Heated Lies (Jiara)

Buzz

Kiara Carrera was a blunt person. She never held back or hesitated. It seems as though she had everything already figured out. The boys were sure she was the only one keeping them in check.

Like JJ, she'd never tell them what spiraling thoughts she'd expirience in her own time. As far as they were concerned, she had it together. Her family, though...

"Kiara!"

Said teenager groaned. Her relationship with her family was degrading. Speaking to a brick wall would've been more beneficial. She clomped down the stairs as the woman had asked, shoving her phone in her pocket.

"Your father and I have decided on an extra trip."

The girl glanced at her shoes and then to her father. "Where to?"

"I want you to be very open minded about this. It'll only be a few days." Her mother spoke in a cautious tone. There was no way this was good news.

She was starting to panic. Her father hadn't said a single word.

"We're visiting a boarding school in California..."

Kiara didn't let the thought sink in. "Am I missing school?"

Her mother shook her head, which confused her daughter for the moment. That's when her father finally spoke. She didn't miss the nervous tapping of his foot.

"You'll be staying here."

Her heart dropped. She opened her mouth to protest, and then closed it straight afterward. She knew her parents, or rather her mother. There was no convincing them once they were set.  Her phone buzzed in her pocket, making her whole body tremble. Too many thoughts crossed her mind.

"We will give you details soon, honey. Don't worry too much."

Too fucking late

***

J- hey Kie

JJ sat examining his hand. The cuts hadn't fully healed, but he tore the bandages off anyway. They almost felt restricting. He checked his phone for the third time, where he found that Kiara still hadn't answered. He supposed she was busy, but his brain didn't like that answer.

He debated texting again, though it seemed desperate on his part. So instead, he wandered around John B's house for the second time that day. The Routledge boy had been out looking for jobs all afternoon, and it felt like JJ would be on his own for a while. Pope, as usual, was busy with schoolwork and Sarah would've been a low he wasn't willing to experience.

She would always be a Kook in his mind.

He used to his good hand to grab a beer and made his way to the hammock outside to relax. In moments like these, the score was mutual. It was more of a recuperating moment than an actual fight. He figured his father would also be loading up on weaponry for the next duel.

Maybe that was why he couldn't relax. He'd basically ignored Luke. Whatever was waiting for him at home couldn't be good. His breathing hitched at a thought he really hoped didn't come true.

Then his phone finally buzzed and he hesitated. He waited. He even prayed it wasn't his father clueing him in on what unspeakable actions he was conjuring up. Curiosity outweighs fear in the long run, so he picked it up.

Kie- call me?

J- sure

He took a small breath before finally pressing the button. Kiara answered instantly.

"How's your hand?" She said first, laying on her bed. She'd called for a distraction, unknowingly giving JJ his own.

He hadn't even noticed he was picking at the broken tissue until she mentioned it.

"Uh, it's fine. Doesn't hurt." He switched his phone to his bad hand so he'd stop touching it. He wasn't completely lying about the pain, but thinking about it made it sting a little. "What's going on with you?"

She wondered if she should tell him. Would he tell the others? It was an ongoing debate on wether he'd go all JJ and freak the fuck out. In the end, her mouth didn't consult her brain.

"My parents are going to Cali for a few days..." she waited for a response, but he was silent. "They're visiting a boarding school for me. Told me to keep an open mind."

JJ was back to picking his hand. "Huh."

"That's it?" Kiara gasped. "Just 'huh?'"

She wasn't sure why she hated his reply. He didn't even flinch against the idea. The unusual response should've been a warning that something wasn't right. However, there'd be many more warnings missed, and he wouldn't blame any of the Pogues for their oblivious actions.

"Sorry, I obviously don't want you to leave, but it's not up to me." He took a sip of the beer. "Have you told Pope and JB? Or even Sarah?"

"No. Just y-"

She was interrupted when JJ heard John B enter the front door. He didn't look particularly happy from where JJ could see, so he told Kiara he'd call her back.

"No job?"

"No job."

John B didn't look pleased. JJ hadn't even thought about getting a job. He supposed he'd need one if things ever became unbearable. Though, he thought that particular moment was far away in the future. The real question was how long he could avoid his father.

"So, how long do you plan on staying?"

Apparently not long. Guilt stabbed him in the chest. He knew he spent too much time at his best friends house. Still, he figured JB would be more subtle.

"Not long. I'll be gone soon." He quickly stated. "You want a beer?"

It was clear he was trying to change the subject, but John B just nodded. "Not that I want you to go." Liar. "I just have DCFS over later. I didn't want them to ask about you, too."

JJ sat up, his features twisting into a questioning frown. "What's that mean?"

A small silence followed while John B thought about what to say. JJ seemed offended, though he couldn't figure out why. It wasn't a secret that JJ hated going home. Just because the Routledge boy wasn't sure why didn't mean there was no reason at all.

"Nothing, man."

JJ quickly left the room, padding into the guest bedroom that was basically his. He preferred everything about it from the bed to the damn curtains. His own room didn't even have curtains. The sun would shine too bright in the day and the moon shone too bright in the night.

His bed was squeaky as shit, and several springs had ripped through the mattress. It was a hassle to get comfortable enough to sleep, but he'd never ask his father for anything new. He knew his father would just say he didn't deserve it.

And what if that was true?

In moments like these, JJ couldn't help but give up a point. Luke played both physically and mentally. There would always be a part of him stuck and afraid. As soon as he was able to blink away tears, he texted back a dreadful response.

JJ- on my way

He felt sick leaving John B's home, but he'd have to face the music eventually.