Jodi contemplated the idea of giving wrong directions to the house or even forgetting her address but once she saw J’s impatient face, she gave in. They were in front of her Aunt’s house in a matter of minutes. Jodi took a deep breath and hopped out of the car, as did Sean and J.
‘Well, I guess…’ She began to Sean. ‘I’ll come over tomorrow?’
‘Tell you what’ Sean jumped in. ‘I’ll come over when I get some free time, ok?’
‘But-’
‘Tomorrow Jodi, Don’t worry’ He assured her. Jodi smiled with satisfaction. She waved to both of them and began heading toward the flat when suddenly she stopped in her tracks.
‘What is it?’ Sean called after her. Jodi ran back to him, trembling with fear.
‘She’s home’ She whispered, near tears.
‘Who?’ J asked, confused.
‘My Aunt!’
‘What?’ Sean and J both chorused together.
‘My Aunt is home!’ Jodi exclaimed. ‘She must have cut her vacation short.’
‘I don’t understand’ J said to himself, scratching his chin. ‘Whom were you staying with then if your aunt wasn’t home?’
Jodi looked at Sean for an answer but his eyes were fixated on the house. ‘Well…’ She began hesitantly, fearing J’s wrath. ‘I was alone.’
‘Alone?’ J couldn’t comprehend that.
‘She ran away’ Sean explained simply. Jodi’s eyes grew big. She stared at Sean then at J, waiting to be yelled at. Much to her surprise, J threw his head back and laughed loudly.
‘She’s a handful’ He concluded with his hand ruffling her hair. Jodi drew a deep breath and released it with relief. She turned back to the house and winced.
‘What am I supposed to do now?’ She asked.
‘Go In there and say hi’ J proposed.
‘She probably already knows I ran away’ Jodi said, ignoring J’s words. ‘My clothes are in there!’
‘Well, then there’s her first clue.’ Sean chuckled. ‘She now will know you are in London.’
‘Sooner or later, they’ll come to our house searching for her’ J said thoughtfully.
‘You can’t let them take me away!’ Jodi exclaimed desperately, clinching on Sean and J’s arms. They both looked down at her and back at each other with exasperation looks.
‘Sean’ She pulled him away from J and looked up with pleading eyes. ‘Remember our pact, One week here and I’ll be gone without a peep to your mother about the drinking.’
‘Yes Jodi but this is now different.’ Sean said hesitantly. ‘We didn’t specify where you were going to stay.’
‘I know! But I can’t go in there now!’
‘Jodi, Sean’ J called over. ‘We can’t stand here forever. I’m tired.’
Jodi nodded and turned to Sean with a pleading look once more. Sean took a deep breath and pushed Jodi away from him. He leaned towards J and whispered.
‘Let her stay with us for a week.’
J wrinkled his forehead in thought. ‘She will be our responsibility?’
‘Mine’ Sean corrected him, against his own will.
‘Where will she sleep?’
‘On the couch’
‘And what if her family comes up to us looking for her?’
‘If the week is over I’ll sell her out gladly.’ Sean replied. ‘If not, then I’ll take it upon myself to lie. I do have a pact with her.’
‘I noticed’ J laughed and clasped his hands. ‘Fine, she does make good food’ Sean sighed. He hoped J wouldn’t agree to this. He hoped he would be adult about this and simply say no to her but he didn’t. Weirdly enough, J looked please to have Jodi over.
‘Come on’ He held the door open for her. ‘Before your Aunt spots you.’ Jodi looked at J then back at Sean. She squealed from happiness, wrapping her arms around both of them in a hug.
‘Get in’ Sean muttered.
Jodi happily watched as her house disappeared from her sight. She smiled to herself so proudly. Her plan had worked. Who would have imagined such a stupid idea of leaving the lights on would work. Better yet, who would have thought that those two blokes would actually buy it.
Suckers, She thought, I’m too smart for them.
