𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐁 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄|𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐒

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲:𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆

SMALL SMUT WARNING!

"So where have you been all of this time?" Esme questioned, sitting across from Luna who stared at her with a look of pure and utter love. It had been a couple of hours since Esme had arrived back in the Outer Banks, and those hours had been the definition of confusing and chaotic. Soon after Luna had made her grand appearance, she had ushered both Esme and JJ to shower, claiming how they smelled like literal death. Esme didn't complain, for the one thing she had been wishing for was a hot shower and change of clothes. Both of her wishes were granted, the Lopez girl now sitting in comfortable attire and smelling like dove soap instead of dirt and blood. JJ was much cleaner as well, the blonde sitting beside her and eating the food that Luna was nice enough to cook for the both of them.

"Ohio," Luna replied, handing Esme a glass of water a few seconds later. "Well, no. First it was Cali, then Ohio."

"Why would you wanna leave Cali?" JJ commented, Esme nodding in agreement and shooting her aunt an odd look. "I'd kill to see the Hollywood sign every day,"

"It wasn't all that," Luna shrugged as a reply. "The wildfires were kind of a turn off."

"You're not wrong there," Esme mentioned, sipping on her water and pushing her plate of food towards JJ who looked as if he was going to die if he didn't eat anymore. "But Cali seems so interesting. The only thing we got here are polluted beaches."

"Don't forget the murder drama." JJ pointed out.

"Murder scandal?" Luna repeated. "As if someone—"

"Long story," Esme waved her hands, signaling the end of the topic. "I'm really glad you're here though. Wasn't really trying to go through the entire foster family bullshit. I mean, I'm seventeen, why the fuck do I need to be placed with a family only to leave a year later? Shit, I just cursed. Damn it!"

"You can curse," Luna assured, letting out a small laugh soon afterwards causing Esme to smile. She wasn't used to adults being so subtle and cool with her, the only other people to treat her with such kindness was her father along with Heyward and Big John. To see someone else step in was shocking and amazing at the same time. "You two must've been through so much. I'm gonna step outside for a quick second to have a smoke, you two just settle in and yell if you need anything."

Esme watched as Luna left, the smile not leaving her face for a split second. JJ wore the same facial expression that she did, never being fed such love and care from an adult.

"Dude, your aunt is the shit," JJ spoke, turning towards Esme. "Where has she been all of this time?"

"Cali, then Ohio," Esme recapped. "But I'm kinda glad she's here too. Foster care would've been a fucking bitch."

"Right?" JJ agreed with a small laugh. "Something else I'm glad for is that you're here."

Esme's eyes widened, completely caught off guard by the statement. But nonetheless she leaned forward, giving JJ's hand a light squeeze. She knew he didn't mean it in that type of way, and the blonde knew it as well. Their friendship was strong, the both of them knowing what each other was trying to convey in a matter of seconds. Esme's head snapped over to JJ, watching as he slowly stood up and took a hit from his vape (which he had most likely acquired from his house) causing Esme to frown deeply.

"Where're you going?" She questioned, tilting her head in confusion.

"I can't just live here if I don't have any clothes. I gotta go back to my place. But it'll be quick. Swear."

Esme didn't know how she felt about JJ going back to his house, especially after she spent about five minutes convincing him to leave in the first place. But in all the years the Lopez teen had known him, he has demonstrated time and time again that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. So Esme nodded, trying to hide her discomfort and anxiety as JJ pulled her in for a small side hug before leaving. Once the door had slammed shut, Esme ran a hand through her hair before standing up as well. She assumed that when she arrived back in her home town that there would be such much to do, so many people and things to see. But instead, she felt confined in her house just like she did when her dad went to prison, when her mom started to drink and take out all of her anger on her daughter who just wanted to understand what she had done.