After Kie had dropped off her car we made our way over to the wreck for some food. It was late and they were just about to close.

"Stealing drones makes me hungry " Kie chuckled as we parked in front of the restaurant.

"What I would do to a beer and shrimp and grits right now," JJ said, getting out of the car

"That would not be pretty " Pope shook his head

"y'all haven't seen me put down shrimp tacos in years... that wouldn't be pretty" i scoffed a laugh as we walked inside the door the bell ringing above us.

"Hey, Dad" Kie greeted in a pitchy voice

" hi, mr.c" I waved and walked to the other side of the restaurant with the boys

With every step they looked at each plate of food we passed

" bro stop staring " I hit John B's arm

" ow" he frowned and rubbed his arm
.Mr. Carrera looked over at us judgingly.

We all waved ...well except JJ he threw up a peace sign

"Really?" I said after Mr. C looked away." What?" Jj hummed"Being informal does not get you free food" I said and jj scoffed" when have you ever been formal?"

After a few more seconds Kie walked over
"Sit down " she gave us the green light

We all rushed to the empty booth sitting down

I sat down next to jj across from John B., JJ  practically slammed into me with excitement

Kie soon brought us drinks and food

We laughed talked ... threw food.
Kie invited John B to dance .....

I looked out the window to see a beautiful full moon.

" hey ... jj?" I said getting his attention

"Yeah, what's up ?" He asked

"You wanna ... uh ... you wanna go take a walk on the beach?" I asked him

"Yeah... sure," he said. Putting down his cup

"You guys are leaving me... really?" Pope reached an arm out trying to catch us I pushed my back out of the door with a shrug"Sorry" I whispered

We walked out of the wreck and down to the beach. After walking in silence for a bit we sat down on the sand

"You wanna know something crazy ?" I asked my lips running dry from the salty air" What?"jj looked over his shoulder at me.

"The whole reason I'm here right now is because I found that picture we took the day before I left .... when I was packing up" I laughed through my nose

" I was looking at that photo the day you came home ..... granted I look at it all the time but ya know " he chuckled towards the end of his sentence" ya know. cause it's just sitting on the side table ..." JJ tried to play off. I laughed " I think getting into that fight with my mom was like fate ...because honestly I don't wanna be anywhere else but here right now "

"Do you miss her?" JJ asked I paused for a moment, I hadn't thought of the feeling. " I guess in some way yeah... but she was never the nicest to me. i always kind of thought she just wanted to get custody of me as revenge  for my dad getting her pregnant." i laughed but my eyes filled with tears, jj put a soft arm on my  shoulders" sometimes i feel like that with my dad. like he just hates me  because my mom left. ruined his life" he shrugged 

"JJ" I turned my head looking at his, our faces almost brushing against each other's "You could never ruin anyone's life." i told him looking into his glistening eyes. he nodded a smile drawing to his face" neither could you" he breathed out. My heart raced deeply my lips tingling with each breath.  I licked my lips.

no

I cleared my throat " You made me cry" I chuckled wiping my eyes quickly " You did that to yourself "  he gave me a small shove.

 What was going on?

After a few minutes, we went back and hung out for a few before dropping Pope off at home since Kie was going back with her dad.

We arrived at the chateau at around ten. John B went inside JJ was on the couch and I was in my room

I couldn't sleep

I went out into the living room and saw JJ sprawled out on the futon

"JJ. Jj wake up " I whispered tapping his arm

"What?" He flipped over

" I can't sleep," I said

"Come here "  he scooted over.

I lay down next to him. His presence was what I needed.

~

I woke up the next morning John B. was throwing a beer can at my head.

I groaned flipping over seeing JJ was still asleep

"Get over here!" John b mouthed from the kitchen

I got out of bed and walked over to him

"What?" I whispered

"Why are you sleeping in the living room with my best friend?!" Jb whispered in a harsh tone

"Number one don't say sleeping unless you mean we had sex. And I don't get the big deal... this isn't the first sleepover we've had" I folded my arms 

"Don't say sex ... that's gross. And I was fine with it before I knew you two had a thing " he whispered

"What are you even on about? John B?" I denied everything within me that felt that way.

"  Don't act like I'm dumb. I see the way you look at each other, it's weird. This stops now." he whispered yelling back

" NOTHING IS GOING ON!" my voice raised slightly" and even if something was going on, you have a thing for kie. It's the same premise" I made a point of

"Yeah but at least I wasn't gone for two years !" He gritted his teeth

"You know that wasn't my choice to make ! ... ya know what John, you don't get to choose who I date and don't date, " I said as I saw JJ getting up

I stormed into my room closing my door

After about 20 minutes
I heard a knock on my door

" come in " i said" unless you're john b then fuck off and die"

The door opened. It was kie

"Hey." She said closing the door behind her

"Why aren't you dressed We're about to test out the drone Don't you wanna see?" She asked sitting on the edge of my bed

"John B and I aren't talking at the moment so I refuse to be without a 1-mile radius between us. " I said with a raised tone

"Really? Cmon just. Come outside we need you for mechanical " she said

"They have you and Pope for that " I replied

"Fine. But JJ wants to see you" Kie says trying to bribe me

" he probably doesn't because john b probobly  said some bullshit like i have  a thing for him." i scoffed

"Not from the looks of it. No. Jj seems kinda disappointed at the moment ... and if you keep lying to yourself and don't let yourself be happy... news flash! You're never gonna be happy " she tucked her arms under each other a wise look on her face. I sighed" Everything is so complicated with him. Like I swear every time something's about to happen I like, jump away... or he looks away from me." I groaned

"sounds like you guys are just scared" she gives light to " of what? he's my best friend..." i shrugg kie gives me a look, " oh..." i  raised my eyebrows" damn, he's my bestfriend"  my eyes went wide

"So..." Kie pushed 

"I think I like JJ..." I breathed out 

~

 After I gave myself i minute to collect my thoughts I went out to the doc.

"Hey, there you are," JJ said" I was told  that you hated everyone and went into your cave"

I smiled" John B?" I questioned "John B" he confirmed 

"So. Pope, what are we doing here?" I asked leaning over to the screens Pope was looking at 

"For now I'm just testing the software " Pope replied
"

cool... oo what's this do?" I went to touch a flashing button" don't touch that " he swiped my hand away

" you're no fun " I sighed then walking back to lean on the railing

" god bless geeks . What would we do without you to Control the drones" jj said as kie and john.b came out of the water

" technically it's not a drone it's an R.O.V.- pope started

" shut up shut up. It's too early for that right now ." JJ said swatting the air between pope and him

" hey, once we get the footage of the wreck, we'll bring it to a lawyer in town and file a formal claim. " john b explained

"Its such bullshit . Why do we have to do that?" Jj asked" why do we have to do what?" I asked him pretending I didn't hear john b

"What he just said .... oh right you guys are fighting never mind" JJ said

"Well there is the merit time salvage law. You can't just go to the. Bottom of the ocean sand scoop a bunch of stuff up . " Pope explained

"I know.I know. It's just lawyers aren't cheap, bro . " JJ stated

"As soon as they see the footage, they'll work for a comp," John B said

I rolled my eyes and leaned over in JJ's ear and whispered something

"She said. And I quote ' How do you know that? Dumbass' her words not mine " jj repeated

" cause dad said it like a million times... at least I was listening " he snapped back with a snarky comment

"You wanna go? Cause I will jump in that  water right the fuck now !" I started slipping off my shoes while JJ tried to hold me back

" I'd like to see you try !"

"Sleep with one eye open tonight " I gritted my teeth

" ok. Ok! Enough. Look clouds are rolling in. So we can't finish this today but if you guys don't make up by tomorrow none of us are helping you get the gold. Right ?" Pope says

"Right," Kiara and JJ said

After we got all of the gear cleaned up John B stayed home while Kie and I went to the wreck for a shift

I followed her around while she was waiting tables

" I don't know Kie. He just thinks he owns me. I mean it's not even like I'm his little sister we're exactly the same age ." I complained

" I mean maybe he just wants to protect you. I mean you know how JJ is with women. He gets in there pants and then drops them" she says walking to another table

"Yeah. With other girls who don't give two flying fucks about him. But I care about him ... a lot " I say to her as she picks up an order off the counter" I just can't see him doing that" I shrugged

" he deserves someone like you ya know... You get him" she gives a small smile. It felt like the opposite... like he knew me more than anything

Kie stood next to me with a smirk on her face . " So. What are you gonna do about John B? I mean you guys have to make up somehow right ?" Kie says

"Yeah. I just don't know how to approach him. Or do I let him approach me ?" I asked

"How about this. John B invited us all to the beach to go surfing in about 20 minutes. How about when you see him well just let the air clear itself "Kie says

I nodded

After Kie had clocked out for the day we went back to her house to change. She let me borrow one of her old bathing suits
And one of her old boards

We walked down to the beach seeing John B leaning on a tree with his board next to him

"Hey- what is she doing here ?" John B asked

"Oh for the love of god she's your sister. So I'll leave you two to make up while I go wax my board " Kie said then walking away

We sat in silence for a second

" I'm sorry I said that you left me and Dad. I know it wasn't your choice and I'm glad you came back " he said breaking the thick air

"Thank you. And I'm sorry as well I'm sorry for yelling at you about j." I sighed "You're right... I might have feelings for him." I kept my voice low

"Yeah... I was thinking about that earlier and not that you need my blessing but I see how happy you two make each other. And JJ really cares about you. I mean even when you left he was constantly asking if you texted me about anything. So I do approve of the thing you two have "John B concluded

"Well thank you anyway" I smiled
" so you ready to go surf ?" He asked me

" uh yeah . Just you and kie go without me for now i think i see jj and pope over there " I nodded towards the two boys

" ok see you out there " john b said then walking over to kie and paddling out

" hey" I walked over to them " ... what happend to your head ?" I asked pope who had a bandaid over his forehead

" nothing . I just fell over a root today while delivering groceries " pope answered

" well are you ok? It looks bad " I question

" yeah... I'm fine let's go get in the water" pope ran past the question

" what was that about ?" I asked jj as pope sped walk out to the water

" you know pope he's just weird ... so you make up with john b yet ?" He asked as we walked towards shore

" yeah .... and what's this I hear about you. Asking about me all the time after i left ?" I teased

"You're telling me you never wondered about me while you were gone?" He asked reciprocating the tone. My mouth hung open, I rolled my neck back with a laugh " maybe I thought about you... a little" I smiled."let's go catch some waves" JJ hooked his arm around my neck

 We walked down to the water. Running into the water and swimming out. 

I looked down the line of my friends with a small smile." That's all you, lex" JJ held out his hand for the pogue shake, I shook his hand before swimming out to the rising wave.  I pressed my hands firmly down as I lifted myself upwards stabilizing myself on the water the wave dragging me up as I bent my knees to move along with the water.  As the wave came down i let myself back on the board as everyone cheered.

~

Lying in the hammock hearing the waves crash. jjs arm slithered around mine. i had no clue what was going on.between him and i, praying that it wouldn't ruin what we had now.

" you really think it's out there like no bullshit?" Pope asked

" my father thought it was " john b said" but do you?" Pope asked" after hearing his voice on that tape I think I do " john b said as thunder rumbled" only one way to find out " pope said

" look, where gonna find it ya know ? Even jj believes. " kie teased then wiggling her hands across to me and jj

" oh my god jj do you really believe? " I said in a jokey tone" totally . Wait. Are we talking about 4mil?"jj asks" 400 mil" I corrected along with pope

" jinx " I pointed to the boy with a smile" I'm gonna dream about ship wrecks " jj said then turning his body slightly,our arms being the only thing between us.

" goodnight bird " jj said to john b" goodnight bird shit " john b replied

"night,lex" his head layed ontop of mine" night."i held my breath, scared to move. cause if I moved, he would too.

JJ

I woke up the next morning to see no one else on the hammocks as the night beforeOf course I woke up the latest .I got up , quickly stretching and then heading inside where I heard noise

" morning" lex said from the kitchen as she pulled in water and beers into a cooler" good morning. Hey, where's everyone?" I asked as she closed the fridge door" out on the dock prepping. " she said picking up the cooler off the counter

"You ready ?" She asked,I nodded and we headed out to the dock. Once fully prepped we headed out. I was driving the boat" alright, jj. Pin it here" John B instructed as we made it far enough out

"Roger that! X Mark's the spot. " I called out as I pinned the boat"Alright ladies and gentlemen. To going full kook ." John B said then putting the drone in the water

"Okay where right over it JJ. Ten seconds north west " Lex instructed

"Got it. Ten seconds northwest " I repeated"One hundred feet!" Kie shouted as she fed the line in"What? What? What?" John B said frantically reacting to Pope gasping" nothing " he shook his head

" dude you can't do that to me, " I said trying to stabilize the boat"And to quote The Hobbit. Down down to goblin town down down you go my lad " Pope said"Why are you such a nerd ?" Lex asked him rhetorically" like you didn't sit there and watch the entire movie with me in the seventh grade." he scoffed

" 400 ft! " kie shouted"Tides turning! "

"JJ. Ten seconds easy. South - south east " John B instructedI turned the boat trying to keep it stable in the wind"Guys the winds are getting worse " Lex warned

"We'll be fine, " john b said " jj, 20 seconds mid- speed , alright? South ."

" copy that. Aye aye "

" kie keep the tether out of the prop " lex instructed

" I'm trying" she pulled the line.Thunder rumbled, my chest tightening.

" ok 700 ft !" kie called" guys I don't think this is safe anymore !" lex said, her voice becoming stressed" we're gonna be fine . C'mon pope we should be right over it " john b said

" 900!" Kiara yelled over the harsh wind  and sea spray" jj hold steady !"

" there too much current john b were gonna lose it . Alexis is right " kie said
" 960!... 970!...1000!"" I'm at the bottom !" Pope shouted" steady here jj steady here!" John b yelled and I  steadied us as well as I could in the harsh waters.

" guys were at the end there's noth-" lex started

" holy fucking shit "

" it's the royal merchant"

KAT speaks...

 this chapter holds a special place in my heart, simply because bee and lex are  me and my brother to a T.  these next few chapters are also some of  my faves of season one. I have officially pre-written all of season one and two and I just need to edit them so i'm trying to get a lot of chapters out  just so I can clean up my account.