The Cool Kids - JJ Maybank

Lost at Sea

I get out of John B's room when I hear everyone talking over each other and digging around. When I open it, I find myself staring at the boy the others seem worried about. I look into his eyes and I see it. "Ward," I say.

"Ward," he agrees before he continues searching for whatever it is he's looking for.

The others stare at me. "I told you," I state plainly. "I told you Jake's attitude shifted toward him. I gave you the signs and you all ignored them."

"Talk to us!" JJ says, his attention solely on John B who grabs the gun that the blonde had stashed here.

Even I'm surprised when the brunette shoves him to the side. He grabs my arm, pushing everyone else away as he walks back outside. He gets on the motorcycle. "Are you coming with?" He asks me.

I hesitate. "I'll explain it to them."

"They didn't believe you before," he reminds me.

I nod a little, admitting that the fact hurts. "Give me something to go off of."

He nods and calls to the others, "Ward knows about the gold! He killed my dad!" And just like that, he's gone.

Taylor stops at my side. JJ slows to a stop once he realizes he won't catch his best friend but Kiara and Pope go a little further. And a few moments later, JJ turns to me.

The look in his eyes is filled with hurt and apology. "Gwen... you were telling the truth?"

"I don't know when I've lied to you yet," I say, crossing my arms. "And it hurts a bit that it took a man telling you what I did to get you to listen to me but," I look at everyone, "I can't hold a grudge right now. Just know that this will bite you in the ass later."

. the cool kids .

They believed me this time and are out there, looking for John B but I'm waiting here. My brother's photo is in my hands as the boy approaches me on the dock. "They're looking for you," I tell him, not looking up from the picture.

John B sits down next to me. Both of our feet are hanging over the edge. "They can wait." His voice is soft as he offers to put Jake's picture in the little raft he had weaved with Big John's photo. I look at him. "They died for this. I think we should let them rest, don't you?"

I gently put the picture in the basket, across from Big John's. It's one of the most recent photos I have of Jake and Tasha - one where they're grinning at the camera because I had gone through a huge photography phase in life. Maybe I should pick it up again. He'd probably like that since he got me my first camera.

John B sets the raft into the water after he's lit the top of it. Our very own little viking send-off for our lost ones while we take comfort in one another. He puts his arm around me and pulls me into his side. I accept the gesture and lean into him. The two of us watch as our family members burn into the water. Lost out sea once more for Big John and released into the sea for Jake and Tasha.

. the cool kids .

John B and I barely talk on the way to Crain's place in the morning. And when we get there... all we can hear is our breathing increase as we climb up into the newly sold property, realizing when we see Cameron Development on one of the wheelbarrows. And even more so when John B gets back from looking in the well with nothing.

John B's jaw clenches. "He stole everything from us, Ghost," he mutters.

"We have to get it back," I state.

. the cool kids .

"You're sure he got everything?" Kiara asks.

"Would Gwen look like she's plotting how to get it back if he hadn't?" Taylor asks, nodding to me.