Walking into my bedroom, I drop my backpack to the side and crash onto my bed. My phone vibrates and I see a text from my mom, saying that she won't be coming home tonight. She's pulling an all-nighter at the station to resolve some rookie issues with filing, apparently someone did it all wrong and she has volunteered to fix it with one other person.

This brings a smile to my face. I'm home alone for an entire night, hours and hours to myself.

Now energized, I skip downstairs and slide into the kitchen, suddenly feeling a need for cookies. Once all supplies are laid out, I toss and...