The man slammed his hand on the timer, and just like that-the contest was on.
Malia dove in like a machine, devouring her food with zero hesitation, face-first into the plates like a force of nature. Across from her, Jason sat still, arms folded, eyes narrowed in disgust.
"She's seriously enjoying this?" he muttered under his breath.
"Let's go, Malia!"
"Crush him!"
"Jason, do something!"
Brandon and Daphne chanted Malia's name, hyping the chaos. Liam, unfazed, stood quietly by Jason's side.
"I got your back, big bro. Win or lose," he said with a fist bump ready.
Jason didn't react. His thoughts were somewhere else-on the fourth plate.
"I swear, if I force another bite, I'm gonna lose it. What the hell is she? A pig?"
He eyed Malia, still tearing through her plate like a beast. I just need to survive this..."
Then-BZZZT! The buzzer rang.
Everyone froze.
Malia leaned back in her seat, arms up in victory, face smeared with sauce. She was clearly the champ.
"Wooo!" Brandon and Daphne whistled and clapped like it was a final match.
Liam crossed his arms, puffing his cheeks. "Tch. Big bro was gonna win. You totally cheated!"
The mustached host raised Malia's hand high. "And the undisputed champion-MALIA!"
Jason exhaled slowly, pushing his plate away. Malia marched over, smug grin on her messy face.
"Fair fight. You did good," she said, extending a food-smeared hand.
Jason blinked at it, unimpressed. "I'll pass."
Too late-she pulled him into a tight, sauce-filled hug.Jason groaned."Alright, alright, break it up!" Daphne rushed over, prying Malia away. "Girl, you smell like a burger stand."
Malia just laughed, eyes gleaming. "A winner's aroma."
Jason wiped off his jacket with a deadpan expression.
"Haha, my bad. Guess I overdid it a little," Malia said with a smug grin, giving Jason a playful wink before strutting off. The contest host gave her one final congratulatory shake before they all stepped outside toward the prize stand.
Brandon scooped Liam up onto his shoulders with ease. "Alright, little man, time to call it. We're done for today, don't you think?"
Liam beamed, arms spread like airplane wings. "Yeah, man. I'm beat! But that was the best day of my life!"
While they laughed, Malia stood in front of the prize table, hands on her hips, trying to make a choice. Jason walked up beside her, arms crossed.
"You seriously still deciding? We don't have all day."
"Oh relax, Mr. Icebox," Malia said without looking at him. "This is my prize. Still salty about losing to a 'nobody' like me?"
Jason's eyes narrowed. "I couldn't care less. Just hurry it up."
She turned to him, smirking. "Then you pick. I've still got three wishes you owe me-think of it as a tip."
She winked again before walking off to join the others.
Jason sighed, glancing at the table. Something caught his eye-something he hadn't expected to see again.
A few minutes later, the group was getting ready to leave. Jason stepped up beside Daphne and gently tapped her arm.
"Hold up."
She turned, a little confused. "Yeah?"
He reached into his jacket and pulled something out.
"Here."
Daphne's eyes widened-it was the plush bear she had stared at earlier. She blinked in disbelief.
"This...?"
Jason avoided her gaze, voice low. "Don't read into it. I'm just settling a debt. You helped me out earlier. Consider this... even."
Daphne held the bear tightly, a small smile breaking across her face. "Then... thanks."
Jason gave a subtle nod and walked ahead without another word.
Behind him, Daphne smiled gently, clutching the stuffed bear closer before hurrying to catch up with the others.
They walked briskly back to the motel under the evening sky. As they entered, Brandon glanced out one of the windows and pointed.
"Hey... anyone notice the town's lit up like it's Christmas? Something's going down."
"That's the Jounen Kwéyòl ," Malia said, stretching. "It's happening in two days."
"Festival, huh..." Liam mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper, but Brandon caught it-Liam was still sitting on his shoulders.
Brandon looked up at him. "What's wrong, little man?"
Liam hesitated. "I've... never been to a festival before. Dad always said festivals are for 'amateurs'... Mom usually agrees. But I think... I think she still takes Hannah. Just not me."
He looked away as silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
Brandon gently lifted him off his shoulders and knelt, ruffling his hair with a reassuring smile.
"Well, guess what? This year, you're going. With me. You, me, Malia, Daphne... even the ice cube himself-Jason. No mom or dad around to stop you, right?"
Liam's face lit up. "Really?! Thanks, Brandon!"
The two laughed, the moment lightening.
Jason, a few steps away, watched quietly-his gaze unreadable. It wasn't concern. It was something else. Something... cautious. Like he was trying to figure Brandon out.
He exhaled and turned to head deeper into the motel-until a firm hand landed on his shoulder.
He froze.
"Rété la menm, Glaçon," Malia said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Don't you think you're forgetting something?"
Jason looked at her over his shoulder-cold, distant. But she didn't flinch.
"What is it now?"
Malia tapped her chin in mock thought, then flashed a wide grin.
"My first wish..." she began dramatically, "...is for you to spend the entire night with me."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Daphne turned crimson. "W-What?!"
Brandon blinked, then quickly clamped his hands over Liam's ears. "Okay, okay! This just turned PG-18 real fast!"
"Spend a night with you, huh?" Jason repeated, voice low and unreadable.
Malia smirked, arms folded. "What? You scared you can't handle me, Ice Cube?"
But Jason didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped forward-calm, calculated-and before anyone could react, he took her hand. The smirk on Malia's face vanished when he leaned in close, his voice brushing against her skin like cold steel.
"Scared? No. Actually... I think it's perfect."
Malia's breath hitched. Their faces were barely inches apart. Her cocky facade cracked. "Wh-what?! I was just messing around-you didn't seriously think I-"
Jason tilted her chin up with two fingers, eyes narrowed. "What's this? You trembling already? I haven't even started... Malia."
Her name rolled off his tongue with an unexpected sharpness, like it meant more than it should have.
Malia yanked her hand back, flushed red. "Y-you jerk! Who knew you were this dirty!"
Jason gave a slow, amused smile. "Isn't that what you asked for? For me to let loose, to stop holding back... spend a night with-"
Before he could finish, a pair of hands suddenly covered his mouth.
"Enough!" Daphne snapped, her voice shaky. She stood between them now, face flushed and eyes downcast. "Please... just stop."
Jason blinked. Slowly, she lowered her hands from his face. There was silence for a beat.
Then Malia's grin returned, but something about it was weaker-shakier. She was still rattled.
"Fine," she said, forcing her voice to sound steady. "That is my first wish. Ice Cube's mine tonight."
Jason turned toward her, scoffed, then suddenly grabbed her wrist. "You're coming with me."
He walked, dragging her behind him, unbothered by the stunned expressions around them.
Daphne's voice stopped him cold.
"Jason!" she called out. He froze but didn't turn. Her voice trembled. "Are you... seriously going to spend the night with her?"
He hesitated. Then, slowly, he glanced back-his face unreadable, but his eyes... softer.
"It's her wish," he said simply. "I don't get to choose."
And with that, he kept walking-leaving Daphne behind, arms on her chest, eyes full of something unspoken.
The motel door clicked shut behind them. Silence settled like fog.
Jason let go of Malia's wrist. She stepped back, arms crossed tightly.
"You didn't have to actually drag me, you know," she muttered.
Jason didn't respond. He simply took off his jacket, tossed it on the chair, then leaned against the wall - arms folded, eyes fixed on her.
Malia looked away.
"I was just teasing," she said, softer now. "Didn't think you'd take it seriously."
"You made a wish," Jason replied, voice low. "And I don't break my word."
"That's not..." she bit her lip. "That's not what I meant. You know that."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Then say what you meant."
Her eyes flicked back to his. The cold, unreadable look on his face wasn't helping her racing heart.
"I just-" she sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, fingers fidgeting. "I wanted to get under your skin. Make you react. You're always so shut off from everything. From everyone."
Jason didn't move. "And did it work?"
Malia looked up at him - this time, no teasing, no fake grin. Just raw honesty.
"I don't know," she whispered. "You tell me."
A long silence stretched between them. Then Jason pushed off the wall and walked over to her. Slowly. Deliberately.
She held her breath.
He crouched in front of her, eyes level with hers now.
"It didn't," he said, quietly.
Her lips parted, eyes wide.
"I don't like being played with, Malia."
"I wasn't playing," she said quickly. "Not really. I just-" she stopped, forcing herself to meet his eyes. "I guess I wanted to see if you'd feel something. Because I do. Around you. And I don't know what it means."
Jason exhaled. Something in his face softened for a brief second.
"I'm not good at-this," he admitted. "At people. At feelings. At... opening up."
"You don't have to be," she said, gently. "You just have to stop pushing everyone away."
Jason reached out, brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Then don't run the moment I let someone in."
Malia swallowed. "I won't."
They stayed there, quiet, close - no more teasing, no more tension - just the shared stillness of two people letting their walls drop, if only for a moment.
Time passed. The moonlight filtered through the thin motel curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. Jason sat at the edge of the bed, quiet, deep in thought. Malia had changed into something more comfortable - an oversized shirt that clearly wasn't hers - probably borrowed from the closet in the room. She leaned against the window, arms crossed, watching the stars in silence.
"You always this quiet when the day ends?" she asked.
Jason didn't answer right away. "Most nights," he finally said. "It's when everything gets loud in here," he tapped his head once.
She turned from the window. "What's usually on your mind?"
Jason looked at her. "Things I've lost. Things I can't fix."
"You don't have to fix everything alone, you know."
Jason exhaled, rising slowly. He stepped forward, his hand slamming against the wall beside her face, trapping Malia. She flinched, eyes blazing with defiance.
"Let's just get this over with," he said, voice cold, unreadable.
Malia pushed at him, but his grip was iron. "C'mon, I said I was kidding," she spat, fury flashing in her eyes.
"You were kidding... I wasn't." Jason's voice was a low growl as Malia squirmed beneath him, cheeks flaming red. Before she could react, he grabbed her effortlessly, lifting her off the ground.
"Wh-what are you doing? Put me down!" she demanded, panic rising, but Jason didn't even flinch. Without a care, he dropped her onto the bed with controlled force, then pressed down, pinning her beneath him. His arms locked her wrists above her head, holding her in place, leaving no room to escape.
Jason tightened his hold on her wrists, his other hand moving deliberately. She fought back, but he was relentless.
"Let go of me, you bastard... let go!" Malia thrashed beneath him, but he tightened his grip, one hand crushing both her wrists like iron bands. His other hand slid deliberately to the buttons at her chest, fingers moving with ruthless precision. Three clicks, and the fabric parted enough to reveal the edge of her bra.
She fought harder, desperate and furious. "Get your hands off me!"
Leaning close to her ear, his breath hot, he whispered, "Want me to let go? That'd be your second wish. You'd only have one left."
Malia didn't hesitate. "Yes, yes-now get off me!"
A slow smirk curled Jason's lips as he finally released her, stepping back.
Still catching her breath, Malia glared, voice sharp. "You planned this all along, didn't you? Never intended to spend the night with me. You knew I was bluffing, and you used it against me. You're one sly bastard."
Jason glanced back, eyes cool, lips twitching in a smirk. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
That was it. Malia snapped, her voice rising in a mix of frustration and laughter. "Péchè malay, ou garson vyé chat, osi ou sa eséy sa anko mwen kay déchiktyé'w mòso pa mòso, manman'y!"
Jason ignored her tirade, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. His hand paused on the knob when Malia's voice stopped him.
"Wait..."
He turned slightly. "What?"
She looked away, cheeks burning. "Whatever happened here-it stays between us, got it? It'd be embarrassing if the others found out."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "That your last wish?"
"No way! I'm not wasting my last wish on that!" she snapped.
Jason smiled faintly. "Okay then."
He left, leaving Malia alone with her thoughts.
He's not gonna tell anyone, is he? He's not that kind of guy...right?