One Stupid Thing

2:7:67

"Oh shit." JJ stops at the edge of a large crowd. Everyone is gathered around with their phones raised in the air. Through one of them I see my sister, John B, Topper, and some raven-haired girl squabbling in the center. JJ pushes through the crowd, leading me behind him towards the center. That's when I see Kelce break from the crowd and step in between the former couple.

"Hey, she don't want you anymore, bro," Kelce says to John B.

"Shut the hell up!" John B replies and he turns to walk away calmly.

"What you gonna do, John B? Kill me like you killed Sheriff Peterkin, huh? Do something!"

That's when John B snapped. In a flash of movement, he turns on Kelce and his fist pummels into his face. The crowd gasps in shock. Kelce falls back into Sarah and Topper who catch him and help him up.

Topper runs to his friend's defense, hurrying up to John B and grabbing him by the fabric of his jacket. John B tries to hold his own, but is thrust to the ground, landing hard on the sand with a thud. The gathered people close in the circle on the two boys and absorb my sister back into their ranks. I lose sight of her.

"Jesus, we are gone for two minutes and this shit happens," JJ scoffs. He begins to advance to John B's aid, but I grab his arm and yank him back with all of my strength.

"You are only going to make things worse for John B," I reason. JJ nods reluctantly and stays by my side.

An all out Pogue-Kook war breaks out. If they aren't fighting, they are videoing or live-streaming the whole thing.

"Sarah!" I hear John B shout from beneath Topper. I look over and see her sprawled on the ground, the raven-haired Pogue from earlier standing overtop of her. Out of nowhere, Kiara appears from the crowd and shoves the other girl away from my sister.

"Move, bitch! What's your problem?" Kiara snaps.

"Hey, what the hell?" the girl responds, stumbling back in surprise. Kiara ignores her and turns back to Sarah.

"You all right?" she asks. My sister nods.

"Whose side are you on?" the girl exclaims, recapturing Kie's attention.

"She's my friend."

"You belong with us!"

"Hey! JJ!" We both glance over to find Pope pushing his way through the crowd towards Topper and John B. JJ glances down at me.

"Go. We'll talk later." He squeezes my hand before letting it go and rushes towards the fight. I exhale in preparation and hurry over to the other altercation. "Sarah!" I help her up off the floor and she stumbles a little. "Are you okay?"

"I just want to go home," she replies softly.

"Sarah! Sarah, I've got you. I'm here now." Topper walks over, out of breath, but seemingly unharmed.

"Fuck off, Topper!" I spit.

"It's fine, Stella. I'm just going to go with him."

I scoff and back away from them. "Fine. Whatever you want, Sarah. Unbelievable." I leave her with Topper as requested and walk back up to where I put my skateboard. It's gone. "Shit," I curse under my breath. As I look below in search of JJ and the others, I spot the Twinkie at the back of the crowd turn on and roll away. With a frustrated sigh I leave the party, walking back through the woods until I hit the main road.

I don't want to go home tonight. Not when I know that Sarah will likely just stay at Topper's again and I would be practically alone. So, instead I make my way to the Cut. To the only place I know for certain I belong.