Heated Lies (Jiara)

Freedom in Small Pieces

They clomped down the stairs, unbothered by the flickering lights as they ran. One officer spotted them, and any special demeanor flew out the window.

"We need to grab our stuff!!" Nora called to him, glancing behind her at the security ready to pounce.

"No time! We'll get y'all new shit later!"

***

"God, we are sitting ducks." John B grumbled. "You think JJ got caught?"

"I really hope not. He's more reckless than usual." Sarah replied, reclining the seat.

"Yeah but-" The Routledge was cut off by the sight of two girls running behind his best friend.

Sarah sat up at his change in tone. "JB?"

They got closer, and now he could see Kiara and another girl. JJ could've yanked the handle off the car door with force. The entire car shook as they stumbled inside.

"John B!" He gasped, throwing himself into the backseat.

Both girls followed him, slamming the door and screaming. Sarah began to panic as she finally noticed the cops on their tail.

"Oh, fuck! John B?" Her voice was urgent.

John B was in shock. It was Sarah who shook his shoulders, and snapped him back to the reality that was everyone yelling at once.

"What are you doing?! Fucking drive!!" JJ yelled, and JB kicked the gas pedal.

The wheels screeched against the pavement, kicking gravel and dirt behind them. They didn't make it far before Pope came into view, waving his hands in front of the headlights.

"Oh, shit!"

Someone let him in, and he basically sprawled against the people in the backseat. John B began to drive again just as Nora made short lived eye contact with him.

She didn't know any of these people. The gate was closed, and JJ's questioning yelling wasn't getting them any answers. Pope tried explaining that the officer got the upper hand, but there was no point.

It didn't stop John B from continuing to drive. They approached the border, and he ignored the screams to go back. He'd driven into a gate once, and he was about to do it again.

***

In a more calm environment, though usually the opposite, Rafe was at home in bed. He didn't have the slightest idea where Sarah was, or why his father didn't freak out when they realized they didn't know where she was.

Luckily, he wasn't alone in his thoughts. Wheezie knocked on the door in a nightgown and fuzzy socks. Rafe suppressed his laughter at her without glasses.

"Alright, where's Sarah?" She deadpanned, walking passed him when he opened his room door.

"How am I supposed to know?"

"Because you and dad always know something I don't. I'm tired of being left out of the conversation. Speak, Rafe."

He chuckled, running a hand over his face and stopping at his mouth. She didn't look like she found anything funny.

"If I tell you what I think is going on, you need to promise to keep your thirteen year old mouth shut. Got it?" His voice sounded angry, but his face was trying to remain calm.

For Wheezie, she felt lucky to get any information at all. She held up one hand. "Solemnly swear."

Rafe shut the door and locked it. She wouldn't say that scared her a little.

"You know JJ? The crazy blonde boy Pogue?"

Wheezie shook her head and Rafe rolled his eyes. "Course you don't."

He sat down anyway, sighing before beginning his story.

"Sarah is friends with Pogues. She's dating John B. Tell me you remember John B."

Wheezie nodded. "Long hair dude."

"Yeah, whatever. His friends are Kiara and JJ. More pogues. You with me?"

She nodded again, growing restless at the slow pace.

"JJ's dad isn't nice. He's horrible, actually." Saying it out loud made the Cameron pause.

"Like our dad kind of bad?" His sister looked a little worried.

"No, Wheeze... Worse." He admitted. "Um... he's really mean to JJ. Let's just leave it at that, okay?"

He pulled the chair closer to her, pressing his lips together and trying to dumb down the conversation for her.

"JJ lied about some things to stay away from his mean father. It only landed him in more trouble. After that, his girlfriend or whoever got hauled off somewhere and he followed. John B followed his best friend and Sarah followed him." He clapped his hands. "Capiche?"

"Uh huh..." Wheezie looked down at her fiddling hands. "When will they be back?"

"I don't know..."

"Oh." She seemed to have gotten what she wanted, standing to leave with an awkward expression.

He gave a humorless salute. When she was gone, he thought for too long. He knew what it was like to have a fucked up father. He'd just rubbed JJ's mutual
issues in his face.

That was heartless. Even for Rafe.

***

After the cheers and hooting had died down, John B spoke up. "Okay, where to? Do we have enough to buy more time at the hotel?"

Poor shook his head, still laying on everyone's laps. JJ found it funny because Nora still looked shocked that he was there at all.

"Oh, shit, are we camping in a car?" Sarah started to worry. "Please tell me no."

"We'll, I'm not sure where else we're supposed to go." JJ said. "Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."

Groans followed his words. Nora's voice was smaller and squeakier than everyone else. She quietly spoke her opinion.

"Uh... I have a house we can stay at. Paid for. No one will be there for months. We can crash there until we get on our feet."

John B glanced back at the short haired girl. "We humbly accept your offer." Sarah laughed at that. "Where to?"

It was when John B plugged in the gps that JJ noticed Kiara had gone silent. He was right beside her, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, Kie?" He whispered.

Her reaction to his sound was two arms wrapped around his stomach, fully leaning on him for support. For a split second, he was afraid it would hurt, but his wounds had nearly healed.

He gently kissed her forehead, gently cuddling her back. A thumb rubbed up and down her shoulder as she grew limp, asleep against him.

He looked up, finding three pairs of eyes staring him down. Nora had her hands under her chin, diverting her full attention to them.

Pope had no choice but to watch, as he was in everyone's personal space wether he wanted to be or not. For Sarah, she was glad to see he and Kara relax for once. They deserved it.

"Okay, shows over." He whispered, trying not wake her with his laughter. "Promise."