Dying Summer | JJ Maybank

(6)

CW in notes!

Val's mother hated when he called the dinners 'meetings'. Even though they were scheduled times where the family would sit across from one another eating bland food, talking about how the family can support their ever growing business. The walk back from the parking lot where JJ dropped him off to his house was filled with smiles. Val kept laughing to himself as the events from the last couple hours played through his head. As he enters the driveway, he runs a hand through his hair and straightens up, trying to look like he wasn't making out with a boy less than 20 minutes ago. He walks in the front door and successfully escapes to his bedroom, where he closes the door softly and leans his back against it, sighing.

Now to play the part.

Val knew how to play the future business major role quite well, especially after watching Vance do it for so long. He showered and got dressed in a pair of black board shorts with a white beachy-looking button down shirt, leaving the three top buttons unlatched, he threw on a silver chain with an anchor charm on it. He added some mouse-stuff to his hair that his sister gave him, making the little waves in his hair mold together, and brushed his teeth.

He looked at the time, 5:10. Perfect. He needed to be down stairs in his assigned seat by 5:15. He throws on a pair of Vans high tops and walks towards his sister's room. He might not be as close with his sister as the public believes, but he still loves her, and likes to check in on her.

He knocks on the door and gets a confirmation to walk in. It looks like she's sitting at her vanity and touching up her makeup, and fluffing her hair. She looks over, "Oh good, its just you. Dad has been obsessed with giving me these heart to heart conversations lately and I just can't deal anymore."

Val doesn't remember her being this shallow, "Okay," he really doesn't know what to say to her anymore, "Are you ready yet?" He sighs and scratches at his head.

"Dude no." She scoffs, "Just go away." Don't have to tell me twice. He walks out of her room and decides to just head downstairs. He watches his mother pass him and not acknowledge or ask where he's been all day, which is a good thing, because he doesn't know what lie he would make up, but also a bad thing since his mother should care about where he goes during the day.

He takes his seat and goes on his phone, opening his messages.

5:09 JJ: Thank you for everything today, I've missed you.

5:09 JJ: I didn't just miss the stuff we did, I also missed your presence.

5:10 JJ: Wait, that sounds weird. I just wanted to say I missed you hanging around with us

5:10 JJ: Wait, that also sounds weird, umm just disregard those last texts.

5:14 Val: I get it J, missed you too <3

He puts his phone down and tries to hold the grin that graces his face. He watches everyone filter in at the exact time they are supposed to. Like clockwork. His smile from JJ leaves his face while a fake one enters. He watches as his family sits down for dinner. His mother sits next to him at the head of the table while his father sits at the other side, while his sister parks it next to him between him and his father. He glances at the two empty seats across from him. Almost a second later two men walk in.

The are holding leather folders in each hand, wearing expensive looking suits. "Good evening." Val takes a sip of water from the glass placed in front of him by the staff while they both take their seats, and directly look at Val. "We are here to discuss what your future will look like with the company."