Haunted ~ j.m²

Chapter Twenty One: Road Trips

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"You're not the one who needs to be apologizing."

- JJ Maybank

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[one week earlier]

The four teens ended up sitting in Abigail's car as the ferry glided through the water, headed for the mainland. JJ took the front seat, while Pope and Kiara climbed into the back. It's the first time in almost a month that they are all together, at the same time. It was nice to have all her friends in one place again. They could all feel John B's presence missing, but they chose not to speak about it.

They wanted to keep the mood light, distract Abby before they pulled up to her mom's place. So, JJ started making fun of Pope for being nerdy after he shared with his friends that he got a head start on reading the history textbook for this year. Kiara told both boys they were ridiculous.

They talked about school, how much they were dreading going back, for multiple reasons, and Pope decided to put JJ on the spot, asking if he had changed his mind about school. The blonde hesitated to answer, so Kiara changed the subject to her parents.

The ferry ride took about three hours, and when it pulled up to their destination, Kiara and Pope got out to ride in her car, leaving just JJ with Abby.

Well, this should be fun, and...not awkward at all.

Abigail turned the car on, waiting for her turn to drive off the ferry.

JJ was quiet, debating with himself what to say to her, because he wants to say so many different things. He wants to apologize, for pushing her away and fighting with her. For adding to her stress and just being shitty. He wants to explain his thought process from the last month, try and make her understand why he was doing the things he was doing. He wants to convince her that he's done trying to isolate himself.

"You have to say something."

"What?" JJ asks, snapping his head over to hers, his thoughts fading into the back of his brain.

"You're too quiet right now, and when you're quiet, you're overthinking. And I'm trying really hard to not overthink right now, so I just need you to say something — anything." She tells him, flicking her blinker on.

"Uh, okay..." JJ says, shifting in his seat. "Uh, did you feel okay this morning?"

Abby sighs softly, nodding. "Yeah."

"Good, no more feeling dizzy, then?"

"Yeah, no, I was good — I'm good." She tells him. She glances at him quickly, before returning her gaze to the road. "I'm sorry if I freaked you out."

She can feel his eyes on her as she drives, following her phone navigation, with Kiara and Pope behind them. "You're not the one who needs to be apologizing." He tells her, her eyes flicker to his.