Of Course, It's You

Chapter 18

HANNAH

Hannah stormed through the front door of her house, startling Jason and Lyvie mid-drawing contest. Judging by the jagged vibrant lines and chaotic whiskers, it was a toss-up whose kittens looked more like a cat.

Jason looked up from his coloring sheet. "Everything alright? I thought you were going straight to that social thing. Weren't you supposed to be out late?"

She hummed noncommittally, pressing a kiss to the top of Lyvie's head.

"You...okay?" he asked again, more gently this time.

She looked down at Lyvie, then shook her head subtly and addressed Jason without really answering him. "I just needed to freshen up. Maybe eat something first." She peeled off her jacket. "You staying the night or coming back in the morning?"

Jason had promised to cut up the fallen tree in the backyard. Something he insisted she not try on her own.

"Still up in the air. Depends on how late you party tonight." He waggled his eyebrows, making her roll her eyes. "Is Carmen going to be there?"

Groaning, she tossed her keys on the counter.  "Don't even get me started on that headache of a woman."

Jason laughed, "Come on, you seemed to get along with her the other night."

She blushed and chucked a crayon in his direction. It missed. "Yeah, well that was before she accused me of—" she  cupped her hands over Lyvie's ears, "—sleeping my way into my job."

"What the fu–udge cookies?" Jason caught himself.

"Nice save." she muttered, biting into an apple. "And get this, she's the daughter of Robert Mills. You know, Daddy Mills, who owns the label?"

Jason blinked. "Wait—"

"Yep. That's who bought us out."

"Holy shi... shipwreck"

Hannah arched a brow at him.

He shrugged. "What? You've always had expensive taste."

"Not the point."

"So, what now?" He ventured to ask.

She paused, taking another bite, chewing slowly. She had no idea what came next. Especially after what happened in the bathroom.

"I don't know." she admitted. "But..."

"But what? Is she firing you?"

"I... ran into her in the restroom before I left this afternoon."

Jason tilted his head, amused. "You ran into her... in the bathroom?"

Hannah exhaled sharply. "Not like that, you perv. She, I... I had an attack. Thought I'd cool off alone. But she followed me in, and... I don't know." She opened the fridge, using it as an excuse to avoid his eyes. "She didn't make it worse."

Jason didn't respond right away, and Hannah was grateful. He had a gift for silence when she needed it most. Knew when to listen without pressing too hard, allowing her thoughts to settle when she wasn't sure what to say.

So, she ate the leftover macaroni and cheese that she and Lyvie had made the day before. Then, she showered. She always felt gross after an anxiety episode. 

Hannah checked the time and saw she had ten minutes until the Uber would come to pick her up, but three outfits still laid on her bed waiting for a decision. None of them felt right.

Would it be weird to change into something different? Would it be weird not to? Was this entire line of questioning completely unhinged?

She mumbled through a mouthful of toothpaste as she tugged on her dark skinny jeans and a navy notch-neck blouse. Her ankle boots clacked as she crossed to the mirror.