SLUT : CHAPTER ELEVEN.
❪ ♡⁺ i donˊt wanna hurt anymore. ♡⁺ ❫
— WHERE MIDSOMMER IS A BUST.
❝ waiting on somebody? ❞
LANA SEARCHED THE CROWD ANXIOUSLY. She kept checking the time on
her phone , shifting from one foot to the other.
She missed JJ. Lana nearly slit her throat from
the thought— never thinking in a million years
she'd become so addicted to one person. Yet here
she was , huffing when her eyes met Topper
Thorton. He gave her a half smile and for some
odd reason , she returned it...
She hadn't forgiven him but she knew that he could've pressed chargers on her too and he
didn't , and in her oh so forgiving heart , she
thanked him for that.
"Waiting on someone?" Sarah Cameron
hummed from beside her in a teasing manner ,
she too had her mind on a certain Pogue friend.
Lana licked her dry lips before shrugging.
"No." She lied , her voice giving her away.
Sarah chuckled and Lana blushed. She hated
her terrible inability to lie. "Interesting— anyone
I know then?" The Kook pressed giddily.
Did Sarah know JJ? Lana was pretty sure everyone in the Outer Banks knew of the blonde ,
but she only shook her head in a quick decision
not to trust her voice at the moment.
Her eyes kept looking at her breath was caught
in her throat whenever she caught sight of his
blonde hair throughout the crowd. Her heart
nearly melted at the sight... The tux he was
wearing was clearly wrinkled , but not in a way
that many people would care to pay attention to.
She watched him discard a black plate as he too , began looking around for her.
Sarah saw her flustered cheeks and looked up to see what Lana was looking at— then smirked knowingly when she found the source. "He's cute." Sarah whispered in her ear before pushing her forward , lightly tapping her butt. "Go get 'em."
Lana gasped and covered her backside before turning to glare at Sarah who innocently smiled. Shaking her head , her mood shifted when JJ's
eyes locked with her own. She was swimming in
the blue color of them.
JJ was in awe. Lana always looked beautiful but tonight... with the candles lights sparkling on her skin. Her tight white dress hugging her body—
and her smile. The smile she had only when she
saw him made his knees become weak at the sight. In a flash , JJ's arms were around her waist.
Lana lurched into his touch , grasping at his shoulders to keep him to her as long as she could. Lana knew JJ would be okay. But it still didn't
stop her from worrying about him. "J..."
"You are so gorgeous." JJ responded breathless at her appearance.
Lana pulled away and cupped his cheeks with
her hands , checking for any cuts or bruises. JJ scanned her face silently as he did so— his mind flashing back to a moment he had with his mom.
"Mommy , how do I know Josie likes me?" A six year old JJ whined , pouting. All of his friends
told him that Josie Blake had a crush on him—
but she was far too pretty for him in his mind.
His mother simply smiled , gently pushing
strands of his outgrown bangs from his face. "It's
in the eyes , baby. You can always tell in their
eyes." She told him before kissing his cheek.
JJ shook his head to rid himself the memories of his mother. He didn't like thinking about them.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Lana questioned. Her fingers playing with the collar of
his white , waiter shirt.
JJ just shook his head at her question before planting a kiss on her right cheek. In that moment— he didn't care who saw their intimacy. All he cared about was Lana Bingham in all her glory.
JJ slipped his hand down to grab Lana's hand.
"I have something to do real quick but after that ,
I'm all yours , angel." He promised.
The nickname made Lana swoon and all she
could do was wordlessly nod. JJ chuckled and tugged her along to a dancing Sarah.
He moved Lana's arms weirdly and handed a
note to Sarah. Lana complied confused but decided that if it was important , JJ would tell her soon.
After their exchange , JJ put his arm around
Lana's shoulder to walk away. But Lana should've known tonight wouldn't have been any different...
Rafe stopped them , breaking them apart. He
sent Lana a wink and she scoffed in disgust. "I'm wonderin' if you get me a mai tai , my friend."
"Pogue , how about you make that three?" Kelce added , gesturing towards Lana at his side.
JJ's jaw clenched at his notation but Lana shook her head at him quietly. It wasn't worth it.
Cranning his neck , JJ brushed it off. "Well I'm on
the clock right now— you guys do look spiffy."
"Very classy." Lana agreed. "But unfortunately we have about—" Lana checked her invisible watch.
"A couple orders ahead of you so why
don't you guys just go ahead and wait by the
bar?" JJ finished her statement.
Lana grinned cheerfully and grabbed JJ's hand. "Help yourself to the uh , hors d'oeuvres."
What Lana thought would be a quick confrontation , turned south fairly quickly when Rafe spun around to his friends. "Guys , Lana's
little servant here , JJ , is gonna serve us some
hors d'oeuvres." He jabbed.
"Don't talk down on him like that , Rafe." Lana quickly defended him but JJ squeezed her hand.
She huffed but remained calm.
Before Lana knew it , JJ was tugging Lana's
hand as Rafe and his friends chased them down.
She huffed annoyed and gripped the bottom of her dress. "All I wanted was a dance! A dance. Notice that? It's singular. Just one would've been—"
Lana paused when she looked over to see JJ's expression. "I guess I'll shut up and run now."
She could hear people gasping and chatting
about their outburst into the party but neither of them cared. JJ just wanted Lana safe— even if that meant dragging her into the men's bathroom. His hand left hers for no more than a second , and
that's when Lana felt a hand that definitely wasn't JJ , grab her back and pull her into their chest.
"Lana!" She heard JJ call before he was pushed back by Rafe's friends. Lana squirmed in the person's arms but their biceps held their ground around her neck. They drug her beside Kelce and
JJ— tears forming in her eyes as Rafe chatted
with his friends about what to do with him.
Hearing Lana beside him made JJ thrash in
Kelce's arms. "Let her the fuck go , Kook."
Lana felt her blood pulsing in her veins while anxiety pushed through. "Please let him go..."
Lana whined. "He didn't do anything."
Rafe chuckled dryly. "Very Lana of you to care about a Pogue. Always were such a..." his eyes roamed her body as if they were undressing her
and JJ thrashed angrily at the look in Rafe's eye. "Sweet thing. Too bad you're a slut and the only person you can get to fuck you is a dirty Pogue."
"Shut the fuck up." Lana seethed.
"Very Rafe of you. Five on one?" JJ gasped.
"If you could please stop talking— the both of
you , actually. It's very disrespectful. I'm trying
to hit a ball." Rafe remarked.
Lana scowled at Rafe's teasing. Her temper sparked and Lana couldn't help bur squirm harder. "Stop being a pussy , Rafe and fight your own battles." She choked through her rage.
JJ turned his head briefly to Lana and shook his head , begging her to stop talking. If they wanted
to beat on him then fine— he could take it.
Rafe tapped his chin and moved forward ,
spiking JJ's anger even more. "You get the hell
away from her or I swear to—"
"To what? God?" The Cameron boy laughed.
Lana shut her eyes as Rafe's finger slid on her cheek. "You know Lana , I have to confess something to you. When Topper told me you had finally sent
him that picture , I was... surprised at best."
Lana felt tears boiling into her eyes but she
sucked them back harshly. She didn't want to give Rafe Cameron to see her cry... "You were always such a fucking prude that I couldn't believe my
boy, finally hit the jackpot we all wanted."
The more Rafe talked about her , the more Lana became enraged at his words. He was getting the
rise out of her he wanted , and JJ knew it too.
"Leave my girl out of this Rafe." JJ said , his voice growing smaller. "This is between me and you."
"You weren't in the cell alone." Rafe commented , turning his attention back to the Maybank boy.
"You didn't sink Tooper's boat alone..." He continued. "So this is between me , you , and
the school's slut. It's cute , really. Almost
adorable how you two defend eachother so helplessly. Am I right boys?" Rafe sarcastically turned to his group of friends who laughed.
"Your face looks really bad... Starting to look
like your dad alot more." Rafe commented. His words made JJ spit on his face , to which he wiped away carelessly. "Alright— it was..."
"Gentlemen—"
Immediately JJ and Lana were shoved away. JJ quickly stood in front of Lana protectively , reaching behind him to tangle their fingers together. "Pardon me , officer. No there's not an issue— Actually yes , there is an issue. We got a criminal in trespass in progress here. Beep! Call it in , right? Blatant disrespect for private property."
Lana rolled her eyes as JJ made up some shit lie
to cover for Rafe and Kelce.
She sighed in relief as the security began to
escort JJ out. She followed behind him closely.
"Hey , Lana! If you ever get tired of them dirty Pogue's , my bed's always ready for a hot slut."
That was it for JJ.
That one comment send JJ flying down the
hallway but the security caught him before
anything could happen. "You think I'm afraid of you , bruh? Call her a slut one more time and I'm making you my bitch , Rafe Cameron."
【☦︎】
JOHN B WAS MAKING THE FIRE WHEN JJ PULLED Lana to the side. Her back was against the tree and JJ's head fell into the crook of her neck. She felt her skin become wet with hot tears and she frowned , pulling him away. "JJ... What are you crying for? Hey! It's alright."
"I'm so sorry. I keep getting you caught up in all
of my shit and I couldn't protect you—" his words got caught in his throat when he saw Lana's neck was red and he was sure a bruise would be left
from how hard Rafe's friend had grabbed her.
Lana's thumb grazed the side of JJ's face.
"It's not your fault Rafe's an asshole. Please
don't cry , JJ. It breaks my heart to see you cry."
"It broke my heart to hear you cry." JJ whispered. He sighed and dropped his forehead onto Lana's.
He wished he wasn't such a fuck up. He wished
his life didn't suck and he wished he was better. Lana deserved so much more and it broke him in half to be the cause of all her pain. "Nothing they said is true , Lan. None. You aren't a slut or a
prude or—" JJ stopped himself before getting worked up again. "You are the fucking light in
the darkness of the world and I'll be damned if
I don't tell you that every day you're alive."
Lana bit her lip to force herself not to cry. JJ's words meant so much for her to hear. "Stop it."
"I know where I come from , Lana and we both know I'll never be more than that but you—" JJ pressed his index finger on her chest. "You'll
always be everything and more to me."
Shaking her head , Lana pulled JJ closer to her. His words made her stomach uneasy. It almost sounded like a goodbye— and the thought of that made her stomach lurch. "JJ... You have this idea of me that I'm too good for you because I'm a Kook and it's not true. Our money , our family's , our houses— that does not make you any less than me. You are a beautiful person , JJ. You make people laugh. You make them smile. You put your ass on the line for Pope without even a second thought. You prove to me every damn day that you are worth my love , so don't sit here and put me on a pedestal when I have the reputation of a slut who's mother disowned her and left the island in shame."
"You don't get it." JJ whispered. He pushed himself off the tree and began pacing around
and Lana hung on to every step. "It's not that you have money that makes you think you're better
than me , Lana. Look at you! You see the good in every one you meet. Your heart is so full of fucking gold that I'm pretty little tiny leprechaun's go
around looking for it—" he put his head in his
hands. "I don't deserve that kind of person in my life." JJ fell to his knees and for the first time ,
Lana heard him cry.
Lana had never heard JJ Maybank cry like this about anything. He always good at putting on a front , a persona. But in actuality , he was broken. Lana fell next to him— not caring if the dirt stained her white dress. Her hands move to a position that when he looks up , he looks right at her. "Never
say you don't deserve me , J. Because I'm pretty sure , it's the other way around." She professed ,
her bottom lip trembling with every word.
JJ had all of these feelings but there weren't enough words to describe it. Instead , he kissed
her. His fingers tangled in her golden locks that
had been curled to perfection and kissed her hard. Lana resisted the moan that threatened to sneak through. Lana then knew kissing JJ would be her favorite thing to do. He kissed her like no boy had kissed her before. He kissed her in a way that all girls dreamed about getting kissed. His lips were
soft and didn't rush hers to move fast. He kept her close , running his thumb onto her cheek. Heat burned at her cheeks as she chased him , silently begging for more. JJ chuckled at Lana's eagerness , but complied with no complaints.
"Lana..." JJ pulled away with swollen lips to
drawl out her name , hanging onto each letter.
Breathless , Lana cupped the fabric of his shirt. "Promise me you won't leave me behind." She begged. She needed to hear him say it— even
though she knew it didn't need to be true.
JJ took her hand and put it over his clothed
chest where his heart would be. "I don't think I
ever could." He promised.
"Me and you."
"It's me and you." JJ confirmed.
Together , they picked themselves up. Lana
dusted off her chest and JJ made sure he wiped
his cheeks with the back of his hand. JJ couldn't
help but kiss Lana's lips one more time before pulling away lightheaded. "I wish weed made me
feel that good." JJ murmured to himself.
"Hey guys , so like my dad's already gonna kill
me." Pope was the first to speak up when Lana
and JJ rejoined the group.
"Might as well tell them , man. Before we're gaffed." JJ said. All three of the Pogue's looked at eachother confused.
Kiara looked at Lana to see if she knew what
he was talking about but she shrugged. "So , the
gold never went down with Royal Merchant."
The three of them groaned. "Oh , my god.
Here we go again with this." Pope scoffed.
"No. All right , wait. Hear him out , all right?" JJ interjected sending Pope and Lana a look.
"It's been here the whole time." John B
smirked. "It's on the island."
"Are you serious?" Kiara laughed.
"Or that's what someone wants you to think."
Lana drabbled making JJ jab her side. "I mean— wow , John B that's amazing."
"I'd like to voice my skepticism." Pope said.
"I'm sure you would , Pope. But can I please present you my evidence first , sir?"
Lana sighed and drowned out the sound of
John B's voice. Maybe it was the already rich girl
in her , but she really didn't care about the Gold. John B's obsession with it was really bringing the vibe down all night and Lana wasn't her for it.
Looking for that gold brought nothing good to
the Pogue's since they start searching for it.
She vaguely heard the word farm but that was
all she could manage to let herself hear of John
B's speech. The only time she paid attention was when JJ left her side to hug him. "I'm so proud of you right now." JJ gushed to which John B
thanked him for.
"So what's the plan?" Pope couldn't help but ask.
"And will it end with death?" Lana spoke up
above the noise.
"Your negativity is really bringing down the
vibe here , Lana." John B groaned and JJ
nodded his head in agreement.
Pope scoffed and put an arm around Lana's shoulders. "I think the vibe's just fine."
Lana learned into Pope's arms cockily. "I know I can always count on you , P." She winked at JJ— causing the blonde to roll his eyes playfully.
"I hate both of you— deeply." Sighed John B.
He shook his head before continuing. "Anway...
so Sarah Cameron's coming tonight. She'll bring
an original survey map—"
"Hold on. Sarah? Wh— why Sarah?"
Lana and Pope shared a look. Their eyebrows raised as they stared down John B skeptically. All
of the Pogue's knew Kiara deeply , deeply hated Sarah Cameron. The reason , however was
unknown. Kiara briefly said something about
Sarah being a "fake bitch" but most Kook girls
were anyways , so Lana didn't get why Sarah was
the one that stood out the most.
Sarah had always been nice to her. Even after Topper released those pictures of her— Sarah
never put her down or called her derogatory
names. Sarah even asked Lana for permission to date Topper. Lana had expressed her concerns
but never once tried to control Sarah's life. They
weren't bestfriends and the Cameron girl really didn't even need Lana's permission— but she
asked anyway and Lana appreciated that.
"Sarah um— she got me into the archives in
Chapel Hill yesterday , and that's where I got
the letter." John B explained.
"This is gonna be good!" Lana grinned deviously , watching the color drain from Kiara's face.
"You were in Chapel Hill with Sarah Cameron?" Kiara stood up and looked at John B with disbelief.
"He was mackin' on her." JJ blurted making
Lana gasp and Kiara's jaw to drop.
"I wasn't macking."
"You were totally macking on Sarah Cameron."
"And you were macking on Lana all day!" John B pointed.
Kiara scoffed and crossed her arms. "I already knew that , John B. Make a better excuse."
Lana's face went bright red while JJ just
smirked victoriously. Pope's eyebrows furrowed
in confusion as he looked between his two friends. "Wait Lana and JJ— when? I'm so confused."
Lana simply patted Pope's shoulder comfortingly before John B spoke up again. "And I wasn't macking on her. I was using her for access."
"Access to a sushi bar..." Lana mumbled. JJ
heard her and laughed loudly , high fiving her.
"Did you tell her about the treasure?"
"I was just trying to get into the archives!" John B argued.
"Is that a yes!" Kiara shouted with betrayal
latching onto her words. "You let a Kook in on
our secret! What about Pogue lyfe? What about
the T–shirt company , bro?"
"But like... I'm a Kook in on the secret right?"
JJ doubled over in laughter. "My girlfriend is
not a Kook , sorry to break the news to you ,
Lana Del Rey. It's a Pogue's life from now on."
"Girlfriend?" Kiara repeated.
"Girlfriend?" Lana said again. She looked up
at JJ confused. The two hadn't really specified
their relationship and hearing JJ call her his girlfriend made a pit in her stomach. JJ's eyes widened at his slip–up and opened his mouth to
say something , but John B cut him off.
"Can we please get off the JJ and Lana topic
here? I was just using her for information."
"Why don't I believe you?" Said Kiara.
"I'm trying to make us filthy rich here. Okay?
So that we can pay off a boat , or send you to
autopsy school to study dead bodies. Or since
you're all so obsessed with JJ's love life— how
about a wedding for the King and Queen? Look ,
you guys know me. Do I look like the type of
person to fall for Sarah Cameron?" John B said.
"Yes." Lana said immediately and John B turned
to glare at her. "You're the one who asked!"
"You don't know her yet. I do! You can't trust
her! She's dating Topper. The Topper that
hurt Lana." Kiara looked at Lana and she looked down uncomfortably. She hated when her past
got brought up with the Pogue's. JJ's jaw clenched
at the mention of Lana's old relationship. He
barely even noticed how his right hand reached
out to rest of Lana's shoulder , curling gently
around it to remind him that she was his still.
"Her brother did hit in the back with a gulf
club." Pope pointed out.
"Rafe also threatens JJ all the time and calls you
a dirty Pogue so maybe—"
John B cut her off. "Rafe and Sarah are two different human beings."
"What did she do to you exactly?" JJ asked the question the whole group wanted to know the answer to since becoming friends with Kiara.
"She's like a— spitting cobra. First she
blinds you and then—" Kiara stuttered.
"This is a bad analogy." Pope whispered.
"Listen to me! Whatever we get , she's gonna
try and take it."
Lana saw the way Kiara spoke so passionately about her feelings about Sarah and stood up
quickly. "Look I know that we shouldn't judge
people we don't know. But Kiara's our friend ,
John B and she's obviously very hurt by whatever past her and Sarah went through. If any of you
guys would become friends with Topper after what he did to me , I would feel the exact same way.
I'm not picking sides here but I think you
should reconsider having Sarah in your plans."
Kiara's eyes turned teary for a moment as she looked at Lana. She mouted a quiet thank
you , to which Lana smiled and nodded. "Stop
being such a guy and think with your brain— not
the Kook crazy dick in your pants." Lana huffed.
John B rolled his eyes and Lana ignored him.
She smiled at JJ and held her hand out for him. "Ready to smoke that joint in the van?"
JJ scrambled towards her with an excited smile. Her threw an arm around her shoulder before glancing at John B. "Give us like five minutes."
Pope watched them leave still so confused.
"Lana and JJ?" He said shocked.
John B shook his head. "I don't know."
AUTHOR'S NOTE.
i hate this chapter it's so long and boring
i'm so sorry. um also sam— rafe is an ass
so i'm sorry for doing him like that lmaoo.
i hate chapters like have to follow the
script but i promise next chapter will
be strictly soft lana and jj.
so for this chapter , i wanted to recognize
someone very special on my account.
-LOVECHILD- ... she always comments , shows
support to me and responds to my message
board. sometimes she makes my entire day.
she told me once it was her favorite book ,
so i updated just because it made me feel good
to hear. a wonderful person. a kind soul.
i hope all of you are having a good monday.
if you aren't , strive to make the rest of the
week better. there is always a tomorrow.
today didn't have to be good. we can always
try again... you are loved and i missed you.
my life isn't the same without you here.
i'd be terribly sad if you left because even
though you feel like nobody needs you— i do.
thanks for holding on one more day for me.
HUGS AND KISSES.
—MADS