Heated Lies (Jiara)

Home Sweet Shoupe

Once Kiara and JJ had finished packing his stuff, they'd brought it outside to Shoupes car. He was waiting, with a slight grin on his face. JJ gave him a look or gratefulness while Kiara hugged him goodbye.

"So you're taking her to some dance?" He says when they peel off. "At your school?"

"Yep... I bought her a dress." JJ stares into the distance of the sheriffs car.

Shoupe grinned. "That's awfully kind of ya. Reminds me of when I was younger. Make sure you treatin' her right. She went through hoops for you, Jay."

He's driving, so he doesn't look back when JJ stared at him. "I know..."

"They don't make girls like that no more."

JJ looks back at the road, and then at his phone which had illuminated with a text from Kiara.

Kie- Going shopping with Nora for the dance. Let me know how your first night with Shoupe goes. Love you, J

He grinned.

JJ- Love you too

Then to Shoupe, "I know."

***

"So what are you looking for?" Kiara asked her once they got to the shops.

Nora looked a little overwhelmed. "I have no idea. Uh... Where did you get yours?"

"JJ bought mine online. Do you wanna do that-"

"No, I want to try stuff on like in the movies with the model music and stuff." She looked to her friend for reassurance, which made the Carrera smile widely.

"I got you."

***

"So this is your room. I'll bring your bedsheets in just a minute. I don't cook all that much, unless you want me to, but I figured tonight we could just do pizza. Or was there somethin' you wanted?"

JJ was somewhat listening. The mattress was clean and 100% intact. There were curtains on the window. The light bulb wasn't dim. The room was CLEAN. The floorboards weren't even creaky!

What the fuck...

"Uh, no whatever you want to eat is fine."

"You sure? I figured I'd let you pick." Shoupe continues, handing him dark blue blankets and pillow cases.

"Why?"

He's made unexpected eye contact. Shoupe cleared his throat. "Well, y'know cause today..."

JJ didn't move a muscle, locking eyes with the man. Just when it becomes uncomfortable, the man shakes his head. "Pizzas fine... Pepperoni okay? I'll let you know when it's here."

And the blonde boy nods, closing the door behind him. He smooths out every corner of his new bedsheets, making the bed with delicate care. Once he's done, he decides it's too good to ruin. He's by the window now, staring outside at the green lawn and the neighbors who wave. He awkwardly waves back.

Something about this felt so strange.

Then his phone is ringing. He takes a look at the ID, completely unrecognizable. So he answers.

"You have a courtesy call from... Luke Maybank... at the Outerbanks City Police Department. Would like you accept?"

JJ is quiet for a long time. At the lack of response, the automated messages continues.

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Would you like to accept?"

"Uh... yes."

JJ waits. He can hear breathing on the other end. He's not sure what he should say. He waits some more. The breathing turns into a sigh and then there's yelling in the background. He's not sure how long he's been there listening, waiting, expecting. Someone says their time is up. Not a word was spoken. The call ends.

***

Nora exits a changing stall with a blue dress on. There's a purple clasp on the front. Her necklace shows quite beautifully with the color. Kiara stands.

"Wow... do you like it?"

Nora stares in the mirror. "More than the last one. But I think I want to try more on."

There's a blonde sales woman with another rack of dresses behind them. "Take your time, girls."

The four eyed girl pushes her glasses up, rushing over to the rack to pick through the colors. A strapless yellow catches her eye. For a moment, she feels as though she herself is in a movie.

Kiara can see it in her eyes when she disappears behind the door again. The sound of the fabric rustles as she shimmies into the gown. The mirror likes it. Nora picks up her hair, imagining it in a bun for the dance.

There's belts looking around the back. Confused, she attempts to tie them in the front. It seems off, so she opens the door again. Kiara. chuckles.

"May I?"

Nora actually laughs. "Please."

With the loops tied into a bow in the back, Nora has fallen in love with the dress. The pack it into a box while Kiara pays for the attire. She's practically bouncing back to the car.

"Do you think Pope will like it?" She asks.

"He'll love it. I'm sure of it."

***

They spend the rest of the day getting JJ enrolled in to school again, switching his phone bill over to Shoupe's accounts, and conversing about less serious topics over pizza. Shoupe was very kind. JJ knew he only felt uneasy because he wasn't used to things yet.

He wanted to call Kiara, but he figured they'd spent quite a lot of time together already. Besides, he had work in an hour with Pope at the docks.

The dance wasn't far away anymore. In fact, he'd be under hot lights in the gym any day now. He had a suit. He had a girl. He had friends. He was absolutely fine.

"I think I'm gonna head to bed, Shoupe. Thanks for everything, seriously."

The older man nodded. "No problem, son. Let me know if you need anything."

JJ took that 'son' all the back into his new room and under the blankets. He kept it in his head as the night began to fall. He kept it through his slumber and all the way toward the morning.