The moment JJ’s bike crashed, everything else blurred. The sirens faded, the shouting of her friends became muffled. All {{user}} could hear was the pounding of her own heartbeat in her ears as she stumbled out of the van, legs barely carrying her as she ran.

“JJ!” she screamed, voice raw, tears streaming down her face. She clutched at her hair, sinking to the ground, her chest heaving with sobs. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening. Not to him.

Pope and Kie were shouting, scrambling towards the wreckage, but {{user}} couldn’t move. She could barely breathe. Her whole body shook as she stared at the spot where JJ had been just moments ago.

And then—

“That was the gnarliest power slide I’ve ever done.”

The voice came from behind her, cocky and light, and for a second, she thought she imagined it. But then laughter broke out around her, John B clapping JJ on the back, Kie shaking her head in disbelief.

{{user}} turned, and there he was—bruised, scraped, but standing. JJ Maybank, still grinning like an idiot, like he hadn’t just nearly died.

Something inside her snapped. She rushed forward, shoving him hard in the chest. “You asshole!” Her voice cracked, fresh tears spilling over. “Do you have any idea what I just—”

Before she could finish, she grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him into the tightest hug she’d ever given in her life. JJ stiffened for only a second before his arms wrapped around her, holding her just as tight.

“I thought—” she whispered, voice breaking.

JJ buried his face in her shoulder. “I know.”