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Estrella, Kie, and Sarah walk through partygoers to find a table for themselves. The Carrera's were throwing a party for their 15th anniversary and they had pretty much invited the whole island. As they walked through the party, Sarah was telling them about the visit she had with her father. Instead of meeting Wheezie, Ward was there.

"Are you kidding me, Sarah?" Kie says as they stop at an empty table, "That doesn't even make sense."

"Ward's on this island? Like, the same island we are on, Sarah?" Estrella says

"Yes, he's back." Sarah says, "Mm-hmm."

"The second I see him, I'm turning him in, I swear." Kie says, "I don't know how you do it. Every time I wanna complain about my dad, I just think about your dad."

"And any time I think about trusting my mom, I think about your dad."

"Oh, glad to be of service." Sarah says sarcastically

"Works every time."

"I'm glad I could help. It's great." Sarah chuckles looking away, "You didn't tell me Topper was gonna be here."

"Sorry. My mom invited like the whole island." Kie says as she and Estrella eye him

"Shit."

"It's not a big deal." Estrella shrugs

"Shit."

"We'll keep him away." Kie nods

•••

The girls got themselves drinks and were having casual conversation when Kie noticed Topper coming towards them, "Oh, great. Um, well, I'm gonna go over here."

"Please don't."

"We won't go far." Estrella says as they walk over to the next table

"Okay."

"Just say the word." Kie mutters as Topper stops beside Sarah

"Mm.""

"Hi." Sarah says

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Good. How are you?"

"Good. Um, I'm... Well, I don't wanna blow your cover or anything, so I'll just keep it low-key." He says, "I know we're not public or anything. You know what I mean? Um..." He says turning and nothing the other two girls, "Hey, girls! How are you?"

"Oh, hey. I didn't even see you, bro." Estrella says as Kie nods

"Uh, did you guys do these decorations here?" He asks, "It's beautiful."

"Yeah. Party City." Kie says

"It's a great selection." Sarah nods

"And your mom did great with the food." Topper says looking over at her

Estrella nods giving a small smile, "Thanks."

"Cool. Well, um..." He says clearing his throat, "Cheers."

"Cheers." Sarah chuckles 

"I'll see you later."

"Yeah, see you around."

"Just take it easy on those. Pace it."

"Yeah."

"Bye, girls." He says before walking off

"At least he kept it short." Kie says as the two walk back to Sarah's table

"Thank God." Estrella mutters as the band finishes up their song

"Hang on. Please, excuse me. Thank you. Um..." Mike says, "I just want to say a few words,
and I'm not much into giving speeches, but I do want to say thank you for coming out and thank you for your support after a rough few months."

"I want to say thank you to our daughter for being here." He says as Kie covers her face playfully, "Hey, we love you."

"Love you too." She says as the crowd applauds

"But most of all..." He says holding his hand out to Anna, "Come here. Thank you, Anna... for 15 years, for making this restaurant a symbol of our life. I love you."

"I love you." Anna says as Sarah and Estrella smile at Kie

"Love you, Mike and Anna!" Someone in the crowd calls out

"Figure Eight, the Cut. Everyone's together here." Mike says

"That's right!"

"As one island. So, thank you for putting up with us." Mike says as the crowd cheers, "Cheers."

"Thank you all for coming." Anna says as everyone holds their glasses up, "Cheers."

Kie walks over to her parents as they step down from the stage. Estrella's smile falters a bit as she watches them embrace Kie. She manages to look away before she can make herself anymore upset.

Her smile widens as she spots Charlotte, "Hey."

"Hey." She says, "Sorry, I'm late I was helping Heyward."

"No worries."

"Uh, where's Kie?" She asks softly

Estrella points, "She's over there with her parents."

"Oh."

Estrella notices her hesitation, "You gonna go talk to her?"

"Oh, no." Charlotte shakes her head, "She's with her parents. I'll wait."

"Go." Estrella encourages, "She's gonna wanna see you."

"You sure?"

"Positive." Sarah says

"Go." Estrella says in a sing song voice

"Okay. Okay." Charlotte chuckles as she walks over

"Psst. Sarah." The girls heard. They turn and see John B smiling at Sarah.

"I'll be back." Estrella says to leave the two alone

•••

Charlotte's heart raced as she made her way over to Kie and her parents. Kie laughs as she turns to look through the crowd. She gasps when she sees Charlotte, "Char, hey."

"Hi." She smiles

"Come here." Kie says grabbing her hand and pulling her over, "Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Charlotte."

"Hi, it's so nice to meet you." She says, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No, it's okay." Anna smiles, "It's great to meet you."

"Alright, well, we'll leave you guys to it." Mike smiles wrapping his arm around Anna before the two walk off

Kie turns to Charlotte with a big smile, "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Charlotte chuckles, "I'm sorry I'm late."

"No, it's okay." Kie says, "I'm just glad that you're here."

Charlotte smiles widens when Kie pulls her in for a hug. Charlotte immediately wraps her arms around her.

•••

Estrella walked around to hopefully catch sight of JJ. She figured with John B here, JJ couldn't be far. As she made her way toward the dock, she spotted him sitting behind the gate lining it.

"JJ." She calls out, "I saw John B. I figured you couldn't be far."

The boy stands up, "Just, uh, thought I should keep my distance. Didn't really wanna spoil the party, if you know what I'm saying.

"We were wondering where you guys ran off to." She chuckles, "You okay?"

"No. Look, long story short, we're mounting a full search and rescue mission right now because Big John got nabbed. Like, actually nabbed."

"What do you mean, "got nabbed"?" She asks

"Uh, snatched, kidnapped, abducted, that kind of thing. To South America by Singh." He says, "So we have to get down there as soon as we can."

"South America? Right now?" She scoffs

"Yeah, I know. It's a long shot, but we're making a plan right now."

"I mean, you come in here after stealing from Kie's dad and basically ignoring my existence like, "We're all good. Let's go to South America.""

"So is that a no? Uh, you're just gonna ghost us?"

"JJ, I've been wanting to talk since we started over the other night." She says, "We need to talk. It's all I can think about. And I'm just now getting back in my mom's good graces."

"Okay, so you're saying you don't wanna be a part of the plan when Big John is up for execution right now because you're cool with your mom." He says, "Okay, cool. That's a no."

"No, I'm not saying that, JJ."

"Cool. All right. That's all I needed to know." He says before walking off. Estrella sighs as he stops and turns back, "It's just that- Actually, one last thing. When you see Mike, could you just let him know that I don't feel bad about the money clip?"

Estrella furrows her brows, "Are you serious right now?"

"Okay? Just let him know I actually needed it. So thank him for me, actually. Appreciate that. Thank you."

When he turns away, Estrella scoffs, "What is wrong with you? You're really acting like you don't care? I mean, seriously. You're acting like I don't care. Like, you haven't known that I've loved you this whole time."

JJ could almost feel his heart stop in his chest, "What?"

Estrella realized what she said as soon as it came out. JJ knew he wanted to say it back, but he could never get out of his own way. So, he walked back over to her, "Estrella, I mean, thanks. Okay, great, no, look. It's not gonna work, okay? I'm gonna go help my best friend save his father. Maybe I'll see you at the break when I get back."

"Yeah, maybe." Estrella chuckles humorlessly

"If I get back." He says before walking away

"Such an asshole." She says walking back to the party not realizing JJ had heard her

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Estrella watched as the sun set on OBX. The party was still very lively and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The girl's good mood had completely vanished after her conversation with JJ. She kept thinking back over what she told him. She loved him.

Anyone with eyes knew that Estrella loved JJ. For her, it was the first time she had said it out loud. And she knew she meant it. But for JJ to immediately shut her down, hurt her. A part of her thought that after everything maybe JJ felt the same. Evidently, he didn't.

"You okay, mija?"

Estrella sighs still staring out at everyone, "I'm fine."

"I saw you talking with that boy."

"JJ." Estrella corrects

"The troublemaker."

"I don't need this right now, Mom."

"He's nothing but trouble. You need to stay away from him."

"He's my friend."

"Are you willing to lose everything for him?" Pamela snaps, "He's just a boy, Estrella. He's not worth it."

"No, he's not just a boy." Estrella says finally looking over at her mom, "He's worth everything and if I had to, I would lose everything for him and all of my other friends."

Their conversation is cut short by the sound of glass shattering.

"Feel good about yourself, Top?" John B says pushing him back

"Stop!" Sarah tries

"You need to chill out, bro." Topper says, "I'm not ruining their party."

"Shit." Estrella mutters

"Oh, that's what you're worried about?" John B says pushing him again

"I would walk away."

"Feel good about yourself?" John B says before Sarah turns him toward her

"For once in your life, would you please just turn around and walk away? Please." She begs, "Look at me. Please don't."

"Hey, no hard feelings, bro." Topper laughs

"Topper."

"We good?" He says right before John B turns around

"No. John B, no!" Sarah yells as John B punches Topper in his jaw sending him to the ground. Topper grunts as John B shakes his hand out.

"You like that shit, Top?" John B says now catching the attention of the other partygoers, "Huh? Huh?"

"Stop, John B!"

"John B." Estrella calls out

"Stop! What are you doing? No!" Sarah says before John B gets down and punches Topper again, "Hey, stop! What are you doing? John B! Mr. Carrera!"

"John B!" Kie yells

"Hey! Hey, hey!" Mike says pulling John B away, "Hey! Get out of here!"

"Get him out of here." Anna says

"Get out of here." Mike yells

"Is that what you want, Mike?" John B says as JJ runs over and pushes him back

"Get off of him." JJ yells

"That's what I'm talking about!" Mike says, "Both of you get out of here!"

"You happy, Sarah?" John B yells as JJ pushes back toward the dock

"Topper?" Sarah says. Estrella looks toward John B and JJ as the others try to assist Topper.

"You see?" Pamela exclaims. She grabs Estrella's arm turning her, "You're not going near those boys again. Do you hear me?"

Estrella breathes heavily as she turns toward the dock again. Watching as the boys walked down the dock to their boat.

"Estrella!" Pamela yells. Estrella turns to her with wide eyes, "No more."

With that, Pamela walks over toward Topper to find any way she can help. Estrella turns back toward the dock catching the boys just as they start the boat and drive off.

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