the current between us. (j.m)

.3

River didn't officially work at Stevie's, but when he ran out to do something, she always volunteered to watch the store. She was on the last chapter of the book she started during the storm when her phone buzzed next to her. She set down the book, picking up her phone. River couldn't help but let out a small laugh looking down at the friend request from Kie. She accepted but set down her phone when someone walked into the store.
"Did she answer?" Pope asked the girl sitting on the beat-up lawn chair.
"Nope, but it's been like two minutes chill." She giggled. "Beer for her, and beer for him," JJ said handing the bottles to his friends. "When's JB getting off?" He laid in the hammock bringing the cold bottle to his lips.
"Sometime before the boneyard, We invited River," Kiara answered. This piqued the boy's interest, he sat up.
"Bookworm? party? hm." He smirked.
"No!" Kiara and pope yelled at the same time making the blonde put his hands up in defense, before laying back down.
"She said yes," Kie spoke getting up from her chair. "I got a shift before the party, see y'all tonight." She smacked JJ's hat off his head before walking to her car.
"Why'd you even bring it out, I don't want it dumbass." pope tossed JJ the beer, him immediately opening it with the ring on his finger.
"Thought you stopped being a little bitch I apologize."

"Mom? you home?" River called out the empty home before realizing the note on the table. Her mom was out for the day. She was used to it, but never minded. Her mom did everything she could to give River a good life and she did. The girl texted her mom a quick, 'i love you, be safe.' text before opening a textbook on the foot of her bed.
The school year didn't start for another two weeks, but she needed credits to graduate early, therefor most days you could find the brunette asleep on top of a textbook. After an hour or two, she slipped on a fresh shirt, and sweater, heading to the boneyard. She knew where it was, everyone did. River just didn't do parties, not because she didn't like to have fun, not because she was shy, but simply because she usually had more important things to do. Things for her future or her mom.
"River!!" John b yelled running toward the girl. He pulled her into a tight hug before pulling her over to the rest of the pogues. She was laughing along with JJ and Pope when a voice boomed behind her. "River Cassidy huh? you guys know how to pick em'." Rafe laughed followed by his clan of kooks.

All three pogues boys stood up in front of River, knowing Rafe never had good intentions. However, the girl stood up, pushing them out of the way.
"It's okay, I'm okay." She spoke.
"You're friends with him?" JJ asked followed by a scoff. Rafe immediately laughed.
"Friend? Hell no, I dated that whore last summer." John b stepped forward at the name he called you, making Rafe put his hands up in defense.
"Woah defending all the girls now? think you should focus on fucking my sister."
That did it, John b's fist collided with Rafe's jaw, starting yet again another fight between pogues and kooks. River began jogging away from the group, not liking the conflict, she ended up on a dock about half a mile away from the party, looking out on the water. She could hear the commotion fade in the distance when someone spoke.
"Hey." She turned to see all four pogues standing behind her.
"look- I'm sorry. He wasn't like that when we- He was different. Then I broke up with him, next thing I know my tits are all over social media."

The blonde sat next to her, letting his eyes travel over her face and down her body. He had seen the pictures last summer, everyone had. He didn't know they were river's though, he also didn't know why anger was flowing through him faster than before. John b laid his hand on her shoulder, before speaking.
"Welcome to the pogues Riv." He patted her head before walking back to the van. In the distance you could hear Kiara yelling happily that River was finally in, followed by a light hug by Pope before the three all made it back to the van.
"If it makes you feel better, nobody knew who they were of.." He spoke quietly, before following the rest of the teens. It was weird, She had never seen him that calm, quiet.

The next few weeks River spent most days with the pogues, and even if she won't admit it, she loved it. Today they were all helping Pope with deliveries because it was one of his dad's busiest days of the year. Hayward wiped the sweat from his forehead, sighing.
"Okay, JJ, River, you're on west street, jb, pope you're on figure eight."

"So bookworm, ready to spend the day with me?" JJ poked her side, making her jump.
"Stop it you bum!" The two's first stop was a local restaurant in the cut.
"Maybank, you're late." The owner scolded, before telling them where to put the bags.
After about 6 more deliveries, both teens were exhausted.
"Wanna go back to your place?" JJ asked. River tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before responding.
"Um- if you want yeah sure." The girl had never had someone come to her house before, not because she didn't want to but because she was kinda embarrassed. She slid her key into the lock, taking a deep breath.
"Just- don't bully me okay?"
"Me? bully you? never." He laughed, following her into the home. Once in River's room, she turned around to shut the door but was faced chest to chest with the blonde. She looked up to meet his eyes, which weren't far from hers, and once again the smell of the ocean filled her nose. The boy would never admit it but the urge to kiss her was taking over his mind. The thought of her screaming his name, begging for him, him being the only one who gets to you-
"s-sorry pretty boy." She giggled, moving away.