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"Welcome to the Outer Banks, Cleo." Pope says as they walk onto the dock

"You're crazy, Pope. Your parents are not going to appreciate me shacking up."

"Of course they will. Are you kidding?" He says, "Heyward might put you to work, but we could always use the help."

"I don't know, man. You sure?"

"Yeah, look, he might squawk a little bit, but let me talk to him. We'll figure it out."

•••

"This is me." Kie sighs opening the gate, "Home sweet home."

"Damn, Kiara. You live here?" Cleo gasps, "This is like the White House, man."

"How bad you think it's gonna be?" Pope asks

"Scale of one to ten?" Kie says turning to them, "Twenty."

"Do you want us to wait?" Estrella asks

"No, I... I gotta take this. Thanks for walking me." Kie says. As she walks up the steps, Kie turns back to Charlotte, "Bye, Char."

"Bye." She says softly. Kie smiles to her before continuing up the steps.

When Kie makes it into the house, the other teens turn back to the gate. Pope shuts the gate behind him with a sigh, "Who's next?"

"My house is all the way that way. I don't want you guys making any more stops than you have to." Estrella points

"We don't mind." Cleo shrugs

"I don't even know how my mom is gonna react to seeing me, so it's probably best that I go alone anyway." Estrella says, "I'm sorry, Charlotte. I don't think I'll be able to convince my mom to let you stay. I don't think she'd let me stay."

"No, it's okay. Don't worry about it." Charlotte smiles shaking her head

"You can come with us." Pope says

"Are you sure?" Charlotte stammers

"Yeah." Pope says, "And if your mom gives you shit, come to Heyward's, Estrella."

"Got it." She says turning the other way

"I mean it." Pope calls out

"Okay." Estrella chuckles, "Bye guys."

"Bye." They call out

Estrella noticed JJ hadn't followed Pope and had actually started making his way toward her. The girl frowns, "What are you doing?"

"Walking you."

"I just said you didn't have to."

"Since when have I listened to you?" He jokes

Estrella rolls her eyes playfully, "Fine."

•••

As Estrella's house came into view, she became increasingly anxious. She hadn't seen her mom in about two months and as much as she didn't want to be on the island, she was hoping her mother had a change of heart. Estrella's brows furrow as she steps onto her lawn. She notices a sign sitting on the patio that had never been there before. As she steps onto the patio, JJ stood by the steps.

JJ tilts his head as she turns back to him, "What?"

"She's selling the house." She says walking down to him with the sign. Estrella holds the sign out to him that read For Sale. Estrella passes the sign to him before rushing around the house. JJ drops the sign on the steps and follows her.

Estrella feels a bit of relief as her shack stood in the backyard. She approaches the door and upon noticing it was locked, she walks around the back and grabs the extra key she had taped under the window. She walks back around and gets the door open. An audible sigh is heard when she finds everything is still where she had it.

"Everything still here?" JJ asks

"I think so." She mutters. Estrella walks around looking at everything and confirmed everything was still there. Her steps slow as she comes up on an old painting she had. It was supposed to be for her mother a few years ago for her birthday, but she had somehow messed up and ultimately had to make a new one.

As she stood there, she hadn't noticed she had started crying until JJ placed his hand on her arm. Estrella looks up toward him, "She's actually leaving me."

JJ's brows crease as she lets out a sob. He wraps his arms around her shoulders pulling her into his chest, "It's okay."

"It's like she's trying to just forget about me. Like she doesn't even care that I was gone." She cries

JJ lets out a small sigh as he places his chin on the top of her head. He can feel his heart ache as she sniffles. JJ didn't know if he could ever take seeing Estrella like this.

"You know what?" He says pulling away slightly. He places his hands on her cheeks and lifts her head up, "It's her loss, alright? You are the most special person I have ever met and if she can't see that, she's blind."

Estrella looks down and JJ could tell his words had went in one ear and out the other. He lifts her head up again, "Remember when you told me that whatever happens we'll make it through together?"

Estrella nods with a sniffle. JJ nods, "Yeah? And I don't know about you, but I meant it. I can guarantee that when I make it to my house, there's not gonna be anything there for me and I'm gonna need you."

Estrella's eyes finally focus on JJ's. His eyes holding nothing but sincerity. Estrella sniffles again before bringing her hand up to her cheek to wipe under her eye. JJ's thumb rubs under the other as she takes a deep breath, "Okay."

"Okay?" JJ repeats, "If it's true and she's selling the house, you should probably get your stuff and head to Heyward's."

"Where are you going?" She mutters

"Gonna go check out what's left of my house." He says

"By yourself?"

"Yeah." He smiles, "I'll be alright."

"I don't want you to go by yourself." She says, "You didn't let me go by myself."

"Star-"

"I'll grab my stuff and go with you." She says

JJ didn't have much of a chance against her. Especially when she stared back up at him with her soft, brown eyes. JJ already knew he caved.

"Okay."

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JJ approaches his house with Estrella at his side. His eyes widen and his steps quicken noticing yellow tape on the door. Estrella follows behind him reading the eviction notice taped to the door as well. She can feel her heart drop as JJ leaned his hands up against the door.

He walks around her reaching into the open window and wiping the cans sitting on the table. He crawls in and turns holding his hands out to her. She climbs with her bag on her shoulder and holds onto JJ's arm until she's standing.

JJ looks around the house. His emotions swarming as he takes everything in. He grabs a can of beer sitting on the counter and opens it before plopping down on his couch. The room is silent as JJ sips from the can.

Estrella cautiously approaches him before taking a seat next to him. She looks over at him, but he keeps his eyes on the table in front of him. She lets out a small sigh before leaning her head on his shoulder.

She feels his shoulder relax as he lets out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. As much as he hated her seeing his life, he was glad he let her convince him to stay with him.

•••

"They were on the container ship with us, okay?" Pope explains, "They got stranded on the island with us. They've both saved my life, and we can help them now. Please."

Mr. and Mrs. Heyward eyed the two girls in front of them. Charlotte looked to Mrs. Heyward who smiled warmly at her. Charlotte smiles back as Cleo holds her hand out to Mr. Heyward.

The man looks down at it before taking it in his own and shaking her hand. Pope sighs with a smile as Charlotte shakes Mr. Heyward's hand as well.

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