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Three months… Three months JJ thinks while sitting in the empty chateau three months JohnB Routledge and Sarah Cameron have been missing and they were presumed dead the first night. The night of the storm it gave JJ nightmares. “So what there dead?” Kie’s voice echoed in his mind. God that damn voice he couldn’t shake it. “There dead?” “FUCK.” JJ cursed out loud taking a long drag off the joint in between his finger tips. His bestfriend dead.. Just as then he heard a sound in the upstairs bathroom and froze… No one was supposed to be there but him. JJ couldn’t find the baseball bat in its normal spot fucking Pope never puts shit back where it goes he thought. Fuck it he decided to walk up the stairs unarmed who ever it was i guess he would have to just fist fight. As he crept up the stairs he heard noise where there hasn’t been in weeks.. Kie’s room. JJ crept down the hall slowly “If someone’s in there you better fucking come out.” No response.. then he heard it the shower. “Who the fuck-“ “JJ is that you?” he froze “Kiara?” “Can you get me a towel J?” he swallowed hard. “Sure Kie. Where are they?” “Top cabinet in closet in the hall.” Suddenly his body felt frozen. “J TOWEL!” she yelled again. JJ went for the towels Kie had to have washed them there was only one when he took a shower yesterday now there’s about 16 beach towels in the cabinet shoved in perfect squares in the small space in the closet. JJ grabbed a blue towel for her blue is her favorite color after all. JJ crept into her room and saw the bathroom door cracked steam pooling out. “Kie I’m just gonna leave it right here on the bed.” “No can you just reach in and hand it to me? Please.” he sighed of course he would how could he ever say no to Kie? “Sure.” he walked slowly over to the door careful not to glance in. “Thanks J!” she said happily pushing the door all they way open JJ couldn’t help but stare Kie was beautiful the kind of beautiful you can’t ignore. She was adding muse and oils to her hair before he finally pulled his eyes away. “Breakfast?” he asked quickly. “I bought eggs and my veggie bacon and bread and there’s some orange juice on the bottom shelf in the door.” “On it.” JJ went to turn and walk down the stairs but couldn’t help but turn and steal a glance at Kiara wrapped in a towel humming some tune Bob Marley JJ guessed. Before Kie dropped her towel JJ made his way down the hall quickly and down the stairs skipped two steps with every step he took. He quickly pulled out the ingredients in the fridge and grabbed two glasses from the cabinet and rinsed them out quickly to be safe and poured them each a glass of orange juice. Heated the scraped up pan on the stove and cracked the eggs into the pan. Shit the bacon he thought grabbing a large baking sheet from the dish rack and stuck the bacon on it and threw it in the oven. It was almost done when Kiara came slinking into the kitchen “Smells great J.” Her hair was still wet and she smelled of coconut he smiled widely in agreement. She picked up a glass of orange juice and drank greedily. JJ grabbed a bottle out of the freezer and poured freely into his glass of OJ. “Vodka J really it’s 10am.” “Didn’t i teach you anything Kie? If your gonna day drink you have to start in the morning.” Kiara shook her head but reached out and took the vodka and poured some in her glass too with a twinkle in her eyes. They ate in silence but passing the vodka and OJ every once in a while to each other fingers brushing everytime wide smiles on their faces. “So.” Kie started “I have a shift at The Wreak in about 30 minutes but when it’s over surf?” “You know I’m always down to surf Kie.” With that she smiled and cleaned up her plate and ran upstairs to grab her phone and her bag. “I’ll be back at about four okay? Seriously JJ be ready.” “I told you Kie.” he said mouth full of eggs. “I’m always ready to surf.” With that she left slamming the door behind her she took the Twinkie with her JJ noticed the keys missing and a few minutes later heard the engine start and music blaring then it became more distant and was gone. Suddenly the light feeling JJ was just feeling drifted away. He began to clean up the Chateau carefully maneuvering around things that belonged to John B and Sarah. Although the place had been a safe haven for her and JJ and even Pope every once in a while this was still John B’s and Sarah’s house. Pictures of the Pouges were spread across the walls hung with thumb tacks and nails. JJ sighed running his finger tips across one of Sarah and JohnB it was a selfie from the first day they spent together trying on clothes and sneaking around behind everyone’s backs in Chapel Hill. The next one was he and Sarah on surfboards smiling like they were having the time of their lives. Then him and John B in the hammock and Pope and him in the hot tub. Their memories were everywhere sewn into the very fabric of the house. Then one of Kie and him faces all lit up by a bonfire beers in hand. Kie smiling on her surfboard hair all wet soaked with sea water. In the room on the left of the stairs it read “John B and Sarah’s room” in bright red paint and underneath it read “KNOCK!” JJ decided to clean up the house picking up trash and beer bottles then changing to picking up dirty clothes spread across the floors of bedrooms. Starting in Kiara’s and ending at the doorway of John B and Sarah’s room. He froze at the door hand almost to the door knob no one has been in there since they disappeared. Just as he was about to turn the knob he heard it a car door. He sighed in relief when he seen Kie unloading what looked to be groceries and leftovers from the wreak out of the back of the Twinkie. “JJ!” she yelled out wrestling with bags and boxes. SHIT he thought he was supposed to be ready to go surfing he took off down the hall to his room quickly peeling off his clothes and grabbing swim trunks and pulled them on quickly opting to leave himself shirtless. Then he quickly threw on shoes and ran out of the door. “Hey Kie let me take that…” Hands brushing against each other as he took the bags out of her arms. “Oh what a gentleman.” she said rolling her eyes but smiling at how fast he came when she yelled that was always comforting to Kiara. No matter how far away they were from each other JJ always knew right when she needed him. “We’re you sleeping or something? Your usually right out of the door anytime someone shows up here.” “No i uh was cleaning the place up a little bit. Picking up trash and dirty clothes.” “Hmm.” she hummed back in response. Once they were inside she had to agree the place did look much better no longer having all of the pouges miscellaneous clothes scattered all over the place. “I was gonna make us something to eat before we left but it seems you did that for me.” he said motioning to the boxes from The Wreak. “I made your favorite.” Kie said beaming at her work. “Shit seriously?” JJ ripped the bag open quickly pulling out boxes and styrofoam bowls “Yep a giant sea food burrito and gumbo deluxe.” “Kiara Carrera you are my HERO.” he said taking a huge bite of the burrito. As she walked past him towards the stairs she twirled her fingers into his hair and said gently and seductively “Tell me something I don’t know Maybank.” “Where are you going?.” he asked mouth full of food. “To change duh i wasn’t kidding about surfing.” He smiled remembering back to the day he met Kiara they went surfing. “Hey guys!” JohnB yelled running down the beach surf board under one arm and a caramel skinned brunette following him in toe surf board also under one arm. “Hey guys.” he motioned to JJ and Pope “This is Kiara and she’s is the best female surfer i’ve seen on the island since Popes cousin Marissa moved to the mainland.” “Please call me Kie.” she insisted zipping her wet suit fully over her body. JJ couldn’t help but stare she was beautiful her skin glowing and hair all up in a bun on the top of her head a few rouge strands falling in her face as she suited up. “This is JJ and Pope.” JohnB said motioning to both boys “I’m JJ.” he said raising his hand lightly in a peace sign “And I’m Pope.” Pope said shooting a smile at Kiara. They surfed for hours till the sun went down till they were exhausted and hungry. “John B wasn’t kidding you can shred the waves.” JJ let out breathing heavily collapsing on the sand next to Kiara. “Might even give you a run for your money being the best surfer on the island someday?” she asked clearly teasing him and nudging him on the shoulder. JJ couldn’t help but laugh her laugh was contagious “Maybe someday.” The next few days were like this JohnB showing up Kiara in toe they all surfed till they dropped then one night things changed. “Are you hungry?” Kiara asked out loud to all three teenaged boys laying out on the sand around her. “Starving.” “I’m always hungry.” “YES.” “Thought so.” she said smiling brightly “Alright boys get up let’s gooo.” she said nudging each of the boys on their backs. “Where are we going?” Pope asked pulling himself up from the sand. “To get dinner.” Kie said like it was obvious. “But we don’t have any money new girl.” JJ said teasingly knowing she would roll her eyes at him in response. “You won’t need any come on…” They loaded their boards and themselves into the Twinkie and Kiara told them the directions to The Wreak. “Kiara this is a restaurant we don’t have money.” Pope groaned. “Just trust me boys.” JJ couldn’t help but chuckle how were they supposed to trust a girl they just met. “Hey babygirl!” a man greeted Kiara affectionately. “Hey daddy.” she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Do you think you have any left overs me and my friends can have.” she asked giving her father the puppy dog eyes. “Kie…” “Please we are so hungry….” “Fine i would have had to throw it out anyways…” “Sit!” Kiara said turning to the boys and going to grab paper cups from the back “Only water Kiara or i’ll have to charge them for soda.” “Yessir.” Kiara came out juggling cups of water and sat one down in front of each boy a smile on her face bright and brilliant in the candle light lighting up the restaurant. “It’ll just be a minute for the food.” she said throwing herself down in the chair in between JJ and JohnB laying her head on JJ shoulder causing him to freeze. He had to shake himself out of the memory remembering he also had to get ready to surf he ran to his room quickly looking for a joint to take with them they always smoked after hitting the waves. He finally found one and grabbed his board from the corner of his broken closet and ran back down the the stairs almost running smack into Kiara. “Hey J look who washed up.” JJ couldn’t hide his smile when he seem Pope also dressed for surfing. “Pope bud where you been?” he said throwing his arms around his slender friend. “Oh you know.” Code for working with his dad and actively avoiding the two of them and JohnB’s place. “Kie your mom came into Heyward’s yesterday.” “Hmm did she?” she hummed in response. “Yeah she asked if i knew how you were doing.” “Like she cares.” she snapped back at that response. “Your parents care Kie.” JJ said softly. “They just don’t understand us sometimes. I wish i had parents that cared like yours.” he didn’t mean to get so emotional but he had to look away face getting hot feeling the other two Pouges eyes on him. “J….” she started “You know i didn’t mean it like that.” “It’s okay.” he said pushing a blunt between his lips. “At least Heyward cares about me.” he said sending a smile to Pope. Kiara felt guilty how could she complain she had a mom and a dad that loved her gave her the finest clothes she could ask for always had dinner on the table and place to lay her head at night. JJ wasn’t so lucky Luke Maybank was actually the worse of the worst abusive manipulative unstable druggie who took anything worth anything from his son. JJ was the opposite of Luke always giving his friends cool shit he finds he once gave Kiara a real piece of Jade stone on a string as a necklace for her birthday. “J do you know how much this would even be worth?” she let out in surprise. “I don’t know a pretty penny i guess?” A pretty penny indeed she thought.“I’ll never take it off.” she said throwing her arms around the blonde and hugging him tightly making him laugh and say. “Okay okay Kie i can’t breathe.” making all the other boys laugh. “I can’t ever beat that.” John B said laughing “But i got you this.” it was a fake crystal dolphin and Pope got her a flannel. “Thank you guys so much!” she beamed “This is the best birthday ever.” They ate cake and drank beer on the HMS Pouge till the sun went down and Kiara was exhausted. On JJ’s birthday he shows up at the Chateau lip busted and a black eye. “Happy birthday to me.” he sighed flopping down on the sofa next to Kiara and JohnB. “It’s your birthday?” she asked surprised “Why didn’t you tell me?” she poked him arm. “Let’s go! Everyone up!” she yelled pushing them all to pile into the Twinkie and driving them to the Wreak. “Daddy!” “Kiara?” “Hey can we make JJ’s birthday dinner here?” she asked making her best pouty face. “Only if you all wash booths when your done.” he said pointing to the boys. “Deal.” JJ said quickly. It didn’t take long for Luke to stumble around long enough to find them celebrating JJ’s birthday in the wreak music blasting JJ and Kiara dancing Kiara twirling around and around holding onto JJ’s hand. “So this is where you’ve been hiding out BOY.” JJ froze “Dad?” JJ said pushing Kiara behind him and behind the counter. “Cute.” he said observing how he protected Kie. “You need to leave.” John B said protectively. “We are celebrating J’s birthday Luke you don’t need to ruin it you can just leave.” That made him angry. “YOU don’t tell me when i can and can’t see my son BOY.” he said pointing his finger at JohnB. “I’m not finished with YOU boy.” he said turning back to JJ behind the counter. Hearing the commotion Kiara’s father came out of the kitchen. “Is there a problem here?” he observed JJ standing protectively in front of Kiara but shaking. How did he not see it before the boys busted up face… “Luke Maybank.” “Mike Carrera.” “You need to leave now.” “Not without my boy.” he said angrily pointing to JJ. “No i don’t think so.” Kiara said quickly. “I wasn’t asking you GIRL.” “Get out.” Mike snapped. “No.” “GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY RESTAURANT.” Mike yelled at the end of his rope. Kiara began to tremble behind JJ. Luke took one last look at JJ and said coldly “This isn’t over.” as soon as the bell to the door jingled to alert them he had left JJ turned to Kiara cupping her face in his hand wiping her tears off of her face when they began to pool out of her eyes. “Shhh it’s okay Kie he’s gone.” Mike couldn’t help but watch in awe at how gentle JJ was with Kiara how his first instinct was to protect her although he was obviously scared of his father. “JJ.” Mike said calmly. “Yes sir?” “Can you start tomorrow?” “Start?” “First shift is at 7am i hope you can wait tables Kiara could use the extra help.” Mike couldn’t help but smile watching JJ swoop in to save Kiara from a particularly difficult customer. “Sir I’m sorry but Salmon is just not in season right now.” “YOUR A SEA FOOD RESTAURANT.” he replied angrily. Kiara looked around desperately for her father who had just stepped out and as she turned around JJ was there throwing a arm around her shoulder. “Sir Kiara and Mike Carrera are the best cooks on this island. If anyone can make you something exceptional it’s them. Although Salmon is not in season lobster is and they make THE BEST lobster dinner in the OBX.” “And you are?” the woman asked. “JJ ma’am and I’ll be your server for the rest of the night.” he said calmly taking the note pad from Kiara. “Kie it’s time for your break. Plus your dad will need help in the kitchen after this lovely couple orders the best lobster dinner in the outer banks.” he said smiling charmingly at the woman making her blush. JJ sold them on the lobster while lightly flirting with the older woman. “I can’t believe your married!” he said over exaggerating then gripping his heart like it was breaking out of his chest. “Way to break a young mans heart.” The older woman laugher patting him on the shoulder as she walked past. “Thank you for such a lovely evening young man.” she said smiling and slipping JJ a 50 dollars bill and whispering in his ear to keep the change. JJ finally let his mind slip back into reality. Watching Pope and Kiara move around the kitchen opening beers and chatting. Kiara began to fiddle with her necklace hanging around her neck and he smiled fondly. “Nervous?” he asked walking up and wrapping his arms around Kiara. “It’s almost been four months without John B and Sarah.” she answered tears jerking at the sides of her eyes. “Four months.” Pope said breaking their moment. “Shit.” Kiara settled further back into JJ’s arms letting his warmth and the smell of the ocean on his skin soothe her. He always smelled like ocean water and coconut and pineapples to Kiara it was the most soothing scent she had ever smelled she could fall into it. After a few hours of drinking and music playing softly threw the house Pope announced he was going home hugging JJ and Kiara and then leaving. “Hmm.” Kiara sighed hers and Sarah’s favorite song began to play softly threw the muffled speaker. “This-“ JJ started but was cut off by Kiara grabbing his hand and pulling him to her and then slowly rocking and spinning all threw the Chateau. “This was mine and Sarah’s favorite song.” she finally finished his sentence after what felt like ages. “Kie you know i miss Sarah too.” he said gently. “It’s different you for J. She was my bestfriend and i finally got her back just for-“ “I know Kie.” he said almost cooing and running his fingers threw her hair and hugging her. “J?” she said asked finally looking up at him. “Hm?” “Thank you.” “For what?” “Always being there when I need you and even when I don’t.” “You’ve always been there for me too Kie.” he said pushing her away from his body twirling her and pulling her back to his body fast making her giggle her eyes lighting up and softening. “J?” “Yes?” She opened her mouth like she was going to say something paused then cupped his face in her hand and pressed her lips against his gently. JJ kissed her back slowly and gently and he couldn’t help but think this is the same thrill he feels while he surfs fuck he think it might be better. Suddenly he pulls away feeling guilty like he’s taking advantage of Kiara’s fragile state “Kie I-“ he paused “Kie I don’t want to do this.” “Are- I’m so sorry J… are you not into it?” “Fuck.” he laughed out “Not into it?” “Yeah Jage like are you not into me I totally read the situation all wrong…” she said stepping away “I gotta go.” “No.” JJ said rushing to keep her in the room in the same space as him. “Kiara you. You didn’t read anything wrong I just didn’t want it to happen like that.” She put her hands on her hips suddenly rage filled her eyes… or was it tears? “Like while you were feeling vulnerable and sad Kie. Like I was I dunno a coping mechanism or some shit.” “J.” “Kiara I actually like you like like you and i don’t want to be just a coping mechanism or a distraction to fill the void of John B and Sarah.” He ran a hand threw his hair almost frantic he always did it when he was nervous. “JJ how could you-you really think i would just use you that way?” “Yes. No. I dunno Kie why else would you want to kiss me.” “Because your you J. How could I not.” She filled the space between then wrapping her arms gently around his neck. “How could I not?” JJ couldn’t help it he felt drunk. Drunk on Kiara’s coconut chapstick the coco butter and salt on her skin. “So much for surfing.”
JJ said calmly twirling Kiara in circles. “We could still go if you want.” she whispered “Hmm.” he hummed in response. “I dunno I think I like this better.” “Don’t worry Maybank your secrets safe with me.”