Kai sighed and rose from the table. “Zed,” she said, “You still trying to play today? I finally got a new racket, and I’m not trying to hear y’all argue like we’re not already all in this shit. I’ve gone a month without group chat and dick. Real, extra, legendary, I don’t give a fuck. This is the last summer before we’re boring. The purpose is to make it count.” She turned to Sol. “Bitch, you happy now?”

Apollo sniggered as Sol nodded begrudgingly. Kai went to retrieve her shoes from the foyer.

“Yeah, I’m out,” Zed answered, following Kai. “You need a ride, Sol? I know you hate Kenwood, but I can drop you off first.”

“Nah, I’m going to chill with this goober for a bit,” Sol said. “Not much going on at home right now. I cleaned it up a few weeks ago. The less time I spend there, the cleaner it stays. Plus, my bike isn’t fitting in your car.”

“Suit yourself,” Zed said, flashing Apollo a raised eyebrow. The front door opened and closed in a blink.

Apollo watched Sol twirl her hair, her fingers aimlessly coiling her wavy strands. She watched him back. He brandished his phone and scrolled mindlessly, the silence thickening between them. An Ars Technica article on the “internet of things” drew his attention. The article’s provocations made him scan the room, avoiding Sol. His parents relied on him to set up all the devices they were constantly ordering, just as he depended on them to innovate ways to move between systems. Between the living room, dining room, and kitchen, they had a smart TV, a smart blender, a smart clock, and a smart vacuum; he’d hacked them all. Had he missed anything?

He glanced in Sol’s direction, avoiding her glare. She was still watching him. Why was she here? Why was his dad here? He again found his face ensconced in his palm.

“You never answered my question,” she finally said. “I know my friends. Zed loves a challenge, Kai loves Theo, Theo loves to do the right thing. But you, no one knows what you think, what you want. Zed thinks she knows, Kai doesn’t care, and you won’t tell Theo, but unlike them, I know what I don’t know.”

The invisible hand of circulating air suddenly caressed Apollo’s skin, producing a slight shiver. Or was that Sol giving him chills? Why hadn’t she asked him what he loved? Did she think so lowly of him that she couldn’t even imagine him feeling love?

“You really need to learn how to respond to direct questions,” Sol said. “Especially if we get locked up for this shit.”

“I was thinking,” Apollo said.

“Learn how to think and talk. I’m not here for my health.”

“Why are you here then?”

“Why is your dad home this early?”