Mary Routledge | Outer Banks

Girlfriend

It was now morning.

We were sitting outside in front of our now burned down home.

I couldn't even believe that it was gone.

"Could've been a faulty electrical wire." Pope suggested.

"Place was all wood." Kie said. "A tinderbox."

"Thing just went up." Cleo said. "Boom."

"Verdict's in, guys." JJ said. "Whoever's up there does not like you." He said looking at me and John B.

"Was that supposed to make us feel better?" I asked him sarcastically as I looked up at him.

"Sorry." He said as he placed my head back on his shoulder, and stroked my hair.

"Sarah, when did you say the pilot was getting in?" John B asked her once we were at the dock.

"Probably like an hour?" Sarah guessed. "I mean, once he's here, my dad says we can leave whenever we want."

"Okay, well, as much as I would love to ghost my parents again, I can't." Pope said.

"Pope, we're talking El Dorado, here. Can you just slip out the back maybe?" JJ suggested.

"Great advice." Kie said sarcastically.

"It always worked for me." JJ shrugged. "How to avoid unpleasant circumstances 101. If there's a problem and you don't wanna face it, turn that face and keister around and walk away."

"Yeah, I've seen that work first hand, and let's say I'm not a fan." I told him, making him send me an apologetic look.

"I'm not doing that, okay?" Pope said.

"I just want you to be there, dog." JJ said as he sighed.

"I'm gonna be there. I'll meet you at the airstrip in an hour?" Pope asked us.

"Yeah, we'll see you there." I said with a smile as I nodded at him.

"1 hour, Pope. Not a second later." JJ warned.

"I think you should let me talk, Pope. Think you mom kinda likes me." Cleo said as they started to walk away.

"I don't think it's gonna be pleasant for either of us." Pope told her.

"I'm gonna take a stroll back to the shack. For old time's sake." JJ said looking at me. "I always wanted to go to South America. Great surf, cheap weed."

I couldn't help but recall our conversation on the ship.

"See you guys on the tarmac!" JJ said before starting to walk away.

"I'm gonna go for a walk." I announced. "Too many things happening in a short period of time."

"See you later. Don't be late." John B told me.

"I won't." I reassured.

"I'm regaining my confidence for a few minutes, and then I also need to go back home. You know, to pack some things and break the news to my parents." Kie said.

"See you losers, later!" I said before catching up to JJ. "Hey, J?"

"Yeah?" He asked as he turned to face me.

"Uh... I just wanted to, um..." I said before clearing my throat. "Last night... you were saying something before the fire."

"I'll tell you what." He said smiling at me. "I'll tell you on the plane."

That made me scoff lightly with a smile.

"Just to make sure you get on." He told me.

"Right. Because going to save my dad wasn't enough of a reason." I joked.