ᴀᴜɢᴜsᴛ | ᴊᴊ ᴍᴀʏʙᴀɴᴋ

Tʜᴇ Eɴᴅᴜʀᴏ

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18 months earlier

The teens managed to catch a ride back home on a boat. All of them had been silent for the most part. Each of them processing the deaths of Ward and Big John. Pope sat on the end with Cleo lying in his lap asleep. John B sat next to her with Sarah at his side. Kie laid her head on Sarah's shoulder with Charlotte doing the same with Kie. Estrella's head had fallen on JJ's shoulder although the boy seemed to be in his own world. His mind reeling with the events that had taken place.

JJ looked to his side as the girl slept on his shoulder. His eyes trailing around her face and admiring how peaceful she looked. She groans in her sleep as she moves to get comfortable. JJ lets one of his legs fall flat before lightly shaking her.

"Star?" He says softly. The girls eyes open immediately as she sits up. JJ immediately calms her, "Hey, no, it's okay. It's okay."

Estrella turns to him and JJ could've sworn his heart melted at how soft her eyes looked. He lifts his arm up, "Lay on my lap. It'll be more comfortable."

Estrella asks no questions and adjusts herself to lay in his lap. As soon as she's comfortable, her eyes shut and JJ's arm comes down and rests on her side. He begins to subconsciously rub his thumb on her side noticing how the girl lets out a deep sigh. His eyes softening as he watches her drift off again.

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"Do we think this is a good idea?" Charlotte asks

Kiara sighs as they walk up to The Wreck, "Probably not, but it's worth a shot."

As soon as they step onto the property, Mike storms out, "Hey! Hey! Stop right there! Charlotte, you are not welcome here. Where do you come off thinking you can walk up here after what you did?

"Mike." Anna says walking out, "She's home. She's safe."

"Don't come back here until she's gone."

"Guys, I'm sorry. We're glad you're back, Kie, but we need boundaries." Anna says as the two walk back toward the restaurant and Mike slams the door shut behind them.

Kie turns around and walks off of the property with Charlotte right behind her.

•••

Estrella sighs as she and JJ stand in front of her house. The For Sale sign stuck in the dirt of the front yard. The house was completely empty from what she could see in the windows. As much as she wanted to cry, she wouldn't. She had a feeling her mom would do something like this. Especially since she escaped from the wilderness camp. She turns to JJ who looks down at her.

"You okay?"

Estrella sighs, "Yeah. Everything is gone, including all of the shit I paid for in the shed. Along with some of the stuff I actually had in the house. Also the stuff I had in John B's house. But I guess I'm technically free."