his hand brushes against mine. it was probably just an accident.
"kie, stop winning", pope exclaims. she rolls her eyes and passes the dice to me. i roll the dice, and get a high number. "good job jade" he smiles at me his voice raspy. i smile back.
we end the game and sit on the porch. we talk about deep things, fun things and laugh a bit. i'm sitting on the floor, picking at the wood, as the wind glides through my hair. after a few minutes everyone is ready to go home. kie and pope go home first. sarah and john b go inside and jj goes to the kitchen to get a beer. i still sit on the porch.
how can this be my life now? why'd they take me in so fast. of course i've seen them around but i never thought i'd be part of them. i just met them. i feel like me and sarah have known each other forever. i'm comfortable around everyone, which is really strange for me. i'm surprised how fast me and jj clicked. i'm closer with him than anyone.
"jaddddee, you ready to go?" jj says walking out the door. "oh, yeah sorry" i say standing up and brushing off my clothes. "you need a ride home?" he asks. "yes please", i say as we get up and walk to the dock, climbing in his boat.
we both laugh as he almost slips. he injects the key into the boat and i sit in the back of the boat giving him directions to my house.
"woah, caramel that's a nice house."
"caramel? that's different" i say concerned. "i love caramel, it's my favorite!!" he lights up like a child. "so you called me caramel because it's your favorite candy?" i laugh. "yes" he nods. "i'll remember that" i giggle.
there's a moment of silence. "alright i'm gonna go. thanks for everything. good night." i say jumping out of the boat, walking away.
"wait jade come back" he shouts. i turn around and look at him. "yes?" i ask with widen eyes.
"thanks for trusting me. not a lot of people do. were gonna make great friends".
"no, thank you, jj. i never have nights like these, and i'm glad i could spend it with you. we are gonna make great friends, i can tell."
he smiles, "meet me at the dock at 12 tomorrow".
"sounds like a plan".
he smiles and waves, and leaves, speeding across the water. i look down smiling and walk back to the house. my moms asleep and i creep up the stairs and jump on my bed staring at the ceiling.
oh god, i think i'm catching feelings for jj maybanks.
-
it's 11:46. i need to be at the dock at 12. yeah i might be a littttle late. maybe.
i put some jean shorts and a maroon tube top with a colorful necklace. eh good enough.
i arrive at the dock. "jade!!" sarah runs up to me and hugs me. "hey guys" i say waving. "hey jade have you seen jj?" pope asks me concerned. "uhm no. he dropped me off last night?" i say raising an eyebrow. "hey, what if we go drive by his house and see if he's there?" john b says. we all agree and go in the van.
"that's his house" john b states. "hey there he is," sarah says. "wait is he okay?" she adds.
he sits there in the grass, picking at it. he looks hurt. he looks up and sees the van and gets up, walking to it. i open the van door and run to him. "jj are you okay, how hurt are you" i say emotionally. "what do you mean? i'm literally so okay. i'm the best i've ever been." he laughs while lifting up both of his arms. "but.. you're bruised?" i ask. "oh just the normal. now get in the van, lets go the the shore" he says casually. "we are NOT going anywhere until you tell me what's wrong" i shout. "jade, love, it's nothing. just my dad, that's it. now let's get going" he runs to the van. i just stand there, rolls my eyes and walk to the van.
"jj, you good?" pope asks. "better than ever." he smiles and opens a beer.
what's so normal about this? this shouldn't be happening. jj is too jj to be hurt. i love him. wait, did i just say i love him? oh no. i'm really in love with him. i met him like 14 hours ago.
"uhm earth to jade" kie shouts. "oh sorry what" i look up at her. they all laugh.
"were going to the beach, you okay with that?" sarah asks.
"of course".
