Cassie's POV

"So, um...we didn't see anything. We don't know anything. We need to have total and complete amnesia" Pope rants as we all sit on the porch of the chateau.

"Actually, Pope's right for once" JJ speaks up, agreeing with the dark skinned boy "See, I agree with you sometimes. Deny, deny, deny"

"Guys, we can't keep that money" Kiara says.

"I agree with Kie, it's not right" I shrug.

"Of course you do" The blonde snaps at me before turning to my sister "Not all of us can afford unlimited data plans, Kiara"

"Don't talk to her like that" I retort at the angry boy.

"It's fine, Cassie" Kiara mutters and I sit back in my seat, crossing my right leg over my left.

"We have to pass that off to Lana Grubbs. Otherwise, it's bad karma" She declares.

"It's bad karma to be implicated in a felony too" Pope explains "We gotta go dark"

"If that means we get to keep the money, then I agree" JJ adds.

"I don't agree" John B says, speaking for the first time during this conversation.

"What? Why?" The blonde asks in confusion.

"Just think about it. This is Scooter Grubbs we're talking about, all right? Same dude that's buying individual cigarettes at the Porthole. Shit, one time I saw this dude begging for change in the Save-A-Lot parking lot because he needed gas. We're talking about a dirtbag marina rat who's never had more than 40 bucks in his pocket, and all of a sudden he's got a Grady White? Just sayin'" John B rants as we all listen silently.

We all share looks of confusion and John B huffs.

"All right, so think about it, Pope. How does a marina rat get a Grady White?" John B asks.

"Prostitution" The Heyward boy answers and I snort.

"Hey, maybe he was a male stripper" I suggest and Pope grins at me in amusement while the others roll their eyes.

"Square groupers, guys" John B corrects us "Okay, flying under the radar, no aerial surveillance. They don't do that stuff during a hurricane. What does that mean? JJ?"

"They were straight smugglin'" JJ answers.

"Smugglin'. And I guarantee there's a serious amount of contraband in that wreck" John B explains.

"Hell, yeah" JJ grins.

We all make our way to John B's room and I hop onto the bed. Pope sits down next to me while John B sits on the windowsill to our right, Kiara sits on the desk chair and JJ sits on the windowsill directly opposite us.

"For the record, if that's a smuggling ship with illegal contraband on the inside of it...it probably belongs to someone else" Pope declares.

"Minor details" Kiara shrugs, playing about with her ukulele.

"They could come looking for it" Pope argues "Taking it would be catastrophically stupid"

"Right. Well, stupid things have good outcomes all the time" JJ replies, fanning out the wad of cash in his hands.

"All we need to do is figure out a way to get into the cargo hold of that wreck. Until then, we just lay low. Just act normal" He explains.

"Right. And how exactly do we do that?" Pope asks.

"Kegger?" Kiara suggests and we all nod.

"I'm gonna need to borrow a shirt, boys" I declare, standing up.

John B opens his drawer at the same time JJ grabs his bag and Pope opens another drawer. I share a look of amusement with Kiara who shakes her head with a chuckle. A white button up shirt covered in palm trees hits my face and I shoot John B a grateful smile before slipping it on.

"Time to party" I announce, walking to the door.

We manage to get our hands on a keg or two before making our way to the boneyard. Soon enough, the place is buzzing and i've already had one too many drinks.

I sit with a red headed Touron who is flirting up a storm as I drink my beer.

"You wanna get out of here?" He asks me with a suggestive smirk.

I spot my favourite Kook climbing onto an abandoned telephone box and grin happily, downing the rest of my drink.

"I don't think so, Ron Weasley" I scoff, patting him on the back.

I drop the cup next to him and make my way towards my best friend.

"Yo, princess!" I holler.

"Cassie!" She squeals as Topper places her on her feet.

She runs at me and I hug her with a grin on my face.

"Let's get you a drink" I state, ushering her towards the keg.

"Hello, beautiful" JJ greets me before looking at Sarah, nodding at her.

"Be a doll and pour me two drinks, J" I ask sweetly.

"What do I get out of it?" He asks, grabbing two red cups.

I roll my eyes and lean up, pecking his cheek. He smirks widely and nods.

"That'll do" He states, pouring beer into both cups.

I take the cups, handing one to Sarah and pulling her onto the makeshift dance floor. She laughs and takes a drink as I dance wildly to the music blaring from the speaker. I take a mouthful of beer and Sarah starts dancing with me.

We both end up chugging the alcohol and dancing together, terribly I might add. Sarah spins me around and I fall on my ass, the both of us laughing loudly as my ass hits the sand. She holds her hands out for me and I grab onto them, letting her yank me to my feet. My chest hits hers and we both groan in pain.

"I need another drink" She grunts.

"Fancy something stronger?" I ask cheekily and she perks up.

"Show me the way" She grins.

I grab her hand and drag her towards a group of Tourons I spotted with vodka earlier.

"Hello, girls! Room for two more?" I ask curiously.

"Sure! I'm Mindy" The strawberry blonde with the vodka chirps.

She pours vodka into two cups and hands them to us.

"We're playing never have I ever" Another girl tells us.

"Sounds fun" Sarah shrugs as we sit down on the sand.

"Never have I ever snuck out"

All five of us drink.

"Never have I ever smoked weed"

Me and two other girls drink.

"Never have I ever had sex"

Everyone except Sarah and a brunette girl drinks.

"Never have I ever done class A drugs"

One other girl and I drink.

"Never have I ever kissed a girl"

Sarah and I drink.

"No way! Are you two, like, together?" A very drunk blonde asks us.

I share a look with my best friend who grins mischievously at me.

"Yes" We both say in unison.

"Awe! Kiss!" She cheers and we shake our heads waving her off.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" She chants and I look at Sarah who blushes a hot red in embarrassment.

Other people join in on the chanting until people who don't even know what they're chanting for, are chanting the word over and over again.

"I don't know, bro" I mumble, pulling myself to my feet.

"Yeah, this is a bit awkward" Sarah shrugs.

"Just do it!" A bubbly brunette cheers.

I dust my shorts off and pull Sarah to her feet.

"Come on, Sar. Wouldn't be the first time" I tease her and she rolls her eyes.

Before I can tease the girl anymore, she grabs the back of my neck and smashes her lips against mine. I'm taken aback at first, but ease into it and grab her waist as she tangles her fingers in my hair. The crowd screams wildly and we both smile into the kiss before pulling apart. A red blush coats Sarah's cheeks and I curtsy at the crowd. They all go back to their own thing and I grab my cup, gulping down the vodka and liking the way it burns my throat.

"I'm gonna find me a hot Touron" I whisper in Sarah's ear as she sits back down.

"Good luck" She chirps, winking at me.

I giggle, the alcohol rushing to my head as I skip away from the group of girls. Pope fills up my cup with beer after making a witty comment about the kiss which makes me laugh and walk away from the boy, shaking my head.

"Couldn't help but notice you sticking your tongue down my sister's throat" I hear a voice say and I spin around to see Rafe.

"You jealous?" I ask, taking a drink from my cup.

"As if" He scoffs and I smirk, stepping forward until our chests are touching.

"Then why mention it, Rafie?" I ask, looking up at him.

His eyes darken and he clenches his jaw tightly.

"Walk with me?" I ask sweetly and his face softens.

I hold out my hand and he huffs, intertwining our fingers. A smile tugs at my lips and I pull him away from the party. We walk down the beach as I finish my beer and throw the cup away. I feel the alcohol buzzing through my veins and my walking gets a little sloppier as the liquid starts to effect my body.

"Tag, you're it" I abruptly declare, slapping Rafe's arm and running away.

"Seriously, Cas?!" I hear him laugh as he chases me down the beach.

Arms circle around my waist and I erupt into a fit of giggles as I'm lifted off the ground.

"Caught you" Rafe says proudly as I stop laughing.

My feet hit the sand and I look out onto the ocean as the stars twinkle in the night sky. Rafe's arms fall from my waist and I sit down in the sand, pulling my knees to my chest. I lean my chin on my knees and Rafe sits down next to me, his arm brushing against mine which sends electricity shooting up my arm.

"You okay?" He asks, his voice quiet.

"Yeah" I nod "Just forgot how much I missed the beach"

I feel Rafe's hand land on my shoulder but out of instinct I jump, snapping my head to look at him. He takes his hand away as if i'd burned him and embarrassment washes over me.

"I'm sorry" I whisper guiltily.

"No, it's my fault" He shakes his head.

I move my gaze back to the ocean and mentally kick myself for freaking out.

"Why do I get the feeling something happened to you in New York?" Rafe asks and my blood runs cold.

"I-I don't know" I stutter, shrugging my shoulders.

"Cas" He sighs and I turn my head to him.

"I'm fine, Rafe" I huff.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" He says softly.

I paste on a smile and nod.

"I know" I reply.

He reaches towards me and gently cups my cheek. I lean into his warmth and he smiles at me softly. He slowly leans in and my breath hitches, but I don't run away this time. Our noses touch and his breath fans across my lips due to their close proximity. His lips brush against mine gently but before anything else can happen, I hear yelling.

"Dirty Pogues!" Topper shouts angrily.

My head snaps in the direction of the party and I see the blonde Kook get pushed backwards by John B.

"Holy shit" I gasp, jumping to my feet and running towards the fight.

Topper swings at John B's face, sending the brunette to the sand.

"Guys! Guys, chill!" I hear Kiara yell.

Topper kicks John B into the water just as I reach Sarah.

"Hey, John B, don't make me drown you like your old man, all right?" Topper snarls and my eyes widen as he kicks the brunette again.

The crowd starts chanting 'fight' over and over again, making my anxiety spike. John B jumps to his feet and tackles Topper into the water.

"Give it to him!" JJ cheers.

"John B, let it go!" Pope shouts.

"Stop, you guys!" Kiara shrieks.

The two boys start brutally punching each other as they fight their way into the sand. Sarah grabs my arm in worry and I try to think of a way to stop them.

"Topper! Stop!" Sarah yells.

"John B! Topper! Stop it!" I scream as they dance around in a circle.

"Come on, John B" Topper taunts the Routledge boy.

John B socks the blonde in the face and I wince as Topper stumbles backwards.

"That's what I'm talkin' about!" JJ hollers.

"Stop encouraging them!" I screech at my friend who waves me off.

"Come on!" John B shouts at Topper.

"Yeah, you wanna go?" Topper sneers, punching John B in the head.

"Stop!" Kiara screams.

"John B!" I gasp.

John B recovers and grabs Topper, lifting him and slamming him into the water.

"Topper!" Sarah shrieks.

"Come on, Topper! Let's go! Come on!" John B taunts the blonde Kook.

Topper pulls himself to his feet and runs at John B, the two punch each other multiple times.

"Oh, my God" Sarah whimpers.

Topper suddenly flips John B into the water and holds him under it, John B struggling to breathe.

"Topper! Let him go!" I scream desperately.

"Topper, stop! No!" Sarah shouts.

"You're drowning him!" I cry out, tears running down my face.

"Topper!" Sarah calls.

JJ suddenly rushes towards the pair and presses a sleek black object against Toppers head.

the gun

"yeah, you know what that is" JJ snaps "Your move, broski"

"JJ's got a gun!" A girl yells in horror as people start running away.

"Come on. Chill, dude!" Kiara snaps.

"Stop! JJ!" Sarah yells.

"JJ! Put the gun down!" I scream.

"Did you say somethin', princess?" JJ barks at me.

"We're good. We're good" Topper pleads for his life.

"Put the gun down!" Sarah exclaims.

"All right? Come on, man" Topper begs.

"Cassie! Can you check your psycho friend, please?!" Sarah shrieks at me.

"I'm trying!" I yell back at her.

"Okay, everyone, listen up! Get the hell off our side of the island!" JJ hollers, firing two shots into the sky.

I flinch as Topper gets up and runs to Sarah.

"Cassie, come on!" Sarah pleads, grabbing my arm.

"I'm okay. Get out of here" I tell her, pushing her away.

She shoots me a concerned look before rushing off with Topper. The Pogues start yelling at JJ for being an idiot while I rush towards John B. He falls back into the water and I grab his shoulders, laying his head in my lap.

"John B? Wake up, buddy" I whisper, patting his face gently.

"Shit" I curse, grabbing his arms and dragging him onto the dry sand.

"Is he okay?" Kiara asks worriedly.

"Give me some space" I snap unintentionally as I fall onto my knees beside the unconscious boy.

I lay my ear on his chest and struggle to find a heartbeat which makes my own pick up in speed. I tip his chin up and pinch his nose before giving him CPR. After the fifth chest compression, he chokes up a load of water and I sigh in relief.

"Cassie?" He croaks, my face being the first thing he sees.

"You're an idiot!" I snap, slapping his stomach.

He grunts and grabs his stomach in pain.

"Hey, that was amazing" Pope tells me.

"It's nothing" I shrug, pulling myself to my feet.

"You saved his life, that's not nothing" Kiara argues.

"You guys get home. I'll get him back to the chateau" I tell the Pogues who all nod.

We say our goodbyes and I slap JJ upside the head to which he glares at me playfully. I'm left with John B who is staring at the sky in sadness.

"Come on, Johnathan" I sigh, holding out my hand.

"I seen my dad" He mumbles and I look at him in confusion, sitting down next to him.

"When I was drowning, I seen my dad" He elaborates.

"You just miss him" I sigh.

"It's got to mean something" He argues.

"John B" I frown and he pulls himself up, looking at me.

"I'm gonna tell you something, but promise me that you won't look at me differently" I tell him.

"I promise" He replies and I turn my head to look out at the moon reflecting on the water.

"When I was in New York, I met this guy. His name was Liam and he was one of the nicest people i'd ever met, or so I thought" I start, playing with the bottom of my shirt.

"I'm not gonna get into all that happened but I got involved in some fucked up shit and it ruined me. I fell in love, but Liam turned out to be one of the worst people i've ever met and he scarred me for life. I still dream of him, JB, but that doesn't mean he's trying to reach me. I'm just scared" I explain and look at John B who frowns deeply.

"What did he do to you?" The brunette asks.

"I don't wanna talk about it" I reply, standing up.

"Well, I'm here when you do" He offers, pulling himself to his feet.

"Thanks, Johnathan" I smile softly.

He throws his arm over my shoulders and we begin walking to the van.

"No, thank you" He replies "For saving my life"

"Anytime, JB" I grin, elbowing him playfully.

I hop into the driver seat of the van and John B pulls himself into the passenger seat. I drive us to the chateau and park the van before helping John B into the house. He collapses onto his bed and I shake my head with a smile. I turn to leave but I feel a hand grab my wrist.

"Stay, please?" John B mumbles.

I smile softly and kick my shoes off, crawling over the boy to the empty side of the bed.

"Night, Johnathan" I whisper.

He rolls over and lays his head on my stomach.

"Night, Cassandra" He whispers back.

I sweep the hair out the brunette's face and close my eyes, letting myself drift off to sleep.