❪ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗘 & 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘 ❫

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗏𝖾 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━
know it all.  ╱  season one, episode four.
❛ 𝗂 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝗈𝖾𝗌𝗇'𝗍 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗂𝗍 𝖺𝗅𝗅. 𝗇𝗈, 𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝗈𝗇'𝗍 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍
𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗆𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗆𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅, ❜
TW: DOMESTIC ABUSE, READ WITH CAUTION

KENNEDY THORTON WAS never the one to be in fights, granted she's had people fight over her, but she has never been in one specifically. But after tonight, she can confidently cross that off her bucket list. The swelling bruise on her abdomen can attest to that. Kennedy was never the girl to jump onto someone's back angrily, but hey, there's a first for everything.

Tonight felt like a fever dream, her heart had never completely ceased from pounding, with each minute she recalls what happened over an hour ago, only making her panic more. She could still feel the calculated gaze of Rafe as he stared at her with disgust and betrayal. Their demise was definite and this only made it more clear to the selfish kook. Kennedy could feel their relationship ticking down like a bomb, and tomorrow was going to be the day that it erupted.

There was an ache that never left Kennedy's chest as she roamed around her sister's house, the voices of the pogues falling to the back of her mind as she remained planted in the kitchen. The moment they arrived at the home, the aura around the group had changed, it was now bruised and exhausted, the adrenaline they all felt was long gone. Showing them the basic rooms of the house, Kennedy separated from the others, needing a moment to herself.

The once quiet house was filled with hushed voices and people getting cleaned up from the fight. The blonde kook swallowed through the throbbing pain on her abdomen and wandered off by herself to get a glass of water.

The moonlight beamed over the small backyard that was shown through the window above the kitchen sink. The empty hammock swayed slightly in the wind, along with the flowers that bloomed happily in the summer. Kennedy knew the breeze was warm, nothing should stop her from making an escape to her hidden paradise, but the recovering voices in the other room stopped her.

She wanted nothing more than to watch the blissful waves crash against the shore as the moonlight illuminated them. Kennedy craved for her escape, but against her better judgment, she stayed.

"Thank you for letting us stay here,"

Kennedy jumped at the voice of Kiara Carrera, she instantly relaxed seeing the appreciation falling on the girl's features. Swiveling around to see the pogue, Kennedy smiled, "No problem,"

The brunette moved towards the kitchen island, leaning into the thick marble, "I'm still surprised you helped us,"

Kennedy tensed, placing the glass down onto the counter, away from her shaky hands, "None of you deserved the shit kooks put you through,"

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Kie questioned, her eyes accusing, "Not too long ago I remember seeing you laugh as Rafe tripped JJ as he was walking out of the convenience store with a ton of shit in his hands,"

"That was weeks ago," Kennedy argued, her heart pounded in her chest, watching Kiara get more and more guarded. With her shoulders falling, the blonde sent her a hopeless glance, "Look, I'm not the person I was then or hell, even a week ago. I want to be better, I can't stand the life I created for myself, I want to get out. I know I was a bitch, and I'm sorry,"

"Sorry doesn't cut it Thornton," Kie clipped, her icy tone sending shivers down Kennedy's back. "I don't know what your angle is, but I'll figure it out,"

"I don't have an angle," Kennedy defended, eyes widened in surprise, "I just can't stand to watch you guys get abused by asshole kooks anymore,"

"Why do you care? We're nothing to you, and you're nothing to us,"

Kennedy felt as if she got slapped in the face. A frown was etched onto her plump lips as her gaze was glued to the half-empty glass on the counter below her. "Kie, I know you don't like me, I get it, I was a bitch last year, I'm sorry, I'm trying to change, to be a better person, and I can't do that if you don't forgive me,"

"Why'd you do it?'

Kennedy's eyes snapped up in confusion, "Do what?"

"Drop me like I was nothing," Kie clipped, anger brewing even harsher on her face, "You were one of my best friends, and then one day you dropped me like I meant nothing to you, that shit hurts,"

Kennedy swallowed the tension bubbling in her throat, her heart aching more and more aggressively, "Kie, when all of that went down, my life felt like it was collapsing, my sister had just left, my mom had made me break something off with someone I really cared about, I felt trapped. I didn't just stop talking to you, I isolated myself from everyone, Riley, Sarah, you, everyone I cared about. And when I felt good enough to fix things you already hated my guts, and it was better that I just left you to hate me, I didn't want to ruin you, just like I do with everyone else,"

Kie watched her with caution, shocked that Kennedy would ever tell her what actually happened. But with the distraught falling across Kennedy's features, Kie knew she wasn't lying, "You handle things literally in the worst way possible,"

Kennedy laughed lightly, her tone growing softer, "Tell me about it, I think my never-ending toxic relationship with Rafe can attest to that,"

"You gonna break up with that loser?" Kie questioned, leaning her weight onto the kitchen island that separated the two.

Kennedy snorted, sending a knowing look towards the brunette, "I've been planning to for a while, and the awful bruise on my stomach is what really told me that I need to do it, like now,"

"When are you going to do it?"

"Tomorrow," Kennedy clipped, turning to place her glass in the sink below her, "I need to get rid of this relationship before it hurts me even more,"

"Are you going to need emotional support?"

Kennedy sent her teasing glance, "Trust me, I need to do this on my own and I'd rather not have Riley get into a fight with Rafe when he says something out of line,"

The brunette shrugs to herself, "I don't know, seeing Rafe get the shit beat out of him seems like karma to me,"

Kennedy laughed lightly, "Trust me, that asshole will get what's coming to him,"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

THE CHILL OF the night air hit Kennedy in waves, the grey hoodie was still wrapped around her small body. The smell of the owner lingered on the material and she was grateful for it. Her blonde hair hung in a messy ponytail, her ruby red mushroom earrings dangled with the summer breeze. Thoughts of the messy blond filled her subconscious, the events of the hours before filled her mind, the exhaustion of fighting all her emotions are finally catching up to her.

Her heart pummeled against her chest, pulling herself further and further into the hoodie. The moonlight clung onto her like a shadow, her freckled features lighting up in the night. She was oblivious to the people inside, last time she knew they were all passed out in the living room with a random movie playing in the background. They desperately needed something to distract them and the idea to watch a movie erupted from Kennedy and that was what they did for the rest of the night.

Kennedy snuck out quickly everyone passed out, needing another moment to herself, she prayed that no one would interrupt her solace. After her conversation with Kie, her chest seemed lighter, like all the things she desperately wanted to say finally escaped, and instead of getting pushed off by Kie, they were accepted. Kennedy could feel the change in their relationship shift into a positive place. While they weren't exactly the best of friends, the tension that surrounded them was no longer there, Kennedy felt free.

A smile spread across her lips, the substantial shift of her life changing was in progress and the air was lighter and her energy became more carefree, she couldn't wait to leave all her suffering behind.

"Hi,"

Kennedy jumped at the raspy voice, turning she met a messy-haired blond pogue eyeing her with curiosity. The kook sent him a small smile, her voice soft and tender, "Hi,"

The boy fell in line with her, leaning against the porch railing, eyes glancing towards the sky, "What're you doing out here?"

Kennedy let out a soft breath, her focus on the stars above her, "I just needed a moment to myself, tonight's been a lot,"

JJ snorted, sending her a teasing gaze, his bruised face making guilt bloom in Kennedy's stomach, "You're telling me,"

"JJ, I'm sorry, I didn't know that was gonna happen, I had no idea that they would do that to you guys,"

The boy shrugged, "It's okay Sunshine, it's not your fault,"

"It kinda is," Kennedy began, her voice slipping into a ramble, "If I didn't give you guys that idea to sink Topper's boat then you wouldn't have been targeted, and Rafe and the guys wouldn't have beaten the shit out of-"

"Kennedy," JJ interrupted with his body suddenly very close to hers. The small blonde's heart pounded in her chest watching seriousness wash over the boy's face. Kennedy froze, her skin tingling with the awareness of his body lightly brushing against hers. "You didn't make us sink the boat, we did that, you didn't."

Kennedy sent him a wary glance, her hand unconsciously drifting to his bruised cheek, "But-"

"But nothing," The blond blurted, reaching up to grip her hand lightly, the small touch set her heart ablaze, "It's not your fault that those pretentious douchebags attacked us, they're always itching to beat the shit out of us. Nothing about it is your fault, you didn't deserve to see that, and you sure as hell didn't deserve to get a blow to the stomach by your loser boyfriend,"

Kennedy's breathing halted in an instant, the cool air drifted onto the soft skin of her stomach, she glanced down watching JJ's fingers skim across the purple bruise on her abdomen. Her skin felt like fire, the touch felt almost foreign but familiar at the same time. Her voice was wispy and breathy, "JJ-"

"If he touches you like this again I'll kill him,"

The words shot at her heart like arrows, her stomach erupted in warmth watching the sincerity never leave his crystal eyes. Kennedy's veins pumped with adrenaline, hearing the protectiveness in his tone. She had never felt as safe as she felt in this moment, with his eyes looming over her with support.

"He won't,"

JJ nodded, stepping a little closer to her, so close that she could feel his soft breathing wisp across her face, "He better not,"

Kennedy sent him a quirked glance, unconsciously hand drifting down lightly to meet his grip, "What're you gonna do?"

JJ's hand met hers, a teasing smile twisting onto his lips, "I'm gonna show him not to mess with Kennedy Thornton,"

Kennedy snorted, hand rising to slap his chest lightly, "Oh shut up,"

JJ quickly caught her hand, finally pulling her body into his, "I wouldn't wanna mess with you,"

Kennedy laughed at his words, her heart skipping lightly due to the smile slipping on his lips, "Oh yeah? Why?"

"Cause you're Kennedy Thornton, and you can destroy a person with just the glare on your face,"

Kennedy gasped in a faux offense, knowing he didn't mean it by the teasing tone, but it didn't stop her from pushing him away lightly, "You're such an ass,"

JJ snorted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes examining her features illuminated by the moonlight, "I'm just kidding, your face is too pretty to destroy anything,"

Kennedy froze, his tender compliment causing her brain to short circuit. His eyes ended at her parted lips, as her brain was going into overdrive. Kennedy's eyes widened, flickering between his gaze and his lips. His movements were calculated yet cautious, his hands drifted across her back and ended up finding their way to dip in her hips.

The blonde froze, completely shocked that the boy in front of her wanted to be this close to her. The touch from the blond ignited a fire in her veins, feeling herself fall deeper into his movements. JJ's right hand rose up, cupping the crook of her neck, and pulling her face closer to his. Kennedy sucked in a breath, the heat of his hand making her fall further and further. She melted into the touch, the nostalgia in the simple caress made her heart tremble. Kennedy's eyes fluttered shut, awaiting the moment where she would finally feel his lips against hers. Where she could finally get back the affection she so desperately craved, from the boy she ached to have.

It's not right. Not yet at least.

His lips brushed hers like a feather-light touch, but Kennedy snapped back within a second. Her eyes snapped open to a confused and hurt JJ. Guilt swam through her veins like a tidal wave, but it needed to be done.

"I can't, not yet,"

Her words lashed at him with vigor, making the boy take a step away from her. Feeling as if she was now miles away, "What do you mean, Kennedy?"

Kennedy sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, trying to keep the anger at herself at bay, "Just let me break up with Rafe first,"

Frustration flared through JJ's features, "You can't do this because of Rafe? The guy who was the cause of the nasty bruise on your stomach? Seriously?"

"JJ, listen," Kennedy began, moving closer to the boy, but he took a step back, her heart ached at the movement, "As much as I want you, I just need to break up with him first. I can't stoop down to his level, he hurt me, and as much as I want to do the same, I don't have the energy in me, you've got to understand,"

The boy sighed to himself, glare focused on the sky above him, "I get it,"

Kennedy let out a small breath of relief as a tiny smile found its way to her face, "Thank you,"

There was a silence that erupted between the two, soon the teens were side to side, leaning against the railing, eyes glancing up at the stars above. It was a comfortable quiet, it was a stillness that Kennedy ached for. She felt secure feeling the boy's side against hers, it was nice just knowing he was there, present in her vicinity, there if she needed him.

"I missed you Sunshine," His voice was soft and fragile, almost as if he was afraid to interrupt the silence and ruin the moment they were in.

Kennedy glanced at him, her delicate eyes wide and sincere, "I missed you too,"

An aura of fondness washed over the blond pogue, the rough pad of his thumb fidgeting with her small fingers, his gaze glued to the manicured hand in his grip, "More than you could even imagine,"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

ANXIETY CHIPPED AWAY the blonde's resolve as she leaned against her car, waiting for the boy she dreaded to see with everything in her. This was the moment that she ached to be over, but at the same time, she dreaded it even starting. Texting Rafe in order to meet up was difficult, there was a hesitance in her veins as she typed out the message. Rafe was skeptical that it would just be Kennedy, they fought tooth and nail, Kennedy just wanted to end this but he wouldn't stop being paranoid. Kennedy was so close to breaking up with him over text, but she stopped herself.

Even though Rafe has been the worst boyfriend she had ever experienced, there's a part of her that wants to be decent to him and break it off in person. After all the pain he's caused she doesn't understand why she would ever do that, but she felt like it was the right thing to do.

It was crazy, after last night, she's still going through with it. The pogues were very hesitant with the idea. Waking up to Kennedy leaving to meet the guy that beat the shit out of them didn't look the best. There was a slight betrayal on JJ's face as she told them where she was going, Kennedy couldn't help the guilt that bloomed in her chest. But she pushed it off, knowing that she would feel better when this was all over.

The blonde hated the thought of seeing him face to face, but she knew she needed to do it. There was a slight breeze that washed over Kennedy, brushing over her hair with ease. The sunglasses perched on her button nose blocked the nervousness in her eyes from the people around her. Granted the back street was desolate, and barely anyone was in her vicinity, but she needed to create a divide between her and the Cameron boy.

A peach polo flashed in the corner of her eye, turning she met an apprehensive Rafe making his way to the girl. Kennedy straightened, pushing her sunglasses back to the top of her head. A forced smile made its way to her face, "Hi,"

The boy nodded, tucking his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts, "Hey Thornton,"

Kennedy let out a nervous breath, rubbing her sweaty palms down the sides of her light green dress, "Look Rafe, the reason I asked you to meet me was-"

"I know," Rafe mumbled, eyes slightly earnest. Which surprised her.

Kennedy tipped her head to the side in confusion, "You do?"

"Yeah," Rafe shrugged, "Obviously after last night, you wanted to apologi-"

Kennedy let out a laugh of bewilderment, crossing her arms in anger, "Fucking excuse me?"

Rafe sent her a weird look, "You sided with the pogues, and you wanted to apologize for not sticking with us,"

"Are you being serious right now?" His words sent her into a fit of anger, with each moment it was growing greater and greater.

"Yeah, I am,"

"You are actually fucking delusional," Kennedy let out a hysterical laugh, running a hand through her hair the absurdity of this conversation, "You can't possibly believe that I would ever apologize to you, what you did was unforgivable,"

Rafe's features morphed into fury, in a flash he was right in front of Kennedy, making her skin crawl, "What you did was unforgivable, you sided with those lowlives, and don't you think I don't remember you getting all cozy with Maybank,"

"He was fucking injured, Rafe! By you! I wanted to see if he was okay," Kennedy exclaimed, her heart pounding by just the mention of the blond pogue, his name sounded wrong coming from the boy in front of her.

"You don't need to fucking touch him like that in order to see if he's okay," Rafe hissed, shoving her lightly into the side of her car.

Kennedy immediately snapped back, pushing him away from her, "Don't fucking touch me,"

"Why?" Rafe seethed, eyes dark and sinister, "Is touching you reserved just for Maybank?"

"Fuck off," Kennedy spit, her heart pounding from the jump of hatred in her veins. "What's it to you anyway?"

"Well, since you're my fucking girlfriend, I'm not too pleased by your sudden relationship with that deadbeat pogue,"

Kennedy glowered at the boy, "Not after this you're not,"

Rage filled Rafe's features, dark eyes looming over Kennedy like a shadow, "What did you just say?"

Kennedy paused lightly at the harmful tone, the anger she felt was replaced with slight fear, seeing how angry the boy in front of her was, but she shook it off, attempting to gain her frustration back, "I met you here to break up,"

Rafe stepped back, eyes widened, running a hand through his hair. Kennedy stood quietly in front of him, waiting for his response, but he just stared at her in amazement, "Why would you do this to us?"

Kennedy shook her head, "Rafe, it's just not working, I can't take this anymore, I don't recognize you anymore, I don't like who you've turned into,"

"You're blaming this on me?" Rafe scowled, immediately jumping into her personal space, Kennedy jumped at the sudden grip of her throat, it was tight and constricting, she struggled with it, trying to push him away, but the boy remained threateningly still and stoic, "Have you ever thought that you have a part in this? You've been slutting around with pogues, and don't tell me I'm wrong. Last night solidified that you're Maybank's new piece of ass."

Kennedy shoved him back frantically, finally, shoving him back, inhaling air wildly, her hand grazed her throat in amazement, shocked that the boy would do something like that, "What is wrong with you? Why are you so fucking paranoid? I haven't done shit with JJ, I haven't cheated. I may hate you, but I would never cheat on someone,"

Rafe quirked his head to the side, a foreboding look filled his face, "You may act all innocent, but I see right through you Kennedy, you're a fucking whore, and when that pogue started to give any other emotion other than hatred towards you were willing to let him fuck you,"

"You fucking asshole," Kennedy seethed, storming up to him with her hand raised, ready to send a harsh impact to his cheek.

Rafe caught her hand, his grip firm and unmoving. Her wrist throbbed roughly, and with each second the hold was getting tighter and tighter, "I would watch out Kennedy, you don't want to mess-what the fuck is this?"

Kennedy froze, eyes snapping to the tattoo clear as day on her wrist, the surprise of the tattoo gave her the leeway to rip her hand away from him, "It's nothing,"

"That looks exactly like Maybank's tattoo,"

Kennedy shoved her hand into her chest protectingly, "It's none of your business,"

"Who is he to you?" Rafe sent her a confused glare, eyes glistening with angry tears, "For the longest time you hated him, you wanted nothing to do with him. Now you're always around him, fixing his wounds, and now a matching tattoo, what the fuck aren't you telling me?"

"It's none of your concern Rafe. Now leave me alone, I told you what I needed to tell you, now get out of my life,"

"You were with him weren't you?" Rafe concluded, eyes leering, the look and words making Kennedy freeze, "Before us, he was the guy that you were hung up on for the longest time,"

"Rafe, I'm not getting into this," Kennedy hissed, her glare threatening. She turned to get into her car, ready to leave him behind. But a hand roughly grabbed her shoulder, shoving her yet again into the side of her car.

"No, we're not done talking about this," The kook boy seethed, his heavy breath wafting over her. "You're ending us because of some loser that will hurt you all over again,"

Kennedy snorted at his words, "Please, you did more damage to me than JJ ever did. He's what I've always wanted. You were always just temporary, you're nothing to me. JJ's my person, he saved me from this shithole of a life, you would just drag me back down to it,"

The words physically jabbed at Rafe, sending him back a bit. Anger and betrayal flooded his features, leaving a satisfying pleasure to bubble in Kennedy's stomach. But it didn't last long, because as soon as the words sunk in, a harsh slap impacted Kennedy's face. Her head whipped to the side, pain throbbed violently on her left cheek. Kennedy's hand flashed to the irritated skin, tears dribbled down her cheeks from the sudden ache and surprise.

"I would watch out Kennedy, you better keep your pogue on a leash because if I see him, it won't be pretty,"

With that the boy stormed off, leaving a shaken and pained Kennedy to shrink to the ground. She curled her knees into her chest, the pain he caused immobilized her, leaving her to crumble to the ground, wishing she had just done this over text.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

THE GIRL STARING back at Kennedy was a broken stranger, her tears were like a tidal wave, washing off all of the makeup she put on this morning. Her check was bright red, an indent of a handprint could be seen if you were close enough. A light bruise was sprawled around her wrist and neck, the new additions to Rafe's hurt made her sick to her stomach.

The emotional pain of the attack leaving bruises was greater than Kennedy imagined. She felt defeated and embarrassed that she would let it happen. She never knew Rafe was capable of that, of the violence he has expressed throughout the past week. She never knew there was that side of him, at least she never knew he would take it out on her.

Kennedy had been parked outside of Heyward's shop for a few moments now, attempting to gain the courage to go in. She knew everyone was in there, waiting for her to come in and tell her brave story of how she broke up with her loser boyfriend. But she couldn't, she hesitated with her fresh bruises, she didn't want them to know Rafe hurt her, and she didn't want any more drama between the pogues and the kooks. She knew the moment JJ saw them he would go ballistic, she couldn't watch him get hurt again.

Against her better judgment, she stepped out of her car, wiping off the fresh tears that refused to stop falling. People's eyes were glued to her as she walked away from her car, and whispers erupted as she passed. She held her head low, not feeling up to lift her head to see all the prying eyes. Heyward's seemed rather busy today, she debated walking in, but the familiar voices of Riley and the rest of them made her walk in.

The door chimed lightly, sending the small group of teens to glance up at Kennedy's entrance. Riley stopped mid-sentence, his smile dropped instantly, seeing the rough bruise spread across Kennedy's cheek and other appendages. Tears brimmed in Kennedy's eyes as she made her way to the teens.

"Oh my god,"

Riley jumped down the counter, immediately pulling the short girl into his arms. Kennedy soaked up the warmth and protection Riley gave her. The boy said nothing, staring at his friends with franticness, shocked that his best friend was beaten and bruised. The blond pogue stared at the two, his eyes in slits the moment he saw the bruises on Kennedy.

The small blonde was released from Riley's grip, but the boy didn't let go of her. His eyes traced her body, growing angrier and angrier at the number of injuries that she had accumulated. Kennedy pulled away, her arms falling into her chest, trying to wipe away the tears that refused to stop falling.

"What the hell happened?" Kie exclaimed in surprise, her gaze dragging to each of the bruises.

Kennedy glanced down to the floor and shrugged, "Rafe didn't take getting broken up too well,"

Those words set off the blond pogue, within seconds he was right in front of Kennedy, gripping her chin gingerly, examining the bruise on her cheek. The three teens froze at the sudden movements, staring at each other in confusion, not understanding why JJ would be acting like this. The two oblivious teens didn't pay attention to the stares, they were too enveloped in the sudden tension that fell in between them.

"I'm gonna kill him," JJ murmured, his eyes and touch never leaving her bruises.

Kennedy gripped his hand to bring it down from her cheek, "JJ-"

"No, he doesn't get to hurt you, just because you were trying to end things," JJ interrupted, his voice was rough and jagged, and anger was filling it with each passing second.

"Look as much as I want to see his face in the dirt, I'm tired, I can't keep doing this, if you come at him, he's gonna come at you, and I can't see anyone get hurt anymore," Kennedy concluded, taking a step away from JJ, not enjoying the testosterone that the boy in front of her is exuding.

"We have to do something," Kie chimed in, moving more toward Kennedy, "He can't just get away with hurting you,"

Kennedy sighed lightly, her voice cracking slightly, "I can't think about it right now, it's all too much for me right now,"

"Kenn," Riley mused, pulling her into another hug.

The girl accepted it, her tears falling down her soft cheeks. She wished that this small moment could take away all her pain, but it couldn't. There was nothing that could take away the pain of someone she trusted with her life, endangering the very thing she trusted them with. Kennedy wished she could take their relationship back. It wasn't worth it, after it all, that relationship wasn't worth all the emotional exhaustion.

"Hey Pope, someone's here to see you,"

The familiar voice of Heyward caused Kennedy to release Riley. She turned around to meet Pope's father and the Sheriff's deputy. Kennedy stepped back a bit, a little overwhelmed by the sudden intrusion of a police officer.

Pope seemed a little nervous, as he lightly blurted, "Evening officer,"

Within seconds Deputy Shoupe was pulling out handcuffs, "I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property,"

The boat.

Exclamations erupted from the group, and Kennedy watched helplessly as Shoupe cuffed a terrified Pope. The rest of the pogues broke out in protests, annoyed that the man wasn't listening to them, and just focused on taking Pope out to the police car.

"Everything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law, you have the right to an attorney,"

JJ was getting frantic, jumping in front of Kennedy in order to get Shoupe's attention, "How much did they pay you, man?"

Without a reply, the man began pushing Pope towards the cruiser. All of the teens were in tow, loud complaints spewing from their lips. Hoping to get their friend free, but there was no option of that ever happening. Kennedy stuck behind JJ, nervous that the boy would do something to get himself arrested also. The blonde was guilty, if she had never given them the idea of sinking that stupid boat, Pope wouldn't be getting arrested, and nothing like this would've happened. She disregarded what JJ said last night, it was her fault, she had destroyed yet another person's life.

Voices faded into the distance, and Kennedy chewed on her fingernails nervously, worried that someone would get hurt. Her guilt bloomed like a field of flowers, they went on for miles and miles. Her heart pounded in her chest, afraid of everything to come. The restriction in her chest felt worse than the weight that plagued her for so long. The blame she held only got worse when JJ's voice cut through her panic.

"It wasn't him!" The boy paused in his step, causing Kennedy to run right into his back. Kennedy glanced up at him, fearful of what he was doing, "It was me,"

Kennedy gripped his hand to get his attention, "JJ, what're you doing?"

The blond pogue shook off her grip, refusing to make eye contact with her. He knew from one single look at her desperate blue eyes he would back out. He began walking up to the police officer and Pope, leaving the small blonde behind him. Kennedy stayed frozen in her spot, watching JJ dig himself deeper and deeper, "He tried to talk me out of it, but I was mad because he's just been beaten up, I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit. I can't take the blame for somethin' I did, you got too much to lose."

"JJ what are you doing?" Pope questioned.

The boy shrugged looking between him and Shoupe, "I'm just telling the truth, for once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth, I took his old man's boat, too."

Kennedy wanted to speak up and stop him, but Riley stepped in and grabbed her hand, silently telling her to stop advancing for the scene in front of her. She stood quietly, roughly gripping onto Riley's hand, fearful of the next fleeting moments.

Heyward sent him a look of surprise, "What the hell?"

Pope interrupted his father, "JJ come on,"

"Just shut up Pope," JJ exclaimed, his attention turned to the boy, "Just shut up, he's a good kid, you know where I'm from,"

Shoupe sent him a grimace, as he looked the boy up and down, "Yeah,"

JJ embraced the look, nodding lightly, "This was all me,"

"That's the whole truth?"

JJ ignored that Shoupe's gaze was on the Heyward boy, "Whole truth, swear to God,"

"I know what you think dammit, I'm asking Pope," Shoupe clipped, sending JJ a rough glare, but turned his attention back to Pope.

The boy gulped lightly, attempting to hold back tears, he refused to meet JJ's gaze, "Yeah, that about covers it,"

Within a few beats, the handcuffs had been switched and now JJ was detained. A few tears rolled down Kennedy's cheeks, watching the boy glance around at everyone. Kennedy couldn't even begin to explain how responsible she felt for this entire arrest. His eyes briefly met hers and he gave her a sad smile. His chest ached to see the tears drift down her cheeks, but he couldn't do anything about it.

"It'll be fine,"

The words rang in Kennedy's ears as the boy sent her once last glance before he was pushed into the back of a pickup truck, and before she could even comprehend, they were driving away. The two teens getting pulled further and further apart. And Kennedy couldn't help but feel that this was all her fault.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

↝↝↝↝↝ 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒... ↜↜↜↜↜

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗕𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗬 silverfalcons 

HEY BESTIES I MISSED YA!!

THIS CHAPTER WAS A LOT AND IM HERE FOR IT!!!

WEVE GOT DRAMA ROMANCE AND ALL THE GOOD SHIT!!! FRIENDSHIP ARE BEING FIXED AND JENNEDY IS GETTING CLOSE TO BEING BACK TOGETHER!!!

BUT JJ GOT ARRESTED YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!! MIDSUMMER NEXT CHAPTER!!

Hope you enjoyed!

BUT IMPORTANT THING.

What did you all think?

I really would like your feedback on this, so please leave a comment.