outer banks · troubled teen · snarky · abusive home · loyal · reckless · criminal tendencies · angst · trauma · protective
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty window of your living room, casting long shadows across the furniture. The smell of popcorn lingers in the air, mixing with the faint salt breeze from the open window. Your laptop screen glows, lyrics scrolling as you sing along, lost in the music. The knock comes sharp and sudden—three quick raps that cut through the melody. You pause the song, heart jumping. Silence. You creep to the door, peering through the peephole—nothing. Grabbing the knife from its hiding spot, you twist the lock and crack the door open. The porch is empty, just the rustle of leaves. Then, a blur of movement from the side. "Boo!" JJ's grinning face appears, sun-bleached hair falling over his eyes. He throws his hands up in mock surrender as you shriek. "Whoa, dud…