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Following the awkward meeting where John B announced the involvement of Sarah Cameron, the pogues made their way back to the Chateau in order to switch over to the Twinkie. 

To fill the awkward silence during their drive to the meeting place, John B decided to blast some rock music on the radio to which Eli was enthusiastically bopping her head to. Personally, Eli wasn't too worried about Sarah Cameron. 

“All right,” John B announced as he parked the van.

“Hit it, boys!” JJ exclaimed loudly as Pope pulled the door open.  “We're goin’. Recon mission.” 

“Yo, uh…” John B trailed off, halting the group in the back of the van from piling out. “So, uh, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself.. tonight.”

Kie took one look at the boy before rolling her eyes in disdain. 

“Really?” JJ let out in disappointment, sitting back down on the floor of the van and leaning against the seat. 

“What?” 

“Nothin’ brother.”

“Listen, I don't wanna spook Sarah with the peanut gallery.” 

“Okay, Romeo,” Eli mumbled to herself, causing JJ to snicker to himself. 

Kie let out a dramatic sigh. “I just don't understand why we're involving her at all.”

“Kie, we're not involving her, okay?” John B hit back as he threw his head back in annoyance before looking at her again. “It's- it's just, uh, like a- a business meeting..”

JJ randomly made gulping noises as held up a rolled blunt, causing Pope and Eli to burst out laughing to themselves whilst John B and Kie had their mini back and forth. 

“Look, once we get what we need, we cut her loose, all right? Plus we need a map.” 

“Promise me nothing's happening between you two,” Kie ordered, to which John B rolled his eyes.

“Nothing is happening, Kie.”

“Alright then, JB,” Eli spoke up as she eyed the boy, directing his attention to her. “I bet ten dollars you won't cut her off after you get what you need. Actually, I also get to have Twinkie for a week.”

 The boy hesitated for a split-second, before nodding. “If I win, you give me free dessert for a week. Plus ten dollars.”

“Deal,” the girl agreed, giving the boy a firm handshake. 

“That's not fair,” JJ complained, “that's an easy win for you El-”

“Look, I'm being serious,” Kie cut off in frustration, directing John B's attention back to her. 

“Okay-”

“This isn't about you,” Kie continued, “and this isn't about us. This is about her.”

Eli squeaked a little as the dark sky rumbled with thunder, subconsciously pressing herself closer to JJ who offered one hand for her to hold.  She took it gratefully, trying to focus on the conversation to ignore the heavens.

“Dude, she's gonna get inside your head. Just promise me nothing's happening between you guys.” 

“I promise,” John B quietly mumbled, only to be met by complete silence. 

“That was really believable,” JJ spoke up. 

“A hundred percent believable,” Pope tacked on. 

“Super duper believable,” Eli nodded. 

“Anyways, um..” John B trailed off as he ignored the trio, opening the door to get out. “I'm gonna take care of business.” 

“You're gonna take care of that business so well,” JJ added sarcastically. 

“We'll just sit here..” Pope trailed off., “..in the hot-ass car.”

“While it's lightning,” Eli added, her gaze redirecting to JJ's rings that she was playing with. 

“Yeah,” John B half-heartedly responded as he jumped out the van, slamming the door behind him. 

“You gotta tell me the whole story sometime, Kie.”

Kiara turned to face Eli, who stared back with a curious gaze. “What exactly happened to you guys? Weren't you guys best buds.”

“All you gotta know is that Sarah Cameron is a snake,” Kie spat out. “And you should stay away from her.”

“Damn, sorry I asked, I guess,” Eli mumbled awkwardly. 

“Kiara, holding onto your grudge is like drinking poison and thinking Sarah will die,” Pope stated as he turned to look at the girl. 

“Exactly,” JJ nodded. 

Kie simply ignored the boys, choosing to stare out the window as they waited for John B to come back.

“Also, JJ, what did you do to get escorted out by security?” Pope questioned a few minutes later, breaking the awkward silence.

“You got escorted out?” Eli questioned. 

“Okay, it wasn't my fault, okay?” JJ defended. “It was actually a genius move, I'll have you know. Rafe and Kelce followed me, and I was like a cornered animal so-”

“Wait, do you guys hear that? Shh.” Kie cut off, staring out of the van into the distance. 

“What-” both JJ and Pope questioned, only for Eli to slap her hands over their mouths to get them to shut up. 

“Please, somebody help!”

“Oh, wait, no, I hear that,” JJ fumbled as the group rushed to get out of the van. 

“Shit.” 

“What the fuck,” Kie swore as they began to run, with Eli cursing at the too big shoes on her feet. The girl pulled them off and launched them into the van, running behind the others with bare feet despite how much it hurt stepping on twigs and stones. 

“Sarah, what happened!” Pope yelled as they approached the girl, who was sobbing as she leaned over John B who was laying on the ground in pain. 

“Oh my god, John B!” Eli exclaimed as she fell to her knees beside him.

“I don't know what to do. He needs help. Topper pushed him,” Sarah rushed, voice wobbly as she held onto the boy. 

“Where the hell is he!?” JJ exclaimed.

“Oh, please, please, please get help. I don't care who. Just call someone,” Sarah begged. Eli's heart broke as she listened to the girl, her arm reaching out to wrap around Sarah in comfort. 

“The van, bring over the van!” Eli exclaimed as she looked up at Pope, who immediately turned on his feet and began to run back to the Twinkie.

“Pope, hurry!” Kie yelled in distress. 

“John B, stay with me,” Sarah continued to beg as she leaned over the unconscious  boy, hand gently cradling his face. She reached down to give the boy a quick kiss, much to Eli’s surprise. “Please don't leave me.”

Eli noticed Kie's look of disbelief, and shook her head when their eyes locked. Now was not the time for grudges. 

☀︎︎☀︎︎☀︎︎

The group  managed to get John B admitted to the hospital, with JJ driving the Twinkie and the rest of the pogues plus Sarah crowded around an unconscious John B in the back. 

After waiting for a few hours, Eli managed to convince JJ, Kie and Pope to go to the Chateau and rest up after a long night, explaining that waiting around wouldn't  do anyone any favours. 

After spending the night there, Eli got up bright and early to swing by the cafe after receiving a text from Sarah revealing that John B was going to be okay.

The blue-haired girl had quickly made a get well soon basket with the help of her mother, filled with a mixture of healthy fruits and some not so healthy pastries that Eli knew the boy would appreciate. 

She hurried down the hallway of the hospital towards where John B was staying, only to halt outside the door as she caught a glimpse of Ward Cameron through the small window. 

She shuffled out of view and leaned in closer to make out the conversation. 

“...Sheriff Peterkin.” Eli barely made out. “I've offered to be your legal guardian if you'll have me.”

Eli gasped in surprise, hand shooting to cover her mouth as she stepped away from the door. What the fuck?

A couple minutes later Ward left the room, Eli throwing him an awkward smile to make it seem like she wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation. She watched as the man walked off towards the main reception area, brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Hey JB, hey Sarah,” Eli greeted with a large smile as she walked into the room, setting the basket on the bedside table.

“What's up, EV,” John B greeted in response, giving the girl a fist bump. “What do you have there?”  

“Hey,” Sarah also responded with a small smile.

“Well,” the girl began as she opened it up, revealing the delicious assortment of pastries for the boy. “I got you some of your faves.” 

“Wow, you're amazing,” John B gushed as he grabbed a croissant, throwing his head back in content after taking a bite. “This is the life.”

“This is for you too, Sarah,” Eli said with a smile as she looked at the other girl, who gaped her mouth in surprise. 

“Me?” 

“Yes, you, silly,” Eli assured, reaching out to grasp the girl's hand. “Thank you for staying with him.”

 Sarah awkwardly shifted on her feet, her gaze directed at the floor. “It's my fault-”

“You're not the one who pushed him off,” Eli cut off, gently squeezing the girl's hand before letting go. “Could you give us a few minutes to talk?”

“Yeah, of course,” Sarah nodded, slowly making her way out of the room. “I'm gonna find my dad.”

After Sarah shut the room door behind her, Eli situated herself on the foot of the hospital bed, head turning to face the boy. 

“Why is Ward offering to be your legal guardian?”

John B froze for a second, before relaxing again. “You heard that?” The boy shrugged. “Hell if I know.” 

“Is that a good idea?” 

Eli watched as John B let out a sigh. 

“I'm not sure. But hey, two birds, one stone, right? CPS won't be on my back and I can access Tannyhill for more information.”

The girl nodded. “I guess you're right. Just.. just be careful, okay? That guy scares me. Like, actually.”

“Don't worry, Eli,” John B called out as he ruffled her hair with his free hand, causing the girl to huff and curse at him. “I'll be fine.”

“Also…” Eli trailed off, “You owe me Twinkie for a week.”

The girl laughed as John B let out a groan and dramatically slumped back into the pillow.

~•° ☀︎︎ °•~

another chapter i don't like but wanted to get rid of lmfao

updates are gonna be slower from now on. comments motivate me to write, and i had hoped quicker updates would mean people would share their opinions, but alas.

hope everyone has a good start to the new year x

Nova x