─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Show me what it's like to be a Pogue.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

         Kennedy was sure she was losing it. Somehow, JJ Maybank's words had actually affected her. She'd been awake half of the night, tossing and turning, struggling to sleep. She wanted to kill herself—throw herself out of a fucking window, because why was she losing sleep over something a basic stranger had said to her? But she couldn't deny the truth—and the truth was that his words had hung heavy on her, making it hard to forget them.

         She found herself finally throwing in the towel at 9am, practically launching herself out of bed to get dressed. Once she was, she took herself and her little baby blue bicycle and peddled her way to the Cut without ever stopping—or even thinking. Because if she thought too much about it, she would definitely realise how much of an idiot she was being and turn around.

           She found herself peddling through the gravel roads of the marsh before tossing her bike aside when she spotted the home that resided in the middle of nowhere—the one she had been searching for, the one she'd flagged strangers down in the street to ask where it was located.

         She marched her way up to the screen door, knocking on it a little too eagerly. She waited impatiently, drumming her foot against the patio floor. When there was no answer, she knocked again, "Alright! Alright!" A voice called out from inside the house. A moment later, a man exited through the front door and then pushed open the screen door. He looked her up and down with tired and bloodshot eyes. "Can I help you?" He asked her in a tone of confusion and annoyance.

             "Hi, sorry to stop by this early. I'm looking for your son?" She said, a question to her voice, wondering if the man in front of her was the father of the boy in question—they did resemble each other quite a bit. But the older man didn't seem to have JJ's kind eyes—they were far duller.

          The man scoffed, opening the door so she could enter, "That lazy son ova bitch ain't even awake yet," He told her as she stepped inside, offering him a small and polite smile. "JJ, boy! You have a visitor! Get your lazy ass up!" He called out, marching towards a bedroom door, knocking on it loudly as Kennedy stood in the centre of the living room, looking entirely out of place.

          JJ's father turned to look at her, "Sorry this place ain't a little more tidier for you. We weren't exactly expecting any guests—especially not from Figure 8." He told her, though there was something in his voice that said he didn't really care—having no intentions of ever pleasing those that lived on the wealthy side of the island.

          Kennedy smiled at him, "That's alright—you should see my bedroom," She said with a laugh, before realising what she had said sounded just a tad bit inappropriate. Her eyes widened. "I—I mean, my rooms a total mess. My mom always says it looks like a natural disaster hit it." She added, pushing her lips together in an awkward smile.

        The man rose an amused brow at her, "Guess that's what the maids are for." He assumed.

         Kennedy laughed a little, just to fill the silence as she swayed on her feet, fiddling with her hands. She glanced towards the door JJ's father had knocked on, "Do you mind if I—"

          "Knock yourself out." The man spoke over her, also eager to be done with the awkward formalities.

          Kennedy nodded, rushing towards the bedroom door. She gave it a light knock and then glanced over her shoulder, giving the man an awkward smile as he threw himself down onto the couch, cracking open a can of beer, "JJ, I'm coming in." She called out as she twisted the door handle, allowing herself to step into the boys bedroom.

          She slowly crept inside, looking around. The curtains were drawn, blocking the sunlight, but she could still see clearly. She stepped further inside, her eyes scanning the bedroom. It hadn't been what she'd expected—it was far cleaner, far more put together. There was a board on the wall with Polaroids and photographs pinned to it, posters covering the walls and surf memorabilia spread throughout. There was only a little mess, like dirty washing throwing over the back of a chair and some socks on the floor.

         She approached the board piled with photographs, analysing them. They were all of the Pogues—or the ocean or the sunset. Her gaze drifted to a poster of a model in a bikini, scoffing a little to herself as she tapped it with her finger, "That seems about right." She whispered before turning her back, glancing towards the single bed where the boys shape could be seen underneath his comforter.

         She approached the bed, giving the frame a light kick, "JJ," She said quietly, not trying to startle him. When he didn't stir, she kicked the bed a little harder. "JJ." She repeated a little louder, earning a small mumble in response.

          "Not now, dad." He grumbled, wrapping himself up further with his comforter.

          Kennedy rose a brow, sitting down on the bed, "Do I sound like your dad?" She asked in mild irritation, narrowing her brows.

          The boys body went stiff. Kennedy titled her head, putting a sweet smile on her face as he slowly poked his head out from beneath his comforter, "Morning, sunshine." She greeted, sounding a little too much like her mother.

          JJ stared at her, "Am I dreaming?"

          She rose her brows, "Do you often dream about me showing up in your room?" She asked, crossing one of her legs over the other.

          JJ blinked, a small sleepy grin breaking out on his face, "Yeah but it's usually late at night and you're always wearing that little cheerleading outfit of yours," He told her, his voice dropping flirtatiously. Kennedy smacked his leg, making him quickly add. "But the sundress is a nice touch! Guys love a sundress." As he scrambled to sit up, suddenly aware that Kennedy Thornton was, in fact, in his bedroom.

          Kennedy smiled at him before standing to her feet, "Alright, get up and get dressed," She ordered, marching across to where his closet lay open. She had a quick peak inside before grabbing ahold of a grey wife-beater and tossing it at him. "We're going out." She said as he sat there, staring at her as though she were some kind of alien.

          He took ahold of the wife-better, sitting up to put it on. Kennedy momentarily glanced at him, her gaze lingering on his abs before he covered them up with the top, "I don't wanna sound rude or anything—not when there's a drop dead gorgeous Kook in my room," He said, reaching down to grab a pair of shorts from the floor. He stood up and Kennedy quickly turned her back, pretending to look at the wall of photographs as if she hadn't already done that so she wasn't staring at him in his boxers. "But where exactly are we going? Us having plans after you stormed away from me must've slipped my mind." He said as he pulled his cargo shorts up his legs, a small smile on his face at the fact she'd turned away from him.

          "You said I should try being a Pogue for once, right?" She reminded him, her eyes scanning the photographs.

         JJ's brows furrowed from behind her, "Right." He drawled out in remembrance.

         She turned around, looking at him, "Then show me." She chirped, making his stare of confusion deepen.

          He stepped towards her, "Show you what exactly?" He prompted.

          Kennedy threw her hand up, "You know—Pogue life? Show me what it's like to be a Pogue," She clarified, but it didn't clear a single thing up for the boy. He was in a constant state of disbelief and confusion. "Come on, Maybank. You're the one that said it—show me what I'm missing out on." She challenged, taking a few steps towards him.

          JJ stared her down, "You're not bullshitting?" He asked her skeptically.

         Kennedy held up her hand, lifting her index and middle finger, "Scouts honour." She swore.

         JJ scoffed, "Like you were ever a Scout," She rose a brow of offence in return. JJ began pacing, looking back at her. "You're serious? You actually want to see what it's like to be a Pogue?" He asked her as if she had gone crazy.

          She threw her hands up, "You're the one that said it," She reminded him. "So, will you do it? Or have I come all this way for nothing?" She prodded, growing impatient.

          JJ stared at her for the longest of moments, before crossing the floor towards her. She took one step back, her back hitting the wall as he stopped in front of her, "You really wanna do this?" He tested, his eyes locked on hers. Kennedy stared him down before giving a determined nod. Slowly, he began smiling. "Alright, but you gotta shake on it—and the Pogue way." There was a mischievous look on his face as he spoke.

         Kennedy's eye twitched a little in suspicion, "Fine." She agreed, putting her hand out for him to shake.

          JJ grinned at her, putting his own hand out before pulling it away. Kennedy's face turned into a grimace when he spat on his hand and then offered it to her, "Pogue way." He reminded her as she stared in disgust.

         She hesitated, rethinking the whole thing. But she'd come all that way on her stupid little bicycle. After a moment, she sighed and copied him, "Alright. Deal." She said, offering her hand as his grin widened.

          They shook hands before she pulled back, wiping her hand down on the skirt of her white dress, "Disgusting." She mumbled to herself. 

          "Alright, Princess," JJ chirped. "Let's go, your Pogue adventure awaits."

( author note )

         hiiii , how was everyone's christmas??