I'll Come Running

Chapter 4

Jessie had been texting back and forth with JJ, once JJ finally decided to save her number in his phone. JJ knew to expect Jessie the next morning, as she would be flying through the night to get there. JJ was just as nervous to see Jessie as she was to see him.

Jessie had changed into clothes that were more suited for Outer Banks. She exchanged her skinny jeans, leather jacket, and combat boots for denim shorts and teal t-shirt, one of her favorites by the way. She did this not only to fit in but more so to not give anything away to JJ and the others about her whereabouts. Even though she felt naked without her sacred skin, she can't forget why she left. She had to continue to be strategic even if she was being vulnerable in coming back.

Jessie spent a long taxi ride through the outer banks, looking at her old stomping grounds through the cut and seeing what all has changed. One thing that hadn't changed was the Chateau. It was still just as run down as she remembers. As she pulled up she saw JJ and the other Pogues, and... Sarah? She thought they hated Kooks. Now she knew this was even worse than she expected. Jessie's mind could have continued to wonder but all she could think about was JJ, how he looked so different, so... grown up. No, not grown up... beat down, like life had truly taken its toll on him and age just came along with it.

Jessie got out of the car with her large suitcase in hand after paying the driver. She closed the door and stood at the end of the drive awkwardly with a numb expression and suitcase in hand, the whole time never breaking eye contact with JJ. As hard as it was, she had to remain neutral, especially since she didn't know why she was here. JJ's eyes filled with tears as he walked slowly towards her. He started walking faster and as they finally connect, JJ melted into a hug that both of them had probably been thinking about for years. Still, Jessie didn't flinch, holding a rigid posture and stoic face while wrapping one arm around the blonde. With all their history, surely they knew they would find each other again, right?

They both seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and pulled away laughing between themselves. Jessie grabbed JJ's face, showing a tinge of emotion now.

"Look at you," she sighed with a twinkle in her eye and a half smile on her face. "You're all grown up." she sniffled trying to fight back tears.

"Well look at you, I mean..." JJ replied looking her up and down with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face as well. "... you haven't changed a bit."

They reconnected for another hug and Jessie noticed the pogues walking over to her. Her smile quickly faded as she noticed Sarah. Jessie didn't know what she was doing there but she was hoping that it didn't mean what she thought it meant. Jessie brushed it off as she smiled again and hugged all the pogues. Jessie couldn't believe how much they had grown... how much they had matured. She quickly realized they were all almost adults, and this could only mean that whatever problem they were facing, they were in some deep shit.

"Why is she here." Jessie sassed with a scowl on her face as she never broke eye contact with Sarah. In the past she never truly had any tension with Sarah, but after all, she was a kook, and more importantly to Jessie, she was a Cameron.

"Jessie, I-" Sarah started, but John B quickly butted in, knowing that this conversation didn't need to come from her.

"She's in on this now." John B said with an arm over Sarah as if to protect her from Jessie. But Jessie wasn't the type to physically lash out, just the type to manipulate. Jessie's scowl turned into a sly smirk. Jessie had enough context clues to figure out now that John B and Sarah were something, she didn't know what yet, and she didn't really care. Seeing Sarah again only begged one question.

"How's your brother?" Jessie said trailing off, never once breaking eye contact with Sarah.

Sarah didn't know what to say as she looked around at the other pogues. Was this a setup?

JJ answered, "That's kind of what we wanted to talk to you about."

Jessie immediately responded. "Absolutely not, no way. If this is about Rafe you can forget it. I'm not-"

"This isn't about Rafe," JJ said as he took a deep breath and put his hands up as if to calm Jessie down. "it's about all of us." He breathed out and pursed his lips with a look on his face begging Jessie to stay.

"Jessie, just listen." Pope finally spoke up. Jessie always remembered Pope as the voice of reason. Surely if Pope was involved then there had to be some legitimacy to this right?

Jessie kicked the rocks on the ground and played with the inside of her cheek. She finally looked up with that same smirk and narrowed her eyes as she looked at JJ.

"Anything for my little brother."