¥showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks¥
In which Jackie Routledge and her group of friends from the south side of Outer Banks try to have the summer of their lives, but end up it being filled with mystery, tragedy, risks, adventure...
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{Moving Day}
There are only three types of relationships in the animal kingdom. First, there's commensalism, like when fish find hiding spots in coral reefs. The fish benefit, but the coral doesn't change. Then, there's mutualism, where both creatures benefit from the relationship. And finally, there's parasitism, a relationship where one animal benefits at the expense of the other.
"Welcome home, kids," Ward says as he pulls the car to a stop outside the Cameron residence. My jaw drops at the sight of their massive, beautiful house. It's honestly breathtaking.
"This is your room," Sarah says, leading John B upstairs.
"Whoa," he mutters, taking in the room. I nod in agreement. "Not too shabby, huh?" Sarah teases.
"Yeah, not too shabby at all," John B replies, tossing his bag onto the bed.
"Where's my room?" I ask Sarah, and she points down the hall.
"At the end of the hall," she says, and I nod before leaving the two of them alone.
I start unpacking my bags, putting my clothes away neatly. Once I'm done, I lie on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door.
"Come in," I call, and Sarah enters.
"Hey," she says nervously, and I give her a smile.
"I just wanted to check on you and see how you're doing," she says, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I'm good, good," I reply with a smile.
"This is awkward, isn't it?" she chuckles nervously.
"Yeah," I agree.
"Look, I know we don't know each other very well, but I really like your brother," she says, smiling. "So I was hoping we could be friends. If you're up for it?"
I shrug. "Maybe. I'd like to be your friend, but..." I hesitate.
"Kie," she interrupts softly.
I nod. "She's my best friend, and I don't want to lose her."
"I get it," Sarah says, looking disappointed as she stands up to leave.
"But, I guess we could be friends... for my brother's sake," I add, and Sarah stops, turning around with a big smile.
"I'd like that," she says excitedly before leaving the room.
An hour later, John B and I meet up with the others at The Wreck to discuss the mission.
"I'm sorry. You're staying where?" Kie asks, bringing a plate of chips over to me.
"Tannyhill," John B replies.
"So, you're living with Sarah Cameron?" Kie asks, looking at my brother with a serious expression.
"Okay, look, the only reason we're living there is because her dad bailed us out. And it's way better than foster care, which is where we were headed if Ward didn't step in," my brother explains as he walks up to the table where Kie, Pope, JJ, and I are sitting.
"Hey, do you have a membership to the clubs now?" Pope asks, raising an eyebrow at John B and me.
"I don't know, Pope," I shrug, sitting on JJ's lap and resting my head on his chest as he wraps his arm around my waist.
"What about those golf carts they drive around? You get one?" JJ asks, and I laugh.
"Does it come with a sweater vest, or do you have to buy one yourself?" Pope continues, his voice teasing as JJ takes a sip from my soda. I glare at him.
"Look, you promised. You said you weren't with her," Kie argues, and I roll my eyes.
"Bro, just own it. She got you," JJ says with a grin, and John B sighs.
"Look, if you want to hang out with her, that's fine. But I'm telling you now, I'm not doing anything with Sarah," my brother states firmly.
I scoff. "Kie, don't you think you're being a little unfair to John B? And selfish?"
Everyone stares at me, surprised.
"What? Jackie, I'm your best friend!" Kie argues.
"And John B's my twin," I shrug.
"Please stop. I don't want you two fighting about this," John B says, sighing.
"Sorry," I mutter, and Kie nods.
"It's okay," she replies, and we both let out a breath.
"Got the map, right?" John B asks.
"It's out of whack because the guy was messed up when he drew it," JJ says.
"The coast has changed," Kie adds.
"So we just need to look for landmarks that haven't changed," Pope concludes.
"What about the old forts?" John B suggests, and I nod.
"Battery Jasper," Kie says, pointing at the map. We quickly get up and rush out of The Wreck to the van.
Standing on a large rock, I look out at the view in front of me.
"We're in Battery, right here," Pope says, pointing at the map. "So, if this is Parcel Nine, then it's somewhere northeast of here."
"Somewhere over there," Kie says, pointing in the direction.
"Right," Pope confirms.
"Over there? Guys, that's not Tannyhill, that's a subdivision," JJ says, wrapping his arm around my waist.
"Tannyhill Plantation was the entire island," John B explains. "It got sold off in smaller pieces over time."
"So we're just looking for an old stone wall?" Pope shrugs.
"You all coming?" John B asks, and we all nod. JJ helps me down from the rock, and we pile back into the van.
