Chasing Sunshine | JJ Maybank

26 // Midsummers

Note to self: if you find yourself in a similar situation, take the heels off.

I believe the realization hit me right as JJ and I rounded the corner to duck into the lobby from the bar area we had just ran through and the slippery hardwood floor almost sent me flying to the ground. If it hadn't been for JJ's firm grasp on my arm, I think I would've broken an ankle. A chorus of discontent arose from the patrons milling around inside as we dashed through the space, followed by another outcry when we were followed by a second group of rowdy teenagers.

"Hey JJ, come on bud!" Rafe taunted from behind us as we took another right down another unfamiliar hallway. It was then that I discovered my second realization of the evening; when you are trying to execute an escape plan, please have a clear path of escape. All we had managed to do so far was blockade ourselves further inside the building with no obvious exit in sight. I pulled back against JJ's grip, halting the two of us while we both looked around wildly for our next move. His eyes landed on the restroom sign hanging over our heads a few feet away and began to move towards it but I resisted.

"JJ, that's the men's room," I panted, trying to catch my breath.

"Do you have any better ideas?" he asked hastily, growing increasingly more antsy as the voices of Rafe and the others grew closer.

"We'll split up-I'll go this way, you go hide out in there and maybe they'll follow me instead," I suggested, leaning over to hurriedly slip the shoes off my feet.

"That's literally the worst idea you've ever had-"

"Go!" I urged, pushing him through the door just as the five boys came around the corner and I took off down the hall, moving ten times faster without my poor choice of footwear slowing me down. I looked to my right, grateful that it led back towards the outdoor seating area, and started to run towards it. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure they were still following me but stopped short when I realized the Kooks were nowhere in sight. I backtracked quickly and saw them slip into the locker room from the opposite entrance that JJ entered and cursed under my breath. My brain began working in overdrive as I mentally ran through my options, looking around the space for some spark of inspiration. As it turns out, inspiration came to me and I jumped when I felt someone tap on my shoulder.

"Everything all right here miss?" a security guard asked, looking over my person with a mild degree of concern. Apparently the fact that I was barefoot and completely out of breath combined with the hair starting to pull free from Kiara's up-do, all gave off a very distinct impression of your classic damsel-in-distress. I latched onto the golden opportunity, amping up the hysteria a couple notches.

"Oh my, thank goodness!" I exclaimed, trying to work in a hint of uppity Southern-ness into my tone. "Some people were just running around all crazy-like inside! I saw them go into the bathroom, and I came right out here to find help."

It was almost too easy and he instantly puffed out his chest importantly, gesturing with one arm to lead the way. I followed the hallway back to the men's room, hearing the low muffled sounds of voices from inside and pointed towards the door. "They went in there, sir."

The guard pushed open the door and I made the split-second decision to follow him. He flickered the lights on and off, causing the voices to settle down instantly as the two of us walked into the locker room. "Gentlemen! Is there a problem?"

I saw Kelce immediately shove JJ out of a headlock and I resisted the urge to run over and check him over as he rubbed feeling back into his neck. His eyes flashed between the guard and I, stammering out, "Pardon me officer. No there's not an issue, I just-"

"Sir that's the boy I saw making trouble," I interrupted, pointing towards JJ while he stared at me, trying to get me to shut up by discreetly shaking his head. I gave a small meaningful nod towards the security guard, silently communicating my plan. "I think he's a gate-crasher, you should throw him out."