Heated Lies (Jiara)

Wait For Me

He'd been walking for a while, clearing his head and calming his nerves. It was getting cooler outside, and it made him feel a lot better. At least until he wound up at Kiara's house.

She obviously wasn't home, but he was mad his feet had subconsciously led him there. Her parents were monsters, and a few hours ago, JJ would've said the same thing about her.

He sprinted back toward his house, inevitably finding John B's on the way. He hated that he couldn't pay off that goddamn mirror. It felt like he'd never be able to.

His mind circled back to his father's offer. He knew Luke had a beating waiting for him no matter what he did. Shoupe's advice kept playing in his head and it made his head spin.

But he wouldn't go back to a police station. He wasn't that desperate. More than anything, he was sick with need. He missed Kiara more than he thought he would.

It made being mad extremely difficult. What he wanted was to see her, to confide in her about everything. Of course, he couldn't quite do that. He had to remind himself that wanting things wouldn't get him anywhere.

As if he wasn't used to disappointment.

***

JJ spent many nights sleeping at the beach. Pope, John B, and Sarah pended on their decision in that same time frame. Even Luke let things sit while he inhaled whatever destructive chemicals he could find.

Kiara tried her best to normalize group. She kept her turns short, refusing to mention anything about her family or JJ. Instead, she faulted herself in hopes of convincing them she'd had an epiphany.

She never fooled Nora, who she'd become close with. She knew this when they sat down for lunch.

"Trade your pudding cup?" Kiara asked, grinning.

Nora smiled, taking it and handing her friend her own cookie. It had become a regular routine due to their preferences.

"Hey, Nora?"

"Yeah?"

Kiara put the cookie down, smile fading. "You said you've been here almost your whole life... when's the last time you saw your parents?"

"Admissions last year." She sighed. "Renewal."

The Carrera felt terrible with the way Nora had been raised. She didn't deserve what she'd been given. Then Ms Jenkins was on the loud speaker again, and they were reporting back to their individual rooms.

Kiara closed the door, sighing and letting her body sag against the door frame. She sat there for a few moments, just breathing. It was the only way she would make it through another unpredictable day.

"Okay." She was reassuring herself because who else would? She had to be there for Nora. She had it worse.

So Kie finally got up, slipping off her skirt and stepping in the shower. The spray let her worries roll off her body with the rest of the water, but it was as if they would rebuild themselves.

The water continued to boil against her skin until the areas were red. By then, she was getting lightheaded. She was beyond clean with how long she'd spent in there, and she found herself scrunching her hair to keep her curls up.

Then she was brushing her teeth and dabbing moisturizer on her face. She was glowing, but she didn't quite feel like it. She missed her friends. She missed JJ.

But she crawled into bed with her pajama shorts and a large t shirt, drifting into a slumber like no other. Sleeping would become her coping mechanism behind countless tears.

***

"Good morning campers, today is November 28th! Check in as usual and prepare for group." Ms Jenkins dropped her voice when she spoke her next words. "Kiara Carrera, report to the main office to discuss your departure by noon. That is Kiara Carrera, report to the office by noon, thanks."

Kiara gasped, shooting out of bed to get dressed. She barely bothered with her hair, pulling it into a low ponytail, and running. She was still buttoning the lower button when she saw Nora, and tucking in her shirt when she actually said something.

"Todays the day!!"

"I know!!"

This time, Nora reciprocated the hug with much force, and it left Kiara breathless. She was strong for how small she was.

"Okay, first order of business." The Carrera lowered her voice to a whisper. "Your phone. Got a pen?"

"We're not allowed to have sharp objects." Nora complained.

"It's a pen..."

"It was a weapon to a girl last year."

Her eyes went wide at the realization. "Uh... a marker?"

"Maybe. Grab one from the office when you leave."

"That might work."

***

"Okay the plane leaves today, someone needs to get ahold of JJ to let him know." Pope slammed his hands on the table, making both Sarah and John B flinch.

"I don't think he wants to go. Hasn't replied to any of us, so why would now be any different?" The Routledge boy put his head down, making his girlfriend rub circles on his back.

"It's Kiara! I thought they were dating." Pope grumbled, sitting with them both. "You'd think it was a thick and thin kind of thing. He told her about his dad first, right?"

"I guess that trust was broken." JB muttered.

That was when Sarah stood, pulling him up by the back of his shirt. "That's bullshit."

"I don't think it is." Pope followed her eyes as she continued.

"Kiara was doing everything she could to help him. If he can't see that, then he's bullshit." She sighed, crossing her arms. "We're bringing JJ. One of you needs to pick up the phone and spam his ass. If that doesn't work, we are driving around Outerbanks."

The boys looked from her to each other. In a span of two minutes, John B was grabbing his keys to the twinkie.

Author- unedited obviously but be real guys, are y'all still interested in this book? i know i've been inconsistent in my writing but i still love to do it. takes me longer but best believe i'll still post okay? love y'all 🖤🖤🖤