ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe next day, Lyra woke at precisely six o’clock in the daylight at their family house, particularly her bed. As she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the pleasant aroma of her favorite bacon sandwich and a full glass of orange juice, which was placed on a tray beside her bed. The tray looked beautifully arranged, with a small vase of freshly picked three stalks of daisies adding to its charm. She couldn’t help but wonder who could have been kind enough to prepare such a lovely breakfast for her.

ㅤㅤIs Lyra’s parents home? Did they prepare this for her? Or was it JJ, whom she had told the hiding place of their spare key? She shrugged her thoughts and decided to enjoy her meal before getting ready for the day ahead.

ㅤㅤLyra tied her hair into a messy bun and made a few strides to enter the lavatory. She twisted the doorknob and stepped inside, feeling the coolness of the tiles beneath her feet. She grabbed her towel from the rack and wrapped it around herself before splashing her face with water. As she examined herself in the mirror, she felt grateful for the little things in life and smiled, feeling ready to start the day ahead when she was about to take off her Minions printed pajamas and somebody chose to disrespect her beloved tiny yellow animated creatures.

ㅤㅤ“I gotta say, minions are overrated,”

ㅤㅤLyra felt a jolt of surprise as the frosted glass sliding door that separated the shower area unlocked, revealing JJ leaning nonchalantly at the wall, a juul in his left hand. “Good morning, Minion empress.” he sneered, his eyes flickering with amusement.

ㅤㅤQuickly wrapping her towel around her body, Lyra ignored JJ’s unwelcome presence and asked, “Good morning, J. I’m guessing it was you who made breakfast?” She then took off her pajamas while trying her best to avoid JJ’s gaze. 

ㅤㅤJJ stood up and moved from the tub to sit on the bathroom counter, his eyes still fixed on Lyra. “Yep, I prepared it with love, mi amor.”

ㅤㅤLyra couldn’t help but giggle at JJ’s ridiculous way of responding,  “Thank you, dear kind Sir. Also, the daisies were lovely.” She playfully curtsied.

ㅤㅤ“I’m glad you loved it, my lady.,” JJ said, a smirk still plastered on his face. Lyra winced in disdain at his corny comeback while JJ cracked up at her reaction. “No, but seriously, what makes you think all of those bacon sandwiches are just yours?” JJ added as Lyra let out a snort.

ㅤㅤTheir act ended when Lyra had to use all her strength to coax JJ out of the bathroom as she was about to take a quick bath. She knew he could be stubborn sometimes, but after several minutes of persuasion, she finally got JJ to leave. She breathed a sigh of relief as she shut the door and let her towel fall to the ground. Lyra stepped into the shower and felt warm water cascade over her skin. She stayed there for what felt like hours, indulging in the luxury of a long, relaxing bath.

ㅤㅤMeanwhile, JJ was growing increasingly impatient as he waited, lying on Lyra’s bed after he chose her outfit for the day. Don’t blame him, her girl friend takes too long to decide on what she’ll wear.  His stomach was practically growling. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lyra emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a bathrobe and her hair wrapped in a towel. JJ’s eyes were fixed on her, his gaze following her every movement as she approached him.

ㅤㅤ“Finally! Why do you always take long showers?” he grumbled, his tone impatient.

ㅤㅤLyra rolled her eyes, feeling a hint of annoyance at JJ’s lack of patience. “Yeah, ‘cos I took a bath, not a shower. Know the difference, my sweet summer child.” She noticed a set of clothes lying on her bed. She picked them up and turned to JJ. “You want me to wear this?” she asked.

ㅤㅤ“No. I want you to throw it in the trashcan.”

ㅤㅤLyra paid no attention to JJ’s sarcastic statement. “Would you mind?” She clutched her clothes off her bed to wear them.

ㅤㅤ“Why are you even asking? You own this house.”

ㅤㅤShe snorts, “This house is listed under my mom’s name, so, technically, it’s not mine nor Klyd’s.” Lyra answered as she removed the bathrobe from her body, revealing her strapless black bikini. In her peripheral vision, she saw JJ swallowing greedily; now it was her turn to smirk.

ㅤㅤ“Whatever you still live here,” JJ stated.

ㅤㅤLyra paced around her room, her heart racing as she contemplated her outfit for the day. After a brief moment, she slipped into a pair of comfortable shorts, their soft fabric brushing against her skin. Next, she selected a fitted shirt that hugged her form just right. In the meantime, JJ sat on her bed, his striking blue eyes glued to Lyra’s phone screen, a playful smile creeping across his lips. He couldn’t resist the temptation to peek at her gallery, having recovered the device when she dashed off for a quick shower.

ㅤㅤAs he scrolled through her photos, he landed on an image that warmed his heart: a snapshot of the artificial jonquil flower in a pot that he had given her during their very first Christmas as friends. The bright yellow petals seemed to radiate joy in the picture, just as they did in real life. Looking up, he spotted the flower sitting proudly on her vanity, just as vibrant and cheerful as it was depicted in the photo.

ㅤㅤ“Can’t believe you still have it,” he remarked, his voice tinged with surprise.

ㅤㅤ“Still have what?” Lyra asked, twisting around to face him, curiosity dancing in her eyes

ㅤㅤ“This,” JJ said, showcasing the digital image of the delicate artificial jonquil flower nestled in its pot.

ㅤㅤLyra’s eyes danced with delight as she responded, “Well, what can I say? I’m a sentimental person.” Her admission prompted JJ’s curiosity to spike. “Did you keep all the flowers I gave you?” he asked, eyebrows raised in astonishment.

ㅤㅤWith a determined nod, she confirmed, “Yes, I did! When they completely wither, I store them in vacuum-sealed pouches.” She moved gracefully to her vanity’s bottom left drawer and pulled out a crafted wooden storage box. As she lifted the lid, she revealed one of her cherished, withered flowers, its once-vibrant colors now faded, yet still beautiful in its own way. 

ㅤㅤ“It’s kept in here,” she declared, showcasing it like a treasured artifact. It’s a shame he stopped bringing her flowers, well, he still does, but not like before. He used to give her flowers daily.

ㅤㅤ“Glad to know that my gifts are appreciated,” JJ replied, his tone playful yet sincere.

ㅤㅤ“JJ,” she shot back, “your hideous portrait of me is literally on my wallet.”

ㅤㅤ“Oh, I know,” he responded with a smirk that he couldn’t contain. It was one of the many things he cherished about Lyra—her genuine appreciation for everything he or other people gave her, no matter how extravagant or simple. Whether it was a beautifully crafted gift or a quirky drawing, she received them all with a smile that lit up her face and eyes that sparkled like stars, making every moment they shared feel special.

ㅤㅤLyra and JJ made their way downstairs and quickly settled into the comfortable kitchen, the aroma of fresh ingredients wafting around them as they eagerly dug into the sandwiches JJ had prepared. The sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the scene, and their laughter echoed softly as they shared stories, the atmosphere feeling both intimate and relaxed.

ㅤㅤAfter they finished the last crumbs, they pushed their plates aside and exchanged excited glances. “Let’s make some sandwiches to take over to John B’s,” Lyra suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. 

ㅤㅤSince Lyra had more experience in cooking, she was in the lead. They gathered ingredients—slicing juicy tomatoes, folding delicate layers of ham and cheese, and spreading creamy condiments on the bread. The kitchen was filled with the sounds of rustling wrappers and the rhythmic chopping of vegetables as they whipped up a few hearty sandwiches.

ㅤㅤOnce they were done, the two rode JJ’s beloved bike from Lyra’s house to the Château with a paper bag in hand. The duo peeped at the window on the porch and saw John B peacefully sleeping on the couch. JJ wanted to do a silly prank, and being a good friend, Lyra agreed to it, which resulted in JJ giving instructions to Lyra. JJ will knock through the window, and Lyra will wait for John B. to open his eyes. And when he looks at JJ, clueless about her existing in the same room as he is, that is when Lyra will scare him off.

ㅤㅤThe door was left unlocked. Lyra carefully opens the door from the porch and onto the main entrance. She lightly steps her feet and walks into the living room. She crouches on the floor, trying her best to hide before she glances at the window where JJ is standing, waiting for his signal. JJ lifted his hand and started to count backward.

ㅤㅤThree, two, and one.

ㅤㅤA loud thud was heard inside the room, and Lyra heard the couch make weird noises. Now, it was her time to scare him off. She saw a red whistle on the floor owned by no one other than JJ. Lyra carefully rubbed the whistle on the hem of her shirt to wipe it before putting it between her lips. She inhaled and blew the whistle.

ㅤㅤ“Lyra, what the hell!”

ㅤㅤ“We got you pretty good, didn’t we?” Lyra chortles.

ㅤㅤ“You should have seen your face. Your face was like—”

ㅤㅤJohn B laughs sarcastically, “Very funny.” 

ㅤㅤAfter their successful prank on John B, they left the paper bag full of sandwiches on John B’s kitchen table. Lyra grabbed three, for the boys as she was certain, they’d need it. The three of them got in the Routledge’s old but still functioning Volkswagen van and headed to Mrs Lana Grubbs’ place. They found Big John’s compass in a Grady White boat owned by Scooter Grubbs, so why not interrogate his mourning wife? It’s probably not their best idea, but they have got to do something to know why Big John’s compass was in the possession of the late Scooter Grubbs.

ㅤㅤWhile on the way, JJ brought up Kiara and said that their Kook friend allegedly liked John B. Lyra’s eyes narrowed slightly as her face wrinkled in disgust, “JB, don’t listen to JJ.” She slaps JJ lightly on the back of his head. “Stop your nonsense, also—Kiara doesn’t even sound like that.”

ㅤㅤJJ rubs the area on his head where Lyra smacks. “She totally does. Lyra’s being biased. Kiara’s sketching about you diving, and then she kissed you, bro.” JJ keeps on insisting.

ㅤㅤJohn B, reposed as he can be, clarified, “She kissed me on the cheek. It’s not like we were making out or something.”

ㅤㅤ“Can’t a girl and a boy be friends without people assuming that they’re secretly crushing on each other?” Lyra noted, receiving John B’s approval. “Take JB and I, for example, a guy and a girl; we’ve been best friends for many years. Nothing more.” She added.

ㅤㅤJohn B peeks at Lyra through the rearview mirror, his brows lifted, “Wait, what? I thought we were more than that?” JJ whips his head to John B, quickly, as Lyra chuckles in response. “I thought we were siblings from another mother?” John B added as a smirk formed on his lips, hearing a sigh coming from JJ.

ㅤㅤ“You spooked me for a second, bro.”

ㅤㅤJohn B lets loose a chuckle, “Make a move now, JJ,” John B murmured. JJ merely stared at him, expressionless. Still, John B was stealing glimpses at the lady sitting in the back seat who had her concentration on the phone that she was holding.

ㅤㅤ“I don’t know what you are talking about, man. So as I was saying...”

ㅤㅤSince John B and Kiara’s possible love tale is none of Lyra’s business, she pays no attention to their conversation. Her attention drifted to the trees they were passing by. Seconds later, Lyra slowly blinks, her eyelids getting heavy as she eventually caves into the darkness.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

ㅤㅤ“Wakey wakey, mi amor.”

ㅤㅤ“... why do you call her that if you don’t like her? Stop giving people mixed signals, man!”

ㅤㅤ“Dude, chill out. It’s just a nickname; don’t overanalyze it. And besides, worry about your love life, not mine.” He chuckled, not knowing Lyra was eavesdropping on them.

ㅤㅤLyra slowly opens her eyes and lets out a soft groan, feeling disoriented. She looks around and realizes that they have already arrived at their destination. “How many minutes was I out?” she asks her companions, JJ, and John B. JJ feigns to look at his nonexistent watch while John B. stands there in silence.

ㅤㅤ“Not that long, empress,” JJ responded, “Now, get your pretty ass out here and accompany us to Mrs Lana’s house.” He commanded, sliding the door open while John B assisted her exit the car by offering her his hand.

ㅤㅤLyra was still determining why John B. and JJ made all the gestures, but she was pleased. “Thank you,” she muttered as they sauntered closer to the Grubbs’ house.

ㅤㅤ“You know what this house looks like? Whoever lives here smokes too much weed.” JJ spoke of.

ㅤㅤ“Can’t you keep your opinion to yourself?”

ㅤㅤ“No.”

ㅤㅤThey haven’t even reached the front door yet, but they can hear loud rackets inside the house, including crashes, clattering, and glass breaking. “You’re hearing that, right?” Lyra voiced after the voice of an unknown and dangerous man was heard speaking inside the house.

ㅤㅤ“Sure we do. You’re not the only one with ears,” JJ mocked, “Maybe we should come back,”

ㅤㅤJohn B halted JJ from walking away and objected, “No, no, no. Shut up, shut up, JJ.” He ushered the way as they heard an unknown man threaten a grieving widow named Mrs Lana. As Lyra hears Mrs Lana outcry in pain, she automatically clings herself to JJ’s muscular arm.

ㅤㅤJJ wasn’t even surprised by it, as he is used to her doing that most of the time. He held a proud grin to appear on his lips. He gently withdrew Lyra’s grasp on his left arm and entwined their hands. The three of them then ran to the nearest window to see what was happening inside the house. The trio crouched down with their backs against the wooden wall as they listened to the man questioning Mrs. Lana about an object while the sounds of crashing and smashing still occurred.

ㅤㅤ“The compass wasn’t in the boat,” The man asserted. “Where is it, Lana?” The man demanded with a frightening voice, and then a loud thud was heard from the wall as specks of dust flew from the house.

ㅤㅤLyra ran her unoccupied hand through her hair, as did JJ, shrugging off the white particles of their hair. “Is that paint?” JJ softly muttered.

ㅤㅤ“Yes, it’s paint.” John B responded quietly.

ㅤㅤ“Looks like dandruff to me,”

ㅤㅤThey heard the man tell his companion to leave the place, and as they did, John B peeked at the unknown people in the Grubbs’ house. JJ and Lyra glance, too, and then they look at each other. “Those were the guys that shot at us!” JJ declared openly as he fully recognized the two-armed man from the marsh.

ㅤㅤ“Shit, you’re right. What have we gotten ourselves into, boys? My family would kill me.” Lyra whispered, remembering the day they were at the marsh and almost got killed because of those men. John B instructed his best friends to return, and the duo obeyed. Lyra leaned against the wall and unconsciously tightened her grip on JJ’s hand.

ㅤㅤ“Lyra, you’re kinda hurting my poor fingers.”

ㅤㅤLyra whirls her head on JJ, “Sorry—"

ㅤㅤ“It’s fine, I know you love me,” JJ stopped her talk. 

ㅤㅤ“You’re not gonna let it go, will you?”

ㅤㅤ“Damn right, I won’t.” JJ winked at her, “Just loosen your grip a little bit, and we’re all good.” He muttered. 

ㅤㅤJohn B. stares at them with a revolted face. Sure, he wants JJ to make a move to Lyra, but it is still gross—they grew up together. And his friends weren’t even aware of how disgustingly adorable they were. Once the boat was taken off, John B led them inside the porch. The two blondes still have their hands tied to each other. Upon entering, a whimpering Mrs Lana welcomed them.

ㅤㅤ“Mrs Lana?”

ㅤㅤThe trio enters the living room, which looks like somebody robbed the place. They saw Mrs Grubbs on the bathroom floor and rushed over to her. She was weeping, and fear was evident on her face. John B had asked if she wanted to call the cops but she strongly refused.

ㅤㅤ“What do you know about these guys?” John B asked Mrs Lana a question, ignoring his two blonde-haired best friends’ suggestion that they should leave.

ㅤㅤAs Mrs Lana tears up, she replies, “They were looking for something.” JJ and Lyra glance at each other with dazed looks on their faces.

ㅤㅤJohn B takes the compass out of his pocket and shows it to the wailing lady. “Does it have anything to do with this?” For a second, Lana Grubbs ceased weeping. As John B questions her further, Mrs Lana becomes more distressed and denies knowing anything about the compass. 

ㅤㅤJJ and Lyra exchange worried glances, sensing that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

ㅤㅤ“Scooter didn’t have it, okay. Don’t tell anyone that you have that. They can’t know.”

ㅤㅤJJ nudges John B on his shoulder after Lyra steps aside. “Come on, man.”

ㅤㅤ“You gotta get out of here!”

ㅤㅤJJ grabs John B out of the house as the latter keeps asking about the compass. “What do you know about the compass?”

ㅤㅤThe room was thick with tension as Mrs. Lana Grubbs demanded they leave. Tears streamed down her face, her voice a raw plea. John B refused to give up easily, arguing with the weeping woman. But in the end, her resolve was unwavering. She shoved them out, her actions filled with a desperate determination.

ㅤㅤJJ grabbed John B’s arm, pulling him back towards the van. Lyra rushed to the driver’s seat, her heart pounding in her chest. John B quickly climbed into the passenger seat, his face pale and drawn. JJ managed to squeeze into the back just in time.

ㅤㅤLyra placed a comforting hand on John B’s shoulder, her eyes filled with concern. “We’ll figure it out,” she said, her voice steady. “We always do.” She glanced at the rearview mirror, meeting JJ’s gaze. The blue-eyed girl patted John B’s shoulder and started the engine, revving it up before smoothly driving away from the scene.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

ㅤㅤAfter they have arrived at the Château, Lyra calls Kiara and Pope. Lyra was too tired to talk, and John B. let JJ narrate and dramatize everything that occurred at Mrs. Lana’s.

ㅤㅤ“Knocking paint off the wall, G! From the inside. All right? And I was just looking at him while Lyra clung her arms to mine. First off—” JJ walks closer, right where Kiara and Pope are sitting as he starts shaking his hair with his hands as they lean backward.

ㅤㅤ“That’s dandruff, disgusting.”ㅤ

ㅤㅤ“Okay, thank you.”

ㅤㅤ“That’s paint. If that is dandruff in my head, then Lyra has it too,” 

ㅤㅤPope rolls his eyes after hearing JJ’s previous comments, “Okay, okay, so you saw the guys who shot at us, right? Did you get any description of them? What do they look like? Anything?” Pope mustered all the information he heard just now as Kiara added some questions.

ㅤㅤ“Burly.”

ㅤㅤ“Burly?”

ㅤㅤ“That’s not really helpful.”

ㅤㅤPope shakes his head. He turned to Lyra, seeking her opinion. “They scream danger,” she said, his voice low. “And as you already know, they’re armed. They were ruthlessly violent. If only you had seen Mrs. Lana earlier, she was terrified.”

ㅤㅤLyra hesitated, her mind racing. She wasn’t the best at describing things, but she knew she had to try. “She was... scared,” she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

ㅤㅤ“Like the type of guy at my dad’s garage. I mean, you guys know how he made cargo hides for drug smugglers. Then, I can tell you with full confidence, these boys, these killers...” JJ took one cigarette from his pocket and lit it. “They’re square groupers.”

ㅤㅤLyra carefully tidied up her poise, noticing how many times she slouched her back. “They’re square groupers. Like Narco Square Grouper? Like Pablo Escobar square grouper?” Pope asks for verification as JJ nods his head.

ㅤㅤ“Yeah, man,” JJ replies, taking another hit off his cigarette.

ㅤㅤKiara turned to Lyra, “You guys, not everything is a kingpin movie.” Kiara chimed.

ㅤㅤPope asks for more details, but JJ and Pope begin shouting at each other, causing Lyra and the others to watch silently. “Dude! I wasn’t taking little mental Polaroid the entire time. I was under duress, okay?” JJ screamed. “I can tell you by the way Mrs Lana was screaming that these guys are serious hombres, man. It’s a heavy vibe right now, okay. I’m not liking this very much.” he clarified further.

ㅤㅤLyra crouched on the couch, her gaze scanning JJ from head to toe. The tousled blond hair, the wrinkled shirt, the cigarette dangling between his fingers—everything seemed different. As if a veil had been lifted from her eyes, she noticed a change in the young man before her. As he grew older, he became more attractive. It was a mystery how she had hidden her attraction towards him before. She had Rafe to thank for that.

ㅤㅤRafe had been a great distraction.

ㅤㅤPope poked her, making her twirl her head towards him. “You’re definitely checking him out,” he whispered, a smirk forming on his face.

ㅤㅤThe youngest Monroe-Aragon let out a small scoff. “He can only dream,” she retorted, her voice playful. Pope gave her a teasing smile.

ㅤㅤUnknowingly, someone else looks at them, and he isn’t amused. 

ㅤㅤPope taps Lyra’s shoulder after standing from his seat, “Get up,” Lyra is confused as hell, and Pope can see it on her face. “We’re going to Big John’s office.” The confused lady only nods her head before following her other friends.

ㅤㅤShe was standing next to JJ, who, surprisingly, wasn’t done smoking. Lyra scrunched her nose as she hated the smell it created. “Can you give your weak lungs a rest?” She grumbled, looking away from JJ’s figure.

ㅤㅤ“No can do,” JJ muttered, “Besides, you’ll be here to resuscitate me,” he winked at Lyra. 

ㅤㅤKiara sent Lyra signals that she was having difficulty understanding. Then, Kiara mouthed, Big John. Lyra’s eyes dilated slightly before talking, “He’ll be back soon. I just know he’s still out there.” She then rested her palm on John B’s shoulder. She wasn’t entirely sure what they were talking about. It was the first sentence that came out of her mouth.

ㅤㅤ“Thanks, Lyra,”

ㅤㅤJohn B let out a sigh before unlocking the door and entering. The room looked like Hurricane Agatha had damaged it. Lyra has lived at the Château for years but has never been inside the office. It has been off-limits from them ever since they were children and ever since Big John went M.IA.

ㅤㅤJohn B. began telling his friends about the weird history of the compass—Pope has called it a death compass—he looked around his friends, hoping one of them would agree with him. That Redfield, the word written on the secret compartment, is connected to his father’s disappearance.

ㅤㅤPope shook his head, “A clue? Come on, that’s…” He caught Kiara’s warning eyes before he could continue. Meanwhile, JJ and Lyra who witnessed it, suppressed their laughs by fake cough while the other bit her lower lip. “But if it’s a clue, maybe it’s an anagram.” He said.

ㅤㅤJohn B. grabs a pen and a piece of paper as Pope is about to dissect the supposed clue. 

ㅤㅤOn the other hand, Lyra pored over a small photo album, her fingers tracing the edges of the worn pages. The images inside were a treasure trove of memories, capturing the early days of her friendship with John B, Pope, and JJ. There was a particular photo that always brought a smile to her face:  She was holding three different stalks of flowers while the three boys squeezing a younger crying version of Lyra into a hug on their first day of fourth grade.

ㅤㅤAnother photo caught her eye. It was nothing special, really, just a simple snapshot of JJ giving her a piggyback ride on their first summer together. A smile spread across her face. The photo was perfectly captured, a moment frozen in time. It would be a waste to keep it hidden away in one of Big John’s drawers. Hence, Lyra carefully removed the photo and another one from earlier from the photo album, tucking them away in her pocket.

ㅤㅤ“Guys! Somebody’s here!” John B’s shout pierced the air, catching everyone’s attention. They peered out the window, their hearts pounding.

ㅤㅤ“Guys, guys, is that them?” Kiara whispered, her voice filled with fear.

ㅤㅤWith the gun in JJ’s backpack, lying on the porch, it was useless now. They had no choice but to climb out the window, the coop their only escape. The four of them watched helplessly as the men loaded their car with stolen goods from Big John’s office. The rooster was killed. The gunned men left. The Pogues are on the Twinkie, on their way to what they thought Redfield was about.

ㅤㅤThe Redfield Lighthouse.

ㅤㅤ“You’re gonna post up and look out for bogeys, okay?” John B instructed, putting his palm on JJ’s shoulder.

ㅤㅤJJ looked around, confusion written on his face, “Wait, why me?”

ㅤㅤ“Because you’re not coming,” Pope answered.

ㅤㅤ“Why?” JJ yelled.

ㅤㅤKiara and Lyra shared a look, tired of their friends’ stupid banters. 

ㅤㅤ“Listen to me for a second, just listen.” John B commanded, turning his head to Pope, “Pope, you stand lookout with JJ. Okay?” He then looked where Lyra stood, as he continued, “Lyra, please.”

ㅤㅤ“ Dude, you can’t me climb those stairs, I might throw up when I reach the top. I’d rather stay here with them.” She stated, making John B. nod his head.

ㅤㅤ“Alright. If we get split up, we meet back at JJ’s house.” John B concluded, gathering everyone’s approval. John B. and Kiara had gone into the lighthouse, and JJ was playing with a rock while Pope’s working on his essay. 

ㅤㅤLyra was fascinated. The way Pope’s brain worked amazed her. Though she wasn’t the brightest student in OBX, she wasn’t exactly dumb either. History fascinated her, while subjects that required formulas and computations were her Achilles’ heel. She wished she could possess Pope’s intelligence, and then she wouldn’t need a tutor for the upcoming school year.

ㅤㅤ“Hey, Pope,” Lyra blurted out, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “How much would you charge me if I asked you to tutor me?”

ㅤㅤ“Free of charge,” Pope replied, his voice filled with warmth. “Where were you struggling at?”

ㅤㅤJJ rolled his eyes, his usual carefree demeanor returning. “Guys, it’s summer. Can’t we just enjoy summer without worrying about school?”

ㅤㅤPope and Lyra’s eyes were glued on JJ. “Oh, yeah? Aren’t we in so much adventure already?” Lyra retorted, her voice playful. They literally dodged bullets yesterday, earlier today they just got away from the same people who were responsible for what happened to them at the marsh. Isn’t this too much adventure? 

ㅤㅤ“I know we’re probably too old for this, but how about we spice things up with a classic game of truth or dare?” Lyra proposed, a playful sparkle dancing in her eyes. 

ㅤㅤ“Alright, I’m in. You go first,” JJ replied, his own gaze twinkling with mischief as he leaned forward slightly, eager for the unfolding drama.

ㅤㅤ“Truth,” Lyra declared, an air of confidence masking her trepidation. 

ㅤㅤ“Just curious,” JJ said with a sly grin, “Have you ever been laid?”

ㅤㅤLyra felt her heart skip a beat, her expression tightening as she narrowed her eyes at him. “First of all, why do you care about my love life?” she snapped, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. With a deep breath, she added, “And to answer your question, yes.” In truth, Lyra had never crossed that line, not even during her dalliance with Rafe. She was always cautious, grounded by her desire for that first experience to be nothing short of perfection—a moment shared with someone she loved and felt utterly ready for, both physically and emotionally.

ㅤㅤA wave of anxiety washed over her as she sensed the others probing for the truth behind her facade. The fear of exposure gnawed at her; she didn’t want to unveil her secrets in such a mundane setting as a game. The silence that followed had grown heavy, pressing against her skin, when Pope, sensing the rising tension, decided to intervene. He cleared his throat, breaking the thick air. “Alright, JJ, your turn. Truth or dare?” he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.

ㅤㅤJJ chose truth, earning a snicker from both Pope and Lyra, who exchanged amused glances. “Okay,” Pope continued, his tone casual but his eyes sparkling with curiosity, “Would you ever consider dating a friend?”

ㅤㅤ“I think so,” JJ replied, his gaze drifting sideways to Lyra, who was staring thoughtfully at the distant lighthouse, its beam sweeping across the night sky. He swallowed hard, feeling a rush of uncertainty. “I would definitely date Kie.”

ㅤㅤAt that moment, a quiet storm brewed within Lyra. Hearing JJ’s words felt like a sharp knife twisting in her gut. Why did the thought of him wanting to be with Kie sting so much? She didn’t understand why, but the impact of his confession left her reeling.

ㅤPope had already posed the question to JJ about whether he would consider dating Lyra, making her gradually shift her gaze toward the blond-haired boy, a mix of anticipation and curiosity brewing within her. She wasn’t expecting much, but the prospect of his answer intrigued her nonetheless.

ㅤㅤ“Lyra’s different,” JJ replied, clicking his tongue pensively as he ran his fingers through his tousled hair, a nervous habit of his whenever he felt flustered. “She grew up with us, you know? It... it doesn’t really... well, she’s a girl,” he stumbled over his words, trying to articulate what he felt but failing to find the right expression.

ㅤㅤLyra couldn’t help but interject with a dry retort, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re just realizing that now?” Her tone hinted at the frustration of unspoken feelings that lingered just beneath the surface.

ㅤㅤJJ abruptly turned his head to face her, surprise and mild embarrassment crossing his features. “I didn’t mean it like that! What I mean is, you’re like our shared sister,” he defended, a hint of desperation to clarify his thoughts in his voice.

ㅤㅤPope, ever the provocateur, couldn’t resist chiming in with a smirk. “Would you flirt with your sister often?” he teased, clearly enjoying the moment, only to receive a playful smack on the arm from JJ in response.

ㅤㅤ“Shut up, Pope,” JJ shot back, his cheeks slightly reddening.

ㅤㅤPope raised his hands in mock surrender. “Just asking!” he replied, his grin widening.

ㅤㅤMeanwhile, Lyra fought to shake off the wave of negative thoughts that threatened to cloud her mind. She plastered a bright smile on her face, determined not to let the banter get to her. Seizing the moment to steer the attention away from herself, she turned to Pope and asked, “Okay, moving on. Pope, it’s your turn. Truth or dare?” The playful challenge in her voice lightened the atmosphere, indicating that the game must go on despite the tension.

•─────⋅☾ 𝔫𝔶𝔵 ☽⋅─────•

hellooooo.

here’s another chapter and i am very sorry for the long wait (again, lol).

if you have managed to reach this chapter, i hope that even just a little, you find this story entertaining.

hoping you have or had a lovely day. thank you for everything! <33