A Chapter| Chapter Twenty

"JJ, you don't think they're like, not into me anymore, do you?" Lila asked as she stood with the blonde boy, looking over at Kie and Sarah, who were giggling in the van together.

"Kie and Sarah? Nah." JJ said, waving her off as Lila sighed.

"Are you sure?" she asked as JJ huffed in annoyance while turning around and grabbing her shoulders.

"Sweetie, you're over thinking shit again." JJ spoke as Lila sighed and nodded, "No one can just get over you."

"Now, lets go!" the blonde announced while holding the gold in his arms and pulling Lila along with him toward the girls.

"Kie, this better work. We can't pawn this if there's a giant weed symbol on it." JJ spoke while throwing the gold at her feet while leaning on the side of the van, letting Lila go as she leaned on the other side.

"It's gonna work." she said while holding up the blow torch making Lila whistle and widen her eyes.

"Hell of a job melting it down, Dr. Frankenstein." JJ said while the group pulled up at the pawn shop, JJ mocking Kies job at melting the gold.

"Like you could have done any better." Kie rolled her eyes while jumping out of the car, her hair hitting Lila in the face slightly.

"I could have done much better. I took a welding class." JJ said knowingly as he argued with her.

"When?" Kie asked him annoyed as Lila and Pope shared a look.

"Woah. Hey, hey, hey. Chill out, okay?" John B asked, getting between his two friends.

"First time in forever i'm agreeing with John B." Lila nodded as he sent her a look.

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one that has to pawn this piece of shit off. How did I get this job anyway?" JJ asked while holding up the chunk of gold.

"Yeah, and how did I get look out again? I'm starting to feel unwanted." Lila said as she leaned on the van, Pope and JJ arguing as they walked in.

"You're not unwanted, you're just the most observant, plus you can talk for hours if someone's catches us." John B said while giving her arm a squeeze with a wink before heading with his friends into the pawn shop.

Lila sighed as she leaned on the van, looking around for any sign trouble or danger. She didn't mind being the lookout, the only reason she minded now is because of Kie and Sarah. And don't get her wrong, Lila loved seeing them friends again and wanted this. But it didn't stop her jealousy, the selfish feeling in her stomach that bubbled.

"Lila?" a familiar voice asked as Lila snapped her head to the side with wide eyes.

"Topper... what are you doing?" she asked quickly, scolding herself for the guilt in her voice.

"Picking up groceries, what are you doing? Pawning?" he asked and Lila thanked god he didn't recognize the van.

"Ugh, yeah, yeah. My moms earrings, don't tell her though." Lila said quickly with a small laugh as Topper returned it before he hesitated.

"Hey, uh, i've actually been wanting to talk to you about something." he asked while setting the bag of groceries down, Lila looking weary at the pawn shop where she could clearly see John B and Sarah standing together.

"Uh, I actually need to grab a few things, lets talk in here." Lila said while pulling Topper into the small grocery store, thankful to get away from the crime scene.

"What did you need to say?" Lila asked while walking down the produce isle, grabbing a bel pepper.

"I, uh, is everything cool with you and Rafe?" Topper asked as Lila frowned her eyebrows, grabbing a head of lettuce.

"Yeah, we're fine, why do you ask?" Lila asked him confused, grabbing a bag of carrots, which he took for her, considering her hands were full.

"I don't know... he's just-" Topper began before cutting himself off, avoiding eye contact.

"He's just what?" Lila asked him, handing him a bag of chips as they rounded the corner.

"He can just let his anger get the best of him and can sometimes make you feel guilt for things that aren't your fault....you know?" Topper asked with a clear of his throat, trying to make it sound casual. Lila watched her shoes move as she walked as it became silent for a second.

"Yeah, I know." Lila said to him after a few seconds, the memory of when he grabbed her face and shoved her against the wall not playing the best memory in her head. Not to mention all the times they'd argue about something and she's immediately feel guilt for his actions and end up comforting him.

"I just wanna make sure things are good... you know? Like he hasn't done anything." Topper said as Lila swallowed, lying wasn't a issue for her, she's done it since she was a kid to get what she wanted, but it was different now, because she wanted to tell Topper the times Rafe got angry at her.

"No... no he's never done anything like that to me." Lila lied, the one time Rafe did physically hurt her something she just wanted to look over at this point. Topper looked at her as they neared the cash register, like he didn't believe her.

"You worried about me, Topper?" Lila asked teasingly as he gave her a stupid look while shoving her shoulder some.

"You need help paying?" he questioned as Lila shook her head with a smile, the two laying the items onto the counter and getting them scanned while attempting to hold a conversation, thankful not about Rafe.

"So, they keep money out here?" Pope asked as Lila finally got rid of Topper and jumped into the van around the corner.

"That's what she said." JJ said with a shrug before he laughed to himself, "That's what she said."

"Stop." Pope said suddenly as JJ's face fell slightly. Lila looked out the window, sharing the bag of chips with Kie.

"I've never even heard of Resurrection Drive." Sarah said while looking back from the passengers seat.

"Cause you're rich." JJ said with a eye roll as Kie gave him a look.

"You've never heard of it either." Kie said, standing up for the blonde upfront.

"What if theres a axe murder? I don't even have my video camera." Lila said while looking out at the scenery, looking like something out of the slasher movies she'd watch on repeat.

"There's nothing but weeds out here." Kie said, going along with Lilas words as she looked over her shoulder.

"All right, just 'cause it's just weeds, doesn't mean it's like..." JJ trailed off as police sirens were heard behind them.

"Oh god, oh no." Lila said in a panic, stiffening up.

"God! Are you kidding me?" JJ asked loudly with a groan.

"What did we do?" Sarah asked in disbelief as she looked back at them.

"Why are we getting pulled over?" Pope went on with the blondes words.

"Maybe they found my video camera." Lila said with a worried look on her face, trying to remind herself to start taking it everywhere.

"Chill, guys. Stash that." John B said as he nodded toward the gold as JJ wrapped it.

"Did you bring the gun?" John B asked him in disbelief.

"No, okay? Everyone told me to leave it back at the place." he said defensively as Lila nodded.

"Okay, good, then we'd really go to jail and that means a whole lot of woman would try and beat my ass." Lila said in a panic with a shake of her head, starting to wish she would have taken up Rafes offer on getting high instead of tagging along. The gun coking in John B's face made them all pause and look over at a small man, a mask covering his lips as he gripped the gun.

"Why don't I go ahead and see them hand in the air." the man said, his accent so different Lila could easily point it out if she ever heard it again. Her body shook as she held Kies hand tightly, panic setting in as she now really regretting not staying home.

"All of y'alls hands up in the air right now!" he yelled as Lila was forced to let go of Kie and throw her hands in the air.

"You out of the car, lets go!" he yelled to John B as the boy slowly got out of the car.

"Let them out!" he demanded as John B slowly opened the van door. Lila shook her head as she pushed herself into the back door.

"Lila, come on, we have to." Kie whispered to her as Lila shook her head, watching her friends slowly get out of the car.

"Lila, come on, it'll be okay." Kie said quickly as she yanked Lila forward as the two got out of the car. Lila made eye contact with the shorter man as she saw his eyes light up.

"Oh shit! Country Club needs a little motivation, killin' two birds with one stone." he said while turning Lila around and pushing her into the van.

"Hey! Get off her!" John B yelled as he came forward but stopped once the unknown man put the gun into his face.

"Please." Lila begged, the side of her face being pushed into the metal as her body shook.

"You tell your prissy boyfriend I need my money." he whispered to her before slicing a clean cut across her shoulder blade. Lila cried out as her friends all yelled, stopping as the man shoved Lila toward them. Sarah caught her first, cradling her slightly as the gun was aimed at them again.

"I'll blow your damn head off! Lay down in the ditch! Lay down in the ditch!" he yelled over and over until the six all got onto the ground, laying face down as they kept their hands in view.

"That's all y'all gotta do!" he yelled at them again as he went near the van. Lila squeezed her eyes shut, twisting Rafe's ring around her thumb anxiously as she mumbled to herself, a habit she'd had when she got scared.

"It's a set up, guys." Kie said and despite Lila not being able to see her, she could hear the panic in her voice.

"That old bat shanked us." JJ added, his tone more angry and annoyed then scared or worried.

"Wait. No, no, no, no." Sarah said in a panic as Lila opened her eyes, seeing John B merg to his feet slowly while shhing her.

"John B, don't be a hero man." Pope whispered to him with a shake of his head. Lila shook her head as she looked down, her nose running as the throbbing pain in her back got worse.

"All right, y'all stay just like that unless you want your brains blown out all over the road!" the man shouted as he looked over at them, John B in his car by now and Lila hoped he didn't realize he was missing.

Sarah squeezed Lilas hand as the two watched the man run back to his car.

"Guys, get the gun!" John B yelled as him and the man fought each other in the smaller car. JJ ran over as quick as he could while Sarah helped Lila up, her eyes widening at the amount of blood pouring from her back.

"Sarah." Lila whispered, too quiet and weak for anyone to hear her as they ran to help John B while Lila was frozen in place. He got a good sight of Sarah slamming the car door in the mans face before the black spots took over her vision before she suddenly only saw black.

When Lila woke up she was met with the horrible clean smell, the kind that even though it's clean it smells bad. She felt numb in her shoulders, a weak feeling all through her body. The bright lights shined in her eyes as she squinted her eyes to hide the lights. The sudden hand on hers made Lila look over, seeing her moms looking at her.

"Hey, honey." Lacey said quickly with a smile, her eyes tired as her face read worry.

"Mom, Momma... what happened?" Lila asked, remembering nothing after passing out.

"You slipped on the boat and cut yourself on the motor... you lost a lot of blood but your friends got you here pretty fast." Grace said with a sad smile, rubbing Lilas arm comfortingly.

"But-" Lila began before cutting herself off, remembering what happened but knowing it would only get them in trouble.

"Are they still here?" Lila asked hopefully as her moms sighed.

"JJ stormed out after they got you here, everyone went after him, said they'd be back as soon as possible." Lacey said as Lila sighed sadly, knowing that couldn't be good.

"Can we got home?" Lila asked now, hating the hospital more then anything, reminding her to much of the car crash she caused.

"They wanna keep you over night just to get more fluids in, you lost a lot of blood." Lacey added in as Lila sighed sadly and looked away from them.

"Hey, they'll show up later but in the mean time someone else is here." Grace said as she gave Lila a sad smile before nodding toward the door way as Rafe stood there, giving her his best smile he could.

"We'll give you guys a second." Lacey said, making sure to give Rafe a look before leaving the room.

"I uh, picked these for you, I wanted to get here as quick as I could without having to stop for flowers." Rafe said as he held up the three purple lila flowers in his hand.

"Thanks." Lila said motionless as he laid them on the desk and sat by her bed.

"How you feeling?" he asked her and immediately thought it was a dumb question when she was unconscious just a hour ago.

"Numb." Lila said honestly as he nodded his head, the energy between the two so off it was almost awkward.

"I told you always go for the front of the boat, remember?" Rafe asked as Lila frowned her eyebrows.

"Cut the shit. This didn't happen because of a boat, Rafe, your best bud did this to me." Lila snapped at him quickly as Rafes face fell, a blink to his eyes.

"W-what?" he asked her, a stutter in his voice as he appeared weak, the tough guy vibe immediately disappearing at her words.

"Some guy you have to pay, calls you Country Club. He did this to me." Lila said as Rafe ran a hand over his face quickly, a loud sigh leaving his lips as he looked down at the new and expensive shoes.

"Is he gonna come after me again?" Lila asked worried, her voice breaking in the slightest as her face heated up in worry.

"No, no, no he won't, okay? I swear, Lila." Rafe said quickly, grabbing her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckle as she looked the other way.

"You mad at me?" Rafe asked her sadly after a second of silents.

"Oh course i'm mad, Rafe. If you weren't such a junkie this wouldn't have happened to me! And I know you! Even this isn't gonna make you stop!" Lila said to him, her voice raising a he shushed her softly in hopes she'd drop her voice a little. She saw her mother go through a similar addiction, she knew how difficult it was, but she couldn't help but say what she didn't mean out of fear and anger for the near death experience she just encouraged.

"I know, I know, i'm so sorry, i'm sorry, Lila. You weren't support to be involved, you shouldn't get hurt because of me." he said and Lila almost held herself back from pointing out that he'd hurt her before actually.... but she couldn't bring that up when he looked so sad and upset, his eyes watering as he looked at her.

"I agreed to this because I like you Rafe, so much, you take up so much of my life now and I was okay with that. I forgave you for hurting my friends, I pushed past the fact that they hate me being with you... but this is different. I could have died!" Lila said as his nose twitched slightly, holding his stare.

"I'm so sorry." Rafe said and without realizing it he let out a sob, breaking Lilas heart.

"I can't keep doing this." Lila whispered while cradling his head into her chest.

"Don't leave me, Lila." Rafe begged, knowing exactly where this was going.

"I have too." Lila said, knowing if there was a next time, and there most likely would be a next time, she wouldn't just get a cut, "I'm getting hurt because of you."

"You're all I have, you're all I care about." Rafe begged her, crying into her chest as Lila sat there for a second. She knew what he said was true, she knew everyone had given up on Rafe and he'd returned the favor to them. Lila took a deep breath as she grabbed his face, making him look at her quickly as she shook her head.

"I'm not, i'm not leaving you. We're fine, we're okay." she said quickly as guilt took over her body, hating herself instantly for making him cry. Rafe held a look of relief on his face as he looked at her, the same blue eyes that had looked at her million of times now staring at her darker ones.

"You're not?" he asked her as Lila hesitated before shaking her head, knowing she should walk away but the guilt he made her feel was unbearable..... not to mention she really did love Rafe.

"No, I couldn't even if I wanted to and believe me I want too." Lila said as the two shared a small laugh, both their faces glistening from their tears as Lila attempted to whip his away even though he'd stopped immediately after she told him she wasn't gonna leave.

"Why not?" Rafe asked her, knowing Lila attempted to leave him before and always came back. She was silent for a second, staring at him with a sad smile.

"Because I love you." Lila admitted, holding his heavy head in her hands while blue met brown.

"Yeah?" Rafe asked her, the words new to him as Lila nodded with a smile, her face still shiny as he leaned over to kiss her.

"I think I love you too." he said to her, nudging her nose with her softly.

•••••••
edit: y'all are really coming for her in the comment lmao?? she could she died, she had every right to be pissed off at him and say things she doesn't mean. shes well aware addiction isn't just stopped randomly, her mother was literally a addict but you're all being hella insensitive. SHE COULD HAVE DIED!

sigh... oh how i know how terrible they are for each other, toxic relationships are not cute and i hope lilas character really brings awareness to others and why it's not a easy thing to talk about or get out of.