✧*̥˚RISK TAKERS *̥˚✧ J.M 3

020

┊͙✧˖*°࿐
And part of me wants to walk away 'till you really listen
Gracie Abrams

Aria approached the Chateau, seeing the Pogues hanging around the front of the house, eyes snapping to hers.

"Hey." Kie smiled at her, taking in her rough appearance. "What happened to you."

Aria laughed softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Have you guys seen Sarah?"

John B shook his head. "Nah. Have you?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "We were together last night."

"Where were you?" JJ asked, eyeing her. "I texted you about a million times and you weren't home."

Aria cocked her head towards him. "You went to my house, JJ? Are you insane?"

"You didn't answer." JJ crossed her arms, arguing his case.

"Yeah. I didn't have service." She scoffed, rubbing her eyes. "I didn't see your texts till an hour ago. That's why I'm here."

JJ scanned her appearance. "Okay? So, where were you?"

"The Mase." Aria admitted, watching his expression twist.

"The Mase?" He repeated. "Like, the little beach where all the Kooks hang out?"

Aria nodded. "Yeah, JJ."

"I, um, what? How did you get to the Mase?" JJ stuck his chin out.

"Topper." Aria tucked her hair behind her ears as she could feel stares on her. "We didn't plan on going. We just got invited. It's not like I had anything better to do."

JJ shook his head with a laugh. "Right. So, you're hanging out with the Kooks again. Nice to know."

"Jesus." Aria rolled her eyes. "It's not like that."

"Where's Sarah?" John B asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

Aria parted her lips. "She stayed with Phoebe. We left pretty late last night."

"What else do you know about the cross?" Pope asked suddenly, changing the topic. "There has to be more to the story."

Aria shifted her feet, looking down at the floor. "What do you mean?"

"He melted the cross down." JJ informed her, watching her face stay the same. "Rafe. I heard him talking with Barry on the boat."

Aria swallowed with guilt. "Yeah."

"Yeah?" JJ leaned off the railing. "You knew? You knew and you didn't tell any of us?"

"I just found out." Aria argued. "Pope, if you knew, why did you ask me?"

Pope stared at her with a look that made her stomach twist. "I think you're a liar."

"Excuse me?" Aria furrowed her brows at Popes sudden cockiness. JJ's stare flicking to Pope with confusion.

"You knew about the cross because Rafe told you."
Pope narrowed his eyes, his posture rigid.

Arias eyes snapped to JJ's, watching his face go pale. "Don't make it seem like something it's not, Pope. Yes, he told me. Yes, I was going to tell all of you but someone already did."

"Why were you even with him? You said you were at the Mase." JJ backed up from her, his eyebrows raised.

"I left the party early. I was drunk off my ass and I saw his boat. And I..." Aria began to explain herself.

Pope cut her off quick. "And you crawled to him? Then he became your knight and shining armor? I saw the entire thing. It didn't look like Rafe hated you that much."

"Aria." JJs voice whined, the pain in his tone made her want to cry. "Did you...have you been seeing him?"

"Are you out of your mind?" Aria asked him in disbelief. "Absolutely not, JJ. The last thing I am is a cheater."

JJ looked between her and Pope. "Well, Pope isn't a liar."

Arias face fell. "Do you seriously think I cheated on you?"

"I don't know what to believe." JJ stood his ground, tapping his foot. "You are the people you surround yourself with, right?"

Aria let a shaky breathe. "Okay, JJ. Accuse me of what you want, but we both know that's bullshit. I've helped you, Pope. I didn't have to do half of the shit I did."

"Thanks." Pope clicked his tongue, the anger disappearing from his face.

"You know what they say, once a Kook, always a Kook." JJ blinked at her.

Arias body lip jutted out slightly with hurt. "Fine." She sniffled. "But don't come crying to me when you realize the truth. It goes both ways, JJ. My dad was right about you, they all were."

She turned away quickly, not caring for any of them in that group in that moment. She got on her bike, which had become her only transportation as she rode, eyes brimming with tears.

She looked up at the light sky, her lips parting at the plane coming over her. Of all the planes, she knew it. Her gut knew it, too.

Ward Cameron was back.

don't hate me plz