𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐈 think that we would lose the gold the same day I lost my best friend. Hearing the gunshot, the ringing still fresh in my brain, made everything harder, for everybody. Nobody knew what was going to happen, nobody knew what happened with Ward and Sarah, and nobody knew what we should do next.
It felt like complete chaos.
A plane engine made me glance away from my hands, still sweaty and shaking. "There goes the gold," Pope spat, his body filling with rage.
JJ kicked a white chair across the lot, the plastic splintering from the force. "Fuckkk!" Pope screamed as he threw a rock into the metal wall as hard as he possibly could.
Kie, JJ, and I looked at Pope, surprised that at his outburst. Out of the five of us, John B included, Pope was always calm and collected, but recently he's been struggling to keep his cool.
"Pope," I said but when he grabbed a bat and began smashing more plastic, we knew that he needed to get his anger out.
"God damn it!" Small pieces flew everywhere along with leftover sawdust, "Shit! Fuck!" He grunted, his swings stronger and harder.
The three of us watched as he swore and hit everything in sight, his anger radiating off of him. JJ was almost surprised at his abilities, and I was convinced that he'd never seen him like this. Launching a metal trashcan across the lot, Pope stared at us, his breath shaky and hot.
"Pope," Kie cried out, hoping to grab his attention.
His breath shook, then they became shorter, faster. He was hyperventilating. Pope sat down on a plastic bench, eyes screwed shut from the blinding sun, or trying to avoid tears that he knew would come out sooner or later.
"Yeah, dude," JJ acknowledged while Kie and I stayed silent. "I was wondering when this was gonna happen," To say that I was shocked with what JJ said was an overstatement. This was JJ; no filter, said what was on his mind, and most importantly, congratulated you when you are in the mids of a mental breakdown.
"Here you go, Chief," JJ finished as he handed Pope his Juel, the sun bouncing off the silver stick. "A little weed never hurt anyone,"
"JJ," Kie warned but I knew that JJ was right. For once, he needed to relax, and this was the best way to do it, in my eyes.
"Relax, Kie," He replied, Juel still in his outstretched hand.
"You know he doesn't smoke," She continued as Pope glanced between the two. But when he took the Juel, Kie closed her mouth and just sighed softly.
"Well, maybe not until today," I concluded.
JJ sat next to him as he stared at the unused Juel, quietly debating whether or not to take a hit, to give in. "Yeah, what is that gonna help?" Kie asked, trying to convince Pope not to do it.
Pope's breath shook, "I lost my scholarship. Walked out in the middle of the interview. Every... It's gone. It's not gonna happen,"
"You did that for us?" Kie asked softly, a tear rolling down Pope's cheek.
"No, not for us," He stood up and faced her, "For nothing,"
"I'm here for you Pope," JJ said as he grabbed his shoulders. "Welcome to my world, okay?"
"JJ--"
"What, Kie? He's right! It doesn't matter anymore,"
Pope leaned against a wooden pillar, sweat rolling down the back of his neck. Taking a hit, he looked at Kie. "You don't have to do that," But it was too late, he gave in. I watched from the side, not sure what to say or what to do. Everything still felt distant, it felt different.
"What do you care?" He sneered, before standing up straight. Whipping around, John B stood at an opening in the sheltered area, his shirt smeared red. I didn't know what to say, he was alive, and that's all that I cared about.
I ran to him, throwing my arms around his waist as I hugged him tightly, relieved that he's still here. His arms wrapped around me as his face dug into my hair, the smell of sweat and green apples wafting around.
The group joined us, startled and concerned about him. "Dude! Dude, you good?" JJ questioned as I took a step back, finally noticing the blood covered his hands as well.
"Whose blood is that?" I asked softly, taking his hand in mine. Sirens came closer and closer to the lot as we tried to get anything out of John B that could help. "John B, are you okay?"
Not a second later, a cop car slid around the corner as the group bolted deeper into the shelter. Crouching down, we hit behind a large pile of scraps, sawdust blowing off with every small gust of wind.
"John B," I looked him dead in the eye, "What happened out there?"
✮
The sun had finally faded from the sky and the stars were glittering the black sky like sequins. The bright moon made up for the lack of streetlights, sending a wave of distress through me as Kie drove down the road in my blue jeep.
"What are we doing at the police station?" I asked as I looked at the small sign that was barely lit up.
"Somebody's gotta tell them what happened," John B said and I glanced back at the group. All that he would say was that Peterkin was shot. He wouldn't tell us who and kept repeating that they need to know.
Suddenly, Pope erupted in a fit of coughs as a small blunt moved away from his mouth. "Easy there, Chief," JJ joked.
"All right. I'm just gonna be real with you right now," JJ continued, "You might end up in the lion's den, but you don't go there on purpose. It's fundamental. Just like my old man always told me, you should never ever trust cops, no matter what the circumstance is,"
"Your old man's an abusive liar," I shot back.
"I agree with JJ," Pope added, his voice rough, "Fuck the police,"
"You goin' to the dark side now?" Kie questioned sarcastically.
"When's the last time the police helped us?" Pope asked, looking around at each of us.
"Peterkin looked out for me, all right? Tried to, at least," John B interjected, "They need to know,"
"Then can you tell us the whole story?" Kie asked, "We might as well know if you're trusting the police,"
John B glanced towards me, a frown on his face. "Rafe shot Peterkin," He stated and my eyes went wide.
"That's not possible, he was nowhere near you guys," I shot back, eyes sharp. The group looked at me, and I could tell that they weren't surprised. "I talked to him less than two hours ago, there's no way he would shoot Peterkin, you're lying!" I accused and the group stayed silent.
"Y/n," Kie said softly, touching my arm. I swatted her hand away and stared at John B.
"Why would you say such a thing? He wouldn't do that, and I know it," I sneered.
John B's eyes softened, "Y/n, I was there, I watched him do it--"
"You lying asshole!" I growled, "He-he wouldn't do that," My breath hitched in my throat. But he would, he would do that. With the way he's been acting, I knew deep down that he would shoot Peterkin.
Nobody moved.
Nobody knew if I would cry, or explode, or try and fight someone. But when my hand retracted to my mouth, the realization hitting me, they all softened. "Y/n, I'm sorry," John B whispered.
I held my hand in the air, silently telling him to save it. He nodded before getting out of the car, shutting the door behind him. The group didn't speak, and honestly, I didn't want to be spoken to. I leaned back against the chair and pulled my knees into my chest.
John B was right –he'd been there when it happened and I was just kidding myself if I didn't believe it.
"Kie! Start the Car!" John B yelled from outside as the station doors slammed shut.
"What? John B?" Kie exclaimed which instantly made me focus on something else. He hopped into the backseat as Kie revved the engine.
"Go!" I exclaimed as two police officers raced out of the building, hands on the holsters. One of the officers began banging on the car, trying to find a handle in the dark. The boys continued to badger her as the car squealed forwards, taking the cop with us.
She continued to bang on the window, her light brown hair tied into a ponytail, while the other cop, who was slightly bigger, ran behind us. "What did you do?" Kie questioned as they continued to clamour the car.
"Pull over!" The female officer yelled, flashlight reflecting into the car.
"Open the door," I said to John B. He swung the door open, sending the cop flying across the lawn before Kie stepped on the gas.
We stayed silent for a minute, the only thing making noise was the car. But finally, JJ broke the silence, "What happened in there?" He asked as he leaned over the seat.
"They-they..." John B took a breath, trying to form the words, "They think I shot Peterkin and now they want me arrested,"
"So that means--" Pope began.
"Wards covering for Rafe," I stated, voice flat and emotionless.
"Y/n, are you okay?" John B asked after a second.
"He shot Peterkin," I turned back to face my best friend, "That could've been you," I bit my lip and turned back to face the front. "He needs to learn that his actions have consequences," Soon streetlights appeared in the distance, sending a beam of light flashing over the car. "And he needs to pay for what he's done,"
Hi, two chapters in one day. Um, if anybody wanted to comment, what are some good movies, tv shows, or books –Wattpad or not– that would be good cause I need something new to binge haha. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the book so far :)
- Syd <3