ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

breakfasts

"Be that hot ex-girlfriend that he'll never forget."

❥

"Have you heard anything from John B?", Kie asks me looking around. We've decided to meet up in the morning to help Anna and Mike together. That's also a way of getting closer again. "He's probably out with his dad", I shrug, "No idea." "You've been quite busy macking on Rafe?", she replies halfway jokingly and I sigh relieved.

I think Kie's still feeling sorry for what she's said so she's being a bit more tolerating. Plus, he got angry about me doing coke so I guess that helped. "I'm not macking on him", I defend myself but notice that she lost interest in our conversation so I look around. I know who she's looking at.. Topper and Sarah.

"No, don't give her the cold shoulder", I sigh knowing exactly what Kie is going to do. "She's sitting here with Topper while she's dating John B. The cold shoulder is appropriate", Kie argues. "She's justing sitting here, Kie", I repeat as I follow here to the dock.. god she's fast when she's angry, "I've asked Topper to take care of her. No one else did. It's not that bad."

"Kie!", Sarah calls after us knowing exactly who of us is pissed, "Kie, please wait. Topper and I.. We just wanted to-" "It's none of my business", Kie states coldly. "We wanted to have breakfast together, nothing else. Come sit down with us if you want to. Iz, what about you?" "Breakfast?", Kie repeats unimpressed. "Yes, breakfast."

"Come on, Kie. He's been helping us and he's really trying to leave our issues behind", I support Sarah. "Yo, Kie. Bella", Topper calls walking up to us. "Yo, Top", Kie calls back ironically. Kie calling Topper 'Top'.. I giggle. Never thought I'd experience that. "I had no place to go last night. Cleo's with Pope, Rafe's at Tanneyhill and I couldn't find JJ." "Hmm", Kie nods.

"John B and I had some issues and Topper appeared and we went to Maize with his friends, Iz and Rafe." "Actually, I've asked Topper to take care of you", I admit, "I knew he'd help you." Sarah gives me a soft look appreciating my worries but Kie ignores it completely. "And then you go with him to the Middle of the Island restaurant on a saturday."

"Hey, what's up", Topper tries greeting Kie by giving her his fist but she doesn't look amused. I greet him with a hug instead. "Hey, I'd leave now. I don't want to thrust myself upon you. I need to help my parents with the party for tonight." "You know what? I'll go with you two", Sarah decides and I roll my eyes mentally. Why does it have to be so weird between her and Topper? They're broken up. Nothing's happened, we were having fun last night or.. what if something happened?

"Wait, what? Our food's just been served." "I know. I need to go. I'll be with Kie and Iz but thanks. I'll call you", Sarah mumbles giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry about it", I sigh as Topper hugs me as a goodbye. "You're probably right", he mumbles nodding. "Sarah, what are you doing?", Kie asks irritated as Sarah hops onto the boat with us. "I don't know." I've got a feeling she doesn't want to admit it in front of Kie if something's happened so I keep my mouth shut until we're back in figure eight.

"Fine, Sarah. Cards on the table", Kie tells her as we sit on the balcony of the Carrera's house, "What's happened?" "You and Topper.. quite a weird moment today", I add. "Oh god. That's so embarrassing", she sighs, "He found me hanging on the beer keg of the Ticky bar." "Seriously?" "Yeah." "Thanks for calling him, by the way, Bella. I was drinking out of the pipe so I guess I needed someone." "I won't comment that."

"I wouldn't be mad about it", Sarah replies to Kie and I smile at both of them. When was the last time the three of us had a moment like this? Probably on the HMS Pogue when John B tried to solve our issues. "Kelce and some others came over and invited us to Maize." "And then...?" "I've kissed him", Sarah admits sighing heavily. Kie looks tortured. "Do you guys hate me now?"

I've expected to hear something like that but actually hearing it surprised me more than I've thought. John B's like my little brother. If he got hurt.. but Sarah's my best friend either. I understand both of their situations. I've told John B to talk to Sarah but he just never wants to listen. "Hate is the wrong word", Kie says shaking her head, "You and John B.. are you over now?"

"No, I mean I don't know.. I don't want it to be over. Since we've been to the island, everything's felt so surreal. It was nice to have everything seem so normal and I.. I'm a wreck. A complete wreck." "I think we all are somehow.. you, me, Iz.. I mean you mack on Rafe.. Ew." "Sex is great", I shrug. "Ew, didn't want to know that", Sarah replies disgusted but her look softens soon, "Do you hate me? John B's everything that you've had for a long time."

"We all know that he's keeping secrets from us.. including you. That doesn't justify what's happened but it gives me a reason to understand you. Plus, I haven't always been a saint either", I tell her failing to cheer her up. "Guys, I'm supposed to meet Rafe at the dock", I speak up a moment later when I recognize what time it is, "I'll see you at the party."

"There you are babe", Rafe calls me as soon as I arrive at the dock climbing onto the catamaran. "By the way, you should compensate JJ for telling his boss lies", I tell him when the thought pops up in my head. JJ used to work here so.. "Let's talk about it later, okay?", Rafe urges. I raise my eyebrows when I hear a certain voice behind me. Dear god, no.