TROUBLE | JJ Maybank

015. Not Her Choice

AFTER STEALING THE drone, the pogues decided to head back to the chateau. But Amelia had a plan of her own. She wanted to do something to thank the Pogues for everything they've done. They'd accepted her without question and welcomed her into their world, and she was determined to give something back.

"Hey JB, can you pull over here?" Amelia asked, pointing to a strip of small, local stores.

"What? Why?" JJ asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

"Sure, Mils. You all good?" John B asked

"Yeah, just need to grab a few things. I'll meet you guys back at the chateau," she said, already unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Be safe", Kie said with a smile as Amelia unbuckled her belt and exited the van.

Amelia entered the local grocery store, list in hand. She walked idly through the isles, grabbing what she needed. But as she was about to head to the register, her phone buzzed, making her freeze.

Ward (message): "Amelia, honey. I don't know where you are, but I'm worried. I need you to come home."

Amelia's stomach tightened as she read her father's text, quickly texting a short reply. Any mention of where she was or had been was purposely left out.

Amelia (message): "I'm fine, Dad. Just running some errands. I'll be home soon."

Amelia tucked her phone away with a sigh, feeling the weight of her father's words settle like a heavy stone in her chest, her chest tightening as she read his message. She stood still for a moment, allowing the noise of the store to wash over her—the faint hum of the overhead lights, the soft clink of a shopping cart being pushed down the aisle. The world around her felt distant as if she was disconnected from everything that wasn't her family or their constant demands. Her eyes glazed over as she grabbed the last of the items on her list - canned beans, bread, cereal and sour cream without any real focus. At check out, Amelia feigned a smile for the cashier as they rang up her groceries. The sound of the register was reminiscent of a countdown, reminding her that this was one more thing to finish before she had to inevitably go home. Standing at the counter, she realised the weight of it all: the constant pull between the freedom she felt with the Pogues and the suffocating pressure from her family.

When the transaction was done, her feet moved towards the exit automatically, the bags feeling heavy, with each step serving as another reminder of the burden awaiting her at home. As she walked back to the Chateau, she couldn't help but wonder if the freedom she felt with the Pogues was an illusion, something she'd be forced to give up the moment she returned home. She knew what waited for her: The questions, the expectations, the demands, the responsibilities. But she knew she couldn't run from it forever. Amelia sighed and quickened her pace in a feeble attempt to push the feelings of being trapped out of her mind.

AS SHE ENTERED the chateau, the comforting smell of brine and weathered timber wrapped around her like a familiar comfort. The door closed softly, and she was immediately surrounded by the hum of laughter.

"There she is!" JJ shouted from her couch, his grin wide.

"Hey, M!" Kiara greeted from the couch.

"Hey Mellie", Pope greeted from the kitchen counter, his head buried in textbooks, but his voice still warm with recognition.

Amelia smiled back, the heaviness of the world not quite lifting off her shoulder but rather momentarily fading.

"Hey!" she called back, setting the bags down on the counter with a grunt. "Oh, wow, that's a lot of groceries, Mils. What's the occasion?" John B asked, emerging from the hallway, his eyes widening at the sight of the bags.