vibrant

six; the studio

Ophelia finishes dessert, a light angel food cake and fresh berries that the Thortons had brought, and starts collecting everyone's plates, bringing them to the kitchen and returning to the living room once she's done.

Then, a car horn blares from outside, and everyone looks at each other, confused. It goes off again and Ophelia looks at the clock, three hours on the dot, "Oh sorry," Ophelia says, looking at the Thortons, "I think that's my friends."

Reid raises a brow, unimpressed, "Your friends?" He echoes. Ophelia nods, "Would it kill them to come to the door, at least?"

"Five, four, three, two..." Ophelia counts, holding up her hand as she finishes, the doorbell goes off not once, but three times, "I'll be right back."

Standing up, Ophelia heads to the door, opening it to reveal both Pope and Jj, hushed, Ophelia whispers, "Get me the hell out of here," Then louder, she says, "Hey guys!" Looking past the boys, Ophelia spots John B in the volkswagen, he gives her a lazy wave, which she returns.

Jj and Pope step into the lavish home, and Ophelia closes the door behind them. Fortunately for her, both her dads, and all three Thortons have met them by the entrance. Ophelia would cringe at the look on Dr. Thorton's face at the sight of the boys, but she can't bring herself to care.

"Hi everyone," Jj immediately chirps, nodding at Topper, "Top, buddy, good to see you again."

"Sorry to interrupt," Pope politely says, elbowing Jj to make him stop talking, "We uh, we were hoping Ophelia would be able to come with us, we have an important thing."

Reid raises a brow, "An important thing?"

"Yeah," Jj nods, "A late birthday thing, to be specific. We weren't supposed to tell Ophelia, here, but you're forcing my hand here Reid-"

"Dr. Bowman."

"Right, Dr. Bowman," Jj repeats, his voice lowering slightly. The excuse would make sense, Ophelia's birthday was just a few weeks ago.

"Boys, I really wish we could let her go," Michael says, and Ophelia's heart drops slightly, "But we're about to start charades, the teams are even, and you had our girl all day today."

Ophelia can see the idea come to Jj's mind, his face lighting up, "That's fine, we can leave Pope here, he's great at charades! Pope, show 'em!"

Pope glares at Jj with wide eyes, sputtering slightly, "Uh, I'm really not-"

"You know what," Reid says, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, "It's fine. Ophelia, go have fun, we'll talk later."

Ophelia tries to hide her grin as Jj picks up her backpack that she had left by the door. She gives an apologetic look to her parents, "I'm sorry, I had no idea they were coming," Ophelia says, lying poorly. Her eyes move to the Thortons, "I'm so sorry, it was really great to see you guys."

Cynthia and Topper's dad give the blonde girl a polite goodbye, and Topper just clenches his jaw. And with a smile, Ophelia slips out the door, Jj tugging her out by the hand. He leads her to the Volkswagen, and as soon as she's in the back with Pope, Jj sitting shotgun, she collapses across the floor, "You guys just pulled me out of hell. I love you. Seriously."

"Topper say anything nice about us?" John B teases from the front seat.

Ophelia sits up, "Doesn't he always?" She jokes as John B starts the car back up and pulls out of her driveway, heading towards town.

As he drives, John B turns his head, "Jj, switch with Ophelia."

"Why? It's my turn, bro."

"Just do it," Grumbling, Jj listens to John B, undoing his seatbelt and moving to the back. Ophelia crawls up to the front seat and pretends not to notice Jj's eyes on her rear end, "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier," John B immediately says as Ophelia buckles in.