legacy // obx

0.7

WHEN JJ WOKE UP TO KIARA LAYING NEXT TO HIM, he was briefly confused. Her legs were crossed over his as she slept on her side, facing JJ's body. One of her arms was slung across her chest, resting in the small space between them, barely brushing up against the side of JJ's ribcage. He looked over at her, remembering the events of the night before. 

A slight feeling of embarrassment washed over him as JJ thought about his breakdown in front of Kiara. He didn't want anyone to see that side of him, and he didn't think anyone would have to. It was comforting to have Kiara there to break the isolation streak he had been dealing with since John B's death, but he couldn't help but feel like he should reject her empathy. He had been alone so far, why should that change? He thought about how well he had slept while she laid next to him; it was the first time in a week that he hadn't been woken up by nightmares.

With a small frown, JJ carefully untangled himself from Kiara and stood up from John B's bed. He headed into the kitchen, opening a few cupboards looking for some sort of breakfast. 

"Why the fuck isn't there ever any food in this damn house?" JJ questioned as he was met with empty shelves. 

He knew the answer. John B had mastered taking care of himself, living as a bare minimalist, and he only stocked The Chateau with what he needed to survive. With John B gone and every penny JJ earned working at the hotel going to his restitution, there was no one to get groceries or pay the rent. JJ was basically waiting for Kildare to foreclose on the property and kick him out. What the hell was he supposed to do? It was like the second John B's life ended, JJ's fell apart. 

"Shit," JJ cursed. The restitution. 

The big twenty-five thousand dollar price tag still loomed over JJ's head and he had no idea what his plan was. Forget foreclosing on The Chateau, Kildare would foreclose on him for not being able to pay what he owes. JJ was running out of time, and fast. 

He tried to think of a long term solution to everything, but his options were slim and quite frankly, a last resort. There was no way out of this. He closed the cupboards with a groan and tried to ignore the dull ache of hunger in his stomach. 

He thought about Kiara, asleep in the room next to him. She didn't deserve to be pulled into his mess. She already had everything going for her: a family who loved her, money to support herself, a life that hadn't already been thrown away. Kiara wasn't like JJ and he wasn't about to drag her down with him. She had things to look forward to, JJ didn't. Last night should not have happened. 

JJ grabbed his phone off the kitchen counter and checked the time. 8:25 am. Fuck, JJ thought. He had work in a half-hour all the way in Figure Eight. 

JJ heard a creak of the wooden floorboard, turning around to see Kiara standing in the doorway leading to John B's room. "Goodmorning," she smiled walking over to the kitchen. 

"Hey," JJ offered a small smile in return.

"How did you sleep?" Kiara asked after a few moments of silence. She immediately noticed JJ's uncomfortable body language and dropped her smile. She could already see him shutting down in response to her question. Kiara knew this was going to happen. 

"Fine," he nodded, dropping their eye contact and walking out of the kitchen towards the main living room.

"JJ...," Kiara sighed. She just wanted him to let her in as he started to the night before.

"Listen, Kie. I'd love to stay and chat but I gotta take off for work. You know... Money to make, food to buy, a restitution to pay off. That kind of stuff," he rambled, walking backwards towards the door and grabbing his busboy name tag off the side table.