From Privilege To Purpose -- An OBX Fanfic

Chapter 12-- More Than Friends

Stella's P.O.V.

"Do you mind if I just relax on this one? It's been a long day and a lot of weird stuff's gone down." JJ said as he took a long swig of his joint. "I'm just gonna lay low. Oh, Pope. Did you want a hit of this?"

"I keep the signal clear." Pope said and ignored the joint JJ was shoving in his face.

"I need a hit." I said. I currently had my head resting in Pope's lap and my legs were stretched across Kie's lap.

"Of course you do." JJ laughed. "Here."

"Thanks." I said and took a hit.

"So, I know I was wrong about the lighthouse, and pretty much everything else going on, but I was right about one thing, okay? My dad is trying to tell me something." John B said and looked back at us.

"John B!" I hollered. "Eyes on the road."

"Jeez, Stell." Pope said. "Since when did you care so much about his driving?"

"He's got precious cargo he's carrying." I said.

"Damn right he does." JJ said. I looked over at him with the most confused look. By the time we got to our destination, the sun had set and it was completely dark out. Once John B parked, we all started scrambling out, but JJ stopped me.

"Stella, wait." he said and grabbed my arm. I looked at the others and motioned for them to go ahead.

"What do you want, JJ?" I asked.

"What is going on with you?" he asked. "What's with the attitude?"

"I don't have an attitude." I snapped and tried walking away.

"Stella." he said and reached for my arm again.

"No JJ." I snapped. "What are we doing?"

"What?" he asked.

"Seriously." I hissed. "Am I just a joke to you?"

"Stella, you're not a joke and you know that." he said.

"Ok, then what is this? Just casual flirting? Am I that much of an idiot to think there was something going on between us?" I asked. "The cute nicknames, being over protective, the touching. Is this just a game? Am I just another girl to you?"

"Stella, no. You are not just another girl." he said

"But we're just friends, right?" I asked.

"Stell, I only said that because Kie put me on the spot. You and I have never even had a real conversation ourselves to talk about what this is." he explained. "We need to talk before we say anything to our friends." I continued looking into his eyes and I sighed.

"I'm just so confused." I said.

"Ok, look." he said and put his hands on my shoulder. "This is all so new. We've been best friends for so long, it's going to take time to navigate."

"You're right." I said. "I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry." he said and cupped my cheek. I grabbed his hand as he held my cheek and smiled.

"But I can promise you this. This is not just a friend's situation." he said and brushed some hair out of my face. I watched as he slowly started leaning towards me and I did the same and right before our lips locked we were interrupted.

"Guys, come on!" Pope hollered. We both groaned and then began laughing.

"Always an interruption." he laughed.

"Because it's not time yet." I said.

"Maybe you're right." he said.

"Come on." I said and grabbed his hand.