You Are My Sunshine

Chapter 6 - Hindsight is Always 20/20

Flashback shortie! Hope you enjoy a glimpse of them as teens! xo

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"Only in hindsight can we see the moments where our lives skewed off-course, where we traveled down the wrong path, where the worst lies we told were the ones we told ourselves." - Emma Shane

Standing outside the high school, chest puffed out with pride wearing his prospect cut, Jax was waiting to pick Amelia up. As soon as she had skipped toward him, grinning maniacally, he knew he was in trouble. As they shared a sweet, if slightly inappropriate kiss a few of the other girls whispered, making eyes as the two spoke quietly.

"I don't really do the whole prom thing, Meely."

She pouted, even though that was the answer she expected, and gave his barely broken in cut a tug. "Please," she begged and fluttered her eyelashes. "You're my boyfriend, it's my senior prom, you have to come with me."

Her natural blonde highlights shone in the sunlight as she looked up at him, eyes full of an innocence she hardly possessed, and Jax broke. "Fine."

"Really?" She giggled and leapt onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him excitedly. It was at that point in the young girl's life that Amelia felt their love would stay with them throughout their life. She may have been right had their course not been so violently disrupted.

"Think you can wrangle up a date for Ope?" His fingers kneaded her waist as he gently helped her back down to her feet.

"Oh, yeah, Donna would just love that." She beamed as he clipped his helmet on her head, loving how much he cared and the gentle way he placed it on her, and hopped on behind him. "I think you have to suffer yourself."

"I can manage, darlin'."

--

*Few weeks after agreeing to prom*

Opie and Jax knew they were more than welcome to drink in the clubhouse, despite their young age, but with Amelia tagging along three years their junior they were forced to find another spot.

"It doesn't matter," she said preemptively knowing the look on Opie's face. "Even if we get caught Unser isn't going to do shit."

"If anyone comes around, we're out."

It didn't bother Opie so much that they were hanging out with his little sister. The siblings were close when they weren't embroiled in scathing battles but he missed the comfort of the clubhouse. Being prospects, the excitement and novelty, albeit hidden quite well, was at an all time high.

"Fine," Amelia pouted. "Where's Donna?"

"Family shit," he shrugged. "She's gonna try to meet us later."

Jax started to speak but was rudely interrupted by a gaggle of girls. The guys instantly recognized then group as classmates of theirs from years before.

"Ah shit," Jax grumbled knowing Opie was ready to leave the moment they stepped on the scene. "Guess the Gardens are popular tonight."

The way the girls gazed in their direction made Amelia instantly possessive. "I don't think it's the Gardens," Amelia grumbled as she plopped down on his lap. She hated it, Jax's popularity and his inertly charming and flirtatious behavior.

"Ladies," he shot them a wink, charming and flirty but generally meaningless.

"Maybe Ope's right." Amelia suggested, sliding off Jax's lap and tugging him to stand. "Let's head to the clubhouse. I had a few beers, I don't need anymore, plus Pop will know if I'm drunk."

Jumping to his feet, Opie was more than happy to leave but one of the girls spoke up. "Stay," she said with a flirty hint in her voice. "It would be so cool to hang out with you guys, SOA and all, you know."

"I'm out, guys." Opie mumbled. "Meels you wanna come with me?"

"No," Jax stood and, sensing her mood crumbling, hooked his arm around Amelia's waist. "We're coming too," he looked at the girls and winked at one in particular. "Garden is all yours, sorry ladies."

Leading them out, Opie tossed the empty beers in the bin while Amelia glared at Jax. "Why did you wink at them?" She tried to sound calm but her insecurities were obvious. He was the Prince of Charming and she knew what that meant. Her long, slender fingers gripped his hoodie, holding on as if he'd disappear if she let go, as she looked up at him. "I don't like it when you flirt, they think they have a chance or something and that makes them push."

Jax waited for Opie to clear the gate before he pulled her aside and the two of them disappeared into the mess of brightly colored wild flowers. Pressing her against the picket fence, kissing her, Jax held her head in his hands.

"You don't have to worry about them." He rested his forehead against hers. "I love you, Meely." Jax spoke ardently, wholeheartedly meaning every word, as he stroked her cheek softly. He was so young and so full of perfect hopes and plans for the future that his passion shone through and he convinced Amelia dashing her doubts with one touch and a few earnest words. "It's just us, I promise. One day, me and you, we're gonna run this town. King and Queen, just you watch."

--

"Where you been?" Opie asked as he met with Donna in the early evening after a few weeks of distance that he couldn't explain.

Her hesitation spoke volumes. "Ope," she joined him at the table. "I'm not sure about all this."

As she tried to explain, his face screwed up in confusion, thinking things had been going well, and he cut her off. "Not sure about what, Donna? What's going on?"

"This," she gestured to his cut. "I like you," she stopped and closed her eyes, "I love you but the club, it scares me."

Looking down at the leather he wore so proudly, Opie frowned and scratched at his short beard. "Nothing is going to happen to you," he scoffed. "The club will always protect us."

"I'm scared for you," she stressed. "I know you what you guys do, mostly, and I know it could land you in a lot of trouble legal and otherwise."

His frown lifted, thoroughly amused by her concern, and Opie took her hand across the table. "Nothing's gonna happen," he was so confident. "Not now, not tomorrow, never. We don't get caught and we don't get hurt because of business."

"You promise me?" She asked pleadingly. "Promise me, Ope, that you will always be around. This is, something, and I don't want to be without you."

"I promise you," he kissed her knuckles. "I'll always be here and things will always be like this. SAMCRO isn't going to change anything."

When she cracked a smile, Opie moved to pull the ring from his cut but the tiny bells jingled calling both of their attention to the entrance. Jax strolled in, alone, and picked up a takeout order. As he paid, Opie and Donna caught his eye.

"Hey," he laughed and strolled over toward the table. Opie smiled and thought maybe Hanna's wasn't the best spot to propose anyway.

"Hey man, what are you up to?"

The older counter waitress brought his food to him. "Here you are, Jackson."

"Thanks, Gladys." He shot the woman a wink before she scurried away. "Just getting something to eat before prom," he rolled his eyes.

"We should go," Donna suggested. "See your sister off, I'm sure she'll look amazing."

"Oh shit," Opie groaned. "I forgot about it, she asked us to come by for pictures."

"Proms," Jax laughed, "Not exactly our thing."

"Shit we do," Opie joked as he pulled a face.

"For the girls you love," Donna added sternly.