Runaway Kids - JJ Maybank - Outer Banks

Chapter 12 : The Royal Merchant

When Pope Heyward's dad calls asking you to run chores for him, you do it. That was the case for today as JJ, Pope, and myself were instructed to deliver some groceries around town.

"You guys get these groceries over to Figure Eight. Get straight back here when you're done. No fishin'," Heyward warned. "I promised delivery by this afternoon. Rich folks don't wanna wait for you lazy sons of-" JJ held out his arms, for Heyward to hand him grocery bags.

"Oh, JJ, thank you," Heyward spoke with fake appreciation, putting the bags into JJ's hands. After loading all of the bags onto the boat, Pope driving and JJ spinning a knife around in his hands.

"Doesn't even look like the storm hit there," Pope pointed out.

"That's because they got generators. We're used to seeing it," said JJ.

"Yeah, and we won't see any electricity for months," I explained. "Maybe the entire summer."

"It's nice to be a Kook," stated Pope.

"Lucky bastards," JJ said. JJ and I helped Pope dock as we split up the bags. JJ began to walk in the opposite direction while me and Pope began walking together.

"Hey Pope," I began. "What's going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" Pope asked, trying to mask his nervous tone.

"The other night at Kie's restaurant," I hinted, but he shook his head. "John B and Kiara dancing, you looking like you could murder John B..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Pope said, starting to walk away.

"You like Kiara, don't you?" I asked knowingly.

He shook his head ferociously. "No way."

"Don't tell me you're into my brother now," I said jokingly. Pope shook his head, a smile finally appearing on his face. "I'm totally team you and Kiara, by the way."

"You are?" He asked.

"For sure," I said. "However, Kiara would be cool to have as a sister-in-law."

"Yeah," Pope said as we continued to walk. "Life was easier when people abided by the no pogue dating rule."

I chuckled, "That rule was never going to stop any real feelings, Pope. You and I both know that."

Pope shook his head, "I always knew it would never stop you and JJ."

His words stopped me in my tracks, "What do you mean by that?"

Pope let out a breathy laugh. "Oh, please. It's obvious. The two of you are so into each other but you're both afraid to say something and make your feelings real."

I shook my head, "JJ doesn't like me like that. We're good friends."

"Friends don't flirt like you two do," explained Pope.

"We don't flirt," I explained. "Flirting only means something when there's truth behind it. And there isn't. And, anyways, this conversation is not about us, it's about you and Kiara. So how about--"

The two were interrupted mid conversation by the voice of a golfer. "Avery, hey. What's up? Hey, how much for one of those beers?" Rafe asked, circling around Pope while holding onto his golf club.

"They're not for sale," explained Pope, trying to move past the boy.

"Oh, wait, wait, wait. You can just give us one, then, right?" Rafe asked in a threatening tone.

I sighed, "I know you don't know what this means, but the two of us are working. So how about you go fetch your ball from the woods and leave the two of us alone."