A Can of Coke

Spy Games part 2

Crickett

"It wasn't him! It was me!" JJ yelled, causing my heart to drop.  

"It was me. He tried to talk me out of it, but I was mad because he'd just been beaten up. I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit. I can't let you take the blame for somethin' I did. You've got too much to lose." JJ continued on as we all watched in shock. 

"JJ, what are you doing?" Pope stammered while Shoupe uncuffed him.

"I'm tellin' the truth. For once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth."

My mind began racing. 

JJ shouldn't go down for this. He can't go to jail. He can't get in trouble. He's done too much for us--too much for me. 

He makes me feel alive. Like I can actually breathe for once in my life. He gives me the confidence to grow and be better. JJ taught me how to fly.

I couldn't let this happen. 

No one deserved to be taken away for this. Those Kooks got what was coming for them--the punishment fit the crime. I couldn't believe that they came beating on us last night and had the audacity to still press charges. 

My heart wanted to explode as so much fear and panic for JJ erupted in my heart. 

"No! They're both lying!" I suddenly yelled, locking eyes with JJ.

What the hell was I doing? Why did I care so much? JJ was just being kind. Kie wasn't acting this upset and she's friends with them. Why was I suddenly falling off the deep-end? 

"I took his boat!" I frantically gestured to Heyward.

"What the hell?" He responded.

I was just so scared. I didn't want him to get hurt. He didn't deserve to get hurt. 

"Crick, stop, it's too late, I've already confessed." He turned to me and gave me the gentlest  smile, trying to tell me everything would be okay. 

But if anything, that smile made me more desperate. I needed to save him, I needed to spare him from the consequences. 

"No! Stop! It was me! Shoupe! It was me!" I began sobbing as I was overwhelmed by all my feelings.

I loved him. I fucking loved him. 

Kie wrapped her arms around me and tried to console me as I continued to break down. 

What was I thinking? 

Turning away from me, JJ stared Shoupe down and said: "You know where I'm from."

I just needed a second! I need time to think! Time to analyze! What was I feeling? What was happening!? 

"This was all me."

Whether I was crazy or desperate. I knew one thing was true. Whether it be as a friend or as something more-- I loved him. I couldn't let this happen. 

"That's the whole truth?" Shoupe asked.

"No!" I cried, with Kie having to hold me back from running up to Shoupe.

"Whole truth, swear to God."

"No!" I sobbed. 

"I know what you think, damn it, I'm asking Pope."

"...Yeah, that about covers it..." Pope solemnly nodded, causing my heart to shatter into a million pieces. 

As soon as JJ was shoved into the truck and carted away, I broke down in Kie's arms, falling to my knees.