Waves

f o r t y - s i x

~PRESENT~

Amelia got more and more anxious the closer they got to JJ's house. She thought back to the last time that they had taken Luke's boat, and it was easy because he wasn't there. This time, though, Amelia was afraid that it might be harder.

She couldn't deny the nerves that were building up inside of her over what they were going to be doing.

"Home sweet home." JJ muttered, tears forming in his eyes as he took a deep breath, eyeing up Luke chopping wood in the yard as they pulled into the driveway. "I just need to go in and steal the keys."

"Do you want me to come?" Amelia whispered to him as she reached over to grab his hand.

"No, this will only take a second." He shook his head and opened the door. "I don't want you getting involved. Especially after the last encounter you had with my dad."

Amelia watched JJ intently as he climbed out of the Twinkie, walking over to where his dad was stood. She wished that she could hear what they were saying. She felt the anger build up inside of her as Luke peered around JJ, locking eyes with Amelia. She couldn't stop herself as her middle finger raised in the air, giving him a coy smile. JJ's eyes turned to look at her, quickly stepping in front of Luke to keep him from coming over to Amelia. She watched as they exchanged a few more words, and JJ turned to head into the house. Amelia's eyes never left the front door.

After a couple of minutes, the door swung open and JJ walked out. He walked straight past his dad without a word, climbing back into the van. "Go, Pope." He said, and Pope quickly stepped on the gas and pulled out of the van before Luke could act or realize that anything was going on.

"How'd it go?" Kiara questioned.

Amelia felt the smile form on her face as he lifted up the keys and plastered a smile on his face. "We're ready for action."

Amelia leaned into JJ's chest, feeling her body relax as she knew the hardest part was over. Pope continued to drive to where Luke's boat was parked, and she thought about John B again. She knew that them stealing Luke's boat and traveling to the Bahamas was risky. But she knew that as long as she was with JJ, she would be safe.

She couldn't help but think back to the last time she ran off on the boat with JJ, and part of her was really excited to be able to experience that again. She just couldn't believe that they were really going to sneak off to the Bahamas. She was excited to see what this adventure would be like, and to see the kinds of things that they could do together while in the Bahamas. And most of all, she couldn't wait to see John B.

~ONE YEAR AGO~

"Are you sure that you're feeling up to going?"

Greg asked Amelia as she shoved her last few belongings into her bag, zipping it up before sliding it up onto her shoulder. "Yes, dad. Not once did the doctor say that I had to stay in bed and play sick."

Greg sighed, running his hand through her hair before planting a kiss to the top of her head. "I just don't want you to get back onto your feet quicker than your body can handle."

"Stop worrying. I'm just going to Kiara's house. Not some wild party." She shot her dad a look. "We're just going to order a pizza and watch some movies. And I will be back home first thing in the morning in one piece."

"Just... enjoy your time, honey. I'm not sure how much longer we're going to stay. I think you've gone through enough here this summer." Those words stung.

Greg had a look of worry over his face, but Amelia knew that she would be fine. She felt so much better and she knew that she was able to be back on her feet again. When Kiara invited her and Sarah over for a sleepover, she knew that she couldn't pass it up. It was the perfect opportunity to spend some time with her friends and enjoy herself after getting out of the hospital. She needed it.