Winona waspletely at a loss, standing frozen, not sure what to say or do. ".....”


    Keaton broke the silence, "Your mom just scared the crap out of me. Are you done with the haircut?"


    Winona pressed her lips together, searching for words, when suddenly Janelle''s voice drifted in from the hallway.


    "Hi, Mrs. Newsom, sorry to barge in. I just wanted to check on Winona."


    Caroline replied warmly, "Oh, you''re not bothering us at all! Come in,e in! You really didn''t need to bring all these gifts, though. Ridley, Mr. and Mrs. Huber are here!"


    Ridley called out from the kitchen, "Coming,ing! Sorry, I got caught up with dinner prep. Please,e on in, make yourselves at home."


    Richard, ever the gentleman, said, "Please don''t be so formal. We''re just here to apologize-Winona got caught up in something because of our son."


    Ridley waved it off, "Winona''s just fine. Sorry you had to make the trip. Have a seat, let me get you some coffee."


    Caroline added, "I''ll go call Winona down."


    Janelle smiled, "No need, really. Let her rest. I''ll just pop up and check on her."


    The parents were all so courteous and friendly, it felt a little like a Thanksgiving get-together.


    Meanwhile, inside Winona''s room, she and Keaton both looked at each other, eyes wide, totally shocked.


    They hadn''t expected Janelle and Richard to show up out of the blue.


    Secondster, there was a knock at the door!


    Caroline called, "Winona, Janelle and Mr. Huber are here to see you."


    Janelle called out, "Winona, are you resting?"


    Winona and Keaton both panicked. One yanked a chair, the other jumped off the bed-they both scrambled for the door.


    The chair screeched across the floor, and Winona thudded to the ground as she hopped off the bed.


    Neither of them cared about the noise-they were just desperate to get to the door. In their hurry, Keaton bumped into Winona, and she identally stepped on his foot.


    They both winced in pain, but no way were they making a sound.


    Caroline asked, "Winona, what was that noise?"


    Winona and Keaton held the door shut, hearts pounding wildly. Winona called out,


    "Mom, I—I''m just getting changed! You and Janelle rx in the living room, I''ll be down in a minute."


    Caroline seemed satisfied. Janelle added kindly,


    "No rush, Winona... She sounds so out of breath, poor thing."


    Carolineughed, "Winona''s just excited to see you guys. She loves having you here."


    When the coast was clear and everyone had gone downstairs, Winona quickly tocked the door and let out the breath she''d been


    holding.


    "That was terrifying!"


    The Hubers had already almost caught them once before-if they got caught


    again, there''d be no digging themselves out of this mess.


    Winona nced at Keaton''s half-finished haircut and hissed, "You need to get out of here. Now!"


    Keaton didn''t need convincing. He hurried to the window, opened it, then mmed it shut again.


    Winona red, "What are you waiting for?"


    Keaton whispered, "I can''t go."


    "Why not?"


    "My dad''s driver''s downstairs. If I climb out, he''ll see me for sure."


    Winona rushed to the window and peeked out. Sure enough, there was a middle- aged guy in a suit, leaning against a sleek car, smoking.


    "That him?"


    "Yeah."


    Winona felt her heart sink. "This is bad. If anyone finds out you''re here, we are so busted."


    A girl''s room, a guy hiding out-if word got around, it''d be a disaster.


    Keaton said, "Okay, just act natural. Go downstairs and keep them busy, don''t let anyonee up here ty hide in the bathroom for now.”


    He darted into the bathroom, but almost immediately called out, "Winona!"


    His voice was so loud it echoed


    down the hall, catching the attention of all four parents chatting in the living room, bringing the lively conversation to a sudden, suspicious halt.