The day finally arrived.
The plan was simple: dinner at In-N-Out, then a movie. Cliché, sure—but Jack didn't care. He adjusted his collar in the mirror and smiled to himself.
I'm a romantic, he thought.
On his way downstairs, his mother looked up and paused. "You look handsome," she said.
Jack smiled back and stepped out the door.
Nick picked him up first so they could grab the girls together. Lily and Jas were waiting at Jas's house. Both boys stood on the porch holding flowers when the doorbell rang.
"Coming!" a voice called from inside.
Nick exhaled sharply. "I'm hella nervous," he admitted. "I really need this date to go well."
Jack glanced at him. "You'll be fine."
Nick hesitated, then added quietly, "I'm just glad it's you and not Max."
"Why not Max?" Jack asked.
No answer.
The door opened.
For a moment, time stopped.
Lily and Jas stood there, both of them stunning. Jack felt his breath catch.
Lily smiled shyly. "How do I look?"
"Like an angel," Jack said instantly. "Ready?"
Nick snapped out of it just in time for Jas to ask, "Okay—but how do I look?"
Nick looked at Jack, then at Jas. "Like a goddess," he said. "Now, can we go before I pass out?"
They laughed, loaded into the car, and drove off.
As Nick pulled away, Jack glanced back.
At the corner.
A car sat parked where it didn't belong—one he recognized from his own street.
"Nick," Jack said evenly, "you ready?"
"Yeah," Nick replied, hitting the gas.
The car followed.
Jack said nothing.
He didn't want to scare anyone.
In-N-Out was loud and bright. They ordered, sat, ate. Everything felt normal—almost too normal.
Then Jack saw the car again.
He looked over his shoulder.
Max sat in the driver's seat.
Jack leaned toward Nick. "Is that Max?"
Nick glanced, then stiffened. "Yeah. Why?"
"Oh—nothing," Jack said, standing. "Bathroom."
As soon as Jack stepped inside, two men followed.
Nick noticed—but dismissed it.
One of them cornered Jack near the sinks.
"Stay away from Max's girl," the man hissed. "Or you're gonna regret it."
Jack smiled faintly. "Better than you know."
The punch came fast.
Jack hit the wall, vision blurring. The men left without another word.
Jack wiped the blood from his lip, steadied himself, and waited before heading back out.
They were already in the car.
On the drive to the theater, Nick handed Jack something discreetly.
Jack didn't ask.
"Thanks," he said.
Jas noticed—but stayed quiet.
At the movies, Jack leaned close to Lily. "Want to share popcorn?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I'd like that."
He kissed her lightly before stepping away.
Behind them, Max watched—eyes burning.
"When he's alone," Max muttered to his group, "grab him."
Halfway through the movie, Nick and Jas finally held hands.
Jack pulled the armrest up and drew Lily closer, draping a blanket around her. "Is this okay?"
"Yes," she whispered, leaning into him.
Jas nudged Nick and pointed.
Nick smiled. "She looks happy."
And she did.
Jas knew Lily's past—the abuse, the neglect, the things no one should survive. She knew Lily didn't want Max. Had never wanted Max.
Jack seemed… safe.
As the credits neared, Jack stood. "Bathroom," he whispered.
Nick's phone buzzed moments later.
Not feeling good. If I'm not back in 20, take the girls home.
Nick frowned—but said nothing.
Jack never made it to the bathroom.
Hands grabbed him.
A van door slid open.
Then darkness.
The manager saw it happen.
Police were called.
When the movie ended, Jas noticed Jack wasn't there.
Lily's heart dropped when she spotted his phone and keys on the floor—right as an officer picked them up.
Nick rushed them toward the car.
"Something happened to Jack," Lily said.
Jas turned on Nick. "You got a text from him. What did it say?"
Nick hesitated—then showed her.
"Don't let Lily see," Jas whispered.
"He had a stomach ache," Jas said aloud. "He went home."
Lily shook her head. "Then why were his things on the floor?"
"They could be anyone's," Nick said quickly. "Let's just—go."
A shadow fell across the window.
Max.???
"Well, well," he said. "Group outing without me? Where's Jack? I heard he was here."
He smirked. "Hope he's having fun."
"What does that mean?" Lily screamed.
Max walked away.
"Follow him," Jas said.
Nick did.
They stopped outside Max's house.
A loud bang echoed from the garage.
Then shouting.
"You took her from me!" Max screamed. "She was mine! You took my friends—my life!"
Another crash.
They heard Jack cry out.
The door burst open.
Police lights flooded the street moments later.
Inside, Max lay dead.
Jack was barely conscious—bruised, bloodied, barely standing.
A gun lay nearby.
When Jack saw Jas, Lily, and Nick, his knees gave out.
He collapsed.
The only thing running through their minds was the same question:
What happened?
And why?