TROUBLE | JJ Maybank

019. Be careful, Mils.

AMELIA SLOWLY WOKE, the golden sun blinding her as she laid out on the hammock in the backyard of the chateau. The dull ache from where Rafe had stuck her still lingered, her body begging for rest. Instead, she closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze sway the hammock back and forth.

Slowly, Amelia swung her legs over the hammock, careful not to wake anyone as she entered the house. The floor creaked beneath her as she entered the bathroom at the end of the hall.

Amelia stared into the mirror—tired, pale, eyes a little too wide like she hadn't slept at all, even though she knew she had. She wondered how she was going to make it through today. Her ribs ached and throbbed the more she moved, but she couldn't let anyone know because then she'd have to tell them why- and she couldn't do that. With a small sigh, Amelia grabbed the small red bottle she had returned to the cabinet just hours ago before tying her hair up.

Amelia walked into the kitchen, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge before taking it into the bathroom with her. Amelia was halfway through pouring the painkiller into her palm when a soft creak broke her thoughts. Instinctively, Amelia tipped the painkiller into the bottle, hiding it in the back pocket of her shorts.

The bathroom door slowly opened, revealing JJ.

"Oh, sorry, Mils," JJ said, closing the door.

"No, no, it's fine. Go ahead, I'm done anyway," Amelia replied, gently walking past him.

As Amelia walked past JJ, the red cap of the medication bottle caught his eye. Instinctively, he grabbed her wrist, gently pulling her towards him with a quiet urgency.

"You need to see a doctor, Mils. Those pills won't help forever," JJ said, his tone laced with concern.

"You know I can't...It'll be fine," Amelia said

JJ's jaw clenched "Bullshit. You're not, okay."

Amelia sighed as she looked away from JJ "If I go, they will ask questions. Questions I can't answer. Not without Pope getting in trouble. Not without you getting in trouble. My dad already hates you guys. This...this will just make things worse"

"Mils.." JJ sighed, frustration flickering in his eyes

"Please, just drop it, J," Amelia begged, releasing her wrist from his hand.

Amelia left without giving JJ time to respond, not wanting to argue with him. Getting help would do more harm than good, and she knew that.

Moments later, the house was filled with movement. Kiara and Amelia made breakfast for the group while the boys discussed the drone.

"Here you go!" Amelia chirped, placing a plate of pancakes in front of JJ.

"Thank you, M'lady," JJ said in a playful tone.

"Enjoy, boys," Kiara said, smiling as she put her arm around Amelia.

AFTER BREAKFAST, THE Pogues got ready for their day on the water. Amelia borrowed Kiara's clothes, changing into high-waisted denim shorts and a snug burgundy halter top. Her hair was pulled up in a messy half-up, half-down style, two small strands framing her face. Her wrist was adorned with several stacked beaded bracelets that Kiara gave her, each one featuring earthy tones and tiny natural stones that caught the light as she moved. Hanging just above her collarbone was a simple gold chain with an "A" pendant, the letter gleaming softly against her sun-kissed skin.

"We all ready?" Amelia asked, emerging from the hallway.

"Yeah, JB's just filling up the boat with Pope" Kiara nodded, smiling.

JJ gently grabbed Amelia's wrist as the three teens approached the back door.

Kiara, noticing Amelia wasn't beside her, turned around. As her gaze settled on the two teens, confusion spread across her features. She stood for a moment, staring at the way JJ's hand delicately brushed against the stack of beaded bracelets, the way Amelia's eyes softened as she looked at him.