TROUBLE | JJ Maybank

022. Midsummers

THE DRIVE BACK was silent, Amelia's hand gripping the wheel as her mind replayed Luke's words: "Go home and let me deal with my son. My way,"

Her heart raced, guilt settling in her chest as she sped down the road. The scenery outside was blurred by the war that raged in her mind.

Amelia (thinking): "Why did I leave him?"

Her mind raced as she stared at the road ahead, her thoughts swirling in a tangled mess. Without thinking, she made a sharp turn onto the next street, not even giving herself a chance to talk herself out of it. A part of her needed to see him face-to-face to make him understand how much damage had been done. Her stomach churned as she imagined the interaction, but she knew it was something she had to do. By the time she reached his street, Amelia's heart was racing, her hands slick against the wheel. Amelia took a deep breath before stepping out of the car, her mind set on the confrontation.

The sound of clanging metal echoed through the room as Amelia stormed into Topper's at-home gym. Her eyes scanned Topper.

Topper stood near a punching bag, his back to her as he wiped his face with a towel. Turning around, his body froze as he saw Amelia standing in the doorway, eyes hard, face flushed with anger, arms crossed.

"Amelia," He said, his voice softer than usual

Amelia stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of the boy she once knew. "Are you happy?" Amelia asked, her tone cold

"Amelia-" Topper started as he put his towel on his shoulder "I know you're upset," he said slowly.

"Oh," Amelia said, laughing bitterly "No, I'm more than upset, Topper. Do you have any idea how much shit JJ is in now?"

Topper looked stunned "JJ—I thought.." he started, but she cut him off.

"JJ took the fall for him," Amelia said,  her voice cold but low.

Topper sighed, "Amelia, I didn't—" Topper started, but she cut him off.

Amelia let out a bitter laugh "Don't even try to justify it."

"It wasn't my choice, it was my mum's," Topper said

Amelia's eyes narrowed "Your mum? You let her press charges? For a boat you can pay a hundred times over for?"

Topper hung his head, ashamed.

"You spineless asshole", Amelia breathed out as she backed away.

Amelia turned to leave, stopping herself "You know what the worst part is?" She started as she turned to face Topper, "You know why he did it. You and Rafe are the reason your boat got sunk"

"Amelia.." Topper started, but she cut him off

"You just stood there." She said, pausing, "While Rafe slammed his golf club against my ribs... while he hit Pope. You did nothing to help us; you just held Pope back... so that he couldn't get to me. You didn't try to stop Rafe," She recounted, her eyes darkening.

"Okay, that's not fair, I did.." Topper began.

"You think talking to him was trying?" Amelia scoffed "You didn't do shit unless he asked you to"

"Look. I get you're mad, but you don't understand the shit I deal with, alright? You got no clue," Topper defended

"Struggling? Struggling? with what, exactly? Pressing charges against people you provoked?" Amelia asked, her hands balled in fists at her side

Topper, looking uneasy for a second, opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a voice called out.

"Topper?" the voice said