ONLY ANGEL | JJ MAYBANK

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

•••

A fresh start. Isn't this what you wanted?

The little voice in Collins's head reminds her of her past wishes, her past hopes, her past desires. It takes her back to the days she spent walking through the school halls like a ghost in a graveyard- invisible, forgotten. Or the snickers she got from the school playground as she was excluded from the game, whispers behind her back which though they happened so long ago, has never left her mind. She can't help but think about the long nights at the kitchen table with Charlie and a messy pile of papers in front of them with texts in big bold, sometimes red, letters saying 'PAST DUE' and the two of them trying to figure out how they were going to make it through to the end of the month. Who's she kidding? They still do that.

All Collins had ever wanted was a new beginning, a new life, a fresh start. Was that so much to ask for?

The day of Sheriff Peterkin's funeral, she finds herself wanting it more than anything else in the world. That day, the Pogues were each tested to their limits beyond what they thought they were ever capable of withstanding. Not only did they have to watch the only honest woman the Kildare County Sheriff's Department has ever seen, get memorialized, but they had to watch as she was succeeded by a bunch of dirty cops who were probably taking bribe money for their inaction against Ward and Rafe Cameron.

It's the talk of the town, and of course, no conversation on the matter goes down without the mentioning of their friends John B and Sarah thrown into the mix. All kinds of gossip is spread. Everyone's debating over John B's part in the murder of Susan Peterkin, the majority deciding for themselves that he was at fault. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? The townspeople also loved crucifying John B for 'taking the easy way out' and dragging Sarah down with him in his attempt to evade the police. They really only mourn her, meanwhile John B remains to be condemned even after death.

It's enough to spoil each and every one of their moods, making their last day of summer, one that they can only hope to forget.

As if it isn't bad enough, Collins also has to spend her last day of summer at work. She'd only been lifeguarding at the hotel for a month, but Collins had felt that she'd spent plenty of time there to fulfill any desire that may have unknowingly resided in her to return. The first few weeks were an absolute terror. Kids screaming at her to let them dive in two-feet deep water and three Code Browns in the span of two days was traumatizing as is without her boss acting like a total perv whenever she was forced to endure his presence. From the very first day, Collins had already known that she would never, ever return to the job after she left to go back to school.

She had to admit though, the perks were pretty damn good. She got to work on her tan, get free Arnold Palmers from the bar, and what other job could she get that allowed her to use her break to sneak a few minutes with the cute busboy from the hotel bistro?

And trust that they took advantage of that perk as much as they could.

The back of the pool house is their usual choice of hide out. It's perfectly tucked away to the corner of the pool area so no one can see them with all the shrubbery and fencing blocking the view. There's some old beach chairs stuffed back there and the occasional deflated floaty, but no one bothers to check them out. Collins can't count how many times they've snuck away back there. She practically memorized the pattern of the bricks which make up the siding of the house— white to cream, cream to charcoal, charcoal to black, black to white, and repeat. Collins would also know, too, because she's currently pressed up against them.

JJ holds her with one hand on her waist and the other tangled in her hair, kissing her firmly on the lips while he sandwiches her between his body and the wall. The black fabric of his polo with the hotel's logo embroidered on his chest is gathered into Collins's fists as she pulls him impossibly closer to her. The space is already minimized by the fact that her clothing has been diminished to her regular red swim suit that says 'guard' across the chest, which JJ has grown to appreciate time and time again during their very many meetups.

Their lips meld together like metals and it's like they haven't seen each other in years based on how desperate it feels like they are for each other. It must just be all the emotional stress they've been under. It's made them anxious for their next moment of release when they can finally forget for even just a short time, that what's going on in their lives isn't actually going on.

Once they finally pull apart, Collins released a relaxed sigh, her mind foggy from the dream world JJ's touch seems to put her in. "This almost makes me want to stay in this Godforsaken job. Heavy on the 'almost,' though. I can't wait to leave."

JJ chuckled, leaning over her while trying not to ogle her too much despite how hard it was not to. "Come on, it can't be that bad."

Collins bit her tongue from telling JJ about the time the twelve year old boy snorkeling in the pool was actually secretly sneaking peeks at her butt, splashing her with water as his annoying little way of watching the droplets fall off her like the little skeev he was nicely growing up to be. Then when her supervisor asked her why she'd kicked the kid out, she'd told him the truth and all he had to say was, "Can you blame him? Boys will be boys."

It wasn't the first time something like that happened, and she never told JJ because she didn't want anything starting from it. It's exactly why she didn't tell Charlie about it either. You don't tell people things like that unless you want them to take action, and action was the last thing Collins needed. There was enough drama everywhere else, she didn't need it spreading to her job.

"I'll just keep counting down the minutes until it's over." She breathed, checking her watch for the hundredth time that day. Three hours left. Oh, joy.

"I know exactly what you mean." JJ murmured, impatiently waiting for his shift to end, too. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't feigning for a joint at the moment. Anything to take the edge off just a little bit. Every time he thought about school starting again, he thought about how he was going into their junior year without John B by his side. It was going to be the first first day without him since early elementary school, and JJ was struggling to accept that hard fact.

"I better get out there. If I leave the 'no swimming without lifeguard' sign up for too long, eventually someone just kicks it down and I do not want Kook kiddo drownings weighing on my conscience."

JJ gave her a chaste kiss on the lips before finally releasing her from his grasp. "I'll see you later, though, right?"

"Gotta get a good night's sleep before we enter the zoo." That was her way of saying that the next day at school, they were sure to be the spectacle of each and every class period. It was the one thing she looked forward to the least about returning. As if they didn't get stared at enough just walking through the grocery store. People were going to treat them as their very own exotic animal exhibit to gawk at for the full 8 hours in the day. What's there to not be excited for about that?

Collins left first. That's usually how their little routine went. She returned back to the pool side. There were only a handful of people around, all lying on the beach chairs and enjoying the weather while working on their tan for however much longer they could. No one was in the pool of course, though there were a couple of kids that were clearly antsy to jump in.

Flipping the 'No lifeguard on duty' sign over, she waved her hand in the air and exclaimed, "Pool's open!" The sharp sound of the whistle she blew cut through the air, and instantaneously, it was havoc.

Cannonball splashes, high pitched squeals between gap-toothed grins, the whole nine yards. For a split second, Collins enjoys her job. Hearing the glorious sound of innocent childhood fun makes her feel a sense of happiness that they could make the memories that she never had of going to the pool on a hot summer day. But that sense of joy only lasts for that split second in time, because Collins is always very quickly reminded of the reasons why she wanted to quit in the first place. The sound of laughter is replaced by ear piercing wails, the splashes in the water practically become targeted attacks almost always aimed at her, and Collins feels like her head is about to explode.

Meanwhile, in the midst of all the chaos, JJ strolled out from behind the pool house, hands shoved into his pockets while he walked nonchalantly on by. No one even really notices him come out or puts together the pieces that they were back there together just moments earlier. At least, no one's said anything about it.

Collins snuck a quick glance at him as he past her, trying to hide the bashful blush in her cheeks from behind her hand. There's a smug smirk on JJ's lips and he attempts to mask it with a sniffle of his nose. The short time that he got to spend with Collins had to be the only thing that was getting him through his day. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to do when she left.

The two of them carried on with their shift, Collins tending to the floaty wearing toddlers and JJ to the stockholders with Rolexes on their wrists. It pretty much went about how it normally does. Nothing particularly unique about how. Although, while JJ was dealing with entitled trust fund babies, Collins's name was suddenly being called over the intercom at the pool.

It was her boss. Collins considered ignoring him, figuring that they were down to her last hour of working and it wouldn't make any difference what she did. So that's what she chose to do; pretending like she didn't hear him was the option she was going with. He'd already tried convincing her to relocate to the indoor pool and she'd turned him down as kindly as she could. She wasn't going to give him another chance to try again.

"Collins." This time, his voice was right behind her. She refrained from jumping out of her seat and cringing like the sound of his voice speaking her name didn't resemble the sound of nails on a chalkboard to her ears. "Can I see you for a moment?"

"There's still patrons." Collins pointed out politely, her feeble attempt to come up with any excuse to not leave to talk with him. By then, there were only two or three ladies sunbathing. No more kids playing in the pool, deeming her pretty much useless. It was blatant that it was a weak defense and wouldn't work, but she had to try at least.

"Just put the sign up and come with me." He was persistent. The only way Collins could deal with this is if she complied.

One last time. She told herself. After that, she wouldn't ever have to see him again.

Stepping down from her chair, Collins put up the sign and followed her boss as he beckoned her to. She couldn't help the nervous knot in the pit of her stomach as they walked in the direction of the pool house. She started to fall behind in step as they moved past the doors and neared the side of the building where Collins and JJ would go to be alone. Suddenly, she didn't want to go anymore.

Realizing that she was no longer following behind him, her boss turned around and gestured for her to come closer. "Let's go, Collins."

"What do you need me to do?" She crossed her arms over her chest uncomfortably, looking around to see if anyone happened to be watching them. To anyone else, she might've looked stubborn, but Collins was getting the sense that her eyes weren't what her boss's gaze was making contact with. The area wasn't out of sight, but it was far enough from prying ears. Whatever they said wouldn't make it far enough for someone to eavesdrop. It's exactly why Collins and JJ liked that spot.

Taking a couple steps towards her, he stopped just far enough to lean in and speak at a volume that only the two of them could hear. "You think I don't know what you and the bus boy do back there?" Despite his whisper, Collins heard it like he'd screamed it at her. It was almost more terrifying than if he actually had, but only because he was so freakishly calm about it. If he knew, then why hadn't he fired her already?

"Look, I'm sorry. I'll get my stuff and I'll leave. You don't have to pay me for my shift." She moved to retreat back to the locker room where her stuff was held, but gasped as her wrist was caught and she was stopped in place.

"It's okay, Collins. I'm not angry with you." She could feel his breath on her and she didn't like it. Every time she felt like his grip had loosened enough for her to pull her wrist away, it tightened around her again. "I just was hoping to get a little goodbye from you before you leave me for the school year."

More like forever. Like hell was she coming back to work for him. "I'm sorry, I didn't even think to bring anything. I don't have anything to give to you." Why was she still apologizing? She had nothing to apologize for. Old habits really do die hard.

"That's alright." A chilling smile tugged on his lips. "You can just thank me the same way you thank your friend."

Collins stared at him in disgust. For how creepy he was, she honestly didn't think he'd ever have the balls to ask her something like that. Clearly, she was horribly wrong. Ripping her wrist out of his grasp, her lip curled into a snarl and she spat, "I'd rather clean shit out of the bottom of that disgusting pool than touch you like that."

"Who do you think you're talking to?" He shot back, his eyes narrowed at her in slits.

"Nothing." Collins said through grit teeth. "You are worse than scum. I put up with a whole month of your repulsive remarks. I'll be damned if I spend another minute here with you."

Just as she spun on her heels to leave, two hands palming her ass made her twist back and send her fist flying forwards. No judgement, no thoughts, just pure, raw, reactivity. Her knuckles made contact with his nose and immediately, a spray of blood came gushing out of his nostrils. While he stumbled back in pain, clutching his face to try and stop the bleeding, Collins watched him without an ounce of remorse. She'd torn her own skin in the process and her hand hurt like hell, but it was so worth it.

"Bitch!" He yelled at her. If they hadn't gotten the attention of everyone around them, they definitely did now. All the women could do was watch while Collins walked away and her boss remained where he was, the bottom half of his face and the collar of his shirt completely covered in blood.

"Watch your fucking kids. This place is run by a pedophile." Collins called out behind her, wasting no time while grabbing her things.

As she emerged out of the locker room, she looked around at the bystanders before her eyes landed on her pathetic boss. He was angry, but ultimately, more so that his ego had been crushed than her actual rejection of him. For her final parting gift, Collins held up one hand and flipped him off, the last message he would ever get from her.

So in actuality, she did give him a goodbye present; a bloody (possibly broken) nose and the finger. He can't say she never gave him anything now.

Once she'd made her way out to the parking lot, Collins was ready to begin her walk back home when she heard a voice yelling behind her. "Ride safe back to the cut!" She scowled, half expecting to see her boss when she turned around, only for her eyes to land on some total stranger. "That's right, JJ, get out of here!"

JJ. The sound of an engine rumbling in the air perked her up immediately, knowing that it had to be his bike. She picked up the pace to try and catch him before he could speed off.

Reaching the cul-de-sac by the entrance of the hotel, Collins spotted JJ on his bike, revving his engine with his wheels in the bed of azaleas. The movement of his wheels sent dirt flying everywhere, ruining the landscaping and making a total mess of everything. Collins covered her mouth with her hands to muffle the giggle that escaped her at the sight, but she quickly saw no reason to hide it. Clearly they were both no longer workers there anymore, so why put on a face for everyone else?

"JJ! Wait up!" She took off in a run over to him, grabbing his attention just in time.

He waited up for her long enough for her to climb up behind him, sitting snuggly on his bike with her arms wrapped around his waist. Without another moment's hesitation, JJ hit the gas and they were speeding down the pavement.

"You get fired, too?" JJ asked her, yelling over the wind and the sound of his bike.

Bringing her mouth closer to his ear so he could hear her, Collins said, "Kind of. How'd you know?"

"I didn't." JJ shrugged, keeping his eyes facing forward on traffic. A small smile tugged on his lips. "But that's my girl."

•••

The day had come. The first day of school, the start of their junior year. After the day they'd had yesterday, Collins hoped that it could've been different once they stepped onto school grounds. Perhaps they could actually have a good day, one that they didn't have to spend worrying about anyone ruining with judging eyes or whispers behind their backs.

It was a totally unrealistic expectation for her to have, but Collins could still dream.

Kie had offered to drive them all, something about sticking together through everything. Not that Collins didn't agree. They all knew that it was going to be hard. Having to deal with John B's absence, the questions about him, the rumors; it was a lot to take in for one person. They needed each other if they were going to survive it all. As the four of them filed out of the car, everything became apparent.

Eyes fell upon them all at once. They were tracking their every move. Already could they hear the talk overlap each other into one big blob of nonsense. No one knew what they were talking about, yet their mouths still moved. Collins felt like putting on her headphones and just blocking them out.

JJ quickly turned back to reach from something in the car, his hand finding the metal flask he'd left behind and taking a quick swig out of it before he went.

"JJ, take it easy, okay?" Collins touched his back, watching him wipe his mouth and swallow the alcohol down without a flinch. She could see how hard this was on him. It pained her to not only see it, but to understand it.

"If I black out, just don't remind me." He murmured, keeping his head down.

"That's not funny." Kie told him, shaking her head.

They started to walk up to the school, every step feeling heavier than the last as they trudged up the path.

It was so strange. The last time Collins had walked past Kildare County High School's student body, she'd gone undetected. No one had anything to say to her, nothing to notice about her, she'd been completely under the radar. Now, she was being watched. People were either speculating about her involvement with John B and Sarah, or wondering who she was. There was no in between. This is what you wanted. You wish to not be invisible and so the genie makes you unmissable.

Up ahead, the group came to a slow stop at first glance of something. More specifically, a memorial- even more specifically, one for John B.

It'd clearly been a collaboration amongst students—at least, the ones who cared about John B. Compared to the one they'd made their friend on a tree, it was more colorful, it had more pictures of John B and flowers on display. It was a kind gesture. Collins wasn't sure how reflective it was of the attitude of the student body but at the very least it showed that there was someone at that school that believed in John B. The thought of that was slightly comforting, it made them feel less alone in it all.

Unfortunately, there weren't enough people that had faith in John B to diminish the alienation against them all. "I feel like people are staring at us." Kie whispered, looking around and meeting gazes that were quickly averted.

"What gave them away?" Collins joked meekly, the eyes on her back burning her skull. Some people weren't as discreet about it as others.

"Guys, I can't be late." Pope said, moving to rush off to his first class. It was clear that everything was becoming to much for him. All he wanted to do was get the day over with and not deal with all this attention on him.

"Wait," Kie caught him by his hand and held him back from leaving them. "We have to stick together."

Looking at each other with soft gazes, they knew that she was right. They couldn't run away from each other. Even though things were going to be hard, they still had to rely on their friends to help them through it. Shutting each other out was never going to be the solution.

"Stick together." JJ nodded. Exchanging glances, Collins smiled softly at him, then felt his fingers intertwine with hers.

Holding JJ's hand on one side, Collins linked her arm with Kie's on the other. Ignoring the stares that followed them, they pushed on into the school to face the rest of the day.

Although, their stand in solidarity was short lived as they neared the library entrance and Collins came to a slow stop. Feeling the pull of her resistance, JJ stopped, as did the rest of the group and all of their grasps on each other fell.

"This is my stop. If you guys need me, I'll be here until fourth period." Discouraged smiles crossed each of their faces, but Collins felt like hers had a little bit more sadness in them for being the odd one out. They'd already established that they had a few classes with one another, but Collins was the only one who didn't have any with anyone. With the classes that she had through the college, remote learning had her banished to the computer lab in the library.

"Text us if you need anything." Kie told her sincerely. She looked at Pope and nodded for him to come with her as they both continued down the hallway.

That left JJ with Collins. They moved close to the wall so they were out of the way of other students, taking a few minutes to say their own farewells for the day. "Promise me you'll try today?" Collins looked at him hopefully, clutching her books against her chest with both arms. It was only slightly comical that JJ had only brought a singular binder with him to school; not even a bag to carry it in. Although, there was still that inkling of a feeling in Collins that told her that it was in a manner of giving up more so than laziness. She wanted to nip that at the bud as soon as she could.

"I can't make any promises I can't guarantee I'll be able to keep." JJ responded dully, looking around absentmindedly and staring down anyone who dared challenge him.

"Well, all I'm asking is that you try. You don't have to be okay today, but can you just put in a little bit of effort? You might as well since you're here. It's better than wasting a day."

She knew it was easier said than done. School was already a place that JJ didn't enjoy, now with everything else added on top of it, he was in his own living hell. She wished she could take the day to be with him and Kie and Pope. After spending practically everyday with them for hours upon hours at a time, going cold turkey just felt so wrong. The reality of their lives seemed to hit them all at once.

"I'll be cool if you let me skip at least two class periods." JJ negotiated. "We never learn anything on the first day anyways."

"I won't encourage it, but I wouldn't blame you for the first day. Just don't make it a habit, please." Collins looked up at him pleadingly.

For a second, they crossed a moment in time where if they weren't in school, they probably would've exchanged a kiss. Collins's eyes flickered to JJ's lips at the same time his fell to hers, neither one of them realizing it since they weren't paying attention to where their gazes lie. But they weren't alone, they were surrounded by their peers and they'd already had enough eyes on them already. There was no need to attract more.

"I guess I'll see you later then." JJ said, casting her a tight lipped smile before he slowly started to back away.

"Yeah," Collins breathed, her heart taking a shallow dive to her stomach in disappointment. It wasn't that she expected him to kiss her, but the fact that they could no longer touch or hold each other like they once could during summer vacation dampened her spirits. What was this going to do to them? Was this the beginning to the gradual fade of their summer romance? Could she really just be a fling to him?

Collins felt the knife twist and inflict even more damage to her insides as she watched JJ walk away from her. She had to remember that this was a lot for him. John B's loss was hitting harder than ever and even though she felt like having him be there for her was the best way to get her through it, that didn't exactly mean the same for him. Maybe he didn't need her for consolation. Maybe Collins was doing the opposite of what he needed, and posing as a bigger problem than a complimentary solution.

Or perhaps that was all just in her head and she was making things up out of thin air to distract herself from thinking about the death of her friends or the stares she was getting every time she so much as moved an inch. Her only priority should've been with her studies and- oh shit, she's three minutes away from being late.

Hurrying into the library, Collins made a beeline for the first open computer she saw and dropped down into the seat in front of it before typing and clicking away at the device. She had an online meeting, attending one of the chemistry classes at the community college on the mainland while still remaining in her little island high school.

She knew she shouldn't feel nervous considering the fact that she was hiding behind a screen. At least this way, no one knew who she was and so she didn't have to worry about what they were thinking of her. Collins was once again, a total stranger to everyone. That was somewhat comforting. It was familiar to her after all.

JJ was right about one thing; no one learned anything on the first day.

Collins spent the whole hour following the syllabus with her teacher whose mic kept cutting out and everyone either didn't care enough to point it out or they hadn't been paying attention to even notice it. Her next class was the same, except it was required for cameras to be on, and so the whole time in a private student chat, immature college boys kept typing vulgar words using special characters to avoid censorship to try and make someone laugh on camera. After the fourth variation of the word for male genitalia, they'd seem to run dry of creative ideas to keep themselves entertained.

Just as Collins was about to change tabs to move onto her next course, a wad of paper crinkled up into a ball landed on her keyboard. Her eyes flickered up to scan the library, searching for the perpetrator. She soon found her culprit, blatantly watching her and waiting for her to unfold the paper to reveal the note inside.

It was a girl and a boy in her grade who had thrown the ball at her. Bella and Tristan she was pretty sure their names were. Collins began uncurling the ball of paper so that she could read whatever words were written on the wrinkled sheet.

In blue ink said the words, 'Did you know John B and Sarah?" Collins looked up at them and nodded, hoping that they would just leave it at that but knowing deep down in her heart that that couldn't be all they wanted to know. Everyone had questions, everyone wanted to be in the loop.

Tristan had another piece of paper sitting in front of him that he quickly began to scribble something down on. No more than a second later, another ball was thrown at Collins.

'Are what the papers say true?"

Collins shook her head. Tristan and Bella exchanged glances with each other at her answer. By their expressions it almost looked like she had just confirmed what they already knew. It felt nice to be believed. Taking her own pen into her hand, Collins began scrawling her own message onto the paper, crinkling it back up and tossing it back to its originator.

Enclosed was a statement of her own. One that told the truth and stated that Rafe Cameron was the real criminal responsible for Sheriff Peterkin's death. If they believed what she said about John B then they might believe the rest of the 온라인카지노게임 along with it. The more people they could get to back them up, the more pressure they could put on the police to dig deeper into the Camerons. It was a shot worth taking, Collins assumed.

As they each read what Collins had wrote, they looked at each other for a brief moment before looking back at Collins. They had to believe her. Why would she make an accusation like that without any reason besides it being what actually happened? Even though she didn't exactly have any proof to back the 온라인카지노게임 up, that didn't mean she was lying about it. People have believed other rumors on less.

There was no note returned back to her this time. Only a blank stare from Bella who didn't even have to project her voice for Collins to discern that she had mouthed the words ' you're fucking crazy' to her. They both turned back to their schoolwork in front of them after that without sparing Collins a second glance. Go figure.

As she moved to redirect her focus back to her computer, accepting defeat with another blow to her ego to recover from, Collins did her best to just try and hide at her little desk so she could avoid any more distractions. Logging into her next class, the voice of her professor was just drowned out despite her headphones working perfectly fine. Her encounter with Bella and Tristan had just served as another reminder that she just needed to keep her mouth shut. No one was going to believe her no matter what she said or did. The more Collins pushed the blame onto the Camerons, the more she seemed to find herself shoved into a corner. Their town didn't want to hear what they had to say. It was just easier for John B, the troublemaker, to be at fault.

No more distractions anymore. Collins needed to go into this school year focused if she wanted to do well. Even though she had the scholarship, it wasn't as though it couldn't be taken away. If she let all this commotion around her mess with her brain, she was doomed to fail.

She sighed deeply, cradling her head in her hand and trying her best to actually listen to the voice coming through her headphones. Just as she had managed to follow along the exam expectations section of the syllabus, Collins felt someone grab her by the shoulder.

Her gasp cut through the air in the quiet library, earning her a couple of glances, not to mention the fact that JJ, Pope, and Kie were all standing over her, attracting even more attention.

"What are you guys doing here?" Collins whispered, double checking to make sure her microphone and her camera was off. The last thing she needed was for their conversation to be broadcast to her whole class. She had a feeling that whatever they were there for couldn't be small if they'd all ditched class for it.

Without even saying a word, Kie showed Collins her phone with a picture displayed on the screen. Collins's eyes landed on two familiar faces smiling back at her in an unfamiliar photo. It was John B and Sarah. They looked to be somewhere warm, tropical even, and they looked happy. Was that a new photo?

Not needing any more reason to abandon her work, Collins got up from her seat, scrambled to collect her things and click out of the computer, then hustled out of the library with the rest of her friends like the place was on fire.

As they emerged out into the hallway, Collins could finally let her emotions fly without having to contain them at library volume. "Is that real? Where did that photo come from?"

"We have no clue." Pope shrugged, dumbfounded. "We all just got it a few minutes ago."

"You wouldn't have gotten it since neither John B or Sarah would know you got a phone and know your number to add you into the chat." JJ pointed out, at the same time, making an insinuation that none of them were sure could possibly be true.

"That would be saying that it actually is coming from them to begin with." Collins said carefully, looking to each of them in apprehension. "Are we really saying that?"

They couldn't ignore the possibility that this was someone playing tricks on them. With everything going on, it wouldn't be a surprise if they were being pranked as some kind of cruel joke. But how would that explain the unfamiliar photo? There's no way anyone could've gotten it to send to them.

As the group flew through the doors, they bounded down the steps leading to the courtyard where they landed on a couple of picnic tables to deliberate at. "Is that even possible? I mean, Shoupe said that they didn't make it, he said that." Kie stated firmly, though if they thought about it literal terms, that didn't necessarily mean dead. No body, no death.

"I think we might just be overreacting." Pope tried reasoning. "We can't rule out the possibility that this is all just some cruel hoax."

"Who would want to do that?" Collins questioned with a frown. In the corner of her eye, she caught JJ clutching his chest like it hurt and he was trying to massage it away. The first time he'd done it, she hadn't paid much notice to it. The second, she'd passed it off as ordinary grief. This time, Collins was realizing there was a pattern to this behavior and she couldn't help but worry.

"I'm just gonna ask." Kie said, tapping away on her phone to send a message back to the mysterious number.

"What if it's actually him, though?" JJ asked quietly.

"Best case scenario." Collins responded. But as of then, they still had to go off what they'd been trying to come to terms with ever since that stormy night when the Phantom had turtled in choppy waters. Getting their hopes up that it was actually John B and Sarah on the other end of the conversation just felt like they would be booting themselves back to square one with their grief.

As Kie sent the text in response to the photo, the rest of them waited in anticipation for a message to come. Collins anxiously tapped her foot on the pavement, JJ paced the sidewalk, Pope had his face buried in his hands, and Kie chewed on her lip while staring at her phone.

"It's typing." She told them, just as three of their phones chimed all at once.

Peering over his shoulder, Collins read the text. 'Is JJ there?' It said. JJ quickly typed back in response, letting the anonymous sender know that he was present. Not long after, another text came through. 'Did you pimp my short board?'

They all stared at the screen for a second, small smiles on their faces as they chuckled at the message before splitting into ginormous grins. "It's him." JJ nodded, never more confident in anything before in his entire life.

Collins felt her emotions surge as she looked to the others and they all exchanged nods, knowing it was true. They were alive. John B and Sarah were actually alive somewhere, they'd made it out of the storm. She had so many questions. But for the time being, she just had to be grateful that she had a reason to ask things like that.

In a split second, Collins felt her body being pulled into a giant bear hug so powerful, her feet were swept off the ground. JJ squeezed her so tight she felt like she was about to pop, and she was totally okay with that. The whole day felt like it had been turned on it's axis and taken a complete flip in energy. What started out with feelings of dread and distress over what was to come had become the total opposite. Now they were on cloud nine. Nothing could've changed their moods like finding out their best friends were alive and well. Not many people get a second chance like that.

As they all exchanged delighted hugs, another alert rang off from their phones. "Laying super low in Nassau." Kie read. "How the hell did they get to the Bahamas?"

"You can't kill a Pogue, dude." JJ shrugged happily.

"Especially John B." Pope added.

They all looked down as another text came. 'Can you clear my name? Wanna come home.' Of course. Those were the obvious next steps to be taken. They couldn't come home until they had enough reassurance that they wouldn't be thrown into a cell the minute they stepped foot on the island.

"Hell yeah, we'll clear your name." Collins muttered, her mind already turning gears as she started thinking about how exactly they were going to do that.

"Be in touch, P4L." Those were the last words they got before he left the chat. They were still left reeling afterwards as they were left to come to terms with their new circumstances.

"P4L, baby!" JJ whooped, earning him laughs from all of them as they gathered together into one big group.

"I can't believe this." Collins admitted while Pope and Kie each threw their an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into their embrace.

"We'll get them back." Kie said firmly, no hint of wavering in her voice or uncertainty. She was confident that that's what they were going to do. It was going to be hard; without any idea as to where they were going to even begin to prove John B's innocence, they were going to need as much confidence as they could get if it could help them get anywhere.

One thing was for sure though, they were going to do it. They were going to bring justice to their little island and make Ward and Rafe pay for what they'd done. John B and Sarah could finally come home then, and the truth would come out. Until then, they could rest a little bit easier to know that their friends were out there, safe under the guise of death. No one was looking for them. Presumed death might actually have its perks, interestingly enough. 

This is what you wanted, Collins.

No one gets the people they love back after a tragedy like the one they'd believed had led to the demise of John B Routledge and Sarah Cameron. When they're gone, they're gone- no ifs, ands, or buts. People usually don't rise from the dead like they had and so it was a pure blessing that they were actually alive all this time. Collins had spent so many nights grieving the two and wishing that none of it was real. She never actually thought it would come true, but by what could only be deduced as a miracle, they were somewhere safe and they had each other.

This is what Collins had wanted. Now, it was time to get them back.