Finn left around six, and ended up spending the night at Jack's. I had a surprising amount of fun hanging out with the boys. We took some clips of Jack skating for his instagram, then we went inside and tried to watch a movie, but ended up talking the whole time. Finn was invited to sleep over too, but he couldn't and he went home. Jack and I retreaded upstairs to his room since we'd be spending the night there. We sat on Jack's bed and talked, glad to be alone (no offence Finn). Everything was pretty uneventful, until we found out the hard way that Jack had forgotten to lock the door. It swung open while we were, uh, occupied. Jack shoved me unapologetically off of him, causing me to slip of his bed and fall to the floor with a soft thud. Jack, who wasn't wearing a shirt, grabbed the nearest pillow and hugged it to his chest as fast as he could.

"Mom! What do you want," he demanded. I slowly peaked my head over the bed to see Jack's mom standing in the doorway.

"Oh, I just wanted to ask Madison what time her parent's dinner party started, if she knows," she asked.

"Um, I think seven," I answered, still mortified by what had just happened.

"That's what I thought, but I was just making sure. See you guys later," she smiled, closing the door. Jack immediately got up and locked it behind her as I climbed back onto his bed.

"Oh my god, that was so embarrassing," I said, rubbing my arm where I'd hit it on the floor.

"I thought I locked the fucking door," Jack groaned, lying down next to me.

"Well apparently you thought wrong. I mean, do you think she even noticed? Maybe she wasn't paying attention and it just seemed like I was sitting on the floor for fun," I reasoned.

"Sure, let's go with that."

"Do your parents know? About us?" I asked.

"No. I mean, I haven't told them. They might suspect something, but since we've always hung out this much I don't really think it's suspicious," he explained.

"My parents don't know either. Do you think we should tell them?" I wondered.

"We can let them figure it out. Telling them directly would probably be awkward," he said, and I agreed.

We talked for a while, as we always did. I ended up checking the time, then glanced at the date. My stomach dropped.

"Fuck. You know what I just realized," I said suddenly.

"What?"

"We only have, like, a month of school left. Which is gonna be filled with tests and finals and exams and shit. And after that it's summer. And you're gonna be shipped off to camp and I won't see you for three months."

"Oh." We were silent for a moment, thinking of the impending future. "Well, what if you come with me. To camp," Jack exclaimed eagerly.

"Jack, it's a performing arts camp. And I can't perform. Or do arts," I explained.

"You can play an instrument," he suggested.

"I can't play any instruments. I can't even sing," I pointed out.

"You can learn! Drums are really easy. Or Finn can teach you guitar. I can teach you how to play the flute," he recommended.

"The camp is for people who love that stuff. I don't. But hey, I'll visit you on visitors day, and I'll come with your parents and drop you off," I assured him. He frowned.

"I guess. We'll facetime every day, I promise," he sighed, kissing my forehead.

"Of course. I'll miss you. A lot. But, it's ok. We still have some time," I reminded him.

"Let's make it count. Next weekend I'm taking you on a date. Like a real date," he insisted.

"I can't wait."

I left Jack's in the morning, around 11. He had lots of homework to do and I knew I would just distract him if I stayed. His parents had come home late last night, and we had already fallen asleep. I walked home, still in my pajamas, and headed straight for the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. My mom was standing by the counter sipping a cup of coffee and reading something on her computer.

"Is there any coffee left?" I asked her, looking around for the coffee maker.

"Oh, Madison, I didn't know you were home," she jumped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I laughed apologetically.

"There's no more coffee, but I can make you some if you'd like," she offered.

"No, it's fine. I'll just have water." I strolled around the kitchen, pouring myself a cup of water as well as making myself a bowl of cereal.

"Madison, what's that on your neck?" My mom asked suddenly. I peered into my reflection on the microwave to see what she was referring to. There were a few small bruises scattered across my neck. My eyes widened and I frowned. Obviously, I knew exactly what they were. But, also obviously, I was not going to tell my mom.

"Um, I think it's a rash. Yeah, that's what it is. It's itchy," I lied, scratching my neck for dramatic effect. "I think I still have some of that cream from the dermatologist, I'll start using it," I said. She didn't look quite convinced, but she didn't say anything else, so I assumed I was in the clear. I ate my cereal in my room, texting Jack about the embarrassment I had just endured.

JACK

IM SO EMBARRASSED

💛

Why

my mom just asked me about the hickies you gave me

💛

HAHAHAHHAA

What did u say

Does she know they're from me

i dont think so

i said it was a rash

💛

Thats so funny

I went downstairs to put away my empty cereal bowl. On my way back up to my room I passed my mom, who was sitting on the couch.

"Madison, are you and Jack more than friends?" she asked, causing me to stop my ascent up the stairs.

"Uh, of course. We're best friends," I answered cautiously.

"I mean, are you two dating," she said candidly. I froze, not really knowing what to say. Honestly, I wasn't really sure why we hadn't told our parents. They'd always thought we'd be a good couple, and I'm sure them knowing about us wouldn't change anything.

"Why are you asking?" I questioned her.

"Because you and him seem closer than ever. And last night his mom was telling me she thought she saw something, and I was just wondering if it was true," she explained. My eyes widened at the information.

"It's true," I admitted. She smiled.

"I always knew you'd end up together. I'm really happy for you," she dismissed me. I ran upstairs to tell Jack.

JACK

OUR PARENTS KNOW

Wait what

they know about us

my mom just asked me and i had to tell her

💛

Was she mad

she was actually rlly happy

💛Thank god

i think she's on the phone with ur mom rn

💛Yeah I hear my mom talking

Ok I have to get back to my homework

ok

i love you!

💛I love you more