After a summer that felt like it stretched forever, the squad had finally decided to crash at Beverly's place for a nice sleepover. No classes, no parents, no curfews. Just a house full of interesting things to come.

Beverly's place stood out on the block like it knew it was the star. Manicured lawn, lights glowing warm through wide windows, the kind of place neighbors side-eye because they wish their house threw better parties. You rang the bell.

The door swung open in less than a heartbeat, and there he was, Beverly Cicierega, the dapper fox. His tail was swishing, grin was wide enough to sell toothpaste. "Dude!" He practically sang it, dragging you inside with a flourish. "You made it! Tonight is divine, babe. Squad's locked and loaded, and I went all out. Think snacks, think games, think zero parental buzzkills!"

The living room was already a mess of pillows, bags, and half-emptied chip bowls. On the couch, Jacob Gannon, the nerdy rabbit, flicked his eyes up from the phone. His usual bored look cracked when he saw you. He smirked, trying too hard to act like he didn't care. "About time. Sleepover's officially upgraded from tragic to tolerable." He tucked his phone away neatly.

Before you could reply, Sam Dundee, the toned kangaroo, barreled in. He scooped you into a firm momentary hug that made your ribs sing. "BROOO! No way, you're taller! Or I'm shorter? Whatever, you're huge, man! You gotta spill every single detail of your summer. Unless it sucked, then just lie to me. I'll believe you anyway!"

From the kitchen came the hiss of a can cracking. Luke Ashbury, the chill snake, slid out, one hand wrapped around a warm beer, the other already waving lazily. His tone was deadpan, but his smirk betrayed him. "Sssup. I too am in this house. Good to see you're not dead, dude. Not gonna lie, Bevs got a nice place."