8 - Fault Lines

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We all show up to John b's the next morning, half expecting him to be dead, half expecting him to magically know everything that happened last night

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We all show up to John b's the next morning, half expecting him to be dead, half expecting him to magically know everything that happened last night. Luckily, he's standing there in the yard like nothing happened, brushing dirt off his hands like he hadn't been missing for hours.

He explained his whole trip with his dad to us.
"A dry hole. So..." John b finished

"So that's the gold the cross and now El Dorado. We're three-for-three guys. The streak continues." Pope throws his hands up.

Everyone starts drifting off, peeling apart in different directions.
And something in my chest twists.
John b looks the same.... But not the same.
Like some part of him is turned away from me, even when he's standing right in front of me.

I was supposed to leave with Sarah. But I can't. Not yet.

I walk up to him.

"We're together right?" I ask

"Yeah." He nodded.

"So that means we always tell each other the truth" I said

"Stella I am telling the truth. What- you think I'm- I'm lying? Is that what you think?" John b asks

"No no no I- it's just...The story that you told us isn't really adding up. You guys get the Twinkie and go off to Charleston without telling anyone and I'm just trying to understand why. If there's anything that you can't tell the others you can tell me." I said

"Mmm." John b nods, but not like he's listening. More like he's waiting for me to finish talking.

"Look look at me. What happened? You've just been acting so off since your dad got back" I said

What happened?" He repeats, like he doesn't understand the words.

"Yes, John B. It's me. I'm on your side." I said

"Okay Stella you know what happened? My dad came back. And he's trying to help all of us. And meanwhile your dad tried to kill you. And I'm sorry that you can't deal with that." John b snaps.

His words hit like a slap.
Sharp. Cold.
For a second, I can't breathe.
Then my eyes sting.

"Am I wrong?" John B asks

I take a breath so I don't break.

"Call me when you wanna tell the truth" I said, and I walk away before I start crying in front of him.








I head to Kie's house and knock.

"Hey, sorry I don't mean to bother if this is a bad time" I said

"No you're good" Kie says

"Okay. Um..." my voice wobbles

"What's going on?" Kie asks

"John B and I kind of got into, like...a little fight" I said

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