Malcolm's elusive words linger in the air as Jin pulls up into the driveway of HillCrest house.

"We're here," Jin says.

"Of course, I remember it well," Malcolm says. "I'm going to need some time."

"We don't have much time, remember!" I demand, watching Malcolm stammer out of the car with his giant duffle bag.

"There's always time for Hungarian!" Malcolm demands back, slamming the door. "Get her inside. I need to contact the spirit world for advice."

"You what?" Jin asks, scrambling out of the car after him.

I remain seated, staring up at HillCrest house—my house. I thought the worst thing in the world was losing my childhood home, but now I'm at risk of losing so much more. As I look out at the dark backdrop of the house, I see Jin, the only guy I've ever liked, illuminated by the car's headlights. Beside him is Malcolm, a ridiculous man straight out of a Sabrina the Teenage Witch episode, who just so happens to be my long-lost dad. It's surreal, it all feels like some big joke.

But what is real is the pain in my stomach and the itching that won't seem to stop. I try to open the door, but before I know it, Jin's hands are on me—like everywhere. I almost don't feel the pain for a second as he lifts me in his arms. Even though it's dark, I can still see his ridiculously hot face as he carries me. I have to shake my head to focus as we enter the front door.

"What the hell is he doing?!" I ask, looking back at Malcolm, who's stretching in the dark driveway like he's warming up for a moonlight yoga class.

"Apparently, that's how you contact the spirit world. I'm going to set you down on the couch," Jin says, turning on a light switch to illuminate the living room. "I mean what's left of it."

Those words wake me from the hold Jin's stupid face has on me, and I shoot my eyes around. It is trashed. The couch has slash marks all over it. But it's not just the couch. Everything is ruined. It's like someone took a knife and went to town. But it's not just that, the walls are lined with rough carvings—more damn stars. Jin sets me down on the couch, trying to force the stuffing back in to make me more comfortable.

"It's fine," I say as I stare in horror.

Jin sits down beside me, watching as I cover my mouth in shock.

"How could I not remember doing this?" I ask

"Because Red Lady did it NOT you," he insists, reaching for my hand.

Tingles begin at my wrist and shoot down my hand, wrapping around my fingertips as his hand slowly slides into place. I look down to see his olive skin resting against my translucent white. I just don't get it. After everything, why does he like me? I'm the definition of crazy. Normal guys wouldn't put up with this crazy of a girl.

"What are you thinking?" Jin asks, watching me stare down at our hands.

"I just don't get you," I say quietly.

"What don't you get?"

I'm too scared to look up, or maybe I'm too embarrassed. I just know it's easier to keep my eyes down as I talk. "Why you're helping me, why you are STILL helping me."

Jin takes his thumb and begins rubbing the top of my hand. After what feels like forever, he finally answers, "I've been asking myself that same question."

I want to rip my hand away. I want to go back to a Vel that gave no shits about anything or anyone. But I can't move my hand because I know it's too late—I like Jin too much to sabotage it.

"Here's my hypothesis," Jin says, lifting my chin to force me out of hiding, "Jin Caldwell is helping Vel Shamrock because he's never met anyone as interesting, funny, or hot as her." His hand lingers on my chin as his coy smile appears. Slowly, I feel him moving my chin closer to his face.

"And your prediction?" I ask, my nerves bursting as Jin's other hand slowly moves to my lower back.

"That everything is going to be okay because Vel Shamrock and Jin Caldwell were meant to find each other."

All at once, everything tingles. That might be the corniest thing I have ever heard, but it also might be the most amazing thing I've ever heard. I close my eyes as Jin's chin brushes against mine. Suddenly, a ringing echoes through the house—the doorbell. The unexpected sound makes Jin and me jump, and our lips startle away from each other, without having touched.

"I uh...I'll get it," Jin says, all his swagger faded.

I sit frozen as Jin awkwardly stumbles to the front door. Why am I always so unlucky? Did I really think I'd get my first kiss before I die? Dumb Vel. Dumb, dumb Vel.

"Hello?"

"Hey, bro," I hear a familiar voice say. "What are you doing here...HOLY SHIT! What happened?!" It's Maverick.

What the hell is he doing here? Oh shit...the text.

"I live here," Jin says as I turn to see Maverick pushing his way into the house. "And we were robbed last night."

"OH SHIT BRO! I forgot you told me this was the house you moved into!"

My face instantly goes red as I see the back of Maverick's dumb, Macklemore wanna-be hair. I scramble off the couch to try to hide behind it.

"What are you doing here?" Jin says, his voice a little pitchy.

I know what he's doing here. My text. He probably thought I meant I wanted him to meet me here.

"I was looking for Vel," Maverick says as he squirms a little."I uhh I have a project we have to do. SUCKS to be paired with that ratchet ginger."

"You were gonna work on a project at 9:00?" Jin asks, sounding a little pissed.

"Yeah, man, sorry to bother you."

Pain shoots across my stomach, causing me to bump into the half-teething nightstand next to the couch. It falls over with a bang.

"Vel?" Maverick asks, as my red hair falls into view from the side of the couch. Freaking hair.

"Heyyyy," I say, struggling to stand.

Both Maverick and Jin run over to assist me.

"I got this," Jin says, shoving Maverick's hands aside.

"No, I'll get her bro," Maverick insists.

"No, BRO," Jin says.

As both Jin and Maverick play hot potato with me, another familiar voice appears at the front door.

"What the hell is going on here, Maverick?!" It's the voice of none other than Cece freaking Bundt. 

*Thanks for reading. Please don't forget to vote.