BRIZO | 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

FIVE (II)

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE - GAVIN

It's on nights like this, with thunder rumbling and pouring rain falling down on us, that I wonder if we've ever had any good plan - or idea, for that matter.

Harsh rain falls on my skin, and it's so cold it feels like a thousand blades are stabbing me at the same time. I manage to get my hair off my face, and I put it up in a high ponytail. I re-adjust John B's old bandana, to make sure the rest of my hair doesn't get in the way.

Now, the only problem now is the rain, making it hard to keep our eyes open seeing how it is constantly hitting our face, the wind making sure of it.

Standing behind a wooden fence, we watch the construction site, waiting for Ward to show up. Pope pulls out his very old videocamera, that I still don't understand how it's working while being fucking soaked. Shouldn't we put it in rice or something?

Kiara is as annoyed as I am about the weather, and I keep on wondering why JJ is still wearing his hat backwards, when he could be using the visor to keep the rain from getting on his eyes. But you know what? It's been too many years knowing him. I'll just let him be. He'll figure it out himself if you give him some time.

"So," I sigh. "Weather is nice." All three of them turn to look at me, giving me an annoyed look. "I was just trying to lighten up the mood..."

"Nice camera." JJ compliments sarcastically. "Where'd you dig up that relic? Why don't you just use your phone?"

"Well, first of all, I like my antique electronics."

"Fair enough." I nod.

"Second of all, this is a telephoto. It allows me to get a close image from far away."

And that's what I mean when I say we wouldn't be anywhere without our boy Pope. There's four of us here. Just one of them thought about bringing something to get quality images of whatever was going to take place there.

I take a mental note to ask Pope about what more antique electronics he has. When I was little I used to be obsessed with my dad's old shit. I really want to see what else he has in his collection.

"Lord of the dorks." Kiara shakes her head with a tiny hint of a smile.

It's only a second, but hurt and annoyance cross Pope's face. Sometimes I wonder if Kiara knows that everything she says, Pope takes it to heart. For better or for worse. He lives for her, and it's like she doesn't realize. Or she does, and decides to ignore it.

It kinda makes me angry, to be honest. At first, I thought she was super into my brother. When she told me John B kissed her, she looked like she really liked it. And then the whole thing with Sarah Cameron happened, and Kie was livid and looked like she was fucking jealous.