Bruises ~ Jiara // obx

15 - The cave

Pope POV

My eyes fluttered open to complete darkness. Sitting up, it came to my attention that my head was throbbing intensely. Fantastic. So many thoughts swirled around my brain to the point where I was sure it was going to explode, but one thing stood out significantly from the rest. I needed to apologise to Kiara. Anger had been ruling over me recently, and JJ was right; I needed rest. And I needed to calm down. It was weird; it's like we've switched roles over the last few months. And I wanted more than anything to just pull myself together and get back to normal. And that had to start with Kie. Getting up, I stumbled over to the door using my sense of touch and turned the handle. It let out a small squeak as I forced it open, and my eyes instantly lay on Kiara closing the door behind her to the drivers seat, a look of elation on her beaming face. That look was wiped away in an instant as she met my gaze. Guilt. She sighed, walking over to the sink and switching on the tap.

"Kiara..."

"Not now Pope." Her voice came out harsh and abrupt, and she turned to me, a hint of sympathy in her eyes.

"Look I'm really really sorry.." I started as she walked over, handing me a glass of water and sitting down. I couldn't quite read her expression and she didn't offer a reply, so I cleared my throat to continue.

"- I realise that what I said was really harsh and I wish more than anything that I could take it back, of course I wanna help John B and Sarah and I'm sorry for what I said about you and your family. It's just.. I've been going through a lot..."

"We all have..." she muttered bluntly, causing irritation to spike inside of me. I took a deep breath and pushed it away.

"Look, I know I've been acting up lately and I want to change that. I'm really sorry Kiara. For everything. I want to make it up to you more than anything, can you at least give me a chance?" I pleaded, reaching hesitantly for the box in my jacket pocket. She suddenly placed her hand on mine to stop me, and looked at me with hurt in her eyes, as if she was about to say something I wouldn't like.

"Maybe I can give YOU a chance Pope, but just not with us. We don't work, ok? Like I said before... we want different things..."

Ouch. I paused for a moment, feeling the tears brimming in my eyes. I really thought we had a chance.

"Excuse me..." I muttered, getting up abruptly and heading back to the room before I said anything I would regret.

"Pope..." Kiara called after me half-heartedly, and I could hear her let out a deep sigh as I closed the door behind me. I screwed up big time. But maybe, as much as it killed me, she was right. We wanted different things; but I loved her. So much. Why is life so unfair?

Sarah POV

John B was continuously pacing up and down the small cave we had been concealing ourselves in, and had been doing so for the past 20 minutes. And I couldn't lie, it was beginning to irritate me.

"Will you stop.." I shouted, stress evident in my tone. He paused for a moment, rubbing his hand over the stubble forming on his face. It was kind of cute, actually.

"Sarah! What are we gonna do!? We ordered them to come here for no decent reason. It's just putting them in danger!" He exclaimed, and I stood up abruptly, walking over to him and taking his sweaty palms in mine.

"Firstly, your hands are gross, and secondly, we need them! We told them to come so we could come up with a plan. We can't do this alone John B, I mean look we can't even leave this bloody cave right now.." my attempt to remain calm was sort of futile, but it seemed to have some kind of affect on the handsome boy who was losing his shit right in front of me. He sighed, his face dropping slightly, before pulling me into a tight embrace.