"𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤."

WE ALL STAYED SILENT, beginning to feel impatient by the silence Kiara, had stay with. She handled what looked like some sort of letter to John B, making everyone frown our eyebrows confused.

Pope: "That's not gold."

Kiara, started to head out of the space being helped by me and JJ, while the two other boys spoke with each other.

John B: "Holy shit."

June: "What's up?" -I asked, grabbing a hold of the brunette one's shoulder.

John B: "This is from, Dad."

We all stared at him stunned, almost not believing what he mentioned. I took a look at the small package on his hands, seeing Dad's hand writing on top of it. This immediately made my eyes get crystallized, turning to look at, John B.

We all smiled at each other, the sound of a lighter and an engine noise catching my attention. I looked to my left seeing JJ, who stood aside looking towards the woods. My eyes widened, what looked like a golf cart began to approach us.

JJ: "Code red. Code red. Square groupers! Square groupers!" -he whispered, running towards us quickly after.

We all ran to the side of the grave, hiding rapidly trying our best to not get caught.

Kiara: "Go."

JJ: "It's the guys who robbed your house." -he mentioned, as we hid. We docked down, turning our headlights off and any sort of light too.

Pope, grabbed JJ's headlight aggressively turning it off. As I tried helping John B, turn his off.

Kiara: "John B?"

June: "Turn it off! Turn it off." -I repeated, as he took the light quickly placing it under his shirt.

The distant shouting of some man, made me jump up. Fearing for our lives once again, looks like this would never stop literally.

June: "Do you think is them?" -I asked, peeking from on top of JJ's head.

The golf cart's light shined across the creepy woods, everything about this situation was getting worser by the time.

JJ: "Homie's got a gun." -he mentioned, my heart dropping right after he said that.

Kiara: "Screw this."

I noticed the girl began to run off, making me do so as well. The rest of the boys following along practically screaming at us, after realizing.

We climbed a big concrete fence, the two man's voices following behind. Our nerves rising up after seeing Pope, getting stuck on the fence.

JJ: "Hurry up!"

Kiara: "Go!" -she yelled, as Pope, tried getting himself unstuck.

Pope: "Guys! Guys!"

June: "Shit! What do we do?" -I asked, stepping near the fence to try and help, Pope.

JJ, quickly got his gun out, as the rest of us tried to get the boy's pants out of the fence. He had began to panic after seeing the lights approaching our way, I couldn't blame him.

JJ: "No. Pope, don't move, okay?" -he demanded, pointing the gun towards the field behind the fence.

Pope: "You're gonna rip me."

June: "Is the only thing we can do, Pope." -I replied, receiving a death stare from the black haired boy.

Kiara and I, began to pull onto Pope's leg making him slowly fall down. The sound of his pants beginning to rip, he begged for us to stop but we couldn't at that point.

Kiara: "You're fine. Come on!"

She pulled one last time, getting the boy out of the fence, his pants stuck still on the metal fence. All of us laughed, as we ran over to the van.
________________________________

We arrived over to The Château, all of us practically feeling drain from how long the day felt. We sat on the kitchen, while JJ made himself a sandwich.

Pope: "That bread had mold on it three days ago." -he mentioned, standing in front of the kitchen.

June: "Yeah, I've only been eating apples as my breakfast, because there's literally nothing here."

JJ, only scoffed still placing peanut butter on top of the bread unbothered by what we mentioned.

JJ: "You know, I'll just pull off the bad parts. Plus, mold is good for you. It's just a natural organism." -he replied, automatically making me gag after he took a bite of the bread.

Kiara: "JJ!"

JJ: "Yup, yup, yup!"

We all stood around the dining area, focusing on the letter on John B's hands. All I heard was JJ, gagging and throwing away the bread he had took his time to make. Everyone unbothered by what was happening.

John B, opened the letter revealing a large map. This one had different writings in it, I knew instantly that they belonged to Dad. Even though with the small writings, you could identify it automatically by the wonky letters and the large R he always wrote in a weird way.

John B: "Holy shit."

Pope: "Oh. X marks the spot." -he mentioned, pointing at the map.

June: "What does all of this means? Is there anything else inside?"

The brunette one, began to look inside of the packaging. Getting a tape recorder out, we all looked at each other with smiles plastered on our faces.

JJ: "What's that?"

Kiara: "It's a tape recorder, dumbass." -she replied, death staring at the boy.

We all waited a second so John B, could activate the recording to start. Dad's voice coming from the small device, automatically made made my eyes teary.

I miss him so much.

JJ: "Who's bird?"

John B: "That's what my Dad, called me."

We all listened to the audio, Dad, was apologizing to John B, about some argument they had. He also talked about him finding The Royal Merchant, we all stared at each other stunned by what he mentioned. I couldn't help but feel a knot on my throat, I watched how John B's eyes crystallized by hearing the recording.

Part of me felt so distant from Dad and him, by the way he talked about everything to John B, on the recording they seemed so close. He trusted John B, more than ever. I wish I could've felt that, had that bond with my Dad, but I couldn't. I probably won't ever feel that, and that hurts.

If something happens to me, finish what I started. Go for the gold, kid. I love you, Bird, even if I didn't always act like it. I'll see you on the other side.

I glanced over to the window, hearing those last words. I felt so out of place here, everyone just stood silent on the room. Everyone except for John B, who stood up from the chair and walked over to the door frame. He's sobbing automatically made my heart drop, instantly making me let out tears.

JJ: "Holy shit, he did it! Big John...he found the Merchant."

Kiara: "Can you...can you please?"

JJ: "Sorry."

I walked away from the dining area, covering my mouth as I tried not to be heard by the group. I felt like I couldn't breathe as I cried, I never had felt this way before and it sucks more than anything. I heard footsteps approach behind me, making me try and wipe my tears away. It became too late after I felt arms embracing me, I knew who it was instantly after I smelled the cologne.

Pope: "Hey, it's okay." -he reassured, hugging me from behind.

I cried out loud, hearing another pair of footsteps approach our way. The rest of the group sat beside me, each of us hugging each other. This was the first time I could say I had friends...and that felt really nice to say.

We all sat outside, near the dock. The moonlight shining down to us, everything felt so comforting. Kiara, played a beautiful melody with a ukulele, everyone sat silently looking around the space.

My head laid against John B's shoulder, his head laying on top of my head as we looked at Kiara, playing the instrument.

JJ: "How much was it again?"

John B: "Four hundred mil." -the brunette one replied, everyone staring at, JJ.

June: "Do you guys know what you're going to do with it?"

Everyone smiled at each other, their eyes shining filled with excitement almost making me chuckle.

JJ: "Let's talk the split before that, alright?" -he requested, everyone nodding in agreement.

I took a hold of my water bottle and began to drink it as JJ, continued speaking. Everyone listened to the blonde one, attentively.

JJ: "Now, before you say "evenly," May I remind you that I am the only one that can properly defend us from those groupers who were after us." -he mentioned, raising his gun up.

June: "He's got a point."

JJ: "Thank you, so, protection? Not cheap, okay?" -he replied, making me smile as he continued speaking.

Pope: "You haven't trained. You've done zero training."

I nodded my head in agreement after Pope, mentioned. Quickly making JJ, look at me slightly offended.

JJ: "YouTube, bro! That's at least a five percent bump right there."

June: "That's stupid though."

Pope: "You haven't-"

JJ: "Any objections? Didn't think so." -he interrupted, receiving death stares from me and, Pope.

Kiara, raise her hand up trying to object but JJ, completely ignored her as we all tried arguing with him.

JJ: "I don't hear any, so."

I rolled my eyes, staring at John B, who had sat silent almost the whole conversation. I was worried, but I tried cheering him up by slightly tickling his stomach. He jumped in between small laughter trying to push my hand away, almost glancing at me with begging eyes.

Kiara: "What are you gonna do with your 100 mil, Pope?" -she asked, making me glance over at the boy who had a serious expression on his face.

He took a couple of seconds to answer, almost thinking everything through. It sort of also made me wonder what I would do too, I haven't really thought about that. Which I shouldn't even, I don't even deserve to gain anything from this. This is their adventure, not mine.

Pope: "Pay for college in advance. And also, textbooks. Those are expensive." -he replied, receiving a smile from me while he glanced over to my direction.

JJ: "What about you, Kie?"

Pope: "Yeah, what does a socialist do when she's rich?"

We all exchanged looks with the girl, a smile appearing on her face making me smile back to her. She seemed so happy as she thought about everything, she had it all planned and it showed.

Kiara: "Just wanna make a double album. About OBX, the Pogues." -she replied, making everyone chuckle as she explained.

June: "I love that, I'll be one of the first listeners."

She looked at me with a happy expression, in my opinion she looked glad I said that.

Kiara: "You know, the way Catch a Fire is about Kingston. Record it at Marley Studio, Peter Tosh producing."

Pope: "Peter Tosh, is dead." -he mentioned, making my eyes widened.

Kiara: "Peter Tosh, is dead. I know."

June: "Oh shit! Really?" -I asked, everyone almost looking surprised as I asked.

June: "Sorry...keep going."

Kiara: "Anyways, Spirit of Peter Tosh, will never die." -she replied, raising her beer up with a proud smile.

JJ: "Actually I know what I'll do."

We all glanced over to JJ, a sigh coming out of my mouth as I knew where this was going to head already. I crossed my arms with a smile on my face, nodding as he began to explain everything.

JJ: "I'm gonna get a big ass house on Figure Eight and go full kook." -he mentioned, making me let out a laugh.

Pope: "You're gonna go full Kook?"

June: "That honestly sounds so unreal to me." -I said, receiving a nod from Pope, as he laughed.

JJ: "Yup, I'm gonna get a marble statue of myself, and then I'm gonna get a koi pond. Put a bunch of those fish."

Kiara: "I'm never visiting." -she replied, making JJ, scoff.

Pope: "What are you gonna do, JB?"

We all glanced over to the brunette boy, patiently waiting for his response. He seemed to not know what to say, but quickly realized while nodding his head. I smiled at him, receiving a smile back as he raised his beer up slightly.

John B: "To going full Kook." -he replied, a proud smile beaming on his face.

All: "To going full Kook!"
________________________________
EVERYONE HAD BEGAN TO GET READY TO HEAD TO THEIR HOMES. Except for Kiara, who walked across the porch I had been sleeping in for the past couple of days. I stared at her, she's expression was serious almost worried to be honest.

June: "Hey, Kiara, you alright?" -I asked, tapping her shoulder slightly.

Kiara: "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about something."

I nodded, seeing how the girl glanced up looking towards the dock.

June: "Can I ask you something?"

She looked towards my direction, a small nod coming from her making me sit beside her.

June: "Do you think John B, will get mad at me if I ever dated a Kook?" -I asked, receiving a confused expression from, Kiara.

Kiara: "You're dating a Kook?"

I looked over to the distant, wondering if I should tell her the truth. Will this get me into trouble? Would she hate me for it?

Kiara: "I mean, I don't hate the fact that you are dating a Kook. But is just not our cup of tea, you know?" -she replied, peeking her head slightly so she could get a better glimpse of my face.

June: "I like a Kook, I'm not dating them...yet. I don't even know if we're going to become a thing but I just don't want John B, to feel uncomfortable."

She nodded, listening to everything I was saying. Making her slightly chuckle after I finished, her hand touching my shoulder.

Kiara: "I mean, as long as it isn't Rafe Cameron, you're good." -she said in between laughter, my eyes widening in between her sentence.

Kiara: "Oh God, is it...him?"

I glanced over to her, my head slowly nodding after her question. She looked around the space, trying to see if nobody was around.

Kiara: "Shit, if it's him. You will have to make a decision, June." -she dodged down, looking at me with widened eyes.

June: "Okay, what is it?"

Kiara: "Kooks Or Pogues, choose one." -she replied, making me frown my eyebrows and look over to her confused.

June: "What?! Why?"

Kiara: "Trust me, John B, will genuinely hate the fact you're dating him. Everybody else too, Rafe, isn't a good person."

Kiara: "He's controlling, rude and hates us." -she explained, making me feel even more confused after her sentence.

I stood up from the couch, pacing around the porch trying to think of a solution. Wondering if I should actually just try to stop liking Rafe, for the sake of my twin brother's happiness. But then again, this is my choice. Could I change the Pogue vs Kook war between, him and Rafe? No, obviously not.

June: "What do you mean about that? Rafe, doesn't hate me though." -I mentioned, making her scoff.

Kiara: "Yeah, that's because you've always been sort of a Kook to be honest, you were best friends with Sarah and Kayla Thornton, right?" -she asked, making me nod.

Kiara: "Than that's his excuse basically, he doesn't see you as a Pogue cause you barely hung out with them. And trust me, when he sees you with one...you'll see the real him."

I glanced at her slightly worried, she sounded right. For some reason I knew she wasn't lying about this, and that hurt since I thought Rafe, was different. Turns out I don't know him too well actually.

June: "Thanks, I'll see what I can do. Once again thanks, Kiara." -I replied, fidgeting with my hands as I looked down.

Kie: "Call me Kie, you're one of us. My friends call me that and besides, it's easier."

I smiled at her, making the curly head do so as well. She started to walk down the steps approaching her truck.

Kie: "Good night, June." -she grinned, heading inside of her vehicle.

I sat back down on the couch, hearing the entrance of the house opening. It allowed me to see Pope and JJ, come out of the house.

JJ: "Hey, I have a question." -he said, receiving a nod from me to continue.

JJ: "Can I like, call you um- Oh! Jun-Jun. Is that okay?"

The boy asked, as Pope, only laughed beside him while glancing at me.

June: "Sure, that's fine. I get called worse so I won't mind, I'll call you peanut!" -I replied, making him look over confused.

JJ: "Why the hell would you call me peanut for?"

June: "Because you like peanut butter, I saw you earlier and you literally almost emptied that can up." -I replied, making him laugh as realization hit it him.

JJ: "Alright, I'm cool with that then."

Kie: "Guys! Come on. June, needs to get some rest." -she yelled, making the boys began to walk down the steps to head over to the vehicle.

JJ: "Good night, Jun-Jun!"

The boy smiled over to me, making me roll my eyes with a smile plastered on my face as well. Pope, laughed after also waving at me goodbye.

June: "Good night, boys." -I replied, as Kie, drove off.

I looked inside the house seeing John B, peeking through the door frame startling me.

June: "What the hell are you doing?!" -I asked, throwing my pillow at him.

John B: "Sorry! You see, I told you they will like you."

He smiled, sitting beside me while handling me some bedsheets and more pillows.

John B: "Why are you sleeping out here again?" -he asked, making me laugh.

June: "It's really hot inside, I figured sleeping outside wouldn't be too bad actually." -I replied, as I adjusted everything on the couch.

John B: "Want some company? I'll sleep on the living room's couch!"

He asked, practically begging me which I rapidly agreed to. Even though I wanted to sleep outside, I can't help to not feel scared. The darkness is another one of my fears, especially if I'm alone in it.

June: "Alright, that sounds perfect." -I replied, making him quickly run over inside to bring some blankets for himself.

As he came back, he placed everything down, bringing with him a lit candle.

John B: "Here, this might help you feel less scared." -he commented, my face puckered confused as he handled me the candle.

June: "How did you knew I was scared of the dark?"

He smiled slightly, looking over to my neck.

John B: "Dad, once told me while I was doing that necklace, that you were scared of the dark. He always used to tell me facts about you." -he responded, pointing at the shell necklace I had.

June: "He did the same with me as well, he told me that he made you come home by ringing the bell we have on the backyard. If you weren't home yet, he always called you with that."

He smiled, nodding after I told him. Both of us sat down on the couch, a comforting silence surrounding us. I laid my head on his shoulder, his arms embracing me into a hug.

June: "I miss him, you know?" -I whispered, feeling his head nodding on top of my head as he let out a sigh.

John B: "Yeah, June. Me too, all the time."
________________________________

JJ: "So, John B's helping you find a job, huh?" -the boy asked, helping me hop on the boat.

We were currently going to head to town, drive the boat around the sea for a bit. In between that, John B, wanted to see if Heyward, would allowed me to work for him. Which, I wasn't sure it would work out to be honest.

June: "Yeah, I guess? I don't know what Heyward, would say though. The man, is always very careful with the people he chooses as his workers." -I replied, the boy nodding in agreement with me.

JJ: "Damm right he is, I've never been able to get a job with him. Maybe I should ask him today, right?" -he asked, pointing at John B, who quickly shook his head side to side.

John B: "Please don't do that."

Pope: "I suggest you to not."

Kie: "That's not a good idea. You already know what he will say, JJ." -she said, while trying to braid my hair on the small boat.

A couple of minutes later, we were crossing the docks throughout the island. Everyone talked with each other, stupid conversations literally. At some point me and JJ, had started arguing over literal water. What was the reason? For something I don't even remember.

I distracted myself by doing a flower crown on the boat, Pope, focused on what I was doing since I hadn't spoked to the group in a while. The sound of whistle made me stare over to JJ, who had a smile plastered on his face. His finger pointed over to the distance, another boat coming towards the opposite direction.

JJ: "You guys see that? That's the Malibu 24-MXZ, the world's finest wakesetter."

JJ: "Number one in luxury, quality, and performance." -he explained, making me sigh after realizing who the boat belonged to.

JJ: "200K, easy."

June: "Yeah, that boat belongs to the Thornton family." -I commented, as everyone looked towards the boat still practically mesmerized.

Pope: "We picked the wrong parents."

Kie: "I hate to break it to you guys, but that's Topper and his girlfriend." -she stated, confusion suddenly eating me up.

Kie, seemed to not like Sarah. I wasn't sure why, I mean I don't even know if they knew each other or whatever. But something about her facial expression let it me know she did not enjoy her presence.

I picked up a box filled with beers, as the boat kept getting closer to ours. Eventually hearing the engine near.

We all glanced over to Topper's boat, noticing Sarah, looking over to us almost instantly death staring us. She practically faked a smile as she noticed me, making me look at her confused.

She raised her sunglasses up, soon after pretending as if we weren't there. I looked over to John B, who seemed annoyed.

Kie: "You don't have to act like you don't see us, bitch."

My mouth opened widely after Kie's sentence, making me almost drop the box I held in my hands.

June: "What's her problem with you guys?" -I asked, making everyone shrugged their shoulders.

June: "Okay...you guys are obviously lying."

John B: "She got me fired, yesterday Ward, told me he didn't wanted me to work for him anymore."

June: "Why would he fire you? Did you did something bad, John B?" -I asked, a firm tone coming out of me making the rest of the group laugh.

John B: "It's a long story, I'll tell you later."

John B, then began to stop the boat beside the dock. Stopping me in front of Heyward's work shop, I exchanged glances with everyone. My nerves were already eating me up.

John B: "This your stop." -he mentioned, smiling at me making me sigh.

June: "Alright, if something goes really wrong I'll call you guys. And you better pick me up quick, okay?"

Everyone nodded, JJ, placed a thumbs up in approval.

Kie: "Good luck, June." -she boosted, a smile beaming on her face.

I walked over to the side of the boat, quickly getting helped by JJ, to grab my hand so I could head out of the boat.

I turned around as I arrived to the dock, looking at everyone who smiled over to me.

June: "Do you think Heyward, will accept me?" -I asked, fidgeting with my hands nervously.

Pope: "June, stop worrying! My Dad, will accept you 100% don't worry"

JJ: "Yeah he's right, you'll be luckier than me." -he replied, making me chuckle after.

John B: "Just listen to everything carefully, I promise you Heyward, won't say no."

They all smiled over to me. Kie, quickly pointing towards my back, making me turn around. I smiled noticing Heyward, waving at  me as he rested his shoulder on the door frame.

June: "Thank you guys, I'll see you later. Let me know what you find, alright?" -I whispered, receiving nods of approval from the group.

I walked over to the shop, making my way towards Heyward, this one who had a bright smile on his face as he saw me approaching him. I looked back, realizing the group, had already left making me sigh.

Heyward: "June, it's great to see you here. Let's see what you got alright?" -he commented, grabbing my shoulder to drag me inside of the place.

Different people stood inside, some of them side eyeing me as I walked beside them. I took a look around, as Heyward, entered behind the counter to search for a uniform for me.

Unknown Voice: "Oh. My. God. Is that who I think it is?!"

I looked back, seeing if the question was towards me. My mouth opened widely as I realized who it was. The brunette girl, stared at me with a big smile on her face.

Her eyes practically shined, as she held onto a box filled with plates inside. She placed it on a table, quickly running towards me with open arms.

June: "Holy shit! Kayla?!" -I exclaimed, being pulled into a tight hug in between sentence.

Kayla: "When the hell did you came back to OBX?! I haven't even seen you around."

We held each other's hand while speaking, her eyes crystallized as she spoked.

June: "I came a couple of days ago, check up on John B, and it's been crazy literally."

Kayla: "You finally met him?! Congrats, June!" -she replied, jumping up and down after I explained.

June: "Yeah, it's a very long story. We need to catch up asap, how about you?"

She smirked, looking around the building stepping closer to me.

Kayla: "I'm dating someone, you won't believe who though." -she whispered, her eyes widening after her sentence.

June: "Who is it? Maybe I know him."

Kayla: "Well, we aren't dating but I like to think we'll date soon. It's Heyward's son, Pope Heyward. Do you know him?" -she asked, my eyes quickly widening after her response.

June: "Holy shit, Kayla! I do know him! That's literally my friend, when did this happened?"

She laughed out loud, quickly covering my mouth as I almost made everyone hear us.

Kayla: "We started talking a couple of weeks ago, our first date is in a couple of days."

June: "Trust me, he's a good one. That boy, is one of the sweetest guy's I've ever met." -I replied, high fiving the brunette one.

We glanced to our left, seeing Heyward, come out of the counter heading towards me. He handled me a shirt, notebook and pencil. I smiled over to him, making him do the same.

Heyward: "Glad you met one of my best workers. Kayla, show her around and help her out with the costumers, today's her practice day." -he mentioned, receiving a nod from, Kayla.

June: "Thank you, Sir. I'll do my best today!"

He smiled, making his way outside leaving me alone with, Kayla again.

Kayla: "Ready?"

June: "Hell yeah!"

To me, the decision of picking sides is stupid. Kooks and Pogues are sort of the same. A Pogue has become rich thanks to work or something else, and a Kook has become a Pogue probably due to a mistake they did with their lives.

I can't pick sides, both of them have very special people to me in each side. If I have to pick, I will always say both no matter what. That's my decision, I choose both.

End of chapter.

4712 word<3
Sofia's notes:
A LONG CHAPTER!! Yay, hopefully this was long for y'all, I consider it long haha. If you enjoyed make sure to leave a vote, the next chapters will get better and better hehe 🤭💗 love you all, see you soon.

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