Golden~ JJ Maybank

Chapter 1

On a lucky day, Maria Greene would be woken up by the sound of muffled voices and creaky floorboards.

Today was not that day.

The abrupt slamming of a fist against plasterboard scared her out of her sleep. Jolting up in bed, Mia listened carefully to the shrill sound of her mother's voice, and the menacing threats of her step-father, sighing with relief that they were only fighting with words.

Perhaps she was too calm too soon. The wooden wall connecting her bedroom to the living room jerked, wood snapping from the force of what she hoped was her stepfather's fist, covered in splinters.

Her parents often argued. In fact, it was the only thing they ever did when she was around. Sometimes it got violent, sometimes it didn't. But she didn't want to stick around to find out.

After stuffing a bag with things she'd need for the day, Maria searched through her drawers for her favourite green bikini, covering it with denim shorts and a striped tank top. Bare feet padding quietly towards the window, Mia threw it open and climbed out. Sneaking around to the porch of the house, she grabbed her battered converse and ran towards the docks, relieved to see the HMS Pogue already waiting for her arrival.

JJ smiled towards her running figure, taking her hand in his to help steady her onto the boat once she eventually reached them.

"I saw you climb out of that window. I didn't realise you'd be so excited to see me. And to think, you didn't even bother doing your hair." He teased, smirkingly.

Mia rolled her eyes, hitting him lightly with her shoes as she passed, "As if. My parents were going at it again, you know how the story goes."

And he did, he really did. JJ and Mia knew each other better than they'd ever let on, especially to the others. Mia tended to keep most details of home on the DL, and JJ did too.

"But seriously, is my hair that bad?" She frowned, running her hands through her soft curls insecurely.

"Your hair looks fine, Mia." John B answered from the rudder. "Let's go get the others."

JJ and JB usually picked Maria up first, as her house was the closest to the chateau. Pope was next, often found at Heyward's, and then Kie whose house was on the outskirts of figure 8.

Maria loved her fellow Pogues. They always had a great time doing stupid shit together, and although she wouldn't admit it, she felt lucky to have them. Plus, now it was summer, they could do stupid shit all the time.

"So.." JJ started, watching how Maria's eyes narrowed at the beer in his hands. How could he drink so early in the day?

"So?"

"Nothing, nothing." He dismissed, turning to John B, "What's the plan for today chief?"

The brunette boy turned to them with a smirk as they neared Heyward's, "You know that building site on figure 8 with all those new houses?"

"Are you kidding? Tress passing on a building site?" Mia asked feigning disbelief. "I'm in!" She cheered, earning a whoop from JJ as Pope climbed aboard.

.......

"That's what, a three-story fall to the deck? I give you about a one in three chance of survival."

Chilling on the soon to be balcony of a half built house, Mia watched as John B balanced on the foundations for the roof. Dangerous, if that was even the right word to describe it.

As John B messed around, Mia jumped down from the balcony to get another beer from Kie's cooler. As she bent down, the dark blonde could feel a pair of eyes on her. She turned her head, catching JJ looking, who didn't bother averting his gaze.