“just one look & i was gone.”

——————

the party’s been going for hours—bonfire lit, drinks flowing, music loud enough to drown out the waves crashing somewhere in the dark. the boneyard’s packed, kooks and pogues mixing like they always do when things get messy. john b and sarah disappeared half an hour ago, probably off tangled up in each other somewhere down by the dunes. pope and kie are still by the fire, arguing over a card game, too caught up in each other to notice much else.

that’s when jj found you. again.

he’s been orbiting you all night. like always. too close, never close enough. bumping shoulders when he walks by, stealing your drink, sitting beside you just long enough to feel the weight of his stare. you’ve always had something, ever since the summer you started hanging around the chateau. never serious, never claimed — but everyone’s always kind of known. the looks, the way you bicker like it’s foreplay, the way your name sounds softer when he says it.

but you never crossed that line. not really. both of you too stubborn, too scared to screw up the friendship that felt like home. tonight, though… the air feels different. you catch him watching you from across the fire again, and this time, you don’t look away.

a little bit of time passes and at some point you break off from the group, shoes crunching through the sand and gravel as you make your way toward the twinkie tucked just out of sight behind the trees next to some other cars, music still faintly thumping through the air. you don’t hear jj behind you just yet until you hear a voice.

“you ditchin’ the party?” he asks, low and lazy behind you. you glance over your shoulder, realizing who it is , lips curving. “just needed some air.” and he steps closer, that familiar grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. “so this is how you ghost everyone? thought i was the impulsive one.”

you shrug, back hitting the van as you lean against it. “guess you’re rubbing off on me. his laugh is quiet, but there’s something in his eyes something that lingers. he reaches out, fingers brushing a strand of hair off your cheek like it’s second nature, and you swear the whole world stills.

our eyes are locked on eachothers and then jj just lifts gently lifts my chin, like he’s asking permission. and when you don’t pull away, he gently puts one hand on your waist , and he kisses you , soft, but certain. the kind of kiss that’s been waiting years to happen. not rushed. not sloppy. just real. you both exhale against his mouth when he finally pulls back, heart racing.

“get in,” he says softly, nodding toward the twinkie. “where are we going?” you ask. and he smirks, climbing into the driver’s seat. “somewhere we don’t gotta pretend we don’t feel this.”

and just like that, the door swings shut, the headlights blink on, the soft music from the radio starts playing , and the twinkie rumbles to life pulling off into the night like something big’s about to begin…