Adore You ☼ JJ Maybank

5

[ WHAT THE FUDGE ]

having to focus on a history test after what had gone down yesterday wasn't that easy, but the four teenagers still had to at least act like they cared. even if their minds were spinning in several different directions, the world still expected them to sit still, be quiet, and circle answers like nothing in their life had imploded.

maya sat at at her desk, shoulders hunched, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she tried to read the words scrawled across the paper. the letters were sharp and jumbled, swimming slightly from the strain in her eyes—or maybe from the weight on her shoulders. she knew the material. even with everything going on, she had still found time to look over the study guide. none of it seemed to stick, though.

from the seat behind her, jj's foot tapped lightly on her desk. the persistent thump dragged her focus even further away.

"could you stop?" maya hissed quietly, turning her head over her shoulder.

"what's number..." he flipped through the pages with a crinkle of paper, "1-30?"

maya blinked slowly, locking eyes with the blonde boy who somehow managed to both infuriate and enchant her. before she could come back with a witty remark, mr. sun's voice pierced the air.

"miss thatcher, turn around. jj, get to work."

she groaned internally, her lips pressing into a thin line as she turned back around. the corners of her vision tingled with frustration. she needed to focus. needed to pretend everything was okay. but it wasn't. not even close.

a few excruciating minutes dragged by, maya scribbling down guesses she might at least earn her a few points. a knock at the door caused the classroom—and her focus—to be interrupted once again. the door creaked open and an unfamiliar man stuck his head inside.

"mr. sunn, can i borrow pope for a moment?"

"we're in the middle of a test right now," mr. sunn stood and walked over, his posture stiff.

"i'm from the vanderhorst foundation," the man revealed calmly like it was supposed to mean something obvious.

mr. sunn nodded, turning to the class and looking at pope, "mr. heyward, it's for you."

maya furrowed her eyebrows and whipped around quickly to shoot jj a look. their eyes locked again, she she saw the same confusion written on her boyfriend's face.

"what's that about?" jj whispered.

"he said he was from the vanderhorst foundation..." she murmured, trying to remember why that name sounded familiar.

"maya, jj, i'm not telling you again." mr. sunn's stern voice cut off the two's conversation.

jj muttered something under his breath and maya turned around. not long later, the door opened again and pope returned in a hurry. he seemed tense as he took his seat again.

"okay, what was that?" kiara asked, leaning forward as pope sat in front of her.

pope held up an envelope he received from the man, showing them exactly what was on it.