#obximagine

You thought one hurricane was bad enough for the island to handle in one summer, apparently mother nature planned to test just how much you could handle by sending another one your way. Sure this one wasn’t as big as Agatha but it would still hit hard.  Your dad was away on some business thing and wouldn’t be back until, nearly, the end of summer so you stayed alone in the empty house. Letting any of your friends stay over so you wouldn’t be acquainted with loneliness. 

The dark hurricane clouds rolled in around noon, threatening to spill copious amounts of water at any second. When the wind started picking up around 11pm you knew it was time to lock the house up nice and tight so nothing would blow off the porch or from the yard.  Running around in the dark with a flashlight you put the lawn chairs in the building and took down the wind chimes while also making sure the screen door was on its hinges enough to ensure it wouldn’t blow off some time throughout the night. 

Just as you were settling down to let the rumbling thunder and pounding rain lull you to sleep, something pounding on the front door woke you up. Thinking it was just the screen door you grabbed a flashlight and screwdriver to go fix the flimsy door. When you opened the front door you weren’t expecting to be faced with JJ, seeing his face light up with your flashlight as you opened the door made you jump slightly.  You held the flashlight lower so as to not blind him, but still high enough so you were able to see his bruised face. 

“I didn’t know where else to go.” He sobbed,  Not able to tell if the water running down his face was from the rain or his own tears you pulled him inside and into a hug after shutting the door. His arms wrapped tightly around your waist while you held him close despite being shorter, and biologically smaller than him, in this moment it was JJ who felt small as he sobbed into your shoulder. 

“Hey, JJ, it’s alright.” you said as you rubbed small circles on his back to calm him down. He kept whispering “I didn’t know where else to go,” until he finally calmed down enough to step away from the embrace.  “What happened, J?” I asked, pulling him to sit with me on the couch.  JJ looked at the floor and played with his fingers before finally letting out a breath and looking up at me to answer. “My dad, man.” 

You never heard JJ sound so hurt and broken before, normally he was the one who always had a joke and funny comment to make, if not everyone then yourself laugh but tonight was different.  “Hey, come here.” You said pulling his side into you as you wrapped your arms around him again  “I'm sorry I showed up, I just didn’t know where else to go.”  I shook my head, “Don’t be. You know you’re always welcome here, at any time of the night.”  “Thanks.” He said looking up, forcing a half-smile. 

“Let’s get you some dry clothes now, hm?” I asked, standing up. JJ nodded and followed me to my room where I began looking through my closet to find the clothes I stole from any of the guys throughout the years but hoping for some more recent stuff that would fit him.  “I hope this will be alright,” I said handing him one of my dad’s old t-shirts and a pair of gym shorts  “Yeah, it’s perfect,” he said, taking the clothes from me.  “You know where the bathroom is, or I can just like turn around or leave if you want.” I offered  JJ shrugged, “Alright,” I nodded, turning around and sitting on my bed 

Shuffling and the thudding of wet clothes let me know when it was alright to turn around. JJ sat at the foot of my bed, wearing just the shorts I handed him. 

“You can take my bed for the night,” I said, grabbing a pillow and blanket before making my way to the living room where I planned to take the couch.  “No,” He argued, grabbing my wrist before I could make it out of the room “I can’t let you do that. It’s your house.”  “I’m not letting you sleep on the couch, J.” I sighed  “Looks like we’ll share then,” He said, turning his normal charm back on.  I couldn’t help but crack a small smile at him as he tugged me back to my bed. 

JJ and I laid in my bed, which was thankfully big enough for two to lay comfortably. It started out with me on my side and JJ on his but as the hurricane got worse and lightning began lighting up the sky for seconds at a time I slowly inched closer to him. 

Your favourite group was always the one with the blonde kleptomaniac everyone labelled as JJ. You returned every summer mostly just to see if he would still remember you from the previous year. It was an ongoing summer romance you two had, flirting back and forth came as second nature, even though in two short months you’d be returning back to the mainland that didn’t seem to stop him.  There were many times when the two of you had hung out just yourselves, you laughing about stories he’d tell you from his travels out on the Pogue with John B and Pope, him chucking at the stories you told him from the house parties back on the mainland, as you walked through town. Stopping into all the tourist shops was something you couldn’t resist, always getting a new sticker or small keepsake from your favourite island. 

JJ took note of the same necklace you commented on every time but saying you would never purchase it because it was clearly cheaply made and overpriced, no matter how much you wanted to have the small wave charm hanging from your neck. 

Today was what you deemed a normal day in the outer banks, JJ invited you out on a trip to the marsh with the famous John B, Pope and Kiara that you heard many stories of, but had never met in person yet.  JJ seemed to keep you away from his life on the island, saying it was like a getaway sometimes. You understood because for the same reason you refused to go into your sisters work or even let her know of the blonde boy you grew close to in the summers, knowing she would never let you hear the end of having a thing with one of the island locals.  But it was not a surprise when he had asked you to come with them today, he had been talking about introducing you to them recently, and what better way than to bring you along on a trip they all enjoy. 

The group seemed to have heard as much about you as you had them when the tall boy, who introduced himself as John B, asked if you were the mysterious seasonal pogue his friend talked about.  The day on the water was spent sharing stories of your mutual friend, getting back to town just before sunset. 

Your favourite tourist shop was still open as the two of you walked down the street, window shopping and telling jokes. JJ stood behind you, looking over your shoulder as you admired the mass-produced, simple silver wave necklace you refused to buy. He smiled, his hand reached into the pocket of his shorts, and the small silver chain wrapped around his fingers. He knew what he’d swiped earlier that morning before inviting you on the boat, but you had no idea. 

You were asked to leave so the shop could close just as the sun was setting behind the buildings, holding everything in a golden glow.  “One day I’ll find it for a decent price somewhere else,” You sighed, JJ knew exactly what you were talking about and could hardly bite back the smile that was threatening to give him away as you walked to your favourite spot on the beach. 

You sat on the rocks next to JJ watching the sun go down. It started as something you forced him to do with you as he was really the only friend you had on the island but morphed into something he loved doing over time. As you sat with your head on his shoulder, watching the waves crash on the shore, the sun had long disappeared behind the horizon, but it wasn’t exactly dark yet.  “I should get home,” You mumbled, your head still resting on his shoulder  “Do you want me to walk with you?” He asked.  You nodded, not liking how you had to walk past the crackhead paradise that is the local drug dealer house to get to your sisters. 

The two of you walked in silence, your path being light by the amber streetlights that were slowly turning on. Somewhere along the line you grabbed his hand, lacing your fingers together. As you neared your house, JJ cleared his throat.  “You know that necklace you always look at in the one shop?” He asked, nervously, not sure how to present you with the gift.  You nodded, “The wave that's too simple to pay fifteen bucks for,”  JJ stopped under one of the streetlights, turning to face you as he pulled the silver chain from his pocket. You gasped, once seeing the wave hanging from the chain in his hands,  “I figured since you’re always eyeing it up,” He trailed off as your eyes lifted to meet his,  “JJ,” You asked, a smirk pulling at your lips, “Did you steal it?”  “What? Pfft, no what makes you think I’d do that?” He asked, lying horribly for the first time ever.  Your smile grew bigger, “You swiped it for me?” “Yeah, kinda. I just figured you’re always looking at it,” 

You handed the two ends of the chain to him before turning around and putting your hair over your shoulder, he clasped the chain behind your neck and you turned back around to face him, holding onto the small charm.  “I love it,” You mumbled, looking down at the necklace.  JJ smiled, a sense of pride filling him over the fact that he had given you something you’d wanted for years.

“Wow,” You chuckled as you and the blonde continued to walk down the darkening road, “Get you a dude who will swipe you overpriced necklaces.” He chuckled with you before you said your goodbyes, going your separate ways as your sister's house came into view. You hugged him and he kissed your cheek. As you pulled apart, you looked at him, trying to think of something to say so you could spend a few more seconds together, not wanting the day to come to an end.  “Thank you, again for this,” You gestured to the necklace, He shrugged with a smile  “It was nothing, really. Just thought you’d like it,”  You went in, giving him another kiss on the cheek before you were going to force yourself to turn around and walk up the driveway, but as his arms wrapped around your waist when you pulled back, you looked up into his blue eyes, smiling at him. 

“I think it's only fair that I give you something now,” You said “What were you thinking?” JJ smiled as he looked down at you.  Your hands linked behind his neck as you pushed yourself up on your toes, closing the gap between your lips. His grip on your waist tightened, pulling you into him and one of your hands raked your fingers through the back of his hair.  Pulling back, you rested your feet flat on the ground but your hands stayed loosely hung around his neck. Clearing your throat you pointed over your shoulder to your house, “I’ll see you tomorrow?” You asked  “Of course,” JJ nodded.  “Goodnight, J,” Your sweet voice called to him as you made your way up the driveway,  “Night, princess,” He replied, but you were too far away to hear him. 

Is it a bad time to tell you I love you When I'm watching you walk away?

You and the Maybank boy always had a complicated relationship. You were never dating, but there was an unspoken thing upon you. No other guy even tried with you because the blonde always had his arm around you, ready to start a fight with any guy who looked at you the wrong way. But you two always bickered about anything. There wouldn’t go a day where you had not argued with JJ over something, no matter how small and irrelevant it was. 

“I just don’t understand why you always pick a fight with any dude who even looks at me,” You argued as you walked down the street, slightly tipsy, having left a party in a fit of anger. JJ held your heels in his hand as he walked with you. “I’m just trying to protect you,” He argued back, “You know how the Kooks,” You shook your head, “You don’t know that about all of them,” Even though you knew he had a point you continued to argue, too heated in the moment. “You know what, fuck you JJ,” You yelled, grabbing your heels from his hand. “I can take care of myself, you know, I don’t need you by my side all the time.”  JJ knew why he always walked you home from every group outing or party, no matter how close to your home you were, he wanted more time with you, even if all you did was argue. You were a firecracker, unpredictable, and he loved that about you. But he was too stubborn to admit it and you were to blind to see it. 

A bad time to tell you I need you When he's made up his mind again

The timing was always off, as though every force of one earth wanted you to suffer. Every time you told the blonde boy, you refused to admit you loved, to fuck off. He would. You’d find him a few days later macking on some Touron at John B’s house. But they would never stick around after seeing the way you glared at them, leading to another fight between you. 

“Why do you even care anyway?” JJ yelled at you down by the dock, while the group sat on John B’s porch watching the two of you. “Because you’re just using them!” You’d yell back. This argument was had so many times over, the two of you had your replies ready to fire at one another like you were delivering lines in a play. “You’re just mad all my attention wasn’t on you for once,” You rolled your eyes at his ridiculous reply, “That’s not true,” You said taking a step closer.“So you weren't making faces in the corner every time I looked at her?” The boy challenged, raising an eyebrow at you “I thought you weren’t paying attention to me?” The distance between the two of you was hardly enough for either of you to take a full breath. “And I thought you didn’t need me all the time,” JJ smirked down at you, taking the final step to close the distance between the two of you.  You couldn't take it any longer, fighting with him when the moonlight was hitting his every feature making him look like some kind of greek god. Your eyes faltered in holding his stair, something that didn’t go unnoticed by the taller boy, when your gaze remained on his lips he closed the rest of the space in between you two, crashing down on your lips. Kissing you with force and spite, igniting all of your senses as his hands gripped your waist tightly and your arms came to rest behind his neck, one hand finding home in his hair, tugging softly and pulling a soft moan out of his throat. 

The walk back to your place was more of a run, both of you eager to have the other undressed. This was normally how your fights about his other girls ended. Both of you in your room with the door locked, pulling your clothes off in an excited frenzy. Before you knew it you were being pinned down, with him on top of you. A reoccurring hookup backed by annoyance as a form of makeup sex. 

Don't be cruel to me All I do is believe

The mornings after were when your head filled with ideas of you and the blonde boy as you laid with your head on his chest, admiring the way his messy hair fell over his forehead in the few minutes you had before he woke up after you. Thoughts of calling him yours spiraled around your head as you began to recall the actions of last night. Strings of profanities left your lips that would leave your christian grandmother in shock that her innocent granddaughter could ever say such a thing

“Good morning,” JJ said with his sleepy morning voice as he sat back against your headboard “Morning,” You mumbled back with a content smile on your face. “What?” He asked, with a teasing smile You’d shake your head as you whispered a quiet ‘You’re cute,’ to him that would make him pull you into his chest once more before slipping out of your bed and gathering his clothes up from your floor. It was always hard seeing him go, you wanted so badly to ask him to stay for breakfast so you could savor a few more sleepy minutes with him in bed but that always seemed to be off limits. Hookups shouldn’t stick around in the morning, it was common sense, but he was more than just a hookup.

That it's a bad time to tell you to trust me When I'm getting my story straight

You were always the one to flip out on JJ after he had done something stupid and reckless, even though you were a complete hypocrite with how reckless you were, some would argue you were worse than JJ but you just got away with more because of the way you could sweet talk the authorities. 

“Why do you even have a gun JJ?” You sighed, going at him once you got back at John B’s from the boneyard party.“I-I found it. Yeah, I found it,” He stuttered, “I was going to turn it in but then,” He paused, thinking of his story as you put your hands on your hips, waiting for him to get it straight, “I thought it would label me as a suspect for something,” You rolled your eyes, “How do you expect me to believe that when you’re clearly making it up on spot?” “What would you rather hear?” He shouted back “The truth!” 

A bad time to kick up a fuss When it's only ever me to blame You're confused about me

“Fine, I took it from the motel room John B and I found the key to!” “So you’re breaking and entering now too? Great” You scoffed, “What do you expect me to do if you go to jail? You know I can’t get you out of that, JJ!” “I never asked for you to do that for me!” He yelled, “I never asked to be your problem, or something that you have to fix.” His words caught in his throat and tears brimmed his eyes.  You ran over, hugging him tightly as the once noisy atmosphere seemed deadly quiet now, not even a cricket made a noise as JJ let out a sob.  “I never asked for you to fix me,” He mumbled against your neck “I know,” You nodded, knowing your words crossed a line. 

No matter how big the argument was, you never left the other person crying. Having crossed lines many times before, there were many nights JJ spent rubbing your back as you sobbed into his chest over something he said out of anger that he didn’t mean, and there had been even more when you spent doing the same thing with JJ. Most times this would end in one of you falling asleep in the others arms. 

All the rumours getting through 'Cause he heard that I'm bad news, oh baby

Your father, although he wanted the best for you, kept it open that he disliked your friends. But mostly JJ, always telling you he would end up like his father and that you shouldn’t be around him because of all the trouble he gets into, even though you’re normally the one to do something that the Maybank takes the fall for. You always got lectured from your dad after coming home, smelling like weed from smoking with JJ, it was a never ending speech that you could recite from memory now. It didn’t matter if you had heard it a thousand times before, every time he smelt it on you, you were sat down in the living room so he could go off about the negative side effects of marijuana once more.  The angrier your father got with you for keeping the blonde as a friend, the more you brought him around. Most times bringing JJ back to your place was to either continue a fight the two of you had been having at John B’s but ended up getting kicked or to make up for him macking on other girls after you told him to fuck off.  There was an endless cycle of your father telling you to stop bringing him around but never actually doing anything when you did have the boy around.

Forget what your father says I'm throwing stones at your windowpane

A small argument broke out as you had JJ in your room for the night, but had been quickly resolved when you shut him up by kissing him, and so began your makeup. The blonde boy had pulled you over his lap while he sat against your headboard. There was a knock on your door that you ignored, thinking you had locked it, but being horrible wrong. Your father walked in, throwing JJ out immediately and grounding you. Taking away your phone and leaving you to sleep, but not before giving you the same lecture about why he didn’t like your friends and how he only wanted the best for you. 

You were tossing and turning in your bed as the clock struck 12:00AM, not being able to sleep having not finished what you and your blonde started. 

tap… At first you thought you had just been hearing things, the wind knocking a tree branch against the side of your house or the floor creaking from the house settling. But two more taps from outside caught your attention. 

Tap...tap...tap Throwing your comforter back and throwing open your curtains, seeing JJ standing a few feet away from your first floor window. He was almost hidden in the darkness, accept for the blue light the moon shot down on him. 

“Its late,” You said after opening your window.  “I know,” He nodded, “I just wanted to see how you were after this afternoon. You know, with your dad,” He seemed nervous, his gaze never settling on you as he watched the toe of his shoe crush a dandelion. You smiled slightly, “I’m okay, J”  “O-okay,” He nodded, “I should- I should get going,” He stuttered. His sudden nervousness making you chuckle.  “Let's take a walk,” You offered  “Thought you couldn’t leave the house?” His signature JJ smirk settling upon his features  “When has that ever stopped me?” You laughed as you slid out of your window. 

'Cause a boy like me and a girl like you Got no degrees and a lot to prove

It seemed these midnight rendezvous had been the only thing keeping you sane as you lived under watch of your father for the next week. The only contact you had with any of your friends had been with the one who was the cause of your grounding. Every night as the clock struck 12:00 rocks began hitting your window, small taps pulling you out of your boredom. The Maybank stood outside your window, watching you slip out your window with a mischievous grin plastered on his face upon seeing the clothing you slept in, or rather the lack thereof. Being with JJ became a point to prove, your father could try but he could never separate you. 

Says that you're wrong for me Fuck what your father says

You laughed as you walked the moon lit beach,  the summer breeze blowing your hair behind you. With the moon lighting up your face, the boy couldn’t help falling even more in love with you as you stood in front of him in just a small tank top and a pair of short adidas shorts. 

“You know what my father says about you?” You teased, walking closer to him “What's that?” JJ asked, smiling You placed your hands on either side of him, grabbing the railing of the gazebo, “He says you’re a bad influence,” You chuckled, rolling your eyes slightly  “Fuck what he says,” JJ mumbled as his hands came to rest on your hips You nodded, “Fuck what he says,” Repeating his words before connecting your lips to his. This was the first kiss you two had shared that wasn’t backed with rage. As you let yourself relax into him your heart fluttered, and your head was dizzy, feeling like you were on cloud nine. 

Is it the good time, sneak in the back door When your dad's at work all day?

After your grounding your father thought he had been rid of the blonde, only being rid of what he saw. You snuck the boy into your room knowing your dad had been off work for the past hour, knowing you could be caught in a moment's notice. The thrill of being caught, just by having him in your room excited you to no end. Your hookups became more frequent now as you began sneaking around your father. Every encounter with him now, filled you with excitement and adrenaline, feeling like you had been drugged but it was pure adoration 

A good time to lean in and kiss you When he's not up in your face

Deciding to give the Maybank another chance, thinking they just got off on the wrong foot, your father invited JJ over for dinner. You knew it would end horribly, it always did. As your father turned his back to clear the plates in the garbage before bidding your boy a goodnight you tugged him into you, kissing him hard. Right when you thought you had heard every lecture your father could possibly come up with, you were ripped a new one when he turned around seeing you borderline making out with JJ at the dinner table. Whispering to JJ that you would see him later tonight before dragging your teeth over his ear, driving him crazy. 

You're confused about me All the rumours getting through Because he heard that I'm bad news, oh baby

Although the excitement had worn out from sneaking out with him, you didn't stop. Sometimes it felt like the only time you didn’t fight was when you were both already too tired from the day but couldn't stay away from each other. You argued all day, but laughed and smiled through the night. Neither of you were sure what to make of it anymore, what you had was definitely more than what most people would consider friendly but you didn’t want to address it, fearing it would end in a fight that you might not be able to make up from. 

You had never been confused about the status of your relationship, but as days passed you started to wonder. 

Was he just a forum of getting back at your dad? Did you even feel anything besides annoyance for JJ? Could you talk about this without it ending in a fight?

Forget what your father says I'm throwing stones at your windowpane 'Cause a boy like me and a girl like you Got no degrees and a lot to prove Says that you're wrong for me Forget what your father says

A smile tugged at your mouth seeing your boy standing outside your window holding a six pack and blanket.  The two of you sat at the beach. The blanket, JJ brought, acting as a barrier between you and the sand. You were half way through the pack of beer he brought. The thoughts that consumed you for the past few weeks getting the best of you as you looked out over the waves that crashed onto shore. 

“S’wrong?” JJ asked, nudging your shoulder with his  You shook your head, pulling you back to reality and out of your head, “Nothing,” You forced a smile, hoping he would drop it before your mask faltered. “You sure?” He asked, “You look distracted,”  Finally you blurted it out, you weren't sure if it was because he was pulling it out of you or if it was because of the slight buzz you were running on, “What are we?” You asked

The question caught JJ by surprise, looking at you as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, “Friends,” He answered as more of a question. You shook your head not being happy with his answer, “Friends don’t fuck, JJ” You said dryly“Friends with benefits,” He smirked, thinking you’d be happy now but when the serious look remained on your face he frowned, shrugging off his last answer. “I don’t know,” He sighed You leant against him, resting your head on his shoulder. “Do we need to answer this now?” JJ asked quietly“No,” You whispered going back to enjoying his company in the dark of the night while the waves crashed onto shore.

Told me he don't like my hair, he don't like my music Told me that I better run otherwise he'll lose it And if I want his daughter's love I better start praying So all that I keep saying to her

It was only a matter of time before your midnight rendezvous were cut short. You were caught sneaking back into your window at 5:00AM. Your father sitting both you and JJ down this time, yelling at you together. You noticed how the yelling made him flinch, offering your hand to the boy beside you as your father went off, as he normally did. 20 minutes later you were released from what felt like a backyard army boot camp from all the yelling. You grabbed a bag, filling it with some clothes as you followed JJ to John B’s. You had no plans of staying at your house in the following days, giving your dad space to calm down, not being able to forgive him for yelling at JJ especially after how he flinched each time your father took a step towards you. 

Forget what your father says I'm throwing stones at your windowpane 'Cause a boy like me and a girl like you Got no degrees and a lot to prove Says that you're wrong for me

“Fuck what he says!” JJ yelled at you, another fight broke out, the second in the day. “Who said you need him? You’re doing fine on your own!”  “I can’t continue to couch surf at John’s, JJ” You sighed. This fight broke out after you said you were going home tonight, not out of your own will but you were out of clean clothes, and you needed to make up at some point “Then you can take Big John’s bed, I’ll take the couch,” JJ pleaded “Why do you care so much about it? He’s my dad, and it's my choice,” You fired back  “Because I care about you!” He finally admitted, making you stop in your tracks as you were turning to walk away, “I care about you, and the way he yells at you like that isn't right,” JJ repeated. 

His words played over in your head, ‘Because I care about you,’ you were almost speechless. 

“What did you say?” You asked  “I don’t like the way he yells at you,”  “No,” You shook your head, “Before that, the thing about caring?”  Understanding what you meant he nodded, “Was it not obvious?” You shook your head. “What, you think I would share my good stuff with just anyone?” JJ asked with a laugh as all the time he told the cops it was him stealing or drinking to protect you. It all hit you so fast. How were you so blind? All this time as you were ignoring and denying your feelings for him, you were too worried about yourself you could never catch his feelings for you. 

Just like a scene straight out of a romantic movie you closed the distance between you, your one hand cupping his cheek as the other rested behind his neck, pulling him into you. You kissed him tenderly and softly, for what felt like a minute but hadn’t been anything more than a few seconds. Pulling away you looked into his blue eyes, 

“Fuck what my father says, Yeah?” You smiled, asking with a nod. His hands slipped into the back pockets of your shorts, pulling you impossible close.  “Fuck what your father says,” JJ repeated, his lips ghosting over yours as he spoke.

As you finally let yourself admit you loved the blonde boy who was kissing you hardly like you were going to slip between his fingertips, you felt yourself falling madly in love with him. Smiling into the kiss when you knocked his hat off so you could run your fingers through his hair. 

It was the perfect ending for you two. Finally able to call him yours. Hiding your face in his neck when your friends started whooping and clapping for you from the porch. 

He took a step closer, and his hands lightly rested on your hips. “Do you trust me?” He asked you nodded, “Can I try something?” He whispered you nodded again, within seconds of your nod his lips were on yours, kissing you softly. Your hands came up to cup his cheeks just as he pulled back, and you looked into his hazy blue ones. Butterflies exploded throughout your chest and you looked down, smiling, with your lips tingling from his touch. JJ placed a quick kiss to your forehead before letting you out of his grasp so you could open the door, leaving once you were inside and had shut the door behind yourself.  Even though your drunken state you found yourself replaying the kiss back in your head, the way his soft lips moulded around your own as you all but melted in his hands. 

Ask me if I want to come inside 'Cause we didn't want to end the nigh Then you took my hand, and I followed you

Suddenly, everything between you and the blonde boy you’ve known since freshman year became different. His small innocent touches lingered a second too long for that of a friend and his eyes never left you even in a group, and he almost became more protective of you.  You were laughing as you walked down the street with the blonde, stumbling over your own feet as you came faced with the chipping paint of your front door. On this particular night the walk from John B’s felt shorter as you two laughed the entire way there, drunk off the thought of living and high on the night. Feeling intoxicated without actually consuming any substances was a new feeling for the both of you, and one that you didn’t want to let go of and time in the near future.

You unlocked the front door and JJ went to turn around, getting ready to walk back to wherever he’d wind up sleeping tonight, when you cleared your throat, getting his attention.  “Do you wanna come in? Ya know, save you the walk home,” You asked, hoping he'd say yes, to which he did. Once he nodded you grabbed his hand to pull him in behind you and up to your room quickly and quietly, so as not to wake anyone who was already asleep in the house. 

You and JJ sat blowing smoke out your window as the sun began to rise from the horizon. Not sure what came over you, in one quick movement you sat straddling his lap, your hands loosely hung around his neck. Staring into his ocean blue eyes. You hadn’t noticed the breath that hitched in his throat until you finally connected your lips and he sighed, leaning into your touch. 

Yeah, I see us in black and white Crystal clear on a starlit night In all your gorgeous colors I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life

Senior prom was in a couple of days and for as long as you could remember you refused to go. The thought of spending hundreds of dollars on a dress you would only wear for a few hours seemed ridiculous, your plans were to stay in for the night and watch multiple movies as you ignored your FOMO.  Not sure who brought up the conversation, but you were not explaining to your group of Pogues that you had no interest in attending the event, nor had you even bought a dress for the perhaps of going.  All in a matter of seconds everyone turned to convince you to go, saying all your friends would be there, trying to convince you and Sarah even turned to bribe you with 40 bucks she had in her pocket. It wasn't until JJ spoke up from beside you that you started to reconsider, “C’mon, even I’m going,” He said  “See, even JJ’s coming,” John B sighed, trying to convince you to come. 

You shrugged, “I mean you all have dates, and I don’t like the idea of sitting off to the side while everyone’s having a good time,” “I don’t have a date,” JJ said, a smirk falling upon his lips, “I’ll be your date if you want,”  Kiara nodded, accepting for you, “It’s perfect, you’re going with JJ,” Sighing you gave in, “Make it $60 bucks and Kiara let me borrow a dress, and you got a deal,” 

The day of prom you spent getting ready with the girls, Kiara lent you a short black and floral dress, commenting something about finding a tie for JJ that would match it perfectly. You had just finished putting on the heels Kiara was letting you borrow when the three boys showed up outside. They all looked very elegant, but your eyes fell upon the blonde who hadn’t stopped looking at you since you three stepped out on Kiara’s porch to greet them. JJ now stood in front of you, as you stood on the bottom step leading off the porch, his hands rested on your hips as he looked up at you, from the height difference the heels and step added.“You look amazing,” He mumbled  “T-thanks,” You stuttered, “You do too,” Your mind seemed to blank the more you stared at him but Kiara’s mom saying about photos pulled you out of the daze that had come over you.  “You know,” You sighed as you and JJ stood off to the side while Sarah and John B got their pictures taken, “ I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dressed up before,”  “You haven't?” JJ asked, his hands had not left your waist since you first saw him.  You shook your head, “You clean up nicely,” 

See you standing in your dress Swear in front of all our friends There'll never be another I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life

Although you were dressed up, and on the outside everyone could easily assume you would act like a lady for the night, they were wildly wrong. Throughout the dance you and JJ snuck off, smoking joints and drinks from the flask he brought. The slight buzz you two carried seemed to make the boring dance bearable. 

He grabbed your hand, leading you out to the dance floor the second a slow song began, pulling you into his chest as his arms wrapped around your waist. You let your hands loosely fall around his neck, with your head on his shoulder  “Kiara’s gonna kill me for getting her dress smelling like weed,” You whispered, causing JJ to chuckle.  “I don’t think she'll be too mad,”  “I’m blaming you,” You laughed with him, as you picked your head up to look at him. 

The twinkling lights hung up around the room sparkled in his eyes, making everything look hazy as you slowly leaned up, kissing his cheek. The two of you stopped moving when you pulled back, JJ’s eyes flickered down to your lips and back up to you eyes a few times before you both leaned in, meeting halfway as your lips crashed down on one another. The room felt like it was spinning as the song came to an end and you and the blonde slowly pulled away.  Out of the corner of your eyes you saw your group of friends smiling at the two of you. 

You were sure to draw the blind and lock the door after entering, so you could be in your own secluded space in the small island where gossip spread faster than wildfire. Nobody knew about the affair we had going on in the past weeks, and for good reason. Everyone in Figure-Eight would have a vendetta on his head, even more than they already did just for being from The Cut. So for now, your relationship was specific to the four walls of Room 93.  You couldn’t help but wonder if things would be different had you two met somewhere else, where there wasn’t a rivalry between two sides of town. 

Light one up and hand it over, rest your head upon my shoulder I just wanna feel your lips against my skin

 You sat leaning against the headboard of the bed, watching as the room filled with a haze of smoke as you passed the joint back and forth. The boy handed the, almost finished, joint to you to finish off and laid his head on your shoulder, placing a soft kiss to the side of your neck before closing his eyes and sighing. The way his kiss made your skin feel like it was on fire never got old. 

“What’s wrong, baby?” you mumbled, lacing your fingers together, “Rough week?” you asked as you kissed the back of his hand He nodded, “I wish we could be like this all the time,” “I know, J. Me too,” You sighed, kissing his temple. “We will one day.” He looked up at you before giving your lips a quick kiss. 

White sheets, bright lights, crooked teeth, and the night life You told me this is right where it begins

You listened happily as he went on about his plan to move to Yucatán. You loved watching the way his eyes light up when talking about your future, and he loved the thought of getting to be with you everyday, someday. You talked about how you wished you knew how to surf, he told you he’ll teach you once you both finally escape the island one day. He said how he wanted to have a dog and live off fish and seafood you catch yourselves. “One day,” JJ mumbled, staining up at the ceiling as you laid on his chest looking up at the small smile that settled on his lips. 

But your lips hang heavy underneath me And I promised myself I wouldn't let you complete me

In the beginning you promised yourself you wouldn’t fall for him, the blonde, surfer boy from the cut. But as time went on, and your encounters became more frequent, it became harder and harder because the boy you met at the boneyard became more than just a hookup. 

I'm trying not to let it show, that I don't want to let this go Is there somewhere you can meet me? ‘Cause I clutched your arms like stairway railings And you clutched my brain and eased my ailing

Every day you were spent apart through the week, he never left your thoughts. You wondered how he was spending his afternoon, was he hanging at the château with John B? Did he go home and be faced with the unstoppable force that is his father? Was he okay?  

You often had secret rendezvous throughout the week if you really needed to see each other. He might sneak in your window on the nights when you texted him about not being able to sleep. But your most occupied spot had been the old church. Sometimes you would meet just simply for some physical affection you had been deprived of, whether it be a long, tight, hug or a slow kiss that reminded the both of you that everything was worth it. 

You're writing lines about me; romantic poetry Your girl's got red in her cheeks, 'cause we're something she can't see And I try to refrain but you're stuck in my brain And all I do is cry and complain because second's not the same

You flipped through the pages of your journal, reading the pieces of poetry about or inspired by the surfer boy and he smiled at you with his head in your lap as you ran you fingers through his hair absentmindedly. He never told you but anytime you read him a piece that he particularly liked, his heart would flutter and butterflies would fill his stomach. 

Sometimes when you read your more intimate words a small blush would creep on your cheeks, leaving a red hue on your cheeks and over your nose. No matter what you said or how intimate things got, your boy was always there to kiss your cheek and tell you it was beautiful. 

The way your words flowed off the page as you read to him would have them stuck in his head for days after your encounters. JJ would often find himself thinking of you reciting random excerpts from your journal as he was falling asleep. 

I'm sorry but I fell in love tonight I didn't mean to fall in love tonight

You still remember your first time with him. It was messy and rushed because you were both buzzed and looking for someone to satisfy your  urges. But the way he held you afterward stuck with you. As you looked at him in the moonlight, tracing his lips with your middle finger lightly as he leaned into your touch while tightening his grasp on your waist, pulling you closer to him. You know you’d never get anything better the blonde haired, blue eyed, surfer boy. It went without speaking, since the first night you were his. 

You're looking like you fell in love tonight Could we pretend that we're in love?

JJ panted as he laid beside you. Like your normal encounters, you both just came down from your highs. Finding your spot on his chest as his arm snaked around your waist to pull you closer, you looked at him and the way he looked at you. His blue eyes glowing as a smile pulled at his lips, you could feel the admiration radiating from him when he kissed your forehead. He took a breath and mumbled the three words you two had yet to say to the other, caused from being too afraid of how you could work, “I love you.” You were almost left speechless, the boy who occupied your thoughts for the past months, the boy who constantly talked about your future, the boy who let you read your poems to him, finally muttered the words you’d been waiting to hear. You pressed your lips to his, not knowing what else to do too caught up in the moment. “I love you too.” You breathed once pulling away. 

And that was it. You knew nobody else would even compare to the Maybank boy, laying next to you. His arms were where you called home, his thoughts were your adventure, and his voice was your comfort. Sure it was hard at time but once hearing those words you knew it had to work out because nobody else would make you feel the same. JJ could get you high just by looking at you, have you intoxicated with one kiss, and every time he would sweep you off your feet. You were in love with a boy you only saw in Room 93.