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chapter twenty nine, SAVING THE UNDEAD
John B wasn't dead. Those four words swirled around Elaine Tate's head as she sat with the pogues. She stared down at her phone, at the group chat she had opened up on it. He was alive.
The girl stood from her spot, catching the pogue's attention as she did. She could feel each of them watching as she began walking off the school property.
She could faintly hear JJ tell them to let her go. He told them it would be better for her to clear her thoughts alone. He wasn't wrong. The girl's sober mind making her dizzy. The girl pulled the joint from her pocket and lit it. Not caring about anyone seeing.
She wanted more answers, she wanted to be able to see John B in person and talk to him alone, and she wanted more than anything to run into the boy's arms and for him to tell her it was okay and that he loved her. She longed for him to tell her those words again.
The girl walked home, making her way through the front door of the house and watching as Derek leaned around the corner from the kitchen. "What are you doing here?" He asked, looking down at his watch and then back up to the door.
"Laney, you should be in class right now." Sam let out as he walked over, stopping when he looked at his sister. "Laney?" His voice filled with concern and Derek leaned back over, standing from his spot too when he looked at the girl's tear-stained face.
Sam walked towards her and grabbed her arm, she looked up at him and his face softened. She felt herself fall slightly and Sam wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
"What happened?" He whispered. She thought about telling him the truth, maybe she should. "Sam" She let out, her voice so soft it was barely audible.
"yeah?" He asked, pulling back slightly from the hug.
"It's John B" Her words made the boy look back at his boyfriend who shared a look. "John B's alive" The boys faces broke into shock, and she let out her breath.
"What are you talking about?" Derek questioned, walking towards the siblings. "he's alive, like really alive" Her voice cracked as she talked.
"Laney, he died," Sam told her, sitting her down on the couch.
"no, he didn't" She shook her head and pulled her phone out, clicking on the messages. She showed the boys her phone. "oh my god" Sam let out, squeezing the younger girl's hand.
"Promise me you won't say anything?" Laney pleaded, and she realized she could have messed up the whole thing then and there.
"Of course, can I do anything to help?" Sam asked and Derek nodded behind him, causing the girl to smile weakly. "I'm gonna go see the pogues after Kiara's shift tonight, we're gonna talk about some things. I'll let you know" She told them and they nodded, both boys moving to hug her again.
