The Cool Kids - JJ Maybank

Keep in Touch

My fingers trace the top of the bottle Dean and I are sharing. He agreed to get drunk with me because today was terrible due to the fact that Sarah's disappearance hit hard when I was alone at school. No one really talked about her but they were all staring.

"Your boyfriend got fired today," Dean tells me. I frown in confusion. "JJ." I hum in understanding, not realizing what he's talking about completely. "Some Kook started talking shit about John B."

I take another swig of whiskey. "He loves John B."

Dean allows me to put my head on his shoulder. He takes the bottle of whiskey for himself while the music continues playing between us. I hadn't been expecting to completely make up with Dean but it seems like we've returned to how it used to be; especially now that my father is dead and my mother is afraid of me.

I close my eyes, my head throbbing with a new wave of memories. Doubts. Pain that doesn't seem to be healing the more I drink; in fact... it seems to be getting worse. It feels like I'm remembering more as I get more and more drunk. I haven't gotten drunk since everything started. If this is how it works for me now, I don't think I want to drink.

. pogues for life .

Day two of being back in school. Kook School... without any Pogues. They at least have each other when people are looking at them strangely. I only have Dean but he can't stay around me often enough for that to really count.

Someone closes my locker for me. "You've already done that," I say as I shoulder my bag. I don't care that I don't have everything. "Try something new." I don't even look at them anymore.

Not until I hear, "You're the only Princess left to get rid of, Turner." There's some chuckles. I feel the familiar anger. "Glad Sarah Cameron took care of herself for us-"

She doesn't finish her sentence before I toss my bag at her. It hits her face and then my fist hits her jaw. People exclaim. I grab her shirt before she hits the ground and hold her up by her collar. She's looking at me with wide eyes. My chest is heaving with anger. The crazy part of me wants to punch her again - the sensible side lets her go. I pick up my bag, shouldering it again before I walk away. The watchers make room for me as I pass.

That moment sticks with me in the hallways throughout the rest of the day. Dean even asks why everyone's staring with fear instead of with amusement. Someone else tells him what happened; I don't see him again after that.

It's not like we really get the chance to see each other again once my phone goes off in class. A photo of Sarah and John B. That's what shows up on my screen that makes me run out of the lesson, barely stopping to grab my bag off the ground. I quickly call JJ who finally answers after two rings and puts me on speaker.

"We can't rule out the possibility that this is just a cruel hoax."

"Don't think like that, Pope," I tell him.

"Sorry, Gwen," he says a little louder than he needs.

Kiara texts: WTF is this you????

"Has he responded?" Pope questions.

"Typing," I reply.

Is JJ there?

On the phone with Gwen, Taylor replies.

I'm here Bree, JJ types.

I can imagine he even gives his cousin a small look.

John B's reply is on brand: Did you pimp my short board?

JJ's chuckle on the other end makes me smile as I continue my walk "It's him." Everyone joins in his laughter, unable to contain it. Relief sags through the group as they take in the news. "Imagine I'm giving you a hug, too, Captain," he tells me.