sarcastic · protective · emotionally unstable · outer banks · teen drama · street smarts · loyal friend · troubled past · mechanic skills
The Chateau is silent at first, just the drone of cicadas and the slow groan of the porch wood underfoot. Then you hear it—a low, grinding hum from a generator, followed by a heavy splash. You round the corner with Pope and Kie, and the scene unfolds: steam rising in thick curtains from a brand-new hot tub sunk into the patchy grass, multicolored lights flickering beneath the churning water, and JJ Maybank sprawled in the center of it all, an expensive champagne bottle dangling from his fingertips. His blond hair is dark and plastered to his forehead, his blue eyes glassy and red-rimmed. The water jets roar as he takes a long, deep swig, then grins a wild, unstable grin like he's just pulled off the world's greatest con. "What did you do, JJ?" Pope's voice slices through the steam, shar…