𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐓 / / 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

CHAPTER 1

It was around noon when she woke up, the sun was trying it's best to creep through the thick wall hanging with trippy designs on that she used as a curtain. The shitty blinds simply didn't do the job, she decided one day, and so nailed the tapestry above the window. The girl loved to sleep, loved to sleep in past noon infact, and didn't need the bright North Carolina sun waking her up every morning.

The soft beat of music could be heard on the other side of the door, and she knew that Barry's friends had already started arriving. With a groan, she pushed the thin blanket off herself and dragged her feet to the bathroom. Thankfully, she had her own en-suite, meaning that she didn't have to deal with bumping into her brothers friends. Stella knew most of them well, they all looked out for 'Barry's little sister', but that didn't mean she wanted to see them first thing before she even had the chance to brush her teeth.

After hopping in the shower, she began to get herself ready for the day, throwing a black bikini on under a oversized T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. Was it her brothers? John B's? JJ's? She wasn't sure, either way it had found its way into her possession and she wasn't one to return such items. Take what you can get and give nothing back, a quote from Pirates of the Caribbean, and one she pretty much lived by.

Before unlocking her door, she slipped a pair of checkered vans on her feet and grabbed her phone, checking social media's as she blindly walked into the open plan kitchen, in desperate search for a cup of coffee.

"There she is!" She heard a voice shout. "Baby Swayer!"

Stella rolled her eyes. "How has this nickname not died out yet?"

"Because you're the baby of the family, obviously."

Turning around she came face to face with Danny, one of her brothers best friends. He was always nice to her, treat her like a little sister most of the time, punched a Kook in the face when he dared to touch her ass when they where all at a party. Yeah, Danny was cool. "Where's Barry?" She asked whilst pouring the hot liquid into a cup.

"Went to do a pick up." One of the guys on the couch answered, Jez, he was called.

"He'll be back soon," Danny said. "Wanna smoke with us for a bit?"

Stella shook her head. "No thanks, I'm gonna go hang out with my friends before Agatha hits."

"Shit, forgot about that."

"You buckling down here?" She pulled herself up onto the counter as she nursed her coffee.

"Yeah, think so." Danny shrugged. "Hopefully it'll be over quickly, but I'd hate to be stuck at home bored out my brain. We're gonna start bordering up when Barry gets back."

"Don't forget to do the main bathroom, remember last time?" She shook her head at the memory.

"Ha! Don't remind me." Danny laughed as Jez passed him a carton of cigarettes. He took one for himself before passing one to Stella. "Your bro' was so pissed with me, I had to pay for that window yahno!"

"So you should!" She picked up a lighter from the counter and lit up, the room filled with smoke quickly, even with the windows open. "You practically live here anyway Danny, should be paying rent for that pullout you sleep on."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Baby Sawyer."

Once again, she rolled her eyes at the nickname, pushing herself off the seat and finishing the remainder of her coffee. "If you guys are storm prepping here, send me a list of shit we need and I'll pick it up from the store on my way home."

"You got cash?"

"Barry gave me some last night, it's cool."

"Sweet, I'll drop you a text when he gets back."