Anchor // JJ Maybank

15.

beep beep

Cassidy, JJ, and Pope looked up at the sudden noise and noticed John B pulling up beside the three at one of their favorite ocean-side hangouts. The three friends had dropped off Cassidy's bag and the van at the chateau before heading to their hangout to smoke and decompress. Cassidy squinted, trying to get a good look at John B and noticed the dark bruises and cuts that were forming on his face. She furrowed her brows in concern but decided to stay silent for the moment. She had had enough drama for the day. Pope and JJ hadn't left her side since the incident with her mom and she couldn't help but get annoyed with the two boys walking on eggshells around her. 

"Let's ride," JJ said before snuffing out his cigarette and taking Cassidy's hand to lead her into the van. Pope followed the begrudgingly, having already done to many risky things for his liking in the past couple days. 

The group fell into their typical banter during the short ride but Cassidy stayed silent, staring out the window and occasionally mumbling an agreement with JJ. She was so blissfully happy with her friends at that moment, she was terrified that she wouldn't get another moment with them like that for along time. The van slowly pulled up at The Wreck which Kiara's dad owned and where Kie and Cassidy had worked for the past couple of summers. Pope was voted to go in and get the girl but he quickly returned, looking defeated, and without any sign of Kiara.

"She says she's not coming," Pope informed them, walking back towards the van.

"Why not? Shit Cass, have you not sorted things out with her yet?" JJ asks, turning accusingly towards the girl who was looking sheepish in the back seat.

"Fine. I'll fix it. Just give us a few minutes," Cassidy said determinately as she hopped out of the van and made her way into the familiar restaurant, the smell of fries and seafood wafting into her nostrils. 

Cassidy made her way further into the restaurant and found Kiara working hard spackling the walls. It took a moment for Kiara to notice her presence, but once she did she set down the can and paintbrush and stepped down from the ladder to move closer to the smaller girl. Kiara put her hand on her hip and looked at the girl expectantly.

"Look Kie, you know I love you so much. And our group would never be the same without you. To be honest, none of us would probably be alive if it weren't for you saving our assess so often. And I'm really sorry if I sent you the wrong message or led you on in any way, I seriously didn't mean to. But I really can't help how I feel about JJ and I know you don't approve of us but we really need you and he makes me happy. So please come with us," Cassidy babbled until finally being cut off by Kiara bringing the girl into a tight embrace. 

"You're right, you guys would be lost without me," Kiara says giggling before continuing sheepishly, "And you and JJ make a really nice couple. I shouldn't have kissed you without your permission. I didn't mean to make anything awkward, and I didn't even think you'd want me to come with you guys to be honest."

"Kiara, you will always be my sister. No matter what," Cassidy reassures the girl and gripped her hand. "You ready?"

"Yeah, just let me go grab my stuff," Kiara exclaimed, rolling her eyes and grinning at the girl. The two of them could never manage to stay angry with each other for more than a couple days. 

Once Kiara had returned from the back room with her bag, the two girls made their way back into the fresh air and into the van with the boys waiting anxiously for their return. They climbed into the back seat, and buckled up for the long ride that was in front of them. 

"Do you mind if I just relax on this one? It's been a long day, and a lot of weird stuff has come down. I'm just gonna lay low," JJ said, intentionally glazing over any details, not wanting to bring up anything that Cassidy wouldn't be comfortable with. cassidy could empathize with the boy, her whole body and mind feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. All she wanted was to curl up in JJ's arms and go to sleep, but she knew she had to do this for John B. "Oh, do you want a hit of this?" he added, offering Pope and Cassidy the blunt that he was smoking. Cassidy just shook her head in response, not in the mood, and wanting to be able to help John B to the best of her ability.