Chills

California

My breath hitched in my throat.
I looked at Jahn, expecting an explanation. My heart started beating rapidly.
I looked back at him.

This did not feel like home. I don't know what was going on.
He came forward, I stepped back. His sweet look changed into a serious one , making me stop in my tracks.

"You didn't introduce us." He said to Jahn.

"This..This is Jonah, Rush." She said, hesitating.

I don't look at him. I look at Jahn again, I knew something was up with her.

"Uh.. I guess I'll leave. Call me if you need." Olivia says, looking at Jonah for a brief second.

"Yeah, you go." I reply to her.

I felt his eyes on me. I tried to look anywhere but his eyes.

"Hello, I guess." I say, clearing my throat and breaking the awkward silence that was prevalent in the room.

"Rushie, do one thing and go to your room. I'll call you back down." She says in a fake "I'm okay" tone.
I was leaving to go up when Joanh interrupts me saying,

"Stay back."

I stopped.
"Let her go." Jahn says, hate filled her tone.
He looks at her with an evil smirk.
She says nothing.

I don't understand. Were they a thing in the past or something?

"C'mere." He says, making me look up to him.

"Sorry?" I said asking him to repeat himself.
He sighs.

"Come here." He repeats in a more coherent way.
I look at Jahn, she nods. I walk up to him.

"Are you free at 7 today?" He asks with a genuine smile. Making me breathe out in relief.

"She isn't." Jahn answers in a hard tone.

"Are you free at 7 today?" He says again, emphasising at the word "you".

"Uh.. " I look at Jahn, confused.
"Be ready." He winks and leaves.

The whole house goes silent after he left.

"What just happened?" I ask myself, loud enough for Jahn to hear.
"Who's he? Didn't you say not to talk about him? Why was he here? What's happening?"I shower her with questions.

"He's Jonah." She says.

"He said that too, Jahn." I say, raising my eyebrows.

"He's alright, why do you hate him?" I ask her.

"You are leaving for San Francisco now, pack your bags. Fast." She says completely ignoring my question.

"Wait, what?" I ask her.
"You heard me." She says

"What about Olivia and Mary?" I ask her.

"They're going with you. I already told them to pack their bags." She says.

"I am not going any freaking where without you. That's it and what about Jonah? He asked me to come at 7." I declare.

"You have to and I will come as soon as you reach there safely. Don't worry about that. Leave Jonah, I'll take care of him." She says.

"Why are we leaving like this?" I ask her.

"This place, it isn't safe for you." She says

"What do you mean?" I ask her.
"Stop. Go get ready." She says, irritated.
I shrug and go upstairs. I pack everything and come down.