lovers - obx

• NINE •

Katie stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, looking at herself. She had been here before—looking at herself in the mirror, feeling absolutely disgusted with herself.

Midsummers had finally approached, an event all three girls had been dreading. Unfortunately, Pope and JJ both had to work the event under Mr. Heyward's orders, but with much convincing of Kie's parents, John B was allowed to attend as Sarah's date.

"Hey," Kie said, poking her head into the bathroom to check on Katie, "You almost ready?"

"Yeah," Katie sighed.

She picked up her lipgloss and applied some as Kie watched her in the mirror. Katie placed her lipgloss in her purse and turned around the face Kie. Kie took Katie's hands in her own, admiring her brown eyes.

"JJ's jaw is going to be on the floor," Kie said.

Katie blushed. She knew JJ thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, but she also knew that he'd seen much prettier girls than her.

"Let's go," Kie said before leading Katie out into the living room.

"You look so pretty!" Sarah exclaimed.

"You look very nice," John B added on.

"Thank you," Katie said to them both, "Now, let's go before we're late!"

The four teens made their way out of the chateau and to the van. They all hopped in, John B and Sarah in the front, and Katie and Kie in the back.

💌 -------------------- 💌

Katie stood next to Kie on the deck of the Kildare Country Club, and John B and Sarah were standing together on the other side of the table. They had went to see Pope when they first arrived, saying hi and stealing the food he had saved for them. However, they had yet to see JJ, which was freaking Katie out. Where was he?

"Hey," A voice came from behind Katie.

She snapped her head around when she felt someone's hands on her hips. A smile immediately spread across her face when she saw JJ looking down at her, his blue eyes shining in the light.

She stood up on her tip toes and pressed their lips together. When she pulled away from the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck to hug him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I missed you," Katie mumbled into his shoulder.

"Me too," JJ replied as he pulled his head back to look at her, "I gotta go back to work."

Katie sighed.

"I know, I'm sorry," JJ said, "I'll come find you later, okay?"

Katie nodded.

JJ walked off, dropping Katie's hand, which made her sad. She lifted her hand up and fiddled with her bracelet. She sighed again, turning to face the commotion on the main deck.

Her eyes settled on the Ward family as they walked out from behind the double doors. Katie exchanged a look with Sarah, who looked scared to death.

Katie watched as Ward settled his glance on Sarah. His face hardened and his jaw clenched. Rafe furrowed his brows, looking over at his dad. He looked confused until he followed his dad's line of sight and spotted Sarah.

"We should just go," Katie said, "I don't want Sarah to get hurt."

Kie nodded, looking over at Sarah and John B.