chapter twenty-one: hot chocolate

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Adora's heart skipped a beat as she heard the unmistakable sound of small stones tapping lightly against her window. Her pulse surged, and she rushed to the window, looking out to see Stu standing there, a faint smile on his face, but his eyes were full of concern.

She didn't hesitate. Her breath quickened as she opened the window, and in a few swift movements, she helped Stu inside. The cool night air rushed in, but she barely noticed. The weight of his presence, his reassuring strength, was all that mattered in that moment.

"I told you not to worry," Stu murmured, brushing past her and giving her a quick glance to make sure she was okay. "But we're here now."

Before she could say anything, she heard the sound of another car approaching, and her heart clenched. She knew what was coming. Billy's dark figure appeared soon after, his familiar face lit by the dim streetlight. Adora felt a sudden rush of conflicting emotions—relief, fear, confusion—but most of all, she just wanted answers.

"Is everyone okay?" Billy asked, his voice low as he looked around the room, taking in the silence, the tension in the air. He glanced over at Sidney and Tatum, still fast asleep on the bed.

"Should we wake them up?"

"No," Adora shook her head quickly, a sharpness in her voice. "They don't need to know about this right now. Not yet. Let them sleep."

Stu stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her, but she could feel the weight of their shared fear in his touch as he guided her out of the room and down the stairs.

"Are you okay?" Stu asked as the three arrived downstairs in the living room.

Adora nodded, though her mind was racing, and the tremble in her hands betrayed her calm exterior. The weight of what was happening was pressing on her chest, and she couldn't shake the feeling that danger was closer than ever. They moved through the house quietly, each step heavy with the unspoken tension.

"I'm... I don't know, Stu," Adora admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't feel okay. I can't stop thinking about it. What if they're still watching us? What if they're already here?"

Stu's eyes softened, and he stopped walking for a moment, gently pulling her into his arms. She froze for a second, surprised by the gesture, but then leaned into him, letting the warmth and comfort of his embrace settle her. His voice was steady and reassuring.

"We'll figure it out, okay? We're not letting anything happen to you." His hands gripped her shoulders, and he pulled back slightly to look her in the eyes. "You're not alone in this. I'm here. Billy's here. We'll keep you safe."

She swallowed hard, trying to suppress the tears that threatened to spill. The fear had been eating away at her for so long, but hearing those words made her believe—just for a moment—that there was still hope.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice strained. "I don't know what I'd do without you both."

Billy stepped forward, breaking the moment with his calm, steady presence. "We're all in this together, Adora. Don't forget that." He gave her a small, reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. 

Adora nodded slowly, trying to pull herself together. "I know. I just... I don't know what we're dealing with. I've never felt this... exposed before. I think they know things about me, about us, things they shouldn't. And that scares me."

"Don't let it scare you," Stu said, his voice firm. "Fear's just another part of it. But we'll handle it. We'll get to the bottom of it, and we won't let them hurt anyone."

She managed a small nod, grateful for their strength, even if her own was faltering.

Billy crossed his arms, his gaze drifting to the back door, a little more vigilant now. "We need to stay alert. We'll wait until morning, and then we make a plan. You should probably tell your dad about it."

"I know. I'll tell him in the morning. I don't wanna bother him now." Adora spoke as she sat down, not noticing the smirk Billy sent Stu's way. There was no way the police would think of him as the caller now. He had still been in jail when Stu had called. 

Adora thought about Sidney and Tatum again, still asleep upstairs, and a pang of guilt hit her. She wanted to protect them so badly.

She wanted to shield them from all of this, but she knew that once they woke up, there was no going back. The weight of the secret would fall on them too, and she wasn't sure if they were ready for it.

Billy's voice cut through her thoughts. "It's not just about protecting them, Adora," he said, his tone more serious than before. "You're not going to be able to handle this on your own."

Adora met his gaze, feeling the truth of his words settle in her chest like a stone. "I know," she whispered. "I just... I just want them to stay safe. I don't want them to be part of this nightmare."

Stu stepped forward again, his hand reaching out to gently squeeze her shoulder. "How about I make you some hot chocolate? It will help you calm down."

Adora nodded and before Stu left, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead, something she wasn't used to, but she figured he had just done it to try and calm her down.

Adora sat there for a moment, her heart still racing from everything that had happened. The warmth of Stu's kiss lingered on her forehead, a small comfort in the midst of everything that felt so wrong. It wasn't just the kiss itself that caught her off guard—it was the softness of the gesture, the care behind it. She wasn't used to that kind of tenderness in such chaotic times. It made her feel safe, for just a second, but it also reminded her how fragile their situation was.

She glanced up at Billy, who was still standing by the back door, his eyes scanning the darkened yard outside. She figured he was probably making sure that really nobody was out there. 

The tension in the room felt suffocating, and Adora couldn't help but wonder just how long they could stay on high alert before everything they were trying to protect would come crashing down around them.

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep." She admitted quietly, pulling her knees up to her chest.

Billy didn't look at her immediately, but she could feel his gaze on her, heavy with concern. "I wouldn't either." He said, his voice rougher than usual. "But Stu and I will stay with you if you want."

Adora gave him a faint nod, grateful for the offer, though a part of her didn't want to burden them any more than she already had. Still, the thought of being alone in the silence, with her mind running in a hundred different directions, was unbearable. She needed them close—needed their presence to keep her grounded, even if just for a little while longer.

"Yeah, I think... I think I'd like that," she replied, her voice soft as she tucked her chin against her knees. Her heart was still hammering in her chest, but it was starting to slow down, the chaotic pulse of fear lingering just beneath the surface.

Billy crossed the room slowly, the creak of the floorboards echoing in the quiet house. He settled onto the couch next to her, his body language tense, but he didn't push her away. He kept a small distance, as if giving her space to breathe, but still within arm's reach if she needed him.

Stu returned from the kitchen, two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands, and a small smile on his face. "I thought you might need a refill." He said, his voice light, though there was an edge of worry underneath. He handed it to her, and she accepted it gratefully, the warmth helping to soothe the chill in her bones.

She looked up at him, her eyes catching his for a moment. There was something different in the way he looked at her tonight—something more protective, more caring. It wasn't just about keeping her safe from whatever threats lurked outside. It was about shielding her from the emotional storm swirling within. Adora didn't know how to explain it, but she felt it. And it scared her, just a little bit. 

 "Thanks." She murmured. 

 "No problem, Adora." Stu replied, his smile softening as he sat down beside her on the couch. He leaned back, stretching his legs out in front of him. The three of them settled into a strange kind of stillness, each lost in their own thoughts, but somehow comforted by the presence of the others.Billy's eyes stayed on the window, but his posture relaxed a little. He glanced at her for a brief moment, his gaze lingering as he softly ran his fingers over her shoulder.

Adora felt a shiver run down her spine at the touch, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was warm, steady, like a grounding presence that reminded her, once again, that she wasn't alone. She didn't pull away, letting the sensation linger, but she couldn't help the knot that formed in her stomach. Billy's actions were usually calculated, always controlled, but this—this softness—was new. And it made her feel vulnerable, in a way that both soothed and unsettled her.

She glanced at him, her eyes searching his face, trying to read what was behind the gesture. But Billy's expression remained calm, his gaze still distant, though it had softened just a little. His fingers lingered on her shoulder for a moment longer before he pulled his hand back, as if unsure of how far to go.

"I'll keep watch," he said, his voice steady, but there was an underlying tension in his words, as though he was trying to convince himself more than her.

Stu let out a quiet sigh and shifted on the couch, his eyes meeting Adora's. "We both will." He added, his voice less guarded than Billy's. "No matter what happens, we've got your back."

Adora nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her, even though the weight of everything still hung heavily in the air. 

She took a deep breath, trying to push aside the growing sense of dread. "I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending everything's okay," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Billy didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the window, his brow furrowing as if contemplating her words. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low but firm. "You don't have to pretend. Not with us." He paused, the words hanging in the air. "We get it, Adora. More than you think."

"Just try to get some sleep." Stu whispered in her ear. "We know you need it."

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Be sure to comment and vote if you want. I love reading them and your support keeps me so motivated!

Okay last chapter for today, but it's weird how motivated I've been for this book lately. I love it <3

Katherine x

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WORDS: 1915

POSTED: SATURDAY MARCH 29, 2025

WRITTEN: SATURDAY MARCH 29, 2025