Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 9

Jackie's POV

I run into Dylan's room, hoping that Avery is buying me time downstairs. The first thing I see is him passed out on the floor. 

Fuck.

I knew I should've checked on him sooner. It's been hours since I was up here, but I didn't want to look weird for ditching everyone just to come check on Dylan. I quickly kneel down beside him, nudging him until he stirs.
"Dylan, come on. You've gotta get up," I say, panic in my voice. He groans, lifting his head. 

"What?" He says, voice groggy. I start to pull him up and he winces.

"I'm serious. You've gotta work with me here." I beg. Somehow, he makes it to his feet. I guide him to the bathroom and lock the door behind us.

"Here, sit." I set him down on the toilet and turn the shower on, blasting cold water. 

"Listen." I crouch down in front of him, grabbing his face to keep his attention. His half-open eyes meet mine.

"Your parents are home. They'll be up here any second. I need to sober you up. Fast." 

Right on cue, there's a knock at the door.

"You in there?" his dad calls from the other side. 

I look at him, eyes pleading. "Say yes." 

"Yeah!" He croaks out.

"We're all going to dinner tonight, so be ready by 7pm." His dad responds.

"Say okay." I whisper again.

"Okay." He replies, even weaker this time. I let out a shaky sigh, dropping my head to my hands.

Dylan gently strokes my hair back, his hand then tilting my chin up.

"Are you kay?" He slurs out. 

I can't help but giggle. "Let's just get you in the shower." I pull him to his feet. He stumbles. There's no way he won't fall over in there.

"Damnit. I'm gonna have to get in too aren't I?" I mutter. I brace myself for the freezing water, making sure to push him into it first.

"Fuck!" He yelps. , jerking from the shock and pushing us both into the wall. I burst into laughter, both from relief that this worked and the ridiculousness of it all.
"What are you laughing at?" He grumbles. His wet hair drips down on my face and I realize how close we are, cornered in this shower. My laughter fades to a grin. His eyes drop to my lips, and I know what he's thinking.

Avery's POV

My parents give me half an hour's notice to call Jayden and get ready for dinner. Everything is always on their time schedule, as if ours don't matter. 

Theo lounges on my bed as I touch-up my makeup. 

"They always pick some overpriced steakhouse with bite-sized portions and no flavor. They'll rack up a bill in the hundreds and leave hungry" I rant. 

I know I'm venting. I don't even know what specifically pisses me off about them- it's just everything, all the time. Theo always listens though.

"Such a pity." he says with mock sympathy. 

I roll my eyes, stepping into my closet and slipping on a red silk dress. "Too much?" I ask, exiting my closet. 

He looks up at me. "Too much for Jayden. Are you sure he deserves it?" 

I nudge his shoulder. "Shut up."

I grab a necklace from my dresser and hold it up.

"Help me?"