my insides start to hurt a little.

The moment ends as his face drains of color. "Shit!" he says. "My dad's back."

"I'll get the car."

Praying that he doesn't see me, I make a beeline for my car. Nico's dad steps out of his car, his suit tie loose, and a six pack of beer in his hand. He loosens his tie even more before heading into the house.

Hurry up, Nico.

While observing the house, something catches my attention. Through a window. I can barely make out Nico waving at me.

That fool.

I motion for him to get out but he crosses his arms adamantly and waits. With a sigh, I wave back. He gives me that grin of his and runs out of view.

Seconds later, he comes sprinting out of his yard with a duffel bag in hand. "Drive!" he yells. I pull up next to him and swing open the door. "Go! Go! Go!" My adrenaline is pumping and I slam down on the gas pedal. "Whoo!" Nico shouts and a dizzy laugh escapes me as I drive us back home.

---

Between third and fourth period the next day, I come to my locker and see a piece of paper peeking out the bottom.

"You're a criminal accomplice now. Welcome to the dark side, Cho."

Accompanied by my favorite butterscotch candies is a bad sketch of a ghost.

Folding the note in my pocket, I pop a butterscotch in my mouth and smile.