"Do you have any plans tonight?" Kie asked one Saturday afternoon, in March, as the girls worked together at The Wreck. Filling sodas Coralina placed several on her tray, "Oh yeah. JJ and I are going to the bowling alley to shoot pool. He needs to perfect his game before the tourons start flocking to the island," she said, laughing as she lifted the tray.
"Oh god. He still hustles the pool tables during tourist season?" Kie questioned, laughing when Coralina simply nodded, before taking her tray of drinks to the table.
After checking on all her tables Coralina found herself by the soda machine again catching up with Kie, "So there's been no word on your dad?" Kie asked. "Nothing since Peterkin wanted John B to sign that paper declaring him dead. My brother doesn't want to sign unless we see a body, but the Kildaire County Police don't have the manpower to comb the ocean so a body is probably not going to wash up," Coral told the girl.
"How are you doing with all of this?" Kie asked, concerned. Pursing her lips Coral shrugged, "Some days are harder than others. Uncle Teddy tries but you know he didn't sign up to take care of two teenagers. I hang out with the boys a lot and JJ's got an everlasting supply of weed," she answered, "You know he built a chicken coop in the backyard. He wants to get chickens next month when the weather is a bit warmer," Coral laughed.
"Oh my god," Kie laughed, "I can just picture it now Farmer JJ," she snorted, "What about that guy? The mystery guy from New Years are you still seeing him?" Kie questioned, wiggling her eyebrows.
Biting her lip Coral nodded, "I still see him, yeah. He's a pretty good distraction from my life so there's that too," she replied, laughing. "Are you ever going to tell me who he is?" Kie asked, cocking her head to the side. Noticing one of her tables looking around for her Coral smiled, "You asked that last time and the answers still not telling. Gotta go duty calls," she said before heading over to her customer.
Cashing out at the end of her shift Coralina glanced up when she heard the restaurant door open. Smiling, she waved when she saw JJ. "Give me like two minutes to change," she told him before rushing towards the backroom.
Grabbing her clothes and makeup bag she changed quickly before fixing her makeup. She was just throwing her Wreck apron into her locker when Kie came through the backroom door, "Hey, look at you, hot stuff," Kie whistled, "You sure you're just hanging out with JJ? You look like you're heading out for a date."
Furrowing her brow Coralina glanced down at her ripped skinny jeans tucked into her black ankle boots and her off the shoulder peasant top and just shrugged, "Nope just hanging out with JJ," she answered, "Hey, can you help me clasp this? I can never seem to get it myself," Coral asked, holding out her wrist with her charm bracelet.
"Oh, wow, when did you get this? It's really pretty," Kie gushed, flicking the charms once she clasped it around Coral's wrist. Smiling down at the bracelet Coral told her JJ got it for Christmas for her. "JJ? JJ Maybank, got you a charm bracelet?" Kie questioned, wide-eyed.
"Yep," Coral replied, "Well, I gotta go he's waiting for me out front. I'll see you next shift," Coral said, heading towards the door ignoring the look of disbelief on Kie's face.
"Oh yeah, I know you probably have plans, but next Saturday all of us have off and with the temps climbing every day we were going to go out on the HMS and then have a campfire. If you're not busy," Coral invited her old friend out on their boat. Clearing her throat Kie nodded, "Oh, yeah, I'll have to let you know. Sarah's birthday is this week and I'm not sure what she's doing yet."
Smiling Coral nodded, "Okay, well I'll see you next time then," she said before shoving the back room door open and heading out to meet JJ.
"And then she said she'd have to let me know because she doesn't know what Sarah's doing for her birthday this week," Coralina reported to JJ as they walked to the bowling alley with her arm linked through his, "I mean seriously I'm surprised she doesn't ask Queen Kook if she can piss and shit," Coral grumbled as JJ laughed.
"Yeah Kie has definitely gone to the dark side. I'm actually quite surprised by it," JJ commented. Huffing Coralina rolled her eyes, "I'm not. I mean as much as it irritates me being blown off for Queen Kook I get it. Kiara had to start a brand new school without any of her friends so when Queen of the Island wants to be friends you better latch on or be left behind," she explained.
Pulling her into the shadows of the bowling alley JJ gave her a kiss that melted her brain, "You're too forgiving, Babygirl," he muttered against her lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Coralina pushed him against the building, "I think we should just stay out here and do this," she told him, moving her lips to his neck.
"Hey, hey, none of that," he said pushing her away lightly, "Last time you left marks all over my neck that I couldn't explain to your brother. That set us back a few weeks on the JJ may be good enough campaign," he reminded her.
"You are good enough for me," she declared before kissing him long and slow, "But alright let's go play some pool," she said after pulling away from him. "Oh yeah, let's play pool with a hard on," he grumbled as she dragged him inside.
"Hey Coralina," whispered a voice in her ear as she waited in line at the concession stand. Narrowing her eyes she turned to find Rafe Cameron, Sarah's older brother, "Rafe," she stated, "What are you doing here? Get kicked out of college already?" she asked innocently before turning and asking the concession boy for a water and a coke.
"Actually I'm on spring break. Just stopping through here before heading to Florida for the week," Rafe bragged from beside her. "Must be nice spending Daddy's money," Coral replied. "You could come, you know. For the week, we could go to Florida together," he invited, ignoring her dig about his father's money.
Taking the water, soda, and her change from the kid behind the concession Coralina shook her head, "Rafe, I don't know if you realize that just because I'm a year older doesn't mean this wouldn't still be illegal," she told him gesturing between them, "Because guess what you're still almost four years older than me because you're a year older too," she stated, "I hope you have a good time in Florida, though," she told him unable to be completely mean to the boy before walking away.
Making her way back to JJ at their pool table she handed him his soda, "So Rafe Cameron just invited me to Florida for spring break," she told him. "Oh yeah, that's quite an offer," he replied, looking over her head to see if he could see him in the crowd.
"Yeah I told him I had to check with this guy I've been seeing to see if he had a better offer. I was hoping for a trip to like Paris or something," she told him, giggling when he glared at her.
"You're hilarious," he deadpanned, "What's that guy's obsession with you, by the way," he asked as he racked the balls for the next game. "I don't really know. We met at the boneyard a few summers ago and he asked me out but I thought it was a bit weird for him to be asking out a thirteen year old when he was almost seventeen," she answered, watching as JJ arranged the balls in the triangle.
"Alright, your turn to break," JJ told her. Grabbing her pool stick Coralina took the cue ball to the other end of the table, "You know I could use a little bit of guidance over here," she requested eyeing the blonde boy as she bent over the table.
Grinning JJ moved behind her wrapping his arms around her as he helped her line up her shot, "You know maybe we could try it bent over your bed like this," he whispered in her ear causing her to moan quietly.
"I suggest you two break it up before John B sees you," Pope said appearing at the side of the table, "As it is I only bought a few minutes while he's parking the van. Told him I had to piss and couldn't wait." Groaning JJ let her go before moving to the side of her, "What the fuck are you guys doing here?" he hissed.
"He got bored with the XBox, Bro, I tried keeping him occupied," Pope replied, throwing his hands in the air. Straightening up Coralina smiled at the boy, "It's okay Pope. Thank you for helping us get a little bit of time alone."
Coral had just taken the break shot when her brother walked up to the table. "Hey guys," he greeted. "Hey JB," she greeted as she looked over the table. "Hey man," JJ greeted, "Alright you sunk both solid and stripe so find your shot," JJ told her looking over the table.
Biting her lip Coral contemplated, "3 in the corner pocket," she stated moving to take her shot. After sinking three more balls she finally missed one letting JJ take his turn. "Damn JJ's been teaching you. Maybe we could get you in on the hustle," John B joked.
Laughing Coral shook her head, "Nope, who's playing him next because he's about to wipe the floor with me?" she asked as JJ began to clean the table of his striped balls. "I'll play him," John B said, taking the pool stick from her.
Turning back to the table she noticed JJ just had the 8 ball left, "Told you," she said smiling when the blonde boy looked up at her and winked before sinking the ball in a pocket. "Tell me again what your grade is, in Geometry?" Pope questioned. Furrowing his brow JJ shrugged, "Am I even taking Geometry this year?" he asked, confused.
Scoffing Pope rolled his eyes, "Dude, we have it eighth period together." Humming JJ nodded, "Oh yeah, the class with the triangles and angles and shit. I think I have a D or something," he told them, shrugging. "Bro, you do realize pool is literally geometry, right? You should be getting an A," Pope told him.
"I don't know man. I don't get that shit in school. I get this," JJ told him, "Alright John B rack them up." Pulling out her wallet Coralina asked the boys if they were hungry. "Hey, Pope, go with her. Rafe was sniffing around earlier," he told the others.
"I don't need a babysitter, JJ," Coral huffed. "Humor me," he replied as he chalked his pool stick. Sticking out her tongue at him Coral marched off with Pope following behind her.
The next weekend had the group taking the HMS Pogue out for the first time since the end of summer. "It's still a little chilly out on the water," Coralina whined pulling one of JJ's sweatshirts over her head as the boys sat out on the marsh with fishing lines in the water.
Narrowing his eyes, JJ looked at her, "Is that my sweatshirt?" he questioned. Looking down on herself Coralina smiled, "Yep," she answered. "The sweatshirt I was literally looking for two days ago?" he continued. Batting her eyelashes at him she continued smiling, "Yep," she answered as she pulled her book out of her bag.
Settling on the bow she shoved a pillow under her head before laying back to read. Sometime later she looked over when JJ laid back next to her leaning back on his elbows, "You know what seeing you in my clothes does to me, right?" he whispered.
Smirking she nodded, "Yep," she answered. Humming JJ nodded, "I'm gonna make you pay for it later," he told her quietly before getting up to check his fishing pole at the back of the boat.
"We're gonna be eating good tonight," JB crowed as she pulled the boat up to the dock. Jumping onto the dock JJ tied the boat off before helping Coralina up, "Thank you," she told him, kissing his cheek, "You boys have fun cleaning those fish guts," she called over her shoulder.
As she walked away she vaguely heard JJ arguing with her brother, "What Dude? She kissed me. I didn't kiss her," she heard JJ saying. Sighing she knew it was getting time to tell her brother what was going on. She just really wanted to avoid the argument she knew would happen.
While the boys cleaned and grilled the fish on the fire pit out back Coralina threw together a salad and made mashed potatoes. She was in the kitchen when her Uncle Teddy walked in to grab a beer, "You two are pretty self-sufficient," he commented watching as she made the potatoes.
"We had to learn at a pretty young age," she replied, shrugging. Taking a deep breath she stopped what she was doing to focus on him sitting at the table, "When are you planning on leaving?" she asked.
"Your boyfriend tell you that?" he asked. "As a matter of fact he did," she answered, cocking her head, "Did you tell JB this is all an act?" she asked. Taking a drink from his bottle he shook his head, "This isn't an act. I want DCS off our asses, I want you two to be safe, but this is a lot of money that I can't pass up especially if I"m going to be responsible for the two of you," he explained to her.
"I feel like I know that it's in our best interest if you go, but the last person who said he'd be back, didn't," she stated simply. "That's fair," he acknowledged with a tilt of his bottle, "But I'm telling you Coral I'll be back. Now let me give you some advice about that boyfriend of yours. If your brother finds out any other way then from you or him you're gonna have a problem on your hands," he warned.
"How'd you figure it out?" she asked. Scoffing Teddy rolled his eyes, "You two aren't subtle with the looks and the flirting," he answered, "Plus you're the first one to say something about my leaving which only JJ knew about so why would he tell you and not his best friend," her uncle reasoned out.
"JJ's been trying to prove he's good enough for me, but John B won't budge. Everytime JJ's nice to me or does anything for me John B's right there acting all big brother. We just want him to see there's a different side to JJ," Coral attempted to explain.
"Playing games is one way to hurt all parties involved. Just tell him," he advised. Nodding Coralina turned back to her potatoes, "We will," she promised.
After dinner the group found themselves out back roasting marshmallows for smores as they sat around the firepit. John B had removed the cooking grill and made the fire bigger.
After one helluva argument with her brother about Coralina laying in the hammock with JJ, in which she won on the bases of them sharing a joint together, she and JJ were laying together as they passed the blunt back and forth. John B and Pope were sitting in lawn chairs each roasting marshmallows.
"Oh, my marshmallow fell into the fire," John B whined as the others laughed. "Hey guys," called a timid voice across the yard. Turning her head Coralina squinted through the dark, "Kie?" she asked, sitting up as Kie walked closer to the fire.
Biting her lip Kiara fidgeted with the sleeve of her sweatshirt, "Ummm…..I know I never got back to you about coming, Coralina, but I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I dropped by," Kie told the girl.
Nodding Coralina smiled, "Pull up a lawn chair," she invited, "John B has the beer next to him. You're a little late to partake in the weed festivities. JJ and I just finished that shit up," she told her, giggling.
"You still get giggly when you're high, I see," Kie laughed as she pulled a lawn chair closer to the boys by the fire. "Yeah, some things never change. How've you been Kie?" John B asked. With that question Kie seemed to relax.
"There ain't no fucking way I'm sharing the pull out with Pope," JJ declared later that night. "Like I want to share with you," Pope called from the kitchen, "You hog all the covers."
Hands on her hips Coral glared at her brother, "JB, it's not a big damn deal. JJ and I have shared my bed before and then that way Kie and Pope can take the pullout and no male masculinity will be questioned."
"What's going on?" Teddy asked, coming into the living room from Big John's room. "Coral and JJ think I'm going to allow them to run off to her bedroom together," John B answered sarcastically. "For god sake John B there are four other people who are going to be in the house. What do you think we're going to do?" Coralina questioned.
"I'm not really willing to find out," John B retorted, "You've alway been a sneaky child and JJ's one big walking hormone. I told you last time your sleepovers were going to stop," he reminded her. "Dude!" JJ exclaimed at the same time that Coral turned to her uncle, "We're going to sleep that's it. And I don't care I'll sleep with Kie but the boys don't want to sleep together in case their peepees touch each other in the middle of the night so can you tell my brother it's not a fucking big deal?" she pleaded.
"Why do I have to make the decision?" Teddy whined. "Because you're the adult," Coral reminded him. Rolling his eyes Teddy sighed, "Fine, but the door stays open," he told her sternly. "What!" John B cried the same time Coral exclaimed, "Done," before grabbing JJ's hand and marching back to her room.
She could hear her brother arguing with her uncle, "You're just going to let them sleep together?" he questioned. "JB, she's a big girl. You've gotta let her find her own way and trust her judgement," she heard her uncle reply.
"Ummm...for the record," Pope spoke up, "Me not wanting to sleep with him really had to do with him being a cover hog not with our peepees." "Pope, no," Kie groaned as she laughed.
"I can't believe your uncle agreed to me being in here," JJ commented as they laid in bed together. Leaning up to kiss his jaw she smiled, "Well he kind of knows about us," she told him, smiling when he turned pale. "One of them is just gonna blow my balls off," JJ muttered as she laughed quietly.