JJ Maybank Oneshots

Unconditionally

Plot- Kiara goes over to JJ's house and accidentally catches him crying. He reluctantly explains the situation with his father in which he said the L word while intoxicated.

He couldn't say he believed his father. This subject was already hard, but when he'd gotten home from school that day, Luke just doubled it. He'd been on the couch surrounded by a spilled bottle of pills. When JJ came on to the scene, he was convinced he'd witnessed overdose.

His initial reaction was an extremely quiet "Dad?"

Then he'd thrown his bag on the floor, rushing toward the man in a mess of worried whispers. He must've repeated the word "no" seven or eight times. Some were panicked, others were defeated. He shook the man vigorously, sticking his head dangerously close to Luke's chest before pulling him up by the collar of his shirt. He hadn't heard a heart beat.

Then, as if by miracle, Luke awoke. His eyes shot open, bloodshot and frantic. He quickly shoved the boy off his chest, inducing a short coughing fit. Then he registers JJ on the floor taking several deep breaths. They're both quiet.

The floorboards begin to creak under JJ's nervous shifting. He isn't sure if his father is angry, or shocked. He'd almost ran to grab the Narcan from the bathroom cabinet and the adrenaline in his chest was still heaving his chest upward and downward.

Then Luke broke the silence. "JJ... I'm sorry."

Of all the thoughts that crossed his mind, this was the absolute last thing he thought his father would say.

"What-"

"You weren't meant to see that..." His father continue, words slowly melting together. "You're a good boy."

I'm a fucking what JJ's thoughts were angered confusion.

He stood up as his father beckoned to him from the couch. "I'm gon tell ya here, I know I'm hard on ya. It's just cuz you look like her... i-it gets me a little tweaked out, yknow?"

JJ wasn't entirely sure what Luke was talking about. He didn't remember much about his mom. He liked to imagine what she looked like based on subtle clues shouted between insults from his father, but you can't really get far from that. He wondering what he means when he says he looks like her. Was she blonde? Or was it more in depth than that?

He wanted to ask so fucking bad. But he couldn't. He wouldn't. What if Luke got mad again?

Things are too quiet. He nods stiffly, eyes unmoving. His dad chuckles, then falters, eyes slimming until he's staring through drunken slits.

"I love you, son." It's just a mumble, but it was heard.

JJ stands, staring down at him until his eyes close entirely. He stays a little longer, still, waiting for his eyes to open again like a jump scare from a horror movie. It doesn't happen. And then his eyes are welling in tears, and he's walking back to his room to slam the door.

***

Kiara had hoped to see him for a while. They'd been separated since he'd been missing school, and her parents weren't keen on letting her out of the house. She may have done a little weed with a few of her friends. Her parents totally freaked. But it was like twelve in the morning, what were they going to do? So she laced up her converse, packed a small backpack with a few packets of swiss miss for her and JJ, and set off.

The night was calm, but eerie. Something didn't feel right. She found herself quickening the pace as if someone were following her. When she made it to the beaten house, there was only one visible light on, dimming, as if the bulb hadn't been changed in decades.