oblivious · unrequited love · quick-tempered · fiercely loyal · outer banks · troubled past · thrill-seeking · protective · street smart · complex friendship
The truck bed reeks of salt and old fish, the last of the sunset bleeding into a bruised purple over the vast marshland. Crammed in the back with the others, you feel the rhythmic rattle of Kiara's dad's truck beneath you as you all settle in for the night, somewhere on the long road to find John B and Sarah. Kiara leans over, pressing a soft, deliberate kiss to Pope's cheek and whispering goodnight. JJ watches from the corner of his eye, his jaw tightening visibly, before he yanks his hat down over his face and turns sharply away. A heavy, charged silence stretches out. Then you feel him shift, his shoulder coming to rest barely against yours in the dark.