Anastasia admired the house in front of her. A big mansion called Tannyhill, her dad explained. Whoever owned this house also owned a company and he wanted Anastasia's dad to work for them - sell them cars, repair them. It would be a huge step up for Hill Motors.
She promised her dad, once they decided they'd open up the old workshop her grandpa used to own, to step in and be involved in the shop.

Anastasia didn't really care about the details - who owned and lived on Tannyhill for example. That was her mistake.

Because once the door opened and Anastasia had her picture perfect smile on her perfectly glossy lips she saw him.
Why was he fucking everywhere?!

"Rafe I need you to be your best self, alright?!", Ward instructed his son while both were rushing towards the door - the Hills were five minutes early.

"Of course. I can do that, dad". Rafe smiled. He didn't smile often when talking with his father, so today was a rare occasion. It was the first time he was involved in the company and Rafe hoped he could step up in the future. Maybe today he could finally impress his dad.

"And I want you to do something else". Both of Wards hands were laying on Rafes shoulders. He was looking into his sons eyes.

"Anything".

"Mr. Hill will be accompanied by his daughter. She should be around your age, maybe a little younger".
For the first time Rafe heard, who they'd be discussing business with. The Hills. A daughter? It had to be Anastasia - Rafe expected.

"Oh I understand, dad". Rafe smirked. "I'll win her over".

"You're my boy". Ward patted his son on his back proudly. And Rafe couldn't help but smile.

"- And this is my son".
Blue eyes stared right into her hazel ones.
He smiled and admired her face. His gaze trembled down her body to her legs. She was a goddess. This was even better than his imagination.
Rafe held his hand out and smiled. "Rafe Cameron".

Anastasia didn't drop her mask; not even for the fracture of a second. Not when his blue oceans were all over her body. Not even when they shook hands.
"Anastasia Hill". She smiled fake. "It's a pleasure to meet you".

"Oh no". Rafe chuckled but was serious when finishing his sentence. "The pleasure is all mine".

A chuckle rolled off Anastasia's lips and she glanced over to her dad and Ward. They both smiled. Everything went according to plan.

Brunch went on for almost two hours. Just Anastasia and Rafe with their dads. It was awful. Well the business was great, but Rafe being in Anastasia's presence was awful.
He was playing full gentleman. Pulling Anastasia's chair back so she could sit down, bringing her something to drink. He did everything she would ask for.

"Freddy, I need to show you my old Corvette, that I just bought". Ward Cameron smiled while secretly patting his son's shoulder. It was a sign for Rafe, an order - you have a few minutes alone with Anastasia, use it.

"That would be great, Ward. I've always had a thing for Chevrolets". Freddy answered and turned around to his daughter. "I'll be right back".
Great. Anastasia faked another smile while suppressing a sigh. Even her dad wanted Anastasia and Rafe to get along, he was almost playing the same game like Ward. Except Freddy wasn't the type of father to order their kids around. He left it up to Anastasia, but certainly didn't see a point why she shouldn't want to get along with Rafe Cameron.
He didn't know what happened last year. He didn't even know Rafe was spending time in California - when he was supposed to be at collage but already dropped out.

"I hate it when you fake a smile".

"- What did you just say?!". Anastasia hissed, sending a death stare right towards Rafe, who was sitting in front of her.

Rafe laughed. "Yeah that's way better".

Anastasia rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. Out of frustration she stood up and walked over to the wall high windows, glancing outside. Tannyhill was beautiful. Lush green everywhere. A pool right in the backyard. Anastasia would never admit it, but this was the dream of a house. Her dream.

"I guessed you'd like Tannyhill". His voice was a murmur from behind. Anastasia resisted a gasp escaping her lips.
He was so close. Too close. Not close enough.

Without wanting to, Anastasia turned around and faced Rafe. Their eyes met. His face was way too close to her.
"I still know you, Anastasia".

Anastasia scoffed and walked backwards. She was too close for too long already.
"You don't".

"- I do".

"Not anymore". She spat and took a deep breath. This man was getting on her nerves. Once again.

Rafe Cameron had this atmosphere around him. He carried it everywhere. Like a big magnet he'd always use to pull Anastasia back in. But now she wouldn't let that happen. Never again.

His blue eyes scanned her entire body once again. Nothing changed, he realized, except that his hands weren't touching her skin. He wasn't even close to her at all. Suddenly it felt like an ocean was keeping Anastasia away from him.

Before Rafe was able to answer, he heard footsteps and walked over to Anastasia.
His hand touched her lower back and suddenly Anastasia didn't even hear Ward ask what they'd been up to.
She didn't hear Rafes answer.
"I was just telling Anastasia about Kelces party tonight".

His touch. He was touching her. His big hand on her skin. Everything was feeling dizzy. Spinning.

"Anastasia said she wanted to come". Rafe addressed to Anastasia and she finally snapped back into reality.

He did not just do that. Anastasia wanted to roll her eyes until they'd get stuck in her skull and she'd never have to look at this asshole.

Ward and Freddy looked at Anastasia, eagerly wanting for an answer.
Anastasia swallowed her pride and answered with another fake smile:"Oh yeah I'd love to, Rafe".

"Great". Rafe smiled. Superior. Time to crush that, Anastasia thought and her lips curled up into a smile. Rafe could tell this time she wasn't faking it.

"I'll bring my friends".

For the fracture of a second Rafe let his mask fall. His jaw clenched. He suppressed an eye roll. Of course she had to bring her filthy pogue friends.
Ward couldn't even tell what Rafe really felt. Only Anastasia could. She read him like a book - one that used to be her favorite. She had been spending her entire last summer with him; admiring his face and plenty of his other features -

"The more the better, right". Rafe forced himself to say, making Anastasia's smirk grow. Ward decided to show Freddy their porch and backyard.

Rafe and Anastasia were once again alone.
Staring into each others eyes.
Together with that grin of hers made Rafe weak in his knees.

"I'll need your phone number". Rafe murmured. "To send you the info".

"I actually feel flattered, that you changed your number last year just because of me".
Anastasia's smirk dropped and she looked him dead in the eye. Asshole.

She rolled her hazel eyes, while namedropping with their iPhones. But that eye roll reminded Rafe of something entirely different.
Of time that they spent together. Last summer. In their beds, cars, bathrooms -

Rafe watched Anastasia leave with her dad.
He was looking forward to the party.
Looking forward to see her again;
touch her;
feel her.

-

Anastasia didn't even get out of her car once she dropped her dad off at home. A text message from Kie made Anastasia drive down to the Wreck.

Kie 🌴

I messed up.
SOS.

What happened?
You alright?

Need to talk asap. At the wreck.

Omw

Anastasia entered the wreck still wearing her sundress she'd put on for the business meeting. She was welcomed by Kiaras parents with open arms once she asked where she could find Kie. Which was awkward considering John B told Ana, that Kiaras parents never liked her friends.

"Thanks Mr. Carrera". Anastasia smiled and made her way towards the direction he told her to go.

"Oh thank god you're fine". The dark haired girl exhaled once she laid eyes on Kiara. Everything was fine. JJ and John B both had messaged Anastasia this morning, telling her that John B woke up with just a black eye.

"What are you wearing?!", Kiara busted out in laughter once she saw Anastasia, wearing a plain orange sundress,"You look like a kook".

Anastasia rolled her eyes and chuckled.
"I thought something bad had happened and didn't have time to change after the business meeting. And for the record: This dress is cute".

"Alright I gotta admit. It's dang cute". Kiara smiled, but she quickly dropped it and took a deep breath.
"I think I messed up. I kissed John B".

"You what?!"

"He kissed me - I don't even know! We kissed".

"Oh my god!". Anastasia gasped and was about to squeal, but Kiara quickly shushed her.

"Don't get too excited. The cops found us shortly after we broke into the Redfield lighthouse and my dad had to bail us out".

"Oh". Anastasia sighed. "But do you want to kiss John B again or-".

"- No!". Kiara quickly shook her head. "Just friends".

"Alright". Anastasia laughed and watched Kiaras face expression change. She didn't laugh. She was nervous, and a bit annoyed.

Laying an arm around Kiaras shoulders, Anastasia pulled her closer, giving her a side hug. This was the first time since last year, that a girl friend somewhat hugged Kiara. But awkwardly she felt comfortable around Anastasia and therefore let her.

"I'll fix this. Don't worry, Kie".
Suddenly a warm heat spread in Kiaras stomach. A feeling of closure, safety - something she never let herself feel with another girl. But now Kiara knew, she could trust Anastasia - Anastasia wasn't Sarah Cameron.

Just a few minutes later, Anastasia left the wreck with her car keys in hand and a pair of Kiaras shorts. Getting into her Nissan to speed off to the Chateau.

-

The door of the chateau flew open only for Anastasia to see the three boys sit on the couch, all depressed staring at the compass. Until they turned around and faced Anastasia.

"Who of you guys told John B to kiss Kie?".
Anastasia asked and watched John B and Pope both point to JJ. Yet the blonde guy only eyed Anastasia and didn't even seem to have listend.

He couldn't take his eyes off of Anastasia. Her legs, her short dress, her green eyes contrasting with the orange dress. JJ just saw a sunrise even though it was the middle of the day.

"JJ". Anastasia sighed. She didn't expect anyone else to have such a stupid idea. "You can't just kiss your best friend, John B".

"Yeah I gathered that". John B whispered and lowered his gaze.

"Great", she smiled,"Now up with you and talk to Kiara. She's in the Wreck".

"Really? I don't think she wants to talk to me".

"Yes just try", Anastasia nodded and John B stood up. Just before he left the Chateau, she added:"Oh and I'd hurry if I were you. We still want to find out what Redfield means".

John Bs smile lit up and he suddenly was back to his happy self. Anastasia was on his side. Right when he was about to give up, she was there to put him back on his feet. Therefore he quickly left.

Anastasia followed him after excusing herself. She needed to change out of her dress. It was cute and all, but definitely unpractical considering they wanted to continue their adventure. The dark haired girl went outside to her car and went through her trunk.

Her hip was resting against the car, while Anastasia's body bend over. The fabric was tight around her waist, making her body look snatched.
There was something about her, that was utterly intoxicating to JJ. He had been watching her from the porch, where he and Pope sat down.

"Oh fuck", Anastasia muttered underneath her breath. Usually she had some clothes in her trunk - for emergencies. Ever since someone managed to rip her dress Anastasia always had some backup.

"Everything alright?". Pope asked, making Anastasia look up for the first time since the boys had been sitting outside. They had been watching her all along.
JJ caught Anastasia's eye for a brief second until she finally managed to close her trunk.

"Yeah I'll just change", Anastasia answered and sent Pope a smile, while she passed the boys. Her hazel eyes didn't dare to meet JJ once again. Ever since last night, Anastasia felt different around him. Just slightly, but it was certainly something.

-

John B and Kiara entered the Chateau. It didn't need anyone to ask, if they made up. Because it was obvious they did. Both of them were laughing and giggling once they came back.

"Where's Ana?", Kiara asked. She had to thank her best friend. The first girl friend she truly trusted, who actually kept her word.

"In the bathroom to change". Pope answered and got up to follow John B and Kiara inside the chateau. JJ was already walking around in the living room, looking for something.

"Who took my sweater?! I swear I'm gonna-". JJ muttered underneath his breath while looking underneath every single pillow on John Bs couch. But his beige sweater was nowhere to be seen.

"I didn't know it was yours".
Blue eyes met hazel. JJ admired Anastasia for a good second. She was wearing his sweater - which was obviously way too big on her. "Sorry I'll-".

"No keep it". JJ smiled. "It looks better on you anyways".

Heat spread across Anastasia's cheek and she giggled shortly. Her eyes quickly moved over to Kiara, looking for help. But her best friend just chuckled. Kiara certainly wasn't blind. She could feel that there was something going on and she liked Ana and JJ together.

"John B". Anastasia slung an arm around his shoulders. She needed to change the topic - which made Pope and Kiara exchange eye contact while both of them tried to contain their chuckles. "Where can we find some more hints for the compass? We need a secret room or something".

"My dads office".
With that said the pogues entered Big Johns office, which had been locked until now.
They all had to rummage through the hundreds of founders and books.
Anastasia on the other hand focused on the pictures laying around. Her hand touched a wooden board with some pictures of different people on it.
John B had been watching Anastasia more closely ever since she didn't even touch a book once. He knew she wanted to help him, but was intrigued that she didn't help them read something.

Once he saw her look at that wooden board, John B spoke up:"This shows everyone, who owned the compass once. Look it's been passed down to my dad".

While John B went through all of the names and Pope, Kiara and Ana had been watching very interested; JJ had been looking at Anastasia. He liked her. She was a great friend and all - but there was this feeling; an atmosphere - he longed for more than just friends. But JJ couldn't quite figure out his feelings to this point.

"What's her maiden name?". Anastasia pointed to a woman named Olivia. "Maybe Redfield is a surname".

Everyone watched Pope go through the book he had been holding, until he inhaled quickly. "Oh god. Ana is right".

"Where was Olivia buried?", John B quickly asked and stared over to Kiara, who quickly googled.

Once she had the name of the graveyard, JJ chuckled:"Into the badmobile!".

Anastasia raised her hand, her car keys jingling. Pope immediately gasped:"Oh no! Definitely not!".

"Come on Pope", Anastasia rolled her eyes and a chuckle fell of her lips,"What if we need to run from the cops?".

"Your gonna loose your scholarship, if we take Twinkie and get caught cause we're to slow", Kiara played right into Anastasia's game. The girls giggled once Pope gave in.

"Fine".

The five friends drove off, the engine roaring loud. Pope was sitting in the back seat, in between JJ and John B. His hands were gripping into the seat.

Getaway car was blasting through the speaker. JJ thought the title fit perfectly.
But the song reminded Anastasia of something else.
Of him. Of the last time she saw him in California.
Suddenly Anastasia remembered, that she still had to tell her friends about tonight's party. His party.

I was ridin' in a getaway car
I was cryin' in a getaway car
I was dyin' in a getaway car