❪ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗘 & 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘 ❫

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━
love again. ╱ season one, episode five.
❛ 𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅 𝗆𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾, 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇.
𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗐𝖾'𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗋𝗈𝗐𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗋𝗈𝗈𝗆, 𝗂'𝗆
𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾'𝗌 𝗇𝗈 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖾𝗅𝗌𝖾 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗒𝗈𝗎, ❜

THE BLISTERING SUN stood bright as Kennedy trudged out of her BMW, she felt low, defeated by all the events that transpired today. Blame hung over her like a shadow, with every second it was looming closer and closer. She didn't want anyone to see her today, she just wanted to crawl into a dark cave and never come out. Kennedy could barely make eye contact with the pogues once JJ got shoved into the back of the truck.

The moments after the truck drove out of view, she stood there riddled with guilt, not wanting to look anyone in the eye. No matter how many people told her it wasn't her fault, it was. Her stupid idea was what got JJ in trouble, he was paying for her moment of stupidity. She should've never got involved, she should've never given them the thought of the boat. Now here she was, in the middle of turmoil, she caused, damaging yet another person's life.

Kennedy had no idea how she was supposed to go through tonight with a smile on her face, acting as if nothing is wrong. Her ruby red dress was taunting her, it laid delicately in the back of her car along with the rest of her things for tonight and the next few days. After the news of the breakup dawns on her mother, she most definitely will need to go into hiding.

She dreaded tonight in many ways, she knew she was going to face all the things that she's been avoiding for a day and a half. Kennedy wished she could just forget tonight and focus on more pressing matters. If she ditched tonight, she knew her mother would go on a rampage, going to any length to track her down. This was the party of the summer, her mother would crucify her if she even thought of missing it. Outfits and hairstyles were months in the making, and she was already ditching the hair and makeup appointment, so she couldn't skip this.

Kennedy felt anxious pressing decline on yet another one of her mother's incessant calls. Ever since the hair appointment passed, her mother had been nonstop calling her, insisting that she come home immediately. But Kennedy ignore the voicemails and just sent her mother a text saying that she would see her later tonight.

Kie was gracious enough to let the girl get ready at her house with her, knowing that the small blonde would rather be getting ready in a safe and calming environment, than in a tension-filled one with Cynthia Thornton.

A feeling of nostalgia wafted over Kennedy staring at the large white house, memories of last summer filled her head. She hadn't been here in so long, that it even almost felt foreign. The rooms stayed the same, the aroma of incense never seemed to fade. Kennedy felt a rush of homeliness, remember how this was a place where she hid away when things became too much at home. There was a slightly uncomfortable silence that followed Kennedy's entrance, Kie's parents paused at the sudden sight of the small kook, surprised that Kennedy would ever step foot in their house again.

Kie sent them a warning look as if to tell them not to get into why Kennedy Thronton was standing on their deck. The two girls walked past them, Kennedy sent them a small smile before she followed Kie to her room. The room hadn't changed a bit, maybe a bit more photos with the pogues lined the mirror and walls but that was about it.

Music flooded the room as the two mindlessly began getting ready, they didn't talk much, but Kennedy wanted to speak out, spill every little detail of how she was feeling, but she stopped herself, not knowing if it would be the right time. They just started to become okay, she didn't want to scare Kie away with her sudden spill of emotions.

Kennedy stared at herself in the mirror, the girl in front of her unrecognizable from the one this morning. Pride filled her chest, knowing the bruises that painted her neck and cheek were completely hidden by layers of foundation that gave her skin the youthful touch it had only a few days ago. Kennedy's makeup look was simple, a smokey eye tied neatly with red lips that match her dress beautifully. Kennedy could barely breathe in her dress, but she reminded herself of a runway model so she could go with not breathing for a little while.

Kennedy looked like her normal and put-together self, it was like nothing had changed, but she wasn't the same girl she was last week, she was a new Kennedy on the inside, that somehow could never be like the girl on the outside. The small blonde fidgeted with her dress, trying to the wrinkles out by pulling it further down her body.

Kie stood behind her, focused on adding her final rings to her hand. Kennedy turned to her, watching her with curiosity. Sensing the gaze, Kie's eyes flashed up to her, a smile sprouting on her lips. "What?"

Kennedy shook her head, "Nothing, I was just watching you put on your rings,"

"I'm a bit particular with which rings goes where," Kie replied, examining her hand, making sure her accessories are all in place. She glanced back to the small blonde, "Where's all your jewelry? You usually go all out,"

Kennedy shrugged, looking down to her hand, "Yeah, I just wasn't feeling going overboard for tonight,"

Without thinking, Kennedy brought her hand to touch the small diamonds that hung from her neck, not realizing the mistake she made. Kie's eyes suddenly were glued to her neck.

"What the hell is that?"

Kennedy froze in slight fear from the tone, she whipped around to examine her neck in the mirror, "What? Did I not completely cover up the bruise?"

Kie made her way to the small blonde, within an instant, Kennedy's wrist was gripped so that it would be in full view. Kennedy's stomach dropped violently, watching sudden revelation flood Kie's features, her brown eyes glued to the small tattoo imprinted on her skin, "Why do you have JJ's tattoo?"

Kennedy jumped back, acting as if she had just been caught, she ripped her hand away for Kie, pulling it into her chest, "I-"

"You were that girl weren't you?" Kie questioned, her tone was so indifferent that Kennedy couldn't gauge if the girl was angry or hurt. But with the way Kie backed away, betrayal washed through the air.

"Kie-"

"You were the girl that absolutely destroyed him,"

Kennedy froze, her heart thudded roughly against her chest, she was pulling further and further into herself, "Kie I-"

"How could you not tell me?" Kie questioned, glancing between the window and Kennedy, "I was like your best friend,"

Kennedy crumbled into the mirror behind her, guilt was all she could feel, "Kie, I didn't tell anyone, not Riley, not Sarah, not anyone,"

"Why'd you keep it from everyone? Why'd you both keep it from everyone?"

Kennedy rubbed her hand together out of nervousness, "It was the easiest thing for us, he didn't want you guys to know about us, and I didn't want my whole family to disown me,"

"Keeping that kind of thing secret isn't good, it does more damage than anything,"

Kennedy nodded, quickly taking a deep breath before speaking, "Now knowing the things I know now, yes it did more damage than anything,"

Kie leaned against her bed, watching Kennedy, "I'm sensing that the feelings are still there, from just watching you two over the past two days, there's still something there,"

Kennedy sheepishly glanced down at the ground, trying to avoid the looming gaze of Kie, "Maybe feelings have resurfaced now that we can actually stand each other,"

"He's still into you, from the moment you guys ended things, I would always find him looking at you, granted at the time I thought it was hatred, but knowing you were the girl he was practically in love with, the looks are different,"

Kennedy smoothed out her dress, straightening herself, she sent Kie a small smile, "Okay, that's a lot, instead of worrying about my relationship with JJ, let's get tonight over with first,"

Kie jumped up from her bed, nodding along with her words, "Sounds good, are you gonna be good tonight? Knowing Rafe's gonna be there,"

"I'll be okay," Kennedy insisted, grabbing her phone off of the dresser, "If he tries to talk to me, he's getting a swift kick to the nuts,"

Kie went to reply, a smile evident on her face, but the loud chiming of Kennedy's phone made her pause. The blonde stopped, glancing down to the screen watching a text message from an unknown number pop up.

𝗨𝗡𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗡:
𝘏𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳, 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳?

Kennedy smiled to herself lightly, her heart leaped in her chest knowing instantly who it was, her eyes jumped up to meet Kie's curious ones, "Looks like we gotta break into my house,"

"I'm in,"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

THE SUNLIGHT BEGAN to wash into bursting colors of the night ahead, creating a small colorful glow to spread throughout the large affair. Eyes sought to Kennedy with anxious glances, her break up with Rafe spread like wildfire, and all were curious as to what went down. Kennedy had ignored the leering gazes and pushed forward. She wished people sent her envious glares rather than curious and analyzing glances as she passed. Kennedy prayed that her calculated elegance and grace would distract them from the unneeded drama, but it wasn't working.

Alcohol thrummed through her viens, maybe being two glasses in wasn't the best idea, knowing that as soon as the sun set she was rushing down to see JJ and John B. Kennedy was impatient, she was counting down the minutes until she saw the blond pogue. She prayed he was okay, that everything was okay. His text gave her relief knowing that he was out and alive, but she didn't know how he would be. She worried about how his father took it, and she knew he wouldn't take it well. The small blonde ached for the boy to be okay, that there were no new bruises and cuts, but she knew how his father was.

Over the past few hours she felt the looming gazes of Rafe and Topper, she ignored the stares and stuck by Kie and Riley's side, smiling when the people around them directed their attention to her. Kennedy refused to talk most of the night, she gave curt nods or one-worded answers if she desperately needed to. The brunettes took control of most of the conversations, usually leaving Kennedy out of them, knowing her mind was somewhere else.

Kennedy's eyes were surveying the area, hoping that her mother wouldn't come up to her tonight. The calls stopped a few hours before midsummers, her mother sent her an approving glance when she saw her show up to the event. The approval was instantly fleeting as her mother quickly went back to her conversation with Ward and Rose Cameron. Since then, Kennedy has been actively been avoiding her mother, hoping she wouldn't hound her with questions about the breakup. The moment Kennedy saw who she was talking to she knew her mother would be furious, the information would slip and her mother would hunt her down.

Kennedy excused herself from the small group the formed, sending them blistering smiles before she headed off to the small beach at the end of the property with a small bag in her hand. Her heart slammed against her chest with each second that passed, hoping that things wouldn't go too horribly. Kennedy hadn't seen the boy since his arrest and she didn't know how she would react.

The two boys finally came into view and relief flooded her chest, their attention was instantly attached to her movements. The blond pogue's eyes widened substantially at her entrance. Her beauty washed off of her in waves in the boy's eyes, as each second passed, he was becoming more and more entranced with her graceful movements. JJ couldn't tear his eyes away from any inch of her.

John B slapped his chest in hopes of getting his attention, confused as to why his best friend would look at her like that. The sudden impact on his chest shook him out of his state, pulling him back to the present. But before the boy could greet the small girl, she was launching herself into his arms. He was surprised by the sudden embrace but caught her effortlessly, her arms were quickly wound around his neck, the grip was constricting but he didn't mind, he was just happy to have her in his vicinity.

Kennedy sighed as he tightened his grip, relieved that he returned her affection. As much as the small blonde wanted to be caught up in the moment, she could feel John B's wandering gaze.  Releasing the pogue from her grip, she took a step back taking both the boys in, "So why do you need to infiltrate midsummers?"

"I need to get this note to Sarah," John B piped up, gesturing to the small paper in his hand.

JJ disregarded the words, soon opening the bag, and beginning to put on parts of the suit. Kennedy desperately tried to ignore the sudden nakedness of the boy, refusing to remove her eyes from John B, "Why? Are you guys like fucking or something?"

John B felt as if he was just pushed into a corner, sending her a sudden glare, "No, what's going on with you and JJ?"

Kennedy sent him a bewildered look as the boy next to John B paused, both stood silent at the Routledge boy's words. Defensiveness filled her veins as she crossed her arms, "Nothing,"

"Didn't seem like nothing when you hugged him,"

Kennedy glared at the boy as JJ just stared at the both of them, "I'll stop asking about Sarah and you mind your own business about us okay?"

"Deal," John B smiles in triumph, but he soon turns his attention to JJ, "Listen I need you to give this to Sarah,"

JJ instantly snatched the note, "Ooh, can I read it?"

Kennedy smiled at the excitement in his voice, but John B let out an exasperated sigh, "No you can't read it,"

The blonde followed along with the two pogues, as JJ went along and read it anyway, "Who's Vlad?"

John B shook his head, already annoyed by JJ's antics, "God, do you ever listen?"

Kennedy snorted, watching the blond boy do a quick scan of the note, "Only if it's interesting enough for his little brain to handle,"

While John B chuckled at the comment, JJ wordlessly bumped his hip with hers so she'd lose her balance slightly. Kennedy sent him a glare, but the boy was suddenly very interested in the note, "Hold up, are you mackin' Sarah Cameron?"

The Routledge boy instantly became flustered and stumbled over his words, which led to JJ teasing him within seconds, "Would you just shut up?"

"You're macking Sarah Cameron!" JJ's voice tumbled over with a badgering tone that made a smile slip past Kennedy's lips.

"I knew it,"

"Will both of you shut up?" The small whisper from Kennedy and JJ's already teasing words made John B bubble over with annoyance. Kennedy's mouth slammed shut, knowing that the boy was going to make it worse for himself, "Alright man, I'm doing it for everybody, alright?"

Kennedy stifled a laugh, sending a knowing glance towards JJ, instantly the boy returned the stare. John B noticed the glances, his eyes turned to slits, "What?"

JJ snorted, shaking his head in amusement, "Nothin', thanks for being a team player bro,"

The small group paused, adding the final touches to JJ's look. Kennedy instantly took over, properly putting the bowtie on, with the blond pogue's eyes never leaving her face. A small blush bloomed but it faded as quickly as it came as both of their attention was now on John B.

"So I just give that to Sarah?"

John B nodded, watching Kennedy's movements, his voice was clipped and visibly made JJ annoyed, "Yes, just give it to Sarah,"

"Vlad, really?" JJ commented, his voice scrutinizing as he judged the weird nicknames between the two teens.

Kennedy took a step back admiring her work, but more importantly JJ. The suit fit him nicely, and the small blonde couldn't help but check him out. Her heart pummeled against her chest, and as her eyes instantly found him, he smiled to himself knowing that the kook's eyes were traveling his body. Kennedy immediately glanced in the other direction, knowing she got caught, she tried to calm herself down, but the crimson bloom of embarrassment didn't leave her cheeks.

Within an instant all the color drained from her cheeks, watching the familiar glint of a gun in the moonlight. Kennedy hesitantly took a step back from the boys, getting overwhelmed by the sudden entrance of the deadly weapon.

"Are you kidding me?" John B hissed, a glare painted on his features as he picked up the gun.

JJ sent him a confused yet stern look, "No, I'm not kidding you,"

"If you get caught with this thing in a pinch, you're going to jail," John B scolded, reminding the blond pogue of the weight of his situation.

JJ sighed, whipping off his hat, "Fine, but if I get ambushed, it's on you,"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

THE MUSIC FLOODED through the party, Kennedy desperately tried to act as if she was having a good time, but watching the blonde pogue's movements felt more important. The people around her were confused by the nervousness that Kennedy exuded, but they pushed it off, assuming it had to do with avoiding her mother and ex-boyfriend. When in reality, it was purely about keeping eyes on JJ at all times.

After arriving back at the party, Kennedy found herself hanging around Sarah, waiting for the boy to make his entrance. Sarah was a little confused by the blonde's actions and movements, but she ignored them and tried to get Kennedy to dance with her. While Kennedy didn't want to at first, Kennedy eventually gave up and began twirling and moving to the beat of the song.

Kennedy was anxious, not knowing how this little mission would end up working out. She'd rather watch it work smoothly, but nothing ever works out when it involves pogues and kooks. The split between the teens was daunting, each movement would always lead to somebody getting hurt, and especially since the breakup, Rafe would find any reason to hurt the pogues. Kennedy should've kept an eye on them, but making sure JJ was safe and out of trouble was her first worry.

Suddenly she stopped her movements, watching JJ make his way to the two of them on the dance floor, with her heart thudding against her chest she watched a confused Sarah get handed a note. Sarah played along, watching the boy with amusement as he rounded her playfully, slightly dancing to the beat. He turned his attention to Kennedy, sending her a sly wink.

Kennedy rolled her eyes, watching Sarah glance at him with confusion, "From Vlad?"

"Yeah," JJ replied, his eyes were instantly on Kennedy, which led the girl to pause. Before she could say anything, her hand was gripped and she was teasingly twirled by the boy. The movements were so sudden that she almost toppled into him, but she caught herself before she did. JJ smiled at her clumsiness, but he looked back to Sarah, "Just read the note,"

Sarah's attention instantly fell on the note, but Kennedy never left JJ. Her stomach dropped within seconds, watching Rafe and Kelce find their way to the blond pogue. Kennedy stood there for a moment, figuring out what the right moves were, but there weren't any. All situations were going to end up messy, and she might as well just take the one that leaves JJ less beaten and bruised.

But before Kennedy could stop the interaction before it began, JJ was instantly grabbed by Rafe, "I'm wonderin' if you could get me a mai tai, my friend,"

Kelce smirked at the words, "Yeah Pogue, how about you make that two?"

JJ opened his mouth to answer, but Kennedy instantly slid in between the two boys getting their attention to fall on her. Her entrance surprised them, leading Rafe to let go of JJ. Kennedy falsely smiled at the kooks, subconsciously making sure the blond pogue was staying behind her, "Hey boys, you two look absolutely spiffy tonight,"

"Kennedy, walk away," Rafe warned. "You aren't needed,"

The small blonde ignored his words, sending him a rough glance, "I would love to but unfortunately, he was on his way to make me a drink, maybe you should wait at the bar, and then someone else will help?"

The boy chuckled at her attempt, his tone turning icy, "No, I think I'd rather have him take our order,"

JJ clapped his hands, "Sadly, I do have to finish a few orders, so going to the bar might be your best bet, until then, help yourselves to some hors d'oeuvres,"

Without thinking, Kennedy found JJ backing the two of them up, with her now behind JJ, rather than her being in front of him like before. Nonetheless, the kooks began to follow them. Kennedy's stomach bubbled with worry watching Rafe round up a few more kooks, she gulped, knowing that this was about to get much worse.

"Guys, JJ's gonna serve is some hors d'oeuvres,"

Fuck.

JJ climbed the steps, gesturing to the table that had the open buffet, "Well, here are the hors d'oeuvres,"

Kennedy stood behind him, with a vice grip on his sleeve, praying that she could pull him away from the kooks and have him unharmed. Eyes began to fall on the small group of teens, Kennedy yearned for this scene to be over.

JJ falsely smiled at the group, "I'll be right back, okay?"

"We're actually gonna follow you in here just to make sure..."

Kennedy wished that it would be over with those words, but Rafe and his crew went to follow them inside. Kennedy's pleading eyes instantly met the concerned ones of Kie and Riley. Within seconds JJ softly pushed Kennedy out of the way so she would be passed by the group of boys that were in tow.

"What the hell is going on?" Kennedy jumped at the sudden confused voice of Riley Masterfield, when she turned she met both him and Kie.

"Rafe and his douchebag friends are about to beat the shit out of JJ," Kennedy replied breathlessly, her eyes widened in fear.

Riley swore to himself, putting his drink down on the nearest table, "Can't we just go one day where someone isn't about to beat up the other?"

Kennedy pushed off his comment, her feet throbbing from the incessant movements in her five-inch heels, she wished she could stop, but the thought of Rafe jumping JJ made her push forward. Kennedy watched Riley tell Kie to stay out here in case any other of Rafe's friends decide to join. Within seconds Kennedy and Riley were inside, desperately searching for JJ and the kooks.

Kennedy felt like she was going to be sick as she stumbled around the country club, watching people's eyes follow her every movement. The rooms began to dwindle, and still no JJ, she felt her luck ticking down and she was about to find JJ as a mangled heap on the ground. But the sudden commotion coming from the locker room made her pause.

The familiar snarky tone of JJ fizzled through the air, the two teens met each other's gaze and were instantly off towards the voice. Kennedy gasped, turning the corner to see JJ in a headlock. All eyes flashed to the thudding clicks of Kennedy's heels.

"Oh, would you looky here, your little slut is here to save the day, pogue,"

"Watch your goddamn mouth," JJ hissed, anger flooding his veins at the derogatory words that Rafe spewed. The kook only smiled in return hearing how garbled the boy's words were. Kennedy grimaced at Rafe's taunting tone, and quickly the boy fought to turn around and get a glimpse of Kennedy, his voice cracked and trembled, "Kennedy go,"

"Screw that," Kennedy scoffed, crossing her arms, her attention zeroed in on Rafe, "Let him go asshole,"

Rafe smiled in amusement at her words, Kennedy was suddenly way more entertaining than the pogue in his eyes, "Kennedy, I'll admit this is low, even for you, fighting for some loser who doesn't even belong here, desperate doesn't look good on you,"

Kennedy's glare shook everyone to their core, but none even dared to show it. The taunting smile on Rafe's lips caused Kennedy to act in a way she never thought she would. Without thinking, spit instantly flew from her mouth, landing directly in Rafe's eyes, "Looking like a jealous and immature asshole doesn't look good on you, grow the hell up and stop blaming everyone for your deadbeat decisions,"

Rafe's face twisted in disgust, instantly jumping back to swipe away to spit, purely surprised that Kennedy snapped back like that. Anger filled his features, he looked as if he was about to attack the small blonde. But the suddenness of the lights flicking on and off caught everyone's attention.

"Gentleman,"

Within seconds, JJ had been pushed away from Kelce and got caught by Kennedy. The girl gripped the boy tightly by the arm, worried that he would be ripped away from her. The pogue caught himself before he took them both to the floor, the impact of her body made a soft grunt escape him.

"Is there a problem here guys?"

"Pardon me, officer, no there's not an issue, I just-" JJ paused his statement, quickly removing himself from Kennedy, not wanting to put her in the middle of the situation and or lead her into getting in trouble. "Actually, yes. No, there is an issue,"

"JJ, what the hell are you doing?" Kennedy questioned, her stomach dropped, this situation becoming all too familiar.

The boy ignored her, deciding to continue, "We got a criminal trespass in progress here, beep, call it in right?"

Kennedy wanted to stop him, but the glare that was sent to her from Riley made her stop from interrupting his words, "Blatant disrespect for private property, I'm in violation of all kinds of shit, sir, but these young gentlemen, caught me sir, and they're about to take me away, and that's what you should do, escort me out of here, you got me,"

The security guard instantly gripped JJ's forearm, escorting him out of the locker room, Kennedy immediately was in tow, her voice rising with each second, begging for the man to listen to her. But JJ seemed to only make it worse.

"Alright, fix that tie son,"  His comment left glares in his wake, and it only made him push more, "You're lookin' spiffy too, you Powerpuff girls have fun,"

Kennedy rolled her eyes at his comment, she prayed for the kooks behind her to stay silent but she should've known Rafe couldn't help himself, he always wants to have the last dig, "Nice to see you again Kennedy, I'll admit it, you look really good for a pogue's bitch,"

With those words, JJ immediately ripped his arm away from the security guard, eyes filled with fury as he made his way towards Rafe, fists curled, ready to attack the boy for the comment. Kennedy jumped into action as did the Security guard and soon enough JJ got pulled away from Rafe before he could do anything.

Kennedy was going to follow them out of the room, but she stopped herself. A deafening slap echoed through the room making everyone pause. Rafe clutched his cheek in surprise, not realizing Kennedy was even next to him. The girl flicked her hair over her shoulder, sending him a threatening smile, "Talk that way about me again, I rip your ball clean off, understand, you deadbeat loser?"

Without waiting for a response, the security guard coughed, "Ms. Thornton, please come with me, I'd rather not have to escort you out as well,"

"Coming," Kennedy clipped, following along with Riley next to her. As she walked out of the door, she didn't hesitate to flip the group of boys, she could hear their crude calls after her, but it would be better just to ignore them. Snapping back would only cause more trouble.

JJ's entrance back to midsummer felt like an intrusion. His voice rose with each second, making people's eyes turn right to him. Kennedy wavered behind them, the sudden eyes making her anxious, Riley stood in tow with her, his hand on her back protectively, guiding her along with the guard and JJ.

Kie quickly made eye contact with the small group and Kennedy sent her an awkward shrug, which inclined Kie to follow. JJ was spewing comments to the security guard, making the man even more irritable. Kennedy prayed for this to be over soon. Without trying, Kennedy made eye contact with her furious mother, making her cower away further into Riley, hoping his tall stature would break her gaze, but it didn't.

"Let me just walk out by myself,"

Kennedy hoped the eyes would leave them, but as soon as JJ downed an old man's drink, she knew the eyes were permanently fixed on them. The pogue was instantly being dragged onto the dance floor to exit, making all eyes jump to the boy. Riley stopped the two girls at the stairs, knowing that JJ was about to cause an even bigger scene than he already had.

"It's okay everybody! Do not panic, let's leave it to the men and women in uniform, let's hear it for them," JJ announced, all gazes turned to him, making him the spectacle of the entire place. "Rose, you look like lady liberty, it's good to see you again,"

Kennedy covered her mouth to stop an amused laugh from escaping at his comment, Riley and Kie stood concerned, but Kennedy knew what he was doing. This boy couldn't help himself. Kennedy decided to help him out, she was already buried six feet, might as well make it ten. Her brash and commanding voice began to rise over the hushed whispers, "Let go of him!"

"Kennedy Thornton,"

The rough and scolding voice of her mother made a chill run down her spine, but she pushed on anyway, her tone filling with arrogance and sternness, "You can't just boot him,"

The security guard stopped in his tracks, and both he and JJ sent her a look of confusion, "Excuse me, Ma'am?"

Riley stood next to her, confusion and apprehensiveness filled his hushed tone, "Kenn, what the hell are you doing?"

Kennedy ignored the words of Riley and furious calls from her mother, "I invited him here, I'm a member of this club, now let him go right now,"

The attention on her gave JJ the leeway to push the security guard away, which caused sudden chaos to ensue between the scattered pogues. All watched the boy in hesitance as the guard lost his balance and tumbled over, leaving all eyes to turn to JJ, "Hey, sorry about that, mandatory power hour at Rixon's Riley, Kie, Pope, you as well, alright?"

"Rixon's cove, let's roll!" A smile lifted onto Kennedy's lips watching all the pogues send the boy amused glances, "Alright, Kie and Riley, come on, workers of the world unite, throw off your chains!"

The two instantly flew down the stairs, smiles bright on their faces, ready to break away from the stuffy party. Kennedy watched in envy, seeing the pogues' faces light up as they grouped together. Loud whoops came from JJ and John B as they saluted and greeted each other. A presence was felt behind the small blonde that made her grimace.

"Looks like your little pogue doesn't want you to come, how sad," Rafe taunted, his eyes amused at her anxiousness.

Kennedy wavered, having no clue if she was able to go or not. She prayed that they would let her come, so she could escape the clutches of Rafe, the weight of his arrogant and hurtful words was too harsh on her mind. Suddenly her eyes met JJ's, and a smile broke across his lips as he pointed at her, "Sunshine, what the hell are you doing? Let's move!"

Kennedy laughed brightly, ignoring all the shocked gasps and stares, she quickly turned to Rafe, sending him a rough glare, "Bite me, asshole,"

Before he could reply, she was off, dashing through the crowd, her heart felt lighter, even though it thudded in her chest with a passion. Freedom flooded through her in waves, the wind whipped across her skin as she ran towards the blond pogue. Without thinking, she jumped into his arms, happiness twisting in her stomach as he spun her lightly, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. She felt alive, defying the people she despised the most, she knew all eyes were on her, and she knew everyone was talking about her, but she didn't care.

She wanted this moment to last and before thinking about her next move, she gripped JJ's cheeks, quickly planting her lips onto his. The boy froze instantly, shocked that Kennedy would ever do something like that in front of everyone she knew. Kennedy smiled into the kiss as JJ relaxed and kissed her back. Her stomach erupted in butterflies and she wished this kiss would last forever.

But it was a fleeting moment and she knew they needed to escape before they truly got into trouble. Kennedy separated herself from him, the goofy grin never leaving her face, "Is everyone staring?"

JJ snorted, tucking a hair behind her ear, looking through the crowd behind her, "Your mother looks like she's about to grow three heads and breathe fire,"

Kennedy nodded, a beaming laugh escaping past her lips, "Perfect, I wouldn't have it any other way,"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

↝↝↝↝↝ 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒... ↜↜↜↜↜

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗕𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗬 silverfalcons 

HEY BESTIES I MISSED YA!!

THEY KISSED!!!!! GUYS THEY KISSED!!!

DUDE SO MUCH HAPPENED!!! I WAS WAITING FOR THIS FUCKING CHAPTER SINCE I STARTED THIS BOOK!!!

Hope you enjoyed!

BUT IMPORTANT THING.

What did you all think?

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