𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘 || RAFE CAMERON

021

Gianna sat at a round, glass table, her legs neatly crossed as her foot dangled loosely.

She sat beside Marisa, who leaned nonchalantly against the chair, tapping her phone screen aggressively.

The country club's lounge bar was packed that day, every single one of the islands people savoring their last day of summer break before snapping back into reality.

School's back in season for another semester filled with immature kids who were desperate for a vacation, even if most were already coming back from one.

After going back home since leaving Rafes house, and seeing that her mothers high hadn't died down, she decided to leave the house again, taking up Marisa's invite to go the club with Topper, Kelce and Amelia.

Tiffany, unfortunately, had to fly back to Zurich, jumping on her private jet and going back to her pretentious boarding school.

It was a shame the girl was missing out on all the rage John B's and Sarah's death was causing.

It was the only thing anyone could talk about.

'Thank God John B's dead'

'I heard he kidnapped her'

'Of course it was a Pogue. What did you expect?'

Amelia reapplied her signature cherry red lipstick, using her compact mirror for precision. "John B got what was coming to him, and it saved them the expense of a trial." She stated.

Gianna almost found it rehearsed as she watched the words come out of the girls mouth during the exact moment JJ Maybank refilled Toppers cup with ice water.

The irritation and frustration was apparent on the blonde boys face. Hearing the atrocities about your best friend wouldn't be easy for anyone.

Especially when you were the only one who knew the truth. Well, one of the only ones.

But Amelia continued. "I'm just saying, John B's going to hell for what he did to Sheriff Peterkin."

Gianna felt the acid in her stomach rise up again, swallowing it back down with her Coke Zero.

Topper quickly glanced at JJ, who looked like he was biting his tongue to keep from saying anything. "Guys, they're still investigating."

Marisa shrugged. "I don't know why, though. It's obvious who did it."

"Yeah, exactly," Kelce agreed, nodding his head.

But as JJ began to move away from the table, he quickly spun back around.

"Shut up," he spat, pointing his finger.

"Listen-"

"Shut up, Top!"

Topper made an attempt to ease the boy. "JJ, just walk away. It's not the time."

Kelce spoke up from his seat, clearly having other intentions. "I don't think we were talking to you, Pogue." The name dripped with venom as he said it.

Amelia snorted, holding in her laugh, which earned her a 'what are you doing?' look from Gianna.

JJ grabbed a fork from the table, rhythmically tapping the water jug he held. "Can I have everybody's attention, please? I have a little announcement to make."

The anxiety began to boil in the pit of Gianna's stomach. It's not like he would have the courage to admit the truth about everything in a place filled with Kooks, right?

Wrong.

"My best friend, John B, did not kill Sheriff Peterkin."

The blonde girl shifted in her seat, feeling a coat of cold sweat forming in the palm of her hand.