You're the Right Person (So it's the Right Time)

Chapter 9

"Okay thank you so much." John B says as he hangs up the phone. "Please let this be a coincidence" he sighs. He is praying he won't have to explain to Sarah that he needed to go to her dad for a job.

But he knows it isn't a coincidence. He calls Ward to make sure, and when he's faced with the reality that he just betrayed his girlfriend's wishes he feels terrible. But at the same time he can't go homeless. He can't have the only home he's ever known, and the last remnants of his father go to the city.

He needs this job. But he also needs Sarah. He's going to have to come clean to her.

John B: hey can you come over later I need to talk to you about something

Sarah: yeah sure, is everything okay?

John B: sort of, you'll understand later

Sarah: okay

Things have been weird between them since that night he asked her about job stuff. They haven't been fighting or tense, but there's been something thick between them.

John B is anxious the entire time waiting for Sarah to come over. He's pacing around his house, chewing on his nails. He needs to be honest with her but he can't lose her from this.

When Sarah arrives a few hours later he's shaking with every step to the door. He still tries to offer a smile when he opens the door.

"Hey, what's going on you look terrible" Sarah says in a worried tone.

"Well, um, fuck." He starts "you're going to hate me for this."

"John B I could never hate you"

"I uh, I went to your dad to help me get a job." He waits a quick beat before saying "I know you said not to but I had no choice" he doesn't meet her eyes for a while but when he does he sees that she's mad.

"John B I can't believe you!" She exclaims "You did have a choice I can't believe you would do this!"

He tries to keep a level tone as he states his case, "Sarah you don't get it. You've never had to worry about not living in your home before."

"Yeah but I've also never betrayed someone I love before!"

This sets him over the edge. "Sarah you are unbelievable! I can't believe you don't care enough about me to realize that I had to do this! I wasn't going to have a home in a few weeks. How do you not get that!"

"I just think you are better than that John B! You could've gotten a job all on your own but no you had to use my dad!"

"Well clearly I couldn't have because I already tried that but I kept getting second place to the stupid kooks who aren't even qualified! They don't even need the money, they just want it so they can keep shoving coke up their nose on a Thursday afternoon!"

"That is not fair!"

"You only say that cause you're a kook too! Because you've been to their parties and are friends with those people." He says coldly

"Oh so we wanna go there? How is this ANY different than you and your friends smoking weed and drinking beers everyday?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe because it's legal! At least in some parts of this country!"

"Yeah sure. Because that makes all the difference!"

"It does actually because at least me and my friends won't die by accident, sure our brain chemistry might be a little fucked but hell that would've happened some way or another!"

"Don't disrespect the people I care about just because they cost you a job!"

"You don't even care about them! You're just saying that because that's what's safe to you!"

"You have no right to tell me how I feel."

A large clap of lightning startled them both, and temporarily cuts the conversation.

"You're right I don't. Just like how you have no right to tell me that I can't take someone up on an offer when I need it."

"No, that's different. I do. You know why? Because it's my dad."

"But he offered me!"

"Yeah but you could've done anything else! Waited it out, tried harder, hell, asked me for money!"

"One, I have been waiting. All the money left from my dad I spent on rent, I didn't want to but I did. I've been applying for jobs since he died, Sarah. And if you think I haven't been trying hard you don't know me at all. Third, I would never ask you for money. One because you are my girlfriend, two because that money comes right from Ward, so really either way he would be why I'm staying afloat."

"I just don't get it! You might as well have been using me for my money this whole time!"

"If you think that you are full of shit Sarah Cameron."

"Know what? Maybe I should just leave. Clearly this isn't working."

As she walks out the door into the pouring rain, John B stands there stunned for a moment. He stands there for about a minute before he goes running outside.

By the time he sees her he is completely soaked. He sees Sarah walking to the car she took over here, but before she can reach her car he grabs her waist and smashes his lips into hers.

"Don't leave. I'm not giving you up, I'm not giving us up over something like this. Just please come inside."

"What's the point?"

"The point is that I love you and there's clearly more to this than you are letting on and we need to talk it through. Okay?"

"Okay."

When they reach the house John B offers her a towel to dry off and a sweatshirt to change into. When they are somewhat dry and changed they sit down on John B's bed.

"Sarah, is your only issue with this really that I went to your dad for help? Because you seem really upset about it, too much for something like that."

"I don't know. Maybe? Part of me is used to people using me to get to my dad, or our money. But I know you won't do that, but maybe part of me is just worried because how is it this bad?"

"I hope you know I've never once wanted to be with you for any reason but wanting to be with you." He states "and honestly? I'm worried too, I know I don't have it easy but sometimes I forget how hard it is. I never wanted to have to ask your dad for a favor but I had to. I mean technically I didn't have to, but I felt like I didn't have a choice in the matter. Lose my house and lose you, or try to save my home but then I'd still lose you."

"But you wouldn't have lost me if you didn't have a home. I know we spend a lot of time here but it's not like I'm with you for your house."

"I know that. I just wanted to have a fighting chance at keeping my memories. Every part of my life has been here, the good and the bad. But it's the last thing I have of my dad, without this house I lose him forever."

"I'm really sorry John B. I shouldn't have told you not to ask for help."

"But it is still your dad after all, you have a right to be uncomfortable with it."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being you. For not making me feel insane for having feelings. For everything you've done for me John B."

"Of course" he says, pulling her into his side and kissing the top of her head. "I love you more than you will ever know."

And instead of replying she just pulls his head down and kisses him with all the love she has for this boy.