𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 [𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤]

𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐫𝐭

Once we got back to the house and unloaded the boxes, our attention turned back to Sarah. On our way back we had asked her about Topper but got nothing. Instead of explaining herself, she continued to ask me about JJ.

"Alright, spill." I said once we were situated on the balcony of Kie's house, "You have to tell us what happened with Topper."

Sarah moved to face both of us, covering her mouth before she spoke. "Oh god, its actually embarrassing." she started, "He caught me slugging beer at the tiki bar." I giggled at her, quickly stopping when Kie voiced her disbelief.

"I'm not judging."

"I wouldn't blame you if you were." Sarah said before continuing to explain, "A couple of kids from KCD showed up and they were already going to Mase..."

I was worried where her story was going, "And..?" I wanted to continue. Right now this was the best thing I had to listen to, my own life was too hectic to wrap my head around and listening to Sarah's life as if it was a movie.

Her eyes wandered away from us as she spoke, "And.. I kissed him." Her eyes never met mine of Kiara's. I knew if I looked as disappointed as I felt, my face would say it. Suddenly I wished she never told me at all. Hearing Sarah say she cheated on John B was probably the worst thing she could ever say to me. After knowing everything John B had done, everything he had sacrificed for her, it was kind of a kick in the gut. I didn't think she would ever do something like that.

But then again, I was a big believer in you lose 'em how you get 'em. And Sarah did cheat on Topper with John B so I wasn't that surprised when she said it, just disappointed.

"Do you guys hate me?" She asked looking at us. My eyes were glued to the porch. I didn't want to say anything that could sound worse than my intent.

Kiara spoke after a few more seconds of silence, "Hates the wrong word." She sounded unsure as she spoke.

"So you and John B, you guys are done?" I made sure my words were careful and I tried to speak in a neutral tone, but even I could hear the disappointment in my voice.

"No- I don't know. I don't want us to be." Sarah admitted which only made me more confused. "Since the island, everything's felt so abnormal. It was just nice to feel something normal again.." She let out a sigh, "I feel like such a mess." I was grateful for how vulnerable she was being with us. I couldn't begin to understand the change in everything since they'd gotten back from the island. Everyone was so on edge. Nothing had really changed at home, just them.

"I think we're all a little messed up." Kiara said, "You, me, JJ. He stole my dad's money clip and I'm still pissed about it." Kie looked at me and I nodded. I knew things with JJ were still a little weird.

"He's just treading waters, looking to see what's good and what's not. It's just a weird time to try and sort things out with everyone. There's a lot of shit going on and I just feel like no ones really talking to each other about anything." We weren't acting like ourselves. Instead, we were treating each other like no one knew what we were going through.

Sarah ended our conversation when her phone went off. She told us she was going to meet Wheezie at a rental condo and if she wasn't back before the party, to come look for her. I was skeptical about her going to meet Wheezie considering the last time she ended up almost being drowned by Rafe. It didn't matter though because she was up and gone before I could even voice my skepticism.

While she took off, Kiara and I stayed back to finish decorating for the party. In between decorating, I tried to call JJ and John B but neither of them answered. I chalked it up to them working on their plan and prayed they didn't do anything stupid while they were alone. But I also know them and knew they were definitely doing something stupid.

"Liam!" I heard Anna call out as I watched the brunette boy enter the yard. He was carrying a tote along with a guitar strapped to his back, "Take it to Kiara and Laney please!"

He made his way over to us with a big smile as he sat the tote down in front of us. "Here you lovely ladies go."

"Thank you sir." I replied back with a smile as he went over to the band. I watched Kiara as her eyes lingered on Liam for a little bit longer than they usually would've.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She finally asked as she continued to hang the party decorations.

I shook my head and flashed my eyes back over to Liam. Kie was catching onto what I was getting at and held her hands up, ready to defend herself from her feelings. I wiggled my eyebrows, knowing from her actions alone that what I was thinking was true. "Laney-"

"Shut up! You and Liam-" She put her hand over my mouth gently.

"Please do not say it so loud." I nodded and she removed her hand.

"Tell me everything!"

"Just don't tell anyone, not yet."

I held out my pinky for her to grab and we locked it. She started after our failed train heist, which surprised me a bit. The whole time we were all together it seemed like she wanted nothing to do with Topper or Liam but I must've misread the situation. Probably because I thought JJ was going to die.

Anyway, they'd been hanging out relatively often cause he was the only one he parents semi approved off. Probably just because he was a Kook. She got him the gig for the party and they planned on hanging out after. She even admitted that "Maybe he isn't as bad as I thought he was."