Heated Lies (Jiara)

What's Next

Luke and Barry. Barry and Luke. The house was a mess, they were high, and nothing else mattered. For Luke, this was a much needed therapy.

"You alright for an old man." Barry told him, and it made the Maybank smile.

He adjusted his seat outside the troubled home. The raven haired man glanced back toward the door and then to a bike parked out front.

"Ain't your kid in there?" He suddenly wondered, sipping a newly opened beer.

"Nah, out with friends. Doesn't love his own father."

Barry rolled his eyes. "Got a friend like that. Don't appreciate love until it's gone."

"Yeah?" The older man took a hit of the blunt. "Ungrateful shits."

"Rafe kinda grew up that way, though. Rich parents and shit. The life everyone wishes they were born into."

There was a flicker of recognition at the name. Rafe was a kook, a model kook. He was sure JJ knew him.

"Rafe?" Luke spoke coldly. "That's your friend?"

"Yeah, sort of. Went through a couple deals with him. Dude is kind of insane, though. Hell bent on killing those Pogues of yours."

"JJ?"

Barry's eyes widened. "Oh, shit, that ones yours?"

They were looking at each other now, bein slowly popping out on his forehead.

"Yeah, he's mine."

By now, Barry was slowly standing. He'd fought with the father of a customer before, and it didn't end well.

"Uh, listen, I gotta dip. Tell your boy I send my best."

Luke watched him leave, chuckling to himself. If Rafe was still gunning down JJ, then he had nothing to worry about. The problem would take care of itself.

***

"I think they lied to me." Kiara suddenly said. "My mom said something about surfing and roommates here. This is more like prison."

"You haven't figured it out by now? That was bribery, Kie." Nora sighed, rubbing her back with one hand. "Happened to me too many times."

Kiara frowned. "Damn..."

"Also, I'm pretty sure I forgot the password to my phone."

"Really?" The Carrera sounded confused and pitiful. "Can I try."

"After the five minute lock."

***

JJ sat quietly in his seat. He'd denied any food or drink from the flight attendants. He didn't expel so much as a wave. He was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep.

The rest of the Pogues left him alone to process. It was when JJ pulled out his phone that his ears popped. He was instantly reminded of why he hated planes.

The rest of the plane was filled with chatter and snores. There was a screaming baby toward the back, and that was probably why the blonde stuck his headphones in.

He played the first thing his phone gave him, which happened to be a J Cole song he hadn't heard. The chill beat helped level his mood, and although he couldn't quite dream, he was relaxed.

He glanced back toward his friends, noticing that Satah had fallen asleep. John B had her head in his lap, playing with her hair and shushing Pope. The mathlete was playing some sort of concentration game on his phone.

JJ turned back smiling. This time, it felt genuine. He missed Kiara down to her perfume. This was the best way, and he'd already convinced himself of that.

***

"Barry, I don't buy anymore, alright? Stop calling."

The older boy groaned. "Shut up, it ain't about that. You know your little twin, JJ?"

The Cameron laughed. "Oh, daddy issues JJ?"

"Lotta nerve hearing that from you, country club."He pinched the bridge of his nose as he said it. "His dad is an actual asshat. Lay off JJ, or we'll both go down." It was the waver in his voice that upset Rafe.

"You pussy bitch. Are you serious?" He ran a hand over his face, flipping on his bed and laughing. "This is coming from my drug dealer?"

"Let me tell you something, Rafe. You grew up with a goddamn silver spoon. JJ was raised like a warrior. I'm a drug dealer. If you think JJ isn't dangerous after hearing it from me, you're one stupid son of a bitch."

Barry spoke coldly, and his tone almost spooked the younger boy. "And another thing," he continued. "We ain't friends. As you pointed out, I'm your dealer, and you're late on many fees. I should come over there to take your face as interest."

Well now Rafe was quiet. Barry had the upper hand with Rafe in debt. JJ was protected, for now.

***

Nora was silent for the rest of the night. Kiara had finally unlocked her phone, and let the girl hide in her room to go through it. She spent too long in there.

When group came around, Ms Jenkins said Nora was sick. Kiara knew better, but it scared her. She really hoped Nora was alright depute their fleeting presence.

Lights out came faster than expected. She took her usual shower, fingers defining her curls with conditioner and shampoo. She exfoliated and shaved, hoping to take as long as she could to distract herself.

But she became lightheaded, and the water finally grew lukewarm. It was late now, so Kie dressed for bed in a gloomy manner. It took her a moment to breathe.

Another six months there sounded beyond scary. She didn't want to become the modern Nora. She needed out.

But she settled into the blankets anyway, taking deep breaths and trying to relax. At least until she heard the small click of a door handle. Kie snapped awake to ask who was there.

The door opened, and Kiara was quickly silenced. Nora stood with tears down her cheeks. The Carrera held out her arms and the younger girl wasted no time to joined her comfort.

"Nora, what happened?"

She sniffled, but then she laughed. "My parents are dead. Have been since last semester. I'm supposed to be out."

unedited YUP (i'll get back to doing that part soon )