Anchor- A JJ Maybank Fanfic

17. The Hot and Cold

WARNING: MINOR SEXUAL CONTENT

The Hot and Cold:
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All afternoon we dangled our feet at the edge of the water, talking, laughing, and joking around with one another. It hasn't been so awkward with Sarah the more we tried to jump into each other's conversations; like making comments or agreeing with each other about certain topics that were discussed. But the weirdness still lingered in the air no matter how hard we tried to hide it.

I learned a few things about the boys. Turns out, Pope earned a scholarship that'll look fantastic on the college applications; making him have a brighter future than he'll ever imagine. He also works at Heyward's Seafood with his dad. Bet you can guess where Santana's next job will be. She'll do anything to be closer to her "Homework Boy".

This reminded me that now since I had no one to look out for me now, I too have to find a job. Enough to help Mr. And Mrs. Vendera, Santana's parents, with rent and bills since they kindly allowed me to stay as long as I liked. My heart grew heavy once I started thinking about my parents. How my mother blamed me more for ruining my reputation more than Topper has. And how they let go of me so easily and never even cared to look for me.

Shaking those thoughts out of my mind I made a mental note to ask Kie if I could work with her at The Wreck. I'm sure she'll be ok with that...right?

John B works with his dad by helping Sarah's dad with landscapes and boat repair. I'm guessing that's how they met and how they became closer since I've also learned that their dads are also friends.

I realized JJ didn't talk about his job or his parents. He was mostly in the corner, being a little more quiet than usual, at least quieter since I've known him. He kept staring at the ground or the water, appearing like he's lost in his thoughts. Anytime someone mentions their dad or parent, he would look anywhere but us. I wondered why JJ would always react like that, but I've never bothered to ask.

Or it must've been something Santana said to him when I stepped outside and saw her hugging him. She had this pity look on her face and so did Kie. I saw her whisper something into his ear, making JJ jerk back and glaring straight at Kie in disbelief. The two haven't looked or talked to each other all day, and that was worrying me. We haven't talked either, even though I tried to force eye contact, he never met my gaze.

But before any of us knew it, twinkling stars flickered over our heads as the moonlight gleamed over the quiet stream. John B asked Big John if he could stay at the Camerons so that he'll be Sarah's companion for that family trip. Big John hesitated and stared at John B with wide eyes.

"It'll only be a couple of weeks, " ensured Sarah, "I'm sure my dad would be fine with it, and John B doesn't need to bring anything, plus he can help my dad with fishing since no one in my family is really into that so...can you please let him go?" She flashes Big John a smile so wide it showed all of her perfect white teeth.

Big John was quiet, silently thinking about her request. Sarah bit the side of her lip nervously while looking at John B. He signaled her to wait by raising his hand at her.

Big John looked at John B, letting out a sigh, "So you're just gonna leave your old man to rot for a few weeks?" He shook his head in disbelief, "Wow, and I guess I'm that easy to be replaced with Ward right?" John B was about to protest before he heard his father chuckle and gestured to him to hold it, "I'm only kidding Bird, of course, you can go but be sure to come back with 'em Choppers back home, and tell Ward I said hello."

John B's lips break into a relieved smile, "Thanks, Dad."

The old man smiled back at him, rubbing his son's messy hair, "I'll help you pack, cmon." And they were off, along with Sarah, back into their residents while leaving the five of us back on the edge of the dock. JJ and Pope were leaning back on one of the rails while Santana, Kie, and I were dangling our feet above the calm stream.