Chapter 1

JJ AND WILL = FOREVER

The small piece of paper that had been written all those years ago still hung above her bed. She still couldn't bring herself to tear it down. No matter how much it hurt every time she walked into her childhood bedroom, it still hung there as a constant reminder. Even though JJ was now a mature 22 year old college graduate, she still clung onto her teenage years, she held onto the memories, the happiness and the love that had been experienced. She had been through a lot in her life and no matter what it had always made her feel safe but for the first time ever, she realised that walking into her bedroom she felt scared.

A lot had changed in the past three years that JJ had been living away from home attending Columbia University. This city that held so many great memories didn't feel like her home any more, but how could it? Since she had left, her dad had moved away for work leaving her house empty, her best friend was no longer her best friend and the one boy she had ever loved no longer loved her.

As she looked around her room a sense of familiarity washed over JJ and she couldn't help but smile at the experiences that have taken place in this room. She has the distinct memories of falling in love for the first time, the countless sleepovers with her best friends, staying up all night talking about boys, make up and fashion. Suddenly a wave of sadness washed over her as she realised that this was also the place where it had all gone wrong and that she had ruined everything. Sighing she left her case at the door and took three large strides across the room and flopped down onto her bed. She lay there staring at the ceiling thinking about how truly alone she felt and how much things really have changed. As much as she tried to prevent it, her mind wandered back to the last time she was home, that fateful day two years ago.

There was a party at JJ's house. It was a Friday night and her best friends were throwing her a going away party. Again. It had been two years since the original when she had first moved to attend Columbia University and every time she left again from returning home for a holiday they threw her one. It had sort of became a tradition between them. JJ was majoring in media relations as well as minoring in Criminal Justice and one day dreamed of joining the FBI. She loved what she was studying but was so busy she rarely had time to visit home even though she missed her boyfriend and best friends but this was her dream, she had worked too hard for this. She couldn't give up now. So whenever she got to spend time and party with her friends she made sure that she made the most of it and had a good time. However this one particular night she took things too far. She didn't remember much from that night but she did remember the act that ruined her life, she did remember the look on Wills face. That look had haunted her through out the past two years. She hated her self for it. She hated herself for hurting him. She still cant believe that she through away five years of her life for one drunken mistake. She had never regretted anything more in her whole life. She had betrayed her best friend by sleeping with her boyfriend, she had betrayed her boyfriend with sleeping with his best friend.

She kept replaying what she remembered in her head and it was driving her crazy. Being in this room, surrounded by memories wasn't helping. Her room, where the deceit took place. JJ had, had enough of these thoughts and this room. She had to get out. Jumping up off her bed, she grabbed her car keys and got in her car and just started driving. About an hour later she realised where her mind had subconsciously driven her to. The beach in Atlantic City. Pulling her car into a parking space she sat there for a few minutes before she stepped out of the car. As soon as the sea breeze hit her she felt considerably more relaxed. The beach was always the place she went to think and this time was no different. She took her socks and shoes off and started to head towards the end of the beach. There was a small alcove there that not a lot of people had knowledge of. She was hoping that there was nobody at the alcove today so she could sit in peace and think, however look was not on her side today. As she neared it she could hear voce and shrieks of laughter as she turned the corner she saw that the voices were coming from a group on teenagers. She was surprised at the reaction within her when she noticed the group. Her chest tightened as she tried to stop the tears escaping, watching the group took her back to high school when she used to spend her summers here with her group of friends.

"STOP!" Screeched a female voice "Put me down right now!" demanded a younger version of JJ. Laugher from the group erupted at the watched a teenage Will carry JJ over his shoulder towards the sea. The screaming didn't stop until the body caused a splash by being dropped into the ocean. JJ stood up and shot a glare at Will as she started heading towards the sand. Will came running up behind JJ and wrapped his arms around her trying to get her to stop. JJ struggled against his grip, but he was stronger that her and managed to stop her and turned her around to face him.

"I'm sorry babe. I was only messing around."

" I know but you know that I don't like my face underwater. I panic"

" I know I'm sorry. Come on, forgive me. I promise ill make it up to you later!" Will smirked as he inched his face closer to hers, planting a soft but loving kiss on her lips. Pulling away JJ smiled

"You better" She winked taking her self out of his arms and heading back towards the girls who are sunbathing on the beach

"Hey" Will says getting JJ's attention, she turned to look at him, "I love you, you know" JJ grinned

"I know, I love you too."

Tears were now running freely down JJ's face, she turned around and started walking away from the alcove as quickly as possible. Just when she thought this day couldn't get any worse, she walked smack bang into a hard chest knocking her to the ground. As she came out of her daze she looked up to apologise to the person she had bumped into but when she looked up her mouth went dry and she lost all possibility of words. It was Will. Her high school sweetheart. The love of her life was standing in front of her and for the first time in the 18years that she had known him she was speechless. For a few minutes they remained just starting into each others eyes, not knowing what to do until Will held out his hand to help her up. As soon as their hands met JJ felt the sparks shoot through her body and by the look on Wills face she thought he felt he same until he moved his gaze from hers and pulled his hand back as soon as she was up. As JJ went to speak, Will beat her too it by mumbling sorry and walking away as fast as possible.

JJ was frozen to the spot. Will had pretended as if they barley known each other. She hadn't expected him to fall to his knees asking for her back and professing his love for her but a little bit of acknowledgment she had. She knew she didn't deserve it but she had honestly thought Will was better than that, especially after everything they've been through together since they were four years old. After regaining her composure, JJ started heading back towards the car whilst trying to control her tears. Once she reached her car she wasted no time in getting in and heading straight back home. By the times she reached it an hour later she had gained some composure which broke as soon as she reached her room and saw the piece of paper hanging above her bed. Crawling under her duvet, JJ curled up and proceeded to cry herself to sleep in order to try and forget.