I take a deep breath, although it is hard to feel refreshed with this air. Someone tells a joke and the others laugh, but I miss it. I can’t stop looking at the jar. I know it sounds stupid, but I usually walk the other way if I enter a room and see drugs. I mean, sure, I’ve seen them used in school bathrooms or at concerts, and it’s not like I can’t deal with the idea of it happening around me, but I try not to stick around a party when that’s all people are doing. I never made a big deal about it, usually just saying I’m not feeling well or have to get up early and head home.

I just never wanted to be around if something went down. I knew too many kids whose lives were ruined because they were walking around with something in their backpack when the police decided to randomly search them. If a party was busted and I was there... I wouldn’t be able to look my parents in the eyes and tell them that, after all their sacrifice, I had messed up my chances to go to college just to stay at a lame party. The state made it legal a few years ago, but only for people over twenty-one, which I am not. And the federal law could still screw everyone over.

I glance behind me at the door. I am technically here on official business. It’s not like I can just make an excuse and leave. And it’s not like I’m just risking my future being here; in fact, I could be helping it quite a bit.

And for some reason I feel like the police aren’t about to break down this million-dollar door with a battering ram. Some bullshit.

I exhale and lean back, trying to make myself look less uncomfortable.

“My roommates and cofounders went out for burritos,” Brett says. “But we can just start without them if that’s cool with you.”

I look to Sara, who shrugs.

“Sure, why not,” Braden says.

“Sweet,” Brett says. “So what do you want to know?” While he waits for us to respond, he heads back across the room to grab the bong.

“Uh...” I try to think, distracted by the sight of Brett lighting up the bong, and then letting it fill with smoke for a good ten seconds before inhaling. “I guess, do you wanna just walk us through the process, from your initial idea to company?”

He nods as he reaches for a beer and takes a long sip. He wipes his mouth before answering. “So yeah, I usually use a process called ideation. Are you guys familiar with design thinking?”

Sara laughs.