Devotion | Outer Banks

13: The Midsummer's Party

The minute that I hear JJ has been bailed out, I head straight for his house. I assume that his dad's home from the loud music and the yelling, so I creep around the side of his house and to his bedroom window. I knock on the glass and the boy rushes over to open it instantly, offering me his hand as I take it and climb into his bedroom.

"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here." He caresses my face.

"I had to come see you, JJ. What the hell happened to your face?" I run my hands over the cuts and bruises.

"It's okay, I'm okay." He tries to assure me.

"No, it's not okay, JJ." I look at him with watery eyes.

"It's nothing that hasn't happened before." His words break my heart.

"You are a worthless piece of shit!" His dad yells from the living room. "Your mama knew!"

"Shut up! Shut up!" JJ turns around to bang against the door. I jump when I hear him get angry, but instantly soften when he turns back to me with tears in his eyes. He holds his hands over his ears to try and block out his father as well as the loud music.

"Come here." I say to the boy, wrapping my arms around him as he cries into my shoulder. "I'm here. I've got you, you're okay." I reassure him, running my fingers through his hair. His body shakes with sobs as he starts to break down.

"J-Jules." His voice breaks as he lifts his head from my shoulder, "You really shouldn't be here."

"Shhh. I'm not leaving you. I will never leave you." I say. "I'm okay. Look at me." I grab his face and wipe away the tears from his cheeks with my thumbs. "I love you, JJ. You mean the world to me." I grab his hand and pull him over to the bed.

I sit down as JJ rests his head in my lap. I continue to run my fingers through his hair, trying to relax him. Tears threaten to escape my own eyes as I look over the marks on his face.

"I'm gonna get you out of here, JJ." I whisper to the boy as he closes his eyes. "We're gonna live in a big house and we're gonna get married and have kids. We're gonna be happy." I tell him. "I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." I smile sadly at the broken boy, kissing him on the forehead.

The loud music finally shuts off and JJ opens his eyes, sitting up.

"Stay behind me." He stands up, grabbing his backpack as I follow. His hand holds mine as he walks in front of me. We walk quietly down the hallway and into the living room where I notice his dad is passed out on the couch. "Go, start my bike." He hands me his key, motioning for me to go outside.

"JJ." I whine, shaking my head as I look up at the boy with glassy eyes. I really didn't want to leave him alone in here with his dad.

"I'll be there in a second, I promise." He places a kiss on my forehead. I sigh before nodding and walking outside to his dirt bike, starting the engine.

The boy comes out with tear stained cheeks moments later. He walks over to me, kissing my lips without saying a word and hopping onto his bike.

"Can you take me to Kie's?" I ask him. I still haven't told him about Midsummer's tonight, but now is not the right time. I told Kie I would be at her place to get ready.

He simply nods and I get on the back of his bike, grabbing around his waist tightly as we ride towards Kie's house. Once we get there, I give JJ a quick kiss before he drives off. Kie's mom lets me in and I walk straight up to the girl's room.

"I look disgusting." Kie looks distastefully at the mirror.

"Shut up, you look gorgeous." I argue. It's true, the girl looks absolutely stunning in a silk lavender gown. Her makeup looks natural and her hair is pinned into an updo with pink and white flowers placed at the top.