JJ and a Routledge

Just Great

Soon after that, I went to the Chateau to make sure we didn't leave anything behind. An hour or so after just relaxing I hear the front door open. I glance up from the coach to see JJ. "Oh. I thought you'd be gone by now." He mumbles. 

"Sorry to disappoint." I sigh. He starts to walk away but I stopped him. "Hey, are we good?" 

"What do you mean?" He comes over to the couch. 

"I don't know I just felt like you were avoiding me the whole time at the Crain house." And flirting with Kiara. 

"Oh, well, to be honest. After Kiara told us to stop flirting I realized some things..." Oh, he still likes her. 

"Sit down, I have a feeling this will be a long one." I don't even bother to look up at him. Once he settles on the couch, he faces me and begins again. 

"For one, I keep on saying I have nothing to lose. But I've come to the realization that I do. I could lose the Pogues if we continued our secret. And I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I wouldn't choose you over the Pogues." 

"Understandable," I say, my voice cracking. I still don't look at him. 

"Also, I don't want to get Kiara all upset, I saw how upset she was about Sarah and John B and I didn't want something like that happening again. I also... I kinda think I still like her." That's when a tear spills. Why does it feel like he just broke up with me? 

"Oh." I manage to mumble. 

"Coral..." 

"Save it. How could you lead me on like that when you didn't even know if you were over another fucking girl." I cry out. I quickly pick up my bag and head to the door, slamming it on the way out. 

Now I had to walk all the way back to Figure Eight, even worse, in tears. I can't believe I thought it would actually work. God, I'm so dumb. 

When I got back to The Cameron house my tears were long gone. Of course, John B dragged me back over there, the whole gang will be there, including Sarah. 

"No effing, way," Kiara complains. "You brought her here? So what, she's in on this now? God, Coral was enough." I roll my eyes at that. John B looks over at Pope but Pope just shrugs. 

"Look, all I care about is if her cut comes out of your share." JJ pipes up. 

Kiara tilts her head, "You know, I don't remember taking a vote. This is our thing." She points at the original pogues. "A Pogue thing." 

"I gotta say, I'm a tad bit uncomfortable with this," Pope says blandly. 

"Thank you!" Kiara throws her hands up. 

"When are you ever comfortable?" John B asks him. 

"I dunno, I ride on JJ's bike pretty comfortably." Pope shrugs. 

JJ nods. "It's true. Most relaxed I ever see him." 

"That's cute guys." John B is obviously annoyed. 

"You know we were all extremely comfortable until you brought her." Kiara continues. 

Finally, Sarah stands her ground. Something I could never do with Kiara. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here." 

"Than leave." 

Sarah scoffs, "I told you." She looks at John B. 

"Told him what, exactly? That you're a liar?" 

"No! That you're a shit-talking bitch." I yell out, looking Kiara right in the eyes. 

"When have I ever lied?" Sarah questions. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Pope and JJ betting on who will win. 

"You get somebody close to you-- for like a month--" 

"I didn't lie about shit!" Sarah defends. 

"Kiara you never even told us what the fuck she did to--" I begin. 

"Will everybody just shut up!" John B hollers. "Kie, you are my bestfriend, right? Coral, I feel like you've been my sister my whole life. And Sarah you're--" He chuckles. "You're my..." 

"Say it." She says lightly. 

"You're my girlfriend." He smiles. 

"Ohhh. That's new." I hear Pope mutter. 

Than, Kiara starts again. "She's your girlfriend now?" She crosses her arms. "What was all that talk about just using her for information?" 

"Oh my God, you bitch!" I begin to stand up but Pope pulls me right back down. 

"Get a map, cut her loose?" She cocks her head. 

"You said you were using me?" I could feel the pain in Sarah's voice. 

"No." he denies. 

"Yeah, you did," Pope argues. "You said, those things." 

"Look, love just walked in, okay?" 

"Oh, vomit." Kiara sighed. 

"I didn't expect it. It just kinda happened. And I'm not gonna deny it." He shrugs. "Right?" He looks at Sarah. She looks away from him. 

"Look, cut the bullshit, John B. I dealt with Coral but I'm not dealing with them both. If their in, I'm out." 

"I'm not doing this--" 

"You are gonna decide. I'm very interested actually, me or them?" 

"Both." He shrugs. 

Kiara leaves the porch slamming the door shut. 

"It'll be cool, right?" Sarah looks at John B. "I'm gonna leave. Gonna let y'all chat. Let me know." She gets off the couch and heads for the door. 

"Sarah, don't." John B begs. 

"I'd just like to say, you handled that beautifully." JJ chimes. 

"Yeah, I'm out too." I sigh, lifting myself from the floor.

"Wait, what I'd do to you?" John B questions. 

"You didn't do anything." I huff walking out the door. 

As I'm leaving I hear John B ask, "Which one of you guys did something?" So now Pope and John B are gonna know about what was going on with JJ and I. Just great.