𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 [𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤]

𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

After losing John B to the hurricane, I found myself lost. I was 8 hours away from the people I wanted to be with the most and I couldn't wrap my head around anything. That didn't matter though because here I was sitting in first period hating the fact that I actually had to be here. When I woke up this morning, I dreaded getting out of bed. The only thing that made me want to come to school was the chance to see my friends and them making me feel better.

My dad had called me 2 nights ago and told me everything JJ had told him. With JJ's knowledge on the situation being brought to my attention, I was now fully convinced that John B didn't kill Sheriff Pete. My dad also mentioned that JJ said it had something to do with the 'G-game' and told him that I would understand what he meant, even if my dad didn't. Piecing JJ's relayed story together and back to the gold made things start to make more sense, but I still felt like there was a big chunk of it missing.

Other than that news, I hadn't heard anything else. So my brain always goes back to no news meaning bad news.

"What is with the face?" I heard Zach ask as I walked down the hallway after first period. I slowed down and raised my brow at him, "You look miserable. I mean, I know it's the first day of school and everything but geez, you could look a little more enthused to exist."

"I'm just thinking about some stuff." I answered as I continued to walk down the hall and into my second period.

Today was going to be a long day. Despite me wanting today to be my fresh start and a chance to make new friends besides the boys, all I could think about was what happened to John B in the three weeks since I'd been home last. I needed answers and no one had any to give.

As quick as the day could, it turned into shit. Around lunch I ran into Deb and made both of us fall with all of our lunches on each other. Instead of making things worse, we laughed it off and tried our best to wipe off the remaining food before going to the table.

"What happened to you two?" Zach asked as we sat down.

"Clearly they both fell into the same pile of shit." Miles said as Zach handed Deb his bag of apple slices.

"No, you idiot. I accidentally ran into Deb on my way into the cafeteria."

"I still like my version of events better." Miles said as Kayce and Maggie joined us at the table with a blonde girl. Miles had seemed to get over the weekend's news pretty fast. But here I was, still sulking about it and needing more information than what JJ had given my father. I needed to be home, no matter what I had going on here.

She reached out a hand and gave the sweetest smile, "I'm Becca."

"Laney." I returned the smile and reached for something off of Miles' plate. He smacked my hand in an attempt for me to drop it but when I brought the food back to me successfully, I stuck my tongue out at him. 

I sat silently while I enjoyed the Cheez-Itz and conversation that played out around me. "Miles tells me you're from the OBX. What's it like there?" Maggie asked, bringing me into it.

"Well, right now? It's a mess. But before I left, it was the best place to be. Fishing, surfing, all day on the boat, just living life without thinking too much about it. It's like Charleston in a way, but OBX is home. " It was true. The OBX was the one place where everything melted away and the only thing that mattered was what was happening at that present moment. No one was harassing you about college applications or your plans after high school. Everyone was just worried about having a good time and making it last.

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

As the school year progressed, long summer nights turned into cooler fall days that were accompanied by the occasional bonfire. September was well on her way out when everyone finally got into their own routine with everything happening around us.  Zach finally asked out Deb after what I had heard of them talking for basically 6 months. Although Miles hadn't changed a bit. He was still the same Miles I had met in June. The only true difference was the love triangle he had found himself in with Maggie and Becca. It was clear that he had the best intentions with Maggie, but Becca was always around making things hard for them. I also felt with Kayce's presence, Miles knew not to break his friend's sister's heart.