Heated Lies (Jiara)

What You Know

JJ eventually made his way to the bathroom. It wasn't planned, but it definitely helped the rest of the crew move along.

Pope answered the front door as soon as JJ padded off.

"Hello, Mr-"

"Hello, young man." He interrupted JB, but it almost sounded polite. "I'm sure you know why I'm here. Have you seen my son?"

"Why are you talking like that?" Sarah quickly said. "Everyone knows you don't talk like that."

Eyes fell on her. Pope spoke first.

"Jesus, Kie, way to be discreet!"

"My name is Sarah, thanks."

"Well you sound like Kie!" John B joined. "Blunt as hell for what?"

The man's eyes darkened at the mention of the Carrera. Then a smaller boy came into view, rubbing his eyes.

"Did someone say Kie?"

John B practically bolted by JJ's side, shielding him from the view of his father. This only angered the blonde boy as he fought against his friend.

"J, I need your help in the kitchen it's important!"

"Bro, I don't give a shit!" He'd push the Routledge back despite the slippery slope that was Pope's kitchen tile. "Get off!"

Of course, by then Luke had seen him. "JJ?"

The boy instantly stopped struggling to look at his dad. Things got quiet as JB slowly got off him.

"Well, don't just stand there. C'mere boy!"

He was rigid, feet planted in the ground. Sarah's eyes grew wide. "Oh, shit."

"I'm not going with you." JJ stated, and he quickly cleared his throat. "I don't care what you say, I'm not going."

JJ didn't know the rest of the Pogue's present could feel the tension. They knew how fake Luke's smile was, how angry the man really was.

"Now, J."

"No, Dad."

He sighed, and Pope flinched. After a minute more, he took a step back.

"Very well. Then I have an incentive." He spoke coldly. "What do you want from me?"

"PLANE TICKETS TO CALIFORNIA!" Pope blurted out. "Five people. Needed for California School for Troubled Women."

JJ didn't like the looks of this. He glanced at John B and Sarah scolding the mathlete with whispers. Then something clicked, and his heart dropped yet again. Luckily, Luke was ready to be on his way.

"I'll be back to check on you."

"Don't!" JJ gave a salute, and slammed the door.

This bewildered everyone in the room. They all watched him get back in his truck, key marks and all, and drive off. JJ finally choked out a breath, hand flying to massage his chest.

Then he took another deep breath and thought. Everyone looked really on edge. He wasn't sure he liked that he understood. His father was beginning to sound bipolar. Why else would he randomly want to help?

"So who told you?" JJ rolled his eyes. "Shoupe?"

"What do you..." Sarah chuckled nervously. "Your dad is something else."

"Didn't expect him to walk away."

"Me either. Didn't expect you all to know either. Explain. How did he even know to come here? Who snitched and then double snitched?"

"Double snitched is crazy." Pope mumbled.

"Stop playing fucking dumb. You all know the elephant in the room or whatever the fuck, so tell me how!"

John B held Sarah close. None of them had seen JJ get that angry in a span of four seconds.

"It was Kiara, wasn't it?" He chuckled dryly, pausing when no one denied his thought process. "Oh, shit, seriously?"

Things had gotten silent. "Oh, lovely."

With that, he walked straight back to the Pope's guest room and slammed the door. Sarah flinched at the sound.

"Well, that's not good."

***

When Kiara awoke, she was still in the padded room. The only difference was the red dot occupying the left side of the camera in the corner.

She jumped at the thought of someone watching.

"Please, I'm sorry! I won't ever do it again. Never ever!"

The light turned off and she sighed helplessly. After that, the door opened with a soft whooshing sound. A tall woman entered the room, nearly bouncing with the material that surrounded them both.

"Warden, nice to meet ya, Kiara." She spoke cheerfully, and Kiara wasn't sure why it was unnerving. "So you acted out in group yesterday, disobeyed clear rules, and then fought the women who brought you to this lovely establishment."

Kiara gulped. "Yes, but please liste-"

"You're from Outerbanks, aren't you?" It wasn't a question. "I grew up there you know. Got sent to a place like this when I was around fifteen and then grew up to own my own."

"Please, miss-"

"I need you to act like you fear me." She lowered her tone, stepping dangerously close to the Carrera. "I'm going to try my best to get you out of here, while still enforcing the rules. I can't stop the patrons from jumping you once you leave, they started that on their own, and it really keeps this school in check. However, if I am able, I'll request early dismissal."

Kiara was quiet now, trying to process. After thinking for a minute, she let out a small question. "Why?"

"Because you aren't one of them. These people are entitled brats. You're just sticking up for your friends. I heard your little story, and I'm not supposed to say this, but your parents can suck a dick."

Her eyes went wide at the curse. Seconds later, she was standing and walking back toward the door. "Wait!" Kie exclaimed. "How long will I be in here?"

"Two weeks, give or take."

Then the door was slammed shut, and the lights in the room shut off. It was pitch black, and Kiara was crawling in her skin.

***

When Luke drove off, he knew he'd fucked up. He needed to get JJ out of there so he could prove he didn't belong in jail. Somehow, that meant he had to be good to JJ.

Except how do you break old habits? Luke had a rage that consumed him when JJ told him no. If his supposed friends weren't right next to him, the boy would've been beaten senseless.

He knew JJ was taking full advantage of that. It angered him. Still, seeing that foundation stick had awakened a small guilt and pity deep in his mind. It made him wonder.

But as he took a swig of beer from his truck's cup holder, he knew old habits die hard. Even if he were to change, he'd always be seen as the bad guy. JJ would never understand his point of view, and that was another reason he deserved what he got.

It was a moment that froze in his head when he found the foundation. It made him feel terrible. But if he could get his supply back, he'd forget all about it.

Unedited! (i know i'm taking forever to post these. i went through some writers block sorry!)