Dear High School, F*ck Off! (OBX)

PROLOUGE

"Summer's out, high school's in."
-

"JJ! Can you move the fuck out the way?"

I looked up from my surfboard to see Pope yelling at JJ. They were currently surfing and JJ was blocking Pope's way. I rolled my eyes. Typical JJ.

"You should have gotten here faster!" JJ exclaimed, sticking his middle finger up at Pope before tripping over his board and falling into the water. "Wipeout!" I hollered when he resurfaced.

Oh, you're probably confused on what's happening. Hey! My name's John B and this is Outer Banks, where our story takes place. Wanna meet our friends? Well, come on.

Alright, you've already met me. I'm the unofficial leader of the group, if you wanna call it that. I started this group a long long time ago, when I was only five years old. And now I'm fourteen and nothing's happened to this group yet.

You already saw JJ, the dumbass on the surfboard. I met him first and he's my best friend. Always has been, since we were seven. He's the coolest guy I know, just don't tell him I said that. He's kind of reckless and likes to act first, ask questions never. We have to look out for him the most. He's like a six year old in a fourteen year old's body. But we love him all the same, I guess.

Pope was the one who he was blocking on his board. I met him after I met JJ, when we were ten years old. He's the smartest person ever. Okay, well maybe not ever, but he's the smartest person I know and that has to count for something. He's also the weirdest person I know. But I mean that with all the love possible.

And do you see that girl over there by the edge of the water, screaming at Pope and JJ to come back and put their sunscreen on? That's Kiara, the first girl we added to the group. I met her when we were in the summer before middle school and we just kind of hit it off. She's definitely the activist of the group. She's really into animal rights, specifically turtles. But don't call her a VSCO girl, she'll probably beat your ass. Kie is also the peacemaker of the group. She'll step right into the middle of a fight to stop it from happening.

Oh...and then there's the blonde girl laying there on the sand. That's Sarah Cameron. Where do I even start with her? She's the best person to ever come into my life. Words can't explain how much I care about her. I really, really like her, but it'll never work. See, she's one of the more popular girls at our school and I'm, me. I find it kind of strange that she chooses to hang out with us, but I won't question it. I like her company.

And this is us. The best friend group. Nothing had split us apart before, and nothing could split us apart now. (Or so we thought...).

Right now, we're at the beach. It's our last day of summer before we go to high school and we wanted to make something out of it. And what's better than surfing with your best friends until sundown? Exactly. Nothing.

"Kiara, we said we'll be fine! We don't need sunscreen!" JJ shouted as he tried to get closer to her so she could hear. "Besides, it's getting dark anyways, see?" He gestures towards the sun setting.

"What time is it?" Sarah asked, finally taking off her sunglasses for the first time in hours. I smiled at her and checked my watch. "Uhh, it's 6:30. Guys, should we start heading home soon? I know my dad will want me to get ready for school tomorrow." I told them.

Pope was already coming on land from the ocean and nodded at me. "Same, my parents will kill me if I come home late." JJ looked annoyed but followed him. "Well, I don't want to go to school tomorrow."

"Why not? I thought you were excited about starting high school." Kiara crossed her arms. "Yeah, I was excited to hook up with older girls," He smirked at her. "Not the actual school shit."

"Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that's not what school's about." Pope teased, making Sarah and Kiara laugh. JJ glared at him. "Whatever. You all suck. You guys just aren't scared because you're all smart and shit."

"John B is not smart." Sarah joked, and I pretended to be offended. "Ouch, that hurt Sarah." I put a hand over my heart. "She's right." Kiara shrugged and I shoved her, but not too hard that she wouldn't fall over.

"And I am kinda nervous," She added, swatting me away. "We have to go to school with people who have been there before us. We're just at the bottom of the food chain again."

"Wow, way to be optimistic." Sarah deadpanned as JJ and Pope got their boards and we started walking to the middle of the Cut. That's where we split off and went our separate ways, since our houses were all in different directions. "Just being honest." Kiara sighed. "We're going to get eaten alive." Pope groaned.

"Don't think like that!" I said. "You never know. Plus, that only happens in cliche high school movies. Good thing this isn't a cliche high school movie, right?"

Sarah, Kie and Pope exchanged looks before nodding. They still didn't look 100% but at least I helped them a little. I wasn't too worried about JJ, but still, I looked over at him to make sure he didn't seem like he was having any doubts. He had a neutral face on and that was good enough for me.

"Today was fun, guys." Kiara said as we got closer to the center of our little neighborhood. "Agreed." JJ nodded. "Are y'all two good to walk home by yourselves?" Pope asked Kiara and Sarah, just like he always did. Since Kie and Sarah actually had money, they lived in Figure 8, which was basically where all the rich people lived. It was a 15 minute walk away from the Cut, where all the "financially struggling" people lived. Aka, the broke people.

"Oh yeah, we'll be fine. Don't worry Pope, we do this all the time." Kiara reminded him when we reached the middle of the Cut. "Remember guys, we're meeting in front of the school before we walk in. Okay? Nobody forget." Sarah told us.

"Got it. Peace out y'all. See you tomorrow- if I decide to show up." JJ said and ran away before any of us could protest. "Get your ass back here! You better come tomorrow or I'm walking all the way to your house and dragging you there!" Kiara yelled after him.

Pope shook his head before waving at us. "Don't worry, I'll talk some sense into him. See you guys tomorrow."

"Bye Pope." The girls and I watched him walk away. "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?" I asked them again, even though I already knew what the answer was. "Dude, we'll be fine! I promise." Sarah grinned at me and Kiara nodded. "We're good."

"Okay. Well, the first day of our best year ever starts tomorrow. Can't wait." I smiled and they smiled too. "Yeah..." Kiara trailed off. "Goodnight, John B."

"Night Kie, night Sarah." I said as they waved goodbye and started walking in the direction of Figure 8. I watched them go for a little bit before sighing and turning the other way, making my way home.

High school, hope you're ready for us. Cause here we come.