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“Really JJ?” Pope said, standing up as the boy walked up to John B’s house. They had all made a plan to meet up and hang out at his house before school rolled around.
Kie had been away all summer, her parents had taken her on a trip to Califonia. Pope had been working with his dad, and John B had been chasing down things for his father. JJ had been working as well.
And so, they’d all promised to meet up. But no one wanted to wake up before noon, and Kie had some fancy event to go to at 2, so they had two hours together. That is until Pope showed up a half-hour late, but JJ-- he didn’t come until Kie had to leave.
So there he stood, stepping onto the porch, two hours late, right as Kie was about to leave.
“Asshole,” Kie mumbled, shoving him in the shoulder as she walked her out.
John B stood and walked up to him. “I’m driving her home. J- you, you messed up.” He said, walking away.
JJ bit his lip, staring at the ground before meeting Pope’s eyes. “What do you have to say to me, huh? You seem pretty mad,” He knew he was provoking Pope, but he didn’t care.
“JJ…” Pope shook his head like he was trying to fight back words. “You knew how much she wanted to meet up-- how much we all did. What the hell happened?”
“What do you think?” JJ said, and he collapsed on the couch, wincing. “Same thing that always does. I thought he would be asleep but…”
“Shit.”
He nodded, and Pope sat down next to him. The couch creaked, and the two just sat next to each other.
A car rumbled into the driveway, probably John B, and JJ finally said something.
“I should’ve called,” Pope pulled him for a hug, and he wrapped his arms tight around him.
“It’s okay…” He whispered. “It’s okay.”