We move into a den with a giant TV, a rug too clean to step on, and shelves lined with things no one actually uses.
Jax pops a handful of popcorn. “So, where do your parents think you are?”
“If you’re asking whether I told anyone, relax,” I say. “No one cares where I am.”
Ivan takes a seat on the couch. “My dad won’t be home till seven.”
“What about your mom?” Jax presses.
“Uh… no mom.”
Jax nudges me. “And you?”
“I didn’t tell anyone either.”
“Good.”
I wonder if he’s embarrassed to have me here. If this is all some huge mistake and he’s just as freaked out as I am, but better at hiding it. Maybe his parents could walk in any second, and they’ll make sure I’m reminded I’m just a nobody from the wrong side of the tracks staining their perfect museum.
I cross my arms. “Where are your parents? Should we expect someone to walk in? I don’t need a lecture on trespassing on the St. Clairs’ side of the city.”
“Dad’s at the hospital. Scoreboard: Hospital 100, Family movie night 0,” Jax says too casually. “Mom’s… well, someone has to spend the money, right?” He laughs, already kneeling in front of the VCR. “This thing is ancient. I told my mom we need a new one, but apparently her hair appointments are a full-time job.”
“I’m sure it works fine if you use it correctly. It’s precision, not brute force,” Ivan says, jumping up. “Stop forcing it—you’re going to break it.”
“It’s stuck,” Jax says, blowing into the tape like that’s going to fix anything, then tries to shove it back in.
Ivan presses one button and the machine ejects an already-loaded tape with a soft click.
“It’s basic impenetrability—two objects can’t occupy the same space at once.”
“I guess I skipped that class too.” Jax winks at me.Like I’m supposed to melt over that.
He holds his finger over the play button.
“Before we watch this,” he says, “what do you guys actually know about The Pit?”
“Not much,” I say. “Urban legends and nonsense.”
“How about you, Ivan?” Jax asks.
Ivan shifts. “I know a little. Hard not to when your dad’s a detective.”
“Oh shit,” Jax snaps his fingers. “I knew I recognized you! The station!”
“We go to the same school,” Ivan says, mortified.
“Well yeah, but there’s a lot of kids in that one overcrowded building. I’ve been to the station too many—” Jax pauses, rethinking whatever brag he was about to say. “Saw you with your dad once. He’s… intense.”
“Can we watch this already?” I interrupt.
Jax tosses a piece of popcorn in his mouth, then holds the bowl out toward me like he’s offering. I don’t take any.
He watches me then hits play. Instead of taking one of the armchairs, he drops into the middle of the leather couch, patting the cushion right next to him. “Get comfortable,” he says, a taunting grin playing on his lips. “Haven’t you seen a movie before?” Before I can process it, his hand is on my wrist, tugging me down. I land much closer than intended, our thighs pressed together, the warmth of him seeping through my jeans.Suddenly, focusing on the TV feels impossible.
A shaky camcorder view fills the screen—blue and pink balloons, streamers drooping under gym lights. It looks like dance night. There’s no narration, only music fading in and out as the camera moves. There are girls in shiny dresses and boys in bad tuxes, the flowers on their corsages already wilting.
Ivan leans forward. “Wait… is that?—?”
