Jayden

I stood up, adjusting my clothes, and made my way to the door. I opened it to find my stepmom, Elizabeth, standing in the hallway with a concerned expression.

"Hey, have you seen Allison?" she asked, glancing past me into my room. "I've been trying to knock, but she's not responding. I wondered if she went out without telling me."

"She's in my room," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why is she in your room?"

I heard Allison whisper coldly behind me, "Jayden, are you crazy?"

"She's reading a manga," I explained to Elizabeth, who still looked confused.

I heard Allison whisper...