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

Chapter 13

-Jessica POV-

*One Week Later*

For the past week, Dylan and I hadn't really talked.

We weren't mad at each other. There was no drama. No fight.

Just life.

He was busy shooting for the next season of Teen Wolf, and I was drowning in my own responsibilities — writing an essay on Shakespeare, working, babysitting Noah so Danielle and Donald could breathe for five minutes, and trying not to fail my classes.

Somewhere in between all of that...

There wasn't much time left for him.

Or for me.

"Come on, Jess," Cameron groaned, flopping down on the couch beside me.

"Give me a minute," I said, still typing.

"You said that two hours ago."

"Well, I'm sorry I'm trying to get an education," I shot back, saving my document.

I closed my laptop and turned toward him.

"What do you want to do?"

"Play something."

"I was waiting for you to say that."

Before he could respond, the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" I called, standing up.

I opened the door to see Donald holding Noah, his tiny backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Hey," I said, smiling as I took Noah from him.

"Later," Donald said with a grin. "Be good, Noah."

"I will, Daddy!" Noah said proudly.

Donald kissed his forehead and left.

I locked the door and walked back toward the living room.

"Hi, Cam!" Noah yelled, wriggling out of my arms to hug him.

"Hey, little man," Cameron said, ruffling his curls.

"So are we still playing?" Cameron asked.

"Yeah, let's go."

We headed upstairs to the guest room.

I sat on the bed and settled Noah onto my lap, setting his bag on the floor.

"What are we playing?" I asked.

"Gears of War 3."

"No. We have a baby in here."

Cameron rolled his eyes. "He doesn't know what's going on."

"He absolutely knows when things explode," I said.

"Need for Speed Carbon. Until he naps."

He sighed dramatically. "Fine."

He tossed me a PS3 controller.

"I wanna play!" Noah yelled.

"You can play after me," I told him, squeezing him gently. "Deal?"

"Deal."

"Alright, bubble butt," I said to Cameron, grinning.

"Let's go."

He groaned. "Please stop calling me that."

"Maybe someday."

He smirked. "Okay, Ms. I-Wet-The-Bed-At-Nine."

I lunged toward him.

"Don't you dare."

Noah burst into laughter, covering his mouth as his curls fell into his eyes.

Cameron leaned back smugly. "Then stop calling me that."

"Fine," I muttered, starting the game.

Two seconds later—

"Hey! Cheater!" he yelled as I bumped his car off the road.

I laughed harder than I had all week.

And for a little while...

I forgot I hadn't heard from Dylan.

*Later that night*

Cameron finally rage-quit after I beat him for the third time.

"Rematch tomorrow," he muttered.

Noah had fallen asleep against my chest halfway through the second race.

I carried him downstairs and laid him gently on the couch, covering him with a small blanket.

The house was quieter now.

Too quiet.

I checked my phone without meaning to.

Nothing.

I don't know what I expected.

I set it down on the coffee table.

It buzzed immediately.

My heart jumped in a way I refused to acknowledge.

Dylan.

Dylan: You alive over there? Or did school finally take you out?

I stared at the screen for a second longer than necessary.

A small smile slipped onto my face.

Me: Barely alive. Shakespeare is trying to ruin my life.

Three dots appeared almost instantly.

Dylan: I'd fight him for you.

I laughed softly.

Me: You're a little late. He's already winning.

Another pause.

Then:

Dylan: I know we've both been busy... But I miss you.

That one hit differently.

I swallowed.

For a whole week I'd told myself I wasn't bothered.

That I understood.
That life happens.

But seeing it written out like that?

It made my chest feel warm.

Me: I miss you too.

The reply came fast.

Dylan: Free tomorrow night? Let me steal you for a few hours.

And just like that...

The distance didn't feel so big anymore.