Stella Carter was somewhat the Hannah Montana of the Outerbanks, she had the best of both worlds. Although, without the good relationships with the Kooks.
When the Summer she was promised to have a good time the whole time, became a task to survive...
chapter eight ! T.W. mentions of grooming and hints of sexual assault
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Stella walked through the woods alongside her fathers old best friend after Marco insisted they go ahead whilst he made an important phone call to Angelina.
If it was anyone else, Stella would've felt uncomfortable being around someone much older than her, and in truth, a man at that. But this was supposed to be different, this was supposed to be Peter.
"You wanna go on a different path, kid? It'll be more adventurous," Peter asked the eleven year old Stella as she immediately nodded. "But you cant tell your dad we went this way Stell otherwise we won't be able to speak again."
The child nodded with a smile, "You know you're so mature for your age, Stella," Peter said as he held out his hand for the girl to take.
"You think so?" She asked.
"I know so... do you wanna know why?"
Stella nodded.
"Because we can play wolves," He whispered, "You remember how to play wolves?"
"Pete this isn't wrong... is it?"
"No - no of course not."
The eleven year old hesitated before slowly nodding. "First take off your clothes. Stell," Peter grabbed the bottom of her shirt -
Stella's eyes shot open, her breathing heavy and her eyes glossing over in tears whilst her face was wet from the ones already shed. The girl immediately pulled away from JJ, backing herself up into the corner of the trunk until she resulted in getting out in general, grabbing her phone on the way off.
Her legs carried her anywhere, everywhere they could go to get far away from her friends. Her hands rubbing against her cheeks constantly to be rid of the tears that wouldn't stop flooding.
When far enough to make her comfortable, Stella's knees dropped to the ground as her body collapsed with it, releasing deep sobs from her chest.
All so suddenly, as a hand met her back Stella cowered down and looked up to see JJ staring at her, concern written all over his face as he immediately backed up.
"JJ?" Her voice broke, not allowing her to properly say his name whilst he studied her carefully.
"Can I?" He opened his arms slowly as Stella hesitantly began to nod, allowing him to hold her. The blond boy started to stroke her back, shushing her lowly. "What's wrong?"
"I was - I was eleven - why did I have to say yes -" Stella attempted to speak, her sobs making the simple job oh so difficult as he furrowed his brows. "He - he told me not to tell anyone and so profound I never said a word. I swore it." She ached.
"Stell -"
"- And I was his special girl but if that's what special is then I wanna be in hell, JJ." She tightened her grip around his body.
The blond boy was lost for words, an overwhelming guilt withdrawing within him as he closed his eyes and kissed her forehead.
A silence lingered over the two for what appeared to be hours as JJ held Stella, he didn't expect her to say anything and she didn't want to say anything. As she uncontrollably sobbed into his chests, JJ began to fill with guilt for every time he's ever pushed her to confess upon her problems.
He pondered if that was the reason to all of her hurt.
He pondered if that's why she always spoke bad upon herself.
He pondered just how she'd be if she never met Marco.
"JJ," She whispered as he immediately looked down to her, watching whilst she untangled herself from his hold. The two stared at one another for a little, their eyes locked on each other's and nothing else. "I don't know what to say,"
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
Stella bit down on her lip and nodded. "I haven't dreamed about it since I was fourteen," She admitted, "And I didn't tell anyone, except my parents but... please don't -"
"Stella i'm not going to tell anyone, okay?" JJ reassured her, putting his hands hesitantly on her cheeks as she stared at him. Slowly, he began to leave forward as he kissed both of her eyelids.
The girl smiled slightly, "Sometimes I think about how you're all I have." JJ told her, "But sometimes I know that's all I need."
The next morning, Stella awoke to the sound of laughter, her head against JJ's shoulder bopping up and down as she slowly rubbed her eyes. Pope must've started driving again and Stella had coke to realise she must've slept the whole morning because of her failed attempt of sleeping after her nightmare.
"Hey," JJ whispered to her, brushing her hands behind her ears, "You okay?" He asked softly.
Stella nodded, observing her surroundings before glancing up to see a large green sign displaying Charleston. "We're nearly there already?" She questioned.
"Only took us a day and a half but, we're finally here," Pope sighed with some form of happiness in his tone.
The girl's green eyes followed across the scenery and down towards the sea below them as JJ looked with her, "Wonder where John B and Sarah are right now." He said out loud.
The four sat in silence, pondering their own thoughts until the blonde girl extended her hand out towards the radio and pushed her finger along the volume button until Where'd all the time go played through the jeep.
