𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 - jj x kiara

- chapter fifteen -

I probably sat there for a solid hour until I decided to head back.

It took me a half hour to get back to our site and the rest of the group was sitting by the fire.

"Where were you?" Pope said, instantly on his feet.

"I'm fine." I sniffled, wiping my nose.

"Where were you?" He repeated.

I gestured vaguely.

He raised his eyebrows.

Cleo came up to me and put her arms around my shoulders.

"Are you okay girl?"

"Mhm,"

She hugged me, and it felt nice but I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I didn't deserve her hug.

I'm a horrible person. I hurt JJ so bad, and I can't do anything now.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of his lips on mine.

"Where's JJ?" I asked after a few seconds.

"Over there," John B said.

"Okay."

Sarah came up to me and crossed her arms.

"What happened?" She asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm a horrible person," I whispered.

"No, don't say that." Sarah said. "I know you feel bad, but if you aren't ready for something like a relationship, you can't force yourself."

Cleo nodded in agreement, and I looked past them to see the boys standing awkwardly to the side.

"He's mad?"

"Crushed,"

"Ugh!" I groaned, rubbing my temples. If only I had a time machine.

"Kie, I'm not exactly going to defend you, but you do have to give him time."

I nodded and sighed.

"I deserve that,"

"JJ really lov - I mean likes you," Pope fumbled.

I was too tired to notice his slip-up, but I noticed Cleo and Sarah exchanging glances at each other. I was too tired to argue.

"What should I do?" I wondered.

"Time." John B said simply.

I sat quietly, thinking.

"Well, I'm going to go to sleep. Pope, come with me," John B gestured towards his, Pope's, and JJ's area.

"Yeah, sure,"

The two left and Cleo, Sarah, and I stood awkwardly.

"Um, I'm gonna -" Cleo scratched her head absentmindedly and gestured towards her "bed".

"Oh, yeah, cool. Good night Cleo,"

She left and soon after Sarah did too.

"Give it time." She whispered to me.

I nodded and she gave me one last look and walked away.

I stayed by the dying fire, poking sand around and staring off.

After a while, I heard the sound of footsteps and I tensed up. The image of the figure hadn't left my mind.

I turned to see no one other than… him.

And I broke.

The second he came into view, my vision blurred and I felt tears in the back of my throat.

I turned away and heard his footsteps suddenly stop. I knew he'd seen me.

"JJ," I said, turning to face him, "hi,"

He blew out a deep breath and avoided my eyes. JJ looked at every other place he could see.

I couldn't blame him. Even I could barely look him in the eye… his beautiful eyes.

There were a million things I wanted to say, but I decided to start with saying sorry - again - even though I knew it wouldn't help a thing.

"I'm -" I began.

"Save it." He said, putting his hand up.

"No, could you please -?"

He shook his head vigorously.

"I'm going back to sleep."

I opened my mouth and then remembered Sarah's words.

Give it time.

So I did.

a/n - ahh a longer chapter (600 words!). i'm so sorry for not publishing any new chapters lately. i'll try to write as much as possible this weekend! ty for reading :))
~ avishi m