I Fell In Love With A Stranger (Dylan O'Brien LS)

Chapter 8

Photo: Credit to owner

-Jessica POV-

-Phone Convo-

"Cam, where are you?"

"I'm outside the airport. It's 8:10. You're ten minutes late."

"Shut up before I let you sleep at the airport."

"Whatever."

I hung up, tossed my phone into the cup holder, and pulled into the crowded drop-off lane. Cars honked behind me, impatient and loud. I jumped out and shut the door quickly before someone started yelling.

"Hi!" I called, running toward Cameron.

He turned just in time for me to crash into him. "Hey," he laughed, hugging me back tight.

I stepped back and looked him over. "You look different. Did you do something with your hair?"

He raised an eyebrow. "It's been almost nine months since you've seen me. Of course I look different. But yeah, I grew it out."

I smiled. "I noticed."

"I see you cut yours."

"Yeah. I needed something different."

Something about seeing him again made everything feel lighter. Like nothing had changed... but everything had.

We walked to the trunk.

"So what's up with Mom and Dad?" I asked, tossing one of his suitcases in.

"They're good. I haven't been getting on their nerves as much."

I laughed. "That's a first."

He smirked. "Don't get used to it."

"Well, hurry up. I have to babysit Noah."

"How old is he now?"

"Three. And he's adorable. I have pictures."

"I wanna see."

I handed him my phone as I started driving.

"He finally grew his hair," Cameron said.

"Yeah, and he talks a lot too. Just like you."

"Not even," he said, locking my phone and placing it in my lap.

Forty Minutes Later

I pulled into my apartment parking lot and parked.

"Why does this place look different?" Cameron asked.

"I moved. It's closer to my college."

"That explains it."

I handed him the keys so he could grab his luggage. I slung my bag over my shoulder and met him at the trunk.

When we stepped inside the building, he looked around.

"Whoa. It's nice in here. I'm glad I came."

I smiled. "Trust me, you're going to love it. The guest room has an Xbox, PlayStation 3, and a Wii."

His eyes lit up instantly. I laughed. Some things never change.

We stepped into the elevator, and when it opened, I pointed down the hall.

"Go right."

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Cameron followed.

"Danielle's not here yet. Your room's the first door upstairs."

He nodded and headed up.

I was about to shut the door when I saw Danielle jogging down the hallway, slightly out of breath.

"Hey," she panted.

I took Noah from her arms and grabbed his bag.

"Cameron's here," I told her.

"Really? I haven't seen him in forever."

"I know."

"Well, I have to go pick up Noah's D-A-D-D-Y," she said, kissing Noah's cheek.

I smiled at her. "I can't believe he's finally coming home."

There was something softer in my voice that time.

She smiled — nervous, excited, everything at once.

"That 'someone' who's happy? That's me."

"I know."

She sprinted down the hall.

I locked the door and looked at Noah.

"Hi, Noah."

"Hi," he said, smiling.

I sat on the couch with him, his tiny bag beside me.

Cameron came downstairs.

"Look who's here," I said.

"Hey, buddy," Cameron said, picking him up.

"Hi," Noah replied proudly.

"He talks," Cameron said, glancing at me.

"I told you that in the car."

Noah wiggled in his arms. "I'm hungry."

"Well, let's fix that," Cameron said, carrying him into the kitchen.

I followed, leaning against the counter while Cameron set him in the high chair.

"What happened to Danielle?" he asked.

"She went to pick up his dad."

"Oh — he's coming home from the Army?"

"Yeah."

And just like that, the room felt quieter for a second. Bigger. Important.

"So Noah," I asked gently, "what do you want to eat?"

"Hotdog."

"Why's he in the high chair?" Cameron asked.

"Because he likes to jump off things. We're preventing future hospital visits."

"That explains a lot."

"What do you want?" I asked Cameron.

"The same."

Before I could answer, he lifted Noah out of the chair.

"What are you doing?"

"Playing with him. What does it look like?"

"You're lucky I like you."

"I like him too," he said. "You're debatable."

I couldn't help laughing.

Somehow, everything felt normal again.