with nervous heartbeats

jittery as a mouse

I make my way

down the stairs

avoiding eye contact

is the first challenge—

—often ineffective

but I still do it.

my jacket I grab

and my shoes I put on

whilst feeling three pairs of eyes

burning into my back.

where do you think you’re going, young lady? mom crosses her arms an eyebrow raised in question.

to lacey’s house

I reply coolly

my father steps in.

laundry?

the dishes?

your room?

yes

I reply again

staying under

control.

now

the final breach

the head of security:

my sister.

finding new things

to entice her with

is getting harder

especially with her

having a reputation

for being a

snitch.

the corners of her lips

turn upwards; a challenge.

I send signals with my eyes

mouth a couple words as she thinks it over

she accepts.

mom, dad, she’s not lying.

__

I leave the house,

finally able to breathe.