After the Storm- JJ Maybank (Outer Banks)

5.

I saw Rafe's eyes on me across the room. His leg was jumping up and down under his desk. I kept looking down to it and back up to his face. He just gave me a small smile when the bell finally rang. He came straight over to my desk, his elbows resting in front of my notebook.

"You've got plans tonight."

"I do?"

"You do. I'll pick you up at 8."

"Interesting. Okay." I smiled as I put my notebook into my backpack.

He just stared at me, waiting for me to get up to walk home with him. He always was so kind and waited for me.

"Do I get any details?"

"Just wear something comfortable and don't forget to wear a swimsuit under it."

"A swimsuit? Hm. Okay." I fidgeted with my fingers.

He must've noticed because he reached down and wrapped his fingers into mine. I felt my hand get warm. I had hoped he didn't think I was gross. I began to sweat.

"Relax, Rachel."

"That obvious, huh?"

"Yeah, it's okay. It's just me."

I felt eyes on the both of us as we walked into our neighborhood. He started to swing our arms slowly and I just kept my eyes to the ground. I noticed that we were on his lawn. I looked up to him as his hand squeezed mine tightly.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah."

"You sure?"

"Of course I am. I just-"

"Don't worry about anyone else. This is about me and you. No one else. You are really important to me and I care about you a lot, alright?"

"Rafe. I know. I do too. I'm just worried about my mother."

"Just tell her you're with Sarah if she even asks."

"Okay. Good idea. I'll see you tonight?"

"Tonight. Yes. I'll see you soon." His hand drops from mine and grabs my face, he runs his fingers down my cheek.

I just smile into him as his hand drops again to his side and he walks up to his house. Rafe Cameron asked me on a date.

The sun began to fall from the sky, the stars beginning to twinkle above me. I leaned back further into the hammock, fiddling with my fingers. I heard a sigh from beside me and I turned over to see JJ, moving around in his sleep. He had been struggling to sleep lately and I wasn't sure why. Maybe all that had happened over the summer had really taken over him. I moved my hand to his back, running circles over him. It seemed to soothe him, he wasn't twitching as much anymore. His breathing slowed and he turned to face me. His eyes were closed and his hand was holding his face. He looked so peaceful.

His body moved closer to mine again, his head now resting on my chest. The rest of his body cocooned over mine, his leg resting over mine. He was shielding me. I ran my hands through his hair, getting the stray pieces out of his face so he wouldn't be bothered. I scratched his scalp lightly and I heard him lightly sigh again.

"Are you faking it, Mr. Maybank?" I whispered softly, still running my hands through his hair.

"No, Mrs. Maybank."

I loved when he called me that. It made me melt.

"Mhmmm. Whatever." I let my hands fall to my lap, laying my head down over the top of his.

"Why'd you stop?" I could hear the sadness in his voice, he sounded like a baby.

"Because I'm tired."

"You're such a tease."

I reached for his hands, messing with the cold rings on his fingers. I spun them around, looking at all of them. He had an obsession with jewelry and I loved it. His rings, bracelets, and necklaces made him who he was. It was one of the many reasons why I loved him.

"Do you want one, cupcake?"

"A ring? Your rings? I could never take one of JJ Maybank's rings!" I gasped at the thought.

"You're being dramatic. Which one?" He held out his hands to me.

I looked over them. I stopped when I looked to my favorite of them all. It was one that was gold and had a circle on the front. It rested on his left hand ring finger. I pointed to it and he smiled. He pulled it off and grabbed my hand, sliding it on my ring finger.

"This is my promise to you. You're mine, I'm yours. Only yours."

"A promise ring? From you?"

"Don't act like it's shocking. I love you, okay? I'm never letting you go again. You're stuck with me for life."

"I love you too. I'm with you forever, J."

I feel his fingers wrap into mine, our rings tapping together. He squeezed hard, just like he always did. A huge smile appeared across his face as we leaned back into the hammock. His lips placed a kiss on my cheek as I leaned into him.  We fell asleep watching the stars, listening to each other's heartbeats.