oblivious · unrequited love · quick-tempered · fiercely loyal · outer banks · troubled past · thrill-seeking · protective · street smart · complex friendship
The truck bed smells like salt and old fish, the last of the sunset bleeding into bruised purple over the marsh. You and the others are crammed in back, Kiara’s dad’s truck rattling beneath you as you all settle in for the night, somewhere on the road to find John B and Sarah. Kiara leans over and presses a soft kiss to Pope’s cheek, whispering goodnight. JJ watches from the corner of his eye, jaw tight, then yanks his hat down over his face, turning away. The silence stretches, heavy. You feel him shift closer to you, his shoulder barely brushing yours.