I pack my things and look to see if the Jason and Oliver are doing same. Oliver follows but that stubborn Jason doesn't.
"Let's go," I say, quickly packing our things. I keep my phone in my pocket, buzzing with reminders and plans. Jason follows, calm as always, his dark coffee in hand. The evening air hits me as we step outside. The city glows, indifferent to the chaos brewing in my little world.
I glance at Jason. Somehow, despite the storm of emotions inside me, his presence is steady, reassuring. He's trouble, I know, but right now… he is a part of the solution. And as Stella's promise to help echoes in my mind, I feel the first spark of hope. Finally.
Tonight, I think, we survive. Tomorrow… tomorrow is going to be something else entirely.
The ride home feels longer than usual, even though it's just a ten-minute drive. Oliver hums softly in the back seat, his little hands tangled in the straps of his seatbelt, oblivious to the storm swirling in my head. Jason sits beside me, sipping his coffee.
As soon as we reach home, I grab the spare key hidden under the flower pot, my palms sweaty. I unlock the door and we enter. The house looks normal, peaceful even, I glance at Oliver, making sure he's none the wiser, and then at Jason, who gives me this nonchalant smug look.
"What are you looking at?" He asks.
"Nothing." I say. Guess I stared way too long that he noticed. Haha. How funny.
Once inside, I immediately head for my room to call Stella. Oliver wanders off to his playroom, humming a tune, and Jason leans against the hallway wall, eyes scanning every corner like a shadow.
"Stella!" I whisper, closing the door behind me. "You have to come now. Like, right now."
"On my way," she says, her tone lively. "Do I need to bring anything?"
"Just yourself and a backpack. Clothes. Everything you need for tonight," I reply.
She hesitates, then laughs softly. "You always make it sound dramatic. Don't worry. I'm in my car. Ten minutes."
I hang up, heart pounding. I walk out to find Jason standing in front of my room. I walk closer to him.
"Jason, we need to talk."
"About?"
"My parents."
"What about them?"
"They'll be back by tomorrow.'
"And?"
"What do you mean by 'and'? Do you have any idea what that means?"
"It means that I can ask your parents for your hands in marriage?"
"What the hell? Shut up." I say, punching his arm.
"Ow! That hurt."
"I'll do worse if you don't think. If my parents return and find you here, I'm dead. He nods. "That's why I'm thinking we hide you in the guest room. Quickest place to get you settled without suspicion."
Jason raises an eyebrow. "Guest room… sure, that'll work."
"But that does not mean that you won't tell me what happened. You still owe meyou're going to have to explain a few things later. Like… a lot of things."
He groans. "Later. Focus."
"Fine, let's go." I say, guiding him to the guses room.
The doorbell rings, and my stomach jumps. That's Stella. Perfect timing. I leave Jason at the door post of the guest room and open the door just enough to let her in without alerting Oliver. Who's sleeping.
"Hey," she says, stepping inside, arms full of bags. "I'm here. So what's going on?"
"I swear I'm not joking," I say, grabbing her hand to pull her toward the guest room. "Jason needs to stay hidden. My parents come back tomorrow. If they see him, it's… catastrophic."
Her eyes widen, but she grins. "I live for drama. Lead the way."
We get to the guest room. Jason is already there, leaning casually against the wall. He glances at Stella, then at me. "Hi," he says.
Stella raises an eyebrow. "Hi. You're the infamous Jason?"
"Yes, I am," he replies, smirk teasing at the corners of his lips. "And you must be the one keeping Molly sane."
"You've got that backwards," Stella says, rolling her eyes. "I'm just here to help her not lose it. You are officially chaos in human form."
I shove her lightly. "Ignore him. Quick—stash your stuff. We need a plan before anything." Stella sets her bags down and looks at the room.
"Guest room, check. Snacks?"
"Already taken care of," I mutter. "We need to be ready for my parents' arrival."
Jason smirks. "We? You mean me, too?"
"Yes, you too," I snap, though not harshly. He's going to have to cooperate, or this entire evening will explode in our faces. We make a plan. Jason stays in the guest room unless there's an emergency. Stella will help me organize the house and make sure nothing looks suspicious. And I… I have to act completely normal with Oliver and my parents."
"Easy," Jason mutters.
"Except… you know… lying to a child and keeping me hidden while your parents are expected back tomorrow. Fun times."
"Exactly," I hiss. Hours pass in a blur. Stella arrives, we quietly move Jason into the guest room, and the house slowly returns to its normal rhythm.
Dinner passes without incident. Jason stays in the guest room, occasionally texting Stella about plans and updates. What if my parents get home early? What if someone sees Jason?
The clock inches closer to night. Stella sets up a little area for Jason in the guest room, making sure he has blankets, food, and even some entertainment. I lean against the doorframe, watching them work, feeling the tension ease just slightly.
"You've done a lot tonight," I say softly to Stella.
She smiles. "It's nothing. But you owe me one."
"I know. I'll go to that party with you," I mutter, biting my lip.
Jason pokes his head out from the guest room. "Do you two always talk like that? And what party are you two talking about?"
I glare. "Shut up."