Heated Lies (Jiara)

Apology

The next morning, she wakes up in his tee shirt. It's a solid blue that drapes over her shoulders like a blanket. He's still asleep beside her and she's listening closely, trying to find the soft snoring she knows. It's there, and it makes her smile.

Then, with no warning, his arm reaches out to pull her closer. Her response is a giggle, and then he's laughing too. Their legs tangle underneath the silky sheets. For a minute, it was an illusion of bliss.

"Morning." His eyes flutter open. "How'd you sleep?"

"Very well." Kiara nods, kissing his cheek, and leaving red behind.

She's leaning on one arm when he sits up to stretch. It's every movement, the way his muscles seem to get bigger the longer she watched, or his hair in that stupid fluffy mess. And then he's looking back, letting his grin show at her undivided attention.

"What?" There's a smile in his voice.

She rolls her eyes, but it's playful, and she lightly shoved his arm. "Like you don't know."

They're interrupted by a loud yell from
John B. He wastes no time banging on the door, trying to open it, and then frowning at his inability to do so. It makes JJ flinch and then sigh at his friend's shenanigans.

"JJ! Why is the door locked? What are you doing?!"

"Jesus, nothing!" The blondes immediae response follows, as he shuts his eyes. "I-I'm busy with something! Be there soon, dude!"

"What do you want for breakfast? Nora is cooking again!" He continues to try and open the door.

"Stop trying the door!"

Then the Routledge starts to laugh. "Dude, tell me you aren't."

Kiara's face seems confused, despite her own hand keeping her silent, and JJ isn't far behind. She gestures to her friend outside and her boyfriend shrugs.

"Bro, what would Kiara say if she knew you were beating your meat alone?"

Well now Kiara had her face stuffed in he pillow, erupting into fits of laughter she's just barely quieting with the cotton. JJ swung his feet off the bed to stand, quickly shimmying on a pair of boxers and opening the door.

Only his head is visible to John B, or rather, his glare. "I said, I will be there soon. Tell Nora whatever she wants is fine."

John B is cackling by this point, walking back downstairs with too much pride in his step.

"And shut up!" JJ spits back at him, rolling his eyes.

He turns to find Kiara laughing freely now.

"Oh, it's funny?" He giggles a little only because her laugh is so cute, but he's trying not to seem embarrassed.

"It is." She chuckles. "Why didn't you tell him we wanted pancakes? I want pancakes."

"As much as I would love to, I can't read your mind." He pulls her closer, taking her into another hug as if he wouldn't be able to do it again.

He's breathing in her scent, and she's doing the same, hands on his shoulder blades. When they pull back away, he seems content. She watched for any sign of doubt, but he's grabbing his rings in comfortable silence.

He finds a tight black tee, then a pair of camouflage shorts. She watches him lace up his boots. It isn't until he can't find his necklace that he notices her eyes.

"You good, Kie?" His voice doesn't seem too concerned, it's just standard.

"I really am sorry..." He looks back at her, eyebrows knitting together in a sort of sad confusion. "I didn't mean to tell everyone. I wasn't sure what to do. I just wanted to help."

Her voice starts to tremble and that's what makes him stop. "Hey, I forgive you."

A small streak of clear liquid makes its way down her cheek, and he quickly pulls her in for a third hug.

"I forgive you, I promise." He kisses her cheek, squeezing her just a little. "It's okay."

She smiles at his affection, seemingly melting into his embrace at the realization. She couldn't find any sign of a lie in his tone. He seemed genuine, and she's grateful to know that. And then he says something else.

"I love you, Kie."

She quickly pulls back. "You what?"

"I love you... yeah." He's still looking at her, beautiful despite her tears.

There was a small silence that seemed to swallow them both. His grin began to fade at her lack of response. He was going to say something else, but she cut him off.

"I love you, too." She licked her lip where a stray tear drop had been. The taste of salt brings her back to reality. "Sorry... I just always thought I'd say it first."

He exhaled a breath, shaking his hands to ground himself as well.

"Okay, you ready for food?" She nodded inaudibly.

They both regulate while he continues to search for his necklace. After a moment, she catches on to what he's looking for.

"Oh, it's in my room."

Her turned to face her. "You took my necklace?"

"Uh... kind of." He tilts his head to one side, and her cheeks are burning. "Yeah, I took it... sorry."

"No, it's cute, actually." And now her eyes are wide. She's speed walking out of the room to grab the object and he's following, shaking his head in a humorous way.

***

"Damn, took you guys long enough." Nora says, handing them plates of eggs and bacon.

Kiara avoids eye contact while JJ pretends to focus on the floor. It doesn't take a genius to see what's going on, but John B surprisingly said it first.

"Hold on, Kiara, is that JJ's shirt?"

The whole table goes silent. JJ is beet red, eyes wide while he tries not to choke on the bacon.

"It's uh..." She looks to the blonde boy, and then to Sarah who has a knowing expression.

"I heard a really squeaky bed last night." She sips her coffee like teen mom gossiper.

"Sarah!" Her boyfriend exclaims while JJ is hiding behind his plate. As if things couldn't get worse, Nora makes a short questioning comment.

"You guys used a condom, right?"

JJ glares, and she's laughing with the rest of them.

EXAMS TOMORROW. i'm so fucking scared. love you all! blow up the comment section so i can be happy when i check my phone after testing 🖤😂 yay or nay on the story so far? i'm working really hard on it! i got the plan for the next few chapters so it shouldn't be long before i post again. k byeee