I'm here // JJ Maybank

14

I woke up to the light shinning in my eyes. I go to turn over but am weighed down. JJs arm is wrapped securely around my waist, and my back is pulled flush to his chest. My stomach fills with thousands of butterfly's and a smile creeps up on my face. Once I remember this is my best friend I stop myself and try to wiggle out of his grasp. Everyone has their weak moments I guess, I'll blame this one on my awful night. I try to not disturb him as I get up, but once I move his arm slightly he stirs away.
"Sorry" I say quietly.
"Good morning" he says, voice raspy and low. I subconsciously bite my lip, then catch myself and quickly stop.
"Morning" I say back. His eyes are still shut as he rubs his face with his hands. He groans and then sits up, finally sitting up. He looks at me and then softly smiles.
"We gotta do the thing at JBs right?" He asks and I nod.
"They probably started already. I think they stayed over" I say looking out my window and still seeing Kies car in the driveway.
"Ok. Up I go" he says brining himself to his feet. I do the same and go over to my closet to grab out an outfit for the day. JJ watches me, then comes behind me and grabs my shoulders. I turn and look at him confused, but he just pulls me into a tight hug. I hesitantly hug him back, being caught off guard by the sudden affection.
"Wanna hit the break today?" He says into my shoulder.
"Yes please." I say, really needing to get a good surf session in from all this built up stress.
"Ok. Hurry up." He says releasing me and walking out of my room. No one confuses me more than JJ Maybank.
—-
We make our way to the dock where they already have set up shop. Pope is hovering over a computer and kie and John B are floating in the water.
"Oh look who decided to show" John B calls from the water.
"Sorry! You could have came and grabbed us" I say, no one gave me a call time in my defense.
"I would be afraid of what I would see if we did." Pope comments. My cheeks go red and I chose to ignore his comment.
"Shut up pope" JJ says smacking the hat off of popes head. I go and sit at the end of the dock and watch kie and John B swim around. Pope watches the footage to make sure that the drone works good, and JJ just watches pope.
"What is this right here?"
"Don't touch that" pope snaps at JJ. I get up and stand behind them, seeing John B and kie on the screen.
"I'm trying to work out this thing" pope says playing around with the buttons.
"This is so cool" I say
"God bless geeks, pope. Truly, man" JJ comments.
"What would we do without you to control the drones?" He adds.
"It's not a drone. It's an ROV" pope corrects him. I laugh and shake my head at their banter.
"Shut up, shut up" JJ says going over and leaving on the dock. I lean my elbows onto popes back and watch him work this thing. Truly we wouldn't be able to do this without him, this thing looks confusing.
"It's too early for that right now" JJ continues. I agree with him on that one.
"Hey, once we get footage of the wreck, we'll bring it to a lawyer in town and file a formal claim" John B says from the water, as if it's the simplest task ever.
"It's bullshit. Why do we have to do that?"
"Well there is a maritime salvage law." I reply to JJ.
"You can't just go into the ocean floor and scoop a bunch of stuff up." Pope joins JJ on the railing and I follow standing beside him, nodding along with him.
"I know I know. It's just lawyers aren't cheap bro."
"Well luckily we will be loaded if we find it" I say smiling at John B who looks impressed that we are all finally believe in the gold.
"As soon as they see the footage they'll work for a comp." John B says.
"How do you know all of that?" Kie asks him.
"Cause my dad said it like a million times."
"Yeah that's fair" kie says. She makes her
way back onto the dock and I bring her a towel to dry off with.
"This tether is, like, really long. In the wrong weather, it could get pushed around." Pope says.
"Then we'll go at dead calm" John B states. We all look up at the dark stormy clouds approaching. Bad season for us to be doing all this.
"So now we just have to wait around for the right weather."
"And today is not that day" I say.

We all make our way back to the chateau and sit around on the porch. Kie bids her goodbye and goes back home. The four of us are just making conversation before JJ, pope, and I have to go to Heywards shop. I fill them in on the events that occurred, figuring that they probably were dying to know. None of them seeming calm nor collected during the explanation. Our conversation is rudely interrupted by a knock on the screen door, making all of us turn our heads at the unexpected guest. In walks none other than Andrew himself. The three boys immediately stand up and Andrew has a terrified look on his face. I stand up after them and send them eyes hoping they would chill out. None of them even were looking at me, just death glaring Andrew.
"Sit down" I tell them sternly. They all pull their attention to me, sitting down, except for JJ.
"JJ" I say. He reluctantly sits and I usher Andrew to the yard.
"What do you want." I say, extremely not interested in any lame apologies.
"Look I just want to talk. Okay I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." He starts. I raise my eye brows at him and cross my arms. He's gonna need to do a lot more than that.
"Okay I'm sorry. Please can you just give me another chance?" He says slightly begging. I scoff and bite my tongue. I let all urges win and slap him in the face causing his head to whip to the side. I hear the boys cheer from inside but I pay them no mind. Clearly Andrew does because he looks like he's seeing read. He looks at them with pure rage, I grab his chin harshly and pull his face so that he's looking at me.
"I want absolutely nothing to do with you or your shitty friends. Understood?" I say pushing his face away from me. Now he's the one to scoff. He backs away nodding.
"Okay. Okay fine." He says throwing his hands up in surrender and backs away. He turns and starts to walk back to his car. I take a deep breath and see JJ waiting at the door holding it open.
"Hey Andrew! Go fuck your self!" JJ calls out. Andrew turns around and flips JJ off but keeps walking to his car. I push JJ back inside and take my seat once again. John B and pope look at me proudly.
"We raised you right" John B says and claps me on the shoulder.
"Did you hear that slap! Man it echoed. That deserves celebrating no?" JJ says taking a seat next to me and pulling me into his side.
"Okay stop stop" I say laughing.
We all hang out for a little bit, the boys mostly make fun of Andrew for the majority of the time before the three of us head out to go make some deliveries for Heyward.