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

Chapter 12

-Jessica POV-

We finally made it to the park, and Dylan parked the car.

"I'm gonna go play some ball," Cameron said immediately, already grabbing the basketball from the backseat.

"With who?" I asked, stepping out of the car.

He nodded toward the court. "Dudes over there."

I watched him start dribbling toward them.

"Alright, be safe," I said, pinching his cheeks.

He smacked my hands away. "I'm not five, Jessica."

I laughed. "Could've fooled me."

Dylan walked up beside me, watching Cameron join the game.

"He seems cool."

"He is," I said. "Sometimes."

Dylan smirked. "So what do you wanna do?"

"Let's go on the swings."

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

He took my hand, and we walked over together.

The park was warm and loud — kids running, people shouting across the court, music playing faintly from someone's speaker.

I sat on one of the swings and started rocking back and forth.

"You know," I said casually, "I used to play basketball in high school."

Dylan started laughing.

"You used to play ball?"

I stopped swinging and gave him a look.

He immediately straightened up. "I mean — respectfully."

"In tenth grade," I continued proudly, "I made a shot from halfway across the gym."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"You don't believe me."

"What if I don't?" he teased.

I stood up slowly.

"Then I guess I'll have to show you."

His smile widened. "Then show me."

"Aight. Come on."

We jogged toward the court.

Cameron was in the middle of a game when we got there.

"Cam!" I called, clapping twice. "Let me see the ball for a second."

"I'm in the middle of a game," he complained, holding it under his arm.

"I just have to prove something. I'll give it back."

He rolled his eyes but tossed it to me.

"What are you proving?" Cameron asked.

"If she can make a shot from half court," Dylan answered, clearly entertained.

I handed Dylan my bag.

"Hold this."

He took it, still smirking.

I walked to the halfway line, bouncing the ball once... twice... feeling every pair of eyes slowly turn toward me.

Okay. Maybe this was dramatic.

I looked up at the hoop. Then at Dylan.

"If I make this, what do I get?"

"An apology," he said.

"I'll take that. And ice cream."

He laughed. "Deal."

I bounced the ball one more time and picked it up.

"Father God, please let me make this one shot," I whispered.

Deep breath.

I shot.

For a second, everything slowed down. The ball arced through the air — too high? too short? — and then—
Swish.

The net snapped.

"YES!" I screamed, jumping up and down.

Cameron ran over and hugged me.

"I knew you had it in you!" he said.

Dylan just stood there, mouth hanging open.

People on the sidelines cheered and clapped.

I walked over and gently pushed his chin up.

"You might catch flies," I teased.

He shook his head. "I really didn't think you were going to make that."

"I hope that wasn't your apology," I said, raising an eyebrow.

He placed a hand dramatically over his heart and bowed. "I am deeply sorry for doubting your athletic abilities."

I laughed. "Accepted."

Cameron held up his phone. "I recorded that. It's going on Facebook."

"Go ahead," I said. "Make sure you tag me."

He shrugged and went back to his game.

I slipped my hand into Dylan's.

"Now," I said, smiling, "about that ice cream."

"Vanilla or chocolate?" he asked as we walked toward the ice cream truck.

"Vanilla. Obviously."

He squeezed my hand. "Of course."

And just like that, I felt ten years old again — but somehow older at the same time.

-Dylan POV-

Jessica walked to the ice cream truck to order.

Cameron jogged over to me while I'm waiting.

Cameron wiped sweat off his forehead while Jessica stood in line at the ice cream truck.

"So," he said casually, nodding toward her. "You like her?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yeah. I do."

Cameron studied me for a second. Not smiling. Not joking.

"You serious?"

I glanced toward Jessica. She was laughing at something the ice cream man said.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

That answer sat right.

Cameron crossed his arms. "She's been through some stuff."

My expression shifted slightly. "I know."

"And?"

"And I'm not trying to add to it."

There was no attitude. No ego. Just calm certainty.

Cameron nodded once.

"Alright."

That was it.

Then he smirked. "Just know if you hurt her, I will post that half-court video with a terrible caption."

I laughed. "That's fair."

Cameron stuck out his hand.

I shook it.

Approval given.