you're on your own, kid... obx

058. disrupted plan

It's early morning and the group are sitting on the ground, staring at the burnt remains of the chateau.

"Could've been a faulty electrical wire." Pope says.

"Place was all wood. A tinderbox." Kie says.

"Thing just went up." Cleo says. "Boom."

"Verdict's in, bro. Whoever's up there does not like you." JJ tells his best friend.

Brooklyn smacks him in the arm.

"Sorry." JJ apologizes.

+++

They're all on the dock.

"Sarah, when did you say the pilot was getting in?" John B asks.

"Probably like an hour?" Sarah replies. "I mean, once he's here, my dad says we can leave whenever we want"

"Okay, well, as much as I would love to ghost my parents again, I can't." Pope says.

"Yeah, same." Erin says.

"Pope, Erin, we're talking El Dorado here. Can you just slip out the back maybe?" JJ suggests.

"Great advice." Kie remarks.

"It always worked for me." JJ says. "How to avoid unpleasant circumstances 101. If there's a problem, you don't wanna face it, turn that face and keister around and walk the other way."

"I'm not doing that, okay?" Pope tells him.

"My mom deserves better than that." Erin says.

"I just want you guys to be there." JJ says.

"I'm gonna be there." Pope promises. "I'll meet you at the airstrip in an hour?"

"Yeah, we'll see you there." John B says.

"I'll be there." Erin promises. She pecks Zack on the lips and starts to leave. "Swear." She tells JJ as she ruffles his hair.

"One hour, guys. Not a second later." JJ warns.

"Think you should let me talk, Pope. Think your mom kinda likes me." Cleo says.

"I don't think it's gonna be pleasant for either of us." Pope tells her.

"I'm gonna take a stroll back to the shack." JJ says. "For old time's sake."

"Yeah." Zack mutters.

"I always wanted to go to South America. Great surf, cheap weed." JJ says.

"Want some company?" Brooklyn asks. "I got nowhere else. Plus still have a couple things at your place."

"He would love the company." Zack says. JJ looks at him and Zack grins. "I'm a good thirdwheel. Don't worry." He pats JJ on the back and ruffles Brooklyn's hair.

Brooklyn laughs at the boy before looking at JJ, giving him an inquisitive look, making sure he's actually okay with it.

"Yeah. Yeah, sure." JJ agrees. "Already seen the dump, got nothing to hide, I guess."

+++

"Mom, please." Erin begs.

"You must be insane to think I'd let you just run off to South America with your friends." Lillian states.

"Mom, look, I-- I know it sounds crazy. I know. But-- but it's for Pope and-- and for John B and his dad. My friends need me."

"And I need you to not die on some crazy adventure." Lillian says. "I've already lost you, I'm not losing you again."