Chasing Sunshine | JJ Maybank

24 // Midsummers

"Okay, so I say we split up. You go get Kie and I'll track down Pope," John B suggested as we strolled along the back perimeter of the Routledge property.

"Or you can get Kie. Give you two some time to discuss things," I countered, bumping shoulders with him slyly as we walked, "You know, about you-know-wh-"

The end of my sentence was starkly interrupted when a clammy palm came from behind and clamped down over my mouth harshly. I was wrenched backwards into the dirt and I heard John B grunt in surprise when he fell next me. Immediately flailing around in a panic thinking our illicit activities were finally catching up with us, I managed to land an elbow into our attackers ribs and roll away when I felt the grip on me loosen. John B also managed to get away and pin the stranger underneath him, fist cocked back and ready to swing. Except it wasn't a stranger and he stopped short when he recognized the face staring back up at him.

"It's me! It's JJ, stop, stop, stop!" JJ whispered harshly, raising his hands in the air. Both John B and I exhaled a breath of relief, the former sitting up quickly and giving our friend an annoyed shove.

"Fuck, what are you doing-"

JJ wasn't finished though and shoved John B against the side of house, covering his mouth again to prevent any more words spoken. "Would you two shut up!" he ordered urgently, grabbing John B by the shirt collar and me by the wrist to drag us over behind the stack of canoes sitting in the yard. I tore my arm from his grip, irritated with the continual rough treatment but remained quiet as instructed, following his finger were he pointed silently through the trees. My eyes landed on a seemingly commonplace gray car parked strategically, giving the driver a perfect view of John B's house. "See that? They're watching us, okay?"

"Who?" John B whispered. JJ shrugged, a little more relaxed now that we all had a handle on the situation.

"I don't know. Let's go, sneak around the dock," he replied, pushing at our backs to urge us forward. The three of us tiptoed as quickly as we dared through the tall grass and I followed the boys down the bank and into the muddy marsh water behind the Château, grimacing at the cold that seeped immediately through my clothes.

Now that the initial shock of JJ's less-than-welcoming greeting had worn off, I realized with a start that he was here in front of me and not in a jail cell. "Hey, when did you get out?" I asked in a hushed tone, staring at his back while we sloshed single-file towards the Pogue.

He didn't fully turn around but just glanced in the direction of the car, as if expecting someone to have heard me from all the way across the yard. "My old man bailed me out this morning."

The short reply didn't leave much room for further discussion so I bit my lip and left it at that. Before long, we reached the little fishing boat bobbing calmly where it was tethered to the dock and one by one, we all awkwardly pulled ourselves over the side. JJ started working on the rope tying us to shore while John B fished out the keys from the front pocket of his backpack.

"John, hurry up," JJ said tensely, keeping one eye glued towards the house at all times, "Come on, come on, come on."

He finally found them and jammed them into the ignition, starting the engine just as JJ pushed us off. The sound from the boat seemed to be so much louder than usual and I held my breath anxiously, waiting for us to be caught sneaking away. It wasn't until we were deep into the marsh's waterways that I dropped my stare from the Château and turned back to face the interior, kicking off my water-logged shoes and stripping off my outer shirt, leaving me in just a sports bra. JJ turned around as well, letting out a sigh and running a hand down his face.