Contagious

JJ woke still wrapped in John B's arms and she didn't want to get up. But her stomach started growling loudly. She still hadn't eaten. She's been distracted the night before, but now her hunger was back full force.

She could feel John B's member poking her in the back as she tried to extract herself, but John B just held tighter. She could feel her cheeks turn a little pink.

She's no virgin and morning wood is completely normal for boys, but with the changing dynamics between them it felt different. More intimate. She felt a spark of desire wash through her, but then her stomach growled again. She tried again to escape, but John B wouldn't budge.

She's never had this much trouble extracting herself before. That's when she realized he's awake. "John B!" She complained, smacking his arm playfully to let go.

He laughed at her and she turned to shake her head at him in mock anger after he let her go.

"Fish for breakfast?" He asked, laughing when her stomach growled at her again. "Pretty sure it's all we got."

How did she forget about the fish? She could've eaten dinner last night, she groaned to herself.

"Anything sounds perfect right now," she said. They climbed out of bed and made their way to the kitchen. JJ prepared the last of the fish while John B built a fire outside to cook them, power still not back. It's a good thing it's the last of it, otherwise it's would've gone bad by the next day. The freezer was just about fully thawed out now and wouldn't be able to retain the cold for more than a couple more hours if she had to guess.

Pope and Kie were both still asleep, but once the fish was cooking, the smell woke them up. Soon they were all gathered around the table eating fish. John B, Pope, and Kie hadn't touched their food as they watched in shock as JJ devoured her fish in less than 5 seconds.

John B felt guilt bubble up as he realized she probably hadn't eaten in days. He should have noticed somehow. Hell, he hadn't eaten much either. It's how life is on the cut, which only fuels his determination to find the gold so that neither one of them goes hungry ever again.

John B snapped out of his thoughts when JJ dropped her fork onto the plate, and decided to finish up quickly. They have gold to find. Pope and Kie seemed to feel his energy and soon enough they were all finished and boarded the HMS Pogue. The plan was to just to kill time until JJ could sneak them into the country club. JJ said her boss leaves at 11 for lunch, which would be the best time.

JJ had suggested they use the computer at the country club she worked at in order to do a bit of research. Pope was overly proud of her for that suggestion, but she had to admit research wasn't something she usually suggested. She was more of a 'dive in headfirst' type of girl.

But this was for John B and JJ didn't want to mess anything up. Not when the stakes were so high.

JJ sat in the front of the boat, as was her usual spot. She always felt like she was flying with the wind in her hair and nothing but sea ahead of her. Right this moment though, she was facing her friends, memorizing these moments together. One year left of school and Pope and Kie would be leaving then for their respective futures. She looked at John B who drove the boat, and she couldn't even imagine a life without John B in it. He's been her home, her safety, her family since the third grade. She'd follow him wherever he wanted to go.

John B had felt JJ's eyes on him while he chatted with Pope and drove the boat. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't spent the majority of the ride enjoying the view she presented against the ocean backdrop behind her.

Since the night before, he can't get her out of his head. It's only been an hour and already he misses the smell of her hair and his hands crave to feel her soft skin as he holds her close. It was like something had snapped in him once he fully realized his feelings for her and he was almost positive she had them too.

He loves her. He knows it like he knows the sky is blue. He knows she feels something, but he doesn't know what, if it's the same way he feels about her.

John B decides to tease her a bit, and turns his eyes to her, letting her know he caught her staring. She blushed, cutely and he winked ridiculously at her. She rolled her eyes and he grinned when he saw her mouth twitch into a smile. She never could resist his smile. She once told him it was contagious so it's not her fault. Funny, he remembers thinking the same thing about hers the first day they'd met. Even as a third grader he wasn't immune, he thought amused, how did it take him so long to realize what's been obvious this whole time? He's an idiot.

JJ looked out to the sea and whistled when she saw a super fancy boat about a yard away. "You guys see that? That's the Malibu 24 MXZ, the world's finest wakesetter. Number one in luxury, quality, and performance. 200k, easy."

"We picked the wrong parents," Pope joked.

"I hate to break it to you guys, but that's Topper and his girlfriend," Kie revealed.

Sure enough, as the boat passes, Topper and Sarah were clearly visible. Sarah gave them the side eye, but otherwise pretended they didn't exist. She was still upset at John B's accusation.

"Don't have to act like you don't see us bitch," Kie said for them, but loudly enough Sarah could've possibly heard. Luckily, they just kept going.

Another hour passed and John B decided it was about time to head back so he turned the boat around to head back to the chateau.

Meanwhile, Sarah and Topper had just just reached the beach to meet up with some friends at a church group get together to clean up the beach and we're walking through sand. Wheezie, who had tagged along followed quietly behind, always the eavesdropper.

"You should've heard how John B talked to me," Sarah ranted to Topper, after telling him what happened. "That kid's got a mouth on him."

"Well, he showed his true colors, Sarah," Topper responded, relieved that Sarah seemed to be back on his side.

"He was so rude!" Sarah complained.

"I know! It's what I've been trying to tell you. I mean, he's lucky your dad didn't press charges."

"I know! After stealing scuba from us? It's just, kind of ridiculous to me," she said sadly. She'd really hoped a Kook and a Pogue could be friends. "After everything my dad has done for him."

"Yeah," Topper agreed.

"Just so generous. You'd think he'd be more grateful," she added bitterly.

"I know," Topper hummed, hoping it could be dropped soon. He was tired of talking about the Pogues.

"Then he yells at me like it's my fault!" She cried vehemently.

Topper chuckled nervously at that but tried to play it off casually. "That's- it's- He's a Pogue at the end of the day. I mean, you can say we're all just people, or- or whatever, but it's a totally different mindset on the cut."

Sarah bit her lip at that. It wasn't there fault they weren't born into privilege, she thought.

She was saved from having to respond, by Kelce making an entrance carrying a mason jar of what she assumed was something their pastor wouldn't approve of.

"Yo, you look thirsty," Kelce said as he passed the jar to Topper. "Have some of that baby."

Topper took it. "Okay, what do we- what do we got here?"

Topper unscrewed the lid and took a whiff. His face scrunched, "Whew! Oh my god."

Kelce laughed as Topper took a long drink.

"Mm" Topper grunted as he lowered the mason jar.

"Yeah! That's how we do it baby!" Kelce cheered.

"Oh, man. Come on Sarah," Topper invites her to take a drink. Sarah took the mason jar and smelled it. It was major strong.

"Come on, Sarah," Kelce encouraged.

"Let's go," Topper clapped.

"What did you do to this," Sarah laughed.

"He's not playin around," Topper agreed.

Sarah took a long drink, deciding fun is exactly what she needs right now.

Suddenly the jar is being pulled away and she turns to see her little sister taking a long drink. What the hell. She'd forgotten she was there if she was honest.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Kelce said when he realized the young girl had jacked the drink. She's way too young.

"Mm-mm mm-mm" Sarah shook her head, as she swallowed the rest of the drink in her mouth. She grabbed the mason jar away. "Since when did you start drinking!"

"Since today," Wheezy said in her most innocent voice.

"Wow," Kelce muttered.

"Great going, Kelce," Sarah handed back the drink to Kelce.

Just then the pastor approached them. "You guys got it under control?"

"Yes sir, looking good sir," Topper replied as Kelce hurried to hide the mason jar in his bag.

"Just clearing the stretch out," Kelce smiled innocently.

"Just hydrating!"Sarah added. "Almost finished."

"Great job. Keep it up," the pastor nodded at them, then walked away.

"Thank you." Topper mock saluted as he opened a trash bag to put trash in.

After 10 minutes, the beach looked super clean of trash and the church group formed a giant circle around the pastor.

"Just a moment, friends, to acknowledge our blessings." The pastor spoke loudly for all to hear. Everybody grabbed hands. "To the big kahuna."

Topper snorted and Sarah shushed him as the pastor continued. "Thank you for the opportunity for us to come out here and restore Masonborough to its virgin glory."

Sarah glanced at Topper and neither one of them could maintain their laughter, though they tried to keep it quiet.

"Amen," the pastor finished. The group clapped as they gave their amen. A few sent disapproving glances toward Topper and Sarah.

"He doesn't like us, that guy," Topper referred to one particular man who glared at them.

Sarah laughed as Topper wrapped an arm around her and they walked back to his boat, Wheezie trailing behind them. It was times like this that reminded her why she was with Topper. If only she always felt this way with him.