A/N- Hey guys! I am soooo excited to share this story. Me and my best friend in the entire world (She's practically my sister) have been working on this story since September and its become a big deal for both of us. We have had conflicts while working and gone through it over and over and now I am excited to give this little piece of my life, to you! (no matter how cheesy that sounds)
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters used or referenced from the young justice fandom, I would also like to give credit to the other author in this story, chiefsnoozles.
"The linchpin is an individual who can walk into chaos and create order, someone who can invent, connect, create, and make things happen. Every worthwhile institution has indispensable people who make differences like these." ~Unknown
June. June Jackson. What a generic, normal name. What a generic, normal girl. What a generic, normal life. Or, so it seemed.
"JJ, River, it's dinner time. Will you come in now?" Her mother called, watching her two daughters play together in the snow.
"Okay, mommy!" River called back excitedly, knocking over the unfinished snowman she was building and running towards the door. Their yard was quite big, as their father was a farmer. June giggled at her younger sister's innocence.
"Wait up!" She yelled, chasing the 4 year old girl. "I'm gonna get you!"
"Nuh uh!" River called back, stumbling over her own small feet. Her cheeks were pink with giddiness and the snowflakes covered her frizzy dirty blonde hair. Her laugh echoed throughout June's ears, loud and clear, like a distant memory. But it was right there. River was right there… her mother was right there….
"River!" She yelled, as the now 17 year old lay sprawled across the couch. "How many times do I have to tell you? Please, please, don't smoke while Opal is around!"
River shrugged, putting out the cigarette and flipping through channels. The baby in June's arms coughed. June frowned. "This is ridiculous, you know that?"
"You're the ridiculous one, JJ." River taunted. That nickname reminded June of her parents, and River knew that. "A woman should be able to do what she wants in her own house."
"You aren't a woman." June commented. "And this isn't your house."
"Ah, but sis, I live in it, don't I? My baby girl lives in it. It's good as mine; doesn't matter who pays the bills, only matters who's in it the most."
"I have a job." June replied. "If I was in the house as much as you, there wouldn't be a house in the first place. Besides…" June didn't finish, only carrying it out in her mind. You disappear for months at a time, anyway.
"Smart choice, sis." River smiled, lighting another cigarette. "Now, would you feed my baby for me? I promise you won't have to brea-"
"Don't finish that." June cringed, taking the child into the kitchen.
The smell of blood filled the air as June and River sat on the front porch, drinking their mother's fresh hot chocolate.
"Papa's at it again." June sighed, the last squeal of the newly butchered spring pig emerging through the cold.
"Cutting pigs heads off." River stated. "Does he do it for fun?"
"Of course not." June chuckled at the 6 year old. "It's for Christmas time. That's where the ham comes from."
River shot a disgusted face a June. "Reeeeally?" June nodded, just as their father left the butcher house, the dead pig slung over his back. He smiled at the girls, waving. They smiled and waved back.
"Daddy sure is strong." River admired. "I wanna be a pig killer when I grow up."
June couldn't help but to laugh. "Don't tell that to your friends. That's creepy as heck, you know that?"
"I know that." River answered, a smug smile on her face.
"Heh. You really do look like River, y'know, babe?'" June noticed, tickling the child as she set her down in her high chair. Opal cooed.
"Mama." She giggled, holding out her arms. June frowned.
"No, not Mama." She corrected. "I'm your Aunt, got it, babe? Just call me Junie."
"Mama." Opal repeated, as if she hadn't understood at all. Being a baby, of course she hadn't.
"Ju-nie. Aunt Junie. I know it may seem like I'm your Mama, but River is." She could have sworn she saw Opal roll her eyes, as if to say, A deadbeat mom, sure.
June smiled, but her eyes were sad as she set out some cereal in front of Opal. "Sorry. It's not much of a dinner, is it? You don't seem to mind."
Her words proved to be true as Opal giggled and proceeded to shove her face in the bowl, splashing milk everywhere. June chuckled, getting up and heading into the next room over, knowing Opal wouldn't go anywhere. The only thing that June knew River would never do was hurt Opal… neglect her, sure. But never physically hurt her.
She went into what was supposed to be the laundry room (although no washing machines were present) and glanced out the window.
"Wow, nice haircut!" Someone teased, pushing a small boy down into the woodchips. He had obviously cut his own hair, seeing as it was poorly shaven up the sides. "Borrowed Daddy's razor, huh? I know more than one way that razor can be used, kid!" The bully's little clique laughed loudly and annoyingly, their voices belonging to those of small children. Children's laughs should be happy, not hateful. The boy cringed as the bully lifted up his leg to kick his side.
"STOP!" 10 year old June commanded, pushing the bully down. "You're all just mean, and you should be ashamed of yourselves! Go home, would you?" They obeyed, as she was far older and taller than they were. She turned to the boy. "Cowards." She muttered. "What's your name?"
"Carter." He replied, in a weak and measly voice.
"My name's June. You're welcome."
"Y-yeah, thanks." He said nervously, his face getting red. She smiled kindly at the small boy. He was no more than 6, a year younger than River at the time. She held out her hand and he accepted it. She pulled him up, ruffling his messed up hair. He was about up to her chest, short for someone his age.
"Oh, was this your hat?" She asked, seeing a baseball cap lying a few feet away from where they stood. He nodded. "You were trying to cover up your hair, weren't you? That's okay. My mom's real good with hair, she'll fix it if your mom can't." She picked up the hat and put it on his head. He blushed even harder, although she didn't seem to notice.
"Y-y-you h-have it." He whispered, holding it out to her.
"Huh?" She asked, surprised.
"Y-you can have this, miss!" He said louder. She smiled, taking it from him and setting it on her head.
"Call me Junie."
She frowned, wondering where he was right now. Not liked she cared, not after all those fights that had broken out. Not after all those tears that had fallen. Not after what he'd done to her.
But mostly, not after what he'd done to her sister.
"Stupid." She muttered. "Stupid stupid stupid stupid st-"
"Talking to yourself, again?"
June froze, turning around and coughing at the smell of cigarette smoke.
"River." She muttered. "Fuck off."
River raised her eyebrows. "Why such a sudden change in personality, sis? Somethin' happen?"
"Something happened, alright." She said through her teeth. "Just a few years ago."
River looked down, showing some shame for once. "I'm sorry."
"Why are YOU sorry?" June yelled. River stopped all motion until there were no signs that she was even alive. She was pale and frigid and finally June could see her true self exposed.
"Go away." She snapped. "I don't want to discuss this with you."
"I didn't either." River silently left, and for once June had a sliver of hope in store for her sister.
Until that very next day.
What you said yesterday made me think. I won't let anyone do that to me again, trust me, because I've got people to protect me. Contrary to popular belief, you aren't one of them. A shame, sis, but I'll see you in a few months or so. I'm going to Gotham, and I'm leaving Opal with you. I don't love you, but just for the fun of it:
Love,
Your baby sister
Every gear in June's mind stopped working - every thought disappeared as she ran into the bathroom to puke up her own tears. "Skrew this, River." Taking out a blade, she held it to her wrist, closed her eyes and then… chopped 5 inches off of her long, bronze hair and watched as it fell to the floor in a deep, thick clump.
"I'm going after you this time."