Trouble In The Water

✿ Chapter 4 ✿

Lily (Present)

"Don't let it get in your head bro. Three of them and two of us. That's typical Kook shit right there," JJ reassures Pope. Although, I feel as though it might be in vein.

"Hell, yeah."

"What was your thought process, using your head?"

"I don't know, man. I just kind of acted off instinct," Pope replies, obviously done with the conversation. "I was a cornered animal."

"Hey, Pope, someone here to see you," Heyward calls from the other room.

As soon as he says that, Shoupe follows in behind him.

"Evening officer..." Pope stutters out, obviously knowing what he is here for.

Me and Kie on the other hand, don't.

"I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property. Hands where I can see 'em."

Pope glances back at JJ and I know this has something to do with last night.

"What the hell Shoupe get off him," I defend Pope even though I know it is useless.

"You're arresting my boy?"

"Be careful!"

"How much did they pay you man?"

We continue shouting protests and fighting back but it's all in vein. I look over to see Pope's face and I know what's happening.

He isn't focused and he isn't paying attention. He's zoned out. He doesn't believe this is reality, but it is.

As Shoupe walks outside with Pope, all of us trailing behind, I know what I have to do.

As soon as I'm about to rear back my arm to throw a punch Shoupe's way, I hear JJ.

"It wasn't him! Okay? It was me. He tried to talk me out of it. But I was mad because he had just been beaten up," JJ begins to explain.

I have no idea what Pope tried to talk JJ out of, but I don't believe one words JJ is saying.

"I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit. I can't let you take the blame for something I did. You've got too much to lose," JJ says looking at Pope with such serenity I almost believe him.

"JJ, what're you doing?" Pope grinds out.

"I'm tellin' the truth. For once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth. I took his old man's boat too."

"What the hell?" Heyward questions.

"JJ, come on."

"Just shut up, Pope! Just shut up. He's a good kid. You know where I'm from."

"Yeah."

"This was all me."

"That's the whole truth?"

"Whole truth, swear to God," JJ lies.

"I know what you think, damn it. I'm asking Pope."

"Yeah, that about covers it."

Shoupe pulls the cuffs off of Pope and clasps them onto JJ.

"JJ, wait," I try to say but before I can Shoupe slams the door and drives away.

~~~

"This is disgusting," Kiara groans at the sight of herself. She has a beautiful silk purple dress on, with flowers around her head, looking like a crown.

"I know. It's just horrible. I'm asking you to relax and go to a fun party," Mrs. Carrera replies sarcastically.

"I look like a bourgeoisie pig."