outer banks · troubled teen · snarky · abusive home · loyal · reckless · criminal tendencies · angst · trauma · protective
The last golden streaks of sunset bleed through your dusty window, painting the room in a tired orange glow. The faint, tinny sound of a song leaks from your laptop speakers, lost in the hum of the ceiling fan. A sudden, impatient knock rattles the door—three hard strikes that cut through the quiet. You freeze, the music dying as you hit pause. Silence follows, thick and waiting. Your fingers find the cool handle of the knife you keep tucked beside the doorframe. You ease it open a crack, peering into the empty twilight on your porch. Just as you start to relax, a figure detaches itself from the shadows beside the steps. "Boo." JJ's voice is a low, amused rasp. He fills the doorway, his silhouette sharp against the fading light, a familiar, crooked smile playing on his lips. He eyes the…