One Stupid Thing

1:7:28

I hurry after Kiara and Pope into the clearing. Set up smack dab in the middle of the yard is the biggest hot tub I've ever seen. Random party decorations are scattered all around and different colors of LED lights are wrapped around tree branches. There, sitting in the hot tub, is JJ. I can immediately notice that he isn't sober. He pops open a bottle of champagne and the sound startles me.

"What did you do, JJ?" Pope asks in utter disbelief. JJ lowers his sunglasses onto his nose.

"I got a jet going straight in my butt right now. Ya'll should get in immediately, you hear me?" he avoids the question and pours himself a glass of champagne. "Salud!"

"How much did this cost?" Pope asks. We all stare at him bewildered and approach warily.

"Uh.... Well, with the generator, the petrol, and oh, hey, express delivery... pretty much all of it, yeah," he laughs, clearly not realizing the extent of his actions.

"All of it?" Pope repeats for clarification.

"Yup," JJ confirms.

"You spent all the money in one day?" Pope's voice cracks in shock.

"Yeah, burned a hole right through my pocket. But, I mean, like, come on, guys, like, look at this! Finest in jet-based massage therapy, that's what they told me," he boasts. We all stay silent, not sure how to even respond. "Kie, what? And you too, Stella? Not even one word? Can't a man have a little luxury in life? Come on, all this scrimpin' and scrapin'... I mean, like... guys, we— you only live once, right? Enough of this emotional shit. Get in the Cat's Ass. Come on."

"In the what?" Kiara mutters.

"In the Cat's Ass. That's what I named her," JJ laughs. "Oh, hey, yo, I almost forgot." He flips a switch and a whole disco ball begins spinning above him. It scatters light everywhere, reminding me of the sun necklace at the pawn shop. "Huh? Yeah, that's right, I know. Disco mode. That's right, baby!" he cheers.

"Are you kidding me?" Pope shouts. He has had enough and finally snapped. "You could have paid for restitution!"

"Or literally given it to any charity!" Kiara finally pipes up, but I can't bring myself to.

"Or better yet, you could have helped us buy supplies to get the rest of the gold out of the well!" Pope continues.

"Okay, well, you know what? I didn't do that! I got a hot tub! For my friends." JJ stands up in the hot tub and my eyes rest on his torso. Purple bruises litter his tanned skin. My jaw drops in horror, but I quickly cover it with my hand. I can't help but tear up at the sight in front of me and every word following is drowned out by the ringing in my ears. "I got a hot tub for my friends. You know what? No, you know what? Screw friends. I got a hot tub for my family!"

"JJ, what the hell?" Kiara mumbles in dismay.

"I got this for you. Guys, look what I did for you! All right? Look at this! Look at this!" he rambles on, totally oblivious to the devastation on our faces.

"JJ!" I croak out.

"No, you stop being emotional! It's fine, okay?" he scolds me. I can't hear and stare at him in clear distress any longer. I approach the hot tub and step in, totally ignoring the water seeping through my clothes. "I mean, it's sweet, right? Everything—just get in," he chokes.

Without a second thought I wrap my arms around him. I can't be bothered to stop the tears from flowing anymore. JJ sobs into my shoulder, allowing me to comfort him. He slowly wraps his arms around my waist in return. "I just couldn't do it," he cries. "I can't take him anymore! I was gonna kill him."

JJ's words break my heart. I've never met JJ's father, but I already hate him with every fiber of my being. That monster has broken his son down into this shell of a person that I now hold in my embrace. I just close my eyes and promise on everything that I am that I will protect this boy with tooth and nail.

I hear a splash as Kiara and Pope join us in the hot tub. They join the group hug around JJ and I, creating a physical and metaphorical protective shield for him.

"I just want to do the right thing," JJ tells us.

"I know," I reply, trying hard to hide the emotion in my words.

We stay there in silence for what feels like forever, but eventually, Pope and Kie pull away from us. I slowly pull away from JJ, but he hangs onto me so tight that I can't let go.

"You guys go ahead," I say to the others. They nod and silently retreat into the Chateau. I wait until they are inside before speaking.

"I'm right here," I assure him. "And I'm not going anywhere. Ever. I promise." I feel JJ nod. Slowly, I sink down to sit in the hot tub. It doesn't seem like we are going to be going anywhere any time soon, so we might as well sit down. Thankfully, JJ follows my lead. "You're okay. You're safe now. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

As we sit there intertwined with each other, any doubt that had ever crossed my mind disappears. I can't deny my affections for this boy any longer. I am in love with JJ Maybank and I have been since I first met him.

"Jay, let's go inside, okay?" I prompt lightly. He nods again and releases his tight grip on me. He follows me out of the hot tub and into the Chateau.

There, setting up the pull-out couch, is Pope. He mouths 'thank you' to me and the corners of his mouth turn up slightly. I nod and lead JJ into his room. Turning to the closet, I grab some clothes for me and a dry pair of shorts for JJ. When I turn around he is sitting on the bed, staring into space. I kneel down and hold the shorts out in front of him.

"I'm going to grab us some towels, okay? While I'm gone can you change into these for me?" I ask him. He sniffles and takes the shorts in response. "I'll be right back. Promise."

As quietly as I can, I go into the bathroom, change into my own clothes, and grab a few towels. Pope is already passed out on the couch when I come out.

Thankfully, JJ did as I asked. He remains seated on the edge of the bed, but now in his dry pair of shorts. I sit beside him and run the towel across his damp skin. I just can't believe how lifeless he seems. He won't even meet my eye.

"Come on, I'll help you into bed," I direct softly. He stands unsteadily, but I guide him as needed. As soon as he is settled, I hurry to the other side of the bed and climb in. Without a word, I wrap my arms around his shoulders and pull him into my chest. He snakes his arm around my waist and snuggles into my side. I know he needs me, but unusually for him, not in a sexual way. Holding him in my arms is the only thing that feels right when he is so emotionally vulnerable.

In no time he is passed out on top of me. Gently, I slide my arm out from under his head and just as I am about to sit up, I feel a hand grab my waist.

"Stay," he murmurs. "Please, stay."

"Okay," I reply. He practically pulls me back down and wraps his arms around my waist. I smile and, without a second thought, kiss the top of his head.

"El?" JJ starts.

"JJ?" I answer.

"Thank you."

"It's the least I could do. I'll always be here."

"I know." I smile at his reply. It doesn't take long for both of us to fall asleep. It had been a long day, but I wouldn't want to end it any other way.

——
AHHHH! These two have my heart.