ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe fight left the group shaken. Ignoring the throbbing ache in her knuckles and the dull scream of her backside, Lyra took charge. The Monroe-Aragon house was closer compared to the Château, or the unwelcome stares Kiara’s friends would face at her home from her parents.
ㅤㅤAs they burst through the front door, breathless and disheveled, the sound of laughter died in the kitchen. Lyra’s parents, Adrian and Kate, sat at the table, a half-eaten supper abandoned to their surprise. Concern etched lines on their faces as they took in the sight of their daughter and her friends—JJ and Pope sporting bruises, Kiara’s eyes blazing with a mix of anger and fear.
ㅤㅤWithout a word needed, Adrian rose, his tall frame radiating warmth. “Come in, come in, all of you,” he boomed, ushering them toward the kitchen. Kate followed suit, her gentle smile a balm on their frayed nerves. They noticed the damage, but any questions died on their lips. Adrian wasted no time preparing another meal. As the aroma of frying food filled the kitchen, Adrian and Kate’s gazes met. They knew exactly who was responsible, the knowledge simmering beneath the surface.
ㅤㅤKiara sighed, the tension slowly draining from her shoulders as she guided Pope toward a chair. He let out a soft groan as he sat, wincing when Kiara gently peeled back his sleeve, revealing a fresh bruise. “Pope, you’re a magnet for trouble,” she muttered, reaching for the first-aid kit Kate slid across the table.
ㅤㅤ“I don’t think that was my fault,” Pope murmured, watching as Kiara cleaned the wound with practiced ease.
ㅤㅤ“Mm-hmm,” she hummed, unimpressed.
ㅤㅤThey noticed the damage, but any questions died on their lips. Adrian wasted no time, moving toward the stove to prepare another meal. As the aroma of frying food filled the kitchen, Adrian and Kate’s gazes met. They knew exactly who was responsible, the knowledge simmering beneath the surface.
ㅤㅤJJ, still amped up from the fight, tried to shake it off. He had handled worse. But as he dropped into a chair, Kate was already moving toward him with a first aid kit. “I’m good,” he muttered, waving her off with a tired smirk.
ㅤㅤKate gave him a pointed look, one that held the weight of a mother’s silent insistence. “You’re bleeding,” she countered simply.
ㅤㅤJJ faltered. He wasn’t used to this—the quiet, casual way she fussed over him, dabbing gently at the cut on his temple. Luke only ever made things worse. But Kate? She treated him like he mattered, like he wasn’t just some reckless kid who got into fights.
ㅤㅤ“You’re gonna scar,” Kate murmured, her touch careful. “Though I suppose that’ll only add to the whole ‘bad boy’ aesthetic.”
ㅤㅤJJ huffed out a small laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. “Yeah, gotta keep the brand strong.”
ㅤㅤ“Thank you.”
ㅤㅤJJ turned, confused. “For what?”
ㅤㅤKate’s gaze flickered toward Lyra, who was leaning against the counter, laughing at something Adrian said. “For looking out for her,” Kate said simply.
ㅤㅤJJ swallowed, shifting on his feet. He didn’t know what to say to that. But Kate didn’t press him. She just gave him a knowing smile and went back to giving him aid.
YOU ARE READING
𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄, jj maybank
FanfictionㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤElyra Monroe-Aragon and JJ Maybank have always been inseparable, their friendship forged through adventure and reckless nights. While searching for the treasure, buried emotions rise to the surface-JJ, convinced she deserves better, and Lyra...
