Heated Lies (Jiara)

Pope and JB

Pope had invited everyone except JJ. Did it hurt a little? Yes. But JJ supposed Pope could do what he wanted. There was nothing wrong with this, right? JJ didn't have to go every time they hung out.

He figured even if he had been invited, he would've turned it down in fear of exposing his wounds. Luke liked to leave a mark, and they didn't go away.

He didn't have a single clue where the foundation was, and he knew his girlfriend would protest if he asked for hers. He saw Kiara getting ready, though, and it felt a little worse.

"How long will you be gone?" He watched her finish curling her hair.

"Pope said not long."

"What are you guys doing?"

"Just said talking."

"About me?"

"I don't know, J."

"About us?"

"I don't know, J."

"But-"

She put the curling iron down and turned around. "I told you I don't know..." She gave a reassuring smile. "I promise if you don't want me to go, I won't go."

He looked down. "Yeah, but that makes me the bad guy."

"You can't be the bad guy." She turned back around to put on her mascara. "That's just not how this works."

He smiled a little, hugging her from behind. Her grin was her response, and she kissed him just before leaving.

"Just text me and I'll fill you in on everything, swear it!"

JJ watched her go, smile falling by the second. Afterward, he was plopping back down on the couch and wincing. His wounds got progressively better, but he couldn't be his usual crazy self just yet.

He pulled out his vape anyway, taking a hit before flipping tv channels. He was going to try his hardest not to worry. He and Kiara were past that.

***

When she got to Pope's house, everyone was already there. He seemed antsy, so she quickly sat down.

"Okay, you have my full attention." She says, and Pope is shifting his weight from foot to foot, tapping his long fingers rhythmically.

"Copy that." JB gave a salute and Pope rolled his eyes.

"It's about JJ." Pope blurted out. "He's in trouble! I think... it has to be! Kiara knows what I'm talking about!"

She immediately stood, pressing her lips together. John B looked confused while she stared at the nearest exit.

"Where are you going?" Pope asked her.

"Um..." She was thinking hard, but no believable lie came to mind. "I don't know anything about this." She deadpanned.

"You didn't know JJ was getting abused at home?"

Her jaw dropped, chest heaving harshly. Him saying it out loud was unexpected.

"Woah!" John B stood as well. "The fuck are you talking about?!"

Kiara's skin was crawling. The fact that Pope had just put that out there screwed everything. John B looked horrified, Pope was wide eyed and frantic. He looked scared, which was certainly a strange thought for the mathlete.

"I talked to Shoupe." His tone lowered, hands outreached to her as if to ask her to stay. "I know JJ isn't about telling anyone. How did you find out?"

Kiara slowly sat back down, shutting her eyes tightly. "Pope, I have no idea what your talking about."

And he loses his temper. "Bullshit!"

John B had both hands in fists over his mouth, trying to let everything sink in. With the shouting going on around him, it isn't easy.

"No, it's not! You can't just assume something and expect everyone to go along with it!" She's conflicted.

She's defending JJ just like he wanted, but she wants to explain so badly it hurts. They should be finding a way to help him, not hide him.

Pope kept both hands over his face for several seconds. His frustrated breaths became audible while Kiara grew silent in her own time. John B finally said something.

"You guys both knew? And I didn't..."

"Apparently Kie didn't know either." Pope sighed.

The were both looking at her now, and her hands began to sweat. She was beginning to regret a lot of things, but this, she knew had to be done.

"He said not to tell you guys." Pope scoffs, but it's humorless. He sounds torn.

"Fuck, it's true." His hand covers his mouth, and he actually sounds like he's going to cry.

This catches her off guard. Of all things, Pope wasn't an emotional person. But now? He looked so... guilty?

"Pope..." She's by his side in a flash as he leans against the wall. He's taking a hit of a weed pen, and there isn't a single doubt in her mind that it's JJ's. She doesn't bother asking how he got it.

John B follows them both, looking slightly traumatized. So she hugs them both, trying to regain form to explain.

"Listen, guys. I have a lot of explaining to do. JJ doesn't want anyone knowing about this, I wasn't even supposed to tell you guys."

Pope sagged against the wall. "I knew something was up. Saw his lip. Saw the bruise near his eye." He's pressing his palms into his eyes. "I should've said something."

"Pope, no. If you pushed him, he just would've shut you out. I know, trust me." She pulls her knees up to her chest. "I'm taking care of him for now. He's been staying at my house."

John B's shoulders relax just the slightest. "Why didn't telling Shoupe work?"

"There's no evidence." She says reluctantly.

Her phone suddenly beeps, and everyone's heads snap in its direction. The light fades and they slowly resume conversation.

"Yeah, no evi-"

"JJ looking like bruised banana is enough evidence for me!" Pope shouted, throwing his hands up.

"Not if he isn't willing to show people. He only gets help if he wants it and..." She's looking from one Pogue to the other. "He doesn't want it."