𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

7.

🦋☀ 🌊 - 7

Just like JJ said, he woke up bright and early to meet John B. The first hints of sunrise streaked the sky pink and gold, and the salty tang of the ocean drifted in on the morning breeze. He didn't bother leaving Olivia a note; it was pointless. He usually snuck out of her house anyway, slipping silently into the morning without disturbing her. His pajamas were left draped over her chair like a silent placeholder, and he had changed into something Olivia had "borrowed" from him weeks ago-something slightly too big, the fabric still carrying her faint scent.

Olivia shuffled down the stairs, the wood creaking softly under her bare feet. She had planned on making herself some breakfast, a quiet start to the day, but she froze in the doorway. Noah and Rafe were already in the kitchen, flipping eggs and chatting as if they owned the place. The smell of sizzling butter and eggs filled the room.

"Morning," Noah greeted her, not even bothering to look up from his cooking.

"Want some eggs?" Rafe asked, voice casual but sharp, as he turned the pan slightly, sending the eggs wobbling but safe.

Olivia clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to throw something at him. She did want eggs, but not his eggs. Knowing Rafe, there could be something in them no one would ever want to eat. "Nope, but make yourself at home, I suppose," she said, rolling her eyes with a sharp, sarcastic edge.

"Who was at the house earlier?" Rafe pressed, his tone insistent, leaning casually against the counter as if he were the one in charge.

"Who?" Olivia froze mid-pour, orange juice spilling slightly over the glass.

"When I was coming over, I thought I saw a Pogue around your house this morning," Rafe continued, sitting next to Noah, who smirked knowingly.

"Do I need to tell Mom and Dad you're sneaking boys over?" he added, the smirk growing.

"It's neither of your business. No one was over here. Stop acting like a two-year-old, Noah," Olivia snapped, her patience thinning.

"It kind of is my business if I'm your Midsummers date," Rafe said, a flash of jealousy cutting through his otherwise calm demeanor. His gaze lingered on Olivia, sharp and calculating. The idea of her spending time with anyone-even her Pogue friends-was infuriating.

"Doesn't matter," Olivia said bluntly. She didn't care if it hurt his feelings; she had no interest in him. "I'm leaving."

Without waiting for a response, she slipped out the door, the cool morning air hitting her face as she made her way toward John B's place, where they usually met. By the time she arrived, she caught JJ mid-rant, punching the air and making loud banging noises with his mouth.

"Knocking paint off the wall from the inside!" JJ yelled, hopping around like a man possessed. "First of all, look at this shit."

He stormed over to Pope and Kiara, running his hands through his hair. A cascade of tiny white flakes drifted to the floor.

"That's dandruff," Olivia said, taking a seat beside Pope, wrinkling her nose at the blonde boy. She laughed at his antics while keeping an ear on the conversation.

"That's paint!" JJ shot back, frustration written all over his face. "At that point, I was waiting for death!"

"So you saw the guy who shot at us, right?" Pope asked, voice low, trying to keep calm.

"Wait, what?" Olivia blinked between JJ and John B.

"Yup," John B said, arms crossed, leaning casually against a pole. "Crazy, I know."