ONE month.

That's what the white tally marks on the cave wall say.

 Eden Bexley has been living on an island—Poguelandia, as JJ had nicknamed it—for a full month. 

Growing up in the OBX, Eden was used to some of the conditions that she was forced to live with on Poguelandia. The natural heat and ungodly humidity was survivable—she'd lived enough summers to get used to that. Eating fish, while not her forte, wasn't the worst thing she could be eating. Living with her friends wasn't anything odd. 

But it had been a month and Eden was getting a little tired of the island life.

She wanted to take a hot shower. Shave her legs. Put on deodorant, and sleep in a bed or a couch; anything other than grainy sand. She missed her Coconut Redbulls and Spotify and her Airpods. She even misses pads and tampons—if anyone wants to know to survive your period on a deserted island, Eden can show you how she converted leaves into makeshift pads. 

Now, John B. had been right when he said that even if they were stuck on an island, they still had each other and that was what really mattered. Eden loved getting to truly live with her friends—she'd been 'living' at the Chateau since forever, but even then she still had to leave the group every few days to go home. Now the Pogues were her home. 

The group had fallen into different roles to help the group thrive on the island. 

John B. had collected firewood every day to set up bonfires, Sarah weaved out of coconut leaves to create makeshift blankets to lay on, Cleo had helped them figure out what was edible and what wasn't, Pope had been exploring the island to see what they had, JJ had been catching fish and—recently—making a Poguelandia flag as he'd promised, and Kiara had been helping along in any way she could, making weapons or weaving.

Eden? She'd spent her island time collecting coconuts and berries, as well as somehow making bracelets out of leaves, shells, and the rope Pope had managed to find. 

Everyone did the most that they could and that was enough. For having little resources, the Pogues had managed to create a decent life on a deserted island—and for some....a better life than they ever had on the OBX.

 Everyone had food in their stomachs, a place to sleep. No one was worrying about the next bill they had to pay with money they didn't have—they hadn't died of heat stroke or starvation and dehydration, which the Bexley knows is good.

But, despite how decent their life on Poguelandia is, Eden isn't sure how much longer she can eat coconuts and sit around a fire singing Kumbaya acting like this isn't their rock bottom.

Poguelandia was fun and games at times, sure. But realistically, how long could they really spend deserted on an island? How long until they get a horrible sunburn or heat stroke? How long until they become dehydrated or run out of coconuts—Eden isn't sure they'd ever run out of coconuts because God she's seen too many of them this past month. 

How long until shit went wrong because how were seven teens stuck on an island supposed to work out in the long run? How were they supposed to survive for another month? Five? A year? 

Eden doesn't want to know. 

"Would you look at that...."

Currently, Eden Bexley is walking back to the cave they'd found a few hours after landing on Poguelandia. It gave a decent amount of space and shade, and the group had marked it as their spot, sleeping and setting up all they could find within the cave.

"You have got to be more specific than just 'that', John B." Eden doesn't spare a glance at the brunette boy beside her, waiting for him to explain what she was supposed to look at—if she stumbled and dropped the coconuts she was holding over something stupid, she would kill him. 

For being stuck together, the Pogues actually got shit done. They'd spend the nights together, laughing around a bonfire, and spend a few moments together in the mornings to chat but then everyone was off with a partner or by themselves to get the days work over with—weaving, collecting berries, coconuts, and driftwood, trying to catch fish. 

Every morning for the past month, John B. and Eden had gone out collecting driftwood and coconuts for the rest of the group. The Routledge boy hunted the forest and the shore for stranded pieces to use for their nightly bonfires, and the Bexley held on to the coconuts they passed along the way—she was sick of coconuts, but they were food. 

"Look—" John B. nods towards a tree above, unable to point due to the driftwood in his grasp. "JJ actually got his ass to work and made the flag."

Eden squints against the sun, but waving high in the sky was the Poguelandia flag that JJ had declared he would make when they originally got to the island—indeed showcasing a chicken with Crocs, in a coconut bra, smoking a J with a bracelet around it's ankle, per Eden's request. 

"Only a month late." Eden hums, adjusting the coconuts she was supporting. While late, the Bexley can admit that JJ did put effort into the final result—she'd woken up to see him hunched over near the shore, sketching out every detail of the flag just as he wanted. It looked good. 

John B. spares the new flag a final glance before continuing towards the cave, "I didn't know JJ could draw."

"Have you seen the doodles on his homework." Eden voices, thinking back to the many different pencil-sketched doodles she'd seen when checking over his school assignments. "Then again, you literally don't pay attention to art whatsoever."

John B. furrows his brows, "I do."

Eden deadpans, "You can barely draw a stick figure."

"I can draw a stick figure—"

"No, you can't." Another voice enters the conversation from the cave—Sarah Cameron.  

Eden looks forward, smiling at the blonde haired girl. Sarah was sitting in the sand, an array of leaves laid out in front of her as her fingers diligently worked to weave everything together. Her skin was tanned from the never-ending sun exposure, and her golden locks had been highlighted—somehow, she looked just as good now as she did living her Kook live in the OBX.

Eden had tanned too—the sun seemed to have treated everyone well except for John B., who'd ended up slightly burnt by the end of the first week—but, her hair was dry and knotty in spots, due for a trim; her body felt as if it had sand in every crevice; she had more hair on her legs than she appreciated. She wasn't feeling good about her appearance in the slightest. 

"Staying on an island with you two is hell." John B. throws the wood he'd collected into the pile they'd created throughout the month. 

Eden looks at the Routledge, a smirk on her face. "You said the exact same thing when Cleo sided with my ass instead of yours. Make up your mind on who's a worse duo." 

"You and Cleo are scary together, you and Sarah are just mean." 

Eden shrugs, dropping the coconuts she'd hauled into the same pile as the sticks. It was filled with plenty of the seed already, yet the Bexley always restocked it the next day—not only was it habit to always have to restock John B.'s food, but she happened to enjoy being paired off with the Routledge, earning a solid chunk of time with just her best friend instead of with the entire group. 

"J and Kie still gone?" Eden looks around the cave, noticing that Sarah and her weaved leaves were the only inhabitants. Pope and Cleo had headed away from the main cave earlier that morning in search of berries and simply exploring the other side of the island. The other two teens, however, should still be around. 

Sarah nods, "I think they're making spears to fish with."

"Hm—"

"Eden! Eden—hey, Ed'!" 

Eden recognizes the voice of JJ Maybank and whips around to face him. Shirtless, the blonde boy runs up the sandy ground towards her, holding a spear in his grasp. Kiara is behind him, trying to match his pace.

"Yes, J?" Eden hums, the two teens coming to a halt within the cave.

"Come fish with me." JJ holds up the spear in his hand, an almost pleading expression on his face. "Kie's too pussy to do it."

Kiara offers out her spear, explaining, "I can't stab an animal like that. It's....barbaric."

"I physically can't eat another coconut." Eden grabs the spear from the Carrera's grasp. She didn't care too much about killing the fish—it was a dinner other than berries and coconuts. "I'll do it for you, Kie."

John B. sends her a look, "Your Redbulls are coconut flavored. How are you tired of coconuts."  

"Artificial flavoring exists, dumbass." the Bexley retorts, smirking as the Routledge boy raised his middle finger in the air. Tightening her grip on the staff, Eden starts walking forward, "Let's go catch some dinner, J."

JJ's smile brightens at her confidence. Turning to Kiara, he gestures at the Bexley, "Now that is the attitude I'm looking for, Kie." 

Kiara repeats her former statement. "Ya'll are barbaric." 

"Go eat your berries." Eden replies. 

If the island brought out anything in the Bexley, it was her urge to reply sarcastically to everything—she's sure she's annoyed the entire group with it but, honestly, who wasn't annoying when stuck on an island? 

The Bexley and Maybank tread through the sand towards the waters. The sun beats down, reflecting upon the crashing waves and absorbing into the teens tanned skin. The sand is hot underneath her feet, but she'd stopped caring about that their first week—everyone had discarded their shoes and socks, and she'd rather have burnt feet than have to sit in socks on a beach. 

It doesn't take long for the two teens to reach the wet sand leading into the water. Eden tightens her grip on her spear, looking out into the ocean—for the past month, all she'd known was the waves. 

"You know what you're doing?" JJ asks, glancing at the girl as they step into the ocean. The water laps against their ankles.

Eden hasn't fished in this form before, nor has she practiced with JJ the way Kiara had but.....sure she did. "I think so."

As long as she kept her eyes alert to her shadow and her aim right, it couldn't be that hard.

"Alright, remember, watch your shadow." JJ instructs, pointing at the girls shadow as he spoke. "Alright? They see that, they're gone."

"Watch my shadow." Eden mutters under her breath, "Got it." 

JJ bends forward, holding out his spear, "Alright, here we go."

Eden starts to lightly tread through the water, eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Her hands clench around the spear, eager to catch dinner. Her and JJ stand in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the crashing waves upon the shore as they search.

Suddenly, the blonde starts to stammer, "Hey! Hey—hey, Eden." His eyes are trained on a certain creature swimming about the water near them, "Ed'—Eden, that's a Skate. It's a Skate right there. You see him?" 

Eden perks up at the mention of the Skate, and she glances at the boy, meeting his gaze at the animal swimming near them. "Shit, yeah." 

JJ points a finger at it,  "He's coming over to you—that's all you, Eden."

Eden watches as the fish swims in her direction rather than the more trained boy's, fingers twisting around the spear even tighter as she tried to anticipate when to strike the animal. "Shit, shit—that is me." 

"Eden, this is it—this is the time." the Maybank cautiously glances at her, the Skate swimming close enough to wear the Bexley had a good chance of striking it. "Eden—"

"I heard you, J." Eden snaps, raising her spear in the air. With a light grunt, she brings the weapon down into the water where she last saw the Skate, hoping that she managed to hit the animal. 

Raising her spear slightly out of the water, the Bexley can't help but guffaw as she looks at the Skate pierced at the end of it. "Oh, shit!"

JJ laughs, bright smile appearing on his face as he looks at the Skate twitching at the end of Eden's spear. Fuck coconuts—they had a dinner now. "You did it! We're having Skate tonight—that is what I'm talking about!" 

"Fuck the coconuts!" Eden exclaims, a genuine smile appearing on her face. 

JJ drops his spear into the water, wrapping his arms around her without hesitation as he repeats her words. "Fuck the coconuts! Full Pogue!"

Eden doesn't avoid the embrace, wrapping her arms around the blonde for a split second before pulling away. "John B. isn't gonna believe I actually caught a fish." 

"He better because that is food in our bellies right there." JJ takes her spear, holding it up.

Eden let's out another laugh. 

The Pogues sit in a circle as they play truth or dare.

A familiar game to most teenagers, played at parties with drinks of all kinds in hand. However, on  Poguelandia, the seven teenagers passed around a weaved hat around the group instead of cans of beer.

On the island, there weren't many ways to pass time other than hunting for food and resources or annoying the shit out of one another—there was no music or bracelet kits, no television or device, nothing the Pogues were normally used too;  there wasn't even a joint or a few beers to numb their minds and make things fun.

The only thing the group of friends had for entertainment was each other. 

Though it grew repetitive day after day, Eden couldn't lie and say she had better things to do than sit in a circle and play truth or dare with her friends because she really didn't. 

So, each day, Eden returned to the circle and joined the game, regardless of how many times they had played on the island.  

"Okay, John B., your turn." Sarah sits on a wood stump in the middle of the circle, leaf-woven hat sitting atop her head. She narrows her eyes at her boyfriend. "Truth or dare?"

"Alright, alright," John B. stands up, arms outstretched, "Truth."

Sarah pulls the hat off her head. "Truth?"

"Truth!"

Cleo muses, "This is exciting."

Today's game had mostly consisted of truths, which left for a boring game—it was truth or dare, after all. 

The Cameron throws the hat at the Routledge, the boy setting it atop his messy brunette locks.  "If you could do it all again...." Sarah trails off,  "....what would you do different?"

Despite it being John B.'s question, the entire group ponders upon Sarah's words.

Eden doesn't know how she wants to answer the question because if she's honest....there's a lot she could have done differently—a lot they all could have done differently. Things that if done differently, maybe they could have been in a different, a better, position than stranded on an island.  

The rest of the group seems to know that and instead all voice simpler answers. 

JJ glances over his shoulder—his back was turned to the group—and he voices first, "Uh, get the gold out before Ward did." 

Pope offers, "Maybe hide the cross a bit better."

"You were sorta dying." Eden retorts, glancing at the Heyward.

Kiara shrugged, "Not yell murderer at Ward, maybe." 

Eden recalls the night where they watched Ward and Gavin in the rain, the Carrera girl blowing their cover with her exclaim—which ultimately led to Pope's shit camera breaking, and no evidence for Shoupe; definitely a good answer. 

"Maybe just snatch up my bracelet kit before having my mom drug me onto the ship." the Bexley states, before shrugging. "I don't know guys, we've made quite a few shit decisions, there is a lot to choose from." 

Pope points a finger at the Bexley, "That is very true." 

After listening to everyone else's reply, John B. finally adds his answer to the question. "Uh, steal a couple of bottles of rum before we jumped off the boat?"

JJ quickly whips his head around to look at his best friend with an unimpressed expression, "Yeah, why didn't you do that, actually?"

Eden sighs, thinking about how nice it would be if she could have a sip of anything that could take the edge off, "Yeah, I think I'm going through withdrawal here, John B." 

"I don't know," John B. rolls his eyes, "Maybe 'cause I was in a fight to the death?"

"I would look both ways before crossing the street." Cleo sends an accusatory look towards the Routledge. Eden recalls the story of how John B. hit the girl with a car while running from cops in the Bahamas.

"Yeah, my bad." John B. purses his lips, "My bad."

The group lets out a light chuckle and Cleo urges the game to continue, "Your turn, chief."

John B. scans around the group until he lands on the girl beside him, lips upturning as he pulled the hat off of his head. "Eden." 

"John B." the Bexley hums in the same tone, sending him a knowing look.

The Routledge places the hat upon her head, tilting it downward so it falls over her face. "Truth or dare, your majesty?"

Eden rolls her eyes under the hat, pushing it up against her hair. "Truth."

JJ looks over his shoulder, teasing. "Boring."

"I caught that Skate for you guys, okay?" the Bexley retorts before ushering her best friend to ask her a question, "Continue, John."

John B. pauses a moment, thinking of a question, before returning with, "What is the one thing you miss most about home?" 

Eden purses her lips, thinking of an answer. There were plenty of things she missed about the OBX—she missed everything that had to do with being a normal teenager. She missed showering, drinking, Ricky's weed, her bracelet kit, music, air conditioning, her regular snacks and meals, changing clothes. Everything. 

However, there was also her father. 

Eden isn't sure whether she actually misses him, or misses him because of the guilt she feels deep down over the situation. Tom had wanted to see her and Eden had told him she wouldn't do it because of Isla.

 Now she isn't sure if he'll see her ever again.....or if he even thinks she's still alive.

"I could pick something funnier but, uh, probably my Dad." Eden replies, messing around with one of her bracelets. "I dunno. He wanted to see me again and now he probably thinks I'm dead. I guess I feel shitty about that."

Kiara frowns lightly, similar thoughts moving to the front of her head. She hadn't been on the best of terms with her parents when she left and now they probably thought she was dead, too.  

John B. gives a curt nod before dryly commenting, "Way to bring the mood down, Eden."

"You asked the question." the Bexley shrugs, "I gave the honest answer." 

Cleo glances at the Routledge, "She got you there."

The Routledge gestures towards the circle, "Continue the game."

"Hm," Eden looks around at each of the Pogues before settling in on the Carrera sitting across from her. "Kie. Truth or dare?" 

The Bexley stands up and moves towards the girl, settling the hat atop her messy curls. Kiara gives a light eye roll before answering, "Truth."

"Speaking of missing things from home," A question pops into Eden's head, and she moves back to her spot in the sand beside John B. "If you could go back home to your house on Figure Eight with your parents right now....would you?"

"Mmm." Sarah hums, the question rather good in her eyes.

Kiara stifles a smile, closing her eyes. JJ looks over his shoulder, almost anticipating her answer. "No chance."

A grin breaks on Sarah's face and she points at Kie, "Seconded."

Eden can't help but smile. "Thirded? Is that even a word?" 

John B. nods, "No chance."

"Hear! Hear!" JJ holds up the coconut he'd cracked earlier, sipping on it the entire game. "To no chance!"

Kiara adds, "The showers tempting, though."

John B. couldn't help but agree, "Ooh, I could use a fat shower right now." 

"My legs are actually begging to be shaved." Eden admits, glancing down at her bare legs—she had managed to rip her jeans into ratty shorts, displaying her legs so she didn't overheat as easily. 

Sarah points at the Bexley, "That is so real." 

"Taking you and Kie on a spa day with me when we're home." Eden declares, watching as the Cameron gave an appreciative smile.

Kiara also smiles before continuing the game. She throws the hat across from her.  "JJ, truth or dare?"

"I mean...." JJ grabs the hat from the sand, lazily setting it on his head. "Do you even need to ask?" 

Based on every other game of truth or dare that they had played, as well as knowing who JJ Maybank was, the Pogues already knew his answer. Without hesitation, JJ always chose dare. 

Kiara lightly smirked, an idea creeping into her mind. Her gaze creeps up to the tall cliff that stood upon the island, it's rocky foundation standing not too far from their cave. JJ's eyes follow hers. "Big jump. Nobody's done it yet." She points Cleo's knife at the blonde, "Dare." 

JJ didn't need any convincing, and quickly discarded his coconut. He began to tread towards the cliff, eager to feel the thrill of adrenaline through his veins and accept the challenge given by the Carrera.

The rest of the Pogues stand outside the cave, watching as the Maybank made his way to the top of the cliff.

After a few minutes of waiting, tufts of blonde hair and a bare chest were spotted atop the mount. John B. was quick to announce, "There he is, there he is."

"There he goes..." Pope trails off. The Maybank steps closer to the edge, assessing the terrain below. Everyone cupped their hands around their mouths to cheer for their friend, the Heyward adding, "Send it!"

"He's not gonna do it!" Cleo exclaims,  clapping her hands together. "He's not gonna do it!"

JJ gestures to the waters below, shouting back, "Oh, I won't, huh?!" 

"Are we thinking of the same JJ Maybank, Cleo?" the Bexley looks at the curly haired girl, amused. 

John B. chuckles in disbelief, "No way. Oh my God—"

Kiara crosses her arms, "He's gonna do it." 

"He's gonna do it." Pope agrees, "It's highly dangerous, uh, zero reward? Yeah, he's doing it." 

Eden offers with a smirk, "Genuinely stupid and could get him hurt? Fuck yeah, he's doing it." 

JJ let's out a whoop! of his own, and the rest of the Pogues partake in the same. Hands over their mouths, their cheers blend in with the crashing of the waves as the Maybank boy steps back, preparing to run up and jump.

A split second later, the Pogues all watched as JJ Maybank pitched himself right off the cliff, flipping midair as he plummeted towards the bottom.

His body hit the water with a splash, and Eden couldn't help but cheer, bright smile on her face as her friends joined in. The group started sprinting towards the water to meet the Maybank, blonde boy resurfacing.

Ankle deep, John B. and Pope discarded their shirts and ran towards JJ. Pope tackles him with a hug, John B. almost pushing him back into the water with the addition of his arms. The girls all joined soon after, exclaiming and cheering the Maybank.

Walking back towards the cave, laughter is all that's heard.

"I actually thought I was gonna die!" JJ admits, unable to wipe the grin from his face. He breaks away from his hug with Cleo as he repeats, "I'll be honest!"

Pope whips back around, "You looked like you were gonna die! I thought you were gonna die!" 

Eden looks between her friends, still smiling. This was the life, wasn't it? Laughing with her friends day in and out, doing stupid shit because they could. Making the worst case scenario the best reality they could. 

She could miss the OBX all she wanted, but honestly, she wouldn't trade this for it. Poguelandia was a pain in her ass, but it was also the Pogues living out their life—no gold, no shitty parents, no shame.

Just a bunch of friends being friends.

Maybe island life wasn't that bad. 

mara's misc!

FIRST CHAPTER OF S3 THIS FEELS HELLA WRONG.

it took me so long to find the motivation to write for s3, like when i say i hate this season i couldn't be more fr. BUT i do love eden bexley so i have to push through and do it for her (and for kensie, of course)

i really wish there was more on poguelandia. like all we got was couple bonding time (no guys jjeden is NOT happening, i just needed her to do shit). it was a cool idea and then it was like they forgot they ended s2 that way and just had to show "oh yeah they were here, here's a few minutes" and then moved on.

speaking of pogulandia sorry but my ass would want to be home. idc. wdym no shaving, showering, deodorant, or new clothes??? wdym no hygiene??? i know REAL well they smell nasty asf

also yes ik eden getting her period on an island probably isn't possible with everything playing into her hormones but we all know it happened to eden with her luck

moving on to different topics, playing mastermind is my new hyperfixation. i started like a week ago for the dublin shows and i'm hooked. it's so fun and stressful to guess taylor's outfits and i get way too angry about a literal guessing game but i love it too much. my high score is currently 118 for dublin n3 bc i got surprise songs right. 

anywho, happy birthday to speak now tv. that was my first new album/rerecording as a swiftie and it was one of my favorite nights ever to listen and have fun with my friends. forever & always a speak now girlie <3

hope you enjoyed! see you back with chapter 64!! (s3 plot here we go...)