"If that ain't Anastasia Hill".
Anastasia spat the soda out of her mouth and right over Toppers shirt once she heard the voice.
His voice.
The way he said her name.

"Rafael Cameron".
Anastasia's voice was barely a whisper. But Rafe heard the way she said his name. It was music to his ears.

Anastasia didn't even need to fully turn around and face him. Her back profile was enough for Rafe to know who was talking to his sister. He would recognize her anywhere.
He memorized every line, every scar, every freckle on her skin.

"You guys know each other?!".
Sarah yelled fully overwhelmed. Her gaze trembled around and she saw the pogues already standing behind Anastasia.

But Anastasia was staring into Rafes eyes.
He was staring right back.
Blue waves crashing against her hazel eyes.

"I'm gonna kill you".
Paradox - her sweet voice saying a threat.

"We both know you won't".
It was almost a chuckle. He didn't take her seriously. Even though he knew he should.

Rafe took a step forward.
Anastasia mirrored him.
If he wasn't so much taller than Anastasia, their noses would almost touch.

She was furious. Seeing him again. A year later. A year she spent repairing everything he had broken. Now he was back. Back to break it again.

"You don't know me anymore, Rafe".
Her voice was a hiss. Another threat. A try to make him stay away from her.
But the way she said his name, pulled him back in.

"You're right. I never thought I'd see Anastasia at a party without a big bottle of Tequila in her small little hand".
The Pogues neither Sarah nor Topper understood what Rafe referred to, but Anastasia certainly did - and Rafe just hit a weak spot.

Anastasia swallowed hardly and he knew he was getting under her skin. So Rafe kept going. Blessing her ears with his raspy voice.
"Or did you pour some in your soda can?".

"Why don't you try it for yourself, asshole".
With that said, Anastasia poured the liquid right over his upper body. His white shirt was now drenched and turned slightly see through. She could now see every inch of his skin she had once traced or kissed or -

While everyone gasped. Rafe just laughed.
And it wondered everyone how Rafe wasn't mad at her. He always had a short temper.
If anyone else would've done what Anastasia just did, Rafe would go mad. He'd hit them, over and over.
But now he just laughed.

"I know you've missed me, love".
JJ and John B looked at each other. What did Rafe just call her? JJ clenched his jaw.

Rafes big Hand reached out towards her face. The beautiful face he wanted to hold on his hands. His gaze was fixed on her glossy lips. The lips he wanted to kiss.

Anastasia knew he was about to touch her. She didn't want anything to do with him. God, she wanted to run - just as much she needed to stay.
So she stood still in front of him.

Rafe reaching out to touch her, even though she didn't want to - that was JJs last straw. He stepped in between them. John B was right beside his best friend. If one would go down, they'd go down together.
"Stay away from Anastasia".

"I can't", Rafe answered without wasting a second to even look at the pogues in front of him. He only had eyes for Anastasia.

"But you will". John B spoke up and snapped his fingers in front of Rafes face. Once the kook broke eye contact with Anastasia, they finally came back to reality.

Kiara grabbed Anastasia's wrist and pulled her away from the boys. "What the fuck is going on, Ana?".

"Just let it go", Topper intervened and placed his hand on John Bs chest. He knew Rafe and how fast this guy could explode.

"Or what?!". John B hissed back. He never liked Topper, probably because he was with John Bs crush Sarah. But nevertheless this wasn't something between him and Topper. John B and JJ were protecting Anastasia.
So John B took Toppers intervention personally.

"You'll find out".
John B couldn't hold himself back anymore. He jumped at Topper, they threw jabs back and forth. Pope and JJ were too caught up trying to break the fight apart.
The girls screamed - except Anastasia.

Anastasia watched Rafe walk away. Just when he looked at her with a smirk on his lips. His Anastasia was back and this time for good. He winked at her just when the darkness swallowed him.

John B and Topper were now fighting just at the shore. The ocean drenched both of their clothes. Pope and JJ failed to break the fight apart.

Because John B was stubborn. He was already fed up about Rafe - whatever his history was with Anastasia, it should stay in the past. Considering he obviously made her uncomfortable.
John B cared about Anastasia. She was the only one of his friends, who supported him about his dad, who truly believed that Big John could still be out there.
It was obvious to John B that Kiara, JJ and Pope didn't truly believe that Big John was still alive. He realized Kiara scolded Pope and JJ behind his back whenever they doubted John B. Because they wanted John B to think that they did believe him - but they honestly didn't.
Anastasia did. From the moment he told her. That already was worth fighting for. Toppers comment was just the cherry on top.

Kiara was already shouting and screaming at everyone. "Break them apart! Do something!".
Yet everyone watched. Pope and JJ did too, confused what they should do.

Anastasia knew this was all her fault and therefore she should be the one to break them apart. She ran towards JJ and looked him in his blue eyes:"Give me the gun!".

JJ lowered his gaze. He was already holding the gun, debating whether or not he should go down that path. One thing he knew for sure though:"I won't let you use it".
He was too scared something could go wrong when Anastasia was holding it. He'd rather take the blame.

Suddenly Topper shouted:"You're gonna drown just like your old man!".
He had John B pinned to the ground, his face in the water.

"Somebody do something!". Kiara screamed.

"JJ!". Anastasia touched his upper arm and watched his face expression harden.
But JJ didn't answer, instead he walked towards the fight and pointed the gun at Toppers head. The security clicked.

"You know what that is", JJ panted,"So get the hell off our side of the island". Two shots were send into the air.

-

"I am so sorry". Anastasia's voice was just a whisper underneath her breath. She sat in front of John B, who was blackout laying on his couch. His face was bruised, but Pope explained that it wouldn't be anything serious.

Kiara and Pope had already left. Their parents were more strict than Anastasia's dad. He knew she'd never do anything stupid or dangerous - that's what Anastasia made everyone believe; when in fact she's just never been caught.

Guilt was plaguing her mind. Rafe being back in her life. He's going to be the death of me - Anastasia thought.
If history would repeat itself; if everything would go down the same path like last year; if Rafe would have her wrapped around his finger once again - it simply would be over.
One step, one line, one sip too much.

"Don't be".
Anastasia turned around startled. A gasp escaped her mouth when she saw JJ leaning against the doorframe.
He had been watching Anastasia the entire time she sat next to John B, holding his hand.

The girl with dark brown hair and green hazel eyes was a mystery to JJ.
One time she's a bad ass, who repairs cars and rocks along to music. Suddenly she's a rich kook wearing Ralph Lauren and living in figure eight. Then next time she beats him at surfing. Yet around alcohol Anastasia was different - distant. Just a few minutes later she wants to use a gun.

The only consistent thing was one: Anastasia was never speechless. Usually she had to say something, anything.
But seeing Anastasia stand in front of Rafe Cameron - the biggest prick in the entire OBX - she was silent. God she was breathless and the only thing JJ could do was to watch her study Rafe motherfucking Cameron.

"But I am sorry, JJ". His name had never sounded so beautiful. "It's my fault. Everything. I-".

"- What even was going on, exactly?".

Anastasia stared into his blue eyes. She lowered her gaze back down to John B.
"It's a fucking long story".
She had told Kiara the same, after she needed to know what happened with Rafe.

JJ knew it wasn't a topic Anastasia wanted to talk about. She would once she's ready - he knew how this worked by own experience.

The blonde dropped down to the floor and sat down next to Anastasia. His hand found a place on her shoulder and she finally turned her face back to him. His lips curled up into a smile. "Why do you care so much about John B? I mean we pogues care about each other. But-".

"- He reminds me of my brother".
Anastasia cut JJ off not wanting to hear, how he was wondering why the hell she was caring if she didn't even know them for a long time. For her it wasn't about time, it was all about connecting. Chemistry.

"Well not exactly my brother. But of a version of Nathan I have in my head", Anastasia explained and smiled, hoping JJ could understand,"The kind, caring, protective brother. The one who cares more about me and our family rather than his Range Rover or fucking golf".

"Sounds just like John B. I get it".

"You do?".

"Yeah I do". JJ chuckled. He reminded Anastasia of a happy kid just for a moment. Most of the time JJ did look happy but there was always pain. Like something bruised was still healing and he just smiled through the pain.

Now, when they were staring into each others eyes, none of them were in any pain. Just pure genuine vibes. The rare feeling of easiness washing over both of them.

Ping.
Anastasia quickly moved back and took a look at her phone. She gulped realizing how close JJ and her had just been.

Remember the business brunch tomorrow. Have fun!

Thanks dad! Almost forgot.
On my way.

"It's my dad. I have this business meeting brunch thing tomorrow". Anastasia sighed and avoided his blue eyes once she got up. "I gotta go".

"Alright". JJ stood up and scratched the back of his head. He was nervous, excited - whatever he felt it was certainly something he never learnt how to put into words.
His blue eyes watched Anastasia leave towards the door.

"Anastasia". His hand brushed her hand. Both looked down at their touching hands. Hers were smaller than his.
"I'll keep an eye on him".

"Thanks, JJ". Anastasias eyes met his. "After brunch I'll find you guys".

"Great". He smiled and watched Anastasia disappear into the darkness. The engine roared and the taillights were swallowed by darkness.

Anastasia tried to sleep. She couldn't. The only thing she saw were his eyes. The blue waves. Waves that were coming back to shore. Waves that would possibly drown her.

Rafe on the other hand slept peacefully. He once again dreamed of her. The way her voice made his name sound so good. Her eyes looking up at him.
Most importantly he was looking forward to tomorrow. The first business meeting he'd be apart of. The first time his dad wants him around.