Someone to stay || JJ Maybank

33

"Are there still beautiful things?"

I sat on the side of the boat, arms crossed over my chest as I kept looking between Kie and Pope. Kie was stubbornly staring forward, legs pressed against her chest and arms gripping them in anger. Pope in the other hand, was looking at Kie with eyes mixed with anger and guilt. I saw he felt bad about what he said, but he wasn't going to apologize, not when Kie definitely wouldn't. They both stayed silent, and so me and JJ didn't really want to break the silence either. I felt like if I said even a word, the hell would break lose all over again.

When we arrive to Heyward's dock, the silence is finally broken. "Thanks for the ride", Pope says but doesn't look at JJ and keeps his eyes on the ground.

"Good luck for the interview", I can't help but say, knowing I might just make things worse for myself with that. "I'm sure you'll do great."

"Thanks", Pope says with a tight smile before getting off the boat and walking to the shop. He doesn't turn to look back or really say goodbye, just stares at the ground and kicks some rocks on his way to the door. I wonder how his parents will greet him after being gone for days with no communication towards them. He must feel so guilty going home now.

JJ starts to drive the boat away from the dock and I go back to silently staring at Kie. And when after few seconds it starts to feel awkward I turn my gaze to JJ, who has been drivng us without saying a word. His mouth was set and expression as hard to read as usual, but when he saw me watching him, he kind of woke up. He nods his head behind towards Kiara, his brows raising, trying to wordlessly get his message to me. And I understand perfectly what he means, but still hesitate to do anything.

JJ wanted me to go to talk to her, but I felt too guilty to do anything. The way I hadn't stood up for her against Pope had clearly hurt her, and I was shy to go and talk to her after that. But JJ keeps staring at me with hard eyes until I give up. I sigh, lift my hands up to show him I'm doing as he wishes, and turn to walk to Kie. I still see the triumphant grin that grows to JJ's lips but it doesn't annoy me like it should. I still roll my eyes at him, just because that's what I have to do.

I sit down next Kie, carefully lifting my legs up to my chest, wrapping my hands around them like she has. I look at her from the side for a while, trying to find the right words to say. "I'm sorry, Kie", I finally break the silence hanging around us.

Kie scoffs. "What are you even sorry for? You didn't do anything wrong."

I scrunch my brows at her bitter tone. Because she wasn't bitter to me but to herself. And somehow that made me feel even worse. "I should've said something", I say. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

For a while Kie doesn't say anything, and just as I think she won't talk anymore, she sighs. "And I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I was wrong to belittle Pope's scholarship and all that. And I'm sorry about my kook year, or how ever you call it. I just-"

"No, don't be sorry for that", I hear myself cutting her off, surprised myself by my words. But even more surprised I am when I realise I actually mean it. Yes, she hurt all of us when she left, and I think she should regret it, just a little. But she shouldn't feel sorry for it forever. I, and everyone else for the matter, could let go of our grudges over time. She shouldn't have to feel responsible for our feelings that she only partly caused. I'm talking about tonight, if that was left unclear. John B is missing and everyone is worried about him, so we're all already on the edge of snapping.

"Pope will hate me forever", Kie then says, leaning her head against her knees, her voice breaking to a sob again.

"Pope will get over it, trust me", I place my hand on her shoulder to comfort her. I had noticed stuff during the last few days, stuff that no one else might have no idea of. But for a reason, Pope cared so much about what Kie thought and everything she said tonight, when if I had said anything like that he would've just rolled his eyes at me before pushing me off the boat because I was complaining too much. I really can see that happening someday. But anyway, that same reason that made Pope get so made, is the same reason he will eventually forgive Kie. Probably overnight, I would even guess.