❪ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗘 & 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘 ❫

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗌𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━
summer child.  ╱  season one, episode six.
❛ 𝘰𝘩 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭
𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘥, ❜
TW: CHILD ABUSE, READ WITH CAUTION

THERE WAS SOMETHING much lighter that washed over the car, something lighter in Kennedy's chest. A comfort, a safety just by being held tightly by her blond pogue. The sky was a beautiful blue as she grazed out the windshield to see the plushy angel-white clouds resting in contrast against the light blue. Kennedy felt at peace as if all her problems had faded away with the summer breeze. All the things she ached for were right here, she missed the closeness, the innocence of the tender touches.

Everything seemed so different yet so similar at the same time. Every time she was this close to JJ, his arms comfortingly wound around her body as she was perched on his lap with the seat moved back as they sat in comfortable silence listening to a random song on the radio. It all felt like a fading memory as if she was trapped in the remembrance of last year's summer haze. It was perfect, so perfect it didn't even seem real. She worried that she would be brought back to her kook reality. Instantly getting sucked back into the real world, where she would wake up in her room alone with missed passive-aggressive voicemails from Rafe asking why she was mad at him. And where JJ would be all the way on the other side of the island, still hating her for what she did to him.

It all seemed like a dream, all of it a figment of her imagination brought on by how much distaste she had for her own life. But it wasn't. All of her doubts hit her like a tidal wave, but it's all real. From the slightly foggy windows to the joint pointedly between the tips of her fingers, everything was plain as day. The flickering of a familiar lighter caught her attention, which led her to immediately rest the joint between her lips so the boy could ignite it. A smile twitched on the boy's lips as he watched her, to which Kennedy returned seeing him looking at her.

Just the simple things brought her comfort, even something as small as him watching fondly, joy didn't hesitate to flood her chest. She ached for this warmth, and now she finally had it. Her future lay unclear and cloudy, but right now she didn't dare question it, she couldn't worry about it right now. Kennedy couldn't fear the backlash of her argument with her mother, it would eat her alive if she focused on it. She made the decision to only put her energy into JJ and the treasure hunt. While she clearly stood at a crossroads, she didn't dare look behind her as she ran straight into JJ's arms. 

Leaving her life behind for the better seems like a dream, she's been done with it for a long time and it was only a matter of time before she took the plunge. She didn't care about the repercussions, she knew the consequences of her rebellion awaited her. But right now, it didn't matter, she would deal with them eventually. And she knew she would have people who care for her deeply standing right beside her.

After taking a drag on the joint before passing it to JJ, her eyes wandered over to the clock that resided on the dash. She chewed on the inside of her lip, noticing that the time was about to flash noon. She knew that her mother was going to make her pack up her things today, and if it didn't happen before nightfall, all her things would be thrown in the trash.

There were so many things that needed to happen today, the thought of it all made the girl very overwhelmed. JJ had been in on-and-off contact with the group as he had spent the morning with Kennedy. She knew he was giving them vague answers on their whereabouts, they wanted to meet, but Kennedy wasn't ready and JJ wasn't going to rush her. And he certainly wasn't going to clue them into what happened this morning without Kennedy's consent. It's not his story to tell, and he knew Kennedy would tell them when she was ready.

Kennedy knew her time was ticking as they stayed at this lookout point, but every part of her being didn't want to move. She didn't want to slide off JJ's lap, she wanted to stay with her forever, and completely forget what was waiting for them outside their bubble. But Kennedy knew that wasn't an option. The incessant texts from Riley were proof of that. She could already see the texts, he would be curious about what was going on, and where the two teens were. But when she picked up her phone, her stomach dropped.

The little buzz of euphoria that she was desperately trying to hold onto fizzled out the moment she saw the content of Riley's desperate texts. She knew it was time for her to go into protective mode. She swallowed her shallow pain, knowing that she needed to be there for Riley. She could feel JJ's chin resting on her shoulder as he glanced down at her phone. She sent him a weary glance, knowing their peace was going to be completely evaporated.

"We should go,"

JJ let out a sigh as his eyes fluttered shut, leaning his head soft against the headrest. "I figured that would come eventually,"

"They're wondering where you are, come on," Kennedy snorted, soon sliding off his lap and into the passenger seat. "Plus, I've got to go see Riley,"

"You're not coming to The Wreck with me?" JJ questioned, there was an edge of desperation in his tone. Kennedy knew the edge was because he didn't want her to go off by herself.

She sent him a soft smile, shaking her head in response, "I'll meet up with you guys in a little bit, I have to go meet Riley, so I'll drop you off at The Wreck."

"Are you sure going off by yourself is a good idea," JJ hesitated, reaching his hand out to touch hers. Gently squeezing her hand as he gave her a weary glance, "Sunshine...after everything that happened this morning, I don't know-"

"JJ, I'll be fine," Kennedy attempted to ease his anxiety, her heart warming at the worry he was feeling for her. "I'll be gone less than an hour, and Riley will be with me most of the time, Okay?"

"Just be safe, okay?"

Kennedy snorted, squeezing his hand gently in response, "I promise, I won't get into any trouble, okay? I'm just going to see Riley, it'll be fine."

It wasn't long after her reassuring yet joking words, that the car had rumbled to a start. Soon, the two teens were pulling out of the lookout parking lot, leading themselves toward yet another problem they had to face. But for the first time in a long time, they were able to face it together. And suddenly they didn't feel so alone anymore.

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THERE WAS AN odd sense of trepidation flowing through Kennedy's viens as she pulled up to the familiar driveway of the Masterfields. She noticed how uncomfortably quiet the mansion sat, looming over her like a dark cloud. It felt like it was lost in time, almost as if the life that used to surround the house was suddenly fading away. Kennedy stood in the driveway, trying to figure out what her next moves were, after receiving the panicked messages from Riley, she worried not only about his state but also his mother's. She knew once she saw Riley's "I need you" text, something bad happened with his father.

It was uncommon for him to have dangerous squabbles with his controlling father, it happened once every two weeks when the man finally strolled into town after being away on a business trip. The man was similar to her father, sneaking away to another state, leaving his family behind him as he went to add yet another affair under his belt. Kennedy had come to terms with how shitty her father was a long time ago, he wasn't someone that was a part of her life, she saw him as a story, a memory, rather than someone who meant something to her. She honestly understands him leaving this life behind, if she were married to someone like her mother, she would leave and have other relationships too. But she didn't forgive him, she just simply didn't let his absence bother her. She had more pressing matters to deal with.

She wished Riley would do the same, but she knew he and his father were much more intertwined. They had a conflict because his father was often walking in and out of his life acting like he owned it and actually deserved a say in what the boy did. When Kennedy was a young girl, she never really understood what the problem with his father was. But when she saw the large bruise outlining a young Riley's eye, she knew she had to do something. When bringing up the problem to her mother, Kennedy wanted to give the boy a safer place to stay, to be able to finally be a kid again. But her mother quickly pushed her aside, telling her that they don't get involved with other people's business. That day Kennedy began regretting being a kook.

She tried her best to help Riley throughout the years, but nothing ever seemed to work. Just as bad as her relationship with her mother was, Riley and his father's relationship was worse. The only reason he stayed put was because of his mother, Riley never was able to leave his mother. The woman was a beautiful shining light in his life, Riley would be damned to leave her with the monster that is his father. Raina Masterfield had always meant the world to Riley, the mother, and son were like two peas in a pod. Kennedy was very jealous of the relationship, wishing her mother could be as empathetic as Raina was.

Kennedy always admired how kind and generous Raina was, but it hurt her watching the wonderful woman be clouded by the darkness and evil that her husband was. Riley and Raina were both plagued with the job of dealing with that man. He caused them so much pain, and he continues to do so today.

The girl pushed past the looming presence that the Masterfield home had, as she made her way to Riley's secret hideaway. As children, deep within the woods behind his home, lay a place that meant so much to them. The secret field filled with delicate flowers was a place that Riley and Kennedy knew about. None of their parents knew, it was simply just for them. Their place of solace when things at home became too much and they needed to be together away from the darkness of their problems. She tried to be quiet about her presence, knowing Riley's father was not a fan of her, just as she was not a fan of him.

Kennedy didn't bother to hide her hatred of the man and often told him off when he was being awful to either Riley or Raina. So his tolerance towards the blonde withered quite quickly. That's why she was rarely at the Masterfield home until the man was out of town on business. As the girl broke through the trees into the small clearing, a frown etched itself on Kennedy's lips seeing the Masterfield boy, staring off into the mile-long field, watching the flowers dance in the summer wind.

"Ri?" The blonde kook's voice echoed through the air, immediately meeting the boy in question's ears.

He turned to her slowly, eventually revealing an enormous bruise on his left eye. Kennedy couldn't stop the gasp from escaping her at the nasty injury. The girl rushed up to the boy, dropping to her knees to cradle the weary boy's face. He closed his eyes upon impact, finding comfort in knowing that his other half was finally with him.

"Riley, what happened?"

"My dad," The boy answered softly, tearing his eyes away from her concerned gaze. He refused to meet her eyes, finding it easier to look at the sea of flowers ahead of him. "He got back from his work trip, got drunk, and started going in on my mom. I defended her, and he decided she had her fill and turned his anger on me."

Kennedy stared at him for what seemed like hours, taking in all his words. The girl felt nothing but pain pounding in her chest, knowing that someone she cared so deeply for, got hurt so quickly. She dove into a hug, wrapping her arms as tightly as she could around him. "Riley, I'm so so sorry. I hate that he's such a prick,"

"It's not your fault Kenny, it's just hard having to deal with him,"

The girl shook her head at his words, hating how he was shaking off the constant abuse. "Is your mom okay?"

"That last I knew, yeah. When I stormed out of the house, she was following like a few minutes later, getting into her car."

"Okay good." The girl breathed, feeling much calmer knowing the woman wasn't alone with his miserable excuse of a man.

"What happened to you? You look like a mess."

Kennedy snorted at his words, knowing he was trying to make light of their situation right now. "My mom found me and JJ at Maggie's. Screamed at me and ripped a chunk of my hair out and slapped me, while screaming at me for slumming it with a pogue. And to end it with a bang, she officially disowned me."

Riley's eyes widened as she explained, a look of shock washing over his face. "Jesus Christ, so you've also had a morning,"

Kennedy breathed out a huff, plopping down next to him in the grass. "You're telling me."

"How's JJ doing?" Riley questioned the words making Kennedy's chest ache, reminding her of the boy who was waiting for her at The Wreck. "How'd he take your mom's verbal abuse?"

"He blames himself for me getting disowned. He's not doing to good with it all to be honest, I know there's more things that are bothering, but he's just not telling me."

"I'm still surprised he tells you anything about how he's feeling. That boy is locked up like Fort Knox."

"He's different with me."

"Apparently so, from what I've seen from the last few days."

Riley's words were slightly jaded, Kennedy could tell it was because he had just found out their history within the last few days. She feels guilty for hiding it from him, but there was so much vulnerability that came with that history, she just didn't have the heart to reopen those wounds again.

"Riley, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner... It was so hard to talk about it, I just couldn't."

The boy quickly glanced at her, his malice fading away into a familiar sympathy that Kennedy needed. "I know, it's just such an important piece of information to just learn about. But I don't blame you, it seemed like such a mess that took a little bit of yourself with it."

"It's been hard, but for the first time in a while, I feel like I'm getting myself back." The girl replied, her words hopeful and sincere.

Riley smiled warmly at the words, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulder, "Kenn, you have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that."

"I know, me too."

The two stared off at the field in front of them, just basking in the beautiful summer sun, Riley's lip suddenly curled up at the thought. "It's gonna be so weird watching you and Maybank not fight. Watching you two last night was so weird."

Kennedy snorted, smiling at his joking tone. "I hate to say it, but get used to it. I don't think the way we are right now is going to change."

"Good, I'm glad. That kid honestly needs someone in his corner, and knowing you, you'll do anything for him." The boy said sincerely, meaning every word he said.

Kennedy's heart constricted in her chest at the fact that Riley thought she was going to be good for the blond pogue. "I'm glad I can be that person for him. With the way both our families have treated us, we both need that kind of support."

"Speaking of your family, when is ur mom kicking you out?" Riley questioned bluntly, but she knew he meant nothing by it. The reality of her situation just hits her at random times.

The girl huffed, hating the stress that instantly bubbled in her stomach at the thought. "My mom told me I need to pack up my stuff by tomorrow,"

Riley nodded, squeezing her shoulder tightly, reminding her that someone was there for her. "Well luckily, you got me and some new friends to help you out,"

Kennedy couldn't help but feel her heart thudding lightly in her chest at the thought of her new friends. There was always a part of her that thought that they were going to leave her the moment they got the chance. But deep down, she knows they'd never do that. While her heart aches from her mother's abandonment, her new friends make it completely worth it.

After Riley's words, silence faded into the summer air, giving them a moment to themselves as they stared off into the field. But all peace eventually comes to an end as Kennedy's phone pinged by her side. Finding JJ's name popped up with texts saying how the group was waiting for them to talk about their plan for today, Kennedy knew they had to make their way to The Wreck.

"Damn, this car reeks of sex," Riley groans immediately as he opens the passenger side door, grimace washing over his face as he met the guilty glance of Kennedy in the driver's seat. The boy only snorted, shaking his head in faux disappointment. "Kennedy, you nasty girl,"

"Shut up,"

"Do you guys get down and dirty a lot?"

Kennedy's cheeks visibly heated up from his words, she only looked towards her fingers subconsciously gripping the steering wheel, "Riley, stop talking,"

"I mean tell me, am I going to have to prepare myself and knock every time you two are alone in a room together?"

Kennedy sent him an annoyed glance, pressing the button to start the car. "Just get in the car Jackass,"

The boy only snorted in response as he did what she said. Kennedy didn't hesitate to start backing up the moment his door shut. Both heading off to another day of treasure hunting, the thought made Kennedy feel like she was a kid again for the first time in a long time.

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WALKING INTO THE Wreck, anxiety bubbled in Kennedy's chest as her keys jangled by her side and Riley followed quickly behind her. The girl's mind couldn't help but go back to the last time she was here. All the yelling, the fighting as she slapped JJ so hard that it not only echoed but caused blood to trickle down his cheek. She remembers how much his words hurt her, in a way they still did. But that wasn't her JJ, the one she's making eye contact with, would never imagine saying those painful things to her. They were both hurting then, and they would've said anything to the other to forget the pain and loneliness they were feeling at the moment.

Every one of the pogues was watching the two kooks walk into the restaurant, smiling at the other as they talked. Kennedy snorted at a joke the boy said, rolling her eyes at his words. But the amusement didn't hesitate to dissipate into fondness as Kennedy's eyes fell upon JJ. The blond was watching her every move as she waltzed towards their table.

Kennedy sent them small greetings to the others as she found herself standing next to the blond pogue her eyes had been on the moment she entered the restaurant. John B rolled his eyes at the complete googly eyes his best friend was giving the ex-kook. JJ had filled the three in on the incident that happened this morning and how Kennedy defended the boy with everything in her. That aspect made the other pogues have a newfound respect for the girl, it opened a new viewpoint of the girl that they didn't have before.

"Took you two long enough," John B stated with a joking tone, shifting to rest his casted arm on the table in front of him. His eyes examined the two, not only noticing the bruise that rested on Riley's eye but also the deep scratch that was etched into Kennedy's cheekbone. "You two look like shit."

Kennedy couldn't help a fond smile finding its way on her lips, finding amusement in his observation. "Could say the same to you."

The boy snorted loudly at her words, looking down at his neon cast, "I've been better."

"Hey so like, do you have a membership to the clubs now?" Pope questioned, his words filled with a taunting humor. Kennedy bit her lip to stop the snort desperately trying to escape her lips.

John B rolled his eyes, "I don't know Pope."

"What about those little golf carts they drive around? You get one of them?" JJ added on, while he was speaking to John B, his eyes were glued to Kennedy. The boy didn't hesitate to grab her hip pushing her side into his sitting body until she toppled over and found a seat in his lap.

"Does it come with a sweater vest or do you have to buy one of your own?" Pope continued, adding to the torment John B was facing.

Kennedy's cheeks burned a deep red when she landed on JJ, trying to ignore the stares from the pogues and Riley. She slightly hated the newfound stares, but once the blond pogue gave her hip a reassuring squeeze, the glances didn't matter that much anymore.

"Look you promised." Kie interrupted, her words full of nothing but hurt and seriousness. "You said you weren't with her."

"Bro, just own it. She got you." JJ chimed in, sending the Routledge boy a small shrug.

"Look, if you wanna hang out with her, that's fine," Kiara stated as she looked down at John B. "But I'm letting you know now that I'm not doing anything with Sarah."

"Do you guys see her here?" John B questioned, his tone annoyed. But he quickly snapped his gaze to Kennedy. "What about her? I don't see you guys complaining about her. What's so different about her?"

Kennedy straightened up at his mention of her. The blonde's heart began hammering in her chest, afraid that this would be the moment that they would just kick her to the curb.

"Hey man, leave her out of this." JJ immediately chimed in. His arm wrapped around Kennedy's waist keeping her in place, afraid she was gonna pull away by John B's comment.

"We made our peace, Sarah's different and you know that." Kie reprimanded, rolling her eyes at the boy's attempt to redirect the conversation to someone else.

As Riley pulled a chair up to the table, he nodded along with Kie's words. "Yeah dude, that was kinda cheap shot."

John B sighed, leaning back in his chair, eyes closed as he tilted his head toward the ceiling. He suddenly snapped his gaze to the blonde girl on JJ's lap. "Kennedy, I'm sorry."

Kennedy sighed to herself, looking down at her lap, while mumbling, "It's alright."

"Can we focus back on our treasure hunt, this tension is annoying." Riley interrupted the awkward silence, leaning back against his chair while crossing his arms. His eyes drifted to Kennedy, making sure she knew that he was pushing the conversation in a different direction for the sake of her. "We've got the map right?"

"Well, it's all out of whack 'cause the guy was ganja when he drew it." JJ answered eyes on the map that was spread across the table in front of them. Kennedy's eyes glanced down at the wilted and decrepit paper, finding the etchings on the paper fascinating.

"it's 'cause the coasts changed," Kie stated as a matter of factly at the blond pogue. JJ sent her a look of annoyance at her sarcastic factoid.

"So we just have to look for the landmarks that haven't changed," Pope replied, eyes glued to the paper in front of him.

John B's eyes lit up, his gaze jumping to Pope's. "What about the old forts?"

Kie immediately pointed to all too familiar fort that all of them knew. "Battery Jasper."

Before all of them knew it, they were packing up, tucking the maps into Kie's tote bag. Getting ready to head towards the first lead that felt genuinely promising. Kennedy prayed that it would lead them to what they were looking for because if not, all of the things they did would be for nothing.

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𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘:

Hey besties!!!

New chapter, nothing but cutesy jennedy
moments, I'm so excited that they're
together so I can finally write this cutesy shit.

I desperately miss them and wanted to
give yall some more content and I've
been on a Sabrina kick lately and I
just need to bring Kennedy to life again.

Also PLZ check out my TIKTOK: gardensongss
I have some slay kennedy and JJ
edits on there!

Hope you enjoyed!

BUT IMPORTANT THING.

What did you all think?

I really would like your feedback on this, so please leave a comment.