One Stupid Thing

Judgement Day

I gather myself from whatever that was with JJ, and walk out onto the porch where the Pogues are gathered. Loud voices carry on the afternoon breeze. I can tell by the angry tone that something is wrong. As I was beginning to turn back towards the bathroom to avoid eavesdropping, I overhear someone say my name.

"It's Stella isn't it? What is your problem with her, Kie?" JJ's gravelly voice echoes. "You have been acting so nice to her and now all of a sudden you want her to leave?"

"Well, I never expected her to tag-a-long for everything! She isn't a Pogue!" she shouts back.

"You technically aren't a Pogue either..." Pope trails off. An awkward silence follows. I slowly begin to creep towards the front door. My curiosity is getting the better of me.

"You guys don't understand," Kie's voice cracks with desperation. "We can't trust her."

"And why not?" JJ asks her. I peer through the mesh on the screen window and see the frustrated expressions on JJ and Kie's faces. Pope and John B are smart for staying out of the argument.

"She's Sarah's sister for crying out loud! The Cameron's are Kook royalty and they treat us like shit!"

"God, Kiara. Stella is not her sister. Name one time she has ever treated us the way the other Kooks have?" Kiara doesn't respond. "That's what I thought. You're just mad because of some dumb feud that happened with Sarah last year!"

Before the situation can escalate, I quietly pull open the door and stand in the threshold, but before I am able to make my presence known, Kiara lashes out at JJ. "The only reason you want her in the group is because you like her!"

John B was the first to notice me standing there. "Uh... Kie," he says quietly.

She clearly doesn't hear him. "Don't look at me like that. It's so fucking obvious, JJ!"

"Kiara!" John B repeats, louder this time.

"What!" she snaps. John B points in my direction. They all slowly turn to look at me.

"Hey, Stella," Pope greets me awkwardly.

"Um. I should probably go." I head for the screen door but before I have the chance to leave, I feel a hand grab my arm. I turn my head and my eyes lock with ocean blue ones.

"Stella, wait," JJ pleads. "You don't have to leave."

"Well, clearly I am not very welcome here." I lean to look past JJ at Kiara. "For what it's worth, thank you for letting me tag-a-long. And for the record, Kiara, even if I knew what happened between you and Sarah, I wouldn't have judged you solely based on that. I guess you can't say the same." Kiara doesn't say anything. She can't even look me in the eye. Taking my leave, I pull my arm out of JJ's grasp and walk out the door towards my bike.

"Nice work." I hear JJ say and his footsteps follow me outside.

"JJ..." I begin, but he interrupts me.

"El, I'm so sorry." My heart skips a beat when he uses my nickname. "I don't know what has gotten into her."

I avert his gaze and grab my skateboard. I had left it leaning against the Château. "It's fine. I get it. Obviously she is still holding a grudge and somehow I managed to become apart of it. I must have offended her somehow." I look back up and meet JJ's stare. "I should go. My family will be home soon anyways and I don't want to have to explain where I was." I smile slightly and begin to walk away, but before I leave I turn back and say, "Oh, and tell Kie not to worry. I'll give her her clothes back." I turn back around and walk off into the distance without another word with my board tucked under my arm.