𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

19.

🦋☀ 🌊 - 19

Olivia and John B climbed out of the van in front of The Wreck. It felt strange when John B picked Olivia up today, considering his new living arrangements, but he did it anyway, careful not to jostle his injured arm.

"You're lucky you didn't get seriously hurt. That far of a fall could have done anything," Olivia said, walking beside him. She kept her eyes on the cast around his arm, noting the bumps and scuffs that made it look heavier than it probably was.

"Yeah, I know," John B muttered, pursing his lips as he adjusted his grip on the old wooden railing. Each step he took sent a small ache through his shoulder and cast, reminding him just how fragile he felt.

Kiara's head snapped up when the two walked in. Her excitement to see him was palpable, but it was laced with disappointment over the previous night. She was carrying drinks over to the table, and her brows furrowed as she approached. "So... you're living with Sarah Cameron?" she asked, her tone equal parts annoyed and incredulous.

"The only reason is because her dad bailed me out. And it's way better than foster care, which is, by the way, where I was about to go," John B replied, letting himself slump into a chair. The cast weighed heavily on his arm, tugging at his shoulder, and he rested it on the table with a sigh of frustration.

"So, hey... do you have a membership to the clubs now?" Olivia asked with a teasing tone, leaning against the table.

"How about one of those golf carts they drive around?" Pope chimed in from the corner, eyes glinting with mischief.

"Does it come with one of those sweaters? Or do you have to buy your own?" he added, peeking up with a smirk.

"Look, you promised," Kiara said, sitting down firmly, her gaze locked on him. "You said you weren't with her."

"She got you, own up to it," JJ leaned against the wooden pole next to the table, arms crossed, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"If you want to hang out with her, that's fine, but I'm letting you know right now that I'm not doing anything with Sarah," Kiara said, shaking her head in disapproval.

"Do you guys see her here?" John B asked, sweeping his hands around the table. "No... right? A little focus would be fantastic."

JJ handed a cup to Olivia, filled with cool water. "Here, water."

"Thanks," she murmured, taking a long, satisfying sip. The liquid was soothing, a small comfort after long, hard days filled with fights, chases, and the frantic search for whatever treasure John B had gotten them tangled up in.

"We have the map," John B announced, leaning forward, eyes glinting with determination.

"Well... it's a little off since the guy was all wack when he drew it," JJ pointed out, stepping forward with a smirk.

"Or the coasts have changed," Kiara added, gesturing at the map with pointed precision.

Olivia tried to keep her eyes open through all the bickering, though exhaustion pressed down like a heavy blanket. Nights had grown longer and crazier lately, and sleep had become a rare luxury.

"So we have to find coasts that haven't changed... what about the forest?" John B suggested, scanning the old map.

"Battery Jasper," Kiara said, pointing to a spot near the northern edge.

The group climbed into the van, winding their way up to Battery Jasper. Olivia rested her head on JJ's shoulder, feeling a brief sense of peace despite the constant chatter. Every so often, JJ would laugh at something Pope said, nudging Olivia awake and causing a small playful annoyance.