Elias felt the heat rise to his neck. "That was completely unnecessary. You had another move that wouldn't have bumped me."

He moved back onto the board, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Okay," he said. "Your turn. But don't get too comfortable—I'm eyeing that shortcut now."

The game continued, the frustration replaced by a steady, focused rhythm. They bumped, they jumped, and they started over—learning that the "aggravation" wasn't a wall, but just a reason to keep the dice rolling.