“Nova!”

A sharp voice shattered the heavy fog settling over me. I blinked, tearing my eyes away from the courtyard, to find Amy running across the asphalt toward me. Her backpack bounced against her shoulders, and she was slightly out of breath as she skidded to a stop.

“Was that your mom?” she asked, waving a hand toward the street where my mother’s car had just disappeared around the bend.

“Yeah. She’s going on a business trip.”

“For how long?”

“A week.”

“Oh.” Amy’s eyes instantly lit up with a familiar, mischievous gleam. “So you’ll be home alone? That means you can definitely sleep over after my party. Or better...