⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ don't underestimate kie ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!! PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE!!!!!

the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying but its annoying when i see views go up but low on votes. STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!

【 SEASON 1 EPISODE 7 PART 1 】

The midday sun beat down on the trio as Sarah, John B, and Clara made their way across the lawn toward Tannyhill. The air was thick with humidity, but the weight of the treasure on their minds made the heat a distant concern. Clara adjusted her pace to keep up with John B, who was walking ahead with an urgency that matched the excitement in his voice.

"All right," John B began, glancing back at the two girls to make sure they were following. "We're good to go. First, we melt the bricks, make sure they're not traceable."

Clara nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. "This afternoon, we'll take it to the pawnshop," she added, her voice steady.

Sarah glanced between them, trying to catch up. "And after that?"

"After that," John B said with a slight grin, "we'll pay for JJ's restitution."

"How many bars are we talking?" Sarah asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of skepticism.

John B came to a stop near one of the large, ornate windows of Tannyhill. He rubbed the back of his neck as if trying to pull the memory into focus. "I don't know exactly," he admitted. "It was all muddy. But I think it was, like, 500."

Clara froze in her tracks, her jaw dropping. "Five hundred?!" she exclaimed, the disbelief in her voice mirrored by Sarah.

"Maybe six hundred," John B said casually, as if he were talking about something far less extraordinary than bars of gold.

"Six hundred bars of gold?" Sarah repeated, her voice pitching higher with each word.

"I don't know," John B said, shrugging again. "Could be a thousand. It was hard to tell. Everything was covered in mud, but it was everywhere."

Clara let out a small squeal of excitement, her hands flying to her face. "Oh my God!"

"It was covering the walls," John B continued, his tone taking on a sense of awe. "Stacks of it. Four hundred million dollars. It's all there."

Sarah let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "That's crazy!"

"We did it," John B said, a grin spreading across his face. "Now we just have to get it out of there."

"Right," Clara said, her excitement giving way to determination. "So, how do we do that?"

John B's expression turned thoughtful as he fell into step again. "Okay, so, Pope has a plan..." His voice trailed off as they approached the house, the massive estate looming over them like a reminder of the secrets it held.

The three were so engrossed in their discussion that none of them noticed Ward stepping out onto the porch until his voice cut through the air.

"Hey," Ward called, his tone casual, but his sharp gaze immediately locking onto them.

John B, Clara, and Sarah all froze mid-step, their eyes snapping toward him. "Hey," they replied in unison, their voices a bit too forced to sound natural.

Ward raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "What are you three plotting?"

John B stammered, clearly caught off guard. "Uh... The... usual stuff."

Sarah stepped in smoothly, giving a nonchalant shrug. "World domination."

Ward chuckled, though his eyes lingered on her a second longer than necessary. "That's my girl, always aiming high. It's gonna have to wait a day, though, because I'm taking John B fishing tomorrow morning. First light."

John B blinked, his mouth opening as if to protest but no words coming out. Clara stiffened, the uneasy feeling she always got around Ward creeping over her.

"Um..." John B finally managed, his voice faltering.

Ward smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Just you and me."

Clara's stomach dropped. Something about the way Ward said it sent a chill through her. She exchanged a glance with Sarah, who was already narrowing her eyes.

"No, he can't tomorrow," Sarah said firmly, stepping forward slightly as if to shield John B.

Ward's gaze shifted to his daughter, his smile fading just enough to reveal the irritation beneath. "Why not?"

"Because we have plans," Clara interjected, her tone sharper than she'd intended.

Ward's eyes flicked to her, and for a split second, his expression hardened. But then, just as quickly, he relaxed, a small, tight smile curving his lips. "Oh, really? And what plans are those? Sit by the pool all day?"

"No," Sarah and Clara said in unison, their voices clipped.

Ward turned back to John B, his expression shifting into something more patronizing. "Look, that boat needs a first mate, and you need to start earning your keep around here, all right?" His words were pointed, and the way he emphasized earning your keep felt like a veiled threat.

Clara's unease deepened. Why wasn't she invited on this so-called fishing trip? And why did it feel like Ward was laying a trap?

"Dad," Sarah said, her voice softer now but still firm.

Ward raised his hands, his tone shifting into something more conciliatory. "What? Sweetie, I'm kidding. Clara and John B are new to the family. I just want to take John B fishing. I'll take Clara shopping one day. All right?"

Sarah hesitated, glancing at Clara, who looked unconvinced but said nothing. "Okay," Sarah finally said, her tone reluctant.

Ward nodded, satisfied, and turned to head back into the house. "Good. First light, John B. Don't be late."

The trio stood in tense silence, watching him disappear through the door. Clara finally broke the quiet, her voice low and uneasy. "What was that about?"

"I don't know," Sarah murmured, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

John B exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Clara and Sarah exchanged a look. Whatever Ward had planned for tomorrow, it wasn't just a fishing trip. The uneasy silence between them spoke volumes, the weight of their unspoken fears hanging in the humid air.

The inside of the Twinkie was dim, the low hum of the engine barely audible over the sounds of shifting papers and quiet chatter. The girls sat together on the worn bench seats, the mood a mix of anxious anticipation and a sort of giddy excitement that was hard to suppress. Kie pulled out a map, its edges creased from use, and spread it across the seat between Sarah and Clara. The faded ink on the map showed a series of tunnels, marked with strange symbols and zigzagging paths.

Kie pointed to a section of the map with her finger, her brow furrowed in concentration. "He said it looked something like this," she muttered, her eyes scanning the lines and turns of the map.

Sarah leaned forward, squinting at the markings. "It's a mess," she said with a slight smile, trying to make sense of it.

Clara gave a small shrug, her tone casual but thoughtful. "So, that's like... 50 feet down?" Her finger hovered over the spot on the map, her eyes narrowing as she tried to calculate the depth.

Sarah's smile grew wider as she nudged Clara lightly, her voice teasing. "Math genius over here," she said, her tone playful.

Clara rolled her eyes but grinned, clearly pleased by the compliment. "Pope and I are math geniuses," she replied, sounding modest, but there was a clear sense of pride in her voice.

Sarah giggled softly, her eyes twinkling with affection for Clara. "Of course you are," she said, unable to help herself.

Clara leaned forward, her finger tracing the path on the map again. "And they're using 100-foot rope, so I guess this little wagon is gonna go... straight to the gold room," she said, her voice trailing off with an air of confidence, though the map looked anything but straightforward.

Kie muttered under her breath, "Right into the gold room," with a tone that carried a hint of disbelief. She wasn't sure about the plan, but her friends were too far into it now to back out.

Sarah couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "Who drew this?" she asked, looking at the chaotic scribbles and lines. It looked like a rough sketch, more like something made in a hurry rather than a precise map.

Clara, unable to hold back her own laughter, let out a small chuckle. "Hold on, let me think," she said, trying to hold a serious face but failing miserably. She and Kie looked at each other, exchanging a glance before bursting into uncontrollable giggles.

Kie, still laughing, wiped her eyes and looked up at Sarah. "Who do you think?" she asked, her voice light and playful. She gestured toward the boys outside the Twinkie, who were working with the gold bars they had managed to bring back.

Sarah, Clara, and Kie couldn't help but laugh harder, the sheer absurdity of it all making it even more amusing. But as they glanced out the window, their laughter quieted. Pope stood off to the side, carefully arranging the gold bars, his movements deliberate and cautious. For a moment, their eyes met, and it felt like there was a whole conversation between them-something unspoken but clear in the way he looked at Kie. The glance was fleeting, but it wasn't lost on the girls.

Just then, JJ's loud voice broke the silence, and the energy shifted. He climbed into the Twinkie with his usual brashness, clearly on edge. "Kie! This better work," he snapped, his eyes flashing with impatience. Without waiting for a response, he dropped one of the gold bars onto the floor with a heavy thud, the metallic sound ringing through the small space. The bar clanged against the old floorboards, a reminder of just how much was at stake.

The girls exchanged a look, both of them feeling a small knot of tension form in their stomachs. JJ wasn't messing around.

"We can't pawn this if there's a giant wheat symbol stamped on it," JJ continued, his voice tight. He pointed to the large symbol on the bar, clearly frustrated by the oversight.

Kie, undeterred by his tone, smirked and reached for the blowtorch resting on the seat next to her. Her fingers gripped the handle with familiarity as she held it up like it was a prized possession. "It's gonna work," she said with unwavering confidence, her voice calm and sure, even in the face of JJ's impatience.

Clara raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Kie's coolness under pressure. Sarah leaned in toward her girlfriend, speaking in a quiet whisper. "Remind me to never question Kie's confidence," she said, her voice teasing but affectionate.

Clara's lips twitched into a grin as she whispered back, "I don't think anyone ever has."

The girls fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, each of them processing the plan unfolding around them. The weight of what they were attempting-what they were stealing-hung heavy in the air, but for now, they couldn't help but smile. In a way, it was exhilarating.

Outside the Twinkie, the boys were still working with the gold, the stakes growing higher with each passing minute. Kie's blowtorch hummed quietly, waiting for the moment when it would become a crucial part of their plan. And despite the chaos and the danger, the trio knew they were in this together. They had to be.

Sarah and Clara leaned against a large oak tree, its rough bark cool against their backs as they observed Kie working inside the Twinkie. The soft hum of the blowtorch, accompanied by the faint smell of melting gold, filled the air as Kie carefully applied the flame to the gold bars. The sound of crackling metal and the occasional hiss of the torch was almost hypnotic, and Sarah couldn't help but watch with a mix of admiration and awe at how calmly Kie handled it all.

Clara, however, seemed to be distracted, her gaze drifting between Kie and Pope, who was standing off to the side, occasionally glancing over his shoulder. A small frown tugged at Clara's lips, and Sarah noticed, turning her head to look at her.

"So..." Clara began hesitantly, her voice quiet but thoughtful, "Do you think Pope and Kie are good together?"

Sarah tilted her head slightly, confused by the question but not entirely surprised. "Yeah, I think they're cute," she replied with a small smile, her eyes still on Kie. "Why?" she added, her tone light, hoping Clara was simply making small talk.

Clara bit her bottom lip, her fingers absentmindedly twisting a strand of her hair as she avoided Sarah's gaze. The usual confidence in Clara's posture seemed to waver, and Sarah felt the shift in her energy. Something was off, and she couldn't quite pinpoint what.

"Clara, what's wrong?" Sarah asked, her voice softer now, her concern growing as she watched Clara struggle to form words.

Clara hesitated, her eyes flickering between the ground and the scene unfolding by the Twinkie. She took a breath, as if gathering the courage to speak. "I don't know... I've always thought Kie and JJ would be better together," she admitted, her voice quieter now, tinged with uncertainty.

Sarah's brow furrowed, caught off guard by Clara's words. "JJ and Kie?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion. "But... why? I mean, I know they've had their moments, but..." She trailed off, trying to make sense of Clara's sudden shift in opinion.

Clara bit her tongue, the inner conflict clear on her face as she tried to explain. "I don't know," she repeated, her tone almost frustrated with herself. "Maybe it's just how I've always seen it. JJ's got that thing, you know? He's... intense, but in a way that makes sense with Kie. I just feel like... Pope and Kie? I don't know if it works. I don't see them like that."

Sarah blinked, processing what Clara had said. She knew how much Clara cared about Kie and how important their friendship was, so hearing her talk about the possibility of Kie and Pope not being the right match felt strange.

"Clara..." Sarah started slowly, her voice soft with understanding, "Are you saying you think Kie and JJ are... better suited for each other?"

Clara nodded slowly, her gaze now fixed on Kie, who was focused on her task. "Yeah, I think so. JJ's wild, but he gets Kie in a way that Pope doesn't, you know? Pope's more... I don't know... serious? Quiet? He's always been there for Kie, but JJ..." Clara trailed off, her voice uncertain, as if she was second-guessing herself now. "JJ just... has this way of pulling her out of her shell. They get each other in a way that feels... real."

Sarah stood quietly for a moment, considering Clara's words. She never really thought about Kie and Pope like that before. They'd seemed so natural together, so easy. But Clara's perspective made her pause. She had a point about JJ and Kie-there was definitely a certain energy between them that was hard to ignore.

After a beat, Sarah turned to Clara, offering a soft smile. "I get it. But I think Pope and Kie, they're kind of like... opposites, right? Maybe that's what makes them work. Pope's steady, and Kie's... Kie. I don't know. They have something. I think they'll figure it out."

Clara gave a small shrug, her eyes still distant, clearly not fully convinced. "Maybe. I don't know. I just don't want things to be... complicated, you know?"

Sarah reached over, gently nudging Clara with her shoulder. "I know you care about Kie. But sometimes, people just need to find their own way, even if it's not what we expect." She smiled warmly at her girlfriend. "Let Kie figure it out. She'll do what feels right."

Clara's lips twitched into a small smile, though there was still some uncertainty in her eyes. "Yeah... maybe you're right."

They both turned back to watch Kie, who was now carefully lifting the melted gold bars from the Twinkie's floor, the torch still glowing faintly in the fading light.

Sarah wrapped her arm around Clara's waist, pulling her close as they both watched in silence, each of them deep in thought. The night was far from over, and the plan was still unfolding, but for a moment, they were just two people standing side by side, unsure of the future but certain of their bond.

As the glow of the blowtorch illuminated Kie's focused face, Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Whatever happened next, they were in it together.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

i apologize how short this chapter is🤧
but sarah and clara are sooo cute

also... ward is becoming sussss

CLARA BEING A JIARA FAN!!!

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!! PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE!!!!!