Chasing The Stars || JJPOPE

THIRTEEN

JJ MAYBANK SAW no flaws in Pope Heyward. Well, besides being overly apologetic and awkward. JJ had often imagined himself in Pope's place over the years, someone smart and determined to actually do good. Someone who was always someone's first choice, someone who was absolutely golden. He didn't understand why Pope was so nervous and awkward, because if he were Pope, he'd have everything he'd ever want.

But he was slowly starting to realize that maybe he didn't want to be Pope after all, maybe he just wanted to be a better version of himself. Pope helped him see that.

"You apologize too much." JJ spoke up as they passed by a man with a wooden stand full of fruits and vegetables. They each had grabbed an apple. Pope took a bite out of his apple, looking over at JJ questioningly.

"What do you mean?" Pope asked after swallowing.

"I don't know." JJ shrugged with a small smile, "You're just too nice, and quite frankly, it's annoying." He then took a bite out of his own apple while smirking. Pope only rolled his eyes.

They walked on the side of a dirt road, the beach and blue sky not far from them. The sun outlined the two, as if they were only silhouettes drifting away in the breeze.

To anyone look in from the outside would've just assumed the two boys were simply close friends by the way they were smiling, but in reality, neither of the boys really considered the other their friend. No one quite understood the nature of their relationship, but for some unknown reason the two enjoyed it more that way.

"So... what's next?" Pope spoke up, referring to the case file. JJ glanced at Pope before handing it to him, the blonde taking the bike in return.

Pope lips parted in a bit of surprise, JJ watching intently. Pope looked up, meeting JJ's stare, "Ward left a statement."

JJ's eyes widened, "Get your phone out."

Pope scrambled to pull his phone from his pocket, quickly typing in the address. JJ leaned over and peered at the screen, a photo of an old antique shop appearing across the screen. The two made eye contact, both equally as wondrous about the shop. Why would she be there of all places?

So the two followed the gps, guiding them through the town. JJ would constantly tell Pope he was headed in the wrong direction, but the Heyward kept his eyes locked on the gps.

"He said he last saw her..." Pope trailed off as they walked along the sidewalk, passing by many antique shops until stopping in front of a certain one, "here." JJ looked up at the shop before back over at Pope. The Heyward boy looked over, meeting JJ's eyes, causing the blonde to look away quickly.

"Let's get going." JJ spoke awkwardly, swinging the door open to the shop. Pope raised his eyebrows before following.

The bell above the door rang, letting the shop know of the two teen boys' presence. The shop was practically, none other than a blonde-haired woman pouring through the vintage china in the corner, pearls around her dainty neck and hair pinned back in a slicked back bun — it was obvious this was kook territory. Pope stepped ahead of JJ, chestnut eyes scanning the shop. Antiques were littered everywhere, Pope raising his eyebrows at the sight.

Suddenly, a man appeared from around the corner, catching the two boys by surprise. Pope then felt a hand wrap around his wrist, causing him to glance over and see a startled JJ Maybank, blonde locks messily sat atop his head and blue eyes dancing with nervousness.

"Is there anything I can ask you boys with?" The man asked. He was possibly in his 50's, hair beginning to gray and his skin was sickeningly pale considering they lived where summer seemed to be a year-round affair. His eyes were a dark brown, almost black, and they practically poured into the two's souls.