CHAPTER TWELVE.
a night to remember
IT WAS DARK by the time the remainder of the guests had arrived, nightfall surging its way through the day and casting shadows over every empty crevice and vacancy on the small island — everywhere except the Island Club, where it glowed with joy and laughter whilst the guests danced and drank their problems away. And whilst the rest of the party were having the time of their lives, Nova Van Kirk couldn't wait for it to finally end, so she could go home and rest her head against her soft pillow.
Was Midsummers always this boring? Nova asked herself, the girl resting her back against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest whilst she watched the party unfold right in front of her. She watched as her parents conversed with the Cameron's, smiles on their faces, whilst the youngsters crowded around each other in front of the band, dancing to their hearts content. Nova did consider joining Sarah at first. They were on good terms again, so it wouldn't be the strangest thing to come out of this night.
But, truth is, Nova wanted to stay hidden. That was why the girl thought now was the perfect time to make a quick break for it. Her parents were distracted, so she could easily sneak out without arousing suspicion. That's exactly what Nova decided to do, the girl sighing quietly, before she pushed herself off the wall and brushed past many strangers as a pathetic attempt to escape from the party.
However, Nova was caught off guard when the blonde felt a hand snake around her wrist and pull her back. At first, Nova was just about ready to smack whoever destroyed her devious plan to sneak out of the party, but when she turned around and saw none other than JJ Maybank standing in front of her, dressed in a suit with a smirk tugging at his lips whilst he looked Nova up and down. The sight of the boy in all his glory was enough to make Nova smile back at him.
"Wow..." JJ breathed out, the sight of Nova in her dress being admirable from where he stood, his small smirk soon turning into a heartwarming smile.
Nova rolled her eyes and nodded her head. "Yeah, I know. I look like a unicorn just threw up on me." She replied, a pained expression washing over her porcelain features. Nova was aware her dress was pretty ( and very expensive ) but she would trade it in for a much more comfortable outfit any day of the week.
"Well, actually, I was going to say that you look really beautiful." JJ complimented her, his words being ending to make Nova blush, her cheeks turning a light shade of red when hearing those kind words roll off of JJ's tongue. It was definitely a confidence boost she needed more than ever right now, especially since she felt like she was being suffocated from the second she slipped into the bright pink dress.
"Thank you, JJ." Nova said to him, tucking a strand of golden blonde hair behind her ear, the pair exchanging a few glances before Nova parted her lips to speak once again. "And you finally decided to show up."
JJ chuckled quietly to himself. "I did say I would, didn't I?" She reminded the girl. Then, right on cue, the band began to play a gentle melody, causing for many guests to find a partner and sway slowly with one another. This caused for JJ to glance at Nova, before he held out his hand for the girl to take. "Shall we?" He offered.
Nova's eyes flickered down to JJ's hand held out for her to take, her smile becoming prominent, before she latched her hand onto his, the pair lacing their fingers together in perfect sync, almost like two puzzle pieces fitted for each other. JJ then placed his free hand on Nova's waist, the feeling of his touch being enough to ignite a simmering scorch across Nova's skin, the girl inhaling sharply whilst she placed her other hand on the boy's shoulder, bringing them closer, so close that they only stood inches away from each other. And without giving it another thought, they began to sway gently to the soft beat playing in the background, a moment of piece and tranquility washing over them both.
In that moment, Nova couldn't help but lose herself in the music, her eyes locking with JJ's enchanting blue irises with a sense of relief washing over. All the crippling anxiety and suffocation she previously felt soon began to fade away the second she began to sway her body with JJ's, the girl getting lost in the moment. And she wasn't the only one either. After the hellish day JJ had endured, dancing in the middle of a party with Nova Van Kirk was the one thing he needed following today's harrowing events.
However, now that Nova was this close to JJ, she noticed details that she didn't notice straight away before when she first saw him. Up close, the girl could see the fresh bruises across the boy's cheek, and the small cut that came with it, causing for Nova to frown whilst she removed her hand from JJ's shoulder, before she caressed his bruised cheek with her hand. She noticed JJ flinch under her touch, but when he realised she wasn't going to hurt him, he tried to play it off like it never happened. Nova knew it happened though.
Nova then brushed her thumb gently over the blue and purple bruises, a sad look beginning to swirl around her eyes. "Pope and Kiara told me what you did — taking the blame for what happened to Topper's boat. You didn't have to do that." She told him, her eyes never leaving the violent marks left on JJ's skin. It didn't take a genius to figure out where he had gotten them from.
JJ shrugged his shoulders. "Pope had too much to lose. I don't." He replied, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.
"But now you're going to have to pay what you broke, and that isn't going to be cheap." Nova informed him, knowing damn well that JJ was going to land himself in unnecessary debt for admitting to a crime he never even committed in the first place. "And it doesn't take a genius to figure out where those bruises came from." She deadpanned, gently grazing her thumb over the fresh bruises again.
JJ sighed, shaking his head. "Nova—"
"It's not okay, JJ." Nova interjected in a harsh voice, her voice shaky whilst she spoke with salty tears forming in the corners of her eyes. The girl then sniffled, before she parted her lips to speak again. "He can't keep doing this to you, JJ. Nothing about this is okay." Nova felt a thick lump form in the back of her throat. It was a sign she was going to cry at any given moment, but she still managed to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Hey, I have it under control." JJ whispered to her in a reassuring voice, forcing a small smile across his lips. "It was a small jab. It's seriously nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about."
"JJ, I'm being serious." Nova argued, removing her hand from his cheek and placing her it back on his shoulder.
JJ nodded his head. "I know, I know, but so am I. It's nothing that hasn't happened before, Nova. I'm used to it. Now can we just drop it." He told her, his voice lament whilst he spoke.
Truth is, Nova didn't want to stop talking about it. She knew it wasn't fair on JJ to keep pressuring him to talk about it, but do you want to know what else is unfair? Being the punching bag for your own father. Nova hated it because she knew she had it easy. Sure, her parents were stuck up assholes who were keeping secrets from her, but they would never, under any circumstance, ever lay a finger on her. Nova was lucky to have parents like that. But JJ didn't and it made her feel guilty.
However, despite knowing it was a topic of conversation that she shouldn't let go so easily, Nova decided to respect JJ's wishes and change the subject, the girl clearing her throat, before she parted her lips to speak again. "So, um, I got your note. It was kind of cliche sneaking into my room, you know?" She inferred, a dull ache erupting in her chest. She didn't want to change the subject, but she knew it was the right thing to do for now.
Nova's words were enough to make the boy's eyes beam with joy, his gentle smile returning back to his lips before his eyes flickered down to Nova's wrist to see the beaded bracelet he gifted her was clasped around her wrist. "I see you're also wearing the bracelet I gave you. I know it isn't anything fancy like you're used to, but—"
"Shut up. I love it." Nova cut him off, causing for JJ to stare back at the blonde with a sheepish grin, before they continued to dance.
All of a sudden, a quick thought crossed JJ's mind when he saw Nova's smile falter for a second. If there was one thing JJ was good at, it was reading people. It happened to be a secret talent of his that had developed over time. There were even times when JJ knew Nova Van Kirk better than she knew herself. From the night they officially met at the chateau all those months ago, to now, the boy was able to pick out many things about the girl that not even she knew about.
JJ knew Nova would scrunch up her nose whenever she was lost in her thoughts, and that she would get this small crease in her forehead whenever she was angry. He also happened to notice when she was happy, and when she was sad. Even when Nova made it impossible to notice her emotions, the girl doing a good job at creating a facade to cover up how she truly felt, JJ was even better at peeling away the facade to see the real Nova Van Kirk for who she was. He could see and understand her every thought and emotions.
That was why he was able to see that this nifty little party was the last place she wanted to be right now, the boy clearing his throat. "You know, I did think you would be enjoying yourself more. I mean, this is definitely your type of scene." He insinuated, earning an eye roll from the girl in response to his assumption about her.
"It was my type of scene. Ever since Riley died, I just don't see Midsummers in the same way like I used to." Nova confessed, her words coming out in the form of an exasperated sigh. The girl then shrugged her shoulders. "And being here with my parents feels like hell, especially since they're keeping secrets from me."
JJ raised a brow. "What kind of secrets?" He interrogated further.
Nova sighed once again, shaking her head whilst she spoke. "After you guys dropped me off last night, I went inside my house and overheard my mom and dad talking about some shady shit." She told him truthfully. This was something Nova preferred to keep to herself. That's why she hasn't spilled a single thing about what she overheard to anyone — not even Sarah. But Nova felt like she could be honest with JJ, knowing it was better to tell at least one person she could trust instead of keeping it bottled up.
"Don't tell me your dad is in the mafia, otherwise this friendship is not going to work out." JJ joked, a twinkle of amusement shining brightly in his deep blue eyes.
"JJ, this isn't a joke." Nova deadpanned in a stern voice, before she sighed in frustration. "They were saying shit, like they needed to find proof about something, like they're trying to put a stop to someone, or they're helping this mystery person...I don't know. And then my dad asked my mom if I knew anything and that I had to stay in the dark until the time was right. They said I would understand one day." She explained, expressing her concerns over the situation.
JJ nodded his head, licking his lips with a much more serious look evident in his eyes compared to before. "Have you asked them about it?" He asked.
"I would, but if they're hellbent on keeping these secrets from me then they'll just lie to my face, and I don't think I can stand that." Nova paused, sucking in a sharp breath whilst she looked past JJ for a moment to see her parents were making conversations with the other guests, acting like they weren't keeping secrets from their daughter. The sight was enough to make Nova sigh, before her eyes met JJ's again. "Which is totally hypocritical of them since they already lectured me about lying this morning. Rafe told them about the drugs so now they're mad at me for lying to them about it."
"Wow..." JJ trailed off, nodding his head. "So, just another regular day in the Van Kirk household." He then added, his voice dripping in sarcasm.
"Yeah, I guess so." Nova paused, deciding it was best to stop talking about her parents and their abundance of secrets, before she exploded. "Come on, I need you to take my mind off it. So, tell me, is there any reason why you decided to show up tonight? I mean, Midsummers isn't quite your scene." She pointed out, changing the subject once again.
JJ couldn't help but smile in response to Nova's words, his lips parting so he could speak. "I'm glad you asked me that. I think you'll be very happy about what I'm about to tell you." He informed her, his words being enough to make Nova frown. "We're back in the G game, baby." He announced, his voice barely above a whisper. And it didn't take a mastermind to figure out what JJ was talking about, Nova's eyes growing wide with a mix of shock and excitement burning in her eyes.
"What?!" She exclaimed loudly, her sudden change of tone being enough to make a few heads turn as they stared off into her and JJ's direction. This caused for JJ to shoot the blonde a look, and Nova couldn't help but apologise profusely, but a smile crept across her face. "I mean, how is that possible? Someone already got to the gold before we did." She added, furrowing her brows together with a puzzled look glazed over her eyes.
JJ nodded his head in response. "John B thinks it's buried here on the island somewhere. He sent me here to deliver a message to Sarah because she has something to do with it, or something like that." He elaborated further, a twinkle of joy shining in Nova's eyes whilst she stared back at the boy. "I'm pretty sure he's mackin' on her, but—"
"Oh, he definitely is, trust me." Nova interjected, speaking in a reassuring voice. "Sarah told me they kissed."
JJ then stared back at the girl with a surprised look plastered across his face, staring back at Nova with a weary look. "Oh, so you and Sarah Cameron are talking again?" He inquired curiously, briefly remembering that the pair had a falling out at Topper's party as well.
"I apologised to her for everything I said to her. I mean, she deserved that much at least, and now we're on good terms." Nova told him, her smile beginning to fade when a quick thought crossed her mind. Sure, Nova had a lot of making up to do when it came to Juno and Sarah, but she was so wrapped up in her problems, she forgot she owed someone else a well deserved apology. "Speaking of apologies...I'm sorry."
JJ shook his head. "No need to say sorry to me, Princess—"
"But you deserve one, JJ." Nova cut him off, an apologetic look in her eyes. "I'm sorry for how I've treated you since coming back from my trip. You were just trying to help me and I threw it back in your face over and over again. And I'm sorry for what I said to you that night—"
"Nova, we don't have to talk about that night." JJ reassured her, a sad look becoming much more evident in his eyes, his mind flashing back to the harsh words Nova said to him when they woke up the next morning in the bed of John B's chateau after their long night tangled in the sheets with each other.
"I know, but I want to say I'm sorry." Nova continued to speak, her eyes softening whilst she continued to stare at the blond boy. "I should have never said those things, and there's no excuse for it. I honestly think that after what I said to you, what happened between us is probably number one on your biggest mistakes list." Nova laughed, knowing it was a possibility.
"It wasn't a mistake to me." JJ replied, shaking his head.
In that moment, Nova couldn't help but snap her head up to stare directly into JJ's eyes again, his enchanting gaze staring deep into hers once again. Then the girl noticed how close they were, their bodies close together and their chests almost touching whilst they swayed softly to the music playing gently in the background, the sweet melody sounding beautiful to their ears. The last thing Nova seemed to notice was how close their faces were to each other, their noses almost touching whilst JJ's hot breath fanned against her face, the short proximity being enough to make Nova inhale sharply.
Then the thought of closing that gap between them did cross Nova's mind. She thought about the feeling of JJ's lips against hers, and how much she craved that feeling of burning electricity in her veins again, like she once felt that night at the chateau when their warm bodies were tangled together in the sheets, the entanglement of soft breaths and quiet giggles still lingering in the back of her mind. Nova wanted to feel that again. She wanted to have JJ close and never let go again like she did once before.
Little did she know, JJ was thinking the same thing too.
However, fear of the unknown was quick to kick in, causing for Nova to come to her senses and avoid the kiss she so desperately craved from the boy, before she leaned closer towards his face and planted a soft and sweet kiss to his cheek, before pulling away again. This caused for JJ's to shake his head, trying to shake off what had just happened moments before, before he frowned whilst he stared back at the blonde with a puzzled look evident in his eyes.
"What was that for?" JJ questioned.
Nova shrugged her shoulders, a shaky breath leaving her lips whilst she smiled back at the boy. "It's just a thank you for showing up and making this party bearable." She told him, trying to forget about their little moment, hoping it would roll off her back like everything else. Except she didn't know if it was possible this time.
"Well, I think the same can go for you." JJ replied, before he twirled Nova under his arm, the girl letting out a quiet giggle whilst JJ's hand slowly slipped away from hers in the process.
Suddenly, Nova was taken by surprise when she felt her body collide into someone else's, and when she lifted her gaze, she felt her heart sink when she saw none other than Rafe Cameron towering over her with a cruel look burning in his harsh gaze, a sickening smirk tugging at his lips. Judging by the look glazed over Rafe's eyes whilst he eyes shifted between her and JJ, who was now standing beside Nova, the girl could tell this wasn't going to end well.
"Nova, are you going to introduce me to your date, or was I just going to have to do it myself?" He questioned, his voice sending chills up her spine.
Nova shot the boy a look. "What do you want, Rafe?" She sighed.
"Well, I just wanted to say hi to your new boyfriend." Rafe answered, nodding his head towards JJ, who was already shuffling further away. "But the last time I checked, Pogues aren't welcomed here." He grimaced, speaking harshly towards the Maybank boy.
"Rafe, just leave him alone." Nova warned him.
"Now don't be like that, Nova." Rafe paused, chuckling menacingly. "I just want to have a little chat with JJ."
In a small matter of seconds, Rafe was soon accompanied by Kelce and a few more of Rafe's goons Nova had seen around school before. It was enough to make Nova dread the worse was bound to happen, causing for the girl to look over at her shoulder and mouth run to JJ. This caused for JJ to take off into the opposite direction, the blond boy running inside the Island Club, being followed by Rafe and the rest of his loyal followers.
Nova watched as the boys piled into the Island Club together, causing for Nova to look ahead with a worried look dancing around her frantic eyes. At first, Nova contemplated whether she should follow, or go and grab security to put an end to a fight that was bound to erupt between the boys. But she didn't want to get JJ in trouble for trespassing. So, Nova sighed in frustration, before she bundled her pink dress into her hand and ran after the boys, entering the building they had all previously entered.
Nova was quick to catch up with the boys, despite her travels taking her all the way into the men's room, the girl shielding her eyes from anything blinding before she turned a corner and entered another room to see Rafe was ready to beat JJ into a bloody pulp. She tried to help the Pogue boy, but within seconds, one of the boys grabbed Nova and dragged the girl away from JJ, restraining her so she could barely move, whilst Kelce placed JJ into a chokehold, preparing him for the beating Rafe was practically dying to give him.
Nova let out a groan and tried to worm her way out of the strong hold the boy had around her, doing her best to break free by thrashing around frantically, but the grip around her arms began to slowly tighten, making Nova wince at the harsh feeling. The girl then looks back at Rafe, a look filled with fury beginning to burn in her blue eyes. "Rafe, stop!" She commanded, snapping at him in a loud voice.
"Shut up!" Rafe fired back at the girl, causing for Nova to jump at the sudden sound of his violent tone. If Nova was being honest, it scared the hell out of her. Rafe looked over his shoulder and spared Nova a quick glance, before he turned back around to face JJ, who struggled to break out of the chokehold Kelce had around him. "Hold him still. What do you think? A four iron? Keep his head still. I'm gonna line this up." Rafe stated, whilst he pretended he was holding onto a golf club. Nova hated that he found joy in the midst of all of this.
JJ breathed heavily, his face a light shade of red from the lack of air filling his lungs, making Nova realise Kelce's grip around the blond was a lot more tighter than she originally thought. "Very Rafe of you. Five on one?" JJ managed to choke out.
"If you could please stop talking? It's very disrespectful." Rafe informed him, his voice dripping in sarcasm. "I'm trying to hit a ball. Learn your etiquette, my friend."
Nova then watched as Rafe approached JJ once again. "Your face looks really bad. Starting to look like your dad a little more..." Rafe was suddenly cut off when JJ spits in his face, causing for the boy to step back. "Oh, shit!" He exclaimed and laughs in the process.
Nova began to panic now, the girl starting to worry for JJ's safety. "Rafe, look at me." She instructed, causing for Rafe to sigh in frustration, before he turns around to face Nova with a displeased look glazed over his eyes.
"What?" Rafe shrugged his shoulders.
"Look, I get that you want to punish me because of what happened between JJ and I, or maybe this is all because we broke up. You made that pretty clear when you told my parents about the drugs. But please, don't punish my friends. If you want to hurt me, then hurt me." Nova begins to plead with Rafe, hoping she could convince him to stand down. "Please, Rafe, it's me you want to hurt, so take it out on me, not him."
Sure, Nova and Rafe were no longer together, but they would always have deep rooted history between them until the day they die. They grew up together and were always fond of one another before they ever felt any attraction towards each other, and he always had a soft spot for her because of that fondness. Nova hoped she could use it against Rafe to convince him to let JJ go and leave them alone. It had to work. It just had to.
Despite JJ's situation, the boy was still able to see clearly. He saw the way Nova stared back at Rafe with a range of emotions filling her gaze, noticing the desperation and the sincerity in her bright, blue eyes. Then JJ began to notice how she had Rafe's full attention, and there was even a moment where it seemed as if Rafe was going to consider it, and the sight of his eyes softening whilst he stared back at Nova was enough to prove that.
The way Nova Van Kirk and Rafe Cameron stared at one another, it still contained a look of heartwarming admiration for each other, and the sight of that alone was enough for a harsh pang to erupt in JJ's chest.
Rafe chuckled, his laughter sending chills up Nova's spine, her blood running cold and her bones turning to ice whilst the boy begins to approach her. "Let her go." He commands the boy holding Nova back, his strong and tight grip around Nova's arms loosening. Nova's eyes then locked with Rafe's once again, a shudder going up her spine when she realised how close he was to her. "There is something you could do..." he trailed off, a smirk ghosting across his lips.
Nova nodded her head. "I'll do anything. Just let him go." She pleaded with the boy, her eyes darting over to JJ for a moment, before her eyes locked with Rafe's again.
Nova then watched as Rafe laughed bitterly and stuck his hand into his trouser pocket, before he pulled out something that was more than enough to make Nova's blood run cold, her entire body becoming tense at the sight of the white powder inside the small, clear plastic bag. Nova swallowed thickly, her eyes flickering between the white powder being dangled in front of her eyes, and Rafe's taunting smile. It made her feel sick to her stomach because she could tell he was getting a kick out of tormenting her, his twisted gaze twinkling with euphoria.
Nova shook her head. "No." She told him, her voice stern whilst she spoke.
"No?" Rafe replied, sounding surprised before he began to tut at the girl repeatedly. "Now that was not the right answer, Nova. You see, I'm trying to be a reasonable guy here and give you something in return for JJ's freedom. But you're just throwing it back in my face. So, how about you stop being stubborn and indulge a little? You do this and we all win."
It was in that very moment, Nova's eyes flickered over towards the bag of white powder again, and this time her gaze never left it, almost like she was trapped in a trance, her mouth hanging open by a few inches whilst she imagined how good it would feel once she gave in and allowed the toxins back into her system. She knew it was bad for her to want that for herself, and there was even a small part of her that felt a tremendous amount of guilt for just feeling the overwhelming temptation.
And she wasn't the only person to acknowledge this sudden realisation either.
"Nova, Nova, Nova, look at me." JJ begged the girl, still gasping for air due to the chokehold Kelce had him in. The only problem was that Nova barely even acknowledge him, forcing JJ to part his lips once again. "I know you want to help me, but you don't have to do this. It's not worth it...I'm not worth it. Please, don't do this to yourself—"
"Shut up, Pogue." Rafe seethed at the blond boy, preventing him from saying anything else, before Rafe turns his attention back to Nova, a sinister smile tugging at his lips. "So, what's it going to be?"
However, Nova didn't even get a chance to answer because, all of a sudden, the lights begin to flicker on and off. "Gentlemen!" Nova snapped her head around to see a security guard beginning to approach them with knitted brows. His sudden appearance was enough to make Rafe discreetly shove the bag of coke back into his pocket, whilst Kelce let go of JJ. "Is there a problem here?" He asked.
JJ released a shaky breath past his lips. "Pardon me, officer. No, there's not an issue. I just...actually, yes. No, there is an issue. Uh, we got a criminal trespass in progress here." The blond informed him. "Beep! Call it in, right?" JJ then adds in a sarcastic manner, causing for the security guard to look down at the boy with a disapproving stare.
"Blatant disrespect to private property. I'm in violation of all kind of shit, sir, but these young gentlemen..." JJ trailed off, turning around to adjust Kelce's tie with taunting grin ghosting across his lips. "...Uh, caught me, sir, and they were about to take me away. And that's what you should do, escort me both out of here — you got me." He explained, holding out his wrists like he was going to get cuffs slapped around them at any moment.
"All right, fix that tie, son. You're looking spiffy, too." JJ begins to speak once again whilst the security guard simply sighed and escorts JJ away from Rafe and his goons, causing for Nova to follow them, wanting nothing more than to escape from Rafe. JJ then turned around and shoots the group of boys dressed in coloured suits a look. "You Powerpuff Girls have fun!"
"Hey, JJ!" Rafe's voice echoed throughout the room and Nova winced at the sound of his tone. She was already prepared for whatever he had to say, causing for the girl to stop in her tracks and turn around to face Rafe, taking notice in the smirk tugging at his lips. She knew that whatever he was about to say, it was just another pathetic attempt to get underneath her skin. "I wouldn't bother trying to save her. She's just going to end up like her junkie brother anyways."
Suddenly, JJ shakes off the grip the security guard had around his bicep, the boy turning around and rushing towards Rafe with a raised fist, anger rushing through his bloodstream. "JJ, stop! He's not worth it!" Nova yelled over the sudden uproar between the boys, watching as JJ made another attempt to defend her honour.
Sure, Rafe deserved it, especially after speaking about Riley in such a hurtful way, but the last thing she wanted was another fight because of her.
The small brawl between the boys was quickly broken up by the security guard, who grabbed JJ, before he began to drag the teenage boy out the room. Nova was surprised to see the situation between JJ and Rafe calm down so quickly, the girl fully knowing the situation could have escalated to violence if the security guard wasn't there to prevent it from happening.
"Hey, safe travels back to The Cut!"
Nova turned back around to face Rafe, watching as he laughed along with the rest of his friends. This caused for Nova to let out an agitated scoff. "Hey, Rafe." She called out his name, gaining the boy's attention, before she walked over to him.
Rafe couldn't help but smile at the blonde. "What do you want—"
Rafe didn't even have a chance to finish his sentence because it didn't take long for Nova's clenched fist to come in contact with his jaw, Rafe's entire face moving to the side due to the large amount of force, earning a loud echo of oohs to erupt in the room from the rest of Rafe's friends. Rafe then stared back at Nova with a shocked expression plastered across his face, his eyes staring back at Nova to see the hurt look burning in her ocean blue eyes.
However, the hurt look glimmering in her eyes was more to do with the throbbing pain in her hand, rather than what she heard Rafe say about Riley only moments before.
Nova swallowed thickly. "Don't you ever speak about my brother like that again." She told him through gritted teeth, sparing Rafe one last burning glare, before she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving the room and following JJ and the security guard back outside.
Nova was quick to catch up with JJ, her eyes watching as he was escorted out of the building and out onto the front porch where a lot of familiar faces stood out to Nova. She saw Sarah dancing with her dad, and Kiara standing with her mother, the girl watching with disbelief in her eyes. Nova knew Kiara never approved with how Pogues were treated by those who out-ranked them, which was why she was there friend in the first place. But it wasn't just those familiar faces Nova noticed. It didn't take long for everyone's head to turn to JJ, the boy creating a scene just by being there.
"I really do appreciate what you did back there. Let me just walk out by myself." JJ spoke up, nodding his head. Nova continued to follow after the boy, wanting to put an end to his mistreatment, but Nova felt someone's hand hold onto her own.
Nova stopped in her tracks and turned her head to see her mother staring down at her with a disapproving look in her eyes, her father standing close by. Nova knew her parents never had a personal vendetta against the Pogues ( mostly because her dad was once one when he was Nova's age ) but that didn't mean they wanted their daughter associating herself with them, which caused for both Nova's mother and father to stare at her with a kind of look that ordered her to stay quiet and not do a thing.
The girl spared her mother a quick glance and turned her attention back to JJ, who accidentally bumped into an elderly man, causing for JJ to stop and smile at the man. "Mr Dunleavy, I see that you got your drink. Good, that's really nice of you. I'm actually gonna down that." JJ explained to the man and takes the glass into his hand, knocking back the alcohol at the bottom of the glass.
"It's okay, everybody!" JJ shouted, making a fool out of himself. "Do not panic. Leave it to the men and women in uniform. Let's hear it for them!" JJ cheered, clapping his hands together.
"Rose! Look like Lady Liberty." JJ glanced to his side and spots the older woman.
And in that moment, Nova knew she couldn't allow herself to be tied down to the rules her parents created for her so she could appear as the perfect daughter — not anymore. She knew her parents would scowl at her and make sure she was grounded until the day she left for college, but she didn't care anymore. Nova couldn't just sit back and watch her friend get mistreated, just because he was a Pogue from the south side.
"Let him go!" Nova yelled, her outburst causing for a few individuals to whisper quiet murmurs to each other. Nova then let go of her mother's hand and walked over towards the railing, staring down at the secure guard with hate in her eyes. "You can't just treat him like that. He deserves to be here just like the rest of us."
"She's right!" Nova turned around to see Kiara standing with her parents, staring down at the security guard with disgust in her eyes. "You can't just boot him! I invited him here. I'm a member of this club." She explained, her head turning to the side whilst the two girls smiled at one another.
Not long after Nova and Kiara had raised their voices, JJ shoved the security guard away, causing for the older man to fall into a small group of people. "Hey, mandatory power hour at Rixon's, Kie, Pope..." JJ called out to his friends, and Nova's smile widened into a tight grin at the sight. "Rixon's Cove. Let's roll. Workers of the world unite." JJ continued to speak, earning a few cheers from Juno and John B, who decided to show up fashionably late to the party.
Nova watched with an excited look glowing in her blue eyes as the group began to vacate the premises. Kiara was the first to go despite her parents orders for her to stay, and Pope was quick to throw off his apron and follow the girl. Nova wanted to follow, but judging by the harsh flares coming from her parents, the girl knew it was best just to stay. However, that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy and ponder on what she had just witnessed.
And in that very moment, Nova Van Kirk couldn't help but smile at the sight of the Pogues as they began to run off together into the distance, each of them disappearing into the dark night, only their cheers and laughter ripping through the air.
It was the sound of freedom.
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authors note.
IM SORRY BUT IM STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THAT JJNOVA SLOW DANCE. i was listening to you are the reason by calum scott on repeat while writing that part and it just fits so well.
Also we got Nova finally owning up to her mistakes and getting that development we all needed from her. And I hope you're ready for the next chapter because there will be Nova and Juno interactions & possibly a Nova and JJ flashback 👀
Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed!!