𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞- 𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤

18.

🦋☀ 🌊 - 18

John B eased the vehicle to a stop near the crumbling old tower where he planned to meet Sarah. The night was late, the air thick and humid. The girls were still dressed in their dresses, slightly disheveled but resilient; neither seemed to mind the discomfort of high heels and long skirts.

"Let's hit it, boys!" JJ and Pope shouted, flinging open the doors, the wind immediately pulling at their hair and clothing. Excitement buzzed through them, electric and chaotic.

"Yo... guys... I think I'm gonna do this one myself," John B muttered, eyes darting nervously between his friends. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel, betraying the anxiety he tried to mask with a casual shrug.

Kiara rolled her eyes and slumped back in her seat, arms crossed. "Really?" JJ shot, adjusting his hat, clearly unimpressed.

"I just don't want to spook Sarah with a peanut gallery," John B offered, attempting a smooth excuse. His voice wavered slightly despite his best efforts.

Kiara raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "I just don't understand why we're involving her at all," she said, the words sharp, tinged with warning.

"We're not involving her, okay? It's just like a business meeting thing," John B said, shrugging, trying to make it sound casual.

Kiara's lips pressed together in thin disapproval, eyes narrowing as she studied him. Not once did she buy his excuses when it came to Sarah Cameron.

JJ pretended to gag dramatically and making exaggerated choking noises, mimicking what John B and Sarah might be doing. Pope laughed along with him, and even Olivia chuckled softly from the backseat, though her laughter was tinged with unease.

"Once we get what we want, we'll cut her loose, alright?" John B said, ignoring the antics. "Plus... we need a map."

Kiara's voice was serious as she turned to him. "Promise me nothing is happening."

Olivia sat quietly, fidgeting with her fingers. She watched the exchange, noting the intensity of Kiara's gaze. She didn't fully understand the history between them, but she could tell something was brewing beneath the surface. She stole a glance at John B, questioning silently what he would say. Would he promise? Would he keep it?

"Nothing's happening, Kiara," John B whispered, his voice low, but there was an edge of defensiveness that made her question him further.

"I'm serious. This isn't about you! This isn't about us. This is about her. She's going to get inside your head. Just promise me-nothing's happening between you guys," Kiara said, her tone firm yet calm, a gentle attempt to rein in her own anxiety.

"I promise." John B met her eyes, a pang of guilt tugging at him. Lying to his best friend felt like a knife, but it seemed the only way to keep Kiara from insisting on coming along. "Anyway... I'm going to take care of business."

JJ shook his head in disbelief. "You're gonna take care of that business so well," he muttered, shaking his head with mock admiration.

"We're just gonna sit here... in the hot-ass car..." Pope complained, wiping sweat from his forehead.

John B slammed the car door shut and began the short walk to the tower. The remaining Pogues sat in the van, fidgeting and impatient, listening to the thunder crack across the sky.

"Kiara... holding grudges is like drinking poison," Pope said casually, trying to distract her, nudging her lightly.

Olivia glanced at her, unsure of the full story between Kiara and Sarah. She only knew that Sarah hadn't invited Kiara to a party months ago, which had sparked lingering tension. "It'll be fine. This will be fun," Olivia said softly, taking Kiara's hand in a comforting gesture.

"It'll be fun for John B and Sarah," JJ joked, twirling a lighter in his fingers, his smirk dripping with sarcasm.

"Shut up, JJ," Olivia jabbed his shoulder, annoyance sparking through her.

"Make me," he countered playfully.

"Oh shit!" Pope gagged on his own saliva, covering his mouth. "Do you think that's the conversation John B and Sarah are having?"

JJ deepened his voice, mocking John B. "Hand me over the map!" Then switching to a girlish voice, imitating Sarah: "Oh, John B! Keep going, John B!" He made exaggerated gestures along his shirt, his tone ridiculous.

"You guys are so gross," Olivia muttered, scooting closer to Kiara. Pulling her friend's head onto her shoulder, Olivia felt the weight of Kiara's tension. She didn't fully understand the depth of Kiara's feelings, but a small part of her empathized-she could sense Kiara felt replaced, pushed aside.

The boys' laughter slowly died down as they noticed the seriousness of the two girls. Olivia and Kiara weren't messing around, and that was clear.

"Do you believe John B?" Kiara murmured, her voice soft, almost a whisper, to Olivia.

Olivia paused, weighing her thoughts carefully. Trust was a delicate thing here, especially with the complicated dynamics between the group. "I think we should have faith that he's keeping his promise," she said finally, choosing her words carefully.

The friends continued to pass the time with minor antics, the storm outside growing louder. Lightning flashed, followed by deep, rolling thunder, making the van shake slightly.

Kiara suddenly lifted her head, eyes widening as she pointed toward the dense trees lining the road. "Do you guys hear that?"

"What?" Pope and JJ stopped their joking immediately, straining to listen.

"Somebody help!"

"Oh yeah, I definitely hear that!" JJ exclaimed, leaping from the van. The Pogues followed, adrenaline pumping, running down the path John B had taken minutes ago.

"Sarah! What happened?" Pope and JJ reached her first, Kiara and Olivia close behind.

"She needs help! Topper shoved him!" Sarah cried, holding the unconscious brunette tightly in her arms.

"Where the hell is he?" JJ demanded, scanning the area for any sign of Topper.

"Please! Please help! I don't care how! Just call for someone!" Sarah sobbed.

Pope sprinted back to the van, the fear making his legs move faster than ever. Kiara's voice called after him, "Pope! Hurry!"

Olivia murmured under her breath, gripping JJ's hand. "He'll be okay, right? He'll be okay..."

"Y-yeah," JJ said, his own voice shaky, unsure whether he truly believed it. He held her hand tighter, grounding himself.

"John B... stay with me," Sarah whispered, brushing her fingers through his hair, letting tears slide down her cheeks. She pressed a soft, trembling kiss to his lips, her thumb stroking gently.

Kiara watched silently, disappointment written across her face. John B had promised her nothing would happen-she had asked him to keep the line clear, and yet, here he was, breaking it. A small, bitter feeling of betrayal gnawed at her chest, but she stayed rooted, powerless to stop the unfolding scene.

authors message !

18 chapters later and my babies still
have not kissed yet 😔