Learning to belong

Chapter 1: Jessica

The air felt different that morning, quieter somehow, like everything was holding its breath.

Scarlett Johansson stood just inside the doorway, her hand resting lightly against the frame as she watched the car pull up. She hadn't realised she'd been holding her breath until it left her in a slow exhale.

Beside her, Colin Jost shifted his weight, glancing over at her.

"You okay?" He asked softly.

Scarlett nodded, even if she wasn't entirely sure it was true. "Yeah. Just, this is it."

Colin followed her gaze. "Yeah. This is it." The car door opened. Jessica stepped out slowly.

She looked smaller than Scarlett remembered, not physically, but in the way she held herself. Shoulders slightly hunched, arms tucked close to her body, like she was trying not to take up too much space. Her dark hair fell forward as she adjusted the strap of her bag, her eyes flicking up briefly before dropping again.

They had met her before, of course. A handful of times. Carefully arranged visits, conversations that were always a little too structured, smiles that never quite reached all the way.

This was different. This wasn't a visit. This was home. Scarlett stepped forward first, her voice gentle. "Hey, Jess."

Jessica gave a small nod. "Hi."

Colin offered a soft smile. "Hey. How was the drive?"

"Fine," Jess replied, her voice quiet, almost automatic.

There was a brief pause, one of those moments where no one quite knew what to say next.

Scarlett resisted the urge to fill it too quickly. Instead, she gestured lightly toward the house. "Do you want to come in? We can grab your things."

Jess nodded again, moving to the back of the car and pulling out her bag. It didn't look like much. Just a couple of suitcases, a backpack. Everything she owned, reduced to a few pieces of luggage.

Colin stepped in to help without making a big deal of it. "I've got this one." He said, lifting one of the cases.

"Thanks." Jess murmured. They walked inside together. The house was warm, soft light spilling through the windows, the faint smell of something clean and familiar. It felt lived-in, comfortable. Scarlett wondered what it must look like through Jess's eyes. Too big? Too new? Too much?

"Um." Scarlett began, a little unsure of where to start. "Do you want to see your room first?"

Jess hesitated for a second before nodding. "Okay."

They led her upstairs. The room was simple, intentionally so. Fresh bedding, neutral colours, a few basic pieces of furniture. It wasn't decorated yet. They had talked about letting Jess choose things herself, letting it feel like hers instead of something decided for her.

Scarlett pushed the door open. "So, this is it. For now."

Jess stepped inside slowly, her eyes moving around the space. She didn't say anything at first, just took it in.

"It's not finished." Colin added quickly. "We thought you might want to pick stuff out. Colours, posters, whatever you like."

Jess nodded faintly. "Okay."

"If you hate it, that's also fine." Scarlett said gently. "We can change anything."

"I don't hate it." Jess said, almost immediately, then, quieter, "It's nice."

Scarlett felt something ease in her chest. "Good." She said softly. There was another small pause.

"Well." Colin said, setting the suitcase down near the bed, "We'll let you get settled. Take your time."