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"Are you still worried about...making it weird?"
- JJ Maybank
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[present day]
The rest of the day is spent preparing for their mission tonight. Sarah and Kiara sneak home to get dark clothing to wear for themselves, and Abigail, while Pope and John B go off to get supplies. Abigail and JJ remain at the Chateau, changing all the batteries in the flashlights to make sure they work for tonight, Abby sharing with the blonde boy what happened on the boat last night.
"So, did you guys, like, actually make up, or..." JJ asked, lifting his head up to look over at her.
She nods. "Yeah, we did. It feels better, now that I know what actually happened."
JJ nods. "Good, good."
They fall silent again for one whole minute.
"So, did you talk about me?" He asked, smiling.
Abigail lifts her head up, shooting him a look. "Seriously?"
"What? I'm just curious. You three were out there all night, just wanna know what you were talking about. That's all." He says, shrugging.
"Definitely not you." She lies, biting her lip to keep from smiling.
He looks up at her again, his jaw dropping. "Oh, you totally did."
"JJ!"
"What'd you say?" He asked, excitedly.
"Stop!" She chuckles, as he steps around the table to stand next to her.
"I knew it."
She smacks her lips together, as she looks up at him. Then, suddenly, she gets an idea. "Like you didn't talk about me last night with the boys."
JJ immediately shakes his head. "Nope, no, we didn't. You didn't come up once."
She nods, crossing her arms. "Wow, you're lying right to my face."
"I am not." He defends.
"Oh, I know you are. You couldn't even wait five seconds before telling John B we kissed, you definitely talked about me last night." She says, crossing her arms.
JJ sighs. "I'm gonna kill John B."
"Why? I think it's cute that you've 'had a thing for me' for years." Abigail says, using air quotes.
JJ looks down at her. "Yeah?"
"Yeah..." She nods, as JJ leans down and kisses her quickly. "It was mutual, you know."
"Yeah, Pope mentioned that." He teases, smiling.
Her smile falls for a second, before she recovers, sending him her own teasing smile. "So, you admit to talking about me last night then, huh?"
JJ clears his throat. "Anyway—" she starts laughing. "How long?"
Abigail pauses to think about it. "Freshman year."
His eyes bulge. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"You were dating Aaron most of freshman year." He reminds her.
"I started dating Aaron so I could get over my little 'crush' on you. You were one of my best friends, I didn't wanna make things weird." She explains.
"Huh..." JJ says, processing the information he's been given. "And how 'bout now?"
She furrows her brows. "What do you mean?"
"Are you still worried about...making it weird?" He asked, his expression serious now.
"Are you?" She asked.
"I asked you first." He says.
Abigail sighs. "I'm worried about us not being friends if whatever this is ends badly." She admits. "It's the reason why I never said anything to begin with. Especially after how close we got the last few years, I just...I didn't wanna think about not having you in my life."
JJ nods, a small smile on his face. "Yeah..."
"Isn't that what held you back?" She asked.
JJ shrugs. "Sorta. But, it wasn't just that..." he trails off.
She furrows her brows. "What was it?"
"You're gonna tell me I'm ridiculous." He says, turning away from her. He picks up the last flashlight.
"Try me." She says, placing a hand on his arm.
JJ sighs, turning back to her. He fiddles with the flashlight in his hands. "I didn't think I was good enough for someone like you." He admits, Abigail's face softens. "I still don't."
"JJ..."
"No, I know. I know you think it's not true. But, it's how I feel." He continues, his gaze dropping to his hands. "I don't think you deserve someone like me."
She shakes her head. She reaches forward, gently taking the flashlight from his hands and placing it down, before grabbing his hands. "JJ, you are the most amazing person I know. You're my best friend, and you've done nothing but be there for me. You look out for me, you care about me...you know me better than anyone else. How isn't that enough?"
JJ doesn't respond, staring into her eyes. "It's not up to you, or anyone else, to decide what I deserve. That's up to me." She takes a step closer to him, their chests practically touching now. "And I know that you are more than good enough for me."
JJ smiles down at her, before bringing his hands to her cheeks and pulling her closer. He presses his lips to hers, as her hands land on his waist.
When they do pull away, he doesn't move his hands from her face, keeping her close. He places his forehead against hers, as she sighs.
"I know things are super crazy right now, but once things calm down, we should, like, actually figure this out." She tells him.
"What? This?" He asked playfully, gesturing between the two of them.
She chuckles, nodding. "Yeah...'cause I really like you, JJ."
His smile widens, before he kisses her once more. "I really like you too, pretty girl."
She giggles, as he kisses her forehead. The sound of the porch door opening and closing is followed by a groan. Both teens turn to see John B and Pope entering the Chateau.
"Okay, I know I said it was cute, but I'll take it back if these flashlights aren't done." John B threatens as he walks past them to his room.
Abigail rolls her eyes. "Chill — there's one more left."
"There better be." John B calls, before closing his door.
JJ reaches for it. "I got it." He tells her.
She steps away from the table, turning to Pope, whose smiling at her smugly. She walks up to him. "Got something you'd like to say?"
He shakes his head. "I'm happy for you two." Her face softens. "You both seem...really happy."
She smiles widely at her friend, tackling him in a hug. "Aww."
"Really, pretty girl? I'm right here!" JJ jokes, making Pope laugh.
Abigail pulls away from Pope, turning to the blonde. "You're so annoying."
"Not what you said like two minutes ago." He jokes. Abigail grabs a pillow from the couch and tosses it at his head, but JJ dodges it.
"Oh, and one more thing..." Abby says, turning to Pope. He furrows his brows, and then she starts slapping his arm repeatedly, the boy crying out. "Why would you tell JJ I had a crush on him?" She exclaims.
"Ow!" Is all Pope says, as John B reenters the living room, now dressed in dark clothing.
"Girls not back yet?" He asked. Abigail shakes her head, just as they see headlights shine through the window. Pope walks over to see who it is.
"It's Kie." He confirms.
"Perfect timing." John B says, slapping JJ on the ass as he puts the flashlight down. "Go change. We got gold to find."