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"Okay, this is arguably the worst idea we have ever had." John B says after he parked the truck near the water where the boats were lined up. Nova jumps out, helping Alora down next as both John B and Sarah climbed out the front. They walked towards the boat, Nova in the front with Alora's hand intertwined with hers. They hear Cleo and Terrance discussing the amount of the gold in the safe before they realize Nova, Alora, Sarah and John B.

Cleo sees Nova and Alora holding hands and rolls her eyes subtly. "Look what the cat done dragged in," Captain Terrance said, turning to look at the group.

"We have a proposition," Sarah announced.

"If it involves giving you that rock back, that nugget, forget it. You're lucky I'm not on the phone with the cops right now," Terrance said, almost threatening them.

"Look man, I am tired, and I just shot a man so please, do not piss me off right now with threats. Now you either listen to what my girl Sarah has to say or I'll make you the second man." Nova challenged, taking his silence for a yes. She gestures Sarah to continue. "I'm not worried about anything, cause you saw what was in that safe, did you not?"

"Yeah I did."

"And it was exactly what we told you it was gonna be. Right?" Terrance doesn't answer, taking a sip of his drink instead. Cleo speaks up from the top of the little roof, "Yeah, well, that thing's locked down tighter than a clamshell now." Alora rolls her eyes, "No shit. But the gold's not staying there." Cleo blinks at Alora's little attitude, "Keep your little girlfriend in check please," she says, directing it towards Nova.

Alora clenched her jaw as Nova held a small smile of amusement. "My dad's gonna come down and move it. He'll have to." Sarah adds, getting back on topic.

"So what are you proposing, a Brink's job?"

"Think about it. You have a boat that can get us away. You know people and the island, and Sarah can find out exactly when that gold is moving." Nova explains. Terrance leans back, thinking about it, Nova can see he's unsure. "And we'll give you two million," Sarah bargains, Alora glancing up at Cleo for a small second. Alora could tell Cleo wasn't alright with that amount.

"Let me get this straight. We take the risk of going to jail and getting shot for a fraction of what's in that safe." Terrance points out.

Nova scoffs, "After you abandoned us? Stole her boat? Kidnapped us? We don't owe y'all shit." Sarah and Nova share a look, ultimately deciding they can spare some more. "But I'll give you ten," Sarah adds.

Nova looks up at Cleo, seeing she was gonna add something, and she did. "Ten million apiece." Alora glared at her, getting Cleo to glare back only with a small smirk, clearly not taking the girl seriously.

"I like that. Ten apiece," Terrance agrees.

"Apiece? Okay. You know what? We're getting-" John goes to speak up until Sarah cuts him off. "John B." Sarah looks at Nova, wondering what she wanted to do as she was the one to come up with the plan. Plus she was older and knew more about this stuff. Nova glances up at Cleo who gives a knowing look. "Ten million apiece." She states.

"Ten million dollars. We're just throwing money away. You hear that?" John B says incredulously.

Terrance shares a look with Cleo, both of them coming onto an agreement. Terrance sticks his hand out to Nova, "you have yourself a deal, sweetheart." She smirks, placing her hand in his, "my pleasure."

Cleo climbs down, walking up to Nova, "you got a plan, pretty?"

"I might have an idea."

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"Lora, pass me the wrench." Nova voices, knelt down in front of her bike as she gave it a fix up. Alora nodded, handing Novalie the wrench. "I'm gonna go use the bathroom. I'll be right back," Alora kisses Nova's head and jogs pass Cleo to find the bathroom.

"What's the deal wit' you two? You guys kiss and act like girlfriends but claim you aren't. It's confusing me." Cleo voices, taking a seat on the stool where Alora sat down previously. Nova chuckles, "It's kinda a long story." Nova whips her dirty hands on the rag, moving to take a drink from her water bottle. Jhené Aiko playing softly on the radio in the background.

"I got time."

Nova sighs, moving to sit on the stool next to the bike, she faced Cleo. "When I moved here to live with my aunt, I was in the worst depression of my life. I had nobody here. My aunt was distant, barely home and it was tiring. So I got an apartment by myself. I was still going through a lot and I was lonely so I went out on a date with this dude. That's where I met Lora. She had just been dumped, which resulted in her losing her home."

"I had a shitty breakup before I moved here and I felt bad for her. So I invited her to my place and we clicked, like instantly. But, it wasn't romantically or nothing. We never shared any romantic feelings for each other. Which made it feel wrong when we attempted to date. So we just stuck with that friends with benefits type shit. She's like all I got right now. Yeah I got my brother and my friends but they're all the way in OBX."

Cleo didn't interrupt, listening intently to her storty. "I don't know. I guess she's just like...my best friend." Nova smiles softly, loving to talk about Alora.

"That you just kiss on occasion," Cleo adds with a chuckle. Nova laughs, nodding with that. "Yes. That I kiss occasionally."

Their shared laughter dies down and Cleo looks at her with questioning eyes. "So, let's say she meets someone and you have to end this little thing you got going on with her. Would you let her go?" Nova didn't even need to think it over, "Yes. Her happiness is important to me."

"And if you met someone and she wanted you to chose, would you pick her?" Cleo asks slowly.

"It's depends on the situation. If it was someone I really loved, then I would probably chose them." Nova answers. Neither of them noticing Alora standing behind the wall, hearing the whole thing.

Cleo clears her throat, pulling out Nova's knife from her back pocket. She holds it out for Nova to take it back, only for Nova to push it back to her. "Nah, keep it. It suits you better anyways." Nova half-heartedly smiles, a soft smile tugged at the corner of Cleo's lips as she puts the knife back in her pocket. "Besides, I got yours now and I don't feel like givin' it back," Nova jokes, holding up Cleo's knife.

Nova cleared her throat, "this doesn't mean we friends though. I still don't like you."

Cleo smirks, "Ah, who cares? We ain't gonna see each other after 'dis job anyways."

Nova nods, agreeing with her. Cleo notices Nova's dirty shirt and stands up, "come on, you can borrow my shirt." Nova stood up and set down her water, following Cleo to a room. Cleo pulled out a sleeveless white crop top and tossed it to Nova. "It's a little big on me so it should fit you just right."

Nova raised a brow, wondering if she should take offense. "Did you just fat shame me? I did not work my ass off for these abs just to get shamed-" Cleo laughs at her, "Nah, I'm not body shaming you. If you didn't notice, we aren't exactly the same size here." Cleo gestures to her chest area. Nova looks down at her chest and then Cleo's, both having a severe difference in size.

Nova cleared her throat, a little embarrassed, "Right. I don't know how I missed that."

Cleo nods, turning around to the wall for Nova to change her shirt. It only took a few seconds and Cleo was right, the shirt fit her perfectly. Alora knocks on the doorframe, "Hey uh, Sarah got in. Come on." Nova nodded, both girls following Alora to the room.

Nova moved behind Sarah to see the computer screen. "The gold is here at my dad's house. He's going to transport the gold from our house to a private air freight company located here. We need to intercept that gold before it ever gets on that plane." Sarah explains to Terrance.

"Right. They're only two roads that'll take you there. We want to get him I'm these cane fields right here, south of the airport. That's where we spring the trap. Nova will follow the truck discreetly, making sure they're on the right path. Now, you and Sarah will be dumped off right here. Once Cleo and I get daddy on the ground, you and Sarah can take the gold. Nova and Alora will flank you on their bikes, protecting the gold." Terrance says, showing Sarah and John B.

"So, all we need now is some kind of distraction, like a detour," Nova adds in, leaning forward on the desk in the thought.

Alora went to speak with an idea until Cleo cut her off, having her own, better idea. "I can help with that." Nova looks up at her just as Cleo winks at the older girl. Alora rolls her eyes and grabs her keys, "I'm gonna go for a ride. Call me if y'all need me." Nova moves to go after her until Sarah grabs her arm, stopping her, "Just let her go and get some air. This has clearly been a lot for her."

Nova looks down, feeling guilty. She sighs and walks outside. Cleo shares a look with Sarah and follows after the girl. Nova felt her presence as she leaned against the railing. "I shouldn't have gotten her involved. She's not like us. She's got her whole life ahead of her."
Cleo goes to stand next to her. "Don't feel so bad. If I know anything about that girl. She makes her own decisions."

Nova rubs her forehead tiredly, having yet to get any sleep since being kidnapped. "Be honest with me. Do you think I'm a bad person?"

Cleo almost frowns at the question. "Nah. However, I do think you're too attached to that bike." Nova chuckles, nudging Cleo, who cracks a grin. "Bikes are kinda my getaway, you know? I've loved them since I was a baby. The motorcycle I got back home took me years to build. It's like my baby. But, my dumbass friend crashed it and now my fuckin' ex has it. Fucker probably thinks I'll take him back if he fixes it for me."

"Who's your ex? This the second time you mentioned him." It wasn't that she cared. She was just curious. More so curious about how he became an ex.

"Sarah's crazy ass cop killin' pyscho brother," Nova states with a shrug.

"I heard that." Sarah chuckles, walking over to the two. "And I completely agree."

Nova sucks in a breath and turns to Cleo, "so, you gonna show me what your little distraction is gon' be?"

"How you go from living in Paradise Island to livin' in the street dodgin' coppers?" Nova trails slowly behind the two girls, her hands tucked in her pockets as she listens to their conversation. "Fell in love." Sarah answers.

Cleo exhales, Nova looks down, figuring that Cleo must've had back luck with love. "Big mistake. Only got yourself to blame for that one." Sarah squints at the sun, "yeah." Cleo glances behind her at Novalie, making sure she was still behind her. "It's better not to care." Nova looked down at the ground, her hands tucked in her pocket. She understood where Cleo was coming from but everytime Nova tried that, it would eat her up alive.

"What about you? How did you hook up with Captain T?" Sarah asked.

"Father left. Granny died. Was kicked out on the street. I had to find a way to take care of myself. So I was sleeping on a local dinghy when the moring broke. I was up, and I hear someone yelling, "you know how to tie to a bowline?" It was Captain Terrance. I go on deck. I've been with him ever since. It's not the best of time, but I gotta do what I gotta do, right?" Cleo looks at Sarah, knowing she would understand what she meant. Though she wasn't too certain about Nova.

Cleo gestures to Stubbs, who was playing with all the kids. "Stubby's security. Not the brightest bulb, but you ain't gotta watch your back with him. Terrance, on the other hand...he's a ram goat. Anything that's in his way, ram it over. Always stay two steps ahead of him and never really trust him."

Nova raised her brow, "we kinda got that when he left us as bait baby. Don't worry too much. We don't trust anyone." Cleo turns her head to look at Nova who was close behind her, their faces inches apart. "Good. Wait here." Cleo walked away from them and over to the kids. Sarah looks at Nova with raised brows, "I may be reaching a bit but, you just called her baby. You only call people baby when you like them." Sarah points out.

Nova scoffs, "Nah, that isn't the case here."

Sarah purses her lips, not believing her, "Whatever you say, Nov."

Nova glances over at a small little bar, noticing Alora sitting down at it, drinking some kind of beverage. She nudges Sarah, "Hey, I'll catch up with y'all." Sarah nods, watching as Nova ran across the street to the bar Alora was at. Cleo walks back over to Sarah, confused on where Nova went. "Where's Nova?" Sarah points to the bar, "I think she's gonna make up with her or something. Alora's been kinda distant since we went to you guys with the plan."

"Is this seat taken?" Nova asks. Alora recognizes her voice, shaking her head, "Nope. Take a seat."

Nova sits down at the bar, ordering herself a water. Alora looks her way, "I'm sorry."

Nova furrows her brows, confused. "What do you mean? You ain't do nothing wrong." Nova shakes her head, "This is all on me. I shouldn't have involved you in this. You could be in California right now if I had just let you go." Alora frowns, "Cece. Cecilia, look at me, please."

Nova looks her way sadly. "You didn't make me do this. I chose to be here, with you, helping your friends. I want to be here. I know if I want to be apart of your life, as friends, I'm going to be put in these situations and I am okay with that. Cause you mean the absolute world to me. You saved me from my horrible life, Cece."

Alora places her hands in Nova's, a sad smile on her face. "I overheard what you said to Cleo." Nova's face drops, Alora shakes her head, placing a hand on Nova's cheek. "No, it's okay. I understand what you meant, completely. You don't owe me anything. We're best friends, not girlfriends. Which means if you wanna go on and date Cleo then I completely understand. I'm not gonna make you choose between us-"

Nova's eyes widened, confused. "Wait what? Cleo? I'm confused."

Alora raised her brows, "You like her. It's why you've been so clingy. Cause you don't wanna choose between us." Now it was Nova's turn to raise her brows, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "Lora, none of this is about Cleo. I don't even like the girl. She kinda irrates me actually. I didn't even know I was coming off as clingy. I guess I've just been kinda protective cause of the situation."

"So...you don't wanna date Cleo?"

"Not in a million years. I don't even like the idea of dating anyone right now." Nova said. Alora frowned, suddenly becoming really embarrassed.

Nova pressed a kiss to her hand, "Hey, look, I'm sorry for what you heard. It was out of context. You're my best friend, and I don't ever want to lose you."

Alora smiles, pulling Nova into a hug. "I don't want to lose you either." She pulls away, exhaling, "which is why I think we should stop our particular relationship for these reasons."

Nova hums, messing with the gold ring on her finger, "I can come to an agreement with that." Alora nods, finishing her drink, she takes Nova's hand, stopping her from messing with the ring. "One last kiss to confirm the deal?"

A chuckles escapes Nova's lips and she nods in agreement. Alora smiles and presses a small peck onto Nova's lips. "There. We are officially best friends who will no longer act like girlfriends or do girlfriend activities."

"Though, I will miss those activities," Nova adds jokingly and Alora hits her shoulder playfully.

"Shut up," Alora playfully warns.

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Nova slowed the bike as the truck came to a stop, Sarah and John B climbed down. Alora hid her bike in the grass, staying with them. She jogged over to Nova, giving her a quick hug, "Be careful."

Nova nods, pulling her helmet on, "I'll be so careful."

Nova signals Cleo and Terrance drives the truck to where they were supposed to stay. Nova following behind them on her bike. She pulled to a stop next to them, pulling her helmet up to look at Cleo. She pulls out her gun and tosses it to Cleo, "you know how to use it, right?" She teases.

Cleo rolls her eyes, "Get out of here."

"Yes ma'am." Nova pulls her helmet back on and drives off to where she needed to be positioned. She parks the bike near the sidewalk, waiting around the corner from the kids. Alora calls her up, "All good?" Nova asks in concern.

"Rafe is with him, Nov." Sarah's voice comes in. They didn't hear nothing back from Nov for a few seconds. She sighed, running a hand over her hair, "Fuck. Okay, that's fine. I'll just keep my helmet on. He won't see me." Sarah nods, even though she couldn't see her. Alora takes back the phone, "just be careful okay."

Nova nods to herself, "you got it."

One of the men Terrance knew runs over to her, "Go! Go! We takin' care of the escorts."

Nova drives the bike, turning the corner, she follows the truck, easily spotting Rafe and Ward inside. Ward didn't pay her any attention but Rafe did. "Dad, there's someone behind us," he warns, looking through the mirror. "Relax it's fine, it's a girl. She can't do anything," Ward says.

She was still unsettling to Rafe though. "It's looks like N-" Ward interrupted seeing Nova turn the opposite way. "See? She's going the other way. She's not apart of that."

Rafe tapped his foot, he could recognize Nova's body anywhere and her driving a motorcycle wasn't a coincidence. Though her hair threw him off considering she never wore her natural hair around him. She usually wore some type of braids. He was quickly pulled from his theory when he noticed two 'construction' workers up ahead.

Nova pulled up next to Alora through the grass. They both watched as Cleo got Rafe out the car and Terrance got Ward out. They moved the sighs and barrels out of the way. Nova watched closely as Cleo and Terrance got the two men on the floor. Cleo holding Nova's knife to Rafe's throat. "You guys are idiots. Our escorts are right behind us," Rafe says.

"A wise guy, huh?" Cleo shoots back, annoyed with the boy.

Nova and Alora both drive in the grass, stopping next to the truck. Sarah and John B ran towards the truck. "Sarah? Sarah, you're alive! Baby! You're alive!" Ward calls. "Don't talk to her! Stay down!" Cleo warns, "Stay back!" John B adds. Ward continues to call her, not getting back down. John B pulls a gun up, aiming it at Ward as Sarah shakes her head.

Rafe then gets up, pulling up his own gun. Two shots go off before Cleo pushes his hands down, taking the gun from him. "I got his gun!" Nova and Alora both share looks, wondering if Rafe hit anything. "Youre a coward!" Nova pulls off her helmet as John B and Sarah get in the truck. Rafe's eyes widened at her. She looks down at her leg, seeing the blood drip down from it. "Nova! Nov!"

She tosses her helmet to side, ignoring Rafe's calls at her. Sarah and John B drive off, Alora following them. Nova groaned, starting the bike and following off, driving pass Rafe, not sparing him a second look. Nova and Alora both speed up, John B turns onto a dirt path, losing the escorts before they could catch up to them.

John B parks in the tall grass. Nova and Alora climb off and run towards the window. "Nova's shot!" Alora says.

Sarah looks at them and down to her abdomen, blood coating her fingers. "Me too."

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a/n: nova and alora's friendship is everything

rest in peace angus cloud tho 🕊 we lost a good one today 😔💔

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