A Stranger in the House

As Jay settled into the guest room, he couldn't shake off the feeling of hunger that lingered in his stomach. He had devoured the pizza crust earlier, but it had only provided temporary satisfaction. He was hesitant to ask for food, fearing that Mrs. Birch might yell at him or make him feel like a burden. But as he was about to leave the room, Mrs. Birch called out to him, "Jay, dear, after you take a bath, dinner should be ready. Why don't you get cleaned up and we'll get you something to eat?" Jay's eyes lit up at the prospect of a hot meal, but a part of him was also wary. He was used to fighting for food with his brother Kurt, and the thought of having to do the same with the Birch family made him anxious. Mr. Birch, noticing Jay's uncertainty, intervened and asked Judd to lend Jay some clothes and show him to the bathroom. Judd, who had been watching Jay with an intense gaze earlier, nodded silently and walked towards Jay. Nick and Leah exchanged confused glances, their eyebrows raised in surprise. "Judd, you're lending your clothes to someone?" Nick asked, incredulous. Leah chimed in, "Yeah, Judd never lets us touch his stuff. What's going on?" Judd didn't respond, but instead handed Jay a pair of jeans and a white shirt. Jay took the clothes, feeling a bit awkward, and followed Judd to the bathroom. As they walked, Jay couldn't help but notice the strange looks from Nick and Leah. It was clear that Judd's behavior was out of character, and Jay wondered what had prompted him to be so accommodating. As Jay entered the bathroom, Judd pointed to the shower and said, "The water's warm. Help yourself." Jay nodded, still feeling a bit uneasy, and began to undress. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and was shocked by his disheveled appearance. He hadn't showered in days, and his hair was matted and dirty. As he stepped into the shower, the warm water cascaded down his body, washing away the dirt and grime. Jay closed his eyes, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had been so used to fending for himself that the simple luxury of a hot shower was almost overwhelming. As he showered, Jay couldn't help but think about Judd's behavior. What had made him so willing to lend his clothes and help Jay? Was it just a gesture of kindness, or was there something more to it? Jay's mind was filled with questions, but he knew he would have to wait and see how things played out. After his shower, Jay dried himself off and put on the clothes Judd had lent him. He looked at himself in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back at him. He looked clean, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope. As he left the bathroom, Jay was greeted by the aroma of cooking food. His stomach growled in anticipation, and he couldn't wait to sit down and enjoy a hot meal with the Birch family. But as he walked towards the dinner table, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Judd's behavior had been strange, and Jay wondered if there was more to him than met the eye.