TEENAGE DREAM ━━ jj maybank (REWRITING)

𝟬𝟬𝟰, 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿

𐔌  .  animal shelter  !  ౨ৎ
song: birds of a feather - billie eilish

A hurricane was never easy for the Outer Banks, even days after it occurred.

The air was thick with the scent of damp wood and salt, a lingering reminder of the storm that had battered the coastline just days before.

Adeline Cameron pulled her car into the gravel lot of the Outer Banks Animal Rescue, her tires crunching over scattered debris. The shelter's sign hung crookedly, its edges frayed from the relentless wind.

She hadn't hesitated when she heard they needed volunteers. The town was still picking up the pieces, but she knew she could do more than just clean up broken windows and waterlogged docks. The animals needed help, too.

As she stepped out of her car, she tied her blonde hair into a messy ponytail, already feeling the humidity sticking to her skin. The shelter was bustling—volunteers moving crates, tending to scared animals, and setting up makeshift kennels for the ones rescued from the floodwaters.

"Adeline! Over here!" called Maria, the shelter's director, her face streaked with sweat and exhaustion. "You're a lifesaver."

Addie waved off the thanks. "Tell me what you need."

Maria led her inside, where the sounds of barking dogs and soft mews filled the air. The power was still unreliable, but fans hummed, and the staff worked tirelessly to keep the animals comfortable.

"We've got over thirty rescues from the storm—some strays, some lost pets. A lot of them are scared out of their minds. I need help with feeding, cleaning, and, honestly, just keeping them calm."

Addie nodded, already rolling up her sleeves. She knelt by a crate where a trembling Labrador mix huddled in the corner. His golden fur was still damp, his wide eyes darting nervously.

"Hey, buddy," she murmured, reaching out her hand slowly. "You've been through a lot, huh?"

The dog flinched at first but then sniffed her fingers cautiously. After a moment, he nudged her hand with his nose.

"There you go," she said softly, scratching under his chin.

Maria smiled from the doorway. "You've got a way with them."

Adeline just shrugged. She didn't say it out loud, but she understood what it felt like to be lost, to have your world turned upside down. Maybe that's why she was here.

For hours, she worked tirelessly—cleaning out cages, filling food and water bowls, checking tags and microchips to reunite lost pets with their families.

She comforted a tiny calico kitten shivering in a crate, letting it curl up against her chest.

She walked a skittish beagle around the lot, whispering reassurances as he sniffed nervously at the ground.

As the sun started dipping below the horizon, Maria handed her a bottle of water and leaned against the doorway. "I don't know how long it'll take for things to get back to normal," she admitted, voice heavy with exhaustion.

Adeline wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I don't think anyone does. But at least they're safe now."

She glanced around at the animals settling into their makeshift homes, tails wagging, eyes a little less fearful. Maybe things weren't normal, but in this moment, they were okay. And that was enough.

The night air had settled into a thick, balmy haze by the time Adeline stepped outside for a breath. The sounds of the shelter still hummed behind her, dogs whining softly, the occasional bark, the low murmur of volunteers sorting through supplies.