Waves

n i n e

~PRESENT~

JJ pulled his father's truck into John B's driveway, turning off the engine, his eyes scanning around the house. Amelia watched him push the driver door open before climbing out and closing the door behind him, making his way around the front of the truck and over to the passenger door. He pulled the door open, reaching up for Amelia to take his hand. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she reached down and slipped her hand into his, stepping down out of the truck.

JJ's hand never left hers as he led her up to the front door of John B's house. He pulled open the front door and motioned for Amelia to head in, following in closely behind her.

"Yo John B, you here?" He called, waiting for a response. "Is anyone here?"

All Amelia could hear was silence around them and the thumping of her heart as she stood completely alone with JJ.

"JJ." Amelia said. "Why didn't you stay here? Why did you go home knowing that your dad was there?"

JJ frowned, walking over and taking a seat on John B's couch. He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing. "As much as I shouldn't, I wanted to check up on him. Just to make sure that he hasn't hurt himself, like overdose or some shit like that." He bit his bottom lip. "I know I shouldn't care after everything that he's done to me."

Amelia frowned, but quickly turned it into a small sympathetic smile as she walked over to him, sitting down on the couch beside him. She linked her arms around his arm, resting her chin against his arm, looking up at him. "He's your dad, JJ. I get it. You don't need to feel ashamed of yourself for caring about your father. No matter how much harm he has brought you."

"I'm sorry that this happened. I never wanted you to get mixed up in this." He said, turning to meet her gaze.

"I just want to know that you're safe, JJ." She said. "Are you going to stay here?" Amelia felt relieved as he nodded his head.

There was silence for a moment before JJ spoke again. "Mel..." he started to say. "You really weren't ever going to come see me?"

Amelia sighed, shifting in her seat on the couch. "I'm sorry, J. I never meant to hurt you. I didn't want to see you because... well. I knew that when I saw you, all of those feelings would come rushing back. Because they never really went away." She swallowed. "I didn't want to see you because I knew that if we picked up where we left off, I would have to leave again. I don't want to hurt you like that again."

He scooted closer to her, tucking her hair behind her ear and allowing his hand to linger there, resting on the side of her head. "Do you want to still be with me?"

Amelia felt her stomach flip upside down at his question. She wasn't really sure what to say to him. She knew that she did, but in her mind she still knew what was best for her and for JJ. "I-" she started but JJ quickly cut her off with his lips against hers again. Her eyes closed and her hand reached up to his hand that was resting against her face, grabbing hold of it and giving it a squeeze. "Be honest with me, Amelia. No bullshit." He said as he pulled away from her.

"Yes." She said, and his eyes instantly lit up. "I do. But it won't work JJ. I have to go back home. We can't do what we did last summer again." She shook her head. "And you're with Kiara now. Which means that you shouldn't be sitting here kissing me right now."

JJ turned his entire body to face her, his other hand reaching up to her face so that her head was cradled between both of his hands, being forced to keep eye contact with him. His face looked solemn. His eyes scanned over her face. "You know the question you asked me? Well the answer is yes. I do still love you. I never stopped, Amelia. I'm still so fucking in love with you."