After all of us freaked out about the gold for what feels like a million hours. Me, sarah and John B went back to Tanny Hill and went to sleep, As much as I hated the idea of sleeping in that place I needed a shower, and I was far too tired to go home afterwards.

~

I woke up and got dressed then went downstairs, seeing John B and Sarah eating at the table

"Hey," I said walking past them

"Where are you going so quickly?" John B asked

"The chateau, " I said turning around to face them

"Why? To see JJ?" Sarah teased

"That question will remain unanswered," I said then turning back around and walking out the door

After I had gotten my bike from the front yard I rode it over to the chateau

I laid my bike down in the grass softly then i saw Pope and Kie talking over by the surf shack

I waved, walking over

"Hey, whatcha doing? " I asked them

"Finding a way to melt the gold " Pope answers

" cool.... wheres jj?" I asked

"Inside," Kie said

"K thanks byeeee," I said then walking quickly over to the chateau to go see JJ

I opened the door

"Hello???" I called out walking into the living room " JJ? Hellooo???"

I walked into the kitchen

Nothing.

All of a sudden I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist and pick me up from behind

"Ah! Jj don't do that you scared me " I reprimanded him as he put me back down

I turned to face him "Seriously I'm like  three for three with the scaring you" he cackled"  I'll get you back" I tried to hide my smile 

"So. Why so early ?" He asked, I took a deep breath in " I wanted to talk."

"Oh. What about ?" He asked, leaning on the  wall

"jj, before john b fell from the hawks nest..." i started  he avoided eyecontact with me, playing with his hands " you're my best friend, and i think about you... alot. i think about us alot. and its scaring me. i don't wanna lose you over this." my waterline welled with tears "jj, say something" i sighed seeing him thinking. he opened and shut his mouth a few times"it scares me too" he muttered
" But it's not bad scary..." my eyes traced the floor " no. Not bad scary"

"So what now?" I asked swallowing the giant lump that had formed in my throat.

 "I don't know" he shrugged, a small frown on his lips. I reached out touching his hand "We don't have to figure it out right now. I'm just glad it's out in the open" I interlaced my fingers with his. He nodded" Okay"

"Come on" I dragged JJ out of the house, walking to the surf shack, Seeing john B and Sarah had just pulled up to the house

I walked over to the Twinkie where Kie and Sarah were letting go of J's hand, him stretching it. The feeling still lingering on my hands.

"Hey. What are we looking at ?" I asked, with a small groan as I ducked into the van.

"This diagram Pope made of how we're getting the gold out of the well," Sarah said and I leaned over and looked at the paper, a stick figure drawing of the plan in front of me" ok seems easy enough," I said

Just then JJ walked over with the gold

"Kie this better work we can't pawn this if there's a giant wheat symbol on it," JJ said

"It's gonna work " Kie replied holding up a blow torch

"We're using fire ?!!!" I asked excitedly"We aren't using fire...I'm using fire. We don't need you to  burn another tree down this time..." Kie  tugged her hand back abruptly so I couldn't reach the blue  torch canister" Okay that was once" I defended myself

"That really doesn't make it any better" Sarah commented tucking her lips in

 
JJ

We parked the van in front of the shop. I hopped out of the back seat holding the chunk of gold with a rag

" hell of a job melting it down Dr. Frankenstein. " I spat my words to Kie as I looked over the melted piece of gold.

"Like you could've done any better " she replied as everyone else got out of the car

" I could have done better. I took a welding class " I boasted

"Oh really? When? " she clicked her  words

" woah woah woah. Hey, chill out "John B pushed me and Kie away from each other

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to pawn this piece of shit off. Why did I get this job anyway?" I asked as we walked towards the door

"'Cause you're the best liar," Pope said

Ding
I pushed the door open walking inside
Along with everyone else

 "Afternoon ma'am" I walked over to the counter as everyone else sprawled out and looked at other things

"Afternoon" the lady acknowledged me," I see you buy gold " I took my backpack off my shoulder

"That's what the sign says don't it ?" She says

"Well I sure hope you buy a lot of it, because I'm about to blow your mind. " I put my bag on the counter unzipping it.

" I ain't got much mind left to blow, so have at it " the old woman scoffed a laugh

I took the gold out of my backpack and placed it on the countertop "How bout them gold apples?"

" That ain't real" the woman laughed

"That ain't real?" I questioned with a laugh

"Nuh uh, it can't be " she chuckled

"Alright why don't you feel how heavy it is " I crossed my arms and popped my bottom lip.

I watched as she picked it up off the counter, it being fairly heavy.

"Here let's get some light on that "I raised my eyebrows

She picked up the magnifying glass with a flashlight on it. She looked for a few moments before speaking up again

"Spray-painted tungsten. " The lady  looked at me with an unconvinced look
Spray-painteded tungsten? Why don't you see how soft it is ?" I retaliated

"You mind ?" She asked me holding up a small mallet and a sharp metal stick

"No, go right ahead"

She hit the gold chunk then pressed her finger down on it

"Wow. Would you look at that " I said seeing it was Soft enough

"Hold your horses, we ain't got till the acid test yet," she said then turning around and grabbing a tiny bottle of solution

"Oo the acid test my favorite guys " I looked around at my friends who were observing from the sidelines, my eyes landing on Lex for more than  half of that time

The woman squeezed a drop onto the gold. Nothing happened" Well it ain't plated and it ain't painted," she said amazed

"Ma'am I'll tell you this is as real as the day is long," I told her as she still looked sceptical

"It looks like somebody tried to melt it down ." She said still suspicious

"My mome had all this jewelry lying around the house, and though it was best to melt it down. To 'consolidate' it " I came up with something quickly, a stream of fake  cries coming through my words

She lifted the gold bar and put it in the scale " 7 pounds? That's a lot of earrings "

"Okay, to be honest, ma'am, it's been really hard to see my mom fall apart with alzheimers "I sniffled out a few tears, and a fake frown

"Give me a minute," she said then walking away

As soon as she was out of site,  lex walked up to me "alzheimers?" she  cuckled "you come up with better?" i asked with a small smile,  she nodded" oh yeah.. so much better." she reached her hand forwards  to mine, my heart hitched for a second  picking up its pace." here, before she comes back let me show you something." she dragged me over to  the wall of c.d's 

"You see this one? Brand new eyes by Paramore..."  She slid out the plastic CD caseI i meant 'only exception' is my lifeline I think I listened to it every day like ten times a day last summer.Shehe flipped the CD over revealing the list of songs. Her smile was so big and bright.I watched as she listed off each song telling me everything she loved about them.Every lyric that stood out to her, how it made her feel.

She is so special

I walked back over to the counter when I  saw the cashier coming back.

"So I- i talked to my boss and " she walked behind the counter

" and?"

" And , uh , this is what I can do . " She handed me a paper

"Fifty thousand?" I read off the paper "You think I walked in here not knowing the spot price? Ma'am, I know for a fact this is worth 140, at least " I tried to negotiate

"Well, sweetie, you're in a pawn shop. This ain't Zurich. Do I look Swiss to you?" She tried to keep the price

"Ninety or I walk," I said

" seventy. Half price ... and I don't ask where you got it " she negotiated

I looked at John B

He didn't say anything but his face screamed 'yes'

" I'm gonna need that in large denominations please "

"Well here's the snag, I don't have that many denominations. Not here anyway, I can write you a cashier's check," she said

"Cash... no, ma'am. I want the cold hard. That's what that sign says. Cash for gold. And that's what I expect " I explained

"Well, I have to send you to the warehouse. I have money there.Is that alright ? " she asked me

"Where is this warehouse?"

Once she gave us the address we got back in the van and started driving

"So they keep money out here ?" Pope asked as we drove through practically the middle of nowhere

"That's what she said, " I said

"Ha, that's what she said "Lex and i I pointed at each other jokingly

"Stop" Pope killed the mood

" I've never even heard of resurrection drive," Sarah mentioned

"Well that's because you're rich," I said

"You've never heard of it either "Lex chuckled

"There's nothing but weeds back here . " Kie said looking out the window

"Alright, just cause it's just weeds, doesn't mean it's, like...." I tried to make an excuse but got cut off by sirens and flashing lights

" cops?"

"What did we do?"

"Are you kidding me "

I stuffed the gold in my bag quickly then hid it under the seat

"Did you bring the gun!?" John B asked

"No. Okay? Everybody told me to leave it at the place. " I told them

" thank god," Kie said

"Sir-" John B said before looking out the window.

Click

Click

A gun was cocked back at John's face

Yeah, not a cop....

"Why don't I just go ahead and see those hands up in the air right now?" the man with the bandana pulled above his nose pointed his gun right at John B's face.

"All of your hands up in the air right now !" The man shouted
"You out of the car let's go! " We all raised our hands up in surrender

John B slowly opened his door stepping out of the car caustiously" Out of the car let's go hurry! Let them out !" the man yelled

John B opened the door slowly with shaky hands. All of us stepped outside of the vehicle cautiously with our hands raised

"Look we're broke. " I tried to tell him

"Shut the hell up! Shut the hell up! Lay down in the ditch all y'all!" The robber shouted in my face, i felt ike I could recognize him.

We all knelt down in a row then put our heads down in the dirt.

I could feel my heart start to race, my throat constricting, and my hands start to shake.

" I don't wanna see y'all look up alright! That's all y'all gotta do"

I could hear a whimper come from next to me, i looked to the side seeing Lex shaking, her face red and drenched in tears. I wanted to reach over and take her hand, hold her, and tell her that's it's fine, and that I'm here, but that would be too much of a risk.

"That old bat shanked us! Fuck! God damn " I punched the ground, dirt spewing into the air

"John B don't be a hero man" I heard Pope whisper

I looked over to where John B was supposed to be, now the boy was crouched and moving over into the thief's car. He's gonna get himself killed.

"Unless y'all want ya brains blown out all over this road don't move your heads ok!?" The man yelled again with a rag in his hand the same rag the gold was in, and he walked back to his car.

While the man was distracted everyone looked up to see what John B was doing.

Once the man got in his car John.b wrapped an arm around the man's throat and started fighting with him.

"This dumbass" Lex  muttered, pushing herself up, We all followed after her.

"Guys I got the gun!" John B yelled getting out of the backseat of the car

"Hey asshole!" Lex shouted, the man whipped around going to throw a punch at the girl when   she kicked in the back of his knees making him fall to the ground. Everyone gave a few kicks to make sure he was down and out.

" I got the gold," Pope said holding up the rag in his hand along with the chunk of gold

Once the man was out of breath we all surrounded him

"I know this piece of shit !" I shouted after pulling down his face covering  finally recognizing his face" he's a base head !"

"Probably knows my brother " Sarah sighed

"Sells Coke to my dad " I grunted

"Aye, listen, I could hurt any single one of y'all--" Barry started before I hit him with the base of the gun

"Jj!"

" dude chill man cmon"

I leaned down and ripped his wallet from his pocket getting out his ID

" We got one last stop," I said before walking to the car and getting in the front "Let's go see where this son of a bitch lives "

alexis

Jj parked the car then looking at the ID" Why are we at Barry's?" I asked," This'll only take a second ." He said then opening the door and getting out

"JJ where are you going ?" John B asked" Yo soy justicia." JJ ran up the small flight of stairs

"One of us should probably go inside " Pope pointed out

" I'll go," me John b said in unison" Well both go," I said then hopped out of the back We both walked inside to see JJ rummaging through things

"Hey, slick! What's the plan?" I asked as he threw empty beer cans to the side" Well, as thou hast stealth from us, we shall steal-th from ye ." Jj said throwing pillows off of the couch Me and John B looked at each other confused" An eye for an eye routeledge's ... keep up " Jj said then moving past a curtain,I followed him John B staying in the kitchen.

"JJ what do you think happens when you rob a drug dealer ?" John b shouts from the other room" Seriously he knows who we are JJ. This is dangerous " I say as he rummaged through a linen closet

" I'm not scared of this guy," JJ said then pulling a bag out from the closet " There we go " his face lit up, as he threw the duffel down on the bed. He grabbed a few stashes of cash.

"Jj that's not a good idea," I told him

" I know what a good idea is Lex, trust me this is fair," he said then moving past me so he could walk out with the money

I followed behind

John B grabbed JJ before he could get out

"Jj if you keep going down this road you're gonna end up like your dad ." John B said Jj pushed him to the refrigerator

"Yo!" I shouted, at JJ." You watch your mouth man " JJ said through his teeth "Aren't you tired of being messed with because I am "JJ walked outside both me and John B walking out as well

"All right, so we're looking at five grand each for reparations for putting us through that bullshit. " JJ said

Everyone was standing outside of the van" So that's what we're doing now ? We're robbing drug dealers? " Kiara asked" This Barry guy is gonna find out and he's gonna come after us ." Sarah said

"Yes he will This is not the time to start wilding out " Pope stated

"How'd you guys like having' a gun pulled on you ?" Jj asked

" relax"

" he had it right here on you man"

"Look we gotta go get the gold, we're putting it back, "John B said ripping the bag from JJ's hand

JJ pushed John B onto the van

"You feel like a tough guy huh?" John B said
"What are you gonna do when he comes for us?"

"We punch him in the throat " JJ gritted out

"Yeah good fucking idea JJ" John B said angrily

" I'm not putting it back " JJ took the bag back then went inside the van "You guys getting in or what? "

We all looked at him from outside the van irritated, JJ's eye locked on me.

"What?" JJ asked getting out of the van

"We're sick of your shit " John B said

"Oh. My shit ?"

"Yes. You're pulling guns on people shit . " Kiara folded her arms

"You acting like a fricking maniac" Pope pointed out

"Okay, Pope, I took the fall for you man! Know how much money I owe because of you?" Jj shouted, his voice wavering, and his eyes glossing over.

"I told you I was gonna pay you back and I didn't even ask you to do that "Pope shouted back

"I just did. Pay it back Right here right now by myself ... you know what that's exactly what I'm gonna do " JJ said taking his backpack from the back of the van "Go off by myself " he muttered before walking off

"Jj wait! " I called

He ignored me

"Just let him go," John B said

"Really?" I asked turning around to them

"What?" John B asked

"You guys suck! All he does is care for us all and you guys do is treat him like shit! Yeah, his ideas might be impulsive and rash at times but at least he has your best interest at heart. " I ranted at them

" he's stealing from a drug dealer Alex!" Pope shouted at me "You don't think I know that already Pope?" i stepped up to him

"What are your going off to his side ?" John B asked "Just cause you've got feelings for him?" he questioned. I rolled my eyes" Don't even start with me right now Bee! What you said inside was completely out of line ! Ya know what? If you need to find me,don't " I stormed off

After a few minutes, I found my way to a park sitting there thinking about where JJ was. If he was ok or not. I knew that he could be stupid but he had a good heart.

 The sun began to set, i was already exhausted from everything that'd happened that day so I headed home. I made my way to the backyard hoping to sleep in the hammock when i saw lights flick on and the sound of water flowing.

 I walked to the backyard cautiously. Trying to make my footsteps as quiet as possible.

Once I entered the backyard I saw JJ sitting in a hot tub, lights surrounding him.Kie and Pope entered in the other side of the backyard

"What the hell is this ?" Kie asked as Jj popped a bottle of champagne

" I got a jet going straight up my butt right now ." JJ slurred through his words "y'all should get in immediately, you hear me? Salud!"

JJ put the champagne bottle to his lips and chugged down a few gulps. I frowned at his actions. JJ was never the most responsible when it came to alcohol. Whenever someone called him out he'd say 'genetics I guess' but it was bullshit, he was better than that.

"How much did this cost?" I asked, in awe of the entire situation

"Uh, well, with the generator, the petrol, and oh hey, Express delivery ...pretty much all of it, yeah," Jj stated

"All of it ?"

"Yeah, all of it ."

"You spent all the money in one day ?" Pope asked

"Yeah, burned a hole right through my pocket. But, I mean like, come on, guys, like, look at this ! finest in jet-based massage therapy, that's what they told me ." Jj said " kie what? Can't a man have a little luxury in his life ? come on all this scrimpin' and scrapin'...I mean like guys we only live once, right?" enough of this emotional shit. Get in the cat's ass. Come on ."Jj took off his sunglasses revealing his red teary eyes, My heart sank. I wasn't mad at him. I was mad at myself that I wasn't there for him when he needed me like he was for me.

"The what?"I asked

"The cats ass that's what I named her. Oh hey yo I almost forgot " JJ leaned over the side of the hot tub turning on a button" that's right disco mode baby "

"You could have paid for restitution!" Pope shouted

"Or literally given it to any charity !" Kie yelled

I could see JJ tense up as they shouted

"Or better yet you could have helped us get the supplies to get the rest of the gold out of the well" Pope yelled at JJ

" ok! Well you know what I didn't do that "JJ stood up cuts and bruises all over his body, I frowned at his current state.

"I got a hot tub! For my friends, you know what screw friends. I got a hot tub for my family " JJ said his voice wavering

I walked over to the hot tub quickly walking up the small steps 

" I mean it's nice-" JJ spoke with a faux-smile as he looked at me, I wrapped my arms around him, avoiding his bruises.I hugged him, giving him all of my love, he needed it. My best friend, had a tough life, all he had were his friends and we weren't there for him. But we were here now, i was here now.

He sobbed into my shoulder, soaking my shirt in tears, but I didn't care.

"I can't take him anymore " JJ sobbed "I was gonna kill him "

I felt Pope, and Kie surround us

"I just wanna do the right thing " JJ sobbed once more

"I know, I know. " I caressed the back of his head running my fingers through his hair.

After JJ had cried for a bit Kie and Pope then went to move the supplies

I brought him into my room with a towel wrapped around him

"Do you wanna talk about it ?" I asked him, looking at him softly.

He stayed silent

" I'm sorry JJ, I have no idea what you're going through but I can tell you that no matter what happens I'll always be there for you, to listen to you, and to talk to you, and everything else I'll be there. I'm not leaving "

 He looked at me, the lights from outside shining through. He leaned his face to mine, lifting his hand to my jaw, and kissed me. My heart jumped" I know I'm still a little drunk right now but I meant that" he stumbled through his words. I gave a small smile nodding " okay JJ. Lay down I'll be right back. Go get you some water" 

  He nodded, taking my hand and squeezing it before i left. But when I came back he was already passed out. I  pulled my blanket over him, fixing his position to make sure he was on his side, fixing his wet hair before placing a small kiss on his forehead." I love you JJ" My hand laying over his warm cheek.



Kat speaks...

 that last scene always make me cry... no matter how many times i see it.

i love jj and lex , so much,she is...so many things, of course she isnt perfect but my god... that girl. she is happy right now but  just you wait guys....