ETHAN
Saturday, 10:00 AM
I was pacing my room like a criminal waiting for a trial.
"Relax," Lucas said over FaceTime, eating cereal straight from the box. "It's just a casual hangout."
"Exactly," I snapped. "Casual. Which is why I've tried on three different hoodies."
"You're emotionally unwell."
"I can't just show up looking like I rolled out of bed."
"You did roll out of bed."
I ignored him and surveyed my options: Black hoodie (safe), denim jacket (trying too hard?), graphic tee with a tiny cartoon dumpling (cute but risky).
After another five minutes of soul searching, I chose the hoodie. Simple. Chill. Safe.
I sprayed on cologne (one spritz - not desperate) and ran a hand through my hair for the fiftieth time.
Mom caught me in the hallway.
"You going somewhere?"
"Yeah. Me
