Heated Lies (Jiara)

Lemme Crash At Your Place

"Save some waves for me!" JJ yelled. His friends were already in the water, shouting at him from a distance. These were the moments he soaked in. These were the points.

JJ- +1
Luke- 0

Of course they all knew JJ was the best surfer. Most of his childhood consisted of classes his mother put him into before she left. He liked to focus on that the most; the time before she was gone. At least what he remembered of her.

Laura Maybank was a short blonde woman. She had the brightest smile, though everyone does in those kinds of memories. He supposed she was his happy place until the reality sunk in; that she abandoned him.

He'd imagine scenarios in which someone would explain why all these things happened the way they did. Had Luke run her off? Was JJ too much for her? He had no clue what the situation was, or why his father was such a dick. Knowing nothing only added to his growing anger.

He couldn't remember anything before fifth grade and even then, it was short memories. Things like the smell of rose perfume, or a hand on his back so soft he was convinced she used fucking Shea Butter.

Still, even if he was given the chance, he'd never hurt either of them. They were his family. They were also his trauma. He couldn't think about it too much. He'd give himself a headache.

"JJ? Earth to rebel boy!?" Kiara's voice brought him back to life. "You alright, man?"

He gripped his surfboard tightly, expelling some of the rage before forcing a smile.

"Yeah, just thinking."

She nodded, swimming over to him and hopping on his board. He joined her moments later, each floating silently. It was a comfortable moment before Pope suddenly splashed into the waves right in front of them.

John B's cackling was heard straight afterward before Pope popped up with a middle finger in the air. Kiara eased herself off the board to check on the mathlete like the mama bear she was. JJ's sigh followed the absence as he practically slid off as well. There was an imbalance left behind her, which made him sulk for a good thirty seconds.

Still, he didn't let them see any of that. He only shoved the surfboard along, smiling devilishly at a particularly large wave. The rest of the Pogues steered clear as the Maybank did what he did best.

It ended in the most epic tumble you could imagine. Kiara checked on him too, which made him blush. He might've done it on purpose. When they made it back to the Twinkie's miraculous wheels to dry off, Pope checked his phone.

"Ayo, dance December 23rd!" He announced.

Sarah beamed. "Yes! An excuse to enter Pogue school! Kie, we have to go shopping for a dress!"

John B ran a hand through his hair. "Not too expensive. Everyone will envy you."

"Let them." Her eyes kept him silent while everyone else avoided her gaze.

JJ cleared his throat. "Right, and is this required?"

Pope shook his head.

"Got it, pass."

Now Kiara was listening.

"Why?" Sarah groaned, "It'll be so much fun! Everyone will be there."

"Like Topper and his goons?" Heads began to turn in his direction. "Pass." He repeated in a sickeningly flat tone.

There was a short uncomfortable silence.

"I'll probably skip it, too. Doesn't seem all that appealing." Pope added, wrapping a towel around his shoulders. Sarah threw her own at John B, a silent ask for help.