ruthless; jj m.

23

When I left the JJ, Kie, and Pope at the high school, I quickly headed back to my school. Or as JJ and Pope would like to call it, the Kook Academy. 

I entered the building and headed back into my first-period class, but the bell rang, meaning the class was over. I walked into the classroom and everyone was already grabbing their things and leaving. 

"Sorry, Mr. Robinson. I didn't mean to take that long." I apologized to my teacher as I approached him. He looked over at me and sighed. "It's all right, Scarlett. You've had a pretty rough summer, I heard." He said. 

I gave him a confused look, then nodded. I forgot that the others and I are the only ones who know John B and Sarah are alive. I put on a sad face and nodded. "Yeah, it's been tough. I apologize again, Mr. Robinson. I'll see you tomorrow." I said as I walked out of the classroom.

"So, what took you all period?" Asked Topper who was standing just outside of the classroom, leaning against the wall. "Just something with my Aunt." I lied. "You said it was your Uncle before you left class." He caught me.

I gave him an annoyed look. "Yeah, it had to do with both of them." I lied again. "Why do I feel like you're--" Topper started. "Look, Topper. Just because you helped me out yesterday at the country club doesn't mean you can stick your nose in my business." I cut him off.

He looked at me in shock. "I know you've been hanging around Pogues all summer, but I was sticking my nose in your business to make sure you were okay, because last time I checked, we were still friends. Guess I was wrong." Topper said and then stormed off.

"C'mon, Top! You know that's not what I meant!" I shouted at him as he made his way down the hallway. Topper has always been like a brother to me. But that didn't mean we always agreed on everything. 

The person I was last school year is not the person I am now. I cared about my social status, partied all the time, drank too much, and clearly made horrible decisions regarding men. I'm not saying I've completely changed, but I've definitely improved. 

I made my way to my next class and sat in my seat, feeling guilty about what Topper said. He was right, we were still friends. 

But I was a shitty one.

∴∴∴∴∴

The final bell rang and I made my way out of class and over to my locker. I grabbed my bag and any books or work I'd need. As I closed my locker, I saw Topper walking out of the building and I chased after him.

"Top!" I shouted as I walked out of the front doors. He turned around and saw me walking towards him. "Not now, Scarlett." He said, calling me by my full name. Something he hadn't done in years.

"Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry." I said and he looked down at his feet, waiting for more. "We are still friends. You're like a brother to me. It's just... this summer was a rollercoaster, but I shouldn't have excluded you from that and pushed you away." I apologized to him. 

He looked up from the ground and smiled softly. "I get it, it's okay. I just missed you." He admitted and this made me smile. "I missed you too. Why don't we hang soon, okay?" I said and he nodded. 

Topper then put his hand on my head, and moved it around, messing up my hair. "See ya, Scar!" He said as he made his way over to his car. I laughed and waved goodbye as I walked over to my car, getting in it and getting on the road. 

I then received a text from Pope on my phone. 

New Message from: Pope
Meet at the Wreck.

I gave the message a thumbs up and headed to the Carrera family's restaurant. It didn't take me long to get there, so I parked my car in the parking lot and headed over to the dock where I saw JJ, Pope, and Kie sitting.