It's You and Me. Always. (JJxREADER)

Chapter 15: Midsummers.

⚠️TW! SEXUAL ASSAULT!⚠️

Y/N's POV:

"I look disgusting." Kie said as she adjusted her dress. I rolled my eyes and batted her hands away.

"You look beautiful. Now shut up." I linked my arm with hers as we walked into the venue that the party was being held in. Literally everywhere I looked, there were Kooks, head to toe in their pristine clothing that was probably worth ten times the value of my car. They fashioned themselves in various necklaces and rings, the men all having at least 10k on their wrists from their watches.

I watched as they all laughed and mingled with each other, so comfortable with their surroundings. These people never had to worry about bills, or their electric and hot water being shut off. These people didn't need to work three jobs to make ends meet. Most of these people will never have to work a day in their lives.

They had everything, yet they were never willing to share.

I felt disgusted in myself for being at a party knowing very well that over half the people in The Cut didn't even have hot water. One day, maybe I'll be as rich as a Kook, perhaps even richer- then I could help provide for those who can't provide for themselves.

"Hey, you okay?" Kie asked, waving her hand in front of my face to snap me out of my daydream.

"Hm?" I hummed in response, not having heard what she previously said.

"I said Pope's over there, let's go over." I nodded and we walked over to Pope, who had his back turned to us as he started preparing the oysters from Heyward's.

"Excuse me sir," Kie started speaking in an accent, for some odd reason. "Do we have to shuck these ourselves?" Pope turned around and his face instantly brightened up when he saw us. "It might mess up our costumes." I said, playing along with Kie. We did our little Pogue handshake and turned to look at everyone.

"Oh, by the way, that accent was bad." I pointed out to Kie as it was my accent she tried to imitate.

"Well, not everyone had the privilege of being born into a country with beautiful accents and even more beautiful men and women."

"Hm, I sure am lucky, aren't I?" I chuckled, turning my attention back to all the Kooks.

"Hey, have you heard from JJ?" Pope asked me hesitantly, knowing I was still quite emotionally fragile about the whole situation. But then again, when aren't I emotionally fragile?

"No." I said bluntly, unknowingly causing Pope to feel guilty. "It's all my fault." He spoke in such a quiet tone that the sound of the party almost completely drowned out his voice, but I heard him as clear as day.

"Pope, don't blame yourself," I said, turning to face him as I grabbed one of his hands in mine. "Topper almost killed you. JJ just did what you would've done in his situation- he helped a friend." I finished, reassuringly squeezing his hand to tell him I'm not mad. He smiled at me and our focus shifted to the sound of applause. Cameron and his family had walked in, flashing their pearly white teeth in big fake smiles as they ventured further into the crowd. I saw Sarah and couldn't help but notice how much she looked like she didn't want to be here. Don't blame her.

I could feel someone staring at me and I focused my attention on the person behind Sarah- her brother, Rafe. And sure enough, he was staring at me, his lips turned up into a sickly grin that made me 100% certain he was up to no good. His gaze was predatory and I was his prey. He had no shame in looking my up and down slowly, as if he was memorising every single curve.

I shivered in discomfort. His eyes met mine and he slowly waved at me, almost tauntingly, as if he knew something I didn't. I lifted my hand up as well, but instead of waving, I gestured to him in a way that was a quick enough way to wipe that smile off his face.