everything about you •• jj maybank

twenty three

My long face turned up into a grin as my eyes caught sight of his dazzling blue ones and I jumped forward, wrapping my arms around him.

"JJ!" I exclaimed, smiling ear to ear as his hands settling at my waist, pulling me slightly off the ground in his embrace. I pulled away and held his hands in mine.

His eyes were practically glistening as he stared at me, his eyes roaming down my body. I watched his mouth drop and he stuttered softly.

"Jo, you look... absolutely stunning," he gushed, causing my ears to burn red. "I mean... wow. You just...wow," he breathed, his own cheeks blushing as he spoke.

I let go of his hands and smoothed down my dress, "Well, you clean up well, yourself, sir."

He looked down at his outfit before shaking his head, "Oh this, this is just something I had laying around," he joked, making me roll my eyes and playfully push him backwards.

We stared at each other in silence for a moment, both of us grinning ear to ear while our eyes were locked into place. We were far enough away from everyone that the music sounded quiet behind us, and nobody else was around.

I watched him awkwardly scratch the back of his neck. "So, you having a good time with your date?"

My nose scrunched up at his words and I shook my head, "Oh, me and Rafe- No he's not my date tonight."

His brows raised slightly in his head and he pointed to the dance floor, "I saw you two dancing together. I just thought-"

"No he was just helping me out. Um, Toby is here. He wouldn't leave me alone so... so Rafe kind of saved me. I guess."

I felt awkward explaining this to him, but his faced softened at my words, and I felt slightly more comfortable.

"I get it," he nodded softly.

The air was thick between us and I cleared my throat, realizing we were standing dangerously close together. I took a deep breath and reached out for his hand, squeezing softly.

"I'm so glad you're here, JJ. I was really worried about you," I admitted, making him lift his shoulders up and smile.

"Don't need to worry about me. I'll be alright. I am alright."

"I just feel like this is all my fault. I'm gonna fix this for you, okay? I'll figure out a way to make all of this go away, whatever I have to do-"

His hands gripped my wrists gently and he searched my eyes, "Josie, what are you talking about? None of this is your fault."

"Are you kidding? I know about the restitution, I know your dad-"

He cut me off again with the shake of his head, "No, no, no. None of that is your fault, okay? You can't take the blame for that."

I sighed and shook my head, a curl falling in front of my face, "How can you say that?"

"Cause it's true," he grinned, reaching forward and push the curl back where it belonged. "Don't worry about me."

I bit my lip and smiled weakly at the boy. I couldn't understand why he was being so sweet to me. I felt like if he hated me right now, like he used to, at least this time it would be completely justifiable.

I sighed softly at him, scooting backwards against the side of the building, my hands folding in front of me.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

JJ's face twitched into a grin and he laughed, "Sorry, I guess this is Kook territory, isn't it?"

I scoffed, playfully rolling my eyes. "Not what I meant, smartass. I mean, are you really working Midsummers this year? You never mentioned it before."