𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐓 / / 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

CHAPTER 23

After leaving both Sarah and Kiara stranded in the middle of the marshes to sort out their problems, Stella and the boys returned back to the chateau for a well deserved rest. Kidnapping really was a tiring sport and something that she certainly wasn't in a rush to try out again, she wasn't sure she could talk her way out of that one, not even if Shoupe was on duty.

After arriving back to the Routledge residence, the group made quick work of the beers that where in the fridge and so went on a booze run to Queenie's shop for more supplies. Their night consisted of drinking, smoking and playing board games in place of normally watching a movie or thrashing each other on John B's old second hand PlayStation 3. Stella ordered a couple of pizzas for them all to share and refused to let the boys chip in, claiming it was her treat. With stomachs full of cheesy goodness, they all soon succumbed to tiredness and one by one sloped off to bed, leaving Pope asleep on the sofa.

But that night, despite her heavy eyes, Stella simply couldn't slip off into the dream world she so wished to be in. The girl loved sleep and once her eyes shut she usually became dead to the world around her, but not tonight. JJ's light snores sounded softly in her ear as he nuzzled his face against her shoulder, arm wrapped around her waist. She was jealous of him and his peaceful slumber, but tried not to shift too much in bed, knowing that he needed rest and not wanting to wake him. Stella wasn't sure how long she tried to force her eyes shut before she finally gave in and gently unravelled herself from the boy who hardly stirred at the moment. Pulling on his sweatshirt, she searched through her bag in the pitch black room, finally grasping the carton of Marlboro and creeping out of the spare bedroom.

Her legs carried her to the light on the porch like a moth drawn to a flame, bare feet padding lightly against the wooden floor as she dodged various items of rubbish. Pushing the door open, she found John B staring through the mesh walls to the outside world, only turning away when he heard her approach.

"What are you doing up?" She asked, taking a seat beside him.

"Couldn't sleep." He shrugged. "You?"

"Same." Stella sighed. "What's keeping you up?"

"Just wondering if Kie or Sarah will ever speak to me again after this." He stated and gave her a look which caused the blonde to giggle. "I mean, you're partly right, it is kinda kidnapping."

"Let's just hope Ward Cameron doesn't decide to report his daughter missing, or you for that matter." Stella pulled a cigarette from her packet, placing it down on the white wicker table before lighting it with JJ's zippo. "How's it going over at Tanneyhill?"

"So far, so good." He shrugged again. "I can't complain. I've got a nice big comfy bed, loads of expensive soaps and shit. Oh, and power! Maybe Kook life ain't so bad."

"Yeah?" She raised her brows, taking a drag. "Just don't forget about us, will ya?"

"How could I ever?" John B leant back, hanging his arm on the back of the bench. "Pogue's for life, right?"

"Of course." Her lips tugged into a half smile. "Maybe you can get me some of that expensive soap to try though, yeah?"

He shook his head with a little chuckle and the two fell into a brief silence for a moment. He meant what he said, he was a Pogue for life, no matter what happened. Nobody could take his friends away from him, they where his family, especially Stella, the sister he never had. The two had been through thick and thin together, watched each other endure some of the toughest shit that no kids their age should ever have to, but either way they came out swinging and pulled each other through the storm. She had been there when his mom left and when his dad went missing and he had supported her when Denny died and even Fiona's untimely death. John B and Stella where living proof that although blood makes you related, it's loyalty that makes you family. "How come you can't sleep anyway?" He asked after a while.