014 -- thunder and angst

Adelaide felt the drag of fatigue weigh on her eyelids as the van trailed along the road, night flooding through its windows. It felt somewhat strange, to be sat in the crappy car with such a beautiful dress, and flowers crowning the top of her head. The girl was next to John B, not having the will to huddle next to JJ. Her built-up frustration was slowly resurfacing as his words replayed through her mind. The insults were engraved in her thoughts, and nerves were jumbling up inside her stomach.

Maybe, for some, the phrase could even been nothing. They'd have it swept under the rug in the space of an instant, moving on without second thought. But Adelaide had witnessed the prejudice dripping in his words as he compared her to the people he despised the most on the damned island. So, no, she was not sweeping it under the rug. A part of her even regretted twirling in his arms innocently, she should have tripped him then and there, just like a genuine Kook would have done.

Finally, the minivan came to a stop, and Adelaide was already hurrying to the door handle, eager to feel the breeze darl over her skin and relax her completely. Yet, John B reached out to her, stopping the flight of her hands. "What?" the girl asked, eyebrows knitting as he shot her an apologetic glance.

"So, uh... I think I'm going to do this one by myself," he said, discomfort flickering over his features. He didn't dare to meet Adelaide's eyes, or anyone's for that matter. He wanted his meeting with Sarah to be exclusive, without really saying it.

"Really?" JJ scoffed as he returned to his seat.

"I just don't want to spook Sarah with the peanut gallery," John B tried to defend, ignoring the disappointment that seemed to sink in the air. Adelaide slumped back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. She was ready to leap out of the car and distance herself with JJ at any opportunity that might have presented itself.

"I still don't understand why we're involving her at all," Kiara complained, again. It was as if none of John B's reasons had registered in her mind. Wether she liked it or not, Sarah played a role in the treasure hunt, and a crucial one at that, so Adelaide believed Kiara could dial down the complaints.

"Kie, we're not involving her, okay?" John B reassured. "It's--it's just a business meeting."

Adelaide turned to notice JJ peering at her, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue, imitating the gesture of a blowjob. Pope let out a chuckle, catching the boy's movement.

"Look, once we get what we need, we cut her loose, alright? Plus, we need the map," John B claimed.

"Promise me nothing is happening between the two of you," Kiara continued to insist.

"Nothing is happening."

"I'm being serious! Look, this isn't about you, and this isn't about us. This is about her. Dude, she's going to get inside your head. Just promise me nothing is happening between you guys," Kiara stated, gluing her gaze to John B's face.

"Kie, I think he gets it. She's a spitting cobra and he'll be careful. Can he go now?" Adelaide huffed, holding her eyes from rolling backwards. This argument that had trailed over the entire night was now very much causing for frustration to fire up inside of her.

"Anyway, I'm going to take care of business," John B breathed, free of any additional interrogations as Kiara closed her mouth. JJ and Pope threw a few teasing comments, but the boy managed to slip out without any further trouble.

"Something up, Addie?" Kiara asked, her mouth still twisted into a frown from the previous discussion.

"Yeah, actually. Need some fresh air." The girl replied, while reaching for the door handle. It was torture, staying glued to the seat as the words thrown her way without mercy dug in her mind. All mouthed by JJ, that she then proceeded to help out. Part of her wished to go back in time and let the guard boot him out.

Without hesitation a moment more, she leaped out of the minivan, feeling her heels dig into the earth. She lifted her dress up and began to walk, with no particular itinerary. She didn't even think about the very probable prospect of being lost as she made her way through a dozen of similar saplings, darkness flooding the night air.

"Don't you know thunder and trees aren't a great mix?" A voice called from behind her, a voice that just happened to make Adelaide's heart swell in frustration.

"I know a worse mix," she shrugged, turning around. "A Kook and a Pogue."

"Look--" JJ sighed, eyes downcast as he approached the girl. However, he barely had time to mouth a word as he was cut off.

"No, you look." Maybe it was the effect of champagne twirling around with tiredness and irritation, but Adelaide had anger flashing over her gaze as she spoke. "I'm so sick of your little comments, your little digs at me. Comparing me to Rafe and Topper?! I can't help what I was born into. I'm as much as a Pogue as you are, or--or Kiara. Maybe I do have a nice home, but god knows I'm as involved as anyone else in your little adventures." Everything that she had bottled up was just cascading out of her mouth, and she couldn't stop. Not even when their chests were touching and she could feel the hammering of his heart. "But you know what's worse? It's that it's you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" JJ said, eyebrows knitting.

"You're supposed to know me better than anyone. But now, more and more, I'm just realising you don't know who I am. You don't have a clue, do you?" Adelaide spat. She felt tears well up underneath her eyes as she turned around.

Yet, before she could move further, her wrist was yanked backwards, making her body parallel with its change of direction. She was facing JJ again, their mouth mere inches away from each other. A bang of silence echoed around them, and Adelaide felt her throat tighten.

"I know you. I know how much you love the beach but hate the sticky texture of sand. I know how much you love to dance, even if you feel thousand of eyes plastered on you. I know how far you'd go to protect those you love. I know -- God, I know everything about you!" JJ stammered, and Adelaide felt her voice lodge in her throat.

"Then -- Why?" Was all she managed to slip out of her lips.

"Why what?" JJ bit the flesh of his bottom lip, eyes switching between her's.

"Why do you keep treating me like a spoiled brat that keeps disappointing you?!" Adelaide exclaimed, running a hand through the strands of her hair.

"Because I'm scared!" JJ replied, pressing his palms to his chest.

"Of what?"

"Of losing you. Adelaide, I am terrified of losing you." He admitted, gulping down as the words traveled past his mouth. He peered down, embarrassed almost.

"Doesn't seem like it." Adelaide breathed, though her heart was moments away from bursting. "If you were so scared of losing me, would you say stuff like that?"

"If I wasn't, would I do this?"  Before JJ could even finish his own sentence, he smashed his own lips against Adelaide's.

(Sorry, very short chapter!)