TIDES OF FATE - JJ Maybank

XXV. I love you too

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.:

3rd person POV

Lillian had a bad habit of thinking her life was like a movie.

In her mind, she and her friends were the rag-tag group of five (now six, considering Sarah Cameron was on their side) for which the universe always worked in favour of. She thought that no matter how bad of a situation they got themselves into, they'd never truly succumb to failure-that whoever controlled their lives, whether it be God or the Fates, would never let them taste defeat. And as she stared out of The Wreck's front window, watching as a police cruiser drove by with its sirens blaring through the air, she found herself clinging onto this idea like a desperate child clutches their toy during a darkened rainstorm.

JJ came up to her as the sirens faded away and leaned against the window frame. "He's pinched for sure, man." Anyone else would regard his words with an air of cool indifference, but his friends coul hear the underlying worry masked by his defence mechanism of apathy.

Lillian shook her head. "No," she said. "They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him."

The night had felt longer than the one before. While the group found refuge in Kie's family restaurant, they couldn't find comfort in the chance to rest when they knew their friend was the target of a island-wide manhunt.

"Let's hope," JJ huffed. His mind wandered to the wanted poster tucked away in his back pocket. "You know, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us, too."

Lily glanced up at him, only to find that he was already staring at her. Panic flashed across his eyes and she immediately understood his concern.

JJ was on probation. If there was a warrant out for their arrest (because apparently aiding and abetting the falsely accused called for that) and he was caught, he'd go to jail. There'd be no bail, no restitution, no second chance. Only a cold cell in juvenile detention.

From across the room, Kie looked up. Her hands shook as she steadied herself against the counter. "Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B," she decided.

Lillian nodded in agreement and moved to help her pack John B and Sarah's food. "So, find him before they do?"

They turned to Pope, all wondering why he hadn't said anything.

Come to think of it, he had been awfully quiet since they returned from Tannyhill.

"Pope?"

He kept his eyes on the ground as he passed the two girls and only lifted his head when he was within a foot of the door. "I'm gonna get gas for the boat," he said, barely glancing at JJ before leaving in haste.

"Hey, you be careful," the blond called, watching as the door swung open. "Meet us at the dock at three. Don't be late."

At the boy's lack of response, Kie huffed and dropped the bag of dinner rolls she was holding onto the counter.

The remaining two shared a look as their curly haired friend followed him out, demanding to know what his problem was.

They watched from the window as the sound of incoherent shouting and a revving bike engine filled the air. They scattered from the glass when they saw that Pope had driven off and Kie was making her way back into the restaurant. Acting as nonchalant as possible, the pair pretended that they were in the middle of their own conversation, not wanting Kie to scold them for eavesdropping.

"You know..." Lillian broke the silence. "I love you too."

JJ's eyes widened, and his face broke into a grin. "You—what?" He stammered, the joy in his voice palpable. Before she could say another word, he moved forward, his hands gently cupping her face as if she were something precious and fragile.