Cassie's POV

I'm woken up to Kiara shaking me with a frustrated look on her face and I groan, slapping her hands away.

"Come on, Cassie" She huffs "Don't make me send the boys up here"

I peel open my eyes and she smiles in satisfaction.

"What do you want?" I ask her, peeling myself from Rafe's arms and slipping on my silky robe.

"It's Pogue business" My sister answers vaguely and I lift a brow.

"What's with the vagueness?" I ask in confusion and she sends a pointed look at the unconscious Kook prince in my bed.

"Ahh, I see" I reply, crossing my arms over my chest "Give me ten minutes and I'll be down"

She nods and exits the room, leaving me alone. I pull on a clean underwear set and head into my closet to find an outfit. I decide on a white top covered in small pink flowers and a blue denim skirt that I pair with white hightop converse.

After brushing my hair into a high ponytail and spraying a little perfume, I apply minimum make up and pad over to the bed. 

"Rafie?" I whisper, brushing his hair off his forehead.

"Hmm?" He hums, sleepily opening his eyes.

"I'm going out, okay?" I tell him and he nods.

"Be safe. Don't anything stupid. I love you" He mumbles and I grin, leaning down to peck his lips.

"I love you" I reply before exiting the room.

☁️☁️☁️

"Hell of a job melting it down, Dr. Frankenstein" JJ says sarcastically, hopping out the van as we reach the pawn shop.

"Like you could've done any better" Kiara scoffs.

"I could have. I took a welding class" JJ retorts.

"As if. When did you take a welding class?" I ask in disbelief and he elbows me.

I make a move to hit the boy back and John B grabs my arm, pulling me away.

"Whoa, whoa. Hey. Shh! Chill out, okay?" The Routledge boy warns us.

"That's easy for you to say. You're not the one that has to pawn this piece of shit off" JJ grumbles, holding up the chunk of gold "How did I get this job anyways?"

"Cause you're the best liar" Pope answers simply.

JJ enters the shop and we follow a little behind. The blonde heads to the desk and we all spread out, listening closely.

"Afternoon, ma'am" JJ smiles at the woman.

"Afternoon"She nods at the blonde.

"I see you buy gold" JJ then observes.

"That's what the sign say, don't it?" The woman with the name tag 'Wendy' retorts and I stifle a laugh.

"Well, I sure hope you buy a lot of it, because I'm about to blow your mind" JJ tells the woman, putting his backpack onto the counter.

"I ain't got much mind left to blow, so have at it" Wendy shrugs.

"How bout them gold apples?" JJ asks sarcastically, placing down the chunk of gold.

"That ain't real" Wendy laughs.

"That ain't real?" He repeats in disbelief.

"It can't be" The woman continues to laugh.

"Feel how heavy it is" JJ replies.

Wendy tries to swiftly pick up the gold but her face twists when she realises how heavy the gold is.

"Mmhm!" JJ hums smugly.

"Let's get some light on that" He adds.

The woman inspects the chunk of gold closely with a magnifying glass and I share a grin with Sarah.

"Spray painted tungsten" Wendy announces loudly.

"Spray painted tungsten? Really? Okay. Why don't you see how, uh, soft it is?" JJ retorts.

"You mind?" Wendy asks, bringing out a hammer.

"No, go for it" JJ assures her.

She checks how soft it is and sure enough she realises that the blonde may be telling the truth.

"Wow. Would you look at that?" JJ says sarcastically and I get the urge to slap the cocky Maybank boy.

"Hold your horses. We ain't got to the acid test yet" Wendy grumbles.

"Ooh! The acid test. My favourite" JJ chirps, looking at us all with a grin.

The woman drops a little acid on the gold and nothing happens, making JJ grin smugly at the older woman.

"Well, it ain't plated and it ain't painted" She drawls off.

"Ma'am, I'm tellin' ya, this is as real as the day is long" JJ assures her.

"It looks like somebody tried to melt it down" Wendy states.

"My mom" JJ declares with a sad look on his face "She had all this jewellery laying around the house, and she thought it was best to- to melt it down. To 'consolidate' it"

Sarah purses her lips to hold in a laugh and I turn away to hide the amused grin on my face.

"Seven pounds?" Wendy says, weighing the gold "That's a lot of earrings"

"Okay, to be honest, ma'am...it's really hard to see my mom fall apart with Alzheimer's" JJ lies through his teeth and I look at John B in confusion.

"Alzheimer's?" I mouth at the brunette who just shrugs with a grin of amusement.

"Give me a minute" Wendy says.

"Take your time, ma'am" JJ tells her as she walks off.

John B turns to talk to JJ while Kiara walks over to Sarah and I, throwing her arm around my neck.

"So, how was your date last night?" She asks me curiously and Sarah perks up excitedly.

"It was amazing" I gush happily "He laid out a blanket on the beach and we had a picnic with all my favourite snacks. We drank champagne and watched the sunset. It was so romantic"

"Awe!" Sarah coos.

"That's disgustingly sweet" Kiara comments with a smile.

"He bought me a stuffed bear and yellow roses" I grin, biting my lip.

"Your favourite" Sarah realises, aweing loudly.

"He remembered" Kiara hums, looking impressed.

"We also may have done it on the beach" I mumble sheepishly.

"Ew" They both groan in unison.

"What?" I pout.

"That's my brother" Sarah gags at the same time Kiara says "You're my sister"

"Fair enough" I shrug.

"She's coming!" I hear John B hiss and I pretend to be looking at an old clock.

"So, I, uh...I talked to my boss" Wendy declares as she walks in.

"And?" JJ asks.

"And, uh, this is what I can do" She tells him, placing a slip of paper on the counter.

"Fifty thousand?" JJ asks in disbelief "You think I walked in here not knowin the spot price? Ma'am, I know for a fact this is worth 140, at least"

"Well, sweetie, you in a pawnshop. This ain't Zurich. Do I look Swiss to you?" Wendy asks sarcastically.

"Ninety, or I walk" JJ snaps.

"Seventy. Half price and, um...I don't ask questions about where you got this" Wendy states and I turn, making eye contact with an amused looking John B.

I wink at him and he shakes his head at me.

"I'm gonna need that in large denominations, please" JJ declares and I grin widely at the girls who share my expression.

"Well, here's the snag. I don't have that much denominated, not here anyway. I can write you a cashier's check" Wendy tells us.

"Cash- No, Ma'am. I want the cold hard. That's what that sign says. Cash for gold. And that's what I expect. I'm gonna get it in cold hard" JJ rants sternly and I raise my brows at Sarah, nodding at Kiara who watches the boy closely.

Sarah and I share a knowing smirk before listening to the pawnbroker's answer.

"Well, I have to send you to the warehouse. I have the money there. Is that all right?" Wendy asks.

JJ thinks for a moment, narrowing his eyes and pursing his lips.

"Where's this warehouse?" He asks.

☁️☁️☁️

"So they keep the money out here?" Pope asks as John B drives us to the warehouse.

"That's what she said" JJ shrugs.

"Hah, that's what she said" He laughs, realising what he's just said.

"Stop" Pope snaps and I roll my eyes at the blonde's immaturity.

"I've never even heard of Resurrection Drive" Sarah states from the passenger seat, right behind me.

"That's cause you're rich" JJ says.

"You've never heard of it either" I retort.

"Thank you" Sarah says gratefully.

"There's nothing but weeds back here" Kiara complains.

"All right, just cause it's just weeds, doesn't mean it's, like..." JJ struggles to finish his sentence but a siren does that for him.

"Cops? Out here?" Kiara worries.

"That can't be good" I mumble worriedly.

"God! Are you kidding me?!" JJ yells.

"What did we do?" Sarah asks in disbelief.

"Why are we getting pulled over?" Pope asks in confusion.

"Stash that" John B snaps at JJ who is holding the gold.

"Chill, guys" Kiara says calmly.

"I hate cops" I huff in an annoyed tone.

"Did you bring the gun?" John B asks JJ in panic.

"No. Okay? Everybody told me to leave it back at the place" JJ tells him.

"Thank God" I breathe out in relief.

"Please, get everything else in your bag" She snaps at JJ.

"I am! I am, all right?" JJ retorts as he shoves his bag into the storage space under his seat.

"How much weed do you have on you, bro?" Kiara asks in disbelief.

I hear a gun cock and I slowly turn to see someone holding a shotgun to John B's head. I look closer at the guy's half covered face and a gasp leaves my lips when I realise who it is.

"Why don't I just go ahead and see them hands in the air right now?" Barry asks, his voice confirming that it's who I thought it was.

"All y'all's hands up in the air right now!" He screams and we all put our hands up.

"You, out of the car! Let's go! Hurry!" He yells at John B who slowly climbs out the van.

"Let them out!" Barry adds.

"What are you waitin on? What are you waitin on?! Let them out! All y'all! Go on!" He shouts as John B slides open the van door.

"Let's get out the car! Let's go! There you go, pretty girl" He coos as Sarah gets out " Here we go! Get out the car, let's go! Hurry up!"

"Look, we're broke-" JJ is cut off.

"Shut the hell up!" Barry yells.

"All right! Just relax!" JJ barks, walking backwards.

"Shut the hell up! Shut up!" Barry warns him.

"Chill!" JJ snaps.

"I will blow your damn head off!" Barry threatens the blonde.

I get out the van last and Barry turns to me, lowering his gun.

"Look at what we have here! It's country club's little bitch!" He laughs and I frown at him deeply.

"C'mon, you don't have to do this" I plead.

I'm abruptly grabbed by my neck and slammed against the van. The boys jump forward to help but Barry points the shot gun at them and I shoot them a glare.

"Don't fucking move!" I warn them.

"Listen to the bitch, boys" Barry laughs and I feel his grip on my neck tighten as he turns to me "I haven't seen your boy in a while, baby girl. You got him clean?" 

I nod and he tightens his grip even more, to the point I can't breathe.

"You've just lost me one of my best customers, you little whore" Barry growls out and I claw at his arm, my vision blurring as my throat burns.

"S-Stop" I choke out, tears running down my face.

He gives my neck one last tight squeeze before throwing me to the ground and I gasp in air as my knees get scraped on the ground. John B pulls me into his arms and I grab his arm, pulling my self up.

"Lay down in the ditch! On your goddamn hands and knees! Down!" Barry orders the others and we all slowly drop to the ground in a row.

"Put your face on the ground!" Barry screams in my face and we all do just that.

"Stay here just like that! Put your head down! Don't let me see you look up! All right?! That's all y'all gotta do" He demands.

I turn my head slightly to the person on my left, it happens to be Sarah and she nods at me softly with a reassuring but weak smile. I grab her hand with a broken smile and she squeezes it fearfully.

"It's a setup, guys" Kiara cries.

"That's old bat shanked us. Fuck! Goddamn it!" JJ groans, punching the ground.

"Wait. No, no, no, no. John B. No" I hear Sarah whisper in a panicked tone and I look up to see John B stand up.

"Johnathan, stop it" I croak, my voice raw and sore.

"John B. Don't be a hero, man" Pope pleads.

The brunette shushes us and I make a move to get up but my hand is squeezed tighter. Sarah sends me a pleading look and I nod, staying where I am. I watch worriedly as John B climbs into the back of Barry's car and my heart thumps against my chest.

"All right, y'all stay just like that! Unless you want your brains blown out all over this road, don't move your goddamn heads, okay?!" Barry yells at us as he makes his way to his car, where John B is currently hiding in the backseat.

He climbs into the car and I watch anxiously as John B jumps up, grabbing the gun and fighting off Barry.

"Guys, I got the gun!" John B yells, jumping out the car.

Sarah and I are the first to scramble to our feet and reach the car. Barry tries to take the gun from John B but JJ socks him in the face causing the guy to stumble back. Barry recovers and punches JJ back. Kiara throws her fist at Barry and he throws her to the ground.

"You bastard" I spit, reeling back my fist and socking him in the face.

He stumbles a little but recovers and grabs me, pushing me down next to my sister.

"Hey!" John B yells angrily and hits Barry over the head with the gun, making him crumple onto the ground.

"I got the gold!" Pope shouts as John B helps me to my feet.

Barry tries to get up but Sarah grabs the car door, hitting him with it multiple times. Kiara and Pope send kick after kick to Barry's body before I step in, kicking him against the door.

"Son of a bitch" Sarah spits as he slumps down, beaten and defeated.

I pull his mask down and glare at him angrily.

"I know this piece of shit! He's a basehead!" JJ growls.

"He's a dealer" I add, crossing my arms over my chest.

"He sells coke to my dad" JJ snaps and my glare hardens at the lowlife in front of me.

"Listen, I couldn't hurt any single one of y'all-" Barry is cut off when JJ smashes the end of the gun into his stomach.

"JJ!" Kiara shrieks.

"Dude, chill, man. Come on" Pope tells the blonde, taking the gun from him.

"Let's get out of here" He adds as JJ snatches Barry's wallet.

The blonde pulls out an ID card before throwing the wallet at the wheezing guy.

"We got one last stop" JJ states, storming towards the van.

"Hey!" John B yells.

"Let's go see where this son of a bitch lives" JJ snaps.

"Fuck" I sigh, chasing after him.

"I'm gonna remember this shit! You can't hide from me! I know exactly who y'all are! Huh?! You gonna see me again!" Barry shouts in rage as we all pile into the van. 

☁️☁️☁️

"Welcome to Crackhead Wasteland" Sarah says sarcastically.

"2/10 rating, not very appealing on the eyes" I reply with just as much sarcasm and she cracks a smile.

"I don't know about this, man" Pope worries.

The van comes to a stop and I look out the window to see Barry's worn down house.

"Dude, why are we at Barry's?" Pope asks.

"This'll only take a second" JJ says vaguely, getting out of the van.

"Where are you going?" John B huffs.

"Yo soy justicia!" JJ replies in Spanish before disappearing into Barry's home.

"Did you glean anything from that?" Pope asks us.

"You know somebody should probably-" Kiara drawls off.

"Yeah, we got it" John B sighs, nodding at me.

"Damage control is on it" I agree.

We hop out the van and head inside together after our blonde friend.

"Yeah, so what's your plan, slick?" John B asks the blonde trashing Barry's living room.

"Well, as thou hath stealeth from us, we shall stealeth from ye" JJ explains, looking under sofa cushions.

"That kind of got lost in translation" John B mumbles.

"An eye for an eye, John B" JJ snaps as if the brunette is stupid.

"Yeah, that's great, JJ. But what happens after you rob a drug dealer, huh? He knows who we are!" John B exclaims.

"I'm not scared of this guy" JJ scoffs.

"JJ, don't-" John B cuts himself off as JJ heads further into the home, ignoring him.

The brunette turns to me accusingly and I look at him in confusion.

"A little help here would be nice!" John B snaps at me.

"Ugh, fine" I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.

Before the brunette can argue with me further, JJ enters the room with an old gym bag.

"All right, took care of business" The blonde states.

"JJ, listen to me" I tell the blonde, grabbing his shirt to get him to look at me "This is reckless and stupid. You have to calm down and think this through before you make a real mess of things, okay?"

"I know exactly what I'm doing, Cassie" He spits, shrugging me off him "Don't tell me what to do"

"Hey, look at me. If you keep going down this road you're gonna end up just like your dad-" John B is cut off when JJ grabs him by his shirt and pushes him against the cupboards.

"You watch your mouth, man" JJ warns him.

"JJ!" I scold him, grabbing his arm and pulling him off the brunette.

"Aren't you tired of being messed with?" JJ asks.

"That's not the point, JJ" John B answers.

"Cause I am" JJ adds.

JJ walks away and I shake my head, patting John B's shoulder before following him outside to the others.

"All right, so we're looking at five grand each for reparations for putting us through that bullshit. Sorry about that, y'all" JJ declares to the others who are standing next to the van.

"So that's what we're doing now? We're robbing drug dealers?" Kiara snaps.

"This Barry guy's gonna find out. And he's gonna come after us" Sarah adds.

"Yes, he will. This is not the time to start wilin' out" Pope agrees with the girls.

"How'd you guys like havin' a gun pulled on you?" JJ retorts.

"Relax" John B tells the blonde.

"He had it right here on you, bro" JJ replies, poking John B's forehead.

"Look. We've gotta go get the gold, okay? Just give me that shit. We're putting it back" John B snaps, trying to take the gym bag from JJ.

The blonde slams John B against the van and my eyes widen in fright, not expecting that.

"Do you feel like a tough guy? Huh? What are you gonna do when he comes for us?" John B taunts him.

"We punch him in the throat" JJ retorts.

"Yeah, good fuckin' idea, JJ" John B scoffs.

"I'm not putting it back" JJ states, getting into the van.

Everyone stays exactly where they are and I look at the girls who give me tired looks.

"You guys getting in or what?" JJ asks.

We all stay silent and I sigh, looking down at my feet.

"What?" He snaps, getting out the van.

"We're sick of your shit" John B declares.

"Jonathan" I sigh, and he shakes his head at me.

"Oh, my shit?" JJ asks sarcastically.

"Yes" Kiara replies.

"Yeah, your shit" John B nods.

"Your pulling guns on people shit" Kiara elaborates.

"You acting like a maniac" Pope adds.

"Okay, Pope, I took the fall for you, man! Know how much money I owe because of you?!" JJ snaps.

"I'm gonna pay you back, and I didn't even ask you to do that!" Pope argues.

"I just did! Pay it back. Right here, right now, by myself" JJ tells the boy.

"You know what? That's exactly what I'm gonna do. Go off by myself" JJ sighs, walking away.

"JJ!" Pope calls out but I grab the boy's arm.

"Hey, let him calm down" I advise the Hayward boy who nods.

"Just let him go" Sarah huffs.