(Michelle Lui's POV)
I floated into the house.
Literally floated.
Like a helium balloon someone forgot to tie down.
My mom turned from the sofa the moment she heard the door unlock.
"OH?" Her eyes narrowed with predatory interest. "Why are you glowing?"
"I am NOT glowing," I said much too fast.
She stood.
Walked closer.
Squinted.
Then gasped. "YOU ARE GLOWING."
Dad lowered his newspaper like someone had announced a war. "WHAT. HAPPENED. WHO WAS IT?"
"No one!" I squeaked. "Mom! Dad! Stop—"
Mom circled me like a detective about to expose a scandal. "You smell like men's cologne."
"That is fabric softener!"
"That is not fabric softener. That is luxury-brand-male-smells-expensive cologne."
Dad stood faster than a man his age should. "WHOSE CAR WAS THAT? DID HE TOUCH YOU? DO I NEED TO CALL SECURITY?!"
"NO ONE TOUCHED ANYONE!"
Mom grabbed my cheeks. "Michelle, darling… did you go on… a date?"
"I— IT WASN'T— WE WERE DOING HOMEWORK—"
