“You’re welcome,” Sol said, filling her own glass then plopping onto the couch. The jug dropped to the carpeted floor, producing a weak, sploshy thud.

Apollo eyed the sweat of the jug, aware of Sol’s proximity to him. The couch was ample, as was the space between them, but he felt the heat from her legs, smelled the brine of her sweat. What was in this tea? He found himself scrutinizing his glass. The tea was the same color as Sol’s skin. Was it just as sweet?

A blanket landed on his lap. “You wouldn’t last in jail, man,” Sol said. “You’re too secretive about what you want. I don’t know what it’s like for guys, obviously, but when I would feel the urge, I just had to do it.” Sol’s socked foot began to hover over the blanket. He felt his pulse in his eyes as he watched her mimic stroking herself, legs splayed. “If you didn’t own that shit, they owned you.” Apollo watched her other foot dangle over the opposite arm rest. Her legs were quite long, he observed. “They already own your time; you can’t give them your fucking desire, too.” Apollo nodded, his pulse suddenly perceptible from beneath the blanket, his lap a morass of heat and sweat and pressure.

In one motion, Sol’s legs snapped forward, sending her springing from the couch. She looked down at Apollo, a bemused look on her face. “You still haven’t answered my question,” she said.

Apollo stood up too. “Which one?” he stammered, the blanket dropping to the floor.

“Why are you so sure this is what we should do? I haven’t even been to jail. I was just in juvie. And it was the worst year of my life. Trust.” They stood face to face.

“I’m sorry,” Apollo said, matching her gaze. Her skin was still hot; he could sense it.

“Yeah, me, too. I should have just tagged that bitch’s car. But I had to get extra with it.”

“Extra is life, though, right?”

Sol laughed, but her eyes remained still. “Extra is Zed’s life.”

“What’s your life?” Apollo asked. “This house? I know you loved your grandma, but I don’t get it. We’re supposed to get houses, go to school, have kids, repeat. We’re not supposed to be the siege engine that destroys the means of control. I thought stepping out of bounds was what the Celestials were all about?”