𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐅 𝐈 𝐕 𝐄
deprived nirvana

"Pope, you clocked that car, man," Kiara rolled her eyes for the hundredth time that day, listening to the blonde boy's giggles over the loud rap music. Ever since they parted with John B, the two boys had completely gone off the rails, high on weed.

Meredith gave the blonde a sideways glance from beside him, trying to ignore the feeling of his light touch on her knee. She was desperately trying to act stern around him, but his burning hot hand on her skin was making it incredibly difficult.

"Like, that was so bad," JJ laughed, the sound like music to the girl's ears. However, she bit down on her cheek, trying to suppress the smile.

Much different to her, Kiara didn't have to hide anything because there was everything but a smile on her face. The tan girl's eyebrows were pinched together deeply, lips curling down in a scowl.

"I'm just glad I'm not driving now," Pope chuckled from behind the wheel, Kiara grimacing harshly.

"Pull over!" Kiara scolded suddenly, Pope coming to a struggling stop on the side of the dirt road, the tires skidding against the ground. He chuckles humorously, as if her anger is the funniest thing on earth, watching her round the car.

"JJ, it's not funny. He shouldn't be driving," he seemed to read the room because JJ quickly clamped his lips shut, head bowing when she slammed the door shut aggressively.

"Mama's mad," he muttered, lips pursed to suppress his infection giggles. Meredith watched with a clenched jaw as Pope struggled to climb out of the driver's seat, legs tangling around themselves- however that happened.

Instead, he opted to climb over the center console, head falling first into the seat.

"What are you-" the Carrera girl scoffed in disappointment. With one last eye roll, she got into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut with enough force to vibrate the whole vehicle.

"Where are we going?" Meredith frowned, eyes catching Kiara's through the review mirror.

"The last place they're gonna look," so, she turned the car around, with so much as a glance over her shoulder, and the others chose not to comment on the fact for two reasons. One, being the girl was shockingly scary when she was mad, and two, the boys were far too high to care.

And, it didn't take them long to arrive at the girl's mysterious destination, considering she rushed her driving. The other three glanced out of the windows in unison as she parked the vehicle feet away from a brick wall, and it only took seconds for Meredith to recognize the Cameron's house in the distance, standing tall.

"Uh, what're we doing here?" Meredith frowned, pulling herself forward with the help of her hands on the head rest.

"You sure this is a good idea?" The blonde beside her spoke at the same time.

"She's the only one who can clear John B," Kiara spoke, JJ leaning out of the open window to hear her as she approached the stone wall, flashlight in hand.

The dark-skinned boy had joined her at her side, pushing himself up in a high stooper. JJ rolled his eyes as the two continued over the wall, Meredith leaning over him to watch out the window.

"Last place they'll look because of how stupid it is," he retorted. However, the two proceeded over the wall, Kiara no longer in sight when her feet reached the ground.

She knew Sarah most likely wouldn't be ecstatic to see her at the moment, but if this was one of the last moments in a while, Meredith was willing to risk that. Because, if the blonde loved John B as much as she said she did, there was no doubt that she would follow him to the ends of the earth, and that scared the absolute shit out of Meredith.

She didn't want to lose her best friend. She didn't want her to leave. Sure, she wasn't even sure Sarah would follow John B, but she wouldn't be surprised if she did.

They had there up and downs, like most best friends did, but that didn't mean she didn't love the girl unconditionally, with every piece of her sickly sweet heart. Her snarky comments and harsh jabs were no amount to the overwhelming feeling of love she harnessed for her friends because at the end of the day, she would choose them above all else.

But Sarah wouldn't do the same.

She would romanticize her love and put that above everything.

That was what scared Meredith.

Before she met JJ, she wasn't willing to put her unconditional feelings above anything because they weren't valid, and she absolutely, under no circumstances, loved anyone. It was forbidden.

And now, with the boy right in the palm of her gentle hands, she wasn't so sure she wanted to be selfless. She didn't want to withhold her reputation, and she didn't want to put everyone above him.

Because, now, as she knew she loved him as much as she did, she would do absolutely anything in the world she could just to make sure he was hers. And if she had to be selfish to do so, then so be it.

For once, she was willing to put herself first in order to have what she so badly wished for her whole life. Her fairytale was right under her nose, and she inhaled the scent like fresh wild flowers.

JJ Maybank was her fairytale, and that was what she'd become selfish to have.

Just this once, she pushed that aside, moving to exit the car and follow after Kiara when a hand stopped her. Her eyes rolled when JJ's finger curled into her belt loop, pulling her closer to him.

"J," She scolded, trying to push herself away, but he only held on tighter, hands snaking to her hips. If she were to give in, she knew she'd never be meeting Kiara.

"What?" He whispered, pouting his bottom lip out slightly, to which she smirked at. "What's wrong?"

Clearly, his act of innocence didn't fool her because she rolled her eyes but remained at his side.

"You know what," She whispered back. "I've gotta see Sarah."

"She can wait," he murmered, words slurred slightly behind giggles before his hands were reaching upward, tilting her head back to get better access to her lips.

JJ leaned down, pressing his lips against hers fondly. He hummed in content when she didn't pull away, using it as permission to sink further into the seat, one leg coming to sprawl across the seats.

His hand roamed the back of her thigh, running across the skin hungrily, bringing her knee up on one side of his leg, while her other held her up.

"JJ," She whispered against his lips, eyes fluttering shut when his hand inched dangerously closer to the hem of her shorts, fingertips grazing her skin. "We can't."

"We aren't gonna do anything," he assured against her lips, taking heavy pants through his nose. "I just really missed you."

Meredith chuckled, struggling to keep her eyes open when he nudged her jaw with his nose, forcing her to drop her head back. "I've always been here."

Her reminder forced a satisfied hum from him, lips trailing down her neck, stopping just below her ear. "I know."

When his lips only trailed further kisses on the sensitive skin of her neck, she melted further into his intoxicating touch, heavy breaths falling from her lips. She tried not to get tangled in his web, but his skin on hers was making it incredibly difficult.

"JJ," She whispered again. "What about Sarah?"

"I'm not really thinking about her right now," she could feel his lips curl upwards from being pressed on her skin, and she had to bite her lip to rid the smile that betrayed her.

"Clearly," She breathed out, hand absent-mindedly finding home in his tousled locks, tugging softly to elicit a soft groan from his throat.

"Look, I know I'm incredibly hot," She teased. "But this isn't a good time."

JJ was quick to respond, hand firmly holding the back of her thigh. "It's always a good time."

He heard her giggle breathlessly as he worked his way further down her neck, lips leaving feather-like kisses, just soft enough to enflict satisfaction, but not enough to hurt. Immediately, he felt the way she relaxed under his touch, breaths relaxing, and hand falling limp in his hair.

Then, she felt like she was floating on cloud nine when his teeth pressed dangerously on the skin of her collarbone, just above the neckline of her shirt. She really, really, didn't want to give in because she knew it wouldn't do his ego any good.

However, it was like his tongue was painting over her skin so gently that it soothed her immensely, and he somehow knew every weak spot, from behind her ear to the skin on her collarbone.

A disappointed whine left her lips when he pulled away, returning to her line of sight. "JJ," She sighed.

"Elise," he mocked, pouting dramatically when she fluttered her eyes open to observe him, his thumb rubbing softly on her skin.

"You're mean," the girl frowned, crossing her arms lazily over her chest. JJ smiled at her dramatics, trying to get her to look up at him, but she remained stoic, knowing she had gotten to him.

She couldn't help but laugh through her nose when his lips were pressing against hers, dipping his head to get better access. He gathered her bottom lip in between his teeth, letting it pop back into his place.

"I'm sorry," he teased, one corner of his lip turning upwards cockily. "Don't be mad."

Meredith smirked, bringing her hand up to fidget with his shark tooth necklace, his eyes following her movement. A secured silence overcame them as he watched her hand work at his shark tooth, fingers playing with the sharp edges. JJ felt every ghostly touch of her fingers, grazing his structured skin, and even under the vague glow of the moon, he still found her as the most beautiful person in the world.

The light hit her face at just the right angle, illuminating a soft glow upon the bridge of her nose and in the twinkle of her eyes.

Meredith glanced away from the shark tooth and up at him when she felt eyes on her to see him already looking down at her, eyes rounded.

"What?" She smiled, voice just above a whisper.

He was so clearly entranced because the words he wanted to say were trapped, stuck in the deep depths of her chocolate eyes. Finally, he spoke, lips tugging upwards.

JJ reached forward softly, hand forming in crevice of her neck. "You're beautiful, Elise."

His whisper was like a ghost in her ear, revealing the truth to her. And no matter how many times he'd assure her of that, her heart would still flutter like a butterfly, swarming happily in her chest.

The use of her middle name was a reminder that he found her so effortlessly perfect, and her gaze softened tremendously.

"Go talk to Sarah," he told her. "You two can't hate each other forever. I'll wait here."

"What it she doesn't want to see me?" JJ frowned at her words, which she revealed behind a broken voice.

He snorted. "Come on, you know that's not true." JJ whispered. "If she's your best friend, she will. And if not... you come back here and I'll be waiting."

Without another word, Meredith leaned forward, connecting her lips with his cheek. "Thank you."

This time, when she kissed him, she inched closer to his lips, landing on his dimple. "I'll be back, I promise."

"You bet your ass you will," he chuckled, helping her climb over him, hands holding her hips. JJ slid the door open for her from inside, her feet landing on the concrete in one swift movement.

"Don't miss me too much," She teased, squishing his cheeks together, a laugh bubbling from her chest.

It didn't take long for her to catch up with Kiara, especially when her and Pope had shared a moment of their own as well. As soon as she stepped foot on the other side of the wall, she could practically feel the awkwardness that reached Pope's eyes, but she chose not to mention it.

Meredith ended up leading Kiara to Sarah's bedroom window on the side of the house, considering the girl didn't contribute much to the conversation she attempted to start.

They used the air-conditioning generator to climb up onto the roof, using a nearby tree to hold themselves up. Together, they carefully crouched towards the blonde's bedroom window to see her sitting on her bed.

Kiara rapped her knuckles against the glass softly enough to draw Sarah's attention.

Immediately, her confusion morphed into excitement at the sight of her two best friends, smile meeting her eyes. "Kie! Mer!"

"Hey-" Meredith smiled, tapping the window. "Open it."

And she tried, she truly did, but even with the help of the two girls on the other side, the window didn't budge. It simply stuck in its spot... almost as if it was locked.

"Shit," Kiara sighed, smile falling.

"What the hell?" Meredith mumbled, hand falling in disappointment. Sarah panted on the other side of the window, eyes watching her two friends carefully, eyes crestfallen.

She waited for one of them to do or say something, and when Kiara pulled the familiar poster out of her back pocket, John B's face plastered right in the center, Sarah's heart fell in her chest.

"Are you in on it?" Kiara questioned hesitantly, but by the heartbroken look across Sarah's face, it was clear she wasn't.

"Did you think I was?" She frowned.

"No," Meredith spoke before her brain could register the question because as much as she doubted Sarah's trust for their friendship, she knew her love for John B was over the moon. And, the two girls were a lot more alike that they would let on.

Meredith knew Sarah better than herself because she was exactly like her, and maybe, that was what pulled them together.

They had both found someone who could stitch the shattered pieces of their hearts together, and neither of them would jeopardize that for the world.

So, yes, Meredith sympathized with her best friend like no other because she understood.

"No," Kiara repeated, shaking her head defiantly.

"Look, uh," Meredith cleared her throat, forcing Sarah to glance over at her through the confining glass. "We don't have a lot of time, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry about everything I said about your dad."

"No, Mer," the blonde shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I never should've said anything, and you had every right to call me out. I was being a bad friend- I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," the ebony-eyed girl nodded softly, eyes softening under her best friend's heartbroken haze. "You were just looking out for me."

"Yeah," Sarah sniffled. "I love you, Mer."

The Waters girl brought her hand up to the glass, palm pressed firmly against it. The blonde seemed to understand because she copied the action, hands just an inch apart, the glass taking the last bit of affection they shared for one another.

Kiara's uncomfortability didn't go unnoticed to Meredith, the girl clearly swallowing down her jealously. So, she reached for Kiara's hand, lacing their fingers together as one.

"I love you too, S," Meredith smiled sincerely, blinking away the threatening tears that attacked the corners of her eyes.

"Sarah!"

Their small moment of nirvana was deprived when a voice thundered on the other side of the bedroom door, Sarah's widened eyes shooting up in unspoken fear.

"Go!" She whisper‐shouted, quickly drawing her hand away from the glass.

Kiara gasped, using her joined hand with Meredith to pull her away from the window that was aligned right with the bedroom door.

The curly-haired girl didn't look back, but Meredith did. Her eyes couldn't leave her best friend's figure in the bedroom, watching as she quickly threw herself onto the bed.

It didn't feel right to leave her like she was.

"Wait- what about Sarah?" She spoke aloud, eyes fear-strucken.

Kiara glanced over her shoulder at her conflicted friend, who couldn't seem to move her planted feet.

"She'll be okay," the girl assured quietly. "But we have to go, okay? We'll figure something out."

Meredith's hesitancy was clear, and despite her struggle to believe Kiara, she managed to move her legs, following after Kiara with shallow breaths.

And she would have to trust her best friends because she owed them that much. And, as she promised, she would return to JJ. She always would.

Neither of the Pogues underwent much sleep that night. It was far too late when they arrived at the Wreck, Kiara suggesting that it was the closest to secluded they would get. The four set up make-shift beds with what little they had- Pope used a paper towel roll as a pillow, and Kiara slept on top of a table. Meanwhile, JJ and Meredith each took one side of a booth, the girl curled tightly in the corner.

The Heyward Boy was the first to awaken after JJ, a low grunt and sore neck. The blonde stood stoicly beside the window, flickering his lighter repeatedly in his hand as he observed the silence of nature.

"He's pinched for sure, man," JJ mumbled, trying to lower his voice when Pope approached him- the two girls had yet to awaken.

"No," Pope shook his head. "They wouldn't still he patrolling if they caught him."

"Let's hope," JJ swallowed thickly.

His attention was grabbed by Kiara, who sat up with a tired yawn. "You know, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us, too."

The curly-haired girl slid off the table, stretching her legs slowly. After collecting herself, she walked past the still sleeping Meredith, listening to Pope from the other side of the restaurant.

"Well, if we're gonna be outlaws," he sighed. "We might as well help John B."

"So, find him before they do?" JJ furrowed his brows, turning when Pope pushed himself off the wall, moving towards his bag. "Pope?"

"I'm gonna get gas for the boat," he replied flatly, walking past the blonde without a single glance. He kept his head straight forward, sparing nobody his time.

"Hey, you be careful," Kiara mumbled, but Pope simply turned away, JJ catching the eye roll he gave her. "Okay?"

"Meet me at the dock at three," he turned to the blonde as if Kiara wasn't there at all. "Don't be late."

JJ's eyebrows furrowed deeply when Kiara sped after him, her jaw clenched in anger. The boy watched from the window as she approached him, voice sharp.

Silence overcame the room as he stood above Meredith, her eyes still fluttered shut and mind captured in a deep sleep. Gently, he reached down past the table and pushed a fallen tendril of hair past her eyes.

Meredith stirred on the leather booth, unbending her knees from against her chest. At the sight of her fluttering her eyelids open, JJ sat down on the empty space beside her head, still trying to keep the hair out of her eyes.

"Hi," he whispered, smirking down at her groggy state.

"Hi," She whispered back, sitting up straight in the seat, eyes still hooded with tiredness. "What time is it?"

"Almost twelve," he replied, playing softly with the ends of her chocolate colored hair. "How'd you sleep?"

"Mm," She hummed, shrugging. "Okay- where's Kie and Pope?"

"They're outside," JJ informed her, watching as she criss-crossed her legs. "There's a heavy vibe with them, I don't know. But he looks pissed."

"I noticed that too," Meredith tilted her head at the revelation, eyebrows pinched. "Ever since last night. What do you think happened?"

Her eyes trained on the two figures outside and pulled him from his thoughts, turning to follow her gaze over his shoulder. "I don't know."

"JJ?" She hummed, the softness behind her words forced him to turn back around, eyes connecting with hers. By the look in her eyes, he could tell that there was something she wanted to ask for a while. Yet, she never seemed to ask, not because she didn't care, but because she was scared how he would react.

"Yeah?" He whispered, frowning slightly.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" She spoke gently, hoping that it wouldn't stir unspoken feelings within him. After his breakdown, he finally seemed to be doing okay again, and she absolutely didn't want to ruin that for him, but the need to know overwhelmed her.

Immediately, he seemed to know what she was intending because his eyes fell, and he chewed at the inside of his cheek anxiously. "I don't know... Nobody's gonna listen, you know?"

"That's not true," She tilted her head, eyes down casted. "I would've listened."

"I know," JJ smiled sincerely, eyes flickering back and forth between each of her ebony ones. Before, he may not have known. Before, he was so positive that the Kook Princess didn't give a shit about him. But now, as she sat before him, with every ounce of affection dancing behind her eyes, he knew she cared more than anyone.

"How long has he been doing that to you?" Meredith cleared her throat nervously, trying not to pry.

"Ever since my mom left," he shrugged, corner of his lip twitching downwards. "He wasn't always like this. Sees me in her, I guess."

"That doesn't make it okay," she lowered her tone, just for his ear to hear. She thought he hadn't been paying attention, but when he nodded silently, her heart fluttered.

The sable-haired girl leaned forward, planting a delicate kiss to his shoulder. "I'm proud of you- you know that?"

"I know," JJ muttered truthfully. He returned her gentle gesture, pressing his lips to the smile line on her cheek, pulling back when he felt her lips curl upwards. "I know that."

"You-"

Her words were abruptly silenced by the overly powerful sound of an engine revving. Quickly, she shot up, eyes scanning outside to see Kiara raising her voice angrily at Pope.

JJ moved out of the way, the girl right behind him. Together, they left the restaurant, exposing themselves to the humid environment and the two shouting teens.

"Pope, I'm being serious-"

Kiara was silenced by the aggressive revving of the bike again, Pope's expression stoic as he twisted the hand clutch.

"I'm trying to talk to you!" She shouted loudly, but the boy didn't spare her an ounce of sympathy when he sped off, flinging dirt behind him. From the balcony, JJ and Meredith exchanged cautious glares, watching as their friend returned to them with a fallen expression.

She was stopped by a distance whirring, lifting her head to see a black helicopter flying overhead. The two followed her eyes to see the aircraft speeding past them in the air, Kiara's eyebrows knitting together.

"Who the hell is that?" JJ questioned, eyes narrowed under the scorching heat.

"I don't know," Meredith spoke slowly, eyes trained on the distant aircraft.

"Just get inside," Kiara ordered, bounding up the balcony steps. "They're probably looking for John B."

"So, what?" Meredith gaped. "They're bringing in SBI for a teenager?"

"I don't know," Kiara sighed. "Let's just hope they don't find him." JJ nodded in agreement as Kiara shut the screen door behind her, making sure to spare one last glance over her shoulder at the aircraft.

Meredith thought back to last night when she walked in on a very awkward and vulnerable moment between Pope and Kiara, and today, his obvious lash out made an appearance in her mind. She didn't want to press her friend to answer, but she was genuinely curious.

"Hey, what's up with you and Pope?" She finally spit the words out, eyeing her friend cautiously.

Kiara blew a long breath out of her lips, shaking her head. JJ and Meredith watched as she retrieved a cardboard box from the back room, then returned wordlessly.

She put the box on the counter, then lifted her gaze to meet their expectant ones. "He told me he loved me."

"What?" Meredith paused. "Like, love you as a friend or-"

"In love with me," Kiara interrupted, nodding her head with raised brows. Meredith gaped, lips parted slightly. It was no secret that Pope had his eyes set on Kiara. Anyone with one blind eye could notice. Nevertheless, it still shocked her.

"Wow," JJ raised his eyebrows. "That's something."

"What did you say?" Meredith questioned, reaching for a loaf of bread that was set out on the counter. The three had decided to pack John B and Sarah supplies of everything they would need while away, doing so through a deep conversation.

"Do you feel the same?" The ebony-eyed girl stuffed the bread into the bottom of the box.

"I don't know, that's the problem," Kiara swallowed nervously. "I thought I did but- I told him I wanted something different."

"So..." JJ narrowed his eyes, unable to read the unspoken words. Clearly, he wasn't an expert in girl talk. "Is that a no?..."

"It's a no, J," Meredith confirmed, giving his a single nod. JJ nodded with pursed lips, allowing Kiara to continue.

"I mean, it's not that I don't care about him. I do," Kiara proceeded. "But it's just not the right time, and I don't think I want to start something with him..."

"Yeah, I get it," Meredith understood. She truly did. The blonde boy she so badly tried to tell herself she didn't want was patient with her and would take his time to make sure she eventually understood that. It's not that she didn't want a relationship with him because she so badly did, but she wasn't sure he even wanted one himself.

The boy beside her furrowed his brows, giving her a side glance that went unnoticed to her. Kiara glanced back and forth between the two, having caught the confused expression he gave Meredith.

"I get it," Meredith repeated. "But I don't know if Pope knows that."

"I don't know how to tell him that, though," Kiara raised her voice an octave higher, shoulders sagging. "It doesn't help with everything that's going on with John B. It's changed him or something."

"You sure he wasn't just being weird Pope?" JJ spoke up, packing more food into the box.

"It wasn't really the kind of thing that needed interpretation," She scrunched her nose up, finding a few cans of canned vegetables.

"Is that gonna be enough food for them?" Kiara glanced down at the now full box of food they packed, pausing to make sure they didn't forget anything.

"I mean, for a couple of weeks, and that's all they need, so..." The blonde boy shrugged.

"Look, I think I actually hurt his feelings," Kiara suddenly admit, her voice softening at the unexpected vulnerability.

"Kie, it'll be alright," Meredith tried to console her, throwing JJ's bag over her shoulder while he moved to retrieve the box. "Once this is all over, you'll have plenty of chances to talk to him."

"What she said," JJ agreed, taking the box in his hands. "Don't beat yourself up too much. He's completely changed his feelings. The past 24 hours have been like Jekyll and Hyde."

Meredith nodded from behind him, following the two outside to where Kiara's car was parked, trunk open for them.

"I hate to admit it," Kiara prepared herself for her next words. "But I miss the old Pope. At least I knew what to expect from him."

"He's just going-"

"Where you been?" Meredith spun around at the familiar voice, words getting lodged in her throat at the site of Anna Carrera sauntering towards them with a clenched jaw and flared nostrils.

"Uh- I'm fine," Kiara stuttered, lips parted at the sight of her mother before her. "I slept here."

"Well, we were up half the night, scared to death, looking for you," Anna seethed. "Meredith, your parents have been worried sick." She then turned back to give her daughter her attention. "Were you even going to tell us?"

Meredith closed her mouth, unable to believe that her parents were worried, especially after everything her mother had said. She was taken aback, arms falling limp at her sides.

"Well, I'm telling you now," Kiara argued back, trying to reason with the woman.

"What the hell are you three up to?" Anna glanced over her daughter's shoulder to see JJ and Meredith, the blonde standing behind Meredith with an attentive eye.

"I'm sorry, Miss Anna, we gotta go," JJ sympathized, leading Meredith to the back seat with a hand on her lower back.

"Sorry," Meredith mumbled, rounding the car with JJ.

"I'm sorry," Kiara repeated.

"No. I'm sorry, absolutely not," Her mother was quick to deny them the right, stepping ahead of her daughter. "Have you heard what's going on?"

"Mom, I'll explain later," Kiara attempted to reason, sending Anna a stressed look over her shoulder.

"Have you seen the storm?" The news was shocking to Meredith as she furrowed her eyebrows from inside the vehicle. "This is not safe."

"I'm sorry, Mom," Kiara'a voice, trembled as she slid into the driver's seat, despite her mother's complaints. "I have to go!"

"These cops are armed, Kiara," Anna raised her voice, leaning into the open window. "You'll get yourself shot!"

JJ shifted uneasily in the passenger seat, head drooped low as he listened to the two argue before him. Meredith noticed him clearly trying to shut out the sound of their battling voices, and she badly wanted to reach forward.

"I have to go!" Kiara cried out, trying to suppress her tears.

"I am not letting you do this!" Anna shouted, but it was clearly evident that the three teenagers were going to do it anyway.

"Mom, John B needs me!" Kiara thundered over her mother, who gripped the door tightly.

JJ lifted his head at the urgency and tone of his friends voice, but quickly dropped it when Anna argued back, leaving no room for discussion.

Meredith reached forward, hand snaking around his bicep. Her thumb rubbed gently against his skin, trying to calm his heavy breathing that she noticed from the backseat.

He didn't say anything, but the way his shoulders settled spoke volumes.

"You need to stay here," Anna ordered.

"I understand, I'll be careful," The curly-haired girl ignored her mother, turning the keys in the ignition. "Sorry!"

It pained her to do it, but Kiara slammed the driver's door shut anyway, fave twisting uncomfortably when her mother pleaded on the other side of the rolled up glass.

"Open this door!" Her voice was muffled over the closed door and Kiara's sniffles.

"I'm sorry," the Carrera daughter sobbed, chin wobbling under her tears.

"Right now, Kiara!" Anna pleaded, but Kiara didn't stop. If anything, it only urged her to continue, putting the car into drive. "This is not safe! Stop!"

"Stop! Kiara!" The car quickly peeled out of the driveway, the only sound being her mother shouting in the distance and Kiara's quiet cries.

The girl sniffled, trying to settle her breathing, but tears continued to fall from her eyes.

"Kie..." Meredith whispered cautiously, reaching forward to put her hand on her best friend's shoulder. "It's okay. Do you want me to drive?"

She didn't answer, and at first, Meredith thought she would stop the car and get out, but she didn't. Instead, she wiped underneath her nose, shaking her head quickly.

"No, it's okay."

authors note!
hi.... im so so sorry that i haven't updated since the stone ages ! ive been extremely busy with the holidays and now midterms, so im trying to cram writing, editing, school and family things all at once ! hope that everyone can understand!