𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 [𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤]

𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛

With Pope's mid-day disappearance, it left me and JJ with Cleo cleaning off the picnic table so we all had somewhere to eat lunch. I was still unsure about how to have a conversation with her. As stupid as it sounds, it was really hard to make new friends. Especially after everything that had happened, Cleo kinda became a part of the friend group the same way Sarah had. It happened while I was away so I was the only one who had to get to know her on my own. I did know she was a year older than us and hadn't finished school yet but that was about it.

As we cleaned up the picnic table, we started talking. I told them about the gold on the boat but Cleo and I mainly just chatted like old friends. JJ chimed in where he could, but it felt nice to have a conversation with someone new. "And on the island?" Cleo had been telling me about her life after Terrance found her and it was so different than anything I could've ever imagined. She had been living the true Pogue Life.

"We speared for fish everyday, then JJ almost took out my toe." She glared at him as he suppressed a laugh, "But then Pope found out how to make a bandage out of fig leaves and helped me."

"Even though being stranded sounds like hell, I wish I could've been there with you guys." It wasn't an ideal situation but anything with them is better than without them.

"It wasn't all bad," JJ said as he sat down.

"Yeah, he jumped off a cliff." I looked over at him with wide eyes and smacked his shoulder.

"A cliff? Are you serious?!"

"I'm alive, right?"  I rolled my eyes at his response and turned my attention back to Cleo as she leaned against the pier railing.

"And on the way home, Pope and I came up with the No Love Club. For us lonely people." She laughed as she talked about it.

"Can I join? I'm lonely and unloveable." I joked, making JJ laugh quietly.

"You are not lonely." Cleo said in an almost whisper as Mrs. Heyward came out of the shop.

"And neither are you and Pope." I whispered back as she sat the food on the picnic table. JJ reached for the food, earning a smack on his hand and a side eye from her.

"Let the girls eat first." Mrs. Heyward smiled as she looked around the area for Pope. We had all assumed he had just gone for a walk to clear his head after hearing the news but it was clear that we should hold a little concern about wherever he had went. "Where's Pope?"

"I'm sure he'll be back any second, Mrs. Heyward." Cleo reassured her but I could hear the worry in her voice. We shared a look as we waited for Heyward to join us at the table.

He came out with a concerned look, "Anyone move the pistol from in there?" I knew it was by the register but I've never touched it. I've only ever acknowledged its presence and moved on. As far as I knew, everyone else did the same. "The one I keep under the register." He further clarified.

JJ looked at me and we both looked at Cleo now knowing that Pope had taken the gun and he wasn't just going for a walk to cool himself off. "JJ?" Heyward pointed the question at him.

He held his hands up in defense at the sudden accusation, "Woah, okay. I didn't touch it."

"Well somebody did because it's gone." We all held our hands up in innocence as he walked back in the house. Mrs. Heyward wasn't too far behind him as she slightly shook her head mumbling about just wanting to eat lunch. Once they were out of ear shot, we started talking about Pope and the gun.

"Pope definitely took it."

"And he's going after Rafe." JJ ran his fingers through his hair as I remembered that Rafe was going to pick up his girlfriend about and hour ago and that he would definitely be back at Tannyhill by now. The perfect place for Pope to find him.

"JJ and I can go to Tannyhill." I offered and Cleo suggested that she search the marina in case he was there. We split and headed to my car while Cleo made her way over to the marina.

When we got to Tannyhill, I searched the backyard. I even went as far as walking in the house to see if Pope managed to slip in. Once I heard Rafe, I decided it was best for me to let myself out the way I came in. "Anything?" I asked JJ as we met back at the front of the house. It was getting dark and there had been no word from Cleo yet either. He shook his head as we walked toward the car, "Maybe we could head back to the store? Maybe Cleo forgot to call?" He agreed and opened the driver's door like he was going to drive back.

He turned and extended his hand out for my car keys, "Keys please."

I rose a brow, "You don't have to drive."

"Your eyes are heavy and its been a long day." He shook the hand that was still waiting for the car keys, "Now, keys please." I tossed them over and made my way to the passenger side of the car, letting out a tired sigh once I relaxed into the seat.

When we pulled up to the store we could see them walking to their rooms, "Hey Pope!" I called out as I jogged over to him. "Are you okay?" He looked at Cleo and then looked at me.

He nodded and smiled, "I am now."