Strings Attached • JIARA•

4

Sarah's POV:

JJ left and Kie went to go talk to him. I was in the hot tub with Pope and John B and we were all thinking the same thing.

"Okay, so when do you think that they'll realize they are in love?"

"JJ has never been in love. He doesn't even know what love is. Kiara will fall for JJ and she'll just end up hurt when he can't return those feelings" Pope said

"Yeah, I can see that happening... For sure" John B said

"I just hope we all remain friends and that Kie and JJ don't hurt each other"

"The thing is that I think they are both in love with each right now and just don't know it yet" John B added and we all agreed

JJ's POV:

Everyone started talking about college and I felt so left out. I wasn't going to college because I couldn't afford it and I wasn't smart enough. The whole college thing didn't really bother me. It was the whole my friends leaving me thing that got to me.

I went inside and I was changing out of my swim trunks into a pair of boxers. I was naked when the bedroom door opened and I quickly turned away and realized it was only Kie. I relaxed and continued getting dressed.

"If you're here for sex, I'm not in the mood"

"I'm here as your friend, J" She said

I was now putting my shirt on and she said, "I know you left when we all started talking about college. You can talk to me"

"I don't want to go to college. It's not about college. It's about all my friends, my family is leaving me just like my dad. I know you guys all have these amazing futures and goals and all that but selfishly, I want everyone to stay here"

"Change is a good thing too even when it doesn't seem like it. I promise we'll always be friends. Our bond as a family is way too strong to be broken. It will be a long-distance friendship at times but we will all make it work"

"You're going to be on the other side of the country. How is that going to work?"

"My parents will let me come home and visit. Besides, even if they don't I'll pay for you to come to visit me"

"Make sure you introduce me to your California boyfriend"

"Oh for sure" She joked back

She hugged me and I relaxed a little bit more. I noticed that she was freezing so I grabbed pair of joggers and a sweatshirt and handed them to her. She removed the swimsuit and put the clothes on. She seemed so comfortable just changing in front of me. I liked that she felt safe with me because I felt safe with her.

"Wanna watch a movie?" I asked

"Sure, you pick the movie and I'll let the others know" She said walking toward the door

"Actually, I was hoping maybe it could just be you and me"

"Okay" She said coming and laying next to me in bed keeping the bedroom door opened

We started watching a movie and about halfway though, Pope came in and asked if things were okay.

"Yeah, all good" JJ said

"Funny how you just fix everything with sex" Pope said leaving

I got up and said, "Our arrangement is none of your damn business. But just so it's clear nothing happened tonight when we came in from the hot tub. We were just talking as friends. Just like I'd do for you, John B, or Sarah"

"Sorry, I just assumed"

"Don't assume" She said coming back to bed to finish the movie with me

Kie's POV:

We finished the movie and then I left to go home for the night. I gave Pope a ride home on my way home. He was pretty quiet in the car at first and I knew he was upset.

"Just say it" I said annoyed

He didn't look at me but he said, "You're going to end up hurt. JJ doesn't care about you. He just wants someone to seep with"

"Pope, I'm not talking about this with you. It's my decision and there are no strings attached so no one is going to get hurt"

Pope didn't say anything until he thanked me for the ride home when I pulled up to his house. I dropped him off and then I went home and I was annoyed with what Pope said so I took a shower to help me relax.

I laid down and tried to fall asleep but I couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about my little arrangement with JJ. Was it a bad idea? Would I end up hurt?