v. pointless parties

Midsummer. She nearly cried into her pillow. The egg yolk sun poured across Nova's tired body. Only three hours of sleep and the daybreak pulled her from her slumber. Arriving a little before seven this morning, it was now nearing noon. Normally, her late sleeping schedule would be little issue, but she had plans today. Because today was...

Midsummer.

It happens every summer. And every summer, Nova somehow forgets about it. The event filled her day. Preparation and celebration waiting ahead. For when she finally decides to get out of bed.

With a slight whine, Nova rolled out of bed and onto the floor. She sat up, brushing the long, stringy hair out of her face, that was still damp from this morning's rain. She laughed, uncontrollably. Her head leaned back onto her bed, real, genuine, belly laughs.

"Fuck," she breathed, her chest heaving, the laughs slowed, and the events of the early morning filled her memory. "I like him."

Her best friend's words of warning lingered on her mind. Replaying over and over, stuck on repeat. Sarah could see it on her. She knew from the moment Nova stepped out of the car. And the entire drive to Nova's house was filled with Sarah's ramblings. She had many opinions. But when Nova stepped out of her vehicle, yellow parking ticket hanging loosely in her hand, Sarah followed, eyes softening. The only thing she had to say then was to make Nova promise she knew what she was doing .

Nova couldn't promise that.

Nolan being the perfect child he was, was standing bright eyed in the kitchen. Filling his mouth with the sweet treats that decorated the kitchen. Their house staff always went all out on the days that Lincoln Scott arrived home.

His hair frizzed. Looking as if a towel had just been run through it. He wore a pair of black slacks, paired with a torn band shirt and a unties bow hanging lazily around his neck. He was smiling, as always, as he bit into a sprinkled donut.

"So, what time did you finally get in last night?" he asked, eyebrows raised and mouth full.

Scoffing Nova moved toward the decorated island countertops, filled with pastries and an assortment of breakfast sweets. She took a chocolate chip muffin from the neat display.

"What" she asked. "Did you wait up on me?"

"Actually, I did," said her older brother.

He moved to the counter above the toaster. Reaching to the top shelf and opening a bright orange pill bottle. He put the capsule before her with a cup of water.

Nova sighed, guiltily taking her medication.

"Though I ended up falling asleep around threeish this morning," Nolan went on to explain. "Woke up a few hours later to someone trapsing up the stairs. Figured it was you after I heard your bedroom door shut."

"Well, aren't you just the perfect, doting brother?"

"Worried. The perfect, worried brother."

Nova smiled, "Still perfect in your scenario too."

"Always perfect," Nolan grinned.

He'd grin and he'd smile. Nolan would play this happy façade for as long as he had to. But it killed Nova, knowing that he wouldn't allow himself to fully live his life because he had to take time to worry about her.

"I thought I heard my favorite girl's voice," crossing the foyer and entering the kitchen Lincoln Scott appeared, a smile plastered on his glowing face. He opened his arms wide and engulfed Nova into them. "I missed you yesterday."

Smiling, Nova held her father tightly. She'd always loved when he'd come home from long trips. When she was young, she'd wait up on late nights with her mom, just so she could be the first one to hug her dad. The Scott family had always been close. Lincoln and his kids had a great relationship. But Nova was the daddy's girl, as stereotypical as it gets.

Lincoln pulled Nova back, still smiling, "Where in the world were you all night?"

"Sarah's house," she answered quickly. "I texted you last night. She wanted help deciding on her Midsummer dress."

Lincon furrowed his eyebrows, "Hm, she didn't already have that picked out?"

"Please dad, I don't even know what dress I'm wearing," Nova scoffed, and it was true. She hadn't even looked through her closet. "Besides, it was extra stressful for her this year. Since Ward is being coronated as Guardian of the Knights of... whatever..."

"Guardian of the Knights of the Rhododendron," said Nolan, mouth once again full of food.

"Sure, whatever," Nova rolled her eyes, turning back to her dad. "Speaking of that," she said, eyebrows raised. "Why did you turn down your coronation why they asked you a few years ago?"

"I don't like to be paraded," Lincoln said simply.

Nolan laughed.

"Exactly. Nova, our dad is the king of humility," he said, joking of course, Lincoln rolled his eyes, but continued allowing his son to crack jokes at his expense. "That Forbes photoshoot was a necessity, right?"

"Okay, you know son, this could be considered bullying," Lincoln, forgetting about his conversation with Nova moved to approach his son.

Nolan snorted, "Don't you mean elder abuse, old man?"

Thankful for the distraction, Nova used this time to slip away. Avoiding any further questions her dad might have on her whereabouts well into this morning. She did feel bad, keeping things from him, it wasn't something normally done, by her or Nolan. But evading the truth seemed a lot easier than trying to explain John B. and the insane treasure hunt he's on.

She stood in her closet. Five dresses hung up before her. She'd bought them months ago in preparation with Sarah. Nova hadn't been able to decide on a dress so she bought all of them. She told herself she'd use the time until the event to decide on a dress. Yet here she stood, still as indecisive as ever.

Moments later, a knock sounded on Nova's door. She called for them to come in, still standing in her closet.

Nolan walked in beside her, eyes grazing the dresses before them.

"Still haven't made a decision, huh?" he asked.

Nova shook her head. She reached out, running her hand over each piece of fabric, foolishly hoping that one would speak to her. Declare that they were the dress she should wear tonight.

"Did you need something?" asked Nova, slightly annoyed at her brother's distracting presence. She needed to focus, and he was hovering.

Chewing his lips, Nolan shook his head, "So, Sarah's going to be there this evening?"

"I assume so, Nolan," Nova rolled her eyes. That's really what he'd come to bother her about? Sarah's decision on Midsummer? "You heard, I was with her all night, helping her decide on a dress."

Nolan snorted, rocking on his heels, "Please you expected me to buy that load of absolute dog shit you fed dad downstairs?" he shook his head. "Look, I'm not here to grill you on your whereabouts, okay? Just , if you want me to start believing your lies, be a little bit more creative with them."

Nova shook her head. She'd barely been listening to a word that Nolan was saying to her. Having long ago mastered the art of tuning him out. Finally, she took a hanger off the rack and made her way back into her bedroom, where she lay the gown carefully across her unmade bed.

"Who's your date for tonight, anyway?" asked Nova, attempting to smear the wrinkles out of her dress, not wanting to get out the steamer.

"No one," answered Nolan, following Nova back into the bedroom. "I am ridin' solo this year."

Nova stood up from the dress, "Hm," she quirked an eyebrow, placing her hands on her hips. "Both the Scott's going solo. This'll be a first."

The Scott siblings were known for their carousel of flings.

"And I assume Sarah will be showing up with Topper?" Nolan asked, sitting on the other end of Nova's bed, playing with the yellow and blue beading on the dress she chose.

She shrugged, "Maybe. Sarah hasn't exactly been too enthralled by Topper as of late."

Nolan's eyes widened. He was interested.

"Oh really?" he asked. "Did you finally get through to her?"

Like Nova, Nolan was far from Topper's biggest fan. In fact, he held very little regard for him at all.

"Didn't have to," sighed Nova, finally coming to the realization that she would have to get the steamer out. "Sarah figured it out all on her own."

"Hm," Nolan hummed, nodding.

Furrowing her eyebrows, Nova turned to look at her older brother, "Why the sudden interest, though?"

Quickly, Nolan stood from the bed, straightening out his pants, "Not interested," he said, untruthfully. "Just trying to make conversation."

Nova nodded, though she didn't believe a word of what he said, she didn't have the time to delve into whatever was happening with her brother, she had a dress to steam.

"Yes, well," sighed Nova, motioning Nolan to the bedroom door. "Try making conversation elsewhere. I have a lot to do."

Thankfully Nolan didn't need to be told twice and found his way out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Nova let out a relieved breath and fell onto her bed. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Sarah: I'm living in a house of dictators!

Laughing, Nova locked her phone, and willed herself into the bathroom where she would shower the events of yesterday from her body. 

The headband sat like a five-pound weight on top of the made-up head. The blush-colored dress spilled down her body and onto hardwood floor. Beads glowed under the light. Yellows and blue hues to match the flowers sticking out from her head. Makeup was kept intentionally light, knowing that the evening would be spent in the summer heat.

Nova stood in front of the mirror, standing against her painted walls and trailed down over the prickly, shining beads and stones. The door of her bedroom creaked open, Nova turned, just in time to watch her brother step inside.

"Wow," Nolan clicked his tongue, motioning to the bushel on top of his sister's head. "How nice for someone to send you an entire bouquet."

He almost got a laugh out of her for that one. Being that it was true. The arrangement that sat on her head had been boxed away for months now. Specially made and arranged just for this occasion. The arrangement left Nova in trance when she first put it on her head. She'd loved it. But now, it all felt like too much.

Nova searched for something about her older brother that she could make fun of him for, but he looked great. Expensive. Dressed in all black. His button-up shirt tucked neatly into black slacks. The only peak of white being the tips of his muddy converse on his feet. Rings stacked along his fingers and a golden chain dangled from his right wrist.

"All black? You're going to burn up," she picked, eyebrows raised as if she'd somehow come back at him stronger.

It was a low blow and Nova knew it. But Nolan gave her a laugh, mostly out of pity, but it helped.

"Look, dad's already freaking out about being late, are you ready or not?" he asked, rushing Nova along.

She sighed, "I'm taking my own car, by the way."

Being early to an event was a pet peeve that Nova had. And early is what she was now. Standing, all dolled up, in a nearly empty parking lot with Nolan and her grandparents. The sun was beating down on them, and Nova resisted the urge lean against her brother's vehicle so not to dirty her dress and avoiding a scolding from her Lovey.

Penny gushed, pushing the strands of Nova's curled hair behind her ears, holding either of her cheeks in her hands. She kissed Nova, on the head and both cheeks, reminding her granddaughter of how beautiful she was.

Reminding her of how much she looked like her mother.

Nova straightened when the silver Rolls-Royce pulled smoothly into the parking space beside of her. Her father's passenger-side seat was occupied. Max clapped, happy to be on the move again, and walked over to greet Lincoln, hugging him. Penny followed, hugging her son-in-law and even greeting his new girlfriend as she stepped out of the shiny car.

He'd met her at the hospital. Having caught the flu when it was running rampant on the island. She was his nurse. They'd been nearly inseparable since. Gemma Spencer had stolen the heart of them all. Even the parents of Lincoln's late wife. Even his children.

She liked Gemma from the moment her dad brought her home. It was their fifth date. Lincoln had a rule about that. If the girl made it to the fifth date, he brought her home to his kids. None had made it that far. Gemma was the first. It scared Nova, at first. She knew her date was dating again, but there was nothing that could prepare her for the day that her dad would bring home someone who wasn't her mom.

Introduction had been slow at first. No forced group events. Lincoln waited to start including Gemma on family events, and never did she attempt to impose. She wasn't there to take the place of Tallulah Scott. Gemma was there because she loved Nova's father. And for that, Nova loved Gemma.

Noticing Nova, Gemma stepped around Lincoln and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze, "So, no date, huh?" She sounded relieved ─ proud. "For the better, I think."

She'd been there. Through the drama with Kelce. If not, Sarah it was Gemma who Nova cried to. If Nova would've showed up on Kelce's arm today, Gemma would've dragged her out by the hair on her head.

"Yep," Nova shrugged. "Showing up dateless, first time for everything, apparently."

Gemma laughed, shaking her head, "No. If anything you can be my dance partner. We all know it'll take an army to get your dad off his butt this evening."

It was true. Almost every year Lincoln Scott graciously agreed to be the speaker of the event. Except this one. Being the first year he was bringing a date since the death of his wife, and that he's been gone on business for a few weeks , he just wanted to enjoy his evening. And Lincoln's plans were to not lift a finger tonight.

Nova hoped to just make through the night. Have fun. Try not to run into Kelce. Stay away from the inevitable Sarah and Topper drama. And to not obsess over the kiss that occurred early this morning.

"Don't worry sis," Nolan came up behind her. "We'll make it through this alive."

She wasn't so sure.

Nolan offered his sister his arm. Willing to escort her to their table. As a true gentleman was expected to do at an event like this. It was supposed to have been Kelce. That's what she wrote down on the guest list months prior. But since he'd cheated on her, Nova, or Nolan, thought it appropriate for him to be leading her anywhere.

It was beautiful. As it should be. With the amount of money taken in donation form for this one night. It needed to spectacular, memorable.

Twinkling lights dances overhead. Hung on and lopped through wooden rafters. Flowers growing from vines wrapped around the backs of their white padded chairs. Flames danced from the wick of the candles that adorned the center of their assigned tables. A band played at the head of the dance floor. The food was spectacular. People mingled and interacted. Teens tried their luck at the open bar.

It was everything Nova knew it was going to be. Superficial. Pretentious. And utterly pointless. And yet, she continued to participate yearly.

Sarah had taken the empty space at Nova's side for most of the night. In her attempt to avoid Topper. She followed Nova everywhere. To the food line. To the bathroom. And when she noticed Topper approaching when the band started to liven up, she pulled Nova to the dance floor instead.

"I'm gonna do it," Sarah nodded as she held onto Nova's hand, halting their pointless spinning. "I'm going to break up with Topper."

Still, in the middle of the dance, people laughing and swaying all around them, Nova heard Sarah, "Okay."

Sarah shook her head, "I don't love him," she concluded surely. "Well, I do... I do love him. But I'm not, in love with him. I want to be in love with the person that I give myself to."

Nova understood that desire too well. She was desperate for love. To know that true feeling. So much so that she lied to herself. Let herself believe that she's been in love, just so, if even for a moment, she could relish the feeling.

Sarah was smart. Smarter than her. She was getting out before the hurt would be too much. Maybe she learned from Nova.

And Nova wasn't going to lie and say that she was torn up over this revelation. Because she wasn't. She expected it. But, in knowing what her best friend was feeling at this moment. The self-hatred that comes with this realization, Nova knew better than to gloat. Because Sarah would never gloat. Sarah would pick of the pieces and put Nova back together again.

Now it was Nova's turn to be that person.

She reached out, pulling Sarah into her chest. In the middle of a song that had everyone jumping and laughing, Nova held Sarah, swaying. Reassuring her through soft whispers. Letting her know how proud she was of her. And how everything was going to be alright. She held her best friend allowing everyone to move around them, oblivious to the heartbreak.

Until she was spun into the arms of another. Feeling hands wrap around her forearm Nova was pulled forward and into the chest of nice tuxedo. Pulling away from the black and white fabric, Nova furrowed her eyebrows.

"Christ, JJ, are you alright?" she went to run her fingers over the cuts and swelling bruises covering the usually pretty-boy face, but his hand wrapped around Nova's wrist, stopping her.

He shook his head, using his other hand to put a finger to her lips, telling her to be quiet, "I'm fine," JJ told her, lying. But she stayed quiet, listening to him instead of questioning. "I got a note for you. A note from Vlad."

She was pressed closer to him. Their chests once again colliding, but Nova was still watching him, confused as to why it was him here dancing with her. And carrying a note from Vlad. Discreetly, as he dipped Nova, he passed along a crumpled piece of paper that had been tucked away in his pocket. He lifted her, and Nova clutched her fist around the small piece of paper.

"From Vlad?" she breathed quietly. "Are you sure?"

JJ nodded. So, he knew. John B. told him about their time playing pretend yesterday. And since he was here, dancing with her now, she assumed JJ knew everything about the little adventure.

"Don't open it here," he spun her around again, likely to avoid any watchful eyes that might be scouting the place for him. "Somewhere private. Quiet."

Now, having passed along his message, JJ stepped back and away from Nova. She thanked him before he could set off on whatever mission he'd been tasked with. And before completely disappearing into the sea of people, he winked.

Walking in the other direction Nova unfolded the small, crumpled piece of paper. The music behind her became less than background noise with each step away she took.

Meet me at Bag Drop.

- Your Vlad

It was barely legible, the chicken scratch written across the paper. But Nova couldn't stop from smiling. It was a short letter. A demand almost. But the name. It'd been the name he used, that she picked for him, it belonged to them. And now, a little bit JJ, Nova assumed.

"Secret love letters from JJ Maybank, and kisses from John B," Nova turned, seeing Sarah behind her, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. "Girl, what have you gotten yourself into?"

Nothing! Nova thought, tucking the note behind her back, stepping away from Sarah, "This isn't a love letter."

Sarah shrugged, glancing to Nova's hands that had been hidden behind her back, "Okay, so secret letters from John B, delivered by JJ Maybank."

"Not a love letter," Nova shrugged.

Now it was Sarah's turn to roll her eyes. She reached out a hand, expecting Nova to show her the note. Nova did, after a moment of hesitation. She watched as Sarah's confused expression read over the sloppy handwriting.

"Who the hell is Vlad?"

Nova snatched the note back out of Sarah's grasp. She didn't put up any fight, still being too hung up on who Vlad was.

"It's an inside joke," Nova sounded sheepish in her response.

"And what the hell is at Bag Drop?"

"I have no idea."

Sarah nodded, her hands firmly placed on her hips and her lips pursed as she looked past Nova and out past the dock at the calm waters. Nova watched her nervously, biting her lip. What was she going to say?

"Alright," she finally sighed, throwing her hands up in defeat. "I'll help you sneak out of this place."

Nova furrowed her eyebrows. She hadn't asked for Sarah's help. Though she wasn't going to turn it down either. Sarah was a much better liar than she was. Especially when it came to these kinds of things.

They crossed back through the party. Passing by people they knew with a smile and a promise to meet up with them later. When stopped, they pretended to be heading to the bathroom inside, so that no one would keep them long enough to ask questions.

She could see Bag Drop from the parking lot. Hidden behind the neglected weeds. A small, lonely home. Deserted. It sat, not far from the club. An eye sore that the owners hated. They'd tried getting it torn down more than once but it could never go through, because someone owned the property, it's just, no one knew who. But it appeared, the payments were still being made, since the bank couldn't sell or take ownership of it.

Before Nova could cross through the dark parking lot and step into the high grass, Sarah caught her wrist. She turned.

"Just, be careful, please," sighed Sarah.

Nova nodded, knowing Sarah wasn't meaning to watch out for snakes.

She held her dress high. Careful not to rip it on any thorns that she might step into. Her heels made things a little more difficult, as they dug themselves deeper into the still soggy ground. The deck to the house wrapped all the way around, a full circle, and Nova had walked that full circle. No sign of John B. there either. She began to feel a little bit stupid, a little bit lied to, and little used.

Nova looked over her shoulder. She could still see the outline of Sarah in the parking lot. She wasn't going to leave her. For that, Nova felt a little bitter.

Turning back around, the porch light had turned on, and under it he stood. Nova sighed a sigh of relief. She hadn't been lied to.

"John B," Nova sighed, suddenly feeling nervous. "Hi."

He looked up from the ground, eyes widening as he took her in. She stepped under the glow of the light with him. Her face lighting up. Eyes twinkling just like the beads on her dress. She smiled, while once again having to adjust the bush that sat atop her head.

"Wow, Nova, you..." John B. shook his head, hair falling into his face, he smiled again. "You look amazing."

Nova looked down, feeling the burn in her cheeks. She coughed, quickly composing herself, and raising her gaze back to him, "Thank you. I actually feel a little over-dressed since ─"

He kissed her again. In a way to keep the babbling to a minimum. But also, just because he wanted to. Nova stepped forward, eyes knitted together, closing the small space between them. But he wanted her closer. Nova felt John B's hands slide around her waist, cupping her back, and shoving her even more into him.

Their foreheads rested against one another. Both gasping for a breath,

"Hi," John B. finally breathed.

Then the guilt hit her.

"I am so sorry I didn't call. I know I should've. Or at least texted," Nova went on and on, pulling away from him so that she could pace the length of the deck. She wanted him to know that her ignoring him, or ghosting him was not intentional. "It's just my dad's home and I had to get ready for this stupid party..."

"Hey! Hey, Nova. Hey," John B. was chuckling, holding her either side of her face with his hands, using his thumb to stroke along her jawline. "It's fine. It's okay. I know you weren't ignoring me. I was busy too." He assured her, and she nodded, her face still in his hold. "I have to tell you something."

"What?" she asked.

John B dropped her face, stepping back, eyes lit with excitement, "I found the gold."

Nova's eyes widened, "You found ─" she began to yell but quickly switched to a whisper, "You found the gold?"

"It's at Tannyhill."

"Tannyhill?!"

Nova's eyes went wide and this time she did yell. Quickly, John B. stepped forward, shushing her by placing a hand over her mouth. Most likely smearing her lipstick. Even more than he already had.

"I found someone to translate the letter," slowly, he dropped his hand from Nova's mouth, making sure she wasn't going to have another outburst. "There was a coded message, and I need the plot map." He looked at her, Nova was intent in her listening. "Do you know where that is?"

Nova nodded, and John B. wasn't going to like the answer.

"It's at Sarah's house," she told him. "Ward keeps it in his office."

John B. nodded, seemingly unaffected by the news she just gave him, "It's like a blueprint of Tannyhill," he explained, now rambling like she'd been. "If I can get in then I can find the gold, and. .."

Just how he'd done her, Nova reached up, taking John B's face between her hands. Her fingers wrapped around the back of his head and her thumbs gently ran over his cheeks. He stopped talking, his gaze dropping to meet hers. She smiled, pulling herself onto her tiptoes, and kissed him.

The first kiss initiated by her.

He was surprised at first. Having not expected Nova to make that move. But he relaxed in her touch. Allowing himself to fall into her. His hands slid down her sides before gripping into his dress and pulling her even closer into him. Nova laughed into John B's lips.

Then a throat cleared behind them. Making them both jump apart. Nova turned, rolling her eyes when she met the gaze of her best friend.

"Sorry to interrupt this... moment," she didn't seem sorry as she motioned a hand between John B. and Nova. "But Topper and Rafe are watching from across the lawn."

Nova looked in the direction that Sarah had nodded in. Sure enough, standing on the back deck of the country club stood two silhouettes, drinks in hand. They were watching, as their bodied had been angled right in the direction of John B. and Nova. Though it was likely she'd already been spotted, Nova stepped back into the shadows, pulling John B. with her.

"And Topper is already suspicious," added Sarah.

John B. turned her, eyebrows furrowed, "Why?"

Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes, "Because I am covering Nova's ass when she decides to go and run off with you."

John B. opened his mouth, likely with a smart ass remark, but Nova shushed him ─ both of them before anything more could be said. She looked back across the field. They still stood on the deck, though now they couldn't find Nova and Sarah, and their gazes roamed over the small house.

"I should get back," she sighed disappointedly, turning to John B. "It's only a matter of time before they make their way over here looking for us."

She didn't want it seem like she was hiding him. Even though she was. But John B. didn't seem upset, or even phased. In fact, he nodded, agreeing with Nova.

Not caring to do so in front of Sarah, John B. leant down, planting a kiss on Nova's cheek. He wasn't embarrassed, he'd made that clear just now, "Meet me at Hawk's Nest at midnight," he whispered , hot breath stinging Nova's neck, "Bring the map."

Like some spy in a film John B. backed away into the shadows of the night, eventually disappearing altogether. Once gone, Nova turned to look at Sarah. Her face was scrunched ─ disgusted.

"What map does he want you to bring to him?" asked Sarah once they began their journey through the overgrown weeds.

Not wanting to explain as their legs were pricked by thorns, Nova shook her head, "I'll get to that later." And she turned to Sarah, determined to change the subject, "Is Topper really suspicious?"

"According to Topper I'm sneaking around with other boys. Specifically, John B," Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes, seeming disgusted by just the idea. "He thinks that why I won't tell him that I love him back. "

Guilt began eating away at Nova. Sarah had been going out of her way so that she could help Nova sneak around and cover her tracks. It was unfair, especially now that it was causing problems in her relationship.

"You can tell him if you want," said Nova, biting into her lip as she turned her head to look at Sarah. "You can tell Topper that's I'm the one sneaking around with John B."

Not taking a second to consider that idea, Sarah shook her head, "I won't sell you out, Nova," she told her best friend. "That's not how this works ─ you and me. I will always put you before a boyfriend."

There was never a day that Nova wasn't reminded of how lucky she was to have Sarah Cameron. The relationship between them had surpassed friendship. They were family, but even more than that too. They, as described by Nolan Scott, were two halves of a whole person. To survive, one needed the other.

"Well, then how do you think we should go about fixing this?" asked Nova.

She nodded her head, Sarah's eyes following. Standing, waiting for them was Topper and Kelce, hands buried deep in their pockets. As they watched the two girls approach, they traded hushed words.

Sarah rolled her eyes, like Nova, she knew an interrogation was coming, "I'll talk to Topper."

"Probably the best idea," she nodded, agreeing.

Though she still wasn't happy with the circumstances. Because this meant that Nova would have to talk to Kelce. Who shouldn't even have a concern, they weren't dating, haven't been for a while now.

Nova gave Sarah's hand a supportive squeeze before parting ways once they stepped back into the party venue. She met Kelce on stairs that stepped onto the patio. He was there to stop her from following Sarah into her conversation with Topper.

"So, you're spying now, huh?" Nova crossed her arms over her chest, leaning her lower back on the banister.

Kelce scoffed, shaking his head, "Good evening to you too, Nova."

"Oh, spare me the pleasantries, Kelce," Nova rolled her eyes, venom laced her tone. "What're you doing here? Spying on me?"

"I'm worried about you!"

"We aren't together anymore, Kelce!"

"I'm still your friend, Nova," he said, softening his raised voice to a normal tone, careful to not attract unwanted attention. "We were friends before ─ before everything happened."

Before he cheated. That's what Kelce was trying to say without villainizing himself. They'd been good friends before deciding to become a couple. Kelce and Nova had gone to school together since elementary years. They grew up together. They hung out, they talked, they were friends. And then he asked her out on a date. And then Nova fell for him, or so she convinced herself, and Kelce cheated, more than once.

They were friends.

"They're not good company, Nova," said Kelce, his tone low, coming as a warning. "I notice you, suddenly friendly with John B. Routledge. And even here, dancing with JJ Maybank?" He scoffed, having been disgusted by the sight of JJ spinning her around the dance floor. "You don't want to get caught up with them. Not that crowd."

"Jesus, Kelce, you have no right or grounds to speak to me like that!" Nova seethed, cheeks red with anger. "You are not my dad. You're not my brother. And you're not my boyfriend. I don't need you looking out for me. I don't even need you here."

"What's going on with you, Nova?" asked Kelce, deciding to ignore her hurtful words. "What're you doing suddenly?"

"I don't have to tell you."

It was said simply. Calmly. With the shrug of her shoulders. Nova didn't want Kelce to get to her. She wasn't going to let him.

Kelce nodded, his jaw tightening, he narrowed his eyes down at Nova, "Fine," he spat. "But don't come running to me when you get caught in waters that you can't tread in."

He walked away after that. His shoulders squared and his hands balled into fists by his side. Nova stood, watching him disappear back into the large crowd beyond. After Kelce was gone completely, she turned, her gaze locking on an arguing couple, standing on the patio.

Topper's face glowed red under the twinkling fairy lights. He was yelling. Nova could hear him, but not enough to make out what he was saying. Sarah was letting him yell. Allowing him to continue blaming her for things she wouldn't even think about doing.

Then, as if she'd been watching them argue in slow motion, Topper reached for Sarah, making her cringe away from him when he took a tight hold of her forearm. She attempted to pull out of his grip, but Topper wouldn't budge.

Suddenly, Nova was standing in the middle of Topper and Sarah, glaring. His grip on Sarah had dropped.

"This doesn't concern you," said Topper through gritted teeth, returning Nova's glare. "Please, try minding your business for once."

Nova shook her head, "I think the conversation is over. Why don't you go and cool down, Topper?"

That only made him angrier. He didn't like that Nova had stepped in the middle of his fight with Sarah. Like she stepped in the middle of everything involving him and Sarah. Nova was always there, ready to take Sarah away from him. And Sarah was always willing to leave him. It was quite the blow to his inflated ego.

"I just want to talk to Sarah," said Topper, he sighed, trying to appear calmer.

But Nova still wouldn't allow him to reach around her to get to Sarah. And so, his façade of calmness fell, and was quickly replaced with his well-known anger. When he found that Nova wasn't going to let him get to Sarah, he forcibly moved her aside, shoving her. Not hard, or with intent to hurt her, but he had enough force to send her falling into the side of the building, where she felt the wood exterior scratch the surface of her skin .

"Please, Sarah, I don't want to cause a scene," he pleaded with his girlfriend, whose eyes were now wide with fear after she watched him push her best friend. "Just come with me, please."

Sarah opened her mouth. With a shaking head, Nova knew she wasn't going to go with him, but the low voice that sounded, did not come from the shaking blonde.

"I think you best take a walk, Topper," a low, threatening tone sounded, and walking up from behind Sarah, Nolan Scott appeared, a drink in his hand.

He'd been watching from afar for a bit. Long enough to watch his sister be shoved into the side of a building. And though his insides raged, and every part of him wanted to shove Topper's face into the ground, he composed himself, appearing calm and collected. Though Nova could see it, the murderous red in her brother's eyes when he approached her, seeing the scratch that ran down her arm.

Nova nodded, putting her arm over the pink scratch, assuring her brother she was fine.

Topper cleared his throat, taking a step back, "Nolan," he said, his voice far from the yell that it'd once been. "Look, everything's good."

"Really? Is everything good, Topper?" asked Nolan, tilting his head. He turned, locking eyes with Sarah, who was close to crying. Seeing this, Nolan motioned for Sarah to join Nova by the wall. He made sure the girls were together before turning back to Topper. "I don't think everything is good."

Nolan's jaw was tightly clenched. And the hand that wasn't holding a cup was balled into a fist at his side. He shook with rage. Nova wasn't used to seeing her big brother in this state. He's always been in control of his emotions and actions. Nova could count on her fingers the number of times she's witnessed Nolan lose his temper.

He took another step toward Topper, closing in on him. Nova stood, frozen, not in fear, but in complete shock. She feared Nolan might actually lose his temper and start swinging.

"Look at me," he ordered, his tone a deep growl. It made Sarah shiver beside Nova. "You will not go near my sister or her friend every again, you got it?" Topper opened his mouth to protest, but the hatred in Nolan's eyes was enough to keep him from saying anything stupid. "Because I swear if I ever see you touch either of them again, I'll kill you, Topper."

He didn't mean it literally. Nova knew that. The venom laced in his tone made it seem real. Real enough for Topper to back against the terrace railing.

He forced a smile, raising his hands in surrender, "Look man," Topper was shaking. "We're cool."

Nolan nodded, "Good," he said, eyes still hard on him. "Then get the hell outta here."

He stepped aside, giving Topper a window to escape. He took it, smartly so. He didn't stop either, didn't attempt to say anything to Sarah in passing, but he looked at her, he didn't turn away until he rounded the corner inside.

Once Topper was out of sight Nolan allowed himself to relax. He didn't have a remanence of anger looming over him. He was back to being the concerned brother that Nova was used to. The one who excelled in taking care of her.

Nolan's gaze fell to Nova's arm, the scratch clear and visible, "You sure you're alright?"

"Just a surface wound," Nova shrugged.

Though it did sting. But she wasn't going to give her brother any more ammunition to hold against Topper.

He nodded before releasing a long, tired sigh, "So, do either of you want to tell me what that was about?"

Nova and Sarah shared a look. They turned back to Nolan, shaking their heads.

"Yeah, alright," he says, resting his hands on his hips. "Sounds reasonable enough." He patted either of their shoulder in passing, "I'll see the two of you later then."

And Nolan Scott strutted away, drink still in his hand, not a drop spilled.

Sarah snorted out a laugh before turning to Nova, "So?" she raised her eyebrows. "What now?"

"I say we blow this popsicle stand," Nova took Sarah's hand, pulling her along the terrace. "Before we're pulled into anymore drama."

Apparently, Nova and Sarah had missed the main entertainment at Midsummer. According to Gemma, JJ Maybank returned to the dance floor, ranting and raving, about something Nova did not know, and ran off, taking Kiara and Pope Heyward with them. Two parts of their group of four.

Minutes later, Nova and Sarah were back in the parking lot, having escaped the party. Nova claiming period cramps and Sarah insisting that there was no way she'd stay here without Nova. Thankfully, their dads bought the excuses and allowed their leave. 

It was as if they'd spent the entire car ride playing a million questions . Sarah wanted to ─ demanded to know everything. And so, Nova told her, feeling as if she was obligated, if anyone was to know it should be Sarah, since she's spent the past few days covering for Nova.

Nova told her about their trip to Chapel Hill, the parts that Sarah didn't know, like why they had to go to the Archives in the first place. She told Sarah about the treasure hunt, the gold, Tannyhill, and now the map . Nova told Sarah everything. And Sarah listened, silently.

Finally, once Nova finished, she sighed, "And you told him you didn't want any of the money?"

Nova laughed, parking the car in front of the Cameron residence. She was thankful that her best friends offered no judgement.

She shook her head, "I don't need any of the money, Sarah."

"That's a fair point," said Sarah, opening the door to her house, using the key they hide under the front rug. "You're an heir of a dynasty."

Nova followed Sarah through her house, hoping that it was the map that she was leading them to. Since Sarah hadn't really agreed to help Nova find it yet. After finding the hidden key and clicking the door unlocked, Sarah made her way into her dad's office. Nova hesitated, standing in the doorway, it was weird, she'd been inside the Cameron's home millions of times, but she could count on one hand how many times she'd been inside Ward Cameron's private office.

Eventually Nova did follow Sarah. Though the air felt weird in there. It's like the office knew they were trespassing. Or, it was Nova's guilt. But she helped, while Sarah rummaged through the doors lining the large, oak wood desk, Nova searched the dust, untouched bookshelves.

"So," sighed Sarah, plopping into the leather chair behind the desk. "This map is supposed to lead John B. to the supposed gold?"

Nova shrugged, "As far as I know."

Sarah began rearranging her dad's desk. Fixing anything she moved. Making sure everything was in its spot, how it was when she found it. Knowing her dad is a meticulous man.

"Girls," with his eyebrows raised curiously and an amused grin playing at his bearded face, Nova turned to find Ward Cameron watching them from the open door. "What in the world are you doing in my office?"

Nova gulped, turning to face him, dropping her hands and clasping them behind her back like an obedient child would do. He wasn't supposed to have been home until late, being the star of the party. But it seems that he'd left early, likely to come check on Sarah and Nova.

"Uhm... I was just looking for a copy of the plat maps," said Sarah, and Nova was thankful, because she still hadn't found her voice.

"A plat map?" Ward laughed, stepping into his office. The fact that he found humor in this allowed Nova to relax a little. "Of Tannyhill?"

Both, Sarah and Nova nodded.

"Hm, you guys never seemed interested when I tried talking about them before," said Ward.

Sarah stood up from behind her dad's desk, "Well, I've become appreciative of this beautiful property we call home since then," she shrugged. "I thought I could frame them, or something."

It was difficult for Nova to not scoff at Sarah's sorry excuse for a lie. But she kept quiet, only rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"Okay, come on, Sarah," scoffed Ward, shaking his head. He wasn't buying any of this. "What is this? A school thing?"

Nova furrowed her eyebrows, "Uhm, Ward, we're on summer break."

Ward's eyes widened, as if he'd just now realized they're well into the summer months, "Oh, well," he turned back to Sarah. "Is this a Topper thing?"

"It's a me thing, Ward," sighed Nova, interjecting quickly before Sarah was made to lie for her again. "And a boy thing. Sarah's only helping me out."

"Nova has a mystery boy," said Sarah with a sly smile.

Normally this would be an awkward conversation. Talking about a boy with your best friend's dad, no one wants to have that conversation. But Nova's been around for so long. For them it was like talking with another dad or Ward having another daughter, which he often referred to Nova as.

"Well then," smiled Ward, looking down at Nova. "Who is this mystery history buff?"

Nova's eyes widened. She couldn't tell him that. Not even her dad knew that. Nolan barely knew.

"Dad," sighed Sarah, rolling her eyes, thankfully averting Ward's gaze to her. "It wouldn't be a mystery if we told you."

Ward laughed then. He went over to his desk and easily found the maps that Sarah could not. He began rolling them neatly and handed them over to the girls, finding it amusing that they were now so interested in a history they once refused to listen to him talk about. All over a boy.

He made his way back over to Nova and Sarah and offered out the maps, quickly, before Ward had the chance to change his mind, Sarah took them, "And girls," he said, tone serious. "Make good choices."

Nodding in unison, they spoke, "Sure."

And before Ward had the chance to say anything else to them, Sarah, pulling Nova's wrist, led her out of the office and up the stairs. She didn't free the hold she had on Nova until they stood safely in her closed-off bedroom.

She went to hand Nova the map, but quickly snatched it back over head, as if she'd changed her mind. Sarah had conditions, "I want to come with you."

"Sarah! Really?" Nova groaned.

This would not go over well.

"Look, I'm in this now too," she argued, shrugging her shoulders, still not giving Nova the map, "I am lying to my boyfriend, stealing from my dad, and letting you go all night with my car. Like it or not, but I am a contributing factor."

She was right. Dammit, she was right. Sarah was just as part of this as Nova. Without her, there would be no John B. and Nova. They wouldn't have gone to Chapel Hill, which would mean there wouldn't have been a kiss, at least not for a long while. Because it'd be likely that they'd still hate one another.

Sarah was in this now. And like she said, whether Nova liked it or not.

"They won't want to share the money with you," said Nova, even though she knew Sarah wasn't doing this for a cut of the gold.

"I don't want to do this for the money," said Sarah, confirming Nova's thoughts. "I'm doing this for you. I'm sending you alone. And, it seems like a good way to keep away from Topper ."

"And Kiara will be there. She hates you and will obviously have a few things to say about this," warned Nova.

"Again, I'm there for you, Nova."

"Okay..."

Nova nodded, biting the inside of her lip. She was going over all the ways that this was going to go wrong in her head. And there was a lot. But Sarah remained right. There were no holes in her reasoning. She made a hell of an argument, and Nova wasn't going to deny it.

She sighed, "I guess we're doing this."

Hawk's Nest is a State Park. A heavy tourist attraction during the summer months. But closed off during the off months and anytime past nine in the evening. It was nearing midnight now. So, Nova and Sarah were breaking the law, trespassing to be literal. And there were little places to hide.

Except the watch tower. Though not seeming sturdy at all it was hidden in the shadows. No one would be looking for them there. So, while still in their ankle-length gowns, the girls climbed the rotting wood stairs. Nearly out of breath once they finally reached the top.

Heavy grey clouds rolled overhead from past the ocean line. The sky was black. No stars lining the night. Nova shuddered, the cool winds leaving a chill in their wake. Her stomach twisted in fear at the thought of a storm. And being out in it.

Sounds could be heard from inside the watchtower office. Drawers opening and closing. Cabinet doors slamming shut. Sarah snooped through every desk, drawer, and shelf that she could find in the small room. She read through old, dust-collecting paperwork, which Nova hoped wasn't illegal. She messed with old radios and headsets. Sarah was giving Nova her space. Allowing her time to freak out on her own before John B's arrival. In which she hoped to remain hidden, as she didn't wish to have to witness another kiss while standing awkwardly beside them.

"Hey, it's me,"

Nova gasped a hand rising to clasp around her mouth to keep from screaming. She knew the voice but she had no warning that he'd joined her on the watchtower balcony. The heavy clouds shadowed any light that dare peak through the night. No moon or clouds lit the black sky. They'd been completely in the dark.

Until Sarah switched on a small, flickering porch light, that cast a dim yellow glow over the balcony, and finally, Nova was able to John B's face. He was laughing at her panic.

He reached out, taking her hand and pulling her to rest on his chest, she sighed, her heart still racing, now hitting John B's chest, "You scared the daylights out of me."

She heard his laughter rise out of the chest her head rested on. Nova's head raised, she smiled, "I got the map."

Brought out from behind her, Nova showed John B. the folded parchment held safely in her hand. His eyes widened as he carefully watched Nova unfold it. But there wasn't enough light. With their shadows cast downward as they leaned over the map the words became invisible. The door leading into the watchtower office opened. Suddenly there was a bright, LED light shining from above them.

Curious John B. furrowed his eyebrows as he looked from Sarah to Nova. Nova sighed, "Sarah came with the map."

She awaited the disapproval that never came. John B. didn't show any indication of being upset or angry that Nova had brought Sarah into this. No disapproving looks, only a slight nod, before turning his attention back to the map.

Nova's eyes lifted to Sarah, she was grinning triumphantly, happy to now be included in the secret her best friend had been trying to keep her from.

"Do they know?" her voice was quiet as her gaze fell back to the map. She didn't want to look at him, not when asking this. She'd look at him with he gave her an answer. "Besides JJ , do your friends know that you're here... with me?"

John B. coughed, Nova dared a glance only to find that he was already looking at her from across the map, "Do your friends know?"

"I'm literally standing right beside you," Sarah scoffed, shaking her head.

She was right. There was no other friend for Nova to tell. Unless he wanted her to go tell Kelce and Topper about their secret meetings. But they weren't even her actual friends. Now they were just people who sometimes appeared throughout her day .

"Sarah's known for a while now," confessed Nova.

"What about your other friends?" John B. questioned.

He was meaning Kelce and Topper.

"What, like Kelce?" Nova scoffed, shaking her head. "He doesn't get to know things about me anymore."

John B. look frightened. Like a deer caught in headlights. Nova bit her lip, afraid. Had she asked too much of him? It wasn't as if she was expecting a promise ring or anything from him. She just wanted confirmation that there was something between them, that she wasn't imagining everything in her head. But, like every other teenage boy John B. was afraid. Afraid of what was going to be said about his choice to be with Nova.

It was easier to keep what they had between them. No opinions or expectations. Their picture would be less likely to be ruined by outsiders.

"Okay, I'll tell them," said John B.

That's not what Nova wanted. Nova never asked that from him. And she didn't want him to feel as if she's making him do this.

Sarah scoffed, her light still shining over the map, "Gee, try not to sound too excited."

"You don't have to," Nova added quickly.

John B. shook his head, "No. No, I want to."

He didn't sound the most convincing though.

But Nova left the conversation alone. Leaving it there to die. Wanting to forget about it. But Nova couldn't let it go, at least not in her head. Was this, whatever they had between them, was it meant to remain hidden ? If so, Nova couldn't do that. She wouldn't be someone's secret. Especially not by John B, not by someone who she liked so much that she often times found it hard to wrap her head around.

She looked back toward the map. John B. had already gone back to studying it. She forced the thoughts in her head away, locking them up, for now.

Sarah continued to hold her phone above them so that they were able to see the map. John B. hadn't said anything for a bit now, not even raising his gaze as his finger traced gently along the old paper. He was so focused on it. And Nova on him. So much so that she hadn't realized it was storming until a bolt of lightning lit up the cloudy, night sky. A loud crack of thunder followed seconds later.

Nova jerked in surprise which sent her tripping over the hem of her dress. Though luckily, before she was able to crash face first into the wood planks below, John B. grabbed her arm and pulled her to his side, keeping her upright.

He turned, looking at her, eyebrows furrowed in worry, "You alright?"

Though he seemed worried Nova could she the laugh threatening to escape the confinements of his tightly pressed lips.

But Nova was not laughing. In fact, she was shaking like a chihuahua under John B's arm, clinging to a piece of his Hawaiian themed shirt, "I don't really do well with storms."

"Yeah, guys, things aren't looking great," her flashlight scanned the night sky, her head following the light that it cast. It didn't show much, but what it did show, the heavy gray clouds, now swirling around them. They were about to be caught in a storm. "We should get going."

With the winds now howling as it circled around them, John B. and Nova were quick to agree. The last place Nova wanted to be caught in a storm would be on a boat. Though now, a watchtower was second on her list. Especially one that could cave in at any time.

Rolling the map back up, John B. motioned for Nova and Sarah to move ahead of him. Nova had just stepped down from the balcony and onto the first step. Sarah stood a few feet behind her, retrieving the sweater she'd discarded on the banister.

Nova could see it. She could see how this scene could be twisted from another perspective. Because if someone had been watching from below it'd seem like Nova was leaving John B. and Sarah alone, in the dark.

And that's the exact way Topper was seeing it.

He appeared right in front of Nova. She could barely see him. Just the outline. But the smell was enough to knock her off her feet, along with the shock of him appearing.

"Christ, Topper, what're you doing here?" asked Nova, falling backward into Sarah.

"I knew it! I fucking knew it!" He yelled, ignoring Nova completely, as if she wasn't standing in front of him before he pushed his way past her to stand in front of Sarah. "I knew you were lying to me."

Drunk. Nova could smell the alcohol on his breath. Even the way he was carrying himself. Completely disheveled and his words slurred. He'd definitely been at the bar since their interaction at the club.

"Topper," Sarah warned, her hand to his chest to keep him an arm's length away.

He'd followed them. Of course, he'd do that.

Though Topper pushed right past the barrier that Sarah had set with her arm. He was standing right in her face now, finger pointed to her nose, yelling, "You are a stupid, lying whore, you know that?"

"Look, Topper, this isn't what you think it is," said Nova, voice calm as she tried to reason with the drunken asshat.

Not daring to step away from Sarah, Topper only turned his head to face Nova, even in the dark she could see the hate in his eyes, "I should've known, that Nova's been the one helping you to whore around the island, "he scoffed, his eyes raking over Nova. "I mean, I guess she's the one to learn from."

The insult was humorless and overused by this point, but it never hurt any less when someone said it to her. She felt John B. tug on her wrist, pulling her behind him so that he could move in front of her, where he stepped in-between Topper and Sarah.

"Topper, look man," he attempted to reason with a calm, relaxed tone, even raising his hands to show Topper that he wasn't going to fight him. "You've said enough. Let's just drop it, okay?"

Not liking that John B. had stepped between him and Sarah, Topper shoved John B. out of his way. Nova caught him before he could take a long tumble down the steps. He managed to keep his cool, John B. did. He didn't jump back at Topper or raise a hand to him, he only moved back up beside him and Sarah, determined to get him away from her.

"Sarah, you better tell him to back off," he laughed humorlessly. "Because I'm about to beat his fucking ass!"

John B. rolled his eyes, though still calm he said, "Just walk away man. Go home."

But that would be the last thing that Topper would do tonight. He's angry, drunk, and heartbroken. He thinks Sarah betrayed him. And the boy that he believes her to be sleeping with stood right beside him. Completely calm and collected. It was making Topper feel inferior to be talked down to like a child.

He wasn't going to leave. He wasn't going to back down. Topper was looking for a fight.

Topper turned suddenly, his face level with John B's, "You know what I'm gonna do?" his voice low, threatening, but slurred. "I'm gonna drown you like your old man."

"Topper, you're drunk," yelled Nova, stating the now very obvious. "You'll regret this in the morning. You don't want to do this."

Nova wasn't saying this to try and get through to Topper. She already knew that there was very little chance of getting him out of here, but at least with her talking his attention wasn't on John B. anymore. Who had lost his carefree demeanor, now replaced with anger and sadness.

"What I want is to talk to Sarah," Topper yelled.

Topper had turned away from Sarah to berate and threaten John B, Sarah used that small window to escape his entrapment. She now stood Nova, clutching her arm with a shaking hand. There was no way beside Nova was going to let Topper talk to her alone like this.

"Yeah, Topper, I'm not going to let that happen. Not with the state you're in right now," Nova told him, only angering him more. "Maybe tomorrow."

Through gritted teeth he growled, "Get out of my way!"

Topper grabbed Nova's arm, so tight that his nails began to etch their way into her skin. She didn't mean to but she yelled. The pain sudden and Topper's actions surprising. She never believed Topper would hurt her intentionally. And she still didn 't. But he was drunk and angry. He didn't even realize the force he was using.

Nova pulled at Topper's wrist, pleading with him to let her go. She knew it was going to bruise. She'd have nail imprints and bruises wrapped around her arm if he didn't let go of her.

Even Sarah was yelling and trying to pry Nova free of him, "Topper! Topper, let go of her!"

But it wasn't Sarah that tore Topper away from her. Holding him by the collar of his button-down shirt, John B. slammed his back into the banister, "You don't touch her!" he yelled into Topper's face. "Ever!"

And this was the fight he'd been trying to find all night. But John B. backed away when Topper shoved free of his hold. He didn't want to fight Topper. Not with the state that he was in. And not with Nova so close to the scene. So, he raised his hands, surrendering under Topper's threats.

But Topper was relentless. He just kept instigating it. Stepping closer when John B. tried to move away from him. Every word out of his mouth was an insult. Berating everything from the way John B. lived to his father. That'd been the last straw, when John B. heard his dad's name leave Topper's mouth yet again.

It was in slow motion. And yet, Nova couldn't move to stop it.

John B. raised his hand to Topper. Prepared to swing the next time he said something to him. But Topper, shoved at his chest, sending him tripping backward. He fell into the rotten wood railing, and it cracked under his weight.

One moment John B. was there and the next he wasn't.

Sarah, Nova realized had been holding Nova back. But she managed to free herself and run toward the banister, she looked over, she couldn't see anything. She couldn't see him. Her gaze snapped back toward Topper, who seemed to have sobered up in the passing seconds. His eyes were wide, full of fear. Apologies poured from him like a broken record.

"Idiot! You fucking idiot, Topper!" Nova yelled, punching and pushing Topper's chest. "It was me. Sarah's been covering for me!"

She didn't stick long enough to see the realization hit Topper. She'd already made a run for the stairs. Not caring that her dress was dragging behind her, getting caught on the old nails and pieces of split wood.

Nova made her way into the thick brush that lay under the broken banister. But she still couldn't find him. There were broken pieces of wood laying at her feet. She looked up, feeling sick. It was a long fall. Enough to break his neck or his back.

The thorns scraping through her skin remained unnoticed. She tore past the overgrown weeds and brush, searching the dark ground for his body. She called for him, hoping, praying to hear his voice calling back. But it never came. And she found out way.

Laying, surrounded by thorns and weeds was John B's body. With a cry Nova fell to her knees. Her hands shook as she raised them, letting them hover over his chest. Too afraid to touch him. Fearing that her touch would be the thing to break him completely. Tears fell from her cheek and onto John B. as she bent her head down, cheek resting over him. Nova hadn't even realized that she'd been holding her breath until she breathed out a sigh of relief when she felt John B's warm, jagged breath hit her cheek.

She sat back up, a small weight being lifted off her chest, she thanked whatever God was listening and began softly stroking John B's cheek as she whispered into his ear, "Open your eyes," Nova pleaded. "John B, please open your eyes."

A sob escaped from Nova when he didn't listen.

"Oh god!" Nova turned; Sarah had run behind her. Her eyes wide with horror as she looked at the seemingly lifeless body lying beside Nova's lap.

She moved to step forward, but Nova stopped her, "Go get help," she told Sarah. "Please."

There was hesitation. Nova could see Sarah going over her choices in her head. She knew that she should stay, be with Nova, but she was the only other person here, and Nova was in no shape to be running off looking for help. So, before Nova had to ask her again, Sarah turned, setting off to find someone who could help.

"Nova..." a barely audible voice groaned from beneath her. She felt the vibrations of his voice on the hand that rested on his chest.

"Hi, oh my god, hi," Nova felt stupid, not knowing what to say to him as fresh tears began running down her already pink-stained cheeks.

He smiled. Nova caught that. John B. smiled at her awkward ramblings before his eyes dared to close again.

"Hey! Hey, John B. you have to keep your eyes open. Stay awake for me, okay?" she attempted to calm her tone, but it shook under the pressure. Cracking when his eyelids fell close once more. "No. No, John B. you keep looking at me. Please, keep your eyes open, please."

Nova was pleading with no one at that point. John B. had already fallen back into whatever sleep he'd been in before. Once again unconscious, leaving Nova sitting there in the dark, waiting, hoping that Sarah would come back soon.

And then someone fell to their knees beside her. "Nova," Pope Heyward breathed out in heavy breaths. "Nova, what happened?"

All she could do was watch him though. Nova tried to speak but her brain could no longer register what was happening. Pope asked again, but still, she said nothing.

"Him and Topper were fighting on the watchtower and he fell through the banister," explained Sarah, noticing Nova nearly vegetative state. "We need to call an ambulance."

"Topper? Where is he?" asked JJ, coming up from behind Sarah, refusing to look at his best friend lying unconscious on the ground.

"Please, just help him!" yelled Nova, now sobbing, head falling to lay on John B's chest, that still rose and fell with every struggling breath.

Nova held him. As everyone moved behind her. She didn't listen to anything they said either. All she could do was focus on every rise and fall of John B's chest with every jagged breath he took. She held his head, stroking his cheek, tears falling off her and onto his nose. She pleaded with him, begged him to open his eyes, to wake up. But he was stubborn, refusing to listen.

"You know where the gold is, so you have to wake up, you have to find it, John B."

A white light filled the small room. It burned Nova's glassy eyes. Her back ached, from being bent over to rest her head on the hard mattress of a hospital bed. She ignored the pleas from everyone around her. Refusing to leave and go home . Even when Sarah and her dad left the then dark hospital room, Nova stayed put, curled up in the chair beside him.

She wanted to wait for him. To stay awake until he came through. But she failed, finally succumbing to the sleep that loomed heavily over her. Before sleep was able to pull her from reality though, Nova laced her fingers through John B's and laid her head beside him.

It was her hand being squeezed that pulled her from the sleep. She felt the tops of her hand being lightly traced. A smile formed on her lips as she turned her head upward, resting her chin on her arm.

"Hey," his voice was low, still raspy from sleep, and a lazy grin sits perfectly on his lips.

Nova sighed, willing the tears that threatened to spill back, and she sat up, "How long have you been awake?"

She hoped that he hadn't been watching her sleep for very long.

"Not long," he told her, shaking his head, their hands still intertwined. "What hospital am I at?"

"St. Olive's Hospital," she said, remembering the medics from the ambulance ride saying the name as they pulled up. "You were lucky, despite everything, you have a few bruised ribs, a broken wrist, and a slight concussion."

Confused, John B. furrowed his eyebrows, obviously not remembering any of this from last night. Nodding, Nova showed him the blue cast covering the hand resting beside him. He lifted it, attempting to sit up as much he could with bruised ribs.

"At least it looks badass, right?" she shrugged, hoping to make light of a heavy situation.

John B's face fell as he looked dropped his wrist back onto the pillow beside him. He winced at the sudden movement, but continued to try and unhook himself from the wired keeping him in the bed, "I have to ─ I have to get out of here!"

Standing, Nova tried to talk John B. back down, keeping her tone calm as she rested her worried hands on either of his shoulders. She knew why he was. But it was too late now. John B. had already been found in the system. Despite Nova's best efforts to stop it, CPS had already been notified. There wasn't anywhere else they could run now.

The door to John B's room opened. Nova turned, expecting to see a nurse that had come to tell John B. to lay back down, but it wasn't a nurse, instead Sarah occupied the space at the door. A nervous look written all over her face. Nova looked; eyebrows furrowed. She was just about to ask what was going on, and then, the question answered itself. Lincoln Scott and Ward Cameron appeared behind Sarah.

All three of them now stepping into the room.

Noticing the growing panic on Nova, Sarah reached for her hand.

"We know everything, Nova," sighed Lincoln, shoving his hands into his suit pockets. "Sarah told us all about it," he stood looking at the end of John B's hospital bed, looking at him. "I know about the mainland trip, you running from the DCS, and about how you were only trying to protect them last night."

Nova's eyes were wide as she looked between her dad and John B.

"John B, I believe that I owe you an apology," said Ward Cameron, walking up to stand beside Lincoln. "You'd been honest with about a small indiscretion and I fired you when I shouldn't have."

"It's quite unfortunate, but my friend Ward here has quite the short fuse," said Lincoln, laughing. "It's one of the few reasons I refuse to do any work with him."

"As an apology I have offered to be your legal guardian," said Ward, and Nova almost laughed. He had to be joking. "That is, if you're alright with it."

Blinking, Nova shook her head, "What?"

Confused, Nova turned, and John B. seemed to be having the same thoughts as her. This couldn't be real. But no one seemed to be joking. Even Sarah stood serious as ever. Finally, he nodded. Unable to find his voice John B. nodded, allowing Ward to take guardianship of him.

"I was going to offer myself, but with your relationship with my daughter..." Lincoln trailed off and Nova felt like she was going to puke. "Well, it just didn't seem appropriate."

Nova's eyes widened when she met her father's gaze and she shot him a glare. Her and John B. hadn't even had that discussion. She didn't know if they were in a relationship. And here he stood, throwing words around willy -nilly.

"I was more than happy to step in when Sarah suggested it," Ward added, nodding to his daughter. Nova looked, now knowing why Sarah wasn't answering any of her texts last night. She'd been busy. "You' d have a roof over your head and no more running from DCS."

"And I'd stay on the island," said John B, though he wasn't looking at Ward when he came to that conclusion.

It was Nova. He wouldn't have to leave her.

"I'll do it," John B. turned back to Ward. "I'll come and live with you."

Ward laughed, clapping his hands together, "Then it's settled. Welcome to the family, buddy."

Before departing, agreeing to give the teens a moment of privacy, Lincoln and Ward both shook John B's uninjured hand. Already talking about settling the medical bills as the two men made their way out the door.

"Hm, look at me, being the best friend ever," Sarah sing-songed once the door had been latched closed. "Saving your ass, once again."

"I can't believe you told my dad," said Nova, unable to get past that.

"I watched you, for hours arguing with the nurses about calling DCS," said Sarah, reminding Nova that she was the one who had to pull her away from the front desk. "Without a guardian present they were going to take him, Nova , I knew that, and so yes, I went to your dad. I asked him to take guardianship but to convince him I had to tell him what was going on."

"Except Lincoln isn't my guardian," John B. chimed in from behind them.

The two girls had moved to the other side of the room. But it was so small that no matter where they stood, they wouldn't be able to have a private discussion.

"Yeah, well, you've been mackin' on his daughter," Sarah shrugged. "So, with the help of Lincoln, I was able to convince my dad. He seemed happy to help."

Still, it was weird to Nova. Knowing that John B. would be living with Ward, and her best friend. Once their lives had been so separate. Now, he'd be living in the house that she considered her second home.

"Okay," sighed Nova, understanding a little better now. Sarah had made it so that Nova wouldn't have to lose John B, she wouldn't have to face another heartbreak. "This ─ this is a good thing."

Except Nova didn't know if she was trying to convince Sarah, John B, or herself. 

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nova's dress inspo

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author's note://

one of my least favorite chapters to write, only because it's so boring.

officially, the halfway mark though, some things are picking up.

thoughts?

edited: 12/27/2021