Childish| Criminal Minds

9

It would be a lie to say things are fine between JJ and Spencer. Over the past few days they've been growing some-what distant. He'e spending more of his time with Emily and Aaron, and she's going about things mostly alone.

Spencer is leaving the school alone today. The big opening night of Pirates of Penzance is tomorrow so Emily and Aaron have an extra long rehearsal.

Spencer stops walking and turns around when he hears his name being called.

"Cat?" he asks. "What's up?"

"Why haven't you called me?" she asks. Spencer has a confused look on his face.

"You never gave me your phone number," Spencer says. Cat is maybe even more confused, now.

"Yes I did? I left it in your locker."

After a moment or two it clicks. The only other person who had been anywhere near his locker pretty much ever, was JJ.

"Can you write it down again? I must have lost it," Spencer lies. Cat shrugs and pulls out a pen, writing her phone number in small letters on Spencer's arm.

JJ has been rehearsing what she's going to say to Spencer over and over in her head. At this point she doesn't really care about romantic feelings. She just wants her friend back.

"Spence!" JJ yells. When Spencer turns around JJ realizes he looks less than excited to see her. "Can we please talk?"

"Yeah.." Spencer says.

"I just wanted to say that I'm so-" JJ starts, but Spencer cuts her off in a monotone voice.

"We should stop being friends." JJ can feel her heart drop.

"..What?" she asks.

"I'm sorry," Spencer mumbles apologetically. He turns the corner before he can change his mind.

It wasn't so much the fact that she stole from him that bothered Spencer; it was the fact that she lied to him.

Spencer holds back his tears as he wanders the halls looking for Emily in the drama room. When he finds her he can't help but fall into her arms.

"Spencer! What's wrong?" She asks. He wraps her into a hug.

"JJ-"

"Shh." Emily says. "You don't have to say anything."

Emily lets go and squeezes Spencer's hand, all while JJ is walking home alone. She can't help but cry. It's the stupidest argument, but the first disagreement two friends can have is always the worst.

"Hey babygirl! Wait up!" Derek Morgan shouts to Penelope. She rolls her eyes at him but gives him time to catch up to her pace.

"I got you something," he says. Penelope smiles and laughs.

"You did?"

Derek pulls a teabag out of his pocket and tosses it to her. Penelope barely catches it. "What..?"

"I have tea to spill."

"Hey.. that's my line! And a horrible pun."

"You want to hear this," Derek says. "Trust me."

"Do tell," Penelope laughs.

His voice drops to a near-whisper. "Gideon is getting fired."

"Fired? For what?"

"I heard Principal Barnes talking when I was in the hall this morning. Apparently he's been ditching work and slacking off so.. she's firing him tomorrow. Isn't that so weird?"

"But Gideon's worked here for so long.." Penelope frowns. "He gives me extra cheese on my tacos."

"I heard she's trying to fire most of the staff," Derek says.

"How do you even know all of this stuff?" Penelope asks. "I call bull crap."

"I'm on the football team, Penelope. We talk about everything."

-

JJ doesn't bother putting her backpack away when she gets home. She tosses it carelessly onto the floor and runs upstairs, avoiding her mother and slamming the door.

She doesn't need her entire family to see her as this much of a wreck.

A soft knock on her door catches her off guard. "Go away."

"It's me," Roslyn says. JJ stands up and straightens her shirt. She unlocks the door and wipes her nose with the back of her hand.

"JJ.." Roslyn says. "Are you alright?"

"I messed up. I really messed up.." JJ says in-between broken sobs. "Spencer doesn't want to be my friend anymore."

"Oh, honey," Roslyn says. She sighs. "You just need to give him some time and space. Things will get better." JJ slightly smiles. Roslyn takes a box of tissues from her dresser and hands it to her. "You know what?"

"What?" JJ asks. Roslyn reaches around to the back of her neck and opens the claps of her heart necklace. She hands it to JJ with a weak smile. "But you love this necklace?"

"You can keep it," Roslyn says. JJ doesn't notice the tears forming in her sister's eyes as she helps her puts the necklace on. "It looks so good on you," she says as JJ wraps her in a hug.

"Thank you."

"I love you. You know that, right?"

"I love you too."

A/N: I'll take a small break from updating every day after the next chapter is uploaded. Sorry :'(

Word count: 825