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Following the events from the previous evening, Eli decided to help out at the cafe to have some space. She was definitely less annoyed now, but she still wanted to prove a point to the blonde boy.
She smiled as a customer approached the till, ready to take their order. “Good morning, what would-”
The sound of her phone ringing cut her off, causing her to frantically apologise as she fumbled with her phone in her pocket to turn off the sound.
“I’m so sorry. What would you like?”
The phone continued to vibrate in her apron pocket as she moved around to make the ordered drinks, the non-stop calling starting to get on her nerves.
She smiled as she walked over to the customer with a tray full of drinks, making sure they were satisfied before walking out of the cafe and pulling out her phone to check what was happening.
She raised her brow at the multiple missed calls from Kie, quickly dialling the girl back.
“Hey, Kie, what's up?” Eli greeted as the girl answered the call.
“Eli, it's JJ-”
“Tell him I'm not talking to him ‘til he apologises,” Eli cut off as she leant against the wall of the cafe.
“No, listen to me, Eli. JJ just got arrested by Shoupe.”
The blue-haired girl straightened up in shock immediately, quickly pulling at the strings of her apron as she rushed back into the store. “What the fuck happened?” she frantically questioned as she threw her apron in her locker and grabbed her wallet, silently waving at her mother to let her know she was leaving before striding back outside of the store.
Pope gave the rundown of what happened as Eli ran all the way to the police station, the girl heaving and completely out of breath as she finally reached the station entrance, holding onto the wall as she hunched over and tried to catch her breath momentarily.
As soon as she calmed down enough to speak normally, Eli rushed inside and made her way over to the front desk.
“I'm here for JJ Maybank,” she rushed, still partially out of breath. “Can I see him?”
The female officer behind the desk looked her up and down in disinterest before looking back down at her file.
“He's been arrested for felony destruction of property,” the woman drawled. “I'm afraid you can't see him unless he's bailed out.”
“Uh- uhm okay,” Eli nodded as she looked at the officer, nervously tapping her bank card on the counter. “Yeah, I'll pay his bail.”
“Since he's a minor, a guardian needs to sign the papers,” the woman cut off as she stared at Eli with a raised brow.
Eli sighed in frustration. “Okay, can I pay the bail at least?
“Let the girl pay the bail if she's that desperate.”
Eli turned to find Sheriff Peterkin, who nodded at her in understanding before heading into her office.
“I'll get my mother to sign for him, she's one of his guardians,” Eli stated as the payment for the bail went through. “Just give me like fifteen minutes.”
With Luke Maybank being known for his drunk tendencies, Talia Valentine took it upon herself to become a back-up guardian for JJ, promising to be there for him if there was ever a time he needed someone. That time was now apparently.
“That won't be necessary.”
Eli’s blood went cold at the deep voice coming from behind her.
She slowly turned her head to find none other than Luke Maybank, the person she probably hated the most in the world. Which was saying a lot considering she hated a lot of people on Figure Eight.
Eli froze for a second as he approached her by the desk, quickly moving away from the man as fast as she could and walking down the steps to get out of the building.
The girl held a hand over her fast-beating heart as she waited by the entrance, and after what felt like forever, the two Maybanks finally left the building.
“JJ!” Eli exclaimed her eyes fell on the boy, hand reaching out to grab his arm. “Are you okay? I was so worried.”
The boy smiled as he reached out to hold her other hand. “I'm fine, El. Promise.”
Eli huffed as she looked up at the blonde, stalling him from walking off with Luke. “That's what you said yesterday and then you got jumped.”
“I mean it this time,” JJ assured as he reached out to brush a lock of hair behind Eli's ear. “I'm okay, for real. You know me, I'm a tough cookie.”
“Pope explained everything,” Eli mumbled as she looked down, playing with the rings on his fingers. “Sorry for getting mad. You were just being a good friend.” She sighed as she looked up at him again. “But still. You're so dumb. So so dumb. If you had told me about what happened we could've gotten revenge without serious consequences.”
“It'a all in the past now. I'm just glad you're talking to me again,” JJ revealed as he let out a small laugh, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his chest for a hug. Eli let out a small laugh as she wrapped her arms around his waist, a small weight lifting from her shoulders.
“Come with me to the cafe,” she murmured as she peered over his shoulder, realising that Luke Maybank was menacingly waiting by his truck for the boy. “I'll make you some lunch.”
JJ pulled back from the hug, both hands grasping onto her hands as he looked down at her with a small smile. “I know you're worried about me, but I’m fine, El.”
“I don't trust that guy,” she murmured as she sneaked another look at the older Maybank, who had climbed into his truck now. “You know how angry he gets. Just come with me, J.”
“I'll see you later, okay?” JJ tried to convince with a smile. “You're going to Midsummers, right? I'll see you after. I'm sure you'll need someone to complain to after spending a whole evening with some stupid Kooks. I'll be fine, I promise.”
“You know me so well,” Eli said with a sigh. “Fine. I'll kill you if you don't keep your promise.”
Eli finally let go of JJ's hands with a pout, waving him off before making her way back to the cafe, albeit in less of a rush this time.
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shorter chapter than usual but next chapter is midsummers hehe
Nova x
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