❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

Cali lay sprawled across the bed, mouth slightly open, a small trail of drool running down her chin.

She twitched when she heard voices outside. Opening one eye, she wiped her chin with her sleeve and glanced around.

The first thing she noticed was how hot it was. Fully opening both eyes, she sat up, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "God, it's hot in here," she muttered, fanning herself.

Another thud echoed from outside. With her eyebrows furrowed, she pushed the blanket away and padded to the door.

She was met face-to-face with a maintenance worker. Raising her eyebrows, she asked, "What are you doing here?" A stupid question, she knew.

"The po-" the guy started to answer, but Andro's voice cut him off. "Hey, C, sorry they woke you, but the power's out, and they're fixing it." Her brother came up from downstairs and stood next to her. A breath of relief escaped her-she hadn't realized she was holding it in.

Andro dismissed the worker almost rudely. Once the guy walked away, Cali spun around and smacked Andro on the chest. "That was rude."

"Oww, what the hell, C!" he complained, rubbing the spot where she hit him. "I was just telling him to get back to work!"

"You have a mouth-use it," she lectured him like a scolding parent. He rolled his eyes; he had been doing that a lot lately. "Okay, Mom. Anyway, what are your plans for today?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and leading her away from the approaching workers.

"Sarah's been nagging me about not hanging out lately, so I'll probably go see her," she said, giving him a knowing look.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Swear, I had nothing to do with it this time." Dropping his hands, he shot her a grin as she shook her head, giving him a half-hearted glare.

"You know, it wouldn't kill you to make some friends once in a while," he said in a serious but understanding tone.

"Ugh, not this again," she groaned, dramatically throwing her head back. A couple of passing workers gave her odd looks, but Andro's glare made them quickly look away.

"Let's change the subject, shall we? What did Mr. Camren want you for?" she asked, curiosity creeping into her voice. What could be so urgent that it couldn't wait until after the storm?

A guarded mask settled over his face as he avoided her curious gaze. "Just some paperwork," he dismissed, shrugging slightly.

"That couldn't wait until the storm was over?" Her eyebrows furrowed, clearly not convinced.

"Yes, Cali, it couldn't wait." His tone grew stern, his eyes hardening as they met hers.

She raised her hands in mock surrender, backing away toward her room. "Alright, fine. No need to use your big boss voice on me." She flashed him a teasing smirk. "And for the record, it doesn't work on me."

A small grin crept onto his face as she disappeared into her room to change.

---

After changing into jean shorts with little daisies on them and a white tank top, Cali mounted her bike. As she pedaled out of the driveway, her brother called after her, "Be careful! The pavement's still slippery!" She answered him with a long, loud beep of the horn, her way of saying, Got it, brother.

The weather felt almost unreal after yesterday's hurricane-perfect, really. Not too hot to make her sweat, but not so chilly that she'd be shivering.

Cali took a deep breath, relaxing as she pedaled towards Sarah's house. Despite the good weather, the island was still a mess. Fallen trees littered the streets from the hurricane, and people were everywhere, cleaning up the debris.

She had to stop several times to navigate around fallen branches, so eventually, she decided to walk her bike alongside her.

When she arrived at Sarah's house, she leaned her bike against the wall in the driveway. Just then, a man walked by, carrying a large pink flamingo that nearly smacked her in the face.

"Whoa!" she exclaimed, staggering back to avoid getting hit. "Rude," she muttered under her breath as the man didn't even bother to apologize.

Stepping inside the house, she saw that it was just as chaotic as outside. Workers were coming and going, tidying up the aftermath of the storm. She looked around, trying to spot anyone from the Cameron family.

As she headed toward the back garden, she suddenly found herself face-to-face with Ward Cameron, Sarah's father. Ward was also her parents' former business partner, now working with Andro since he had taken over. Despite being in his 50s, Ward still looked youthful with his grayish-brown hair and strong build.

"Cali!" Ward greeted her with a surprised smile. He knew she and Sarah weren't particularly close-more of a forced friendship-so her visit was unexpected. A small smile tugged at Cali's lips as Ward strode forward, enveloping her in a fatherly hug. She awkwardly patted his arm in return.

"Sarah didn't tell me you were coming," he said as he pulled away.

"Ah, yeah, she doesn't know either," Cali replied, scratching her arm with an awkward smile. "Thought I'd surprise her, you know."

"C!" came a loud, girly screech from behind Ward as a blonde girl captured Cali in a bone-crushing hug.

A genuine smile spread across Cali's face as she returned the embrace. She didn't actually hate Sarah-quite the opposite. She was... jealous. Envious, even. Sarah was carefree, living life on her terms and dealing with the consequences later. Cali used to be like that. Now, she felt trapped in her own skin.

As they pulled back, Sarah asked excitedly, "What are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming!"

"Yeah, well, you said we hadn't talked in a while, so I thought I'd swing by," Cali replied, shrugging slightly. She glanced between Sarah and Ward, who stood silently watching their interaction. "Is... is this okay? Is now not a good time?"

"No, no, it's all good! Come on, Topper's gonna be here in five, so we can all hang out!" Sarah grabbed Cali's hand and dragged her outside.

"Bye, Mr. Cameron!" Cali called out to the smiling father as Sarah pulled her away. Ward waved back, shaking his head with amusement as they disappeared.

The day flew by with Sarah dragging Cali everywhere-literally-with her boyfriend, Topper, trailing behind, making sure they were okay. For once, Cali felt like a normal teenager, doing normal teenage things.

"Hey, Cali! You should come up here!" Sarah giggled from atop a fallen red buoy.

"Nah, I'm fine right here, thanks," Cali said, pursing her lips as she looked up at Sarah, her hands shoved into her shorts pockets. Topper was practically having an aneurysm trying to get Sarah down. "Rather not give Topper a heart attack," she added with a smirk as Topper rolled his eyes.

"Sarah, Sarah be careful!" he shouted, looking worried as the blonde staggered on the buoy.

---

"What's she doing here?" came a bitter voice from behind. It was Kiara-or Kie-staring at her ex-best friend on the buoy with narrowed eyes.

The Pogues gathered around, following her gaze.

Calista Callymore, Sarah Cameron, and Topper Thornton-three of the wealthiest kids on the island.

Cali stood next to Topper, both of them watching Sarah as she pointed at the shore from her perch on the buoy.

John B's voice

That's Sarah Cameron. Kook princess. Kiara's best friend in ninth grade, worst enemy in tenth. I work on her dad's boats, so I see her around.

And that's Topper, her not-so-pleasant boyfriend. He thinks Pogues were bred to mow lawns.

Then there's Calista Callymore-or Cali, as everyone calls her. Born into the second-richest family on the island, right behind the Camerons. Everyone loved her, but after her parents died, she closed herself off. She doesn't talk much, but she's not as stuck-up as the other Kooks. Still... she's a Kook.

---

Cali sat alone by the bonfire, her arms wrapped around her knees as she watched the party unfold around her. Sarah and Topper had wandered off a while ago, leaving her to fend for herself. She wasn't in the mood to third-wheel them-again. The crowd, loud music, and constant chatter were starting to overwhelm her.

Sighing, she stood up, feeling both overstimulated and bored. She hadn't touched a drink, and nothing was keeping her here. Deciding it was time to head home, she figured she should at least tell Sarah before leaving.

As she walked toward the crowd to find Sarah, a blonde guy stepped in front of her, blocking her way. He held a beer in his hand, offering it with a casual grin. "oh wait. Hey, hey, Cali.can I interest you Milwaukee beverage?" he asked walking away from John b

Cali glanced at the drink , her mind already made up. "No, thanks," she replied politely, trying to sidestep him.

JJ raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "What, it's not fancy enough for you?" he teased, still holding the beer out toward her. John B, standing nearby, watched the interaction with furrowed brows.

"It's not that I was just leaving," she said, shaking her head as she tried to walk away. Before she could move any further, Sarah and Topper appeared, noticing the exchange.

"Hey, C," Sarah said, linking their arms together, her worried eyes flicking between Cali and JJ.

"Everything okay here?" Topper asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at JJ. He immediately noticed that Cali looked uncomfortable.

JJ offered the beer again. "Come on, it's just a drink," he insisted, pushing a little harder.

Topper stepped in, trying to take the beer from JJ's hand. "She said no, man. You know what? , I'll take it," he said, tension rising as he reached for the drink.

JJ pulled the beer back, smirking. "I didn't offer it to you. I offered it to her," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But if you want it that bad, you can have it. Just say, 'Pretty please.'"

Topper scoffed, clearly irritated. "Pretty please," he spat out sarcastically, smiling.

JJ chuckled and moved to offer the drink to Cali again. "Nah, I'm giving it to her."

Cali looked between them as the tension rose. "You know what? I'll take it," she said, reaching out to grab the beer from JJ's hand, hoping to diffuse the situation.

Before JJ could hand it over, Topper slapped the beer out of his hand, sending it flying. The beer splashed across both JJ and Cali, she gasped as the beer soaked her white top.

JJ's smirk dropped as he shoved Topper hard, knocking him back. John B and Pope rushed in to break it up, knowing they were supposed to be incognito-key word: supposed.

"Hey, hey, JJ, we're supposed to be low-key, remember?" Pope said, trying to calm him down.

Sarah pushed Cali further back, as the scene started drawing attention. "Topper!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp.

"Dirty Pogues," Topper spat with a sneer.

That's when John B, who had been trying to calm JJ down, snapped. He turned and shoved Topper before refocusing on JJ.

"Babe, babe, babe!" Sarah chanted desperately as she realized what Topper was about to do. Topper lunged at John B, grabbing him by the midsection and throwing him to the ground.

John B quickly stood up, ready to fight back, as gasps filled the air. The crowd gathered around, chanting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Cali stood there, shocked, holding tightly to Sarah as the disgust on her face grew. The chaos, the shouts-it all made her feel sick. People disgusted her.

Sarah's shouts for Topper grew higher and more desperate. Cali's eyes widened as she watched in horror.

Topper was on top of John B, shoving his face into the water. He was drowning him.

John B's friends shouted in panic, trying to stop it.

Cali looked around frantically, waiting for someone-anyone-to step in and stop this. She spotted Kelce, Topper's friend, standing nearby with his arms crossed, a smirk on his face. "Stop him! He's gonna kill him!" she yelled at him.

Kelce shrugged nonchalantly, unmoving.

But he didn't need to act. JJ, John B's friend, took matters into his own hands, pulling out a gun and pressing it to the back of Topper's head , Cali breath caught in her throat body rigid. Topper froze, his body stiffening.

"Yeah, you know what that is," JJ taunted, pressing the gun harder against his head. "Your move, broski."

Topper's hand trembled as he raised it in surrender. Sarah broke out of Cali's grip, shouting as she rushed toward them. "Stop! JJ, put the gun down!"

"Did you say something, princess?" JJ replied, his eyes still locked on Topper.

"We're good. We're good. Put the gun down!" Topper said, his voice shaking. "Come on, man."

"Kie! Can you check your psycho friend, please?" Sarah shouted, her voice desperate.

Cali looked at her in disbelief. Her boyfriend was just drowning someone, and she's blaming JJ?

Without saying a word, Cali took a step back. Then another. She turned on her heels and walked away, heading off the beach. She wasn't leaving with Sarah after that line. Sure, Topper had been trying to protect her, but that fight felt way too personal-like he'd been waiting for a reason to beat them up.

Two loud gunshots rang out in the distance, and Cali quickened her pace.

♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ : Nadia speaking: :;

God that's was long and bland with just teeny tiny hint of spice but please be patient with me this is me first book and I'm just learning , tell me do you like long or short chapters , like this length is okay or shorten it next time?

But finally the pilot ep is over phew.
And that shitty fight scene god smh

Don't forget to vote , and please comment I love to hear your opinions❤️

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!<<3