𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

Midsummers

The next day, the four Pogues found themselves standing outside Heyward's shop, the air thick with tension. JJ and Pope wore the marks of their recent scuffle—little cuts and bruises etched across their faces, with JJ sporting a busted lip that made him look even more defiant.

"Don't let it get to your head, P." Ari chimes in, her tone both teasing and serious. "There were three of them and only two of you at the start. We all know it's typical Kook shit."

Pope paces back and forth, his nerves getting the better of him as he tried to process what had just happened.

"What was your thought process? Using your head, man?" JJ shot at Pope, his brow furrowed in concern.

"I don't know, man." Pope admits, running a hand through his hair. "I kinda just acted off of instinct. I was like a cornered animal."

The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, each word adding to the gravity of their predicament.

Suddenly, Heyward's voice broke through the tension. "Hey, Pope, there's someone here to see you."

The door creaks open, and in walks Deputy Shoupe, his gaze fixed solely on Pope.

Instantly, Pope's body tensed, the familiar dread creeping in. JJ, Ari, and Kie exchange worried glances, the unspoken fear swirling among them.

"Evening, Officer." Pope greets, trying to keep his voice steady despite the knot forming in his stomach.

"I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property. Keep your hands on the counter where I can see them." Shoupe says, his tone all business.

Pope's eyes widened in disbelief as Shoupe slaps the cuffs on him, panic flashing across his face. He shot frantic looks at JJ and Ari, who stood frozen in shock.

Ari instinctively links her arm through JJ's, grounding herself amidst the chaos.

"Shoupe, what did he do?" Heyward's voice trembled with fear, concern etched across his features.

"Take a look at the warrant." Shoupe replies matter-of-factly, leading Pope outside without a second thought.

The three teens and Pope's father crowded around the paper, their hearts racing as they scanned the words. As the realization hit them, they bolted out of the shop.

"It wasn't him!" JJ shouts, his voice cutting through the air as he rushed toward them, desperation in his eyes. Shoupe paused, turning to face him, the tension thickening.

"JJ, no," Ari hisses urgently, her grip tightening on his arm. She knew the stakes—JJ's father would be furious, and the consequences could be dire. She couldn't let that happen.

"It was—."

"It was me. I was so mad at Topper for everything that he did to me. He had just beaten John B and I up. He tried to talk me out of it but I didn't listen, wanting nothing but revenge. I'm not letting him take the blame for something I did." Ari cut JJ off, her voice steady yet laced with a raw intensity.

"Ari, what the hell are you doing?" Pope's voice trembles with confusion and concern.

"I'm telling the truth, Pope. This wasn't you, and you know it." Her gaze remains locked on Shoupe, refusing to look at JJ, knowing that the heartbreak in his eyes would shatter her resolve.

"Ari, come on." JJ and Pope pleads, their voices a mix of desperation and disbelief.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Ari shouts, her frustration bubbling over. "He's a good kid, Shoupe. You know I'm not like the rest of my family."