Temper

2

I have lived in the outer banks my whole life. Hanging out with a group of trouble making ,wave surfing, delinquent teenagers. They are the closest thing I have to a family and always will be. We have our ups and downs like everyone but we pull through.

I have been best friends with John b since the third grade when he noticed I lived down the street from him and didn't have any friends. I specifically remember him approaching me on the school bus and saying "I think you need a friend otherwise you will seem like a loser". My brain at that age didn't register the underlying insult to that. Ever since then it has been extremely hard to pull us apart.

Later on that year we met JJ he was a bit of a problem if I do say so myself. Looking back on the way I acted was irrational, but for God sakes I was eight. John b had been my only friend and when JJ showed up I got jealous. He approached us on the playground while we were playing an aggressive game of tic-tac-toe in the dirt. If John b didn't let me win it could go very bad.

I remember he was really obnoxious for a third grader. Always inrupting me, pulling my hair, teasing me about my outfits, never letting me into the "boys" conversations. It was like I was an outsider to John b once JJ showed up. Now I know that isn't true but then I did not. I blamed it all on JJ.

I know your thinking "why didn't you just let them know you felt left out?". I had to much dignity to let them think my feelings could be hurt that easily. Me and JJ have a love hate relationship one day we are best friends then the next we hate eachother. Along the way we became friends with Pope and Kie.

I began to realize as I got older that I didn't just have to rely on John b I had them all. They would all be there for me. John b, Pope, JJ and I don't have it easy on the cut but everything could be worse. Kie on the other hand lives on figure eight. She is an exception to the group. We would never let a kook into our group unless they earned it somehow.

Kie earned it and now she's stuck with us. I work with her at her dad's restaurant called "The Wreck". Which is the main reason her family has money. I feel like her parents don't like us pouges much but they didn't have a reason not to hire me. Pope is usually the only smart one in the group. Letting us know when we are doing something that could get us killed, hurt or taken to jail.

I'm standing on the dock by the wreck with my apron still wrapped around my waist. JJ was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. Kie didn't have to work tonight, so I got stuck with closing hours. John b was busy at his job tonight he couldn't pick me up. So JJ is supposed to pick me up .I look out at the golden tinted water watching it slightly ripple because of the chilly breeze. The sun setting is the only reason the water is anywhere near pretty. When the sun isn't reflecting off of it in any particular way then it is a swampy baby shit green. 

I cross my arms over my chest searching for warmth it still gets chilly in the later hours. I hear the rumble of a engine sound from behind me and I assume it is my ride. I turn towards the noise to see Rafe motherfucking Cameron sitting on his dirt bike. I hate him with every fiber in my body.

I had a summer fling with him a year or two ago when I was looking for something to occupy my time. I know, I know I'm a trader. That is exactly why no one knows about it because if they did that is what they would say. I do regret being with him after the way he treated me and my friends but I can't deny he was pretty good in bed. He wanted to take it to an emotional level but I on the other hand felt nothing towards him but lust.

I know it seems a little harsh but I made it clear at the beginning of the fling that it was just a FLING. He apparently hasn't gotten that through his thick skull. I have given up on JJ coming to pick me up he should have been here a half an hour ago. I walk towards Rafe keeping my head down trying to pass him and head towards John b's house. My uncle should be home tonight and I don't want to have to deal with him. My parents died when I was in first grade and I didn't have any other family to live with besides him. He turns off his bike making my ears feel hollow without the noise.

"Rylee, I haven't seen you in awhile" he says fiddling with the keys in his hand. I continue to walk in the opposite direction not making eye contact. "So, are we just not going to talk?" He asks. Anger evident in his voice. I turn on my heel to look at him. At least six foot between us, "Yes Rafe, I have done told you we can't be friends, the fling is over and you can go back to hating me now" I say rolling my eyes turning away from him.

"So what we had meant nothing to you? You didn't care about me not one bit?" He asks hurt coating his words making my blood boil. "No, you treated me and my friends like shit even when I was sleeping with you. So obviously you didn't give two shits about me either" I shout flipping him the finger and turning the corner.   
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My breathing is rapid as I slowly make my way up the steep hill passing my house. My feet feel like they might fall off, my ribs are cramping ,cold sweat running down my back , my finger tips freezing and the argument with rafe nagging at the back of my mind. I need to do more physical activity, the walk to John b's is a bitch. I am going to kick JJ's ass when I see him. I feel a drop of water land on my forehead inflicting a groan from me. I wipe it away with the back of my hand just for it to be replaced by two more. It soon becomes a drizzle soaking my  hair,clothes,making my shoes squishy and soggy.

I see the little shack come into view. The only thing visible is the lights through the windows. I approach the porch leaning against the screen door to catch my breath while water drips from my heavly soaked clothing. The burning in my lungs is temporarily forgotten when I hear groaning from inside. I push the front door open aggressively the sight of JJ's naked bottom half positioned between some blonde girls legs greets me. "What the fuck JJ?" I shout losing my temper. He rolls over off of her quickly as they  search for their clothes.

I toss my soaked dead phone onto the counter along with my wallet. I clench my jaw swiping hair off of my wet cheeks while giving them time to get dressed. "can i turn around now?" I question. A mumble yes assures me they are dressed. I turn around and lock eyes with JJ while he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. "Should I uhh sta-?" The girl starts to question but I cut her off without breaking angry eye contact with JJ.  "Get out!" I growl through clinched teeth. 

She looks up at JJ looking for conformation to leave. "Yeah, it's probably best if you go" he mumbles  flaring his nostrils still not breaking eye contact with me. My hands are shaking and my nose is running from the cold weather. The door closes behind me as she exits the house. I walk up to JJ dripping water onto the hardwood floor. I grab a pillow off the bed swinging it backwards and hurling it into the side of JJ's head. He covers his head with his hands trying to protect himself. 

"you...fucking...bitch....I....can't....believe.....you....forgot.....and....I.....just......saw....your....bare......ass" I shout inbetween each time I slap him with the pillow.  He grabs the pillow mid air and jerks it away from me tossing it acrossed the room. I cross my arms over my chest and plop down onto the bed. The water soaking my clothes transferring to the sheets where I would have to sleep. I lean back letting my feet hang off the edge still planted on the floor. I put my hands over my forehead while listening to the rain outside. "I feel like I need a shower after seeing that" I groan feeling the bed sink in beside me.

"We used all the hot water" JJ says back, I grab a pillow and push my face into it letting out a loud auditable groan. The exhaustion of the day consuming me whole.