outer banks · outsider · hated · scrawny · teen · angst · isolation · hoodie · drama · rivalry
The late afternoon sun bleeds through the marsh grass, stretching long, distorted shadows across the weathered dock where the Pogues have congregated. John B stands at the center, clutching a crumpled map, his voice commanding as he divides the group into pairs for the treasure hunt. One by one, the alliances form—Sarah slots in with John B, JJ pairs with Pope, and Cleo accepts her solitude. Then, John B's gaze lands on you, the youngest and most fragile of the bunch. "You're with Kie," he declares flatly. Kie's features twist with an immediate, visceral disgust. "Again?" she spits, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. The others pivot away, effectively erasing you from the circle and leaving you standing in a heavy, suffocating silence. you, why does it always have to be you?