"Are you sure this girl is gonna be okay with this?" Pope asked worried as the trio had been walking for some time now, showing up to a large house a few streets away from the mechanic. "We can always sleep in the truck."

"Pope, don't question it." JJ patted his chest.

"Look, she's cool. Just, be chill." Kie gave a warning look. "It's just for the night, right?"

"But, how well do you know her?" Pope looked slightly alarmed. "She could be a possible murder, a horror fanatic."

"She's not." Kie knocked on the door.

Within two seconds, the door pulled open. It was dark, but the porch light lit her up enough. She was cute, with hard features that were slightly intimidating. But, her eyes were soft, like the pair you'd see on a sad dog. A grin went across her face. "Don't worry, sweetie. I'm not a murderer, and horror movies aren't really my thing. But, I do think i'd be the hottest final girl."

"I-I, um, I'm sorry." Pope stumbled over his words.

"So, you have, super hearing or..." JJ trialed off with a slightly nervous laugh.

"Thin doors." she knocked on the front door. "Kie!"

"Rio!" Kie smiled, hugging her tightly. "Dude, thank you so much. It's hot out here and sleeping outside didn't seem like an option."

"Are you kidding? Anything for you." Rio pulled back with a grin, looking toward the boys. "And your super cute friends."

"Aw." Pope laughed, touching his heart.

"What's that smell?" JJ looked toward her kitchen. "Oh, holy shit!"

"Ignore him. He has no manors." Kie rolled her eyes. "That's JJ, then Pope."

"You guys seem hungry." Rio said, waving them toward the kitchen. "How do we feel about mac and cheese with ritz crackers in it?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Pope asked.

"Pope, I told you, don't question it." JJ gave him a crazy look, leaning on the counter. "Look, i'll eat whatever you offer."

Rio grinned. "Oh, yeah?"

"Oh, yeah." he confirmed with a wink her way.

"Yo, can I shower?" Kie spoke up with a questionable look.

"You remember where it is?" Rio called to her. "Just wear some of my clothes!"

"Thanks!" Kie called as she headed down the hallway.

"Thank you." Pope took the bowl Rio offered, JJ getting one next. "JJ."

"Huh?" he looked up, stuffing his face. "Oh, yeah. Thank you."

Rio hummed, jumping up on the counter as she watched the pair. "You two are way too pretty to be from Charleston. From Kie's place?"

"OBX." Pope spoke as JJ was too busy eating. "You ever been?"

"Nah, never left home." she shrugged, hearing the shower click on. "So, you think I can tag along?"

JJ choked on his food. "Tag what?"

"On your little man hunt for your friend." Rio gave a wide eyed look. "Seems like a major adrenaline rush. What a feeling that is."

Pope gave a nervous laugh. "Ugh, what all did Kie tell you?"

"Just that her friends were missing and you three had to get them back by going to see some lady." Rio shrugged, leaning on one knee. "She didn't mention how cute you guys were."

JJ grinned. "I like your mind set."

"So, can I come?" Rio looked their way. Pope have a hesitant look. "Come on, it'll be so much fun! Do you really want me to be stuck here all year, doing violin lessons and not get to hang out with sexy beach bums?"

"Are you objectifying beach bums?" JJ tilted his head at her.

"Why? Do you like it?" Rio gave him a half smirk.

"I think she should join." JJ spoke up.

"Do you know anything about this lady?" Pope pulled the letter from his pocket, walking toward Rio to lean on the counter she was sat on. "She lives a little ways from here, but just incase."

"Limbrey, huh?" Rio inhaled. "I know her family owns, like, half of Charleston and she's a cripple."

"A cripple?" JJ spoke up.

"Yeah, like-" Rio stoped herself, mocking a hunched over person. "-a cripple."

"Got it." he hummed.

"She thinks she can clear our friends name." Pope looked at Rio. "John B, and Sarah."

"Yeah, heard he killed a cop?" she gave a questionable look.

"No, framed." Pope shook his head. "This lady says she can prove his innocence."

"Well, seems like you've gotta go to her then, sweetheart." she handed him the letter back. "Not to brag or anything, but I happen to have more then just my good looks."

JJ and Pope shared a look as Rio grinned. "Such as five years of girl scouts."

Pope couldn't help but laugh. "Girl scouts?"

"Yeah." she hummed, giving a fake thinking look. "Also access to my parents bank account."

"Oh, well, i'm sold." JJ spoke up with a shrug. "Can I get a drink out of here?"

"Go ahead, babe." Rio hummed, tilting her head at Pope. "What about you, sweetie? Have I convinced you yet?"

Pope inhaled. "Can we sleep on it?"

"Sure." Rio hopped off the counter. "Maybe you'll dream about me, and that'll be enough to want me to come with."

JJ looked back from the fridge as Rio went toward the hallway. "I'll get you two clothes to sleep in."

When she left, JJ looked to Pope with wide eyes. "Dude."

"Don't." Pope shook his head at him, going back to eating.

"Dude." JJ repeated with a laugh, wrapping his arm around him.

"So, we've decided on a decision." Pope spoke as Rio walked down the stairs the next morning to see the trio.

"So formal, like i'm in jail or something. It's a good think I look good in orange." she stood on the bottom step. "Wanna strip search me?"

"Ugh, yes." JJ rose a hand, Pope shoved it down.

"Look, if you come with us, you have to help us out." Kie gave her a knowing look. "It's gonna be a difficult process and I serious doubt my parents are gonna chip in when it comes to money."

"Yeah, and the rest of us are pretty much poor." JJ agreed. "I actually have no place to stay."

"Aw, poor baby." she reached to hold his face, turning to Kie. "Anything. My parents won't know. They think i'm home practicing for my Julliard  auditions."

"Where are they?" Kie looked oddly.

"Hong Kong." Rio said in return. "I graduated early, so i'm all seat for school. Whatever you guys need, anything, I can help. I just don't want to spend the entire semester here alone."

The trio shared a look, Rio smirked. "Especially when I could be spending all my time with these two."

"Okay." Kie cut in with a cringe. "You packed?"

Rio gave a cheer, running up the stairs as they watched her go. Pope inhaled. "I hope this isn't a mistake."

"How can she be a mistake?" JJ shook his head, mesmerized.

"Well, i'd get use to her." Kie warned. "This is her all the time."

•

kylie speaks

rio is the type of girl i'd
be obsessed with but my mom
would tell me to stay away from
because she's obsessed with
herself.