VIII. you bring me home

      Dylan was still in a shock like state. She sat in the back of the Twinkie with her back pressed against the passenger seat. Her knees were pulled to her chest. It was a silent ride, all of them still shaken up. "I mean it's obvious, right? A family heirloom. What better place to hide a message? He had to know it was gonna get back to me,  right?" John B voiced.

"Yeah, it's possible." Kiara agreed even though she wasn't convinced.

"It could also be possible that you're concocting wild theories to help you know, deal with your dad feelings." Pope suggested.

"Pope." Dylan scolded.

"Bro, you know how I process my sad feels?" Asked JJ.

She shook her head. "I really don't want to know."

"Dank nugs and the stickiest of ickies."

"And you said it anyway."

"I'm not concocting, okay? My dad's trying to give me a message." John B snapped.

"If it helps you believe, John B." Kie assured him.

"Look, I-I don't need a therapy session, okay? Look, I'm not tripping out."

"It's okay to trip, bro, but—"

"Look, my dad is missing, okay?" John B interrupted JJ. "Missing. You don't know what it's like to have the person closest to you vanish."

Dylan frowned. She felt Pope kick her foot and she looked up, him being across from her on the seat. His eyes asked if she was okay and his expression read that he was worried about her. All she did was shake her head.

"It's been almost a year." Kiara stated.

But John B didn't give in. He looked over his shoulder. "Dyl?" He spoke.

Dylan didn't even have to look at him for them to know that she believed him. "I know, B. I know."

John B knew that as long as he had her on his side, he didn't need anyone else's opinion on the matter.

"Hey, he could have been kidnapped. That's definitely a possibility." JJ expressed,  trying to break the awkwardness.

"Yeah, could be in a soviet sun getting interrogated by the KGB somewhere." Pope spilled.

Dylan titled her head slightly. "It amazes me how your brain works."

He blushed red.

"What do you think the message is?"

"Redfield."  John B answered and they passed the sign to the lighthouse. "Redfield Lighthouse. That's my dad's favorite place."

Redfield Lighthouse had a perfect view of the entire island. It was the place to come for every sunrise and sunset watch. Dylan remembered countless of times when she'd sneak up to the top to watch with her friends or simply by herself. It used to be one of her favorite spots but as she stood in front of it now, shut down and nearly abandoned, it made her upset.

"Alright, this is what's gonna happen. You're gonna post up and look out for bogeys, okay?" John B explained to JJ.

"Wait, why me?" JJ questioned.

"Because you're not coming." Pope said like it was obvious.

"Why?"

He gave him a look. "Because there are independent and dependent variables. And you're an independent variable."

"Shut up! Shut up!" JJ shouted over him.

Dylan pinched the bridge of her nose. Boys.

"Just listen to me for a second!" John B shouted over them in annoyances. "Pope, you and DJ stand look out with JJ, okay? If we get split up we meet back at JJ's house."

Dylan pulled a face. "Wait, why am I not going with you?"

He blinked. "I trust you more to keep an eye on them."

Dylan wouldn't lie that she felt jealous that he decided on Kiara going with him to the lighthouse instead of her. It was simply because Dylan had known John B her whole life and had more knowledge on Big John than any of them. Her and John B shared the same feelings about the situation. Why would he pick Kie?

Then she realized she sounded like a pick me girl and quickly shook it off. "Okay."

John B and Kiara made their way to the lighthouse leaving the three behind. "I'm gonna work on my merit scholarship essay. Try to keep the felonies to a minimum." Said Pope.

"All right, will you just shut up already?" JJ shot back and played with a hacky sack that he found.

Dylan rolled her eyes. "You two give me a headache." She walked away and sat down by a tree.

When she was out of ear shot, JJ quickly smacked Pope on the arm. "Dude, when are you gonna move in on it?"

Pope's eyes widened. "What?"

"Bro, everyone knows you've had a thing for Dylan since middle school. Why haven't you made a move?"

"I do not have a thing for DJ."

"Who are you trying to kid here?" JJ pointed between them. "Me or her?"

Pope wanted to strangle him. "We're best friends. Nothing more nothing less."

He raised his hands in defense. "Whatever you say. Just saying though, she's super hot and wifey material. Even I'd go for her."

Refraining from glaring at him, Pope just walked away.  He squeezed his hands into fists. "Douchebag."

Noticing the annoyance, Dylan moved from her spot and plopped down beside him. "What's got you in a mood, hot shot?"

"Oh, um. . . just JJ being JJ." Pope played it off.

She nodded. "Infuriating?"

"Infuriating." He agreed and smiled.

She smiled and her pearly white teeth peaked through. When he felt his stomach tighten, Pope nearly sighed. JJ was right. Who was he kidding? 

When she looked away, Pope glanced at JJ to see him smirking. He wiggled his brows and made silent kissing noises. Pope flipped him off.

After sitting around for what seemed like ever, Pope and JJ started throwing the hacky sack to each other while Dylan sat with her back against the tree,  watching.  Suddenly,  the sound of police sirens were heard and her eyes widened. "Oh, shit." Pope cursed and the boys quickly ran to the twinkie. 

Dylan scrambled to her feet and quickly slid open the door of the Twinkie. She climbed in as the boys got in the front seats. JJ quickly started it and drove off.  She looked behind her at the lighthouse. "Think they'll be pissed at us?"

Pope nodded breathlessly. "Oh,  most definitely."

"Great." She muttered and fell between them. She ran her hand down her face and sighed. 

When she got the call that John B was taken to the police station, she begged her dad to drive her. Lucky for her, Logan Jennings saw John Booker as a son. Bailing him out was no problem but the lecture that came after was worse.

"I really don't know how to repay you, Mr.  Jennings." John B said for the fifth time when they exited the station.

"John B, no repayments. It's okay." Logan assured the boy and patted him on the back. "I'm just disappointed, son. You're a good boy. What're you doin' getting wrapped up in trouble.

John B looked embarrassed. "I don't know, Mr. J, but I'm sorry. I feel really guilty."

"John B, I've known you since you could walk. Your father was my best friend. If you're having trouble or need anything, just call me or my wife. We're a family." Logan explained gently to him. He put his hand on his shoulder. "But I also don't want you getting arrested and ruining your life. I love you too much for that to happen."

John B felt like he could cry. "I know. Thank you."

Logan patted his back again and walked to his vehicle. Dylan stood in front of her best friend. "You can repay us by coming over for dinner more often."

"I'll be there for every one from now on." John B promised, feeling relieved that her father was so kind. He then remembered something. "Listen, Dyl, I'm sorry I didn't take you up there with me."

Dylan titled her head. "What?"

"I know you were upset that I had Kie go with me to the lighthouse." He explained further. "You understand me better than anyone. You always have. There's times I don't appreciate you like I should. You're the last person I ever want to be mad at me."

She smiled sweetly and softly punched his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, JB. I'm just here for moral support."

John B shook his head. "No, you're not. You're my best friend. My bestest friend. You have just as a bigger part in this than I do. You're my partner in crime. Literally."

Dylan chuckled. "Thanks, John B."

He threw his arm around her and they walked to her dad's car.