The Teenage Haze || OBX

Chapter 7: Better Days

I woke up feeling awful; my head was pounding and my body ached.

I dragged myself out of bed and forced myself to shower. As the warm water hit my skin, I kept thinking about how I have to go to the Château today.

I was dreading seeing JJ, he pissed me off last night but I said I would see the rest of them tomorrow–which is now today.

I finally got out of the shower after an hour of trying to get shells and sand out of my thick curly hair. I put on ripped jeans and a dark green tank top.

After I put on my shoes I left my shell of a home.

When I showed up, Kie, Pope, and JJ were sitting outside talking. I walk up to Kiara and sit down in the seat next to her.

"Beer me?" I asked, Kie said "Sure." and placed a cold beer in my hands and I cracked it open. JJ was leaning on the wooden panel of the deck.

"Where's John B?" I asked, everyone was quiet. I looked at Pope and he was avoiding my gaze. Kie cleared her throat.

Something was up, "Guys...Where is John B."

Kiara says "Why don't you ask JJ." I furrowed my brows and looked at JJ as he took a big gulp from his beer. I didn't want to ask JJ– I wanted nothing to do with JJ since he made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me.

It was silent for a second then Pope spoke up, he sighed and sat up in his seat then told me, "Sheriff stopped by this morning when we weren't here and threatened foster care for John B."

"What? Why did the Sheriff just show up now? I mean we–" I stopped when it hit me and I looked at JJ, he looked at me and then turned away with disappointment.

I scoffed, "The Sheriff heard about the gun." Kiara says "Yeah" with no effort in her voice.

"Okay, so again, where is John B?" Pope looked at JJ with angry eyes, "Sheriff Peterkin said that as long as John B stays out the marsh–"

I cut him off, "Wait, you mean where we found the boat?" he nodded, "Yes. That if he stays out the marsh then she will basically help him stay out of foster care."

"Wait that's good! That's good news right?" I say with some uncertainty in my voice.

Kiara blurted, "I think it was good news. But JJ here had to convince John B to steal scuba gear from his fucking boss just so he can go back into the marsh." she rolled her eyes.

"Wait what?" I looked at JJ, "That is so stupid! He would've been fine JJ." my voice raises, "And if he gets caught what? Definitely foster care. Juvie even?"

JJ turns around and clenches his jaw. "Of course you wouldn't get it. You have a mom, you have money. John B doesn't. He needs this! He could find even more money we found in that motel room."

He stopped and sipped his beer then placed it next to him and pointed at me, "You know what? Maybe you are a Kook."

My bottom lip curls and my eyebrows point down. "Why would you say that?" I asked him in a soft voice.

"JJ don't–" Kiara says, Pope stands up and walks towards JJ, "Man just–"

JJ continued, "I mean you certainly get along well with Kooks, like Rafe." I let out a loud laugh, "So that's what this is about? It's about Rafe? Are you fucking serious?"

I could feel how uncomfortable Kiara and Pope are getting.

"All right, I know better than to stay where I'm not wanted, I'll just go." I grabbed my beer and left, Pope and Kiara were trying to get me to stay but It was no use.