The Outer Banks, paradise on earth. The sort of place where you either have two jobs, or two houses. Two tribes, one island.
The younger girl survived because of her friends. For them. The first five or six months after her father disappeared were...
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For the first time in a while, Olivia Routledge had been able to sleep through the night. As the voices of her friends had faded out, she drifted into a state of bliss; sleeping for a solid 10 hours without waking due to nightmares. In the morning she had found herself tucked in her fathers bed, Kie sleeping beside her.
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The HMS Pogue cruised through the marsh leisurely, the calls of seabirds coming from above. Sat in the back next to Kie, Liv caught sight of a shiny new boat moving toward them.
"Damn," said JJ, as though he was a salesman, "That's the Malibu 24-MXZ, the world's finest wakesetter. Number one in luxury, quality, and performance. 200 K, easy."
"We picked the wrong parents." Said Pope, adjusting his hat to try and keep the sun out of his face. From behind him, Kie spoke up.
"I hate to break it to you guys, but that's Topper and his girlfriend."
The more expensive boat passed, its occupants shooting the Pogues dirty looks. "You don't have to act like you don't see us, bitch." A dirty look was shot their way by Kie. Next to her, Liv watched intently as Sarah Cameron slid her sunglasses over her eyes; Toppers hand tightening around her waist. For a moment, she felt pity for her. Even with the more expensive boat, richer boyfriend, and richer family, there was no way she was as happy and free as the Pogues.
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"All right, keep a look out. We're behind enemy lines." In desperate need of the internet, the gang found themselves at a hotel on Figure Eight.
Though it was his workplace and it was very likely to get him fired-if not arrested, JJ pulled the gun out of the glove compartment. Beside him, John B looked on in frustration. "Yo, come on, man. Just put it back."
"What?" Said the blond, as though he hadn't heard his friend. Liv rolled her eyes, already frustrated with him. "JJ."
"You can never be too careful!" He protested, not one to take no for an answer. Luckily, Pope stepped in. "Hey, I predict that bringing a weapon to a four-star hotel will likely cause more problems than they solve."
The girl nodded. "Thank you, Pope. Besides, you literally work here, JJ."
"Yeah, thanks Pope." Said the boy from the passenger seat, sarcasm evident in his voice. "Stop talking, Liv."
It wasn't unusual for the boy to take a dig at his friends expense, so Kiara and John B didn't question his words toward the girl. Pope, however, noticed a glint of annoyance in the boys eyes, and watched as the girl in the backseat deflated slightly.
Leaning over the console, Kiara hissed in the boys ear. "I swear to God, I'm gonna throw that thing in the ocean, JJ. Put it back."
They worked their way through to the kitchen, Pope acutely aware that Liv trailed a little ways behind, wanting distance between herself and the suddenly rude blond.
