Jake rubbed the back of his neck as he closed the door behind Jimmy.
"Honestly, I still don't get what you have against doing things the normal way."
Jimmy laughed, dropping his bag by the couch.
"Then I'll just be like all you boring people…"
Sarah appeared from the kitchen, cheeks still flushed from the morning's awkwardness.
"Morning, Jimmy."
Jimmy nodded, eyes flicking between her and Jake.
"Let's go somewhere else," he whispered to Jake.
Jake and Jimmy climbed the stairs quietly, the house settling around them.
Sarah lingered in the kitchen, her ears twitching subtly—wolf senses sharpening. She strained to catch every word. "I hope he doesn't tell this weirdo."
Jimmy's voice was low but tense.
"So you're telling me it was just some misunderstanding? The whole glowing eyes thing? The voice?"
Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"It's complicated, man. All I know is Sarah's not some evil monster."
Jimmy's tone hardened.
"She's not a monster, but that doesn't mean she won't become one soon enough."
Jake's jaw clenched.
"I'm telling you, she's not what you think."
Jimmy hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"Okay... let's go ask her about it all."
Sarah's heart pounded as she stepped back silently.
"Shit, I didn't even notice my eyes were glowing yesterday."
"We can't do that, man—we're going through an awkward morning," Jake muttered, forcing a laugh.
Downstairs, Sarah froze.
Her face turned red. "Is he gonna tell him?"
Jimmy raised a brow. "Awkward morning?"
Then leaned in. "Wait… did something happen?"
Jake scratched the back of his neck, eyes anywhere but Jimmy's.
"Yeah. It's just… stuff."
Sarah's heart jumped.
"If he says one more word, I swear--"
She bolted up the stairs and called out, voice loud and bright—too bright.
"Breakfast is ready, boys!"
"Alright, we'll be out soon," Jake called up.
Then, lowering his voice, he added, "Jimmy, please… don't bring it up."
Jimmy held up his hands, grinning.
"Alright, alright, man."
Doesn't mean I can't put her to the test, he thought with a sly smile.
The two of them headed downstairs, Jake still tense, Jimmy way too casual.
Sarah was already setting plates on the table, trying to act normal—but her eyes flicked up nervously when they entered.
"Smells good," Jake said, offering a small smile.
Jimmy pulled out a chair and plopped down.
"So, Sarah…" he began, loading his plate, "Jake tells me you're… not from around here?"
Sarah stiffened slightly.
Jake shot him a warning glare.
"Jimmy."
"What? I'm just making conversation," Jimmy said, all innocent.
Sarah forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… moved here recently. Hope you're here for the food... alone?"
Jimmy leaned back in his chair, nearly choking on his toast.
"What else would I be here, at the table, for?"
Jake watched silently.
Sarah's gaze sharpened, her voice calm but cold.
"Just making sure you're only here for breakfast—not a repeat of last time."
Jake blinked, eyes shifting between the two.
"Last time? What the hell happened last time?"
Jimmy let out a nervous chuckle, trying to play it off.
"C'mon… you're still holding on to that?"
"Yes, Jimmy. Yes," Sarah said flatly, her voice suddenly colder.
"I told you not to come back."
The room froze. Jake glanced between them, his brow furrowing.
Jimmy shifted in his seat, his smugness fading fast.
"Alright… damn. I get it."
Jake looked at Sarah, then back at Jimmy.
"What happened?"
Jimmy stood up abruptly, grabbing his bag.
"You know what? I lost my appetite. I'll be in your room, Jake."
Without another word, he walked off, the tension hanging in the silence he left behind.
Jake turned to Sarah slowly.
"You wanna talk about it?"
Sarah hesitated—then flushed.
"T-the kiss?"
Jake blinked, caught off guard.
"No… I meant what just happened with Jimmy."
"Oh," Sarah muttered, suddenly looking anywhere but him.
"…Right."
"So…?" Jake pushed gently.
Sarah looked away, her expression dimming. "I don't wanna talk about it."
Jake nodded, respecting the boundary.
"We can talk about… yesterday, if you want," he added, voice a little hesitant.
"No," she said quickly, standing up.
"Forget about it. I wasn't thinking."
She turned and walked off before he could reply, leaving Jake at the table—confused, a little hurt, and unsure of what he had been thinking.