me and you

Chapter 21

After I tucked Jackson in to bed that night, I went down to the kitchen to grab a snack. I was surprised to find Tzuyu in there when I entered. I smiled at her. "Hey," I greeted.

She glanced at me before returning her attention to the pie in front of her.

I sighed and went over to her. "Hey, thanks for earlier. I could've handled Minhyuk myself, but it's nice to know you're still looking out for me, even though we aren't really on the best terms."

She shrugged but said nothing.

I poked her upper arm. "Who made the pie?"

"My mother," she finally spoke, though still just as quietly as She had earlier. "Don't worry, she actually knows how to bake," she assured me as she nudged the pan towards me.

I frowned at her as I went to grab a fork. "Tzuyu, if I die from this, I'll kill you."

Her lips quirked up in a minuscule smile. "Okay. Now eat it," she muttered.

I tasted the pie and was genuinely surprised when I found that it was quite delicious. As I took another bite I said, "I need Victoria to make me like ten of these for my birthday next year."

Tzuyu chuckled quietly. "You're so weird," she muttered.

"You're laughing, but I'm serious," I told her. "I swear that will be the only reason I don't hate my birthday next year if she makes me those pies."

My phone ringing interrupted her next words. I pulled it out and answer it. "Yeah Uncle Kai?"

"Where are you?" my uncle asked. "It's late. You should be home by now."

"But Mom said I need to find somewhere else to sleep tonight because she's sick of me lying around the house," I protested.

"Give me a second," Kai said before starting to yell at my mother. "Okay, well apparently that's the truth. Where are you staying?"

I beamed, ignoring the fact that he couldn't see me. "I already talked to Victoria about it, and she said it's okay for me to stay here. And Jackson insisted that I sleep in his room."

Kai yelled to my mother once more. "Alright kiddo. Your mom said be home by noon tomorrow."

"Got it. Night Jongin." I hung up and placed my phone on the counter. "What were we talking about?" I asked Tzuyu. "Oh yes! Pie!"

I slipped into Jackson's bed and curled myself around his tiny frame. I swept his hair away from his face and smiled at the adorable way he slept. He had a smile on his face, no doubt having a good dream.

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. "Pwetty girl?" he yawned.

"Yeah sweetie?" I whispered back.

He snuggled closer to me. "You're warm."

I giggled a little. "Yeah, I am."

"You big swishter okay?" he mumbled sleepily.

"I don't know kiddo," I answered. "She didn't talk much."

Yawning again, he said, "Don't worry love, it be okay."

I kissed the top of his head. "Thanks sweetie."

"Love? Are you dead?" Jackson asked worriedly in the morning. "Mommy, she won't wake up!"

I cracked an eye open. "Calm down baby. I'm not dead," I assured him. I stretched my stiff muscles. "What time is it?"

Victoria, who stood in the doorway, glanced at her watch. "Quarter after one."

I quickly sat up. "SQUIRRELS!" I searched for my phone before remembering I'd left it in the kitchen the night before. I scrambled out of the bed and through the door, running downstairs. I darted into the kitchen, and immediately scowled at the sight before me. "What're you doing with my phone?"