Together

149. It's about who chooses you

Yeah, because I'm on one
And every minute that I'm in it, it's so good
And theres no other type of drug or addictive that I'd do
But I just wanna try you
Because the waves come crashing over my heart again
Don't know what state I'm in
Don't know what state I'm in
Strung out still tripping over your heart again
Don't know what state I'm in
Don't know what state I'm in
-Jared Evan

Four Months Later

"JJ, come on!" Kie yells from the front of her Jeep.

"I'm coming, woman, damn," JJ teases as he comes out of his house. The last of his belongings for the trip out to San Diego are slung over his shoulder in his duffle. He tosses it into the back of the seats of the Jeep, right next to Kie's things.

This was it. Day one of starting this new adventure. School doesn't technically start for another couple weeks, but housing was open now and they both were anxious to get to California and get settled in before the fall semester started.

A lot and nothing has happened in the last four months.

They returned home from San Clemente, and Shoupe was given strict instructions from his cardiologist to lay off red meats and do a little more exercise. He and Jean were now safely considered in the relationship zone, though he tries to talk as little about that as possible because of JJ's ego around it, taking credit for the budding romance.

Clair and JJ began talking a bit more. Some days were better than others. The hurt was still there, and for the most part JJ hasn't let her in on a lot of the stuff he was going through while she was gone. Part of that was not wanting her to feel blame for something Luke did, the other part was he didn't want it to come off like he wanted her to feel bad for it.

They were making slow progress, just keeping in touch here and there, and had plans to talk more seriously about what they wanted from each other once he actually got to San Diego.

Dani was helping him with that. Helping him figure out how to have conversations with Clair, and sorting out the new feelings that were coming up from those types of interactions. It wasn't exactly smooth sailing, but it wasn't a train wreck either. They were getting there.

Important thing was they were trying, Clair was trying.

They graduated next, which was about as exciting as sitting for a root canal with the ceremony being outdoors and about a hundred degrees. Still, their parents fussed over them keeping their gowns on for pictures, even if JJ thought he was going to die from heat exhaustion.

Was still nice to be told how they made their parents proud. Kie specifically feeling it as she greeted her parents after receiving her diploma. Happy that they were on board with her future plans and supporting them.

Shoupe was there supporting JJ, and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Clair offered to fly out, but he truthfully declined that, not quite ready to let her in on such a big moment yet.

And then summer was on them. Knowing that this was the last one before everyone basically went separate ways until the fall break, the Pogues made the most of it. They went to boneyard parties, and outdoor movie nights. Hung out in the hammocks and on the HMS Pogue. Went surfing until their arms could hardly paddle them to shore.

JJ and Kie made every opportunity to drive to the lookout point where they shared their first date. They basked in sunsets and slept through sunrises. They laughed on the pullout at the chateau and roasted marshmallows over the fire pit.

It was everything they wanted it to be.

"You are like the slowest person alive, to be fair," Pope defends.

"Yeah, not sure how you guys plan on making it out to California before the semester starts," John B piles on.

"Ha ha," JJ feigns a laugh. "Super funny."

Everyone was here to say goodbye. A collective send off into the next stage of life as it were. Since they were heading out before everyone else it meant they got the entire gang as the goodbye wagon.

Sarah steps forward first, opening her arms to hug Kiara. The girls squeeze their eyes shut to force back tears, and pout at each other with exaggerated lips before cracking smiles that turn into laughter.

"Spring break," Sarah reminds.

"You're so coming out," Kie affirms.

"Hell yeah, bitch," she agrees.

JJ holds his hand out for the Pogue handshake, but both John B and Pope bombard him with a group embrace, and he laughs them off. John B pats his cheek, nodding with confidence. "Don't forget to check in every once in a while," he requests.

"Couldn't forget about you, bird," JJ quips. "Or you, Popey," he says to Pope.

They continue trading off in embraces and goodbyes. Making more promises and reminders to keep in touch. Ones that they know they'll keep because they're Pogues. And once you're a Pogue you're in it for life. No matter the distance.

"Watch out for my girl," Sarah tells JJ, mock seriousness in her tone, as she gives him a hug goodbye and the boys trade off with Kie.

"Always," he agrees, not caring if she's kidding.

JJ and Kie climb into the Jeep, JJ taking the drivers side. Shoupe comes up, resting an arm on the open window seal. "You be safe on the road, now?" he reminds.

The pair in the vehicle make eye contact before both responding with a collective, "We'll be so safe."

Shoupe rolls his eyes at the inside joke, and JJ bites back his laughter. "No problem, I got this."

The older man nods, knowing that he does. "Check in when you make stops, please," he request. "For my sake."

JJ chuckles. "Can do," he salutes.

Shoupe pats the door, shaking his head affectionately as he backs up to give them room to pull away. They wave their hands out the windows and a chorus of cheers from their friends starts off loud, and then fades as they drive down the street.

Kiara has already said goodbye to her parents, so it was straight to the ferry to make it to the main land and then it's a straight shot to San Diego State University.

They pull up on a stop sign, and JJ looks over at Kie. She's already jamming out to the music she has playing through the speakers. Her curly hair is blowing in the wind and her eyes are shining with excitement. Looks like she did the first night that they got together.

How free they felt, finally being with each other how they wanted. He's always loved her. Probably since the day he met her. He was the one to pull her into the group, but she fought to stay.

When her parents told her to stay away from him when they were nine, she didn't care. When she learned about Mike's bs plan about sending her to boarding school if JJ didn't end it with her, she up and left the house. Didn't think twice.

Same with all the Pogues. They always had each other's backs. Never walked away from each other. His true chosen family in the end. So what if his parents were shit? It's not about who brought you into this world. It's about who chooses to stay with you in it.

And that now extended to Shoupe. The man fought for him more times than JJ could even count. Fought with him even, just to keep him near. To protect him.

When his own parents abandoned him, abused him, left him behind. He had people that picked up the pieces. That accepted him and all his broken parts. Even a few that helped pull him back together.

No one more than the girl sitting beside him, though.

"Hey?" Kie says, noticing that he's stopped the Jeep and is kinda spacing off as he looks at her. "You ready to do this?" she chuckles.

JJ smiles, pulling the vehicle over all the way to the side of the road, and puts it in park. He pulls her into him, kissing her with a gentle hand to her face.

"With you, ready for anything."

"Together?" Kie grins.

"Together."