Thalassophile // JJ Maybank

Chapter 5

A couple days later was just a calm and normal day in the Taylor-Young household. A day of sitting around the house until someone informs me we have some last minute plans. Which is exactly what happened today around lunch.

Roni steps out the sliding glass door, holding her phone in the air. I sat in the back yard, throwing a ball around for Flynn.

"Dad says we have a dinner with the Cameron's tonight!" Roni informs me.

I get up from my seat in the grass, making my way over to her. "Who are the Cameron's?"

"The neighbors, Ward Cameron and Rose are our Realtors. They have a son and a daughter roughly around your age and a younger daughter."

"More family friends I presume?"

"I'm sorry, honey."

"I only brought so many clothes."

"That's why we're going to go shopping." Roni announces excitedly.

My eyes widen as she smiles at me. "I can't ask you to do that."

"Oh, honey. I'm offering. I want to get to know my stepdaughter. You're part of my life now."

I nod at her, unsure what to say. I stand from my position on the ground. "Flynn! Come on boy!" I call out to the dog. He trots over, following the two of us into the house. "I'm going to change really quick." I tell Roni. I was still wearing a pair of loose shorts and an old t-shirt.

I quickly run upstairs and into my bedroom. I pull on a crop top and a pair of loose jean shorts. I grab some plain white sneakers and head down stairs.

Roni stands near the front door with her pea-coat on and her car keys in hand. A smile spreads across her lips as I walk up to her.

"Ready?" She asks me.

"Yeah. Where are we going?" I question.

"The mainland."

"Oh, okay." I state, shock evident in my voice.

I follow her out the door and to the car. I climb in the passenger seat next to her.

"So how often do we have dinner with the Cameron's?"

"Every couple of weeks." Roni informs me. I visibly cringe. "I know, I don't love the Cameron's either. Mrs. Cameron is so stuck up and stuffy. And Ward is kind of creepy."

"Great." I giggle.

I look out the window, letting my eyes wander as we pull onto the Ferry. The first day I came here I had been to focused on being angry to really see what North Carolina looked like. The bright sun sparkles off of the water, making everything glow.

Roni glances over at me before cracking my window. A smile spreads on my face as the sounds of seagulls and moving water fill my ears. The cool breeze flows into the car, causing little goosebumps to cover my skin.

The sound of my phone's notifications pull me from my thoughts. I pull my phone from my pocket, looking at the screen. JJ's contact along with a test display across the screen.

"What you up to?"

I shoot him a text back letting him know I was going shopping with my stepmom and I wouldn't be home til later.

Another message pops up.

"Hang later?"

I explain our dinner situation for the evening.

"Who is texting you?" Veronica asks.

"Oh, JJ. He wanted to get together later but I told him we're busy."

"He can join us if you like." Roni says with a shrug.

"Oh it's okay. I don't think dad would be a fan either."

"Oh, good 'ol Tommy will just have suck it up. I'll handle him."

"Are you sure?" I question.

"Of course. I'm happy you're making new friends."

"Okay, I guess I'll let him know."

Roni pulls into a parking spot outside of a little boutique. "This okay?" She asks.

"Yeah, this is great." I nod.

"This is another dinner where we have to dress up a little." Roni explains as I follow her inside.

"The Cameron's own that big realty firm, don't they?" I ask.

"How'd you know that?" Roni questions.

"I don't know, I think I may have heard dad talking about it or something."

Roni begins to browse through a rack of dresses. I look around the store, feeling slightly overwhelmed. I was definitely underdressed to be in a place like this. Others in the store were wearing little dresses and heels, making me look more than ordinary in my shorts and cropped tank top.

I wander around, looking at different dresses and skirts. Eventually my eyes land on one that I like. I grab it from the rack and bring it over to Roni.

"I love it!" She tells me.