COMFORT CROWD [3] , jj maybank

11. john b, what are you doing?

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  ANNA AND MIKE'S PARTY is filled with people as we pull up. I know my mom and the boys were invited but I can't spot them. I tie the boat up for John B. It's the least I can do.

  "Here's the game plan, get the girls, go find Pope and Cleo, get down to South America as soon as possible. Cool?" John B explains the plan. "Seems a bit vague, I gotta say, John B. Also, I don't got a passport, dawg," JJ says. "Hey, look, don't bore me with the details, alright? Gonna get Sarah. Gonna get Kie and Bailey, little rendezvous mission. Back on the boat, get out of here," John B says. I spot Mike Carrera and blow a raspberry, "Think he knows your crime yet, babe?"

  "Crime? What crime?" John B frantically questions. "Uh, the other day when I went over to Kie's with Bailey, Mike, Bailey and I kind of got into a little bit of a tiff, alright? He was saying unkind things about our girl, Bailey. And if I go over there right now, and he sees me, he's not gonna let Kiara out of his sight, boom. Mission blown, we can't go down to South America," JJ says but skips over the most important part. For the sake of the mission I don't say anything about it.

   John B points at me, "Were you there?"

  "Uh, no. I was not but they still really don't like me. I don't even know if Bailey is here—"

  "Bailey is here. Where Kie is, Bailey is. Just tell Bailey and tell Kie, alright. JJ, stay by Sam," John B holds JJ's face, squeezing his cheeks in the process. "Uh, no. I'll stay here. Chop-chop though, okay?" JJ says. "Really, J?" I plant my hands on my hips. "I don't wanna get arrested. Again. You said no getting arrested," He points at me with raised eyebrows.

  I just scoff. He makes a good point but whatever. I pull myself up and onto the dock. There's so many people here. I spot Sarah though. Let me go talk to—nevermind. Nope. Topper is over there.

  "Fuck," I curse, moving through the crowd. My eyes bounce all around until I'm pulled back by someone. "Hey!" I yell but I'm spun around, suddenly face to face with Blake and Vanessa. It's not until now that I remember the text. Ward Cameron is on the island.

   Blake's face is now bruised, the cuts somewhat healed. It makes me bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from yelling at him again. "Stop disappearing!" Blake smacks me upside the head, "Why do you smell like shit?"

  "Jesus. Hi to you too," I say, rubbing the back of my head, "I saw the text."

  "Great. Why didn't you respond?" Vanessa asks, sipping on a Bloody Mary. "There was other shit going on. Big John is kidnapped," I whisper and steal a sip of the alcohol. Woah—it tastes far too much like vodka to be enjoyed. She's not even 21, how'd she get this?