𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 // 𝑱𝑱 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒌 \\

Chapter Twenty Five

Kiara and Pope had stayed the night at the Château. They were the first up and were waiting on the porch for JJ and Valerie. The couple walked out shortly after. "Hey." Kiara said to them. "How long has this been going on?" Pope motioned between the two. "Since Midsummers." Valerie responded quietly. "Midsummers? You know pogues don't lie to pogues. Number one rule." Kiara crossed her arms, but she had a smile on her face. "Yeah? Second rule, No pogue on pogue macking. Guilty for both." Valerie sat down on the couch in front of Kiara and Pope. Pope chucked, shaking his head. "Well, the first rule is way more important... And we all knew it was going to happen eventually." Kiara shrugged.

"What, how?"JJ asked, sitting down beside Valerie, throwing his arm around her shoulders. "Seriously? Val told me about the thing she had for you." Kiara said. "Kie!" Valerie shot her head up. JJ turned to her with a smirk. "So, you told-"

"Don't start JJ. You told me and John B about the thing you had for her too." Pope interrupted JJ. JJ closed his mouth. This time, Valerie turned to him with a smirk. "I guess it was going to happen eventually." JJ whispered, looking at Valerie. JJ leaned in, kissing her lips. "Ugh. Just 'cause we know does not mean you can do that." Kiara stood up. "Come on, let's test out the equipment." Pope said. Valerie and JJ nodded. Pope and Kiara had already tied the bucket to the tree with the rope. Kiara got it the bucket while Pope controlled the rope. JJ sat on the side of the hot tub, his legs in the water. Valerie stood next to Pope. "How's it feel?" Pope asked Kiara.

"Feels good." Kiara called back. "Alright, I'm taking you down." Pope said. Kiara nodded in acknowledgement. "John B pulling a Houdini." JJ spoke up. "Yeah, where is he?" Valerie asked, agreeing with JJ. "I got my scholarship interview tomorrow morning. We gotta get this done." Pope groaned. Valerie looked up to see Kiara smiling as the was pulled down to the ground. "Speak of the devil. Hey!" JJ said causing Pope, Kiara, and Valerie turn to where JJ pointed to see John B. "I set up the entire winch to pull up the gold and everything." JJ said. "No, he did not. I did that." Pope glared at JJ. "Hey, John B?" Valerie asked as John B stormed through the backyard not giving the pogues a look. He walked into the Château. "Okay, that's it?" JJ stood up in the hot tub. Kiara, Pope, and Valerie walked over. "Uh, what's that all about?" Pope asked, wondering if the other pogues had a clue.

"I was gonna ask you the same question." JJ said, climbing out of the hot tub. The pogues walked in to the Château to see John B rummaging through stuff. "You alright, man? What's up?" Pope hesitated to ask. "What are you looking for?" Kiara asked him. John B didn't answer, walking to the nightstand on the side of the pull out couch. Valerie stood closest to him. "Yo, what's up man?" JJ asked, walking in front of Valerie. John B grabbed the gun. "John B, what do you need the gun for?" JJ asked, caught off guard. "John B?" Kiara asked with a hint of worry in her voice. "Talk to us!" JJ raised his voice, trying to grab John B's shoulders. John B got angry, throwing JJ into Valerie and knocking both of them onto the couch. JJ landed on top of Valerie, but he quickly rolled off of her. "Shit, you okay, babe?" JJ looked at the girl. She nodded, not showing the fact that she almost melted at the pet name.

"John B, chill!" Kiara shouted. "What are you doing?" She added. Pope tried standing in the way, but John B pushed him onto the table. "What are you JJ now?" Pope yelled to him. "Are you okay?" Kiara asked Pope who nodded in response. "John B!" Kiara shouted, following him outside. JJ grabbed Valerie's hand, helping her up before grabbing his hat and putting it back on his head. Pope followed Kiara. JJ placed his hand on Valerie's back, gently pushing her ahead of him. The clueless pogues ran out of the Château to see John B got on JJ's motorcycle.

"John B, what the hell!" Kiara shouted. John B finally answered. "Ward knows about the gold! He killed my dad." John B looked at them. The pogues stopped in their tracks. John B turned around and sped off. "John B!" Kiara sighed running after him. Pope, JJ, and Valerie not far behind her. "Shit!" Pope cursed. John B was already out of sight. "What should we do?" Valerie asked. "Get on the pogue? Head to the Cameron's. See if John B or Ward's there." Kiara said, running to the dock. Valerie and JJ followed her. Pope hesitated a bit before he eventually followed his friends.