𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 || 𝘫𝘫 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘬

𝐍 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄

Aleena's POV:

I wake up to the warm sunlight streaming through the window. It's another scorching hot day, as usual around here.

Rubbing my eyes and looking around, I recall the heated argument I had with JJ last night. Maybe I was a bit too harsh, but his constant mood swings really get on my nerves, man. He changes his attitude more times than I can count in a single day, for real.

Grabbing my phone from the charger, I glance at the notifications. 76 missed calls from my mom. I quickly dismiss all the alerts and toss my phone back on the floor. I can't bear to hear my mother's voice again. Besides, I know I'll be hearing it soon enough.

I lazily choose an outfit for the day and examine my reflection in the mirror. My hair has been a mess lately. I run my fingers through it, sighing and relishing the soothing feeling of massaging my scalp.

I leave my unruly hair in a sloppy bun and head downstairs to find Sarah.

I made up my mind last night to return to Colorado. I seem to cause more problems than I solve, so I think it's best for everyone, especially John B and me. Maybe with time, the wounds I've inflicted in the past will heal. I'll tell him soon, but my gut tells me to talk to Sarah first.

As I step outside, I sense a tense atmosphere among the people gathered around... a boat? The tension quickly dissipates when I hear laughter and Topper yelling at someone.

Approaching the three boys, I notice Topper shouting at Sarah, who is taking something out of the boat.

"I'm sorry that I care, okay?" Topper shouts.

Rafe, whom I've seen before in the house, appears behind Topper. I can't say I enjoy his company much; there's just something about his demeanor that exudes danger and evil.

"Congrats, pussy, you're officially her bitch," he remarks while giving Topper a slow pat on the shoulder.

The other boy, that I've never seen before, turns to me and scans me from head to toe. "Whoa, boys, looks like someone has lost her way," he smirks.

I bring my hand up to my hair, tightening my bun with my fingertips. I cross my arms and force a reluctant smile. "No, I just wanted to talk to Sarah."

My feet instinctively guide me towards where she's standing. As I move away from the boys, I catch the darker-skinned boy asking Topper and Rafe about me.

"Who is she?"

"Friend of Sarah's. She's staying here because she doesn't have a home," Rafe responds.

I can see the boy's eyes widen at this piece of information. "And you weren't going to tell me she's staying here? In your fucking house? I don't know why you haven't made a move already, Rafe."

"It's a fucking Routledge, Kelce. Half-sister of that John B kid."

"She's only 15, man. I'm not some sort of pedo," I hear Rafe's voice again.

Sarah rolls her eyes at the boys' conversation, clearly annoyed by the way they're talking about me. "Fucking pigs. I'm sorry, Aleena. Rafe didn't mean it that way. Rose and my dad have an age gap too," she sighs and rubs my arm reassuringly.

"Don't worry, Sarah. It's okay. They're not saying anything that isn't true, though."

A silence falls between us, and all we hear is the chatter of the boys and the chirping of birds trying to find each other.

"I'm going back to Colorado," I blurt out, eager to get it off my chest. "I need to fade the cuts that were made, and the only way to do that is to give it time, to be away from him.