fearless

eighteen; don't han solo me

As Lettie carves into the wave she's riding, her mind is clear. She knows what she has to do. Surfing is easy, it's a lot less complicated than the other things in Lettie's life, but just as dangerous. The ocean is a powerful force, and if you make a wrong move: Stand up on your board a second too early or too late, and you're pulled under and tossed around until the ocean decides to let you up for air. Honestly, Lettie would rather face that than the network of relationships she's messed up. John B, her family, and she even almost lost Jj.

As soon as she bails from the wave, she thinks of Jj. Sweet, kind, sad Jj who she holds so close to her heart that he's become a part of her. The same boy she left behind to sleep in while she went out for a morning surf. She left a note on her pillow so he would know she'd be back soon. He would probably be upset that she went alone, but she would face that when she returned to the Chateau. The night before weighs on her heavily. Jj had broken down, and Lettie doesn't know how she can help him. She can't let him go home again. He could always live at the Chateau, and if Lettie talked to her parents about Jj's dad she has no doubt in her mind that they would let him move into the basement, or maybe the guest room. Lynette would empathize with the boy, Lettie knows it.

Then, Lettie knows what she needs to do. She can't let Jj go home, but he only has so much stuff stored at the Chateau, he's constantly going back and forth. Maybe Lettie can save him a trip. Because while she feels weighed down, Lettie also feels more free than she's ever been. Jj loves her, and she loves him. Everything is out on the table now, and Lettie couldn't be more excited about it.

So, when she paddles to shore after a few more waves, she heads straight to her beloved yellow volkswagen bug. She straps her board to the top of the car, contemplating the decision she had just made. Luckily for her, it's too early for anyone to be at the beach, so, Lettie dries her body, and changes into some clothes she left in her car. With a Wreck t-shirt on, and some button-fly jean shorts, Lettie gets into the driver's seat, her damp ocean hair making the back of her shirt wet as well. With her shoes in the passenger seat beside her Lettie puts the keys into the ignition, hesitating slightly before starting the engine, "Jj's gonna kill me," She mutters to herself as the engine rumbles to life.

He had made it very clear when they first started dating that there was one very strict rule, "Please don't come to my house," Jj had pleaded with her, "Just trust me." Now, Lettie was doing exactly that. She had emptied the contents of her backpack before she left the beach, all she has to do is get there.

Lettie had been to the Maybank house once before, Jj had spent a few days out from school. He had gotten a bad flu. Lettie had brought him soup she and her mother had made from scratch, and when she showed up to drop it off, Jj quickly thanked her, and told her to leave immediately.

So, pulling up to the home now, Lettie doesn't really know what to expect. She's angry, that's for sure, but beyond that, there isn't much. Jj had mentioned that he usually goes in the back door if he wants to avoid his father when sneaking in at night, since it's the furthest from his dad's bedroom, so that's what Lettie intends to do. So when she puts the bug in park, grabs her empty backpack, and pulls on her shoes to head around the house, she doesn't expect Luke Maybank to be on the back porch, messing with an old boat motor when she gets there. Maybe the rule only applies for sneaking in at night.

Lettie's movements are quiet as she makes her way up the steps, but not silent. Luke's gaze is on her as soon as she's in front of him. Lettie notices the bruises scattering his face, and she knows they're from Jj.

"Who're you?" Luke asks, tightening a bolt on the motor in front of him.

Lettie resists the urge to clench her fists at the sight of him, "My name is Scarlett," Lettie says, keeping her chin up, "I'm, uh, I'm dating your son."