Cassie's POV

"All right, JJ! Pin it here!" John B hollers as we all stand on Heyward's boat.

"Roger that! X marks the spot!" JJ replies.

"All right, ladies and gentleman" John B announces, holding the drone "To going full Kook"

The Routledge boy lowers the drone into the water and Kiara starts feeding the tether into the water.

"All right, JJ, we're right over it. Ten seconds northwest!" John B explains.

"Got it! Ten seconds northwest!" JJ repeats.

I see the first red piece of tape on the tether and Kiara draws a line in chalk on the boat.

"One hundred feet!" She hollers.

Pope suddenly gasps causing John B and I to jump to his side.

"What? What, what, what, what?!" The brunette snaps.

"It's nothing" Pope replies.

"Really, Pope?" I groan.

"Sorry, I thought-" Pope is cut off.

"Don't do that to me, man! Come on, bro!" JJ shouts from the wheel.

"My bad. I just thought I saw.." He drawls off, shivering and I gulp.

"And to quote The Hobbit, 'Down, down, to Goblin Town. Down, down, you go, my lad'" Pope quotes, making me smile as my anxiety lessens.

"You are adorable" I coo and he shoots me a smile.

I pinch his cheek and make my way to sit with JJ who is intently concentrated on keeping us above the wreck.

"Four hundred feet!" Kiara shouts, marking down another tally mark on the boat.

"The tide's turning!" I say worriedly.

"Hey, JJ?!" John B speaks.

"Yup?" The blonde chirps.

"Ten seconds easy, all right? South-southeast" John B demands.

"Copy that!" JJ tells him.

"JJ, 20 seconds mid-speed, all right? South!" John B then shouts.

"Copy that! Aye, aye!" JJ shouts back.

"Keep the tether out of the prop!" He adds to Kiara.

"I'm trying!" She huffs and I rush towards her, helping her as much as I can.

"JJ, keep going!" John B barks.

"John B, is that good?" JJ asks as thunder rumbles in the distance.

"We're good!" John B answers.

"Seven hundred feet!" I shout, my anxiety clawing at me as the
storm gets worse and the current gets stronger.

The wind starts to pick up heavily and the waves slowly get larger and choppier, crashing into the boat. I let my eyes drift to the sky and flashes of lightning streak through the huge dark clouds rolling our way.

"JJ, hold it steady!" John B snaps and I get my head back in the game.

"Nine hundred feet!" I scream, as Kiara tallies the ninth line on the boat.

"JJ, we'll turtle into the storm, man" Pope speaks my worst nightmare and I clench my fists, focusing on the tether.

"920!" I declare.

"Crank it north by northwest! Ten seconds!" John B tells JJ.

"Pope, how are we doing?" He then asks Pope.

"Almost there" The boy answers.

"John B! There's too much current! We're gonna lose it!" Kiara shrieks and I grab the tether to help her hold onto it.

"Holy shit!" I gasp, yanking on the tether as hard as I can.

"South, southwest, JJ! Hard!" John B barks loudly.

"Half speed. Steady at this bearing, JJ!" He adds.

"What do you got, Pope? Come on, man. What do you see?" The brunette asks.

"Nothin. A whole lot of nothin" Pope replies in a snappy tone.

"You should be right above it, brother" John B tells him.

"Kiara! Cassie!" Pope shouts.

"960!" I exclaim.

"970!"

"980!"

"I'm at the bottom! I'm at the bottom!" Pope shrieks.

"Okay, steady here, JJ! Steady here! Quarter speed, all right?!" John B shouts.

"You should be seeing something, man" John B stresses to Pope.

"I know, I know! Wait, wait. Oh, good God" Pope gasps.

Kiara and I rush towards the screen to see and my eyes widen in disbelief.

"See anything?!" JJ asks.

"It's the Royal Merchant" John B states in awe.

Pope moves the drone around the remains of the ship and the excitement in me dies when I see there's no gold.

"It's not there. Look, just- just pull the drone up" John B sighs and I slip my hand in his, giving him a reassuring smile.

He squeezes my hand gently, giving me a weak smile and I lean my head on his shoulder.

"Look, we can do another pass. Recharge the battery. We can- we can go back down" Pope says as John B walks off to the back of the boat, letting my hand drop to my side.

"We've done it three times! There's nothing there!" JJ snaps.

"Shut up!" Kiara tells at him angrily.

"Kie" I warn her with a frown.

"What?! It's true!" JJ retorts.

"The gold could be buried! We don't know!" Kiara argues.

"If it was there, it would have been found on the metal detector, okay?!" John B barks in frustration, making us all go silent.

"Somebody beat us to it" He adds.

"Or it was never there" JJ mutters.

☁️☁️☁️

I make my way to the country club's gym with a strawberry smoothie in one hand and a mango smoothie in the other. I sip on the strawberry one and enter the gym to see Rafe, Topper and Kelce huddled in a circle.

"What are you girls gossiping about?" I ask curiously and all their heads snap to me.

Topper and Rafe's faces pale while Kelce grins happily.

"Nothing" Rafe answers a little too quickly.

"What're you doing here?" Kelce asks.

"I came to give you this" I chirp handing him the mango smoothie which makes him smile giddily.

"Heard about your boat, Top. Karma is a bitch" I coo to the blonde who frowns deeply.

"Also, I just wanted to let you know that i'd be willing to forgive and move on if you can just admit you were in the wrong" I add, glancing between Rafe and Topper as Kelce slurps on his smoothie innocently.

Rafe looks anywhere but at me and Topper cracks easily.

"I'm sorry. It was wrong, and I'm sorry" Topper blurts out and I grin in triumph.

"Apology accepted, although I'm not the one you should be apologising to" I reply sassily and he nods in understanding.

"Got anything to say, Rafe?" I ask the boy curiously.

"No" He answers and I clench my jaw angrily.

"I see how it is" I snap, turning to leave "See you later, boys"

I make it to the parking lot before my arm is grabbed and I spin around to see Rafe, making me hold in a smirk.

too easy

"What do you want?" I huff.

"I'm not sorry about what I did, but I am sorry that you had to see it. I hate you seeing me like that" He admits and I frown.

"Then why do you do it?" I ask with a sigh.

"Because I'm an asshole, and I don't know how to be anything else" He answers, looking down at his feet.

"Then let me help" I offer him, reaching out to grab his hand.

He nods softly and squeezes my hand gently. I feel tingles go up my spine and I gulp, pulling my hand out of his to shove it into the back pocket of my jean shorts. He gives me a questioning look and I paste on a big smile.

"I'll see you later, Rafe" I tell him.

"Later, Cas" He confirms.

I head back to my car and try to ignore his gaze burning the back of my head as I go.

☁️☁️☁️

"Get up! We're going to watch a movie!" My sister declares, entering the living room.

I pull my eyes away from the tv and look up at her from my place on the sofa curled up in a blanket.

"I'm already watching a movie" I argue and she glares at me.

"You have until I pick up the boys to get ready. Don't make me drag you out in your pyjamas" She warns me before skipping away.

"Bossy bitch" I grumble, dragging myself off the sofa.

I trudge up the stairs and into my room, throwing open the closet. After ten to fifteen minutes of procrastination and decision making, I find an outfit and slip it on. I'm wearing a red top with lace details and a navy blue skirt with a red floral pattern on it. 

I pair the outfit with red chucks and some jewellery. After brushing out my dark curls and applying a little makeup, I hear the front door open and I head downstairs to see JJ.

"You ready to go?" He asks.

"Sure" I chirp, walking to the door with him.

"You look cute" The blonde boy comments and I grin, pinching his cheek.

"You look cuter" I coo, making him smile as he swats my hand away.

We join Kiara and Pope in the car and head off towards the outdoor cinema that happens every summer.

"I'm so glad that they're still doing this. Keep calm. Carry on. Back to OBX life, you know? Aren't you guys glad that I made you come?" Kiara smiles.

"Ecstatic" Pope says sarcastically and I giggle making Kiara elbow me.

"My couch was pretty comfy, I'll be honest" JJ shrugs as we set up chairs.

The boys start whispering secretively and I share a look of confusion with Kiara who seems to be unaware of what the boys are talking about.

"Hey, Cassie, why don't we go get some sodas?" My sister asks me.

"Sounds like a plan" I smile in return.

She turns and I shoot both boys a confused glance but they pretend not to notice. We reach the refreshments stand and I stand next to Kiara as she speaks.

"Hey, uh...can I get two Pepsi's and a Coke, please?" She asks the man politely.

"Sure" The man replies, handing her the cans.

"Hey, girls" I hear a voice and my lips tug up into a smile.

"Rafe" I grin, turning to him.

"Hey, what's up?" He asks "How are you?"

"We're fine" Kie replies with hostility on her voice and I roll my eyes, elbowing her.

"She meant 'We're good, how are you?'" I correct my rude sibling.

"Good, good. Um... Kie?" He turns to her and she looks at him in confusion.

"Tell your boy that we know what he did" Rafe states and I furrow my brows in confusion.

"Sorry, what boy are you talking about?" Kiara asks curiously.

"Uh, he'll know" Rafe assures her.

Kiara hands the vendor the money and storms off, tugging me with her.

"Bye!" Rafe calls out.

"Douche" Kiara spits.

She hands me my can of Coke and we reach the boys.

"We just saw Rafe, and he said, and I quote, 'Tell your boy that we know what he did'. What is that?" Kiara asks them, handing them their sodas.

"Um..where is he?" JJ asks suspiciously as I sit down in my seat.

"Right there" The girl answers, turning around.

We all turn around and I spot Rafe with Topper and Kelce. All three of them staring right at us. I wave at them with a smile and they all wave back.

"Great, the whole death squad" Pope mumbles.

"Don't stare, bro" JJ snaps, turning the boy's head around to the screen.

"Just warning you, bro. If they corner me, i'm coming out swinging, okay? Slice and dicin'. I'm on edge right now" JJ states.

"Yeah, yeah" Pope agrees.

"If that doesn't work, I got this right here" He then tells Pope, picking up his backpack.

oh hell no

"Yeah, yeah. So, we just gotta stay in the group. They can't get us in the group" Pope speaks.

"Like a school of fish" JJ adds.

"Stay in the school. Can't leave the school. Stay in the school" Pope mumbles to himself.

"I'm sorry, JJ...Please tell me that you did not bring a gun here. JJ, there are kids" Kiara snaps at him angrily.

"No! Kie, I didn't bring the gun. Everything's fine, okay?" He lies.

"You're a terrible liar" I grumble and he shoots me a glare.

"Wow, thank you. That's really convincing. I love that, JJ" Kie scoffs sarcastically.

"Founding principles, you guys. No secrets amongst Pogues. What is Rafe talking about?" She states sternly and I give them the same scolding look.

"C'mon, dumb and dumber, spit it out" I huff.

"Guys, it might go down tonight" Pope says vaguely.

"What does that mean? 'Might go down tonight'. What did y'all do?" Kiara shrieks.

"Deny, deny, deny" I hear JJ whisper to Pope.

I roll my eyes and turn to face the screen. While I'm watching I make a few glances at Rafe, who's eyes burn the back of my head the whole time. He winks and smiles at me, making my stomach flip and cheeks heat up.

Around half way into the movie, it's dark outside and start to feel sleepy, the movie boring me a little. JJ and Pope start whispering again and I try to listen but their voices are too quiet. Suddenly they both get up and I look at them in confusion.

"Hey, where y'all going?" Kiara whispers.

"We gotta wring it out" JJ answers.

"You gonna hold it for each other?" She ask in disgust as they walk away and I let out a quiet snort.

A few minutes go by and my stomach twists in worry.

they should be back by now

I turn around and see that Rafe, Topper and Kelce are not in their seats.

"Shit" I mutter.

"What's wrong?" Kiara asks me in concern.

"JJ and Pope have been gone too long and the boys aren't there anymore" I explain, pointing to the Kooks empty seats.

"Holy crap" She gasps, grabbing JJ's backpack.

We both make our way through the crowd of movie watchers and to the side where the boys had went. Shadows behind the screen catch my eye and I take off in a sprint, my sister following close behind. I reach the back of the screen and I see JJ being held back by Kelce so Rafe can beat him up while Pope and Topper fight.

"Let go of him, Topper! You fascist asshole!" Kiara screams, smacking Topper with the backpack.

ouch, that's gotta hurt

I immediately turn my attention to the other three and without hesitation, I grab onto Rafe's arm. He spins to me in surprise and I glare at him angrily.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I shriek.

"Not now, Cas" He mutter, brushing me off to deliver another blow to JJ's gut.

"Stop it! No more!" I yell, pushing Rafe and prying JJ out of Kelce's arms.

 JJ pulls himself off the ground and socks Kelce in the face as Rafe rips Kiara off Topper.

"Oh, let go of me, Rafe!" She screams.

"Stay out of this, Kiara!" Rafe snaps at her, throwing her to the ground.

"Kie!" I gasp, rushing to her side but she waves me off letting me know she's okay.

"Come on, man. Just admit it! Admit you did it, bitch!" Topper shouts at Pope as he strangles him.

JJ struggles to hold himself up as Rafe and Kelce lay into him once again, making me feel sick to my stomach. I storm up to them once again and grab Rafe's shoulder, spinning him to face me. He opens his mouth, probably to tell me to stay out of it, and I send my fist flying at his face. His head whips to the side on impact and JJ whistles lowly, impressed.

"What the hell, Cas?!" Rafe barks, looking at me in shock.

"I'm not gonna tell you again, Rafe! Leave him the fuck alone!" I scream in rage.

"Or what? What are you gonna do, Cas?" He taunts me and I glance at JJ who looks worse for wear as Kelce starts punching him again.

My eyes start to tear up and I step forward grabbing Rafe's face in my hands.

"Please stop" I beg, making his face soften "This isn't you"

He nods and I sigh in relief but before he can say anything, the screen goes up in flames.

"Guys! Fire!" Rafe shouts at the others and I stare at the flames in disbelief.

"Get off of him!" Kiara snaps at Topper.

"Kelce, let go of JJ!" She screams.

"Let's get out of here! Let's go!" Rafe orders his friends, shooting me one last apologetic look before running off.

"You good?" I hear Kiara ask Pope and I continue to stare at the flames, feeling sick "We're okay"

"You're a freaking idiot" I hear Pope chuckle.

"I saved your ass. Come on" Kiara replies.

"C'mon, Cassie" JJ sighs, tugging me away from the burning screen.

He throws his arm around me and I lean into him as we follow Pope and Kiara to the car.

☁️☁️☁️

"Don't let it get in your head. Three of them and two of us. That's some typical Kook shit right there" JJ tells Pope as he messes around with an orange.

Pope, JJ, Kiara and I are all currently in Heyward's, helping out since we offered to a while ago.

"Hell yeah" Kiara agrees with JJ and I sigh, continuing to stack the shelves.

"What was your thought process, using your head?" JJ asks.

"I don't know, man. I just kind of acted off instinct, all right? I was a cornered animal" Pope answers.

"Hey, Pope! Someone here to see you" Heyward states and I look up to see Deputy Shoupe.

oh that can't be good

"Evening, Officer" Pope greets him nervously.

"I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property" Shoupe declares and Pope looks at JJ in fear as my eyes widen in surprise.

no fucking way

"What?" Heyward snaps in confusion.

"Keep your hands on the counter where I can see em" Shoupe demands.

"Young lady, get out of my way" He adds, turning to Kiara.

"Whoa. Shoupe, what'd he do? Huh?" Heyward asks.

"Look at the warrant" Shoupe answers, handcuffing Pope.

"You're arresting him?" Kiara says in disbelief.

"This is ridiculous! Pope wouldn't do that!" I speak up, angry at the way the officer handles my friend.

"You're just arresting my boy?" Heyward questions the officer.

"Dude, be careful!" Kiara snaps as Shoupe yanks Pope back.

"You're gonna hurt him!" I shriek.

"Shoupe, are you listening?" Heyward barks.

"Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney-" Shoupe starts.

"How much did they pay you, man?!" JJ hollers and I push him back.

Shoupe pushes Pope to the door and we all follow, shouting in disbelief at the officer who refuses to listen to us. JJ jumps forward and Heyward holds him back as Kiara and I continue to yell at Shoupe.

"I can't believe how fucking ignorant you're acting!" I yell at the officer and Kiara tugs me back, worry on her face.

"She's right, Shoupe. My boy didn't do shit!" Heyward defends his son.

"Let him go!" Kiara snaps.

"It wasn't him! It was me!" I hear JJ scream and my eyebrows shoot up in shock as I turn to the guilty looking boy.

"Holy shit" I gasp.

"He tried to talk me out of it, but I was mad because he had just been beaten up. I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit" JJ tells Shoupe and I frown in sympathy, wrapping my arm around my distressed looking sister.

"I can't let you take the blame for somethin I did. You've got too much to lose" JJ says to Pope.

"JJ, what are you doing?" Pope asks in disbelief.

"I'm tellin the truth. For once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth. I took his old man's boat too" JJ replies, looking at Shoupe.

"What the hell?" Heyward says to the blonde.

"JJ, come on" Pope tries to argue.

"Just shut up, Pope! Just shut up!" JJ shouts at the boy.

"He's a good kid. You know where I'm from" JJ then tells Shoupe and I feel a pang of sadness struck my chest.

poor JJ

"Yeah" Shoupe says with a nod.

"This was all me" JJ nods.

"That's the whole truth?" Shoupe asks Pope.

"Whole truth, swear to God" JJ butts in.

"I know what you think, damn it, I'm asking Pope!" Shoupe snaps at JJ.

There's a short silence and I hold my breath, waiting for Pope to speak.

"Yeah, that about covers it" He sighs, nodding softly and Kiara lets out a shaky breath.

Shoupe takes the handcuffs off Pope and puts them onto JJ before pushing him towards the truck. Kiara hides her face in my chest and I hug her tightly as the cop car takes JJ away.

"Shit!" Pope barks, throwing his hat onto the floor.

"Pope? Pope!" Heyward calls on his son as he runs away.

"Everything's gonna be alright, Kie" I whisper, rubbing my sister's back as she sniffles "I got you"