Ocean Eyes // JJ Maybank

18

I woke up next to John B on the dock, we had used life jackets as pillows. He was just opening his eyes as he sat up

"How you feeling?" I ask softly as I look out at the sunrise, the sky is a warm orange matching the light shining down on us. Clouds are scattered through the sky along with yellow and blue streaks.

"Fine." he says with a sigh "C'mon, get to the twinkie."

"Okay?"

_____

I watch from the passenger seat as we pull up to to Mrs Crain's house "JB, what are we doing here?" I look at him as he opens his door and gets out. He slams his door shut and I watch him walk in front of the twinkie. With a sigh I get out and follow him but we stop when we see a sign on the stone wall.

Right there in big bold letters 'For Sale' panic immediately rose in both me and JB, we quickly jumped the wall and made a run for the well. JB stops when he sees a wheel barrel that reads 'Camron Development'

"No. No." he whispers angrily before walking over to the well, I follow behind not sure how to feel right now.

I had lowered JB down the well on a rope, we hoped the gold hadn't been found.

"JB?" I call over the edge but all I'm met with is yelling

"No! No!" he yells over and over again, I can hear the echos of him punching and kicking at the stone

"JB, come on."

_________

We all sit on the dock except for Pope, JJ is sitting on the wooden railing smoking a joint while I stand behind him with my arms wrapped around him and my head resting on his shoulder. We both look out at the now setting sun. I thought back on the day while JB talked.

Wake up on the dock, find out the gold is gone, drink all day, mope around, hang out on the dock. Today sucked.

I turn around as I hear JB groan, he had pulled his cast off and tossed it across the dock.

"John B." Kie scolds

"What Kie? It's a hairline fracture, who cares?" John B says with annoyance laced in his voice

"You should care, your arms gonna be messed up for life." Kie says as JJ passes me the joint

I take a hit of the joint, I feel the smoke fill my lungs and I hold it for a minute before exhaling.

"It's fine, see." JB says as he wiggles his fingers around

"Guys!" Pope shouts as he runs towards us "Oh! Oh..oh god. I ran all the way here." he bends over as he tries to catch his breath

"You all right?" JB asks

"How was the interview, Pope?" JJ asks as I let go of him and he turns around on the railing

"Don't ask. JB. Look, I'm sorry, dude. About everything." Pope says as he continues to breath heavily

"It's fine." JB sounds numb

"But I don't have a lot of time. And- and I have information that is tactically relevant." Pope speaks quickly

"Then say it. Jesus." I sigh as I sit on and empty cooler and lay my head in JJ's lap.

"So, before I had my interview, my dad said he was going down to the private airstrip to cut palms for cameron's Big plane. Because it was too heavy, it needed a longer lading strip to take off. So, I'm there sitting in my interview thinking to myself, 'Hm. Why would Camron need a long airstrip to take off?'"