Without Warning

John drank more than he had planned to. (Well more than he realized anyway) so to no surprised he found himself laughing at a girl who was trying to talk to him although he wasn't even certain what she was saying. He was just making conversation. Well, drunk conversation.

"I just don't get it..." Garrett spoke to Everly who was beside him as they watched John and the overly made up girl.

"Get what?"

"Why girls are drawn to him."

Everly shrugged, "Girls like bad boys and he just gives off a bad boy vibe."

"That's just sad..."

Everly laughed, "Yeah, all you have to be is charming and a bad boy to get girls, just know it won't be a good girl."

Garrett chuckled, "Oh and those things do not get a good girl?"

"Nope."

"Then what does?"

"Sincerity." She spoke, her eyes not leaving the two in front of them. She had been in enough relationships to realize that's what was truly important.

Garrett eyed her as she finished off her drink and slid it onto the table before moving from her seat.

"Where are you going?" The scruffy boy asked and Everly grinned, "To the bus. I've had enough partying for the night."

"Want me to walk you back to the hotel?"

"No, it's just down the road, it's fine." She spoke, reassuring him she'd be fine. It was at that moment she noticed John ignoring the girl beside him, his eyes now focused on her.

She said goodbye to her brother and Jared before looking around for the quickest way around all the people in this small space.

"Where are you going?" John asked, popping up in front of her, startling her a bit.

"Oh. To the hotel."

"Why? Are you ok?" He asked, his drunken eyes trying to be serious.

"Yeah, fine. Just tired."

"Let me walk you back." He stated, sitting his full beer on the table.

"No, John, I'm fine. Really. Stay."

John immediately shook his head, "No, it's late. We don't know these streets. I'm not going to let you go alone."

"But you'll be walking back alone."

A grin lit his lips, "Evie, I'll be fine. Come on." He whispered, grasping her hand gently.

Her eyes immediately met Kennedy's, a smirk lined her step brother's face as John pulled her to the door. For some reason it made her sick to her stomach.

"John..." She began to protest as their feet hit the sidewalk.

"Everly, I'm not arguing about this with you." He spoke calmly, and she questioned if he was even really drunk. He hid it so well at the moment it was hard to decide.

"Well, maybe I should walk you back then."

John let out a laugh that she felt even though all he was touching was her hand.

"Oh what a vicious cycle that would become don't you think?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

She couldn't help but giggle and he gave her hand a squeeze as they reached the hotel lobby. The pair said nothing as they waited for the elevator and once they were standing in front of room 603, she still couldn't see to let go of his hand or maybe he couldn't, neither of them were sure.

"I should get back." He finally said, running his free hand through his always messy locks.

"Just, I don't know, text me when you get there please..."

A smirk hit his lips, his drunken green eyes seeming brighter than before, "Are you worried about me?"

"Yes, that's usually what people do when they care about someone."

He dropped her hand, sliding his to her side causing her to back into the door from his touch.

"I was hoping you'd just ask me to stay, Evie." He breathed, bolder than he would be sober that was for sure.

Everly forced down the lump in her throat before faking a laugh, "You O'Callaghan, are something else."

John rolled his eyes before placing his hands on the door behind her, his body now pressed to hers, "And you Everly, are stubborn."

"I'm not sleeping with you John. You're drunk."

"Am I not cute enough for you, Davis? I mean, after all you dated that idiot Joel and as far as I'm concerned he's a complete and total asshole."

Everly felt her body tense immediately and she shoved the boy back before trying to find her room key in her bag.

"Yeah, and although I'm fond of Patrick, he isn't in love with me, so you've got the wrong girl."

Sure it was a low blow, but bringing up Joel was a sore subject. Even if he didn't know. Of course, the look that appeared on John's face proved that theory.

Hurt was splattered across his face which in typical fashion was quickly replaced with anger.

"Goodnight." She spoke before he could and slammed the door in the boy's face.

She breathed in, shutting her eyes as she stood in front of the door. She knew she would have to apologize tomorrow for that but she couldn't help it.

Everly woke up the next morning to a snoring Kennedy in the bed beside her. She didn't remember him coming in, then again she was exhausted from the days events. She slid from bed and quietly gathered things for a shower. Once she was showered and ready for the day she walked out to see Kennedy sitting up in bed rubbing his eyes.

"Hey you."

He mumbled a 'hey' and she chuckled shoving her clothes in the small bag she had brought in.

"Why don't we go get some breakfast?"

"Ok." He said, not hesitating to move from the bed. She waited on him to get ready and as they made their way out, she opened the door to be face to face with John. Her face immediately hardened and she crossed her arms.

"Everly, can I talk to you?" He spoke in his soft yet scruffy voice she couldn't help but enjoy.

"I'll meet you down there." Kennedy stated, sliding past the two and she rolled her eyes as John shoved his hands in his front pockets.

"Are you just going to stare at me or can I go?"

"I shouldn't have said what I did last night."

She shrugged and pushed past him, "Or acted the way I did."

"Ok."

"Now is your turn to apologize." He stated following her to the elevator.

Laughter immediately left her lips, "You think that was an apology? Wow. You really do suck."

John glared at her and she pressed the button firmly, "No, I will not apologize until you do."

John stared at her in debate with himself until the elevator dinged and the doors flew open.

"You know, fine. Don't. It's not that big of deal to me."

"Nothing ever is, John." She spoke coolly as she stepped inside and he followed suite.

The silence was unbearable and before they reached the first floor John reached over hitting a button that caused the whole elevator to come to an abrupt stop.

"John!" She hissed and he stepped in front of her, clearly not phased by her attitude.

John stared at her, as he tried to find the right words. He really didn't want to treat her like he did everyone else. She didn't treat him like everyone else so why would he do that to her?

"I'm sorry." He whispered and her eyebrows raised, "What?"

"You heard me." He hissed, "I'm not repeating it."

She stared at him and he sighed, "Ok? I didn't mean any of it."

"I'm sorry too." She whispered and he nodded before reaching over her and pressing the button, jerking the elevator back to life.

"Just for the record, I didn't want to sleep with you last night."

Her eyes instantly went to him as the doors opened once more.

"I just, didn't want to be alone is all." He mumbled before leaving her standing there completely stunned.

This was becoming so messed up.

She gathered herself enough to join the guys, sliding in beside John with a muffin she didn't know she could stomach. The boy was quiet as everyone laughed and chatted like normal. How was she going to be able to do this?

Everly reached her hand over, resting it on top of his that sat between them in the booth. His eyes diverted to her and she ddn't bother moving hers from the muffin she was picking apart. Then again, she didn't know if she could, she just felt it necessary to comfort him.

He slid his fingers through hers, not caring that it meant he couldn't eat now. He just liked her giving him chances he didn't deserve.

Everly sighed, and leaned against his arm as the boys ate like savages.

"Just so you know, I simply went to my room when I left yours." John whispered and she glanced up at him, "Ok?"

"I didn't sleep with anyone or go back and cause shit."

"I never said you did."

"You assume it..."

She shrugged and he sighed before pulling her from the booth causing her to groan as he drug her to the elevator.

"Where are we going?"

"To sleep."

She didn't object and stood closer to his side once in the elevator.

"Evie?"

"Mhm?" She mumbled as they continued the journey to his room.

"What happened between you and Joel?"

"Didn't we talk about secrets, John?" She spoke softly as he unlocked his door.

"Tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."

"Right..." She chuckled as he led her inside.

John dropped her hand and crashed onto the bed while Everly kicked off her shoes before climbing in beside him.

"Are you going to tell me?" He asked softly as he turned on his side to look at her.

"We just didn't work out."

"Oh that simple, huh?"

She bit her bottom lip and he leaned closer, "You aren't as fearless as you make yourself out to be."

"And you aren't as bad ass as you think you are."

"Fair enough." He chuckled, brushing her hair back gently.

"You're also not as uncaring as you try to be." She added and he grinned, "I really am. I just care about you that's the thing."

"You do?" She asked before she could stop herself.

"Of course I do." He whispered, a serious look covering his face.

"But why?"

"Because you're honest and that is worth caring about."

Everly immediately felt guilty as he stared down at her and before she could speak his lips were covering hers.

"I've wanted to kiss you for a while now." He breathed, his fingers tangling into her dark hair.

"Why?"

"Do you always ask this many questions?" He asked with a grin and she rolled her eyes as he fell onto the pillow beside her, her heart now beating wildly in her chest.

"I just wanted to know what it felt like." He finally stated.

"Oh. And?"

"And you didn't let me down, Evie."

She looked over at him and he grinned, before leaning over her and pressing his lips to her cheek.

She really didn't prepare herself for this, or prepare for it to be this easy to get the lonely boy to fall for her and she hated herself for it.