ch four

                                    

                                          


                          
chapter four (JJ pov)
                          
"Kiara?" I called out to the dark figure approaching us. 
                          
"Hi," she replied back, her voice shaking nervously. 
                          
"May I ask why your here?" John B questioned from behind me.
                          
"I'm not really sure. I do know that I miss you guys. And I'm really sorry if it seems like I left you for kooks. I didn't mean to. But I want to come back," She cried out. 
                          
The three of us looked at each other, searching for an answer. 
                          
Ever so knowing, Pope spoke for the group, "Uh I'm not sure what to say. Your people have kinda been fucking us over recently."
                          
"I know. It makes my stomach turn," she said, her eyes pleading with us to accept the unspoken apology. We let her words sink in before responding. 
                          
"Come sit Kie," John B beckoned. Kiara did as told and chose a seat across from the three of us. It mimicked a courtoom. We all felt it as she prepared to make her case. 
                          
"Does your boyfriend know your here?" I asked, knowing damn well what the answer was. 
                          
"No. Him and I aren't really talking right now," she hesitated. I don't know why but that statement made me feel. Couldn't tell you what but I think I started smiling a bit too wide. 
                          
"Hope you don't mind me asking but, what made you suddenly turn around and come back?" Pope quizzed her, probably sounding more suspicious than he meant too. 
                          
"The past week reminded me of everything. Also showed me my new friends are a bit shittier than I thought. I just knew somehow you guys cared more than they ever will," Kie answered. She relaxed after that and her energy carried onto the rest of us.
                          
"Look, I'm pretty sure for I speak for the group but we miss you too Kie. I guess seeing you get so close with the kooks was just a slap in the face," John B finally spoke. 
                          
"I know. It felt like a betrayal but then they kept bringing up my parents and being a good daughter and I just didn't want to disappoint them. I guess I realized that I'm allowed to be happy and my parents can deal with me running with you guys around if it means I'm stuck at the kook academy," she grinned.
                          
"It feels good to have you back Kie, but uh how did you get here?" Pope wondered aloud.
                          
"My friend Sarah drove me."
                          
"Sarah Cameron?" John B queried. He worked on Ward Cameron's boat and I think he's secretly had a thing for her forever.
                          
"Yeah uh, she's actually been sitting in the car the whole time. Uhm, should I tell her to leave or bring her out or just leave with her, I don't wanna intrude," she mumbled.
                          
"Tell her to go home Kie, I think it's time for a pogue reunion sleepover," I told her. She nodded thankfully and headed off to the car. 
                          
"Well that was a surprise," I laughed, "Not mad about it though."
                          
"Yeah this isn't the plan I had for the evening but I'm certainly not complaining."
                          
"Just saying, this will not be good for a little feud with Rafe," Pope fretted.
                          
"Don't be such a Debby Downer. Live in the moment Pope!" I chorused. I didn't know Kiara's return would make such a big different but it felt like the last piece of the puzzle of our perfect summer. 
                          
"Well boys, pass me a cold one would ya?" Kiara joked as she walked back into the circle, this time choosing a seat next to me. We spent the rest of the night catching up, just like old times. It felt good, a feeling I hadn't even known I'd been missing. 
                          
When it got time to sleep we had a weird sort of fumbling around moment. John went to his bed, per usual, and Pope picked the porch sofa, leaving Kie and I to figure out the rest. 
                          
"I'll lay some pillows down, don't worry," She reassured me. 
                          
"Yeah nah. Miss, you're going to be sleeping on the couch and I'll take the floor. No if's or but's about it," I quickly shut her down.
                          
"Are you sure? It's really not a big deal."
                          
"No, get on the couch princess."
                          
Kiara sighed but obliged nonetheless, fitting herself into the folds of the ancient couch we had all grown up sleeping on. We layed in the silent for a while before I heard a quiet whisper from behind me. 
                          
"JJ."
                          
"Yeah?"
                          
"You know you're not you're dad right?" 
                          
I almost gasped. I guess she had heard what Topper said to me. 
                          
"Uh I hope not, he's kinda a dick," I spit out trying to play it off.
                          
"Seriously. You're kind and thoughtful and deserve a chance at life. Please don't let dumb ass privileged kooks tell you otherwise."
                          
Something about what you said really struck deep and I didn't have it in me to give her the answer she wanted. 
                          
"You know those dumb ass privileged kooks are your friends and boyfriend right?" I objected. 
                          
She exhaled and turned around to face me, "JJ, this is about me being concerned for you. I want to support you. I'm trying to be back in your life. Don't make it about them."
                          
I couldn't answer, and she knew that so we settled back into a comfortable silence before drifting into sleep. 
                          
a/n
                          
HIII this chapter had big jiara content but also just pogues in general, im glad they're all back together. 
                          
ALSO, special shoutout to the 1975's new album "Notes on a Conditional Form". I listened to it while writing this and it is truly a masterpiece.
                          
Thank you to everyone for reading, commenting and voting. 
                          
I LOVE YOU, 
                          
zozo <3