Heated Lies (Jiara)

Goodbye

They spent the rest of the day in turns of movies. It ranged from Ponyo, to 21 Jump Street, to Friday (the entire trilogy). Needless to say, laughs were shared throughout the films.

Nora started to cook around three, in which JJ actually helped this time. Kiara wasn't far behind, helping him with things like measurements and spillage. Sarah would watch from the couch, still admiring their relationship.

John B found it cool, he supposed. Something about seeing his best friend act so cheesy with a girl made him cringe. He began to wonder what he and Sarah looked like on the regular. Regardless, it was kind of cute.

It was around seven that Kiara made her way to the bathroom for a shower. JJ watched her go, reveling in everything from her curls to her white, gold-buttoned jeans.

His guard had dropped tremendously. The flinches ceased, he stopped checking the healing process, he barely reached for weed. It was like he was cured. He hated that he'd have to leave California behind.

Though, he wasn't exactly sure why he even needed to. The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. He knew neither he nor Kiara really had anything waiting for them.

It was at that moment that his phone buzzed for the fourth consecutive time in a row. His head snapped toward the stupid device, letting his anger expel in a frustrated sigh.

He looked back to his friends. John B was asleep in Sarah's arms. Nora was asleep on Pope's shoulder. When he looked up at the darker boy, there was confusion written on his face.

Pope just laughed, whispering to him, "This is my new best friend."

JJ just nodded. "Mmhmm."

He turned back toward his phone. There was no distraction from it. He'd have to look eventually. Inevitably, he sulked toward the plugs and bots. His hand didn't quite tremble, but his heart skipped a beat at the thought of reliving Luke.

"Fuck." He breathed lowly as soon as he typed in the password.

He read each message quickly, and then carefully the second time. Over and over he practically glued his eyes to the screen. Then he put it back down again, shaking his head.

None of this ever made sense. Both of his worst enemies were acting the exact opposite. It had to be a trap. He padded up the stairs toward his room. He would put it off until he couldn't anymore.

Kiara found him like that, slight tremors shocking his body. A sleeping form, going from nightmare to bliss. Like his life was a continuous trick question. She snuggled in beside him, laying her head on his chest where the familiar yet irregular breathing was.

He didn't want her pity, and she knew that. Sometimes, she felt helpless to help him.

***

The next morning JJ scared himself awake. He'd shot up, eyes wide and panicking. He took in his surroundings while a curly haired girl rubbed her eyes beside him.

"J?"

"Yeah?" His voice was small.

She was barely conscious, but her arms still wrapped around his torso. Something told her that was what he needed. He'd close his eyes to remember her touch, exhaling a trembling breath and plastering a smile.

Today was the day he was leaving. He swallowed thickly, shaking his head to rid the evil thoughts. He knew he'd have to get over this sooner rather than later. The last thing he needed was everyone thinking he was tweaking.

"Hey, you alright?" She said next, because he was relatively clammy, and she could feel his heartbeat through his clothes.

"Fine, Kie." She didn't feel like she believed him, but one look at his face told her he wasn't planning on talking about it any time soon.

"Okay." She kissed his cheek. "I'll go see when we're leaving."

The words sent a chill down his spine. He found himself with both hands over his face. Shielding any emotion he could've exhibited. He wouldn't allow himself to go that far.

He was better than that. He watched her leave the room, clomping down the stairs so lightly he barely heard it. He was tugging on a pair of camouflage shorts when Nora knocked on the door.

"You decent, dude?"

"Decent enough." He'd replied, mid-way through putting on a shirt.

Nora still waited a beat, rolling her eyes and knocking again. JJ chuckled. "Yeah, I'm decent, Nora. Fully clothed."

"Good."

She finally pushed the door open. He watched her glance at the bed in a mess of sheets and pillows, and choose to sit on the chair instead.

"You doing alright?"

He'd been busy tying his necklace on, looking up with a weary expression. "I'm really bad at lying, huh?"

"Sorry." She chuckled lightly, voice higher than JJ was used to.

"No, don't worry, I'm just playing. I owe you, actually."

He continued to get ready, lacing up his shoes next, and throwing random items back in his suitcase. Nora wouldn't tell him his disorganization was going to drive her mad. The undiagnosed OCD was something she hadn't come to terms yet.

"For what?"

"For bringing me and Kie back together. I was kind of an asshole to you. I tend to do that when I don't want someone to be right."

She grinned, pushing her glasses back upward. "I have a way you can pay me back."

JJ raised a brow. She averted her gaze to get the words out.

"Um... Is Pope single?"

***

When things settled down, and the mathlete had explained the plan, JJ stopped trying to cover it. He wasn't crying or anything, but he kept himself hidden in Kiara's arms at all times. She pretended not to worry. It was a simple gesture, their love was shown in smaller ways. His arms wrapped around her waist eventually, giving her the reciprocated comfort.

"Ready to go, guys?" John B chimed from the corner. His tone got rid of some of the tension, but the Pogues still moved stiffly and robotically. "Everyone packed? We have a long drive ahead of us."

Nora stood, nodding with her bags. Pope followed behind to help her, and gestured to the rest of them to leave. Sarah took one look at Nora's house, and sighed.

She suddenly felt for the girl as well as JJ, John B, and Kiara. Everyone wished to have the father Pope had. She couldn't be mad about it, no. But JJ's rant over the phone started to make a little more sense.

Said boy snapped his fingers to bring her back. "We gotta go, princess."

She glared at him. "No shit." She looked back. "I'm kinda gonna miss this place. I like California."

UNEDITEDDDDD! I really need to get back to that. For everyone that was confused about Rafe, I updated a chapter called Freedom In Small Pieces (the convo between Rafe and Wheezy) He basically had a moment where he realized he was a bit on an asshole without admiring or admitting it. I'm really sorry I've been so inconsistent. This is m therapy but it's hard to get the courage to help myself during mental decline. Idk how that even works but finals are really stressing me out and I know I did bad on Leap. Like i literally know because I guessed on so many questions. Didn't get the scores back yet though so I'm kind of just praying and thanking Jesus that I'm still breathing yk. Also I had to delete a comment that was really disrespectful toward Christ... Guys you can have your beliefs but don't put down mine. Anyway, love you alllllll!!!

🚨 SPOILERS FOR THIS BOOK 🚨

Also I really wanna link Pope and Nora together, but i feel like some of y'all will be pissy abt it. Like Cleo isn't in this story cuz I didn't see a purpose for her and I already had the plan before she and Pope got together in season three. Nora is gonna get with Pope and Nora is gonna be JJs low key bestie. yeah.