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

Chapter 17

-Jessica POV-

*Two Days Later*

It's Tuesday.

Dylan is coming over later, and he said he has something important to talk about.

I'm trying not to overthink it.

"But what if he asks about us dating?" I ask Cameron, pacing back and forth in the living room.

He looks up from the couch and pauses his game.

"Then tell him how you feel," he says simply.

"But I don't want to scare him away. Cam, you know I don't do relationships," I say, frustrated.

"Dude doesn't seem bad. It actually seems like he really likes you," Cameron says, shaking his head. "Don't blame him for what your ex did."

I slow my pacing.

"I guess you have a point."

"Plus, if anything goes down, you've got me and Casandra," he adds, bringing up our little sister.

I laugh and drop onto the couch beside him.

"What is Casandra gonna do? She's eight."

He hesitates.

"Well... she did get suspended the last week of school."

I sit straight up.

"What?! What did she do? And why am I just now finding out?"

"Relax! She got into a fight because some girl was talking trash," he says, rolling his eyes.

"That sounds exactly like her," I mutter — and we both start laughing.

My phone starts ringing. I reach over and grab it.

"Speaking of the devil," I say, showing Cameron the screen.

I answer and put it on speaker.

⸻

Phone Convo:

Me: Hello?
Casandra: Hi, Jessica!
Cameron: Hey, Cassie!
Casandra: Hi, Cam Cam!
Me: What's up?
Casandra: So... when are you picking me up?
Me: Picking you up from where?
Casandra: The airport. I've been here for thirty minutes.

My stomach drops.

Me: Oh my God. I forgot. I'm coming!
Cameron: Oh shoot — me too.
Casandra: HURRY UP.
Me: Stay calm. We're on the way!

⸻

I hang up and punch Cameron hard in the arm.

"OUCH!" he yells, rubbing it.

"Come on," I say, dragging him off the couch.

"You made me lose!"

"You can start over," I mutter, grabbing my keys and bag.

I glance at myself in the mirror by the door — black crop top, chiffon skirt flowing, red lipstick still perfect.

And Dylan is coming later.

My stomach flips again.

I lock the apartment behind us.

"We're taking the stairs," I say, pushing the door open.

We sprint down, burst into the parking lot, and jump into the car.

Seatbelts on. Engine started.

I throw it in reverse — almost clipping another car.