(anessa's outfit for this chapter)

Anessa's friends often got into trouble and went to places they weren't allowed. Like right now. Despite Anessa saying they shouldn't go since it was a bad idea, they were at an unfinished house in Figure Eight that was on an Old Turtle Habitat. JJ convinced her to come up to sit on the scaffolding as John B balanced on top of the roof. Pope was on the ground by the tool table.

"I'm tellin' you guys we shouldn't be here." Anessa mumbles as she leans back on her hands. She winces, letting out a small yelp and sat up straighter when she saw a splinter in her hand. She shows it to JJ with a pout. "See? This is why. Splinters."

"Aw, poor baby." JJ teased, setting his beer can down and taking her hand.

"I don't need your sarcasm." She scowls. "I just need this stupid splinter out. It hurts." She frowned, pulling her hand back. JJ sent her an apologetic look and pulled her hand back gently, holding it in his own. His fingers brushed against hers as he examined the splinter embedded in her palm, squinting slightly as he leaned in closer to get a better look.

"It's not too deep, but it looks like it's a stubborn one." He said, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "We may have to remove the whole d*** hand." He joked.

Anessa narrows her eyes at him. She knew what he was doing. He was trying to distract her from the pain. She rolls her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Yeah, right. Just get it out, JJ."

He chuckles, then carefully tilted her hand toward the light, focusing on the tiny splinter. His usual teasing demeanor faded as he became more focused on the task. "Hold still, okay?" He murmurs, his blue eyes flicking up to meet hers briefly before returning to her hand. "This would go faster if I had some tweezers." He mumbles. "You don't happen to have any in your Mary Poppin's bag do ya?"

Anessa winced slightly when his thumb brushed near the sensitive area, rolling her eyes at what he called her bag. She was the type of friend who always was prepared. She had this bag she usually brought with her. She would carry a small first aid kit, phone chargers, snacks, extra hair ties, and honestly anything she or her friends might need. At first she was annoyed by the joke with everyone calling it her "Mary Poppins bag," but after a while, she just owned it. Because really it was a lot like Mary Poppins bag. Sometimes she surprises herself with everything she can fit inside it.

"You know what? I actually might." She admitted, using her free hand to dig through her bag. She dug around in her bag, her fingers brushing against the various items she carried. JJ chuckled as he watched her search, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Of course you do." He muttered under his breath, wincing when that earned him a slap to the shoulder. Anessa shot him a playful glare as she finally fished out the tweezers, holding them up like a prize.

"How do you even manage to get a splinter just sitting down?" JJ asked, shaking his head in amusement as he worked.

"I don't know," Anessa replies, biting her lip and wincing when she felt the sting. "But you're not exactly helping with your commentary."

John B, who was standing on the roof, glanced over at Anessa and JJ. His brows furrowed, a frown forming on his lips. He felt a slight twinge of jealousy and he wasn't sure why. But, he didn't like it. He didn't like seeing JJ and Anessa so close for some reason even though they had always been close. He hadn't had a problem with it before until recently.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop," JJ said with a smirk, though the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement. "But you've gotta admit, it's pretty impressive. Only you could manage to get a splinter while sitting on scaffolding."

Anessa huffs, trying to suppress a laugh. "Yeah, well, maybe I'm just special like that." She retorted, rolling her eyes at his playful banter. She watched as JJ concentrated on removing the splinter, his face just inches from her hand, and a warmth spread through her despite the pain.

"Special indeed," He comments, his voice teasing yet soft. "Just hold still a little longer, okay? I'm almost there." Anessa bit her lip and nodded, feeling the slight stinging pain of the splinter being tugged. It hurt a bit, but she could tolerate it. Though she couldn't help but wince or when her hand involuntarily jerked as JJ carefully pulled on the stubborn splinter.

"I think I got it," JJ said after a moment, his eyes glinting with triumph. He carefully held the splinter up for her to see. "And the evil splinter has been vanquished! Your hand is safe now. Looks like we won't have to chop it off after all." He chuckled, tossing the splinter aside and looking up at her, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Anessa laughs and shakes her head, her shoulders relaxing as she let out a relieved breath. "Thanks for that, Dr. JJ." She grinned, feeling grateful as she flexed her fingers, the slight pain gone.

"No problem, Miss Anessa. I'm always here to help." JJ replies with a playful grin. "Now, how about a lollipop as a reward for being a good patient?" He leans over her to put the tweezers away in her bag and to pull out a lollipop he knew she always carried with her. He smirks, holding it up like a trophy. "I thought I might find one in that magical bag of yours."

Anessa's eyes lit up at seeing her favorite kind of lollipop, grabbing it from his hand. "Yes! Cherry." She smiles, unwrapping the candy and sticking it in her mouth. "My favorite."

"I know. That's why I gave it to you." JJ chuckled, leaning back and watching her with amusement. From the roof, John B shifted uneasily, still watching the two of them interact. JJ's easy charm made Anessa laugh, and it stirred a strange feeling inside him. He shook his head, trying to push it aside. What's wrong with me? he thought. It's just JJ being JJ.

Anessa looks over her shoulder at John B, her eyebrows furrowing in concern at seeing his conflicted expression. "Hey, you alright up there, JB?" She pauses before adding, "Want a lollipop?" She offered, smiling as she leaned over to pick one from her bag, grabbing his favorite kind. She held it out, waving it in the air.

John B shakes his head and sends her a small smile. "Nah, I'm good, thanks. Maybe later." She nodded, smiling back at him and chuckling when JJ looked offended she didn't offer him one. She then gave him one of the lollipops in her bag, giggling when his eyes lit up.

Pope looked over at Anessa and the guys and laughs, shaking his head in amusement. "I swear, the two of you act like kids." He gestured between JJ and Anessa.

Anessa rolls her eyes, popping her lollipop back in her mouth. "Nuh uh, not a kid." She argues. "Just having a sweet tooth is all."

"Sounds like somebody's jealous he don't have a lollipop." JJ teased and Pope shot him an annoyed look.

"Am not." He replied.

Anessa laughs, reaching into her bag again and pulling out another lollipop. "I got one that says your name on it." She added, smirking when Pope's eyes lit up.

"Oh, well, if it has my name on it, I guess I have to take it." He joked, catching the one Anessa tossed down to him. She grinned, leaning back against the scaffolding and watching her friends, the sweet taste of cherry filling her mouth. She felt a warm glow inside, surrounded by laughter and playful banter. The sun shone brightly overhead, and the smell of the ocean mixed with the sweetness of the lollipops made everything feel perfect, even if just for a moment.

She glances up at John B, who was still on the roof. Concern fills her eyes. "Still think you probably shouldn't be up there, JB."

"I'm fine, Annie. I've got this!" John B called back, trying to sound confident, though his balance on the slanted roof was precarious. He waved a hand dismissively but shot a glance down at Anessa, who was watching him with worry etched on her face. He could see the concern in her eyes, but the thrill of being up there was too great.

"That's what, a three-story fall to the deck?" Pope cut in. "I give you about a one-in-three chance of survival."

John B hums in response, licking his finger and putting it up in the air as if testing the wind. "Should I do it?"

"Yeah, jump." Pope encourages playfully. "I'll shoot you on the way down." He aimed a power drill he had picked up off a nearby tool table.

John B looks down at him with amusement. "You'll shoot me?" He then made finger guns, pretending to shoot him.

Anessa rolls her eyes and chuckles. It was never a dull moment with the boys. She perks up when she heard a familiar female voice. "They're gonna have Japanese toilets with towel warmers." The voice complained and she smiled at seeing Kiara walk over to the group. Kiara was the other female in the group and someone who had always been like a sister to Anessa.

"Of course, why wouldn't they?" JJ chuckled.

"This used to be a turtle habitat, but who cares about the turtles, I guess?" Kiara complained.

Anessa gives her an offended look. "Hey! Don't say that. I love the turtles."

Kiara chuckles, smiling reassuringly at her. "I wasn't talking about you, Ness. I know you're all about the turtles."

"I'll fight whoever is not about the turtles." Anessa threatened playfully, earning an amused laugh from the group.

"I can't have cold towels." JJ joked, gaining an amused look from Anessa by him.

"Can you please not kill yourself?" Kiara questioned, looking up at John B with concern.

"Don't spill that beer. I'm not giving you another one." JJ interjected.

Anessa rolls her eyes at him. "Seriously all you care about is him not spilling the beer? Not the fact that he could potentially get really hurt?" She questioned.

"Eh, I've got a good feeling about him. He'll be fine." JJ replies with a wave of his hand. Anessa just rolled her eyes, knowing there was no convincing him. She grew more concerned when John B suddenly slipped though thankfully he caught himself but he did end up dropping the beer can. JJ grumbles, "Of course you did. Like right when I told you not to."

"Smooth." Kiara remarked while John B groaned, frowning at the beer can he dropped. Anessa couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her.

"See, this is why you shouldn't be up there!" Anessa called out, amusement dancing in her eyes as she crossed her arms.

"A-Plus." Pope teased John B, his attention turning to something else when he noticed something in front of the unfinished house. He leaned over, eyes widening.

"Hey!"

Anessa sat up straighter when she heard someone call out to them. Uh oh. They needed to get out of here. "Hey, uh, security's here!" Pope warned his friends.

"Let's wrap it up!"

"Boys are early today."

"Humpty Dumpty, let's roll!"

"Let's go, boys!"

"Gary, is that you?" JJ taunted as he began climbing down the scaffholding. 

Anessa rolled her eyes at his teasing as she stood while John B slid down the roof onto the scaffholding. She didn't understand why JJ had to taunt the security, it often made things worse. John B grabbed her bag for her, earning a small smile of thanks and a kiss to his cheek from her before she took it and started to climb down after JJ. John B had been stunned for a moment, not expecting her to kiss his cheek. Butterflies filled his stomach as he followed her, trying not to look as flustered as he felt.

Adrenaline filled Anessa as she hurried down the scaffolding, her heart racing with excitement and nervousness. She could hear the sounds of hurried footsteps and voices behind her as the group scrambled to escape. The adrenaline buzzed in her veins, making her feel alive. She waited for John B to get down while the others ran inside the unfinished house. She wanted to make sure everyone was with them. John B sent her a reassuring smile, letting her know he was okay. Anessa let out a breath of relief, taking his hand and pulling him along. She led him inside the house where the others were.

They all cheered and laughed as they made it inside the unfinished house, their voices echoing off the bare walls. Anessa could feel the energy bouncing around the group while they ran through the unfinished house to get to where the infamous Twinkie is parked. Anessa grinned thinking about the car. It was an old Volkswagen van, but it had character. The outside had a funky paint job and it was definitely an eyesore. But the inside was comfortable and cozy. 

They all loved the Twinkie, and Anessa couldn't imagine the group not having the Twinkie. John B's hand stayed in hers the whole time the two ran through the unfinished house together, their footsteps in sync as they dashed through the bare corridors. Anessa felt her heart thumping in her chest, both from the rush of escaping security and from the unexpected warmth of John B's hand in hers. She couldn't help but glance at him, catching a glimpse of his grin-wild and carefree, as if this was all just another adventure in their endless string of mischief.

The group burst through the back of the house, making their way towards the Twinkie, the beloved van that had seen more of their escapades than any of them could count. Anessa's grin widened as she spotted it, parked haphazardly in the dirt with its familiar funky paint job gleaming in the afternoon sun. The van had seen better days, sure, but to them, it was perfect. It represented freedom, rebellion, and the sense of family that they'd built together. Anessa, and John B get to Twinkie first with John B at the drivers seat like usual and Anessa in the passenger seat like usual. She often was one to call shotgun, and today was no different. 

Even if she didn't, it was just a silent unspoken rule that she always sat in the passenger seat like how John B was usually the one who drove. Plus she was also often the navigator, helping John B figure out their next move whenever they were on the run or embarking on another adventure. Today was no different. As soon as she buckled in, Anessa started scanning their surroundings through the window, making sure the coast was clear.

John B notices Pope and JJ first, honking at them with a grin. "Bus is leaving!"

"Come on, boys! Whoo!" Kiara encouraged, sitting near the open back door and smiling widely at her friends. Anessa was leaning on her crossed arms on the open window, still having that cherry lollipop as she encouraged the boys to hurry up. She was eager to get out of there before Gary, the security guard, found them.

"Hurry up, slowpokes!" She calls out, her eyes darting between the boys and the street behind them. She didn't see any sign of Gary yet, but she knew he was close. "We gotta get out of here!"

JJ and Pope hurried over to the Twinkie, their footsteps quick and heavy. The air was filled with a mixture of tension and excitement, their breaths coming fast as they climbed inside the van. "Check out Gary, gunnin' for a raise." Pope laughed, pointing out Gary running after them and trying to get them to stop. Anessa shook her head, an amused glint in her eyes. Did Gary really think that he could stop them on foot?

"Wait. Slow down. Hey! You little pricks! Hey!" Gary yelled out.

"Guys, you're gonna give him a heart attack!" Kiara attempted to scold her friends though she was trying to suppress an amused smile. JJ didn't listen though, leaning out the open door with a smirk.

"You're so close! You can do it." JJ teases, holding out a beer can to Gary before tossing it to him. "There you go. They don't pay you enough bro."

"JJ, stop. Stop!" Kiara tried again, shoving him to the side.

"Oh, come on. That sort of initiative is just begging to be punished." JJ defended himself with a laugh. Kiara rolled her eyes and closed the door while they all got settled into their seats.

Anessa chuckles, rolling her eyes as well and leaning back into her seat. She glances over at John B, who started driving away. "Want a lollipop now?" She offered, pulling his favorite kind out of her bag with a grin and offering it to him. Pope and JJ still had their lollipops and she had even given Kiara one when the girl had climbed into the van.

John B smiles at her offer, his eyes lighting up. "Of course, Annie." He replied, reaching over to take the lollipop from her hand. She grinned back at him, the adrenaline slowly beginning to fade. They were safe now, and Anessa could feel the relief seeping into her bones. Her gaze flicked out the window, taking in the sight of the familiar island while John B drove to their side of the island.

Fancy boats, fancy houses, and expensive cars were seen as they drove by until they got to the part of the island where the houses were smaller, some more rundown, and a little more weathered-just like Twinkie. This side of the island, The Cut, is where Anessa and her friends called home. Well, Kiara technically lived on the Figure Eight side of the island where the rich people were, but this side had been more like a home to her than her actual home. She always felt more like a Pogue-which is what the friend group called themselves since pogues were on the bottom of the food chain and so were the group of friends. 

They called themselves Pogues as a badge of honor, embracing their underdog status and the scrappy, rebellious spirit that came with it. This island had always been divided: the wealthy versus the poor. Pogues versus Kooks. The lines were drawn, and the two groups were not supposed to mix. But the five friends had formed an unlikely bond that transcended those lines. They had become a family, a found family. They had each other's backs, no matter what. And no amount of money, status, or privilege would ever change that.