SOFT STREAKS OF sunlight stretched over the sky, painting the world in pastel shades of orange and pink.
"Uh-oh!" Pope shouted from the other boat, grinning. "You forget your keys or something?"
"You need a tow?" John B added, teasing.
The girls exchanged glances, their irritation turning into reluctant amusement.
"Don't give them the satisfaction of thinking this worked," Kiara said firmly, crossing her arms.
"Absolutely not," Sarah agreed, though her lips twitched.
Amelia chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Gotta admit, though, it's kind of funny."
"John B!" Kiara warned, glaring at him when he smirked.
"Uh, what's that?" John B said
"Mastermind, huh?" Kiara said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm always plannin'," John B quipped, tossing a confident grin her way.
"Some patriarchal bullshit," Kiara muttered, standing up and brushing herself off.
"Yeah, that sucked," Sarah said, flipping her damp hair over her shoulder.
"You still love us, though, right?" JJ said his voice light as he tossed the rope to Kiara.
"Yeah, whatever," Sarah replied, rolling her eyes but grabbing the rope.
"Hey, you still hate me?" John B asked his tone teasing but with a hint of curiosity.
"A little," Sarah replied, flashing him a grin. "But don't worry. We're both gonna get you back when you least expect it."
"Watch your back, boys," Kiara warned, narrowing her eyes playfully.
"Mm-hm," Sarah hummed in agreement.
"Well, I, for one, welcome that challenge," Pope said with a grin.
"Me too," JJ added, his tone a little more mischievous than the others.
"So, did you guys, you know..." Pope trailed off, gesturing between Kiara and Sarah.
"Reconcile our differences?" Kiara said, her voice sharp and sarcastic.
"Mm-mm," Sarah hummed, shaking her head as if it were obvious.
"Not even close," Kiara said, though there was a glimmer of warmth behind her eyes.
"But... we're willing to work together," Sarah said, glancing at Kiara with a faint smile.
"Mm," Kiara hummed again, nodding.
"You know what? That's victory," John B said with exaggerated confidence.
"Yep," JJ agreed, his hand immediately meeting Pope's in an impromptu handshake.
"Woggity-woogity-woogity," Pope said, his grin infectious.
Amelia's eyes softened as she watched JJ, taking in the quiet comfort he exuded. His smile was unguarded, the kind that came when he wasn't trying to mask anything. She couldn't help but realise how these small moments were worth to him, like little lifelines in a world that often felt too heavy. She couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips as warmth spread through her chest. Her heart light as she soaked in the calmness around her.
Sarah caught Kiara's eye and winked. Kiara smiled back.
"You know what it was, guys? Hydroponic," JJ said suddenly, breaking the quiet.
"Don't say that," Pope groaned.
"All right, shut up," John B said, cutting the conversation short. His gaze shifted to the girls. "You guys ready to jack some loot?"
YOU ARE READING
TROUBLE | JJ Maybank
FanfictionAmelia Cameron was born into the privileged world of the Kooks, raised amidst wealth and the kind of luxury most could only dream of. But despite her family's fortune, Amelia never fully embraced the life that was expected of her. Living on the isl...
