TAKEN BEAN TWELVE:

~Marina's Pov~

Kiara and I bounded happily out of the senior's block as we headed for the parking lot, Jakob had said to wait for him, after giving Kia a quick kiss that is; their relationship made me a simp but I never dared showed it on the outside but at the same time, Kiara knew I adored her and I wouldn't have preferred any other SLake girl for Jake. As usual school had resumed with the same fuzz and energy, the pathways were thronged with students and I basically haven't seen Darnell all day.

"I saw the signs for the new musically, The wizard of Oz, tell me you have the lead role!" I gushed, looking at Kiara with her dark chestnut colored hair glowing under the sun.

The posters for the auditions had been all over the locker hallway and I didn't doubt Kiara had already been given a spot in the casting.

Her dancing grey eyes met mine, "You guessed it!" She asserted.

I squealed, "I'm so excited, I'm already picturing the Kiara Jameson in blue and white, and the infamous ruby slippers, oh my gosh, you'd be perfect!"

"Thank you." Kiara smiled in a playfully conceited way. "Too bad, Topaz couldn't stay with me," She added solemnly.

I bit my lip, and sighed, "Yeah too bad... Butttttt Jakob said we are going to go pick her up on our way home, I can hardly wait to touch her ears again, ughhhh!"

I did miss my bunny, but I guess girl talk was always dramatic which called for the stretching of words, no matter how serious the topic was intended to be, I feel it always just got dramatic, that's how girls are and I don't think it's something we can change that easily, it's like a naturally in-built factor, whenever we are around each other, the drama just comes although I heard drama was always better on the stage. Kee had her own car, but she preferred carpooling with Jakob every now and then, she'd have her dad, Mr Jameson drop her off in the morning, that way giving them time together especially on days they had different schedules but any day he had basketball practice we went home together in her convertible.

My dwindling two-minute enthusiasm dropped totally when I spotted Jason at the far end of the parking lot leaning against his car with a blond girl staring at him with a dreamy smile while she hung unto his every word. What? I could spot him anywhere no matter the throng of a hundred other brown-haired-blond-ish boys, I guess that's what you learn from playing Super Mario throughout your entire childhood. Jason was basically SLake's casanova, this wasn't my first time spotting him getting all too friendly with girls but the sick feeling in my stomach was frustrating me just as much as my stupid feelings for him. Look at him just standing there in the open and flirting shamelessly like our week's getaway didn't just happen.

"That's Daneley, the new girl, she joined theater, I heard she's in your grade." Kiara said to me lowly, noticing the direction of my gaze.

Was I being too obvious?

"I don't really care." I lied with a shrug, shaking my head and tossing my hand in the air like it didn't matter even when I knew all too well that it did.

"Mhm," Kiara didn't push it instead she subtly change the subject, "So speaking of new kids... How's Darnell?"

"Do I look like his relative?"

She laughed softly, "No, he's in your grade and he is cute that's all."

"I'm telling Jakob."

"Hey, what happened to girl code?"

"If it ever existed!" I shot her my classic gloat lash batting.

"Plus His family attends some of my parents dinners..." Kiara continued.

"Ouuuu interesting!" I giggled and wiggled my eyebrows.

She nudged my arm playfully, I definitely didn't miss how her eyes brightened up when Jakob called out to us.

"Speak of the devil." I muttered under my breath.

We all got into Jakob's Tesla, Kiara at the passenger seat, while I sat at the back alone like their little kid. Jakob leaned in and gave Kiara a peck on her crimson cheek before he twisted the key in the ignition, oh and she was wearing his basketball jacket. Two years and their feelings were still this strong ughhh...

"Guys! It's only been five minutes since the kiss, literally!" My single ass exclaimed from the back seat.

"No one forced you to be single." Jakob retorted, looking at me through the rear mirror.

"Babe!" Kiara scolded him, "Marina is right, you're always obnoxious."

Jakob placed his hand to his chest and feigned hurt, while Kiara and I laughed at his expression, although Kiara's was filled with admiration as she watched her boyfriend pull out of the driveway. Kiara was basically the only girl at SLake I related with, as of now, I'd consider us more than friends, she was like an older sister since she was a solid year and few months older.

Before leaving school grounds, we drove past Jason and his new fling in the parking lot and I sure didn't miss how he was charmingly toying with her extensions, thankfully the glasses of Jakob's car were tinted else he wouldn't have missed my defeated love sick expression.

"Let me guess, you still haven't told him?" Jakob asked me, dimly aware that Kiara was present.

Before I could respond, his words registered faster in Kiara's head and she turned to me with her mouth open in surprise.

"You have a crush on Jason?" She asked with a gasp, and I looked away like I had been caught staring by a cute boy.

Great... There goes my cover! Now two people know about my harmless crush on fuzzy Jason Kuyper, SLake High's perfect boy, every girls dream guy. Normally I would have gotten agitated or peturbed at Jakob's carelessness but hey it was Kiara here, and the darling girl was a total keeper, I had nothing to hide.

"Omg, I can't believe this! Marina has a crush!" Kiara rejoiced on.

"You're so dramatic, Kia." Jakob shook his head with a smile.

"Do you realize what this means? We have to do something." She continued, this time with determination in her voice.

My head came up from the window then, "Uh uh, nope, no one's doing anything about it, got it?"

Kiara slowly nodded and then raised her hands in surrender.

"You know you never did tell me how the rest of the week with Jason went." Jakob geared on.

"Jakob Marcello Hunter!"

The rest of the drive to PetSmart had me laughing, rolling my eyes, and wishing I could snap Jakob's neck in equal hemispheres and send it to mommy and daddy, with an epitaph saying; he was a good driver.

I stood beside Jakob and let him do the talking with the lady behind the blue and white counter that had a big monitor stationed before her. I wasn't really paying attention because all I could think about was getting Topaz home and safe in my room where she belonged with me while Kiara was waiting in the car.

"... It would seem someone purchased the mini lop some hours ago!"

My head turned as soon as the words reached my hearing. My greatest fear had become a reality.

"YOU DID WHAT?" I blurted out as my body ran cold.

Jakob touched my arms in silent plea, "Calm down Marie, you don't want to make a scene."

"Calm what? THEY SOLD MY FREAKING BUNNY." I yelled as my body started shaking.

Oh my sweet sweet Topaz, she deserved better than me I know, but not like this–

"Just go wait in the car and let me sort it out." Jakob offered, pointing in the direction of the driveway.

The lady behind the counter was already giving me a weird look like she was ready to call the cops any second. I hesitated but then he led me out to the car himself, Kiara noticed my sagging countenance and came out of the car immediately.

"Is everything alright?" She asked, the care evident in her tone as Jakob handed me over to her the same way Topaz had been handed over to a new owner.

"They sold my bunny." I said lowly, feeling so lightheaded I thought I'd pass out.

Not my Topaz. I could almost see her dancing golden brown marbled eyes.

How dare whomever bought or sold her? What did the buyer think he knew about her? Did they know she didn't like horror movies or loud noises? That she hated being rubbed on the belly? That she liked ear rubs, cold water and being combed?

This really cannot be happening. Kiara helped a shaking me into the car.

"I want my bunny back." I felt pensive.

Anyways say hi to Marina, the sappy version.

After what seemed like an eternity, Jakob appeared coming out of the door of that evil place and into the car with a strained and exhausted visage, the lady behind the counter had probably given him a hard time.

"We'll get Sicily back." Jakob said with a sigh.

I shot him a glare. "Who's Sicily?" Kiara and I asked at the same time.

"Isn't that your bunny?" Jakob turned to me at the back with a confused expression masking his phiz.

"No dummy, it's Topaz." Kiara helped me out. And yeah I agreed with her, Jakob was a dummy.

"Whatever... You'll have it back in a few weeks."

"Few weeks?" I shrieked in horror.

"Hey don't scream at me!" Jakob's voice rose in a tone that made Kiara and I know we weren't to talk back. "At least I'm trying to help you, all this wouldn't have happened if you learned to take responsibility and not leave your bunny behind, was it my fault that I decided to help? I hope we're not forgetting if I haven't done this, that little animal wouldn't be alive right now, just keep your saucy behavior to yourself Marina, I've had enough."

Ignoring his uncalled for outburst, I towed him head on, my voice unshaken, "Just make sure it's a light brown and cream colored mini lop."

It was Jakob's turn to ignore my attitude but this time his voice was much calmer. "I don't know what that is, but seriously, grow up Marina."

"I'm sorry Kee, my brother is a grump."

She shook her head with a small laugh, "I wasn't fooled for a second."

"God! You're on her side?" Jakob groaned as he started the engine.

"Yep! Now drive! I'm sure you don't want my Mom to start calling and asking for her girl." Kiara said with the usual perfect smile plastered on her face.

Ugh, unlike my own Mom, who doesn't even know what time I close from school. Her work schedule was really unhealthy, I really need to schedule more appointments for us, also before the trip she had promised me, Mommy and Marie time, I really hope she keeps to her word. It'd mean plenty.

~ ~ ~
A/N: yes I know you like Kiara (Kee is pronounced as 'Key'), so just go ahead vote and leave a comment on Kiara's personality. See you in chapter thirteen.
TheShadyButterfly🦋.