026
it's more fun being petty

When Bianca awoke the next morning, it wasn't to the sound of bluebirds singing at her window, or even to the haunting nightmares she'd become accustomed to. It wasn't even to her obnoxiously loud alarm she grew to detest, urging her to get up for school.

It was to her phone. Buzzing more frenetically than the hive of wasps that stung Pope at Freedman's church.

With a soft groan, Bianca rolled over and blindly reached for her phone which she could feel vibrating somewhere around the bedsheets. It was fully charged now, surprisingly. It must've fallen out of her pocket last night when she was—

With a jolt, Bianca's eyes snapped open and she doubled over.

Sunlight streamed in through the window of Sarah's room to her but it did nothing to alleviate the pounding in her heart. Her fingers gripped the bedsheets tighter as thoughts raced through her mind.

She slept over at Tannyhill. With Rafe most likely in the other room. She showed up at his doorstep after attempting to steal the Cross of Santo Domingo that he most likely had. The Pogues were probably wondering where she was. Oh god, her mother was probably wondering where she went. And she had to get ready for school.

Oh, shit. School.

Those few hours of sleep were both a blessing and a curse because now that Bianca was more alert, she was quickly coming to terms with how screwed she truly was. Her phone buzzing again broke her out of her stupor and when she checked who was messaging her, she realized it was Kiara.

Through her cracked screen, the messages read;

good morning my sugar pumpkin puff honey bear
it's time to get up
wake up wake up
i called u like a million times
big john and little john are back!!!
john b emailed me lol
they wanna meet at the chât in like 30
pope's gonna chuck a fit if this makes him late for school
but oh well
we've more pressing matters to tend to than legalized institutionalization
it's about el dorado!!!
hopefully it's more promising than yesterdays cross fiasco

Bianca quickly typed in a response, letting Kiara know she'd be there before placing her phone on the nightstand. Although, when she did, she was met with the sight of a tray filled with food and a tall glass of orange juice.

A small cup of yogurt and granola adorned the sides, topped with strawberries, blueberries, and other fruits. Various pastries decorated the tray including a croissant, danishes, and macaroons.

Beside it was a little handwritten note with familiar writing which read; 'don't leave till you eat something. if you need me, call me,' followed by what she assumed to be Rafe's phone number.

Bianca's heart stuttered. Not knowing what to make of her ex-boyfriend's gesture. She couldn't tell if this was some elaborate scheme to win her back or if she was just a narcissist and Rafe really was capable of doing nice things.

The latter was what made Bianca type in the digits of his number and place the phone to her ear. It felt like a lifetime waiting for the ringing on the other side to end.

Finally, "Hello?" Rafe's low baritone caused her heart to pick up.

"Hi..." Bianca trailed off, not knowing what to say or even why she called.

Upon hearing her voice, Rafe let out an audible sigh of relief. The girl could hear the sound of cars passing by, letting her know he was driving as he responded, "Hey... I'm glad you called."

"Yeah. Um," Bianca pursed her lips, fidgeting with the blanket covering her waist. "I just wanted to say thanks for the- um, breakfast," Her eyes flickered over to the food again but the thought of stomaching it made her feel sick.

"Oh. It's nothing. I bought them from this bakery down near Shorehaven," He hummed from the other end of the phone. Shorehaven also happened to be a forty-minute drive from Figure Eight, "They make the best macaroons there. I really wanted you to try them, did you like it?"

"They were..." Bianca chewed her lower lip. "Really good."

"...You hesitated."

Bianca winced. She wasn't sure when it happened, but her appetite died a long time ago. She was always so pedantic about making sure JJ never skipped a meal but Bianca couldn't recall the last time she ate breakfast.

"You didn't even try it, did you?" Rafe let out a sigh. "B, please. You have to eat something."

Bianca squeezed her eyes shut at the pleading in his tone, "...It's hard."

"I know but try," He insisted. "Or so help me, I will drive down there and shove that croissant down your throat."

Bianca laughed, and so did Rafe, the tension between them easing ever so slightly. The boy was glad that even though he wasn't physically with her, he could still make a difference in her day.

"Why are you doing this?" Bianca asked after a beat, surprising him.

"Doing what?" His eyebrows drew together, although she couldn't see.

"Being so...nice," Bianca swallowed thickly and pulled the blanket closer to herself. "I mean, I tried to turn you in. You could've easily done the same to me."

Rafe's adam's apple bobbed. This wasn't the conversation he wanted to have with her over the phone, "I know."

The confession stung a little but Bianca knew it was the truth. Whether it was for revenge or justice, Rafe didn't owe her anything. And yet, here he was, crossing town to buy her breakfast and letting her crash at his house in the middle of the night.

"I guess that's just where me and you are different," Rafe's words were harsh but his voice was gentle. "The world isn't as black and white as your little friends make it out to be, Bianca. I know you won't believe me right now when I say this but maybe you will eventually. It wasn't your fault. I saw it in your eyes the second I stumbled across you on the boat and I see it now. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people."

He was right, she supposed. She may not have believed him then but it wasn't always Kooks versus Pogues or good versus evil, she knew that better than anyone. Bianca definitely wasn't a good person but maybe she and Rafe were somewhere in the middle.

"Anyway," Rafe cleared his throat, drawing her out of her thoughts. "Eat something. Get some rest. I'm going to take care of things with Barry. He won't be bothering you anymore."

"What? No, Rafe-" She tried to protest.

"Don't argue with me. He's not going to get away with what he did, Bianca," Rafe assured her, his voice hardened with determination. "Don't worry about it. Just keep your head down, go to school, and act like everything's normal."

"There's nothing normal about this," Bianca mumbled under her breath.

"I know," Rafe was quick to comfort her. "I know, just trust me. Everything's going to be fine. I'm handling it."

"You're taking care of business?" Bianca mused. She wasn't sure when cracking jokes with Rafe were back on the table but she didn't mind all that much.

Rafe laughed, the deep rumble echoing through the phone, "I'm taking care of business," He nodded. "Listen, I called the family doctor to check up on you after you told me about the crash. He should be there in around twenty minutes. I'm not letting you leave until he gives you the all-clear, okay?"

"Rafe, I don't need a doctor, I'm fine," Bianca's eyebrows drew together.

"This is non-negotiable, alright?" He quipped sternly. "If you want to go to school, Sarah's uniform should still be in her wardrobe. I ironed it but it might be a little big on you. I don't know, you'll figure it out. You always do."

Warmth blossomed in Bianca's chest, "Thank you, Rafe."

"Anytime," Rafe smiled. "If you need me, just call."

"Yeah," Bianca muttered a short bye before hanging up the phone and throwing it across the bed.

She flopped onto her back, pressing the heels of her palms to her eyes, and cursed herself for being such an idiot. When that wasn't enough to satiate the gnawing guilt within her, she grabbed Sarah's spare pillow and screamed into it.

God, she was such an idiot. As if she couldn't have made this situation any worse.

Finally, after the guilt in her gut eased, Bianca headed to Sarah and Wheezie's shared bathroom where she usually left her toothbrush in case of sleepovers. After showering, she stopped by the mirror to assess the ache between each rib only to find that the skin was stained a sickly purplish-yellow.

Bianca winced when her fingers brushed over her tender waist before wrapping the towel further around herself. The bruises had only gotten darker since yesterday and she hoped it meant they were healing, not getting worse.

Rafe was right, Sarah's uniform was slightly larger and shorter on her, considering she was taller than her best friend. Bianca pulled down the hems of the skirt which seemed to be riding higher up her thighs, more than what she was comfortable with.

By the time the Cameron's family doctor rang the doorbell, Bianca knew she'd be a little more than late to school but she was also a month behind, so it's not like it mattered anyway. The girl pulled up her knee-high socks, hopping toward the front doorway and ushering the short, white-haired man inside.

She rushed him through his entire process of flashing a torchlight in her eyes and checking for head and neck injuries. Finally, after what felt like hours, he gave her the okay, and just as the doctor left, a steely Rolls Royce pulled up in the driveway.

Bianca threw one of Sarah's bags stuffed with random books and stationery she probably wouldn't even use in the backseat before joining Reginald in the front. She pointed a finger at him warningly, "Not a word to anyone about this."

"My lips are sealed, Miss Prescott," He lifted his hands from the steering wheel before taking off toward the Chateau.

Despite herself, the ride consisted of Bianca recounting how she reached Tannyhill in the first place while Reginald listened with interest. She figured there was no point lying to him now, considering he could tell her car crash wasn't what it seemed.

Reginald parked the car beside the Twinkie, "I'll wait for you here," He told her considering she still needed a ride to school.

Bianca nodded before shutting the car door and following the fairy lights hanging above the tree to the backyard. A small smile curved on her lips when she watched Big John embrace Pope in a bear hug.

"Look at you, big man!" He let out a hearty chuckle, pulling away to grip the younger boy's shoulders. "Look at you!" Before he could get another word out, JJ leaped onto Big John's back, digging his knuckles into the top of his head. "JJ, come on. Come on!"

Big John struggled to pull him off but they were both laughing, unable to keep their excitement to themselves. The others surrounded them, sporting large grins as they play-wrestled and John B reappeared from the porch carrying cans of beer. Pope tried to pull JJ off with no avail and Bianca felt her heart squeeze a little at the sight of her boyfriend acting like a kid again.

JJ looked so carefree, so happy. Bianca hadn't seen him smile like that in a long while and a part of her knew she was the reason for it. Almost as soon as her heart swelled, the guilt curled its icy claws into her.

"Hey!" Big John cried, urging her over with a smile. "Bianca!"

But the moment JJ saw her, his face fell. He unwrapped his arms around Big John and slowly placed his feet back onto the grass, clearing his throat.

"Hey," Bianca mumbled, giving him a short wave in greeting before stopping by Sarah's side.

"What's up?" Kiara smiled at her, but her eyebrows were furrowed as if she could sense something was wrong.

"No, nothing," Bianca shook her head, giving her a quick hug. "You guys good?"

"Mhm," Sarah hummed before frowning. "Is that my uniform?"

"What?" Bianca tore her gaze away from where John B was handing out beers to JJ, Pope, and his dad. "Oh- uh, no, it's not."

Sarah nodded but her eyes narrowed. She knew her best friend was lying because there was a small white stain of correction fluid on the hem of her school skirt. One day she and Topper were messing around and the boy accidentally got some on her that she never got a chance to wash off.

"You goin' back to school already?" Cleo craned her neck, assessing her attire which was some kind of rich, fancy uniform.

"Yeah, don't really have a choice," Bianca answered quickly, not wanting to dive too deep into it. She turned back to the center of attention which was still Big John to divert the girls' attention.

After the others were done greeting the older man, they settled into whatever seat-like items John B could find— a folding chair, a tree stump, a red metal seat, a drum, an ice-cooler. Kiara, Pope, and Bianca chose to stand while Big John took the hammock.

As it turned out, Denmark's diary spoke of a survivor of the San Jose. A priest. Captain Limbrey thought it was bad karma to kill clergy. So, he stuck the priest down in the cargo hold— 'The captain left it to me to tend to the priest's swamp fever. In his delirium, he implored me to pass on a letter and a stone object of native origin to the papacy.'

A stone object of native origin or in other words, the idol. If the two halves of the idol were put together and translated, it mapped out directions to El Dorado. It explained why Singh wanted the diary so badly. The diary gave away the location of the other half of the idol.

In the diary, Denmark claimed, 'The captain refused to make the delivery and when the man of God died, he was buried with his belongings. They were docked in Charleston.'

The priest was buried with his belongings and the missing idol. John B recounted to the Pogues how he and his father went to Charleston, 17 Society Street, to visit the only Catholic Church in Charleston that existed around that time but when they got there, it was taken up by some Thai restaurant.

A sign was placed right outside which read that Trinity church was erected in 1721. It was the first Catholic church in Georgia and the Carolinas. It stood until the Great Earthquake of 1886. The site was then excavated and the relics were donated to Charleston Museum.

John B and Big John headed to Charleston Museum next but they needed to submit a written request to get into the archives. As it turned out, all the relics were in the downtown museum storage which they could only get to with a keycard they gave to directors. After a failed robbery attempt by John B, the father-son pair waited till nightfall to sneak in.

"Yeah, yeah, so we, um... we went to the archives in- in Charleston, and uh..." John B trailed off, glancing between each of his friends. "It- it was a dead end."

Bianca watched him nod solemnly, and the way he gripped his beer can tighter. Her eyes shifted to Big John who glanced away to take a sip of his drink, still lounging on the hammock.

Growing up surrounded by the gossiping, swindling ladies of the Country Club her mother was the president of, Bianca could make out when someone was telling a white lie. She could pick up on their tells. Especially when it was John B.

"A dry hole," John B muttered, staring at his feet. "So..."

JJ's tongue poked his cheek. Growing up with John B, he too could tell when his brother was lying. His gaze flickered over to Bianca who was already sharing a knowing look with him, like a string of silent whispers.

"So, that's the gold, cross, and now El Dorado," Pope counted off with a scoff. "We're three for three, guys," He turned on his heel and threw a stick off into the distance. "The streak continues. That's great."

Pope walked off in frustration and Cleo saluted the group before following after to comfort him. They borrowed Heyward's truck and he was her ride home anyway.

"That's it?" Bianca pursed her lips, boring holes into the side of John B's head. "That's all of it?"

The muscle in John B's jaw jumped, "That's it."

Bianca never had a good poker face. When she was angry, anyone within a ten-mile radius could tell. She just didn't understand what John B was holding back or why but she had an inkling it had something to do with his father returning.

The thought of said man made her eyes roll and when she turned to look over at John B's father, he tipped his beer towards her in cheers. Neither of them said a word but Bianca knew he was hiding something and Big John could tell she had caught on by now.

Kiara pursed her lips before backing away. She promised her parents earlier it would only be a quick trip to the Chateau, "See you John B."

"I'm going fishing," JJ was the next to stand, placing his drink in the makeshift trash can they created. "Thanks for the beer."

Bianca watched him disappear toward the surf shack to grab a fishing rod before heading down to the dock. Her heart sank when he didn't even glance back at her. She knew they needed to talk but she couldn't fathom trying to hold a conversation with him that didn't end in shouting or tears.

Bianca knew the only thing that would free them was if she told the truth about why she'd been acting the way she was but she just wasn't prepared for that yet. She wasn't ready for JJ to look at her differently. For him to look at her and see her for what she was.

"Um, I'm gonna go check on JJ," Bianca announced, wringing her hands together. "S, I'll give you a ride, if you want?"

"Yeah, that would be nice," Sarah nodded before watching her best friend walk off toward the dock.

Bianca's footfalls echoed against the wooden pier, a gloomy reminder of the last time they were here together. She knew JJ could hear her coming because she noticed his back tense.

Bianca stopped a couple of feet behind him, "Um, hi," She cringed at how awkward she sounded.

JJ pretended like he didn't already know she was there, "Oh... Hey," He glanced over his shoulder and shifted so she could join him.

Bianca accepted the invitation with a relieved sigh and leaned over the pier beside her boyfriend. The air between them was thick and the girl reached for the shark tooth hanging around her neck, fidgeting with it out of nervousness.

"Sleep well?" JJ asked, staring out into the marsh as it reflected the overcast sky.

Bianca's heart leaped to her throat, "Uh- yeah. Why?"

The boy frowned at her jumpy behavior, "Just asking. You know, 'cause we got back pretty late last night."

"Oh," Bianca's shoulders sagged, watching the water ripple where JJ had cast his line. "Right. Did you...? Sleep well, that is."

JJ rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh, not really, I guess."

Bianca frowned, her eyes flickering up to him, "Why not?"

"I don't know," He shrugged, not meeting her gaze. "I was just up... thinking."

Bianca was afraid to ask what he was thinking about. Half of her heart ached to hold him, to touch him, to feel any part of him. The other half was wracked with the guilt of knowing that if he found out where she was last night, he'd never forgive her.

Instead, she cleared his throat, "So, what are you going to do today?" JJ merely lifted his fishing rod. "Oh. Right... Well, I'm going-"

"To school?" JJ's gaze darted to her- or rather, Sarah's uniform. "I got it."

"Yeah," Bianca glanced down at her feet, cheeks burning.

The blond boy studied her and felt his insides twist. Even though he was angry, and they still had a lot to talk about, he hated seeing her like this. A soft sigh slipped past JJ's lips. He felt like such a dick.

"C'mere," JJ mumbled, wrapping an arm around her waist and gently tugging her so she was in front of him, facing out into the marsh.

He gave her the fishing rod to hold before adjusting her hips so she was standing shoulder-width apart. Then, he put his hands on top of hers which were gripping the fishing rod.

"Here," JJ instructed, moving her hands so they were in the correct position. "Hold it like this."

Bianca melted when his chin dipped down close enough for his breath to fan the shell of her ear, "Like this?"

"Yeah, you got it," JJ couldn't help himself. He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek with his chest pressed against her back.

He missed her so much. Missed holding her like this. And he knew she did too when her eyes fluttered shut, savoring his warmth. After everything that happened in the past few days, Bianca just needed a hug from her boyfriend. It was all she wanted from JJ.

She glanced back out into the marsh and they lapsed into a comfortable silence. She hoped to stay here forever, like this, even though she knew they needed to talk.

"Why are you going back anyway?" JJ hummed in question, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I thought your mom was cool with you bunking class till you get back on your feet."

Bianca leaned further back into his chest, "Yeah, well, it was the only way she'd let me go to Wilmington with you guys."

JJ's frown deepened, "Bianca..."

"It's fine," She reassured quickly. "I knew what I was agreeing to. That was the condition- go back to school, act like everything's fine-"

"But it's not," JJ interrupted, his hands tightening over hers. "Is it?"

Bianca stayed silent. She knew what he was hinting at and JJ nodded, knowing he wasn't going to get an answer from her just yet.

Bianca decided to change the topic instead, "JJ, listen. This whole El Dorado thing- something's not adding up."

He pursed his lips, "...How are you so sure?"

"Because," She glanced up, causing him to rear his head back to look down at her. "I told you. That day when Sarah and I came by the Chateau, Big John wouldn't tell us where he went. And now John B's lying to us? I mean, you said it yourself, he would never do that. He's just been acting so off since his dad got back."

JJ let out another sigh, "What are trying to say, Bianca?"

"Don't you see?" Her eyes hardened into a glare. "Everything's changed since he got back on the island. It's Big John. I was right. He doesn't trust us."

This time, JJ pulled away and Bianca was left to hold the fishing rod awkwardly, "Okay, I get what you're saying but Big John's harmless-"

"Harmless?" Bianca arched a pointed eyebrow. She knew better now than to think people like her father, Ward, Limbrey, or Singh were harmless. They were all looking out for one thing— themselves.

"Yes, harmless," JJ insisted, taking the fishing rod from her hands and leaning it against the pier. "Look, even if he is lying-"

"No. No 'if'," Bianca crossed her arms over her chest. "He is lying."

"Fine. Whatever," The muscles in his shoulders tensed. "He's lying but maybe, it's not what you think."

Bianca could tell he was getting defensive, "JJ..." She trailed off.

"I'm just saying, Big John's been back for like, what? Two days," He threw his arms up in exasperation. "And you're already accusing him of being against us-"

"I'm not accusing him, I'm just trying to tell you I think something's not right," Bianca's throat tightened. He wasn't hearing her.

"But you're not going to let it go, are you?" JJ shook his head, scoffing harshly. "I mean, come on- John B just got his dad back. Why can't you just be happy for him instead of trying to find a problem with every little thing!"

"I'm not!" A scowl crossed Bianca's lips. This felt more personal than John B's dad. No, this had something to do with their argument about the money clip from yesterday.

"No, but you are," JJ ran a hand over his face in exhaustion. "Okay, Big John, he- he's not like your dad or mine or Ward, okay? When I needed someone, Big John was there for me," He swallowed thickly. "Bianca, for so long, I thought the wrong dad went missing. Don't you think I've spent half my life wishing John B's dad was mine? But now he's back. And mine can't get far enough away from me—" His voice broke on the last syllable.

Bianca bit her lower lip to prevent it from trembling. She was right. This was more personal but not in the way she thought. JJ was feeling his father's absence today more than ever. She almost forgot how much of a father figure John B's dad played in her boyfriend's life.

Bianca ignored the sting in her heart so she could wrap her arms around JJ's mid-section. At first, he stood rigid but then he melted into her, nuzzling his head into her neck. She ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, whispering quiet I love you's and apologies into his ear.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, heart pounding in her chest. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I just- I'll drop it-"

"No, I- no. It's fine," JJ pulled away and ran a hand through his hair. "But uh, you should go. You're gonna be late for first period."

JJ glanced away as if he were trying to hide his vulnerability from her, and for some reason, that stung Bianca more than the rejection between his words did. She hoped to spend more time with him but it was clear she wasn't wanted here.

Bianca's shoulders sagged, "Since when have you ever cared about being late to school?"

"Since we missed over a month of it," JJ mused, trying to joke with her but they could both tell it was forced.

"So, that's it?" She scoffed, arms crossing over her chest again.

JJ shrugged, "What else is there to say?"

Bianca's eyes narrowed into a glare. Now, more enraged than upset, "You're right. I guess there is nothing else," And without another word, she turned on her heel to leave.

JJ's eyebrows furrowed, confused how they went from zero to a hundred so quickly but knew he in some way had messed up, "Bianca, wait-" He called back, jaw clenched. "B, what did I say?!"

Bianca ignored him, practically stomping back the way she came from. She decided she hated this dock. Every bad thing that ever happened between her and JJ occurred on this very pier.

Stupid JJ. Stupid dock. Stupid Big John. Stupid John B and his stupid fat head.

Bianca was so fuelled by the heat simmering in her veins as she made her way back over to Reginald's Rolls Royce that she almost forgot about Big John's presence on the hammock. She almost jumped out of her skin when his voice interrupted her hateful thoughts.

"You know, Bianca," He leaned forward, one hand still holding his beer and the other gripping the hammock. "I can tell you don't particularly... like, nor trust me. But I hope we can get along, for John B's sake."

Bianca stood across from Big John, the very last person she wanted to talk to right now. Her eyes flickered over to John B and Sarah who stood at the edge of where the marsh met the land, engaged in what seemed to be a very heated argument.

With a sigh, Bianca turned back to Big John, realizing they weren't leaving anytime soon, "...That depends."

"On?" The older man arched an eyebrow.

"On why you're lying to my friends," She challenged, lifting her chin in defiance.

"Who said anything about lying?" Big John tilted his head curiously at the girl. Maybe, he'd underestimated her.

"The story that you told us- sorry, that you had John B tell? It's not adding up," Bianca narrowed her eyes as Big John rose to his full height. "I mean, you guys get the Twinkie and go off to Charleston without telling anyone, and I'm just trying to understand why."

Big John wore a small smile, a knowing one. There was a reason he always despised Michael more than he did Ward. The Prescotts were always more conniving, the masterminds of the operation. Ward might've felt guilty but Michael didn't hesitate to stab him in the back. Bianca, apparently, was no different.

"You might be able to fool the Pogues," She took a menacing step closer to him and despite her shorter stature, Big John's adam's apple bobbed. "But I'm not like them. If you're going to get someone to do your dirty work, at least get someone better than your son. He's a bad liar."

Bianca's threat didn't have the weight she thought it did because Big John threw his head back in a hearty laugh. Once he sobered up, he adjusted his glasses to look at her properly, "You really are your father's daughter, aren't you?"

The mention of her father had the blood in Bianca's face draining to her feet. Gone was the fatherly tone Big John used with her friends. This one was more daring. Sinister, even.

"Say..." Big John trailed off. "How is he doing, by the way? John B hasn't mentioned much about him since I've been back. The news reports headlined he was missing. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?"

Bianca's heartbeat picked up behind her ribcage and she hid her trembling hands behind her back. Big John couldn't know what happened on the boat, could he? No, it was impossible. She was just paranoid and he was just trying to get in her head. Maybe she was just so convinced Big John was lying because she was lying to everyone else.

"I'm not stupid," Bianca lowered her voice, although there was a sharp edge to it. Her eyes flickered briefly toward Sarah who was now storming away, "I can see you're trying to use John B. And I'll tell him if he hasn't figured it out already."

"Look, kid," Big John looked almost amused at her attempt to scare him. "I am his family. I am permanent. You're only temporary."

"Yeah," Bianca scoffed sarcastically and began backing away as Sarah neared. "His mom left him, and his dad abandoned him for a couple of bucks. How could his loyalty not be with his blood in a family like that?"

Bianca reached the car right before Sarah did. Reginald was swift in opening the backseat door for the girls.

But the moment Bianca saw the tears blurring Sarah's vision, she halted, "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I don't want to talk about it," The blonde girl kept her head down as she tried to move past her best friend. "Thanks, Reg."

"No- what the fuck-" Bianca took Sarah's wrist to stop her. "What happened? What did he say to you?" She redirected her glare to John B who joined his father. "What did you say to her?"

"Stay out of it, B," John B's jaw clenched, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "This doesn't involve you."

"B, come on-" Sarah tried again.

But Bianca had enough of these boys telling her what to do and acting like children. Everyone was pissing her off today, and John B just so happened to push enough of her buttons.

"Doesn't involve me?" Bianca snarled. "So, what? Your dad's back and you don't need us anymore, is that it?" She took a step forward. "Fuck the rest of us for helping you find him, right?"

"That's not what this is about," John B ground out through gritted teeth. "You don't know what you're talking about, B."

"Please, B, just leave it alone," Sarah gripped her wrist before she could storm toward him. "Can we just go? I want to go. Please."

Bianca's eyes darted between Sarah and John B but softened upon hearing the desperation in her best friend's voice. Finally, she conceded, "Fine."

Without another glance back, Bianca joined Sarah in the backseat and allowed Reginald to shut the door after them. Then, he rounded the car and hitched Sarah's bicycle onto the back.

Bianca's hands rested in her lap, "What did he say to you?"

Sarah sniffled, squeezing her bloodshot eyes shut. Now, in the safety of the car, she whispered, "All I- I said was he could tell me anything, you know? But he got all defensive about it. I don't know, he's just been acting so off since his dad got back."

"Sarah," Bianca warned lowly as Reginald entered the front seat. "What did he say to you?"

Sarah let out a deep exhale, stifling the hiccups building in the back of her throat, "He said... that his dad came back. And he's trying to help all of us. Meanwhile, my dad tried to kill me..."

The confession sent Bianca reeling. These boys chose the wrong day to mess with her, "Hey, Reggie?" She hummed innocently. "Do you mind opening up the sunroof? I need some air."

"Certainly, Miss Prescott," Reginald answered, the engine rumbling to life as he held down a button that opened up the roof of the car. He pressed his foot on the gas, slowly reversing out of the Chateau.

"B?" Sarah's eyes furrowed as she watched her best friend rise to her feet and stick her body out of the sunroof. Her eyes widened, grabbing onto the girl's school skirt, "What are you doing?!"

"Life's too short to be the bigger person," Bianca grabbed Sarah's arm and tugged her upward against her protests. "Be petty. It's more fun that way."

"No, no, no- B, please, don't do this," Sarah cringed as the two girls stuck their top halves out of the sunroof. "Oh my god, they're looking over- shit-"

"Hey, John B!" Bianca called, lifting both her middle fingers while Big John sidled beside him. She took Sarah's wrist, forcing her to do the same, "Fuck you and your dumb, stupid face and your oddly shaped head which is probably the closest thing you have to a penis!"

"Yeah, real mature, you guys!" John B shouted back, shaking his head at the two. "Real mature."

Reginald drove away, the wind whipping through their hair. Sarah lifted a hand to her lips, hiding the laugh that slipped past despite her bloodshot eyes. Bianca stuck her tongue out at John B as the car exited back onto the main road.

Slowly, the two girls returned to the backseats, giddy and giggling. Reginald glanced through the rearview mirror, resisting the urge to smile as he closed the sunroof again.

"Holy shit," Sarah chuckled, throwing her head back. "B, you're the worst."

"No, he's the worst," Bianca corrected, laying her head against the headrest and staring up at the car roof. "Sarah, don't ever let anyone speak to you like that. Especially a stupid boy... Right, Reg?"

"Indeed, Miss Cameron," Reginald sent Sarah a single nod through the rearview mirror.

"See? Even Reggie thinks so," Bianca tilted her head to look at Sarah with a small smile, causing them to burst into another fit of giggles.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence after sobering up, merely enjoying each other's presence without the boys. It had been a while since they had any kind of sleepover or hangout of the sort and the two best friends missed each other.

Bianca's lips downturned into a frown. As much as she wished to drive around and scream the lyrics to all their favorite karaoke songs, she knew she couldn't, "Look, I've gotta go to school. I promised my mom but you can hang out at mine if you want?"

Sarah pursed her lips, slowly realizing that they weren't going to be spending the day together, "Are you sure? I mean, didn't you say your mom was mad at you or something?"

"Yeah, it's kind of a minefield right now," She winced sheepishly. "But, my room's still free to crash. And, you've got Reggie to keep you company if you want. Mom says he's, like- scary good at chess."

"Hardly," Reginald chimed in without sparing a glance back at the girls.

"Liar," Bianca whispered to Sarah, causing the blonde girl to let out a laugh.

"Thanks but I really don't want to be a bother," Sarah shook her head with a small smile. "I just can't be around John B right now and Rafe's at Tannyhill. Maybe I'll just hit up Kiara- see what she's up to."

Bianca nodded, "Yeah, of course- Reg, could you take us to Figure Eight, please."

Without hesitation, Reginald made a sharp left, changing direction. By the time they arrived, Kiara's father's truck which she used to drive down to the Chateau was already parked in the driveway, letting them know she was home.

"Want me to wait?" Bianca stuck her head out the window as Reginald helped Sarah unhitch her bike from the back of the car.

"Nah, I should be fine," Sarah thanked the older man before planting a hand on her hip. "Go, you're going to be late for first period."

Bianca rolled her eyes, "Ugh, why does everyone keep saying that?"

Sarah giggled, leaning down to the window to give her best friend a cheek-to-cheek kiss, "I'll catch you later, yeah?"

"Yeah, if I don't stab my eyes out with a pencil by then," Bianca sighed dramatically, pouting up at the blonde. "I don't think I can do this without you."

"No, you don't get to say that," Sarah voiced sternly, arching an eyebrow at her. "You're Bianca fucking Prescott. You're the one who taught me how to be an indomitable bitch and I refuse to believe that girl is dead."

"Do I have to?" Bianca whined like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

"Yes!" Sarah scoffed just as Reginald got back into the front seat. "Now go. You've got this. I love you."

"Fine," Bianca waved back at her as the car pulled out of the Carrera's driveway. "I love you. See you later."

Sarah gripped the handlebars of her bike as she stared up at Kiara's home which towered over her. Meanwhile, Bianca rested her head back against the seat, her stomach twisting into knots at the thought of seeing every one of her so-called 'friends' who'd been Instagramming #Thoughts&Prayers while she was missing.

The girls both let out hefty sighs. They'd find each other sometime later that same night. But till then, this was going to be the longest, most grueling day of their lives.

And it was only just beginning.

author's note. obx s4 is filming !!!!! it's been years and i still get excited over it lol. anyways also i rewatched all the hunger games movies to see the new prequel and now i'm lowkey obsessed. also just a psa bc i think i'm confusing some of u guys with this whole rafe arc. this rafe x bianca x jj love triangle is purely one-sided. bianca is not going to get back with rafe now or in the future. but he is my favourite character to cause drama with hehe so more to come! see u soon <3