COUNTRY CLUB

ONE

Throwing knives at each other would've been easier than overshadowing her existence. Dune Thornton, Tupper's secret twin. She left the Kook kingdom and got dethroned of her position for kissing JJ Maybank's scars. He kissed hers too, and glued their hands after the sun would set and dissolve into the sinful water. They'd meet an hour before the sunset and an our before the sunrise, so they could see each other's reflections and wrap their arms around one another's shadows. Both of them were scared, they were scared of everyone but each other. They were about to survive keeping everyone afraid. But it all shattered to pieces when they got caught. 

Dune got sent to a private school in New York City, and the last time she saw JJ, blood was everywhere. But his ocean blue eyes kept on glistening, like they always did. He wanted to chase her, to hold her hand and wipe away her tears. She didn't want the smell of blood following her everywhere, the last look kills most. She didn't hear anything from JJ ever since, his shadow wasn't following her anymore. Someone else was, Rafe. Rafe Cameron.

It's been two years since she left, and Rafe's gaze the moment she left haunts her every night. Coming back to the Outer Banks terrified her, those who loved her would be able to recognize her, the last thing she wanted to do was be recognized. She came back for two things, the throne and the love of her life. Eyes focused on the road, the Outer Banks never changed. It was place where everything can be stolen except for time. Time was everyone's ally, except hers. The only thing that wrecked her was seeing JJ once again, she tried everything she could in power to look unrecognizable. She dyed her hair the darkest shades of brown for her gold locks reminded her of the sun, the only thing she'd chase for the love of her life. What was the point of chasing now? Whenever she'd watch the sunset or the sunrise through her window in New York, she would fit the hidden realms of space between her hands, she wouldn't push the hand around her neck away, she'd feel her mind tighten around her skin and she wouldn't do anything about it. She pierced her nose the night before, and fought with her mother over the phone as she made coffee. As much as the city made her feel safe, she couldn't escape from danger. Safety was just a pin she left on her kitchen counter before hitting the road. It was time.

Sunsets in Outer Banks were different, watching the sun collide with the sea reminded her of how she and JJ would easily dissolve into one another, as if they always existed to be one but had to detach so they keep each other alive. Dune felt a boost of excitement hover over her, she imagined how they'd all react to her coming back. She missed Sarah and Kiara, they were inseparable. She didn't hear from them as well, especially from Kiara, it's not she expected her to reach out. Kiara has always been in love with JJ, Dune would swear it was the main reason she left the Kooks for the Pogues. But what shaped Kiara's personality couldn't meet the Kook's standards. That's why Dune initiated the Country Club, so she could change the unrealistic standards the Kooks had against the Pogues, all she did was for him. 

Rafe was the first one to secretly join the club. Because of Dune, Dune infatuated him. She made him feel adored that if distance was ever broken between them, he'd destroy everything around them, even his love for her. Rafe hated Dune's rebelliousness, he'd always dream about crowning her queen, she'd be the only one who would wrap her arms around him when Ward would make survival unbearable for him. But with people like Ward and Rafe, survival was luck. 

She made it home, the unrecognizable homeless in flesh and bone. The idea of stepping into the mansion without her parent's knowledge didn't terrified her. She didn't know how to tell them that she ran away from school and came back here, looking like someone else, to revive something that's been killed. She wanted to see Rafe, out of everyone first. The foyer was empty, she dropped her bags and left her parents a note. She's coming back for good. 

Knowing exactly where Rafe would be, she went to Barry's place. At first, flashes of the past flashed in front of her eyes, if she knew love would feel like death then hatred would've kept her alive, at least. He changed, his hair fell on his forehead, his smile never existed and he still zones out. She doubted whether to crash in and smack him across the face, or act like they've never met, but the second one hurts more than the first. Dune knocked on the door, she could see Rafe inhaling cocaine with the corner of her eyes. A heartbreaker he was, covered in envy, I would never cross the line for him. she thought, that's when Barry answered. 

"How can I help you?" asked Barry, eyeing her up and down. Her plan was working, she'd barely recognized. 

"I am looking for JJ," she bit her tongue, looking directly at Rafe. He didn't bother to look at her, he shook his head and chuckled. 

"Why would someone like JJ be here?" he stepped in, moving Barry out of the way. "I've never seen you before, are you new here?"

"You're going to be seeing me a lot, country club." said Dune, reaching for the doorknob and closing the door behind her. He doesn't recognize me, she thought. She prayed her eyes wouldn't betray her. It was harder than she thought it would be, she'd have to fight for what she lost. Leaving Barry's intoxicating territory, she found herself walking towards the dock. She missed the sunset and she missed JJ, if she had the power to run into the moonlight she wouldn't hesitate. 

Was coming back worth it? Why am I even here for? The country club was just an idea to bring him down on his knees, but apparently it turned out to be his kingdom come.