TROUBLE | JJ Maybank

012. Apologies and Graveyards

AMELIA STOOD BEFORE John B, confusion and shock overwhelming her.

"Where's Kie?" Amelia asked, confused 

"Yeah- so..about that," John B said slowly "This was sorta a trap"

"A trap?" Amelia asked

"It wasn't my idea—I swear," John B confessed. "But, mils, we need to talk." 

Amelia pulled her keys out of her pocket "We don't need to do anything, JB. You made your feelings clear", she said, moving towards the door.

"That's the thing-" John B began, grabbing her hand "I don't feel that way"

Amelia looked at John B's hand, then met his eyes.

"Please, Mils, talk to me", John B begged.

"Fine, you wanna talk?" Amelia asked, her tone harsher than anticipated as she yanked her hand from John B's grip. "Let's talk about the fact that I told you the plan was a bad idea. Let's talk about the fact that I warned you about the danger. Let's talk about the fact you didn't listen to me-" 

"I know, Mils. Okay? And I'm sorry," John B cut in "I was just going through a lot, with my job and my dad, and- the lighthouse" 

She snapped, her eyes flashing. "I know that JB! But that's not my fault- JB, all I've done is try to help you. But you won't let me in, what am I supposed to do with that?"

"I know," he admitted, his voice quieter, regret settling into his bones. "I know I screwed up. And I should've trusted you more."

"JB- I would never hurt you like that, or at all," Amelia said, tears stinging her eyes.

"I know, Mils, I'm so sorry," John B said, his voice quieter. 

"I know you are, but it's not that easy. Those words hurt me, JB," Amelia explained. "I've spent my entire life trying to prove myself to people—trying to prove that they don't know everything about me based on the purse I have, the car I drive, or even my last name. Trying to create genuine friendships with people who only pretend to care about me" 

Amelia hung her head, feeling her heart slowly break into a million pieces. 

"When I met you, I finally thought that I was done with that—that I was done trying to prove myself," Amelia sighed, her emotions settling in her chest.

At that moment, John B embraced Amelia, holding her tight. He didn't realise the effect his words had on her. Amelia's arms slowly embraced John B.

"I will never hurt you again", John B promised "Please, forgive me" 

Amelia and John B. released each other. Amelia's tear-streaked face stared back at John B, her expression unreadable.

"I need you, Mils," John B said quietly. 

"I'm here, JB, always", Amelia said quietly with a smile "Just promise me that from here on it, it'll be different"

"I promise, Mils", John B said, a smile tugging at his lips.

For a moment, they stood there, the world outside seemingly fading away, until John B broke the silence.

"So....about that treasure?" John B said with a smirk, his eyes twinkling

Amelia raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful grin as she chuckled "I'd say...we got some unfinished business"

The two teens joined their friends in the backyard and headed towards their next adventure together.