The Fall Risk

by Abby Jimenez

Izzy turned back to Gabe, looked him up and down, made a little fake lunge, grabbed her bat, and left.

“I’m not gonna lie, the friend was low-key terrifying, and also I was sort of into it?” he said.

“Listen to me,” he said, going on unfazed. “Do not, and I cannot stress this enough, spend the whole time talking to her about trees.”

“He has no record, by the way,” she said. “And his socials are clean.”

“Good Lord, it’s only been five minutes—” “I only needed two.”

“Women solve entire murders on their podcasts, you think I can’t find out all I need to know about some rando I met on the lawn?”

“Sorry, it’s my emotional support bear spray,” I said,

“Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.”