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— my life is better because you're a part of it.
JO WAS NESTLED in her hammock outside the chateau, staring peacefully up at the clouds. Whooping could be heard in the distance, undoubtedly John B and JJ causing trouble somewhere nearby. A small smile graced Jo's features as she giggled and shook her head. Those two were always as hyper as could be.
The trio had been the best of friends since they met in the third grade. Four years later and nothing had changed at all — except, obviously, their age. They were now thirteen years old and getting into just as much trouble — if not more — as they had when they first became friends.
Jo was broken out of her thoughts when the shouting neared her. JJ hollered animatedly as he sprinted toward the girl's hammock and jumped onto it. He spread his body across her legs and Jo yelped in surprise as the hammock swung back and forth.
"Woogity woogity woogity!" JJ cried. He turned his head and grinned up at Jo, who scoffed at him and smacked his head.
"You're weird," she complained, though a smile remained on her face.
"You know you love it," JJ smirked. He reached up and tickled her sides, causing Jo to shriek in protest and squirm in an attempt to get away from him.
"As if," Jo scoffed. She shoved JJ off the hammock and he fell to the ground with a soft thud. He groaned as he sat up and gave Jo a pouty face.
"Come on, guys!" John B called. "The fish aren't gonna catch themselves!"
Jo glanced down at JJ and the pair grinned at each other. The brunette girl slid off the hammock and grabbed her fishing pole, which was leant against the nearby tree. She smiled widely and chased after the boys towards their trusty little motorboat. JJ jumped in carelessly as he always did, but turned and held out his hand to help Jo in. Despite his reckless nature, he was always gentle with the girl. He possessed an unusual protectiveness for her, one that John B knew for a fact he didn't have when it came to any other female.
Jo gave JJ a thankful smile as she hopped in the boat and John B keyed the ignition. The boat rumbled to life and they were off on the sparkling water in minutes. Jo plopped down on the edge of the boat and closed her eyes. She let the sun warm her face while the breeze from the water blew her hair behind her. JJ sang softly to himself as he prepared his fishing pole, but cursed lowly when he realized they didn't have much bait left.
"We gotta go to Heyward's," JJ announced to John B. "We need more bait."
"What?" John B cried. "Nah, we're fine, man."
Jo leaned forward to peer into the box and frowned. "He's right," she told her brother. "If we want dinner, we're gonna need more bait."
John B sighed heavily and groaned to himself. "We can't afford bait. Maybe we can just get some bread or something."
