¥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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{Hit Rock Bottom}
Once my brother left us, we spent an hour driving around the island, hoping to shake the cops off our tail. Luckily, we lost them halfway. By the time we reached Sarah's house, it was dark, and it was our last shot at saving John B. and staying on the island.
"You sure this is a good idea?" JJ asked as Kie stopped the car and we all piled out, standing in front of the Cameron's estate.
"She's the only one who can clear John B." I replied, flicking on my flashlight as I walked toward the wall.
"Last place they'll look, because it's so ridiculous," JJ muttered as we climbed over the wall into the Cameron's backyard.
"I've got a plan," Kie said, leading the way through the yard.
"What's the plan?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You and JJ go back to the car and start it, in case we need a quick getaway. Pope, you stay here. I'll talk to Sarah. If anything goes wrong, signal me," Kie explained. We all nodded, and she disappeared toward the side of the house. Pope took cover behind a bush, and JJ and I scrambled back over the wall. JJ jumped into the driver's seat, and I slid into the passenger seat. He started the car.
We sat in silence. My fingers tapped nervously against the door handle, and my legs shook, restless and anxious. JJ didn't speak, his eyes fixed outside the car, taking deep breaths. Neither of us made eye contact, and the tension between us grew thick. Finally, I broke the silence.
"JJ?" I sighed.
"Yeah?" he whispered, still not looking at me.
"Are you okay? You know you can talk to me, baby," I said, placing my hand on his, but he quickly pulled it away.
"JJ?" I frowned. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" He turned to face me, his eyes wide with frustration. "There's a lot wrong with me, Jackie."
My eyes widened when I saw the tears in his eyes. "You've been crying?" I asked, my voice soft. He sniffled, looking away, but I gently cupped his face and turned it back toward me. Our foreheads touched.
"What's wrong, JJ?" I asked, intertwining our fingers.
"You're leaving," he whispered. "I get it, okay? You don't want John B. to go by himself, and the cops will just take you in for questioning, but god—I can't imagine my life without you. It's breaking me that I have to watch you leave tomorrow."
