strawberry scented surf wax | obx

f o u r t e e n

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𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫

Due to the massive gash on my arm, I chose to say at the Chateau tonight instead of heading home to Dad. He'd flip if he saw it, and it'd get even worse if he knew what we were up to. It was best to keep it to myself for now, just until we get things sorted.

The Chateau of a morning was gorgeous — the marsh outside looked beautiful mirroring the morning sun, I just wish that JB would keep the inside as clean as it is out. The boy has been alone for 9 months, and I think keeping things clean isn't his forte... I mean, leaving a 16 year old in charge of a whole ass house wasn't my choice, but i'm more than happy to give him all the help he can get.

I'm halfway through throwing out the numerous empty bottles of beer when three loud bangs come from the other side of the front door. I flinch and nearly drop a bottle before catching it and sprint over to where John B is currently sleeping on the couch.

"DCS!" A loud, gruff voice yells from the other side of the door. "Open up! I know you're in there!"

"Fuck," I mutter, grabbing John B's shoulder and shaking it. "Bro, w—"

I'm cut off by a loud almighty bang that comes from the window behind me, John B awakens with a scream as I turn around with the bottle in hand, ready to throw it. Although, I'm completely calmed down when a loud cackle follows the bang, coming face to face with a head of blonde hair who's bent over in hysterics.

"Are you fucking kidding me." I deadpan, breathing out a breath of air. I softly throw the bottle onto the couch and cover my face with my hands, slowing my racing heartbeat. "My heart nearly fell to my ass."

"Gotcha, slicks!" JJ beams in between laughs.

"Bro." John B groans, falling back onto the couch. He lets out a defeated sigh and stretches before rolling back into his sheets.

"You should've seen your faces!" the boy chuckles, tapping on the window from the outside. "God!"

"The most un-funniest thing you've ever done," I mutter. "I hate you."

"Oh, come on," he coos. "You could never hate me."

"Idiot." I mutter under my breath, heading back to throwing out the bottles of beers and wanting nothing more than to peg one at his stupid, but pretty head.

• • •

"I'm just saying, I don't understand why you won't at least try with Kiara." JJ brings up once again as we turn a corner in the Twinkie. I raise an eyebrow at him from the backseat. "She clearly likes you!"

"Can we like try to focus on what we're actually doing?" I speak up, flicking him on the back of the head, making him slap my hand away like a child. "Asking Miss Lana about this compass is more important than JB's love life."

"My boy is dry," JJ starts, making me screw my face up. "He's dusty and got cobwebs. He needs a woman."

"Okay, no." I groan, sinking back into my seat. "I don't wanna hear about how he's never felt the touch of a woman."

"Hey!" John B calls out. "I so have!"

"Holding hands behind the swings in 7th grade doesn't count, loser." I laugh, watching as he flips me off from the front seat.