we were trouble |JJ Maybank |

four

I woke up in an empty bed. I heard light arguments coming from the kitchen. I checked the time and It was already 12pm.

I walked into the kitchen to see officer Peterkin talking with JJ and John B.
   "Is everything alright?" I asked as I slowly walked closer.
  "Maddie. Im here to take you home." She said while making direct eye contact.

It felt like I got kicked in the throat. I couldnt breathe.
   "What. What do you mean? No I cant go back there." I argued.
  "Yeah, no, she cant go home, Peterkin." JJ defended me.

"Your father submitted a missing child. I need to take you home to your guardian." She said sternly.
   "Some guardian! Are you kidding me Peterkin?!" JJ argued, his voice getting louder.
  "Maybank, Stay out of this." She warned. She walked over to me and grabbed my wrist to take me away.
  "No! Stop grabbing her. Susan come on!" JJ argued while walking towards us in protest.

"JJ, its okay." I said while fighting back tears.

"Sorry, its my job." Officer Peterkin said quietly as she closed the driver door. The drive went by way too quickly.

She walked me to the door.
  "Here she is." Peterkin said as my father opened the door.
   "Thank you, Officer." He nodded as he pulled me in the door. I watched as Peterkin drove away and he closed the door.

"Your life with those boys are over! You are never seeing them again!" He began to yell.
   "Whatever." I began to walk to my room.

"I tell you what! I never expected to raise a whore who runs off and sleeps with all her friends!" He yelled as he opened the fridge and grabbed yet another beer.

"Im not sleeping with any of them!"
   "Sure. Pretty girl like you, They're all over you." He said quietly as he walked closer to me. "Those three boys, they only hang out with you." He paused taking a drink. "Just to get in your pants." He whispered as he grabbed my wrist.

"You're wrong."
  "You watch that damn attitude when you talk to me bitch!" He yelled as I slammed my bedroom door shut. I sat on my bed staring out the window.

I just had to wait til he passed out and Id leave again. I debated on jumping out my window, but I wouldn't get far with a broken leg.

After waiting about an hour, I slowly and quietly opened my door. My dad was passed out on the couch. Didn't take long.

I opened the front door as quietly as I could and I ran as fast as I could.

I opened the door of John B's house to see the group of four sitting around the kitchen. JJ's face in his hands. John B talking to him reassuringly. Pope and Kie listening intently.

"Hey guys!" I announced my arrival as I walked over. JJ looked up quickly.
 
"They cant keep you away can they?" He asked with a smile.
  "Keep me away from you? Never." I smiled as I took a seat next to him.
   "From me?" He asked.
"From all of you." I rubbed the back of my neck. "So?  What'd I miss?"

"I poached some scuba gear from the Camerons. We are gonna go down and look in the boat." John B explained while adjusting his hat.
  "Alrighty boys, Lets go get Kie and Pope." I say as I and John B his boat keys.

"Hey guys!" Kie greeted as she climbed in the boat. She took a seat next to me in the back. As we pulled up to Pope's dock, we watched as he said goodbye to his father.

"Hey Pope! Ready for more treasure hunting?" I ask as he hops in.
   "Always ready." He takes a seat next to Kie.

As we approach the area of the sunken boat. JJ takes over the steering wheel as John B gets the scuba gear ready.
   "Um. John B , there is like a quarter of air in this one tank." Kie says as she holds up the tank.
   "Itll be enough for me." He says shortly.
"Do you even know how to scuba?" I ask , becoming nervous.
   "No. its kinda a Kook sport." He answers.
"Ive read about it." Pope announces.
   "Wonderful! Pope read about it, we are saved!" JJ announces sarcastically. I try to hold in a laugh.
  "There is a halfway point, you need to stop there or you'll get the bends." He explains to John B.
   "Bends? Like bend over..?" JJ laughs as he demonstrates bending over.
  
"The bends kill you." Pope said seriously.
    "oh." JJ's smile disappeared.