COMFORT CROWD [3] , jj maybank

13. i like being in your arms

☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆

  JJ HAS HIS FOOT to the gas, really trying to get to Elizabeth City as fast as we can.

My head is spinning because John B and Bailey have done nothing but complain. "Any idea what's in the back of this truck?" John B asks. No shit we know what's in it.

  "Yes, John B, I know what's in the back," JJ rolls his eyes, "And it's gonna be fine. It's gonna work out. Okay?"

"It's gonna be fine he says! We're so fucked if we get caught, guys!" Bailey holds her face in her hands, words muffled next to me. I rest my head on JJ's shoulder, not even bothering to argue with them. I also don't want to argue with them. I don't wanna be upset with either of them right now. "I am sick of your bullshit plans, man—"

"Goddamn," JJ seethes through gritted teeth, clearly annoyed with the two. "No, I, just saying this might top the time you told me to fake appendicitis in jail!" John B says. "To be fair, it might've worked," I point up to the truck ceiling. "No, I really don't think it would've actually," John B snaps back. I think it would've but I don't think stealing an ambulance was a good idea but I won't bring that up.

"Where the hell are we going? We've been arguing. Uh," Bailey holds out the map, "Where are we?"

I'm not good with maps. I barely know the roads I drive on and I've been on the island my whole life.

  "Alright, we need to get to the 158, okay?" John B points to the road on the map, "This one—"

  JJ reaches over and just rips the page from the map. "Man, what the fuck?" Bailey asks, staring at the ripped page. "Why'd you rip it?" I question. But JJ just doesn't look at the road, instead just reads the damn map, "There it is. It's gonna be a nice—"

"Can you not?" I rip the map from his hands because it's not a good idea to block your damn vision while driving. "Can I have that back—"

"No. Look at the road—"

"Cop. Guys. JJ, there's a cop," John B panics. "What?" I frantically ask. Fuck. Down the road there is indeed a cop just chilling on the side of the road. "Oh my God. I'm getting arrested," Bailey whines. "Bail, Bail, stop!" I squeeze her cheeks, "We've done worse with cops around, haven't we?"

"I'm allowed to panic!"

"No, actually, play it cool," John B tells us. "I am," JJ says. This is fine. We're fine. For all he knows, we're just moving. That's what UHAULS are for anyway. "No, you're not cool," John B says.

"We're super cool," I add. "Oh, I'mma be sick," Bailey fakes a gag. "Bailey, be cool—"

"I'm cool as a cucumber!" Bailey cuts off JB. I sit up in my seat. The cop is distracted with whoever they pulled over so, we should be good. JJ waves though, like he's practicing how he will wave and as endearing as the thought is, now is not the time to practice a wave. "What are you doing? Put your hand down," I grab his hand. "I'm just gonna wave," JJ says.