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CHAPTER EIGHT:
She's a snake and a Kook bitch!
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Kennedy spent the rest of her afternoon with her mother, helping her pick out new colours for the pool tiles. It was incredibly boring, but with no internet, she didn't have anything better to do. And so, they had sad with a catalogue, looking at pictures of tiles that all looked the same to Kennedy. Why did they even need new tiles, anyway? The ones they had were fine. And besides, no one gave a shit about the colour of the tiles when they were in the pool. It seemed stupid to her, but reupholstering the house had become Caroline's latest gig. Kennedy thought being a housewife must have been super boring to start caring about pool tiles.

              The night only really began when Topper came home, slightly buzzed from his day drinking with Rafe in tow. They both knew about the Boneyard party and like Kennedy previously thought, had plans on going. Which was why Kennedy had done her hair and makeup before they even arrived—and picked out a more party appropriate outfit.

              The three had left the Thornton estate, picking up Sarah on the way. Kennedy had been shoved in the backseat, much to her disapproval since her brother allowed Rafe to take the passenger seat. But that meant she got to speak to Sarah before her brother could start shoving his tongue down her throat. Sarah had been concerned about her at first after coming across Scooter's body, but it didn't take long for her to realise that she actually was alright. If anything, she spoke about the Pogues more, insisting that they knew something.

          By the time they had arrived at the party, the sun had gone down and the sky had turned black, allowing the stars to shine over the OBX. And with that, brought a soft breeze that swayed the ocean and cooled the air after the hurricane, making it more bearable to be outside.

Walking into the party, it was in full swing. Teenagers from both sides of the island along with Tourons were up dancing and drinking in the secluded area of the beach—the Boneyard as everyone called it because of the scattered logs that resembled bones. Kennedy grinned in excitement. If there was one things the teens of the OBX could do, it was through a rager.

       They met up with Kelce and chit-chatted for a while. But the boys insisted on talking about golf—which made Kennedy want to stick pins in her ears. Which was why she left for the keg stand without another word, leaving poor Sarah to listen to the boring conversation from under Topper's arm. After the day she'd had, she couldn't wait to unwind with a drink in her hand; it was calling her by her full birth-given name.

    "I'll have one of whatever the hell that is." Kennedy spoke up as she reached the kegs and table full of alcohol beverages, pointing at one of the kegs hooked up to a hose. Pope Hayward who seemed to be on drink duties blinked in surprise at the sight of her, though of course she would be there—Kennedy Thornton never missed a party. But his surprise stemmed more from her talking to him instead of her presence at the party.

    He stuttered for a moment before managing to pull words together, "It's a Milwaukee Beverage according to JJ." He said as he used the hose attached to the keg to pour her a drink. He stopped halfway which was when she gave him a 'keep going' look to which he obeyed without argument.

"Of course it is," She said to his previous statement. Kennedy looked around. "So, where's Little Miss Sunshine tonight? Off saving turtles or something?" She asked, trying to make conversation with Pope who was clearly uncomfortable by her presence because A, she was a Kook. B, she was a girl. And C, Kiara had sworn to hate her for the rest of her life and promised she'd doom anyone else that dared speak to her. And he wasn't as careless as JJ to defy Kiara—so he was shitting it.

"Who? Kie?" He asked despite it being obvious. He didn't know anyone else who was as invested in saving turtles as she was. He cleared his throat and handed Kennedy her drink who took it graciously. "Sarah Cameron's here so I think she'll be avoiding her all night and now that you're here I suppose she'll try to avoid you as well and when she sees me speaking to you she is going to castrate me like she always promised and—shit, I'm rambling. Sorry. I'm sorry." Pope spoke like a kid on a sugar rush and then cringed at himself when he realised he had said too much—way too much to Kiara's sworn enemy.

Kennedy smiled in amusement, brushing hair out of her face, "Pope, I'm aware that I'm her mortal enemy. But don't give yourself a heart attack over it, okay? You're only pouring me a drink, right?" Pope nervously agreed and sipped at his own drink. "Riiight. So, what do you know about Scooter Grubbs?" Pope spat out his drink at her question that caught him off guard whilst she smiled at him innocently.

"S—Scooter? The guy they found on the beach?" Kennedy nodded her head whilst eyeing him suspiciously. Pope could feel himself begin to sweat under her watchful gaze. "Why would we, uh, know anything about Scooter? He's just a random dead guy—I mean, you found him, we were just innocent bystanders. Yeah, bystanders. Completely innocent." Pope was noticeably stuttering and not meeting her eyes. Which made her all the more confident he knew something and he was the perfect target to grill.

Kennedy folded her arms at her chest and gave him a flat look, "Then what's the interest in his boat?"

Pope's lips parted and his eyes widened, "Boat? His boat? Scooter's boat?"He repeated, fumbling over his words.

"His Grady-White, Pope. Why're you and your friends so interested in it? Do you know something?" She interrogated, stepping closer and just when Pope seemed like he was about to burst and spill the beans, JJ appeared like his knight in shining armour. Immediately earning a glare on Kennedy's behalf. She had been so close.

"Whoa, Princess, maybe lay off on the interrogations? Poor guy looks like he's about to piss himself." JJ spoke up, exchanging a look with Pope as he wrapped his arm around his neck making Kennedy sigh heavily whilst Pope looked beyond relieved.

Kennedy threw her hands up, "Look, I'm sorry. It's just after my encounter with Lana I can't stop thinking about her and how she must be feeling right now." She admitted, loosening up a little. She took a sip of her drink and glanced to where her brother, Sarah, Rafe and Kelce were watching her interaction with the two Pogue boys.

              "I'm gonna go. Sorry, Pope for coming down hard on you like that." She apologised quickly before trying to leave but JJ chased after her despite Pope pulling multiple faces at him and telling him not to. But JJ never listened to anyone, especially not his friends.

"Hold up, was that a legit apology I just heard from your lips directed to a Pogue? I'm shocked, Kennedy Thornton! Truly, I am shocked! Wait, I think I'm having a heart attack." He gasped theatrically, putting his hand over his heart and throwing his head back as he chased after her.

       Kennedy stopped and turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow, "Like you said, he looked like he was about to piss himself. And Pope's a good kid," She paused, thinking before adding. "It baffles me that he hangs around with you morons."

     JJ chuckled, shoving his hand into the pockets of his shorts, "There it is," He sang, more than entertained by her. He stepped closer to her and from the distance, Topper and Rafe exchanged glances—he was too close for comfort. "Why don't you let your hair down a little, Princess? This is a party. Put aside your political differences for one night and have a drink with me. Just one drink and then I'll leave you alone. Scouts honour and all that shit." He said, offering her his arm. Kennedy stared at it for the longest of time.

      She sighed, "One drink."

He threw his arms up, "That's all I ask." He said, unable to hide his victory smile.

She swatted his arm away, "And I'm not taking your arm. This isn't the eighteen hundreds." She mumbled, passing by him and towards where there were multiple people spread out on fallen logs.

JJ smirked and followed after her. Meanwhile, Topper and Rafe had a heated discussion, wondering what the fuck she was playing at. Kennedy was always doing dumb shit, but she had never lowered herself to hang around with the Pogues and now she was sitting down and having a drink with one of the most infamous ones. JJ was seen as dangerous with his apparent anger issues and reckless behaviour. Topper didn't want his sister around that kind of guy just as Rafe didn't want his girlfriend anywhere near him.

Kennedy sat down on one of the logs, leaving room for JJ beside her, "Okay so, you've got me alone now. What kind of moves are you planning to pull on me?" Kennedy asked as she crossed her legs and turned her body to face JJ. His body was already inclined towards hers and his eyes already on her face.

"I'm planning no such thing, Princess," He told her, earning a look that had 'seriously?' written all over it. JJ inhaled through his teeth. "You shot me down. One too many times. I'm respecting that. You see, I'm quite a respectful guy." He said, tilting his head towards her, a smile creeping onto his lips.

Kennedy gave a genuine laugh, making JJ's eyes light up at the sound of it, "Oh, really?" She retorted, raising her eyebrows and widening her eyes.

"Yup! You'd be surprised at how much of a gentleman I can be. Sometimes, I even use a knife and fork to eat my food instead of my bare hands." He said in a dramatic voice, holding his hands up and wiggling his fingers.

Kennedy laughed again, this time throwing her head back and JJ smiled at how real it was. Her laughter died down but the smile on her lips didn't as she met his eyes, "Right..." She slowly said, smiling at him, which shocked him to his core that not only had she laughed with him but now she was smiling directly at him and into his eyes. Was she drunk already? Was she really smiling at him that way?

"Hey, what's going on here?" A voice suddenly asked making Kennedy look up, seeing her brother, Rafe and Kelce standing in front of them, each holding their own drinks and wearing scowls on their faces. Oh great, they were there to play the protective dickheads and ruin Kennedy's buzz. Well shit.

JJ's body noticeably tensed, "We're just having a chat, man." He said. Kennedy side-glanced him, picking up on his shift in body language. His friends were nowhere to be seen and he had three Kook's standing in front of him, putting him on edge.

"Oh, a chat," Topper repeated. He looked between Kelce and Rafe with an amused smile that said he thought JJ was full of shit. "They're just having a chat." He clarified, calling him out on bullshit.

Kennedy rolled her eyes and got to her feet, "Don't be a dick, Top. Let's just go." She said, tugging on her brothers arm that was glaring by her and straight at JJ who had gotten to his feet when Kennedy had, looking more alert.

Topper pointed at JJ, "Stay away from my sister, man. Or you'll regret it." Topper threatened, looking straight by Kennedy and to JJ.

JJ took the bait, chuckling, "I'll regret it? What you gonna do to me, Topper? Get your daddy on me? You ain't gonna do shit." Kennedy closed her eyes and exhaled. Boys plus alcohol and too much testosterone always equaled in a bad situation. Especially when it was Kooks vs Pogues. And she wanted to wind down—not get in the middle of a spitting match.

Topper laughed humorously. Kelce and Rafe joined in, "He's already warned you, Pogue. Don't make me warn you too." Rafe said, the corner of his lip twitching upwards as he spat out his words whilst Kelce nodded.

Kennedy looked at him, pointing, "Don't you start." She warned, suddenly feeling on edge. She was only having a conversation with JJ—there was no need for them all to be acting so protective. The conversation hadn't meant anything.

Kennedy was completely overlooked now, the boys too riled up to notice her anymore, "Really?" JJ laughed. "Why don't you show me then, Top? Go on then. Do your worst." JJ egged him on in amusement, holding his arms out, making Kennedy looked at him in annoyance. Boys and their egos.

"Right, that's—"

"Get out of my sight, bitch before I knock you down." Kelce said to JJ who then made the first move and shoved at him but Topper quickly got in the way, defending Kelce and pushing at JJ whilst Rafe chuckled in amusement at the spat.

The pair scuffled before Kennedy got in the middle of it, "Stop it, you're being fucking ridiculous!" She yelled before finally breaking them apart and pushing them aside, separating them. "That's enough! What age are y'all, huh? You're acting like a bunch of prepubescent assholes!" She yelled at them, tensions high, everyone breathing heavily.

Rafe held out his hand, staring her down intensely, "Come on, Ken. Get out of the way." He said and it was right then that she realised she stood in front of JJ and not Topper, like she should have been. Kooks stood by Kooks—that was the rules. That was how it was supposed to be. But she hadn't even realised when she put herself in front of JJ.

She smoothed herself out, stepping back towards them, sandwiching herself between her brother and boyfriend whilst JJ held her gaze. She swallowed, "Maybe you should go find your friends, JJ." She suggested as Rafe wrapped his arm around her waist, tucking her into his side.

           JJ stared at her before chuckling, slowly nodding his head, "Right," He agreed. He glanced at her in passing. "Sorry for wasting your time, Princess. Won't happen again." He said, momentarily holding her gaze as she stared up at him.

            The moment JJ was gone, heading back to his friends, Rafe turned to her, "The hell were you thinking? He's a Pogue, Kennedy—not your friend." He reminded her, his brows pulled together.

            Kennedy sighed, "We were just talking," She said before putting a smile on her face. "Isn't this supposed to be a party? I don't see any of us drunk yet." She pointed out, a twinkle in her eyes.

            Rafe chuckled, pulling her alongside him as they began walking to the keg stand, "Alright, wild child. Let's get you a drink."

    Meanwhile, JJ trudged back to his friends who had been watching from afar, prepared to get involved if they had to—but they knew that JJ could handle the Kook's on his own.

    "What the hell was that?" Kiara demanded the moment he reached them. "You aren't, like, actually trying to get with her, right? JJ, are you kidding me? She's a snake and a Kook bitch!" Kiara balled, throwing out her hand in anger and disbelief.

            "Hear ya loud and clear, Kie," JJ said, looking up to meet her gaze—though there was obvious disappointment in his eyes. "Can we all just get drunk or something? This shit is turning into a snooze fest." He complained, his eyes momentarily drifting to where Kennedy was under Rafe's arm, smiling as they spoke to one another. It was clear he was already forgotten.

            Kiara stared at him for the longest of time before nodding, "Yeah. I'll grab us some drinks." She said before jogging over to the keg stand, shooting Kennedy a nasty look as she passed.

             John B turned to JJ, noticing his disappointment—he was his best friend after all, there was no hiding it from him. He put his hand on his shoulder, "I told you, man," He began saying. "You need to just let this crush you've had on her go, alright? It's not gonna do you any favours." He tried reasoning with him, only wanting the best for his friend.

            JJ glanced back at Kennedy, watching as she kissed her boyfriend, "Yeah. You're right."

( authors note )

ken is so real for deciding that pope is the only pogue she likes <3

           also, I'm updating this book faster than I'm writing it — send help!!


— taylor xx