RIVER | JJ MAYBANK

49

Edited: ✔️

River woke up with a serious back ache, sleeping on a table at the wreck probably wasn't the best idea. Although she did sleep on top of JJ most of the night, he woke up early.

"You okay J?" River questioned groggily as he stared out of the window.

"Morning beautiful." JJ smiled as River joined him. She wrapped her arms around his torso, rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. "Sleep well?" JJ questioned sarcastically, placing a light kiss on her head.

"Oh yeah." She scoffed.

Pope woke up and let out a loud groan. He was not happy about sleeping on the table.

"He's pinched for sure man." JJ said as Pope made his way over to the couple.

"No. They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him." Pope pointed out.

"Unless they were looking for us." River muttered at the same time as JJ said,

"Let's hope."

"Riv is right, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us too." Kie pointed out pursing her lips.

"Well if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B." Pope announced.

"So, find him before they do?" JJ questioned as Pope dug into JJ's bag and pulled out the keys. "Pope?"

"I'm gonna get gas for the boat." Pope answered.

"Hey, you be careful. Okay?" Kie smiled. It didn't take a genius to know that things were tense between them.

"Meet me at the dock at three. Don't be late." Pope turned to face JJ and walked out. It wasn't long after that Kie followed the boy out.

JJ pulled River out, curious to what was going on. The two leant on the banister, watching the pair carefully. Every time Kie tried to talk to Pope, he revved the engine more, so he couldn't hear her.

Pope drove off, while Kie shouted his name, all she wanted to do was apologise.

"Who the hell is that?" JJ questioned as the helicopter flew over their heads.

"Trouble." River answered.

~

"You sure he wasn't just being weird Pope?" JJ questioned as he and River helped Kie stock up for John B and Sarah.

"It wasn't really the kind of thing that needed interpretation. Is that gonna be enough food for them?" Kie questioned as she handed JJ the bread to put in the box.

"I mean, it's only for a couple of weeks and that's all they need, so-" JJ shrugged and placed his bag on his back.

"Look, I think I actually hurt his feelings." Kie admitted, she had previously explained that Pope had told her he loved her.

"Don't beat you're self up about it Kie." River said as she linked arms with JJ.

"Yeah, he's completely changed his feels. The past 24 hours have been like Jekyll and Hyde." JJ said as he carried the box to the car.

"I hate to admit it, but I miss the old Pope. At least I knew what to expect from him." Kie said as JJ placed the box into the car boot.

"Where you been?" Kie's mother, Anna, question and she didn't look at all happy.

"Uh, I'm fine. I slept here." Kie said pointing back to the wreck.

"Well, we were up half the night, scared to death, looking for you. We're you even gonna tell us?!" She shouted.

"Well I'm telling you right now." Kie said, motioning over to River and JJ so her mom wouldn't make too much of a scene.

"I'm sorry Miss Anna, we gotta go." River said with a small smile.

"No."

"I'm sorry." Kie apologised.

"No. I'm sorry, absolutely not. Have you heard what's going on out there?" Anna questioned trying to make her daughter stay.

"Mom I'll explain later." Kie said as the three of them got into the car.

"Honey have you seen the storm coming in?"

"I'm going! Mom, I'm sorry I have to go." Kie shouted over her mom.

"These cops are armed Kiara. You're gonna get shot, you'll get shot." Anne repeated.

"I have to go!-" River wanted to step in and tell Kie that it's probably best to stay here with her mom, but she didn't want to involve herself.

"I am not letting you do this!"

"Mom, John B needs me." Kie shouted.

"You need to stay here." Anna demanded.

"I understand and I'll be careful. I'm sorry." Kie said as she slammed the door shut and drove off despite her moms pleads.

~

River got more and more anxious the closer they got to JJ's house. She had crawled into the front to sit on his lap for most of the car ride. She had fiddled with his rings and whispered to him that everything would be okay.

"Home sweet home." JJ muttered, tears forming in his eyes.

"Do you want me to come baby? Cause I'll be there with you, every step of the way." River whispered to him.

"No baby girl, this will only take a second." He shook his head and opened the door. The truth is he didn't want her to come in case his dad snapped and beat him again. He didn't want her to see that.

River jumped out so that JJ could get out. River grabbed JJ's wrist and pulled him to face her. "Stay safe." She whispered and leant up to place a kiss on his lips. "And I love you."

"I love you too." He said plastering a fake smile on his face.

River tried to offer him a reassuring smile once he walked into the house. She climbed in the back and waited for the blonde boy anxiously.

"I'm sorry." Kie spoke up. "For the other day."

"It's okay, I'm sorry for hitting you." River said letting out a light chuckle.

"You pack a good punch." Kie complimented.

"Please, I wasn't even trying." River laughed but her eyes never left the door to JJ's house.

The door swung open and JJ walked out, he had a few tears rolling down his face. Instead of climbing in the front with Kie, he jumped into the back with River.

"How'd it go?" Kie questioned. He just help you the keys and plastered a fake smile on his face.

But River could tell that he wasn't okay, so she pulled him into her chest and cradled him. She ran her fingers through his hair in attempts to sooth him.

"You're safe." River whispered.