hold me down

d-day

"Okay so Kiara texted me just now" Bree said while shoving her phone and lip balm in her jean pocket. "She's asking me to come with her and Pope. They're gonna get gasoline for the phantom and she's asking you to go with JJ to check out the boat" she tucked her hair behind her ear, rustling in her bag to look for the keys of our apartment.

"Okay I'll go meet up with JJ then" I tossed the empty soda can in the bin then walked to my room to get my phone and my wallet. I heard Bree yell as she left, the door banging loudly as it closed. I wore my vans then rushed out, locking the door behind me. I went to the chateau to meet up with JJ like we talked about.

"We have to be quick and load up the boat with food while waiting for the gas" JJ said while we were speed walking to where the phantom is. We were both panicking, not sure about how things will go down later. JJ and I kept on rambling, distracting ourselves because we don't want to be too stressed out and be anxious. We might mess things up if we let our agitation take over us.

"Zoe, I have something to tell you" JJ said while stopping in his tracks, dropping the bags of food on the floor. I looked at him while catching my breath, my chest aggressively heaving up and down. I dropped the bags that I was carrying then raised my eyebrow in response.

"I'm not really sure why I'm telling you this but..." he trailed off, his voice cracking mid sentence. "Now that John B is going away, I don't really know what to do and who to be with. I mean, I love the other dudes but John B's been my best friend since grade school" he looked up to avoid his tears from falling. "I'm just really sad and you made everything suck less, you know?" he looked at me, tears brimming his eyes.

"Ever since we started hanging out, you made everything feel so light. My mind wanders off from the thought of John B leaving and I always enjoy your company. Every time we spend our time away from each other it feels as if I'm missing something and that made it more clear to me" he looked down to the ground. "I am very certain of how I feel about you and I know that this isn't a good time to tell you about it but I really like you, Zoe" he chuckled then quickly wiped the tear that rolled down his cheek. He laughed quietly then pulled his lips in between his teeth, stifling the sobs that was threatening to leave his mouth.

I pulled him into a hug then massaged his scalp to soothe him out. He pressed his face against the crook of my neck while wrapping his arms around my small waist, pulling me in as his sobs were becoming uncontrollable. "I hate you so much. Why am I so vulnerable right now" he pulled away, not making eye contact with me. "You don't have to reciprocate anything. The words just really blurted out of my mouth and I'm not really sure why" he laughed then looked at me, his eyelashes still wet from tears and his nose a little red from all the sniffling.

"Hey, JJ" I rested my hand to his face then stared deeply in his eyes. "I really appreciate you telling me this and for being very vocal and honest with me. You're a gem, JJ. You're incredible" I pulled him back to a hug then kissed his cheek. I can feel him smile against my shoulder. His body softened up and melted into my arms, hugging me gently but tightly at the same time. He didn't want to let go so we stayed in this position for a minute or two.

"Okay so let's go back to work" he pushed his hair back then picked up the groceries then walked to the phantom. I laughed at his sudden change of emotion while looking at him for a second then carried the plastic bags and ran to catch up to him.

"Look at this beauty" he pulled the cover off the boat then looked at it in awe. I smiled then carried the bags then climbed up the boat. I placed the bags on the seat then sat on the cold floors of the boat to rest. I leaned back then closed my eyes while focusing on my breathing, I was out of breath from walking.

"I think that's them" JJ said loudly while walking away from the boat. I stood up when I heard tires skid outside. I jumped out of the boat and heard JJ open the heavy metal doors. "What are you doing here?" I heard him say. I furrowed my eyebrows then walked to JJ to see who it was. The only people I know who's coming is Pope, Kiara and Bree.