𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

2.

🦋☀ 🌊 - 2

With a stretch and a yawn, Olivia makes her way to the window to see all the fallen trees. The world outside looks wrecked - branches littering the road, shingles torn from rooftops, a silence that only follows the storm. Somehow, she managed to fall asleep through the night despite Hurricane Agatha roaring through the island.

The power's still out, and the air feels heavy with salt and humidity. Just like every morning, the girl grabs her backpack and slips out the front door without a goodbye. It wasn't like her parents cared where she went, or that they didn't already know - same dock, same friends, same freedom.

Down at the water, the dock creaks under her bare feet. Kiara's already there, crouched by the edge, flipping a shell in her hand while she waits for the boys. The two girls share a quick look, tired but smiling.

"Rough night?" Olivia asks.

"Agatha can kiss my ass," Kiara says, tossing the shell into the water.

Before long, the hum of an engine echoes down the channel. The HMS Pogue cuts through the early morning haze, carrying John B, Pope, and JJ - sunburnt, sleep-deprived, but grinning like idiots.

"Morning, boys," Kiara calls, standing as the boat slows beside the dock. Olivia squints against the sunlight and waves lazily.

"You got some juice boxes?" John B jokes.

"You know, just some yogurt and carrot sticks," Kiara informs.

JJ reaches out a hand to Olivia, his palm warm and rough. "Thank you, kind sir," she teases, gripping his hand as she climbs in.

Their fingers linger a moment too long - the kind of moment that neither of them will ever admit means something. After all, the one-night stand between them was "no big deal." That's what they told everyone. That's what they told themselves.

They crack open Kiara's cooler, pull out beers, and make a lazy morning toast as the HMS Pogue drifts into open water.

"Like my sunglasses?" Olivia turns to the blonde beside her, flashing a grin.

"Of course I do." JJ plucks them off her face and slides them onto his own.

"Hey! You'll stretch them out with your big-ass head!" She lunges for them, missing completely.

"I bet I look better in them anyway," JJ says with that cocky smirk.

"Of course you do," Olivia replies, giving up with a laugh.

The boat hums forward, the sun glinting off the waves. Beer bottles clink, laughter echoes, and for a while, everything feels easy. JJ can't help sneaking glances at Olivia - her messy hair catching the breeze, her laughter breaking through the noise of the motor.

"Are those Liv's?" John B asks, catching JJ mid-stare as he snatches the sunglasses off his face.

"Hey!" JJ protests.

"Hey, Liv! Catch!" John B tosses them back, and Olivia snags them midair, slipping them on again with a smug smile.

"You're totally staring at her, man," John B mutters under his breath.

JJ shrugs. "Of course. She's a super hot chick who's rich. Who wouldn't?"

"Right," John B mutters, unconvinced.

Trying to change the subject, JJ grins. "Let me show you a pony trick. Pope, speed it up!"

"Oh boy," Kiara sighs, bracing herself.