「 RICOCHET 」JM ³

021 can't argue with science

"I have no idea what that means and I don't wanna know," JJ interrupted before turning back to the group. "Look, Sarah, you already got him whipped anyway, alright? So, why don't you just take one for the team?"

"What would John B say!?" Sarah threw her arms up in exasperation.

"I think John B will completely understand," Pope vouched. "Think about the circumstances. It's about treasure."

Bianca scoffed in amusement. The entire scene reminded her of when Pope, JJ, and Kiara practically blackmailed her to get inside the storm drain.

"We can handle John B," Kiara reassured. "Just talk to him."

Sarah's frown deepened by the second. She glanced between each of the Pogues who wore expectant looks. Finally, her eyes landed on her best friend.

Bianca gave her a small smile, "I find it's usually easier not to fight it," She pulled the hair tie off her wrist and slid it across the table. "Do it for the plot, S."

Sarah glared at the girl before snatching the hair tie in front of her. The chair she sat on screeched against the floor as she pushed it out and stormed over to Topper while the Pogues cheered silently.

Sarah eventually managed to get the boy alone near the front of the ship. The two leaned against the railing with the setting amber sun as their backdrop. Bianca stood beside Sarah, while the Pogues hid below a short staircase leading to the lower deck.

"I just can't believe you guys are here. I saw the news. I- I texted you," Topper glanced between the two girls. "I didn't even know if you were alive. Bianca, I'm so sorry to hear they still haven't found your dad-"

"It- it's fine, Top," Bianca cut him off. She came over here as a mere courtesy considering she and Topper practically grew up together but she was quickly realising she couldn't do this, "I'm gonna give you guys a moment."

"Wait-" Sarah's eyes widened.

She tried to protest but Bianca was already walking away, sipping a Shirley Temple by the straw. Topper bought it for her, as a sort of celebration after her arrival back on the island.

"Yeah, thanks, B," Topper gave her a grateful smile. "So, Sarah, how are you? You okay?"

Bianca didn't wander far and stopped a short distance behind the boy, still within eavesdropping distance. She took another sip of her drink and waited for Sarah to respond.

"You know, Top..." The blonde trailed off, glancing out into the ocean. "Things are a little tough right now," It wasn't a total lie. She was, pretty much, homeless.

"Yeah?" Topper blinked at her. "Tough how?"

After an extended pause, Bianca glanced up at Sarah who was hesitating. She gestured for her to continue, quietly mouthing 'truck!' to remind her. Behind them, JJ was doing the same while all the Pogues waited expectantly.

"We've been... after this... family heirloom," Sarah forced out begrudgingly. Something about this didn't feel right to her, "Which is why we were gone and we ended up losing it and uh, unbelievably there might be a chance that um, we can get it back tonight. In Wilmington."

"Okay," Topper nodded intently.

"It's crazy," Sarah shrugged.

"Okay, how- how, how can I help?"

Sarah's head snapped to his, "No, I- I can't ask you to do that."

Bianca arched an eyebrow at Sarah whose eyes briefly flickered over to her and then back to Topper. She had him in the palm of her hand, she just needed to seal the deal. Bianca pointed to her own eyes and batted them exaggeratedly for her best friend to do the same.