Empire of Nothing

Leon's office always smelled like expensive wood, old books, and quiet power.

Nova stepped inside and shut the door behind her. She cleared her throat, hands buried deep in the sleeves of her hoodie.

Leon glanced up from his tablet. "Nova. You've got that look again."

"What look?"

"The one where you're either about to ask me something or admit to a felony."

She snorted. "No crimes today."

"Impressive."

She hesitated near the edge of the desk. "So… um… the thing is… my friends invited me to a sleepover."

Leon raised a brow. "At a girl's house?"

"Not exactly."

He didn't blink.

Nova straightened. "It's at Zane's place. Jules and Troy are coming too. Zane's parents will be there. No party. No weirdness. Just… normal teenager stuff. You know. Movie marathons, bad food, staying up way too late."

Leon sat back slowly. "Zane. The loud one."

"He's loud but harmless," Nova said quickly. "And he has good snacks. And… I'd like to go."

He didn't answer right away.

Nova squirmed, then poked his arm. "Come on. Say yes."

Leon gave her a dry look. "Poking me won't speed this up."

She poked him again. "You're softening."

He sighed. "You're acting just like your mother when she wanted something."

Nova blinked.

Then she poked him again. "So… is that a yes?"

Leon studied her for a long moment. "I trust you, Nova. You've proven you're more mature than half the adults I work with."

Nova blinked, surprised.

"But," he added, "if anything goes wrong—call. If you're uncomfortable—leave. I'm trusting you because you've earned it. But that trust comes with responsibility."

Nova smiled, wide and real. "I won't let you down."

"Good." He paused. "Now get out of my office before I change my mind."

Nova turned and nearly skipped out.

Then paused, leaned back in, and poked his arm one last time.

Leon chuckled. "Annoying. Just like her."

Downstairs, Nova was barely halfway to the door when she heard it.

"Where are you going?" Ryder's voice, sharp and immediate.

She didn't stop. "Out."

"Out where?" Darian asked from the hallway, arms folded.

"To a sleepover at Zane's house," she said casually, grabbing her bag.

Silence.

Ethan stood from the armchair. "Excuse me?"

"It's not a big deal," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Jules and Troy are coming. Zane's parents are home. I already asked Leon."

"You asked him but not us?" Ryder snapped, rising to his feet.

Nova turned. "Didn't know I needed a permit from four grumpy guards."

"You're sleeping at some random guy's house," he growled. "That's not safe."

"He's not random. He's Zane. He literally cried during Finding Nemo."

Darian's jaw tensed. "Doesn't matter. It's risky."

Nova stepped forward. "No, what's risky is assuming I need your permission to have a life."

"You don't even know what guys like him want," Ryder snapped.

She stared at him. "And you do? Because last I checked, you barely know me."

Ethan raised a hand, calm and quiet. "Nova, we're not trying to control you. We're trying to keep you safe."

She looked at him, then the others.

"I've never been safe in this house," she said softly. "But for one night, I get to be somewhere I'm wanted. I'm not giving that up."

She pulled open the door.

Max called from the couch, waving lazily. "Bring me chips!"

Nova grinned. "You got it."

And with that, she walked out — not as someone escaping, but as someone choosing her own story.

For once.