chapter eight
did he stomp?
After eating all of the food and having the best time since freshman year, the boys and Athena bid goodbye to Kie, who was staying at the Wreck so she could go home with her parents. The group got into the van, driving down the road to drop Pope back off home, which they did successfully, saying goodbye to the boy, who hugged Athena before he jumped out of van and headed towards his house.
John B then began driving to Figure Eight to drop Athena off. She smiled sadly at the sight of the rich houses and families, knowing that she had to re-enter the world she was born into. The girl was sat in the passenger seat, playing with the necklace that hung around her neck, feeling a sense of sadness at the thought that her incredible day was over. She turned to face John B telling him to drop her off a bit away so her dad or brother didn't suspect anything.
John B nodded, stopping just down the road from her house, turning and smiling at her, "Welcome this is your stop, Miss Cameron."
"Thank JB." She smiled, "See you later."
John B waved as she opened the door and jumped out. She turned, about to start walking away when her voice was called. She spun on her heel to see JJ behind her.
"Um—" His words died in his throat. He didn't really know what he wanted to actually say to her, he just didn't want the night to be over, he didn't want her to leave. She looked at him curiously and slightly confused. He coughed, "Thanks for helping us."
Athena nodded and she seemed... disappointed, almost, like she had expected him to say something else, "No problem. Thanks for an exciting afternoon. I hope your treasure hunt goes well."
"Well, I'm sure Kie wouldn't mind if you came along again." JJ told her with a small smile.
Of course Kie wouldn't mind, in fact JJ knew she'd be delighted if Athena joined their treasure hunt because not only did Kiara love Athena, even if she did hate her sister for some reason, but it meant that Kie wouldn't have to deal with the three boys alone. JJ had only said that in hopes that would come along again because he wanted her there – not that he'd ever say that to her, his reputation and all that – he wanted to see her again, without having to be some creepy guy who watches her from afar.
"I'll think about it." Athena laughed softly. "See you later."
"See you later." He mumbled as she turned and began walking towards her house. She was completely unaware of JJ jumping in the passenger seat with a small smile, one that dropped when John B nudged him and sent him a teasing look.
"You may have been wrong about me and Kie, but it looks like you should take your own advice with her." John B shrugged.
"Nah bro, she's a kook. It's not happening." JJ shook his head, though his heart was screaming at him, telling him he's a huge liar.
"I know all, dude. You two will be a thing before the end of summer." John B told him before taking off down the road towards the chateau, JJ's mind spinning with thoughts that maybe Athena could like him back.
Meanwhile, Athena was slowly closing the front door of her house, praying it didn't make a loud noise and wake anyone up. When it didn't, she let out a sigh of relief before taking her shoes off and practically tiptoeing up the stairs.
"You're home late." A voice suddenly spoke making Athena jump. The blonde quickly spun around, coming face to face with Dorota.
"Gosh Dorota, you scared me." Athea placed a hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing again.
"Where were you?" Dorota wondered.
"Making new friends." Athena told her. Dorota smiled at her, one that was so large and bright that it practically lit up the hallway they were stood in. The woman was so happy for the girl and was glad she was finally making more friends. Dorota had always been Athena's first friend and for the last couple of years, only friend but the woman had always been there for her, for the two were each other's family.
"Good." Dorota stepped forward to hug the young girl. "Goodnight Miss Athena."
"Goodnight." Athena waved goodbye to Dorota, who turned around and walked to the spare bedroom that Athena had deemed hers about ten years ago. Athena then rushed into her own bedroom, changing into some pyjamas before making her way towards Sarah room. She knew that Sarah would be at Topper's party tonight meaning she would've made Wheezie cover for her.
"Hey you asleep?" Athena whispered, walking towards Sarah's bed, seeing Wheezie's figure under the cover.
"Not yet." Wheezie answered in a hushed tone. Athena carefully got into Sarah's bed, cuddling up to Wheezie. "Where have you been? You seem happy."
"With some friends." Athena muttered, answering vaguely to not draw suspicion to who she'd been with.
"Well in the little time you've been with them today, they seemed to have make you more you again." Wheezie smiled, turning over so she was led on Athena's chest. "So I'm happy for you, whoever they are."
Athena kissed the top of Wheezie's head. "Thanks Wheeze."
It wasn't a mystery to any of the Cameron family that since Kie stopped hanging out with Sarah and Athena, and everything that happened with her other friend happened, Athena wasn't really herself. She mainly stayed in the house, gossiping with Dorota and only went out with Rose for lunch once a fortnight, she was failing most school classes and didn't seem to want to do anything. So for her to be out all day and come home smiling before going to see her sisters and not go straight to bed alone in her own bedroom was a big step for the blonde girl.
It wasn't that long after that that the door creaked open again. The two sisters had just begun to doze off when Sarah came through the door.
"Hi. Are you asleep?" Sarah questioned, noticing Athena in the bed as well as she neared it.
"Not anymore." Wheezie groaned.
"Hey Sar, how was the party?" Athena asked groggily. Sarah simply sighed in response, dropping her shoes and climbing in her bed. Sarah laid down, her head falling to Athena's shoulder.
"Why am I such an idiot." Sarah questioned rhetorically.
"Where do I start?" Wheezie giggled to herself.
"Did something happen?" Athena wondered.
"Yeah, um," Sarah huffed. "It's what didn't happen."
"We're listening." Wheezie stated, suddenly intrigued.
"I told Topper, I was ready."
"You did?" Athena's eyebrows knit in confusion.
"Yeah." Sarah confirmed quietly with a nod. "Then... when it came down to it,, I don't... I don't know, I-I couldn't do it."
"Did he get mad?" Wheezie asked.
"Did he stomp?" Athena added on.
"Yeah, he's a stomper." Sarah told them.
"He's so a stomper." Wheezie laughed once more.
"Topper the stomper." Athena giggled at her own joke, before a sense of seriousness settled over them once again.
"Well, it has to feel right." Wheezie said. "That's what you always say."
"I know, but it did feel right." Sarah explained. "He was so sweet the entire day."
"Sarah, honey, that's the bare minimum." Athena muttered.
"Well, why didn't you then?" Wheezie wondered aloud.
"I don't know." Sarah was confused about her own actions.
"He can't force you into anything S, and when you're ready you'll know and it will feel right and perfect and everything will fall into place." Athena reassured her. "Until then, don't worry about it. Go with the flow, and if he's mad at you for changing your mind then maybe he isn't the one. Sounds like a bit of a red flag, okay?"
Sarah didn't say anything, a small smile on her face as she snuggled closer to her sister, sighed as she dozed off to sleep. Wheezie did the same, Athena closing her eyes to try and get some sleep of her own, the long day she had tiring her out as they all fell asleep in the comfort of one another.
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