𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞
[𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒗𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔]

❧

AS THEY PULL UP TO THE ADDRESS THAT HAD BEEN ON THE ENVELOPE, everyone was just staring at the massive estate that was surrounding by gates. “You sure this is the place, Pope?” JJ asks, glancing at the boy who was sitting in the passenger seat.

“Pretty sure.” He mumbles back. JJ sighs, nodding his head as he jumps out of the car.

“All right.” JJ waits for Marina to get out before closing the door. “Fat city, for sure.” He says as the others join him outside of the gate.

“27 King Street.” Pope says, reading the paper in his hand. Marina glances around warily, noticing her brother moving a bit closer to her.

“Talk about security. Those spikes to keep people out?” JJ asks curiously, pointing up at them. Kiara insanely frowns.

“No.”

“The slave quarters are over there. These spikes were to keep people in.” Pope says, his tone showing a bit of anger.

Ryder shakes his head with a scoff, bringing his eyes back over to the group. “Who exactly are you meeting?” He asks them. But honestly, they had no sweet clue. Just some rich folks who lived in a slave estate who could apparently clear John B's name.

Getting to the door, Pope grabbed the handle hung up, using it to knock. It was loud, making him flinch. “You think that was too much?”

“It echoed the entire house. That's for sure. So they definitely heard it.” JJ mumbles, looking around and trying to peer through the window.

“Maybe nobody's home.” Kiara suggests. Marina didn't think that was possible, with the amount of care this house needed, there was probably someone constantly on the property.

“They probably have like maids and shit.” She tells them, crossing her arms against her chest.

The door opens suddenly, making them back up a bit. A man stands in front of them, a bit disheveled. “You must be Pope.” He says, his eyes landing on the boy.

“Um… Are you Mr Limbrey?” Pope asks questionably.

“Ms Limbrey was expecting you yesterday.” The man corrects him. Pope was nervous, playing with the paper in his hand.

“Oh. Im sorry… It took us longer to get up here than we thought.” He apologizes.

“Sorry about that.” JJ seemed more sarcastic, staring at the man. Marina nudges him but he just shrugs his shoulders.

“Yeah, she was, uh, real upset when you didn't show up.”

“We tried to call, but there's no number on the invitation.” Kiara points out. “We got here as fast as we could.” She assures him. But the explanation didn't exactly seem to help.

“She also expected you to come alone.” He adds, a bit sternly. Ryder rubbed his ear, moving toward Marina.

“I mean, these are my friends. They helped find the royal merchant too. I–” Pope tries to explain.

“You know, the instructions were explicit. Your friends can stay outside.” He demands. No one wanted Pope to go in there alone.

“Well, we're kinda a packaged deal, man.” JJ tries to say but Pope glances at him.

“JJ. Its okay. I got this.” He assures him but JJ was unsure. Marina discreetly fishes into her pocket, using Ryder as a sort of blocker as she moved behind Pope.

Bringing the blade out, she presses it to Pope's back just lightly to show him what it was. She then put the blade away, making sure it was all the way down before lifting his shirt slightly, pulling at the waist and of Pope's shorts and putting the knife there.

JJ watches the guy closely, hoping he didn't see any of this. “Yeah, we'll be right here.” Kiara says, just as Marina moves away from Pope.

“Keep the car running.” He says, his eyes moving to Marina who nods her head. He returns it, adjusting his shirt before following the man into the house.

They lingered just as the door shut before slowly making their way back to the car. JJ watched as Kiara and Ryder moved further away from them. “You good?” He asks, his voice low as he looks at Marina.

She sighs gently. “Did Kiara say something to you?” Marina asks. When the ferry had reached the mainland, Kiara had asked her about what had happened. Marina wasn't going to lie, so she told Kiara about it but she didn't really want the whole group knowing right now because they had an objective and couldn't stray from it.

“Did she have to? You took that phone call and suddenly you and Ryder are shouting at each other.” JJ points out. Marina bites the inside of her cheek.

“Yeah, well, he was overreacting.” She mumbles, glancing back at the house momentarily as they walk.

“About what?”

“My dad called. He said he cant get bailed out, they're keeping him under lock and key until the trial.” Marina explains to him. JJ looks confused.

“Can they do that?” JJ asks her curiously.

“When is the legal system ever fair?” Marina retorts and he didn't have to say anything else. “He needs money, a lot of it, and he asked me to get it.” She states.

“How much?”

“Fifty thousand.”

JJ whistles lowly. “Thats a chunk of change.” He admits. Marina watches her brother glance back at them but he was too far to actually hear what they were talking about.

“He uh, he told me the police still have the money from the safe locked up at the station.” Marina states. She hadn't told Kiara this part, knowing the girl would be on Ryders side.

But JJ smirks, tilting his head, almost looking enticed. “Planning a heist are we?” He questions.

“I mean, if I can't get my mom to pay.” Marina says and JJ rolls his eyes.

“That's boring.” Marina raises an eyebrow.

“Oh, so you want to break the law and risk going to prison for stealing from a police station?” She asks him, feeling his hand brush against her own. Marina knew it was taking all of JJ's willpower not to interlock their fingers.

“As long as we do it together.” JJ says with a cheesy smile.

“Like Bonnie and Clyde?” Marina states.

“Who?” He asks, confused as he stares blankly back at her. Marina stops in place, trying to see if he was joking with her. But he looked serious in not knowing who they were.

She just sighs, continuing to walk. “After this, we're doing a history lesson.” Marina tells him. This put a smirk on JJ's face.

“If I get a question wrong are you gonna punish me?” JJ asks, his tone a bit suggestive as he kept his voice low since they were getting close to the car. Marina meets his gaze and she allowed him to get closer before grabbing his head and pushing it to the side.

“Get your head out of the gutter, JJ.”

❧

THEY SAT IN THE CAR AS THEY WAITED FOR POPE TO COME BACK OUT. Kiara sighs from the passenger seat. “Look, if Limbrey is legit, then Ward gets arrested and maybe Sarah gets the gold.” She suggests, perking up a bit as she notices the familiar boy moving toward the garden with a woman and the guy they met at the door. “Does that look voluntary?”

As the guy shoves Pope forward just as the boy looks at his friends, that answered the question for them. “That would be a negative.” JJ says, watching them closely. He notices Kiara about to open the door. “Wait, hold on.” He tells her.

“What?” Kiara asks, looking back at him.

“They're going down the alley.” JJ points out and Ryder seems to know what hes saying.

“Go around back?” He suggests and JJ nods his head.

“Yeah, go slow. We'll meet them around back.”

As they drive slowly, they try and lay their eyes on any sign of Pope. “Where did they go?” Kiara asks with a sigh, narrowing her gaze.

“What if they went underground? Because in C.H.U.D when they took people down into the sewers, it would then the humans into humanoids cause of the radiation. And then all of a sudden they'd turn against them–”

“Jayj, this isn't a movie. And I don't think Pope is gonna turn into some robot. Focus on looking for him.” Marina says, not in a condescending way, she was just making sure he didn't completely lose focus on what they were doing.

“Roger that.” JJ says with a firm nod. Marina just turns her head toward him slowly. “What? We're on a mission.” He tells her. She sighs, flickering her eyes back to the window.

JJ leans forward, trying to get a better view. Marina felt him almost against her back, his hand on the seat beside her. “Can you be any closer?” She mumbles, lightly shoving him back but not enough to actually hurt.

“Im trying to look.” He says with a confused expression. JJ couldn't exactly see if wasn't close to the window.

“Well, can you look over there?” She points to the front window. JJ knew he shouldnt make any comments, especially with her brother around but that didn't exactly stop him.

“Aw, you don't wanna cuddle?” JJ teases, tilting his head as his eyes gazed down at her. Marina met his eyes, finding herself a bit lost in them for a moment before letting out a forced sigh.

“You're such a loser.” Marina grumbles but he could hear the amusement that she tried to hide in her tone. As they get to the back, Marina sees a wall with no spikes on. “Pull over here.” She says and once they were stopped, they were getting out of the car.

Ryder stops himself though as he looks at the meter. “Shit.” He groans underneath his breath.

“What?” JJ asks him.

“Tanks almost empty.” Ryder admits with a sigh. Kiara glanced toward the wall before looking back at the man.

“Go get gas and get back here as quick as possible.” She tells him. They wouldnt exactly get far if they broke down just down the street.

Ryder instantly drives off and as she glances over at Marina, she only sees the girl trying to reach for the top of the wall. “Mari!” She scolds but Marina doesnt even blink.

“Help me up.” She demands, gesturing to JJ. He rushes over, bending his knee for her to step on. Putting his hands on her legs, he positions himself a bit.

“One, two, three.” JJ grunts as he lifts her up so she was able to get over the wall. He was quick to jump over so he could help her down on the other side.

As they begin making their way through the garden, they looked for any sign of Pope. “God, where is he?” Kiara groans, becoming worried.

“Im telling you, they did some–”

“JJ, not now!” Marina tells him, hitting his shoulder. JJ shuts his mouth as they continue searching.

It was only when they turned the corner, they saw Pope on the ground with the guy from before on top of him. “Pope!” Kiara shouts, giving Pope a slight advantage as the guy had looked over.

Pope slashes the knife toward the man, causing him to groan and reach for his abdomen. JJ rushes over, kicking the man off.

“I guess knives do come in handy.” Pope mumbles as he looks towards Marina before staring down at the guy as he gets up from the ground.

“Pope, come on. Leave him.” JJ says, knowing what he was thinking. Grabbing his arm, they make their way back to the wall.

Bending back down, JJ helped Marina back over and this time Pope grabbed her from the other side. “Where's Ryder?” Pope asks with a scoff, not seeing the car in sight.

Kiara groans. “He went to get gas.” She tells him, her hands gripping at her hair. Pope gives them a shocked look.

“Seriously?”

They couldn't have waited until after so they could still have a getaway vehicle? Seeing the guy start to climb the wall, they start backing up.

“Shit, we gotta run.” JJ says, all of them taking off down the sidewalk. The guy runs after them, pretty close behind them.

“Go, go!” Kiara shouts, trying to run faster as they turned the corner quickly. JJ glances around, trying to find somewhere to go.

“This way!” Marina points across the street. They cross it, avoiding the cars and hoping to lose the man. But he was only gaining on them.

“We might have to split up!” JJ yells back at them. Marina scoffs, almost shoving the man for the idiotic idea but knew that wouldn't be the best plan right now.

“Fuck that.” She denies, glancing behind them momentarily. JJ turns sharply, causing the others to almost miss it.

Pope notices the small street, cars coming their way with barely anywhere to avoid them.
“Guys, this is a narrow street!” He warns but JJ was just keeping his pace.

“Watch out for the cars!” Kiara yells. They narrowly missed the honking cars.

“Come on, we gotta lose him!” JJ crosses the alley quickly, Pope and Kiara close behind. Just as Marina went to cross, a car came out of nowhere and she felt the impact against her before she was hitting ground harshly.

She groans, squeezing her eyes shut in pain as her hand moves to her shoulder. Marina could hear Kiara's scream faintly before JJ appeared over her.

“Mari!” He bends down, his hand moving just below her jaw. “Hey, hey-”

“I'm fine.” Marina grumbles, forcing herself to get up from the ground. JJ was about to complain but she saw the guy getting closer. “I'm fine, let's go!” She shouts, using JJ's arm to fully pull herself up before they continue to run.

Marina was significantly slower now but JJ was right beside her, almost dragging her with him. “Down here, guys!” He says, heading between the buildings as it lead to another open street.

As they got to the end of it, a bike makes them stop in their tracks. But as they look towards it, everything was almost moving in slow motion as they see John B clear as day in front of him.

JJ smiles brightly, staring at the man, almost like he would disappear. Marina couldn't help but smile lightly as well, but the pain stopped it from being more. Her eyes peer over John B's shoulder, seeing Sarah with a shocked expression but relief was flooding her features.

Both of them looked pretty beat up, all dirty and clearly worn out. “Get in, get in!” John B says quickly as he sees the guy that he and Sarah had been running from catching up to them as well.

“There is no way all of us are fitting in there!” Kiara points out with a scoff. The thing would barely move.

“You got a better idea?” JJ asks. They didn't really have much time to think.

Luckily a car screeched to a halt beside them and as they looked over, they saw it was Ryder. “What the hell did I tell you? Get in the car.” He snaps, the window being down.

“Go, go, go!” They didn't hesitate to jump into the car. John B put the gas containers in the trunk quickly while Kiara got into the front seat, practically moving onto the centre console as Pope sat next to her.

JJ slid into the back, his hand clasped in Marina's as he brought her with him. Since John B and Sarah still had to get in, he brought her onto his lap, it being a bit awkward positioning since the car was small. And it didn't help when John B slid against them in the middle seat, allowing Sarah a bit more room.

As soon as they were all in, Ryder stepped on the gas, getting as far away from the people chasing them as he could. “Holy shit.” JJ breathes out, his head rested against the seat as he closes his eyes.

“Crazy people.” Pope mutters, shaking his head.

Marina felt a bit claustrophobic, being unable to move much, and with numerous people touching her. She tried to push through it though, knowing there wasn't much they could do in this situation. Seven people in a car barely made for five was definitely a tight fit.

It didn't help that JJ was bouncing his knee nervously, peering out the window every few seconds, shifting in the seat as much as he could. His hands were placed just sigh of her thighs, his chin resting on her shoulder. She felt his breath hit her skin and it made her squirm a bit, but even if she tried to move, John B made it hard to.

The boy's thigh was squished against JJ's, the middle seat barely even existing. If he had moved anymore, he would also be partially on JJ's lap. Sarah was almost pressed against the door, but John B tried to give her as much room as he could, not wanting to touch her wounds.

Marina didn't notice the blood at first, but once she did, she realized why John B was invading her own personal space more than usual for Sarah. But before she could ask, Ryder peers at the group.

“Where the hell am I driving to?” He asks with a scoff, right now just driving wherever could take him the farthest from that house.

“We have a boat, down by the pier.” John B tells him. As the car takes a sharp turn, Marina tries her best to hold onto the drivers seat in order to give her some sort of space. As she does this, she could see Sarah more clearly, noticing the blood stained a huge part of her Jean shorts.

“Sarah.” Marina says, her eyes on the blonde. Sarah seemed to know what she was asking about.

“Its okay, its old blood.” She assures her. Marina narrows her gaze. JJ leans forward to take a look as well, his chest pressing against Marina momentarily. Marina closes her eyes. Right now, she honestly wouldnt mind being in the trunk.

“Im not sure that strikes confidence.” JJ denies with a chuckle, sitting back against the seat. He seemed to notice Marina's body language, the way she was trying to curl her body away from them.

He curses himself for practically forcing her onto his lap. He should've made Sarah sit on John B's. JJ instantly removes his hands from Marina, shoving himself a bit against John B in order to allow at least one of her legs to be free of any touch. John B looked confused, giving JJ a look but the boy just gestures toward Marina who looked visibly uncomfortable.

John B got the message, trying his best to move closer to Sarah. JJ moved with him, barely creating any space. He sighs, rolling his eyes as this clearly wasn't working. So, JJ simply lifted himself a bit, moving himself more onto John B and freeing up some of the seat. John B practically got elbowed in the face as the boy tried to situate himself.

JJ was almost against the roof as neither him or John B were exactly small. Sarah glances over at the situation, but once she noticed Marina, she frowned slightly. The girl had her arms wrapped around herself, her head against the window as her eyes were squeezed shut, a few shaky breaths leaving her lips.

Sarah tried to help, moving as close to the door as possible. JJ saw that and used the slight space to move his legs to her side, placing them hovering over her. At this point, Marina had almost the whole seat to herself, while JJ struggled to keep himself from slamming into the middle console.

Pope glances back at them, his eyes blinking at the scene. His mouth opens to say something but nothing comes out. Sarah was holding JJ's legs, while JJ had his arm wrapped behind John B's head. His other hand was clad on John B's lower thigh as John B gripped the man's shirt tightly from the back while his other hand was against JJ's stomach to prevent him from moving.

He had found JJ and John B in compromising positions before so for Pope, this wasn't the weirdest thing hes ever seen. And he knew it was for Marina who seemed she was barely holding up back there. Pope just shakes his head, looking back in front of him.

JJ didn't care in the slightest though, looking back at Marina, his gaze concerned as he sees her start to calm down a bit. He let's out a sigh of relief, watching her closely for the rest of the ride.

❧

THE GROUP MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN TO THE BOAT, John B rubbing at where JJ had elbowed him and the blonde stretching his now twisted back. Kiara had almost laughed at the sight she saw when the car had finally stopped. But she definitely laughed when John B and JJ almost fell out of the car as they tried to untangle the difficult position they got themselves into.

Ryder hovered back a bit from the group. “I'll meet you guys back there, okay?” He still had to drive his car back to the cut. Marina stops, looking back at her brother. They may not be on the same page about their father, but she didn't need him getting hurt, especially because of the shit they dragged him into.

“Just drive safe. He saw the license plate.” Marina points out. If this psycho even though of following her brother, she'd surely cut his eyes out.

“I will.” Ryder simply replied before turning and heading back up to the road. Marina turns back, realizing that John B had lingered behind with her.

“Thanks, for uh back in the car.” She says awkwardly, pointing behind her. John B just sends her a kind smile.

“I dont think JJ would've given me much say in the matter anyways.” He admits. Marina presses her lips together tightly. “Hey, you okay?” John B asks, seeing the way she had been grabbing at her shoulder with a pained look on her face.

“You're the one who's been through hell and back the past month.” Marina retorts, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I guess you're kind of right.” John B says, the two of them beginning to walk towards the boat.

“I got hit by a car.” She says bluntly. John B blinks, looking a bit shocked, his eyes frantically looking over her for a moment.

“No, way. I hit someone with a car down in the Bahamas.” He admits. Marina raises an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on her lips.

“Great driving, John B.” Marina teases and he rolls his eyes playfully. She rolls her shoulders a bit, flinching as the pain spreads.

John B tugged at the collar of her shirt, looking at the bruise that formed. “That doesn't look good.” He denies with a grimace. Marina glared at him making him clear his throat.

“Thanks.” She responds sarcastically. John B gets onto the boat, about to turn but JJ beat him to it, holding his hands out toward Marina.

“Hey, I got you.” She stares at his hands for a moment but still takes them.

“My legs work fine.” Marina tells him, allowing him to pull her onto the boat. Once she was settled, he let her go.

“You flew through the air, Mar, I swear you were up there for a solid three seconds.” JJ mumbles, shaking his head. Marina knew he was being just a bit overdramatic.

“Its just my shoulder, and maybe my hip.” She mutters, glancing down at the waistband of her jeans and seeing faint purple marks spreading.

JJ shakes his head, his hand moving gently to her lower back to bring her to the edge of the boat. “Sit down.” He tells her. Marina sighs, sitting down per his request. JJ makes sure to keep his distance, not knowing if she still needed a bit of space. John B mirrors a look of confusion with Sarah but neither say a word.

The group set off in the water, talking and catching up. JJ stayed close to Marina, which he hesitated at first but she had nudged her foot against his and nodded. She knew he wanted to make sure she was okay and part of the way he seemed to do that was by being close to her. So, she let his arm be loosely draped behind her but only his fingers trailed along the skin of her arm every few seconds. Marina would let her own hand come to his knee, tapping her finger against it to signal him that she was still okay.

It was only when they got closer to the marsh that JJ groaned, his hand moving to his stomach. “Anybody else starving? We need to grab some sort of breakfast.” He says, feeling his stomach grumble.

“We're gonna go find some food.” Sarah says as they steer the boat towards an abandoned dock.

Once stationary, Pope helps Sarah and Kiara off the boat. As Marina stands up to go with them, she's blocked by JJ. “No, no, you're staying here.” He tells her, trying to usher her back over to the seat.

“I can walk just fine, Jayj.” Marina responds, tilting her head. JJ went to say something but Sarah beat him to it.

“Yeah, us injured girls will stick together.” She says with a firm nod. JJ glances at her but was still hesitant. He ended up sighing, looking back down at Marina.

“If the pain gets worse or you feel light headed– did you hit your head? Because you could have a concussion–” He rambles, his eyes analyzing for a head wound, his hand lifting but she grabs it, bringing it back down to his side.

John B blinks a few times, watching the closeness of the two. There was barely a few inches between them and well, that was surprising to him. “I will come right back.” Marina assures him, allowing a small amount of fear to subside within JJ. “Seriously, i think im just gonna have a giant ass bruise.” She groans, wincing a bit.

But JJ of course only smirks, his eyes scanning down her. “Badass.” He tells her. Marina rolls her eyes playfully, seeing the slightly suggestive look that he gave her. She just shakes her head, moving past the man and allowing Pope to help her off of the boat.

When the girls were far enough away, John B turned his head to JJ, his jaw slacked. “Am I hallucinating?” He asks, holding his finger up.

“Trust me, I couldn't believe it either.” Pope adds with a laugh, climbing back in the boat. JJ crosses his arms against his chest.

“Okay, John B, you're supposed to have my back.”

John B chuckles, holding his hands up in defence. “Its just… your stupid plan worked?” He questions, raising an eyebrow. John B thought maybe it'd get JJ in the friend zone but not in an actual relationship with her.

“I have you to thank for that, actually.” JJ admits, pointing at him as he sits back down.

“Why me?” He retorts, a bit confused.

“She came by the chateau to check up on me after you know, you stupidly flipped my boat–”

“There was a storm, JJ.” John B cuts him off bluntly.

“Im just saying, I wouldn't have gone that easy.” JJ stares, a cocky smirk forming. One that John B rolls his eyes to.

“Just continue.” Pope says, also a bit annoyed.

“Anyways, I was wallowing in self pity in your room– maybe the beers gave me confidence, I dont know. I kissed her.” JJ says, fiddling his fingers as he thought back to that night. “I was scared shitless, you know Mari, how closed off she is and I thought i had just majorly fucked up. But she kissed me back and uh… well, let's just say I wasn't alone that night.” He finishes, biting his bottom lip.

John B laughs, knowing exactly what the boy was insinuating.

“Wait, you've been together that long?” Pope asks, furrowing his eyebrows. There was no way they had been together for a month and they hadn't noticed. JJ would've been boasting in happiness.

“Nah, we hooked up and she was gone when I woke up and so I thought that was all she wanted, we hooked up a few more times before Kie said something about it, Marina said we weren't together and I was pissed– turns out she just needs confirmation, because she only said no because I hadn't actually asked her out.”

John B nods his head, leaning back on his hands. Pope just narrows his gaze at the man. “So, she slept with you after seeing your personality for months and decided… more?” Pope wonders, mainly in a joking manner. John b snorts, covering his mouth.

“Shut the hell up, man.” JJ mumbles, throwing his hate toward Pope. Pope just smirks, laughing to himself.

John B clasps his hand on JJ's shoulders. “I'm happy for you, JJ.” He states, smiling as he sees the way JJ's eyes brightened when talking about her.

“You know, we're still getting used to it and all. I feel like we have two different love languages? But, we're figuring it out.” JJ admits. He would've thought he'd be exactly like Marina, not liking physical touch, especially with how he grew up, but he felt safe around her. Even just touching her hand, or being able to have any sort of contact, even his foot rested against her leg, it made him relax.

He could tell Marina was at least trying to keep their touch for a few seconds. But she often moved or nudged at him after a few seconds. JJ would never display big acts of affections in front of their friends because she told him that it made her uncomfortable, but he needed just even the smallest contact every once in a while.

“Oh, yeah. Mari does not do the whole touching thing.” Pope denies. There were rare moments and, she was getting a bit more comfortable around them, but she was still reserved.

“I'm sure she'll warm up to it. I mean, she doesn't mind you being close to her, right? I think she just cant handle long periods of it.” John B tells him and JJ nods his head. “Well, unless its a different sort of intimacy.” He teases with a smirk playing on his lips.

“Oh, she definitely has no problem with that. She's actually kind of authoritative, taking control and shit. It's really hot.” JJ says with a chuckle. Pope shakes his head, not really wanting to hear about is two friends sex lives.

John B was pondering something though.  “Wait, you said she came to visit you at the chateau and you were in my room?” He asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

JJ goes silent momentarily. He had barely noticed that they had still been in John B's room until the next morning he had woken up and realized it hadn't been the guest room, being surrounded by all of John B's things.

“Uh…”

John B groans, tilting his head back. “Dude, on my bed?” He complains, gagging as he shoves JJ's shoulder lightly.

JJ clears his throat, feeling judged by both of them right now. “We just got caught in the moment.” He explains himself. John B was not about to listen to any excuses though.

“You fucked in my sheets, really? Did you even wash them?” John B asks but honestly, he's known JJ long enough to already have the answer and it made him repulsed.

“I think– No, i definitely did.” JJ thinks to himself. John B scoffs, glaring at the boy.

“You didn't.”

“No, i swear–”

“JJ, i do not believe a word coming out of your mouth.” John B denies. The fact that he couldn't remember was already a sign that those sheets were definitely not washed.

JJ seemed sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck. “I'll wash them when we get back.”

“Dude, this happened what, weeks ago? You're buying me new ones.” John B says with a scoff. Washing them now would be useless. “It better have been worth it.” He mumbles, and just as JJ smirks, ready to respond, Pope cuts him off.

“Okay, I dont need to know that.” He denies, wrinkling his nose up in disgust. JJ simply shrugs, his eyes peering over to try and find where Marina and the girls had gone to.

Meanwhile, Marina was kicking the shrubbery around her, a sigh leaving her lips. She winces, her hand moving to her shoulder. Sarah was a few feet from her, picking at the grass. She glanced at Marina for a moment before bringing the grass to her mouth.

“Jackpot!” This makes Sarah halt her movements, turning red when she looked up and saw Marina giving her a curious expression.

Kiara just holds up a watermelon, catching their attention.

They were able to Crack it open, sitting down on one of the fallen logs. Marina brushes off her hands before reaching for a piece.

“Holy shit.” Sarah groans as she ate it. She hadnt eaten in what seemed like days.

Kiara was eating, looking around the forest. She kept breaking off pieces to hand to Marina so the girl didn't have to extend her arm too far. “Okay, so you really got married?” She asks, raising her eyebrows toward the blonde.

“It wasn't exactly legal, but… Yeah.” Sarah says with a bright smile forming on her face. Marina could see the clear love in her eyes, and she knew John B would be happy with her. “Am I crazy, or is there definitely something going on between you and Pope?” She teases, putting watermelon into her mouth as she gives a knowing look to Kiara.

Kiara shrugs her shoulders. “Maybe.” She says with a light smile. Though, she couldn't help but feel a bit down since she found out JJ and Marina were together.

“Thats not a no.” Sarah retorts. Her eyes then move to Marina. “And I know JJ was always weirdly overprotective of you Mari, but that was way different.” She points out, clearly bringing up what happened on the boat.

Marina knew Sarah and John B were probably confused as hell, since before Marina barely glanced at JJ, let alone allowed him to grab her hands.

“They're dating.” Kiara says, before Marina could speak. The tone was a bit sharp, though Sarah hadnt noticed. Marina did though.

“Get out.” Sarah gasps, shaking her head, almost not believing it. “Shit, you and JJ?”

“Yeah.” Marina says, nodding as she glances over to where the boat was, seeing JJ throw his head back with laughter while John B was clearly explaining something to him.

“Who made the first move?” Sarah asks with a smirk playing on her lips. She hadn't even realized they were that close but she vaguely remembered John B mentioning that JJ had a fat crush on her.

“Him, I guess. But we were both thinking the same thing.” Marina says. Technically he leaned in to kiss her. Sarah nods her head slowly.

“Is he…. You know.” She wiggles her eyebrows. Marina scrunches her nose up.

“I am not answering that.” She responds bluntly. Sarah holds her hands up in defence and sees Kiara being a bit quiet, only staring down at her hands.

“Okay, okay.” Sarah says, putting another piece of watermelon into her mouth. “Does he at least make you happy?” She asks and Marina nods her head. Sarah chews her bottom lip, inching closer. “I know we're not exactly friends. But thank you for everything you did to help John B.” Sarah tells her, her gaze gentle.

Marina moved her eyes to Sarah before shrugging. “It's okay, Sarah. I believe you.” She didn't have to explain, there was only one reason why she hadn't been the biggest fan of Sarah.

“You do?” She seems slightly surprised as they hadn't really talked much before she and John B disappeared.

“It seems more of a Topper thing to call the cops anyways.” Marina responds. Sarah laughs, nodding her head. Kiara cracked a small smile but Sarah flickered her eyes to the girl, seeing the longing look on her face.

Her eyebrows furrowed, following her gaze to Marina before looking back. Something clicks as her realization floods through her. But Sarah doesn't say anything, knowing if she was right, it was Kiara's decision to say it out loud.

❧

Authors note; jj being on board with mari robbing the police is so on brand for him tho.

Comment = appreciation, i always love seeing people's thoughts while reading and it keeps me motivated