Bad Karma

fifteen

Leilani Elrod

Episode 3. The Forbidden Zone

JJ and I had our first fight. Okay, maybe it wasn't a "fight," but it was a little bit of a disagreement. Basically every time something isn't smooth sailing, I call it a fight. But now, as we sat on the boat on opposite ends, the awkwardness was thick and Kie kept looking between us, my mind replying last night.

"Do you really wanna move all the way to Hawaii? That's, like, on the complete other side of the country." He whispered into the darkness, one arm wrapped around me.

"Yeah."

"You wanna leave us?"

"What? No, JJ, never, but-"

"Then what?"

I couldn't talk about it with anyone. My parents, I mean. The only time I let myself be vulnerable about it or open up about them is during one of my episodes. Not only did I just not want to talk about them, but I'm already seen as a charity case enough and I don't want to be more of a burden. I don't need people constantly checking up on me. I'm fine.

"It's complicated, JJ. Did you really think that we were all going to live here, together, for the rest of our lives? We have to grow up at some point."

I didn't mean for it to come out as harsh at it did, but I couldn't help but get emotional when I felt like this. When I was thinking of my family and what could've been. When things get tough or when I just don't know what to say or do, I tend to push people away.

He sat up, "I think I'm gonna go sleep on the couch." He got up, taking the joint I set on my bedside table (the one I took earlier) and taking it with him.

"Wait, J-" He already had shut my door and was gone.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep much and when I did, the nightmares woke me up.

JJ whistling pulled me from my own head, "You guys see that?" He motioned towards a boat, "That's the Malibu 24-MXZ, the world's finest wake setter. Number one in luxury-"

I stopped listening. Boats didn't interest me, especially ones accompanied by Topper and Sarah. Instead, I closed my eyes and let the breeze push my hair back. It was absolutely beautiful out.

"200k, easy." I heard JJ flare off of his sentence.

I sat up, opening my eyes and pushing my sunglasses further up my nose, "I hate to break it to you guys, but that's Topper and Sarah."

Kie scoffed as they went by us, "You don't have to act like you don't see us, bitch."

By sundown, we had arrived at the hotel JJ worked at after devising this plan all day. JJ and I still barely acknowledged each others existence and by now, the whole group knew something was up.

JJ had tried bringing his gun in, but after multiple threats from us, he threw it in the glove box and continued his pouting.

"So, where are we going now?" Pope asked as we made our way into the hotel.

"We're getting on the internet because only rich people have electricity right now."

Why we didn't just go to Kie's house was beyond me. Probably because her family disliked us. As we walked through the hotel, I felt out of place. People all around us were dressed nicely, holding little cups of tea and their hair pinned back modestly.

We entered the computer room and let me tell you, I have never seen Pope so relieved.

"Let me in there!" JJ followed Pope to the computer, "Gotta check on my Insta models."