One Stupid Thing

2:0:41

Before the events of season 2 occur

Two weeks ago, being forced to stay in my room for days would've been a dream come true, but now it's torture. Reading used to be an escape into new adventures that didn't seem realistic, but now that had become real life. I don't need books to have adventures anymore. I just need my friends.

Even though it has only been 2 days, it feels like it's been longer. The only things I have to keep track of time are my phone and the three meals a day that get delivered to me. Yesterday, I had tried to get out when dinner came, but the door was slammed in my face. Since then I gave up trying.

Dinner was just dropped off an hour ago—chicken on the grill, Rose's potato salad, and a bottle of water. Now that my stomach is full, I curl up under my covers, stick my earbuds into my ears, and listen to music.

A strange knocking sound interrupts my song. I've got to be going crazy to be hearing things now. Then I hear it again. I rip my earbuds out of my ears and look up. JJ. Blonde, sweaty JJ, is standing outside of my window.

One hour earlier...
JJ's POV

Okay, now I'm starting to get worried. I haven't heard from Stella in days and neither has Pope or Kie. I don't know what it is, but my gut is telling me that something's wrong. She wouldn't just disappear like this. So, I hop on my dirt bike and drive to the one place I can think of. Tannyhill.

I park my bike behind a tree at the edge of the property and slink around the shadows towards the main house. Just looking at the place is making my brain hurt. This place is freaking huge and she could be anywhere.

Window by window, I search the main floor. I turn a corner and there, through a set of large glass doors, I see Ward Cameron and his wife. That bastard will pay for what he did to Big John and John B, but not tonight. Tonight is all about getting Stella back.

Well, can't go that way or I'm busted for sure. I turn tail and walk the other direction around the house. At the very east side of the house, I reach a window and peer inside. It's dimly lit and definitely a girls bedroom, but it appears to be empty. Just as I am about to move onto the next, I notice the blankets on the bed move. It has to be Stella. Excitedly, I rap my fist against the glass. Nothing. Come on, El, please hear me. I knock again. This time the blankets shift again and from around the corner comes Stella Cameron.

Currently...
Stella's POV

I instantly sigh in relief and run over to it, pressing my hands against the glass. Just when I am feeling a glimmer of hope flicker inside, a thought crosses my mind and squashes it. When Sarah got locked in her bedroom just last week, my father had made sure to fasten the window shut as well.

"Try the window!" I see JJ mouth. I nod hesitantly. JJ curls his fingers around the bottom ledge of the window pane and miraculously, it opens without a hitch. This one thing must have slipped my father's mind, and thank God it did. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," JJ says to me. He grabs a pocket knife out of his shorts pocket and slices the screen open.

I climb through the threshold. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you, J. These have been the worst two days of my life." I sigh and I wrap my arms around his neck in a longing embrace. God, have I missed him. JJ returns the hug, pulling me in by the waist.

"Mine, too," he replies. I look up at him and reach up on my tiptoes to peck his lips. I will never get sick of kissing him.

"Come on, we have to get out of here. My father will be back to do his night check soon," I tell him, unwrapping our arms from each other.