JJ leaned back against the edge of the dock, twirling a beer bottle between his fingers, half-listening to John B and Pope argue about the best spot for night surfing. He looked casual — cool, even — but his eyes kept flicking back toward the dirt road leading down to the water.

You were coming. He knew that. He’d counted down the days, acted like it wasn’t a big deal, even joked about it in the group chat.

But now that the moment was actually here, he couldn’t sit still.

“Yo, calm down, Romeo,” Kie muttered under her breath as she passed JJ, nudging him with her shoulder. Kie knew about JJ's everlong crush on you. JJ smirked, but his heart was going crazy.

Then — your car pulled up. And just like that, you were there.

You stepped out, looking a little older, maybe a little more confident, but still you. Still that same person who used to run barefoot through the marsh with them, still the girl JJ used to sneak glances at when you weren’t looking.

He didn’t move right away. Just stood there, watching as everyone rushed toward you — hugs, laughter, Pope lifting you off your feet, Sarah squealing, John B grinning like a kid.

JJ hung back for a second longer, just taking you in.

Then he walked over, slower than the rest. And when you turned to him — when your eyes locked with his — he felt that same thing he always did around you.

Warmth. And panic.

“So,” he said with that signature grin, trying to sound laid-back, “you leave for a year, come back lookin’ all cool and pretty, and we’re just supposed to act normal?”