Outer Banks ~ JJ Maybank

<17>

"So before I start, would either of you like to explain what the fuck I just saw." John B said, pacing around the patio as JJ and I sat on the out door couch. "Um, I mean, I think it was pretty clear what was happening." I said. "All I asked for, was one simple thing. Don't start macking on each other. It was a simple ask really. But you two apparently couldn't keep your hands off each other." "Look, John B, we didn't want you to find out this way." "It looks like you didn't want me to find out anyway." "Can you blame us for not wanting to tell you. What if I had told you your whole life that you couldn't be with someone and never told you why but you dated them anyway. Would you want to tell me?" "I wouldn't have dated them if they were your friend, I wouldn't even think about it." "Kiara." "That's different." "Is it?" I asked, getting defensive. "You had feelings for her, right? You kissed her, right? She was my best friend, you can't just make up different rules for yourself." "You don't understand." "Oh my god John B, stop saying that! It's always that I don't understand. I didn't understand it when we were younger and you always left me out of everything. I didn't understand when you wouldn't sign the papers. I didn't understand it after we found nothing in the wreck but you said to keep searching. And now I don't understand this stupid rule and why you made it." "To protect you." He said. "No. It's not protecting me. It's protecting you from feeling left out, or, oh my god. I figured it out. It's because you don't want to have to choose between us if we break up because you know you would pick JJ over me." "No, Gabbie, that's not-" "Is it John B?" JJ asked, finally talking. "No. That's ridiculous." "I don't know. I think she might have a point. We followed your stupid rule or what ever the fuck you want to call it so closely and never stopped to think if it was protecting us or not." "And it wasn't." 

"Do you hear yourselves right now! Why would I ever want to hurt either of you." "John B we are going in circles. Just stop already. Admit you did it for yourself." "But I didn't." "Yes you fucking did! You know what, I don't even know why I'm getting so mad, that rule actually drove us closer and closer together until we finally said fuck it and stopped listening to you. I should be thanking you. I'm actually happy for the first time in a long time and it's all because of you. Thank you John B. Thank you." I said, storming off. "Gabbie wait!" JJ said, following me. When I got inside, I hid out of sight and listened to their conversation. "Get away from her." "Why should I. Huh? She's my girlfriend." "And she's my little sister. Besides, we both know how this ends JJ." "Do we. Please, tell me." "You are gonna go off and find a new girl in a few days and just throw Gabbie out like trash. It's who you are JJ. You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I ran outside and sucker punched him. "What the fuck!" He said feeling his mouth as it began to bleed. "I get that you're mad, okay. I'm mad too. But that shit was a step too far. Don't ever talk to him like that again, do you understand? You know what, you aren't gonna understand." I walked over to JJ and I let him put his arm around my shoulder. John B just wiped the blood off of his mouth and walked inside.

"I'm sorry he said all that shit to you. It was totally uncalled for." "It's fine. That's for punching him in the face for me." "No problem." I said as he got on his bike. "Hey, you were pretty quiet back there, was everything okay?" "Yeah. I tend to shut down when people are yelling. It's what happens after having the dad I have." "I'm sorry JJ. Are you okay?" I said, putting my hand on his and squeezing it. "Yeah. I'm okay. How are you? DO you think you guys'll be good?" "Yeah. This happened right before the DCS came and tried to take us away and we got over it. It wasn't about this particular subject, but it was still a pretty big fight." "Okay. If anything goes South, you can always come find me." "Thanks. I'll see you tonight." "Yes." He said kissing me. "Bye." I said as he started his bike. "Bye." He said, driving off. 

"How's the lip?" I asked, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water. "Shut up." He said, rolling his eyes. "Look, John B. I'm sorry, okay. Just let me see the damage." He moved the ice pant to reveal a slightly swollen and bruised lip. "Yikes. I didn't know I could pull off that much damage with one punch." "Look, Gabbie, I'm not really in the mood to talk right now." "Okay. I understand." I said, walking away to my room.

I came back in the room about 20 minutes later with an envelope with three pieces of paper in my hand. "Dear Bird," I began to read out loud. "I know I told you I might have to go off for a while, in case things so south, I want you to take good care of your little sister. I know she isn't your favorite sometimes. She drives you up the walls and you just want to scream at her as loud as you can. Trust me, that's how I felt about your Uncle T most of the time. But I know she really loves you deep down and I know that she needs you. This part of her life can't possibly be easy, especially with out having your mom around. I want you to be there for her. Even though you guys might get into some nasty fights, I know that you both love each other no matter what. I know this may seem like a big ask but I know she'll appreciate it. You and I were always so bad at remembering to let her be a part of whatever we were doing. And as much as I loved the time I spent with you, I regret not being there for her as much as i could have been. So, please Bird, be the big brother I know you can be. Love, Your Dad."

"There is a second one for me." I said turning the paper and reading aloud again. "Dear Flower. I'm sorry for being such a horrible Dad. I'm sorry that I never tried to help you understand what was going on in your life. I told your brother I'm gonna have to go off the grid for a little bit and in case things go wrong, I wanted to make sure you were taken care of. I know you and your brother don't get along perfectly. Hell, one time when you were little, you fought over who's turn it was to sit on the right side of the car. In case you don't remember, you won that fight, you told John B you would give him 2 dollars if he let you sit there. I don't think you ever gave him his money. Anyway, I hope he is a much better guardian than I ever was. I know you both love each other unconditionally and nothing will ever change that. I am so proud to have ended up with two perfect kids like you guys. I love you Flower. Take good care of your older brother. Love, Your Dad."

"There is one more." John B said pulling out the last letter. "Dear my amazing children. I will miss you both more than you will know. I know I haven't done the best at this Dad thing, but you both have turned out so amazing I must have done something right. Who am I kidding, it was all you two. I loved watching you both grow up and teach each other things about life. I don't think I could have asked for better children. Now that I don't know if I'll come back, I want to give you both some advice. Don't let one argument be the end of everything. You have had thousands of arguments before and you are gonna get in thousands of more. Don't let one small thing get in the way of anything. I know you both and I know how short tempered you can be, take your time to deal with everything, but come back together in the end. The Routledges have to stick together. I love you both so much I hope you both go far in life. Love, Your Dad."

"Where did you find these?" He asked, folding up the letter and putting it back in the envelope. "I saw them in Dad's office and picked it up. I've had it laying in my room for a few days." "So how am I supposed to interpret this?" "As a sign I guess. Look, what he said is right. I get mad at you for shit and you get mad at me for shit. But in the end, we always get through it. And we'll get through this too. We're the Routledge kids. We won Most Tubular Twins when we were in 8th Grade and we aren't even twins. You helped me with learning how to put in a tampon. Sure, you called Kie and told her to come over an help, but you still helped in a way. We are John and Gabriela Routledge, there is nothing in the world that we can't accomplish." "Like finding the gold from the Royal Merchant." "Even finding the gold from the Royal Merchant." He smiled and wiped a tear off of his face. "Are we good?" "Yeah. We're good." He said, hugging me. "But if JJ fucking breaks your heart-" "You are gonna tell me 'I told you so' and then go beat his ass." "Yes ma'am." We both laughed a little and let go of the hug. "So, what d'you say, are you ready to find that gold." "Ready as I'll ever be." He said as we walked to our rooms to get ready.