OBX: Bethany Maybank

Chapter 6

REED'S POV

Beth fell asleep in my arms after the sunset. She looked too peaceful so I just stayed there. My parents travel constantly, so I'm always on my own. I'm sure her worthless father wouldn't even notice she was gone. I fell asleep after a while and woke up in the late morning. It was 11 when Beth started stirring and woke up. "Hi" she said shyly. "Hey Beth" I said in a deep morning voice. She stretched out in her seat and I watched the sunlight hit her face. She was beautiful. "Can you drop me off?" she asked. "Sure, where?" I asked. "My house" she said looking down and fiddling with a necklace. "Your kidding right?" I said trying to look in her eyes. "I'll be fine. I need to look for a job today anyway" she said softly. "Beth" I scoffed. "What?" she said trying to seem oblivious. I lifted the bottom of the hoodie to reveal the ends of her bruises. She grabbed my hands and quickly pushed it back down. "Have you ever spent one day doing what you want?" I asked her to lift her chin so she faced me. Her eyes wandered. "No," she said quietly. "Ok" I said and started the car. "Where are we going?" she asked. "To go get clothes from your house" I said plainly. She looked confused. "Ok.... and then what. I looked at her and smiled. "Anything besides job hunting" I said and turned the music up.

BETH'S POV

I have never felt this way. Reed made me happy. I didn't have to walk on eggshells, or fake anything. He was just there for me. I watched him tap the steering wheel to the beat of the music as we drove to my house. As we grew closer, I felt my heart beat increase. Then we arrived. We pulled into the driveway and I quickly turned off the radio. I got out and headed towards the house when I felt someone behind me. I turned around to see Reed. "You need to go back," I whispered. "Like hell I do" he said and grabbed my hand. I sighed, he was stubborn but at least it was to protect me. We walked towards the door and peeked inside. My dad was outback working on an engine and blasting music. I pressed my fingers to my lips and we slipped inside and snuck to my room, shutting the door. I stood there holding some bathing suits and some clothes. "What?" he whispered. "Turn around," I said. He laughed and turned to face the door and I changed.

"Ok" I said once I was dressed and he turned back around. I tied my converse and we ran back out to the car driving away as quickly as possible. We both let out huge breaths and laughed when we had gotten away. "Mission Accomplished" I said laughing. "Now where?" he asked. I bit my lip (a habit I have when I'm thinking hard) "can you surf?" I asked. He laughed sarcastically. "Can I surf? Haha. I'll show you." he said. "Oh yeah, you're on" I said as we arrived at the beach. I borrowed a board and we surfed for hours until he surrendered. "Ok, you win. You are the best" he said collapsing on the sand. "Thank you," I said smiling. "Dinner?" he asked. I felt my cheeks burn. I didn't have money. I don't like handouts. "I would but-" I started. "Sounds good. Dinner it is. Where do you want to go?" he asked, cutting me off. I smiled at his confidence. "How about The Wreck" I said. I want to track down JJ. I know he will be angry but he needs to know what happened. Sounds good

We showered off at the beach showers and put our clothes on. I put Reed's hoodie back on and we drove to The Wreck. I watched Reed lip sync to Marley the whole way there. I don't think I stopped smiling. When we arrived, I asked Richard if he had seen Kiara and he let me call her. I asked her to tell JJ I needed to talk to him when I can. Then we got our food and started eating. We talked about anything and everything. What it's like being a pogue, what's it like being a kook. Our families, school everything. By the end, I felt like I knew him better than anyone. We were just getting up to leave when Kiara, John B, Pope, and JJ walked over to our table. You could cut the tension between JJ and Reed with a knife. "Hey Guys" I said standing up. Reed stood up too facing them awkwardly. "Hey, What's going on?" John B said. "Yeah. What's going on here?" JJ said standing face to face with Reed. I could tell where this was going so I stepped in between them. "JJ, you know Reed he's my..." I said trailing off. I was unsure of what to say. We didn't really title it. "Boyfriend" Reed said calmly. "Oh shit" Pope mumbled. "Can we go outside?" I said, heading for the door. They just stared at each other. "Boys! This isn't a chest thumping contest outside now!" I snapped and they all followed.

I held hands with Reed and he smiled at me as we walked out. "JJ, can I talk to you for a second?" I said, pulling his arm away. We walked away and I could hear John B talking to Reed. I prayed he wouldn't say anything embarrassing. Me and JJ got a few feet away and he was mad.

"What the hell Beth?" he snapped. "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you before. It's new. I just wanted to be sure before-" I started but JJ interrupted. "No, he's a kook" he spat. I rolled my eyes. "That's what you're upset about?" I asked. "Listen Beth, you don't know this but Kooks are dangerous. Reed is-"he said but this time I cut him off. I felt myself get mad. He had no idea. "Kooks are dangerous? You are really one to talk JJ" I snapped as tears filled my eyes. "What the hell does that mean?" he asked. "I was only in danger with the kooks because of you!" I yelled. Everyone ran over. JJ froze. "Beth what are you talking about?" John B asked. "JJ and his stupid gun!" He held it to Toppers head. If he never did that, they would have never never- made me-" I stuttered as I sobbed. I couldn't say it. I felt Reed wrap his arms around me and keep me from falling. "It's ok Beth. I'm here. It's over. You can tell them." he whispered. I saw everyone's eyes on us as I looked up. "Topper and Rafe were mad that JJ pulled a gun. So they locked me in a room with them and made me take off my clothes. Then Topper took half of my money. That's why dad beat me because it wasn't enough. But Reed got there. Then the next day, Rafe held my arms and Topper ripped my clothes off and they were touching me. Then again Reed was there" I said softly and I buried my face in his body. He hugged me tight and everyone just stood there silently. "I'm going to kill them," JJ said and started walking away. "Stop" I yelled. He started running but John B and Pope grabbed his arms. "It's over now ok. Please just let it go" I begged looking into my brother's eyes. I could see the anger in them. "Promise Me JJ" I said softly. His face softened. "Fine" he grumbled and yanked away. He walked up to Reed and held out his hand. "Thanks Bro," he said, shaking it. Reed nodded.