𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

21.

🦋☀ 🌊 - 21

The HMS Pogue sped lazily through the marsh, cutting through the golden light of the evening like a blade through silk. The water shimmered under the sun, reflecting soft ripples across the hull. It was one of those perfect evenings-the kind that made the summer feel endless, with just enough warmth left in the air to make the breeze feel like it carried secrets.

Pope and Olivia had roped Kiara into helping with a supposed "boat repair," framing it as mechanical expertise needed for a friend's vessel.

"John B and JJ are already there," Pope had said with a smirk as they approached the dock.

Kiara, brushing her hair from her face, frowned. "Can't you guys do anything without me?" she muttered, but her curiosity got the better of her as she climbed onto the boat, joining John B and JJ.

Olivia watched the blonde walk onto the deck, her hands nervously twisting at her hoodie strings. "Do you think this will actually work?" she asked Pope, eyeing the tension in Kiara's posture. She knew Kiara wouldn't forgive the group easily-it might take weeks.

"Yeah," Pope chuckled. "It'll work. It's not like Sarah can actually swim back." He shook his head, amused, watching Kiara disappear into the small cabin with John B and JJ.

Inside the cabin, Kiara crouched over the engine, frowning at the wires and tools scattered around. Her fingers flexed as she tried to figure out the setup, her jaw tight with frustration-not with the boat, but with the situation. It wasn't supposed to be like this. She had trusted John B, and now she was stranded with Sarah on a boat they weren't supposed to be on.

"John B!" she yelled suddenly, but the sound was caught in her throat as she realized Sarah was locked in the basement hatch.

Kiara lunged forward, lifting the hatch with a grunt. Sarah's face appeared, wide-eyed and exasperated. "Guys!" Kiara exclaimed, stepping back. "Are you serious?"

The two girls stood on the edge of the deck, glaring at the empty water behind them where the others were already drifting away. The plan had worked-John B, JJ, Pope, and Olivia were gone, leaving the two girls alone to stew.

"Get your asses back here!" Kiara shouted, fists on her hips.

"Can't! Not until you two figure it out!" came a distant, teasing reply.

"I will kill every one of you!" Kiara barked, pacing the deck.

Olivia laughed despite herself, throwing her hands up. "Please help us out!"

"Sorry, girls. I love you both!" Olivia called, sitting cross-legged at the bow of the HMS Pogue, grinning at the ridiculousness of the situation.

"You can't just leave!" Kiara protested.

"There's food in the cabinet, and JJ rolled a blunt!" Pope's voice called from the distance, giving them a thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, back on the dock, Olivia swung her legs over the edge, letting them dangle in the cool water. The sunlight reflected off the marsh, catching in her hair. It was serene, almost peaceful, despite knowing Kiara and Sarah were stranded on the boat.

JJ flopped down beside her, nudging her shoulder. "Hey you."

"Hey," Olivia said softly, leaning her head against his shoulder. The warmth of his arm against hers felt like a little comfort in the middle of the chaos.

"I miss hanging out with you," JJ admitted, pulling her closer. The chaos of gold hunting, secret maps, and outrunning the square's groups had consumed most of their summer, leaving little room for just being together.

"I'm right here," Olivia teased gently, squinting at the setting sun.

"No, I mean just you and me. I don't know..." JJ shrugged, staring at the horizon, a little embarrassed he was admitting it.

Olivia chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I get it. I miss it too."

JJ's gaze softened, drifting to memories of teaching her how to surf, sneaking up to her roof at night to stare at the stars. Those moments felt like another life compared to the constant tension that now hung over them. Olivia missed it too-the simplicity, the freedom. She knew that some of his troubles at home had made these moments rare, but she tried her best to pull him out of it.

"I wish I got to dance with you at Midsummers," JJ admitted suddenly, voice tinged with regret. "Shit. I shouldn't be saying that."

Olivia lifted her head, meeting his downcast eyes. He was fidgeting with the ring on his thumb, nervous and vulnerable. "Why not?" she asked, voice gentle.

JJ hesitated before finally meeting her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Why shouldn't you say that?" Olivia pressed. "'Cause I honestly wanted to dance with you too."

JJ's eyes squinted, a small smile forming. "Really? I saw you with Rafe."

Olivia scoffed, shaking her head at the thought of Rafe. She did feel bad for him in a way, but her mind wasn't on him. "I don't like Rafe, dummy."

JJ raised an eyebrow, silently questioning, though he tried to hide it. Olivia could see through him, of course-he was thinking too much, as usual.

"Come on." She stood up, pulling out her phone and cueing a playlist Sarah had shared with her. The songs shifted between upbeat and slow, filling the air with a gentle rhythm.

JJ followed, watching as Olivia moved to the beat, her movements free and effortless. He hadn't really danced before, not like this, and he felt an unfamiliar sense of awe watching her.

"Please?" Olivia held out her hands.

JJ's smile widened, and he took her hands. They danced together, laughing as they stepped on each other's toes, spinning awkwardly but freely. For the first time in a long time, the chaos of their summer faded into the music, the golden light, and the simplicity of being together.

Eventually, a slower song came on. JJ took her hand, pulling her close, and for a moment, it was like a movie-the world melting away around them.

Pope and John B, sitting at the house, watched through the window, knowing this moment was inevitable.

"I owe you," Pope muttered, frustrated at his helplessness.

"Yes, you do," John B said, leaning casually against the counter. "Pay up, buddy."

"If I had signal, I'd record this and make fun of them for their dancing," Pope added, unable to take his eyes off them.

JJ's hand slid gently to Olivia's cheek, his thumb brushing softly across her skin. His heart pounded as he leaned closer, the world narrowing to the space between their faces.

"Scared?" Olivia murmured, her voice trembling slightly as she searched his eyes.

JJ smiled softly before pressing his lips to hers. Unlike last year, this kiss carried weight, emotion, and a fluttering in Olivia's stomach that had nothing to do with past flings.

He broke away just slightly, faces inches apart. "Liv, what about-"

"Shut up, J. Don't worry about them." Olivia cut him off, pulling him back into the kiss.

In that moment, JJ Maybank knew, without a doubt, that he was completely head over heels for Olivia Wilkins.