Just Pretend: Chapter 1
‧₊˚𓆉 JJ Maybank x Kook!Reader
‧₊˚ 𓆉 Warning: not proofread, bratty reader, a bet, enemies to lovers, foul language
‧₊˚ 𓆉 Word Count: 1.9k words
‧₊˚ 𓆉 A/N: sorry for the 2 month break… but it’s cuz ur girl just graduated (‘08 baby OUT) 😛 also i had a serious case of writers block and i had to FORCE myself to open my doc for this. but im back and better than ever. i hope u like this chapter im so excited for this series EEK
masterlist
just pretend masterlist
One thing about Big John was that he loved JJ like a son.
Maybe a little too much, considering JJ somehow picked up his knack of lawn care more than John B ever had.
Which is how he found himself squinting up at a three story mansion, mower in hand, wondering how on Earth he ended up spending his Saturday morning on a Figure Eight lawn that cost more than his entire life.
“You missed a spot.”
JJ didn’t even bother turning around. “Then you do it.”
John B scoffed behind him, leaning against the gigantic fountain that adorned the front lawn.
“Hey,” he said, raising his hands in surrender. “I’m on yacht duty.”
JJ did a once over at his friend. A floral button up hung loosely from one button and his sun burnt chest glowed against the evening light.
“Right. ‘yacht duty’.” He snorted. “We all know you’re mackin’ on ol Cameron’s daughter.”
John B shoved him away, the mower rattling in protest. “Shut up man. Like you’re any better.”
JJ squinted at him, and then followed his line of sight.
Of course he was looking at you.
You, sprawled out on a porch chair with that stupid jean skirt that barely left anything up to his imagination. You looked like you were straight out of those magazine catalogues Kooks probably had stacked in their spotless bathroom. The type of girls that came from old money and made sure everyone knew it.
You were pretty. No one with eyes would argue with that. Even him.
Which was probably the most annoying part.
Because it ment that you were untouchable. That you came with rules. And JJ, hated rules.
“Alright Bird Shit.” JJ let out a shallow laugh and rolled his eyes at his best friend. “What if I was? At least i’m not dressed like I’m in some porno.”
“Please,” John B scoffed. “You’re just jealous I bagged a kook before you.”
“Jealous?” JJ barked, dragging the lawn mower towards the shed. His eyes flickered on you again, watching as you shifted your leg across the other. “Why would I even think about dating one of em?”
“You’re all types of shit JJ.” John B muttered, slinging an arm around his shoulder and ruffled up his sun bleached hair. “You’re just mad you couldn’t pull her even if you tried.”
JJ let out a dry chuckle, and stopped right in front of the shed. He brushed off the dirt on his hand clearly unimpressed. “Fuck off JB. I could do that in my sleep.”
“Yeah?” John B flipped open his wallet and pulled out a crisp hundred dollar bill. “I bet my new Benjamin she says yes to being your prom date.”
“Prom? You’re joking.”
John B just looked at him, the same look JJ gave him the day they surfed the surge.
JJ ran his hands through his hair and groaned. “Alright, fine. You’re gonna be broke again Johnny boy.”
He headed up the steps, his boots thudding against the wooden porch. The planks creaked underneath his weight, and his face pinched together, already bracing for the inevitable call from your dad to fix it.
He stopped in front of you and a second passed. Then another.
Then another.
But your face was still buried in whatever was sprawled across your lap.
What happened to southern manners?
“Well?” you asked, peering down from your sunglasses.
JJ tilted his head slightly. What a brat.
He pushed that thought aside though, and plastered a lazy grin.
Showtime.
“Just admirin’ you darlin’.”
You snorted, pushing your sunglasses up and uncrossed your legs. You placed the book on the counter and leaned back, eyeing him carefully.
“That’s the best you can do darling?” You teased.
His head tilted slightly, a mocking edge to it. “Didn’t know I had to impress you that fast.”
“You should’ve done your research then.”
JJ narrowed his eyes at you. “You kooks always this high maintenance?”
You let out a soft chuckle, clapping your hands slowly.
“Wow,” you said, your voice dripping with sarcasm. You lifted your wrist, and looked at the gold watch that probably cost more than the Chateau. “Only took you a minute thirty to mock me. New record for you Maybank.”
JJ huffed a quiet laugh. His tongue pressed against his cheek as he looked you over.
“Careful,” he shot back. “Startin’ to sound like you’re keepin’ tabs on me. Don’t want your friends thinkin’ you got the hots for a pogue.”
You tilted your head slightly, a small grin playing on your lips.
“Like they’d believe that.”
JJ’s jaw clenched, something sharp flashing across his face before he pushed it down. There was no way in hell he’d lose a month’s worth of pay over this.
“Lyin’ is a sin.” He said, slipping into that half assed southern charm. “Dont want your mama hearin’ you say things like that.”
You placed your book on the table and folded your arms.
“What do you want JJ.”
He brushed his hands against his worn out jeans, then leaned against the glass squinting his eyes to look at you.
“You got a date to prom?”
A sharp laugh escaped from you, as you threw your head back and slapped the table jokingly.
“Oh JJ,” you said through small giggles, shaking your head. “Those tourist girls weren’t lying. You really are a hoot.”
JJ raised his eyebrows, waiting.
You looked at him again slower this time. Your head tilted slightly to the right.
“That’s really the best that you can do?” you said, almost lazily. You brought your hand to your face and observed your nail beds quietly. “For a hundred bucks, I thought you’d try a little harder.”
JJ narrowed his eyes and blinked slowly. He shifted on his feet before leaning on the railing of your porch.
“Right,” he chuckled. “So what? You got a sixth sense every time I say your name?”
You rolled your eyes, and leaned back flipping your hair over your shoulder. “Don’t pride yourself Maybank. You’re awful at whispering.”
He smirked, though it was painfully obvious that your attitude got under his skin. His eyes dragged over you once before flicking back to your face, like he was afraid he’d looked too interested.
“So?” he asked, voice lower now. “Is that a yes?”
“Absolutely no-“
“Sweetheart?”
Your mom’s voice echoed down the hall before her small frame popped out of the door. The second her eyes landed on JJ her mouth tightened.
“I just got off the phone with Mrs. Thomas,” she said, her eyes flashing back to you. “Daniel would be more than happy to take you to prom.”
You stiffened. Your eyes blinking slowly as you just stared at your mom.
“What?” you snapped, sharper than you ment to. “I’m not going with Daniel.”
Your mom’s expression hardened and for a fleeting moment, JJ watched your shoulders tense up.
“That is no way to talk to your mother.” She scolded, her southern twang ringing in JJ’s ears.
JJ watched the color rise to your cheeks, and he’d happily admit that he was enjoying seeing you get thrown off.
“I’m sorry,” you said through gritted teeth. “I just don’t thi-“
“Well it doesn’t matter now. I already made the arrangements,” your mother cut in, placing a piece of paper which JJ assumed was Daniel’s number in front of you. “It would be too much of a hassle to change them now.”
Your fingers tightened around your chair, eyes shifting to the broken board on your porch. Anywhere but at your mother’s gaze.
For a fleeting moment, JJ almost felt bad for you.
Almost.
“Actually,” you said, and even though you pushed off of your chair, shoulders rolled back, chest puffed out, and chin tilted forward like nothing affected you, your voice gave you away. “I already have a date.”
You leaned against JJ, head tucked against his chest, and he had to stop himself from reacting too quickly. He knew he was simply a pawn in whatever fucked up plan you had with your mom. But it didn’t stop him from inhaling sharply as you pressed closer.
“What,” your mom’s shrill voice cut through the humid air. JJ flinched slightly, arms tightening around your shoulders.
You looked up at him, eyes shinning wide and he swore he saw tiny stars dancing in your pupils.
Damn good actress.
“Isn’t that right Maybank?”
“Uh,” he grumbled, shifting against you. “Yeah.”
Your mom stared in shock, her mouth hanging open and she blinked slowly. The muscles in her arm tightened as she grasped onto the head of the chair.
“Fine.” She said, though she was anything but pleased. “I expect a full itinerary of your plans and your suit Mr. Maybank.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Your mom disappeared back inside, the front door closing with a click.
The second she was gone, you pushed away from JJ and folded your arms across your chest. Your bratty little smile was plastered right back on your face like nothing happened.
“So?” JJ said, stepping closer and placing both hands on the glass table, caging you in.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” you snapped, swatting at his hands.
He blinked, then pushed off the table and leaned against the railing. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means,” you huffed. “I said what I had to say to get my mom off my back.”
JJ stared at you for a second. “So that wasn’t a yes?”
You narrowed your eyes at him.
“No,” you said slowly. “That was me being clever.”
He scoffed and dragged a hand down his face. “You girls are fuckin’ confusin’ y’know that.”
You rolled your eyes. “It’s the principle.”
You crumpled the small piece of paper your mom gave you and chucked it at the trash can. “If you want to ask me out, I want to be asked properly.”
JJ barked out a laugh, shaking his head before looking back at you. Your face never changed. Your jaw was tight and you had that same twinkle in your eye from when you leaned against him.
“If you want to win that bet? Then yeah.”
JJ’s eyebrows shot up. He glanced towards the shack where John B was half covered by the shadows, smirking.
“Damn,” he muttered, eyes still on John B. “Don’t let him know you’re in on this. Okay?”
You smiled, a real one this time. The kind that reached your eyes and made them crinkle at the corners.
“Alright,” JJ sighed. “You want proper?”
You tilted your chin up. “I want proper.”
hey hey heyyyy!!! if u wanna be added to the taglist u can a message through yaps n’ giggle or ask in the comments of this post or fics thanks and i appreciate everyone of you 🫰
‧₊˚𓆉Taglist: @bailsmbnk @mariamadison6-blog @wonderland2425 @lunascerebro @drewstarkeyswife-7
‧₊˚𓆉Just Pretend Taglist: @pandzaworld3000
