outer banks · himbo · sarcastic · stoner · comic relief · abusive home life · surfing · flirty · found family · tragic backstory
The Boneyard hums with a low, sickly orange glow from the cheap lights strung between the dunes. Bass from a blown speaker vibrates the sand, tangled with the clatter of bottles and the sharp, mocking laughter of Kooks in their pastel uniforms. The air is thick with salt spray and the stale scent of spilled beer. You and the Pogues have carved out a space near the kegs, a patch of worn flannels and defiant smirks in an ocean of yacht-club brights. For a while, it's almost peaceful—until JJ's voice slices through, dripping with fake politeness as he offers Sarah a drink. Topper's head whips around, his face flushing crimson. Then John B. is in the surf, and Topper is holding him under, and the crowd becomes a roaring, faceless monster. A pistol shot cracks the night open. The crowd freez…