Chapter 1:

It had now been almost 11 months since the tornado and Julie was still scared of storms. Julie and Tim had only really talked once since her father kicked him out. She went to his house and apologized and that was that. Football season was just starting up again and it was the start of Julie's least favorite month. August. Tyra's eighteenth birthday was on the eleventh and for a shocking twist this year It was the last weekend before returning to school. Thursday was the 11th. She already knew of about 10 different parties and several were "For Tyra" even though she didn't even know the hosts. People would use any excuse to party.

Tyra had demanded that Julie sleepover on Thursday since it was her birthday. Julie's parents somehow agreed and even let them have Friday night together too. They were actually taking Gracie and going to Dallas on Thursday morning to visit some friends and Shelly and they would return Saturday afternoon.

A little after 9:30 on Thursday night Tyra and Julie walked in to Tim's place which was buzzing with music and people.

Tyra was wearing her low rise skinny jeans and a belly shirt exposing her brand new belly button piercing. She also had a little pink fuzzy birthday crown on her head that Mindy gave her.

Julie opted for a little less skin showing and wore a black skirt and a v neck purple t shirt. It showed some cleavage but she didn't feel uncomfortable. She wore her hair down.

Both girls headed for the drinks.

JD McCoy saw Julie and frowned. He knew her by sight and knew her dad was the coach and his dad and coach were always arguing about JD playing instead of Matt Saracen. It had only been 1 month of practices and coach and his dad were constantly bickering. To JD, Julie was just Coaches teenage daughter who was kinda hot. He walked away before she could even say hello.

Two hours later and a lot of liquid courage.

Julie walked in to the kitchen for another beer.

"Hey Julie." JD slurred.

"Oh uh… hi JD right?"

"Yes. Do you want to go talk somewhere?" He asked carefully, trying not to slur.

She frowned. "Um… No thanks I uh…"

JD grabbed her wrist to pull her closer. He was drunk, she was hot… he thought this could be fun.

"Ouch." She said and tried to pull away.

JD's grip tightened.

She spoke firmly and loudly. "Let go of me now!"

"Oh come on… I just thought we could talk and get to know each other."

Suddenly his hand was no longer on her and he was against the wall.

"She said to let go…" Tim growled slowly.

"Tim! I'm good… it's fine." She said.

He looked at her and then looked back at JD who he had pinned to the kitchen wall. He let go and then pulled Julie outside away from JD and actually away from everyone.

"Why do you always find trouble?" He asked gently.

Julie sighed. "I pretty much ask myself that constantly… JD was fine, I could have handled it. He said he wanted to talk."

"Yeah talk…" Tim said as he rolled his eyes.

"Um… Tim?"

"Yeah?" He was leaning against the side of his house. He looked up at her in front of him. The rain had stopped but it felt like it could pick up at any minute.

"Just… uh… thanks for watching my back… I mean, I appreciate it." She smiled.

"No problem. Are you okay? I mean… not just JD but the storm?"

She giggled. "Oh yeah… just peachy."

He raised his eyebrows. "Peachy?"

She smiled and leaned on the wall next to him.

"Yeah… no… I guess not… I'm not sure why but I just hate everything about storms now. I am slammed right back to that grocery store and the sirens and all the glass. Ughh. It was just scary."

Tim turns towards her and leans in close.

"It was scary Jules. I'm just glad you were safe." He half whispered.

"You mean we right? You're glad we were safe?" Her eyes were big and questioning. She could smell the beer on Tim's breath.

Tim backed up and blinked a few times.

"Yep. That's what I said."

Then a crack of thunder sounded and it started pouring again.

"CRAP!" They both said running inside. Julie returned to Tyra and Laundry on the couch and Tim went back to the kitchen. JD was sulking in a corner, people watching. He wanted to get to know Julie Taylor and he usually got what he wanted.

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