Depths

Deep Dive

The sun shines through the blinds and curtains in Harli's bedroom the next morning, waking her from her peaceful slumber. Today is the day that the Pogues plan to explore the Royal Merchant. Harli can't help but feel skeptical of what they'll find. Rolling out of her bed, she grabs her clothes and makes her way to the bathroom for a shower. On the pullout sofa in the living room lies a sleeping blonde haired boy that she can't help but stop and stare at for a moment.

"It's not polite to stare." The blonde speaks with eyes still closed, startling Harli from her thoughts as she averts her eyes for a moment and then brings them back to him as his flutter open.

"Yeah, well, I was trying to figure out what was lying on our sofa." Harli jokes, hiding the blush on her face from being caught.

"Hmm-mmm. Sure." The blonde stands from his spot on the sofa and walks towards her, getting so close that their chests are practically touching and she can feel his breath on her cheek. "If that's what you want me to believe, then fine." JJ's hand rests on her hip as he looks down at her.

"I need to get ready." Harli says through a shallow breath and goes to take a step back from him. JJ stops her by pulling her back towards him.

"Why don't you just ditch work today?" Harli sighs at his request and he rolls his eyes. "Come on, Li. 400 million in gold and you're going to skip out and go to work?" He sighs when he sees that she's not giving in. "I always work so much better when you're around. How am I supposed to concentrate on steering the boat when you're going to be at the Country Club, possibly running into the prick that did this to you?" JJ gently moves the hair on her head to check the stitches that he did just the day before.

"J, I have to go to work. Bills have to be paid." Harli tells him as he lets out a deep sigh. "And before you say anything about the gold taking care of all the bills, we don't even know if y'all will find gold today. Someone has to keep this family up."

"Fine." JJ concedes, knowing that he wouldn't win the argument anyways. "Just promise me you'll be careful and you won't get into anymore Kook fights."

"I promise." Harli looks up at him and stares into his eyes. She can see the worry and concern he has for her. He's her best friend, why wouldn't he be worried? But for a moment it feels like it's something else. The two slowly inch closer to one another, faces almost touching before a door shutting sounds from behind them and they quickly pull away from one another.

 "Morning you two." John B emerges from his bedroom, making his way to the bathroom before Harli stops him and tells him that she's going first so that she can get to work. JJ exchanges one last glance at her before she disappears behind the bathroom door.

 *****

The Country Club is busy this morning; business men and women making business deals over brunch and rounds of golf. Harli is cleaning off a table when she hears a familiar voice sound behind her. She winces at the sound and continues to clean her table, hoping that the voice doesn't spot her.

"Harli." The voice is closer now, right behind her. She slowly turns around, coming face to face with Rafe Cameron. He had spotted her on his way to the table for a lunch with his father- a way to try to convince the younger Cameron to step up and take responsibilities for himself. "Hey, uh... I just want to say I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean for you to get hurt."

"Right." Harli breathes out sarcastically as she makes a move to get passed him, but he steps in front of her.

"Seriously, I'd never intentionally hurt a girl."

"Do you seriously expect me to believe that after you beat my friend's face in with your golf club?" Harli's voice rises with anger as she stares at the boy in front of her in disbelief. He moves closer to her to quieten her, anxiously looking around to see if anyone heard her outburst.