False Signals | OBX

Chapter Twelve: PB & J

Kal

I showed up to JJ's work the same time I was there the other day. I've officially gone mad.

I hope I wasn't being too obvious—I sat at a one seated table outside with a cap on. It used to be black but was now gray from being so worn in through every move we've had. I had a flannel over my bikini top and shorts on since I still had a beach day planned to get rid of my phobia. That's beside the point.

Kyle came home late. And my mind went to one thing: Something happened with JJ. JJ was still angry that I assumed Kyle would do something the other day, but I had a strange gut feeling telling me to check up on him.

I hid my face behind the menu and scooted down a bit in my chair so that there'd be a better chance of him approaching my table. My plan was stupid but it worked. Who knows if he already recognized me (that makes it embarrassing on my end so I'd like to think he didn't).

"Can I get you started with something to drink?" I heard his voice while water filled my cup.

I slowly moved the menu away from my face to see him. I was right. He had a black eye forming and a red spot on his cheekbone. His lip was cut. Everything looked painful.

"You." he said, "What a nice surprise." he added sarcastically.

I forced myself to speak instead of staring noticeably at his injuries. "Are you okay?" I suddenly asked.

Great, that's the exact opposite of how I wanted to start this conversation.

He looked at me and then looked around, sighing. "So just water then?"

"I just wanna quickly talk about—"

"And I just wanna do my job." he said quietly.

"Well that's why I'm sitting at a table."

"Cause you want me to wait on you?" he scoffed, "Do you think this is funny?"

A couple heads shot our way, only then did he realize he was no longer whispering. How do I save this so that he doesn't hate me even more?

"Yes, lemonade would be fine, thank you for your suggestion." I said as I sat up straight in my chair.

He noticed what I was doing and nodded before walking away. A girl was still staring at me so I gave her a look and pulled out my phone. Sarah replied to my text from earlier.

Sarah: Kyle showed up with Rafe and started following JJ and Kiara. They jumped him. They're literally insane.

I put my phone away and sipped on my water as I waited for JJ to come back. Soon enough, he came back outside with a tray full of plates and my lemonade. He set the food down onto the table next to mine and then came to my table.

"Thank you." I said as he set it down.

"Anything else I can get for you?" he asked.

"A proper story of what happened to your face?" I asked casually.

He rolled his eyes and probably held in a worse response. "Don't see that anywhere on the menu. I'm sure you know what happened, don't you Kook?"

"Hey, I had nothing to do with this—I warned you he'd—"

"Stop saying you warned me as if Kyle's some war coming. He's just another entitled rich kid, I'm used to that here."