𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 | outerbanks²

021, SINGLE CLEANSING

CRUEL SUMMER
021, SINGLE CLEANSING

" I FEEL LIKE A ONE-NIGHT STAND." is what Sarah says when she notices Renee slipping back on her clothes from last night, leaving the pajamas of Sarah's she borrowed neatly folded on the chest of drawers.

The blonde turns around, looking at her friend who sniffles and wipes her nose again. Renee shakes her head " I didn't want to wake you, it's a miracle you even fell asleep last night." Renee hums.

Sarah sits up slightly " well, did you sleep when your dad died?" Sarah says, taking Renee by slight surprise as the blonde shakes her head.

" um, I think I stayed in a motel for a week, I couldn't sleep at home." She tells Sarah. It was horrible, stiff bed, most likely roaches crawling in the walls. It wasn't the ritz by any means — but it wasn't down the hall from the room where her dad used to sleep, so she could sleep. It wasn't a good sleep, but she could at least sleep.

And Renee tilts her head " and then, I crashed with John B at the chateau- and as we know," she softly smiles " the rest is history."

Sarah nods, another sniffle " are you going over there?" she says, Renee looking away from Sarah as she shakes her head.

" I think I need time away." Renee tells her, not looking at the furrowed brows of Sarah's face although it doesn't matter when the girl from the bed hums a " why?"

Renee turns her head " I kissed JJ yesterday." Noticing the slightly widening of Sarah's eyes " it was on the cheek, nothing R-rated but-"

She takes a breath " I've built everything around him, he's my safety net — every bad thing that has happened to me I run to him for, when I think of safety I think of him and stupid chunky boats and his hats and the scent of that stupid surf wax he drowns his board in, how safe I feel with him."

Sarah notices the shaking in her voice that Renee doesn't as she shakes her head " and he can't anymore, he's not my boyfriend so he can't be my safety blanket."

" so you're just going to stop being a pogue?" Sarah asks which forces a scoff from Renee's throat, as she looks to her friend.

"I don't think you can just stop being a pogue" she tells her, " we just need time, time away— I need time away from it all."

Renee notice how Sarah nods her head, " that's actually not a bad idea." she hums.

Renee keeps her shoes off, climbing back onto the sheets of the side of the bed she slept on. Muttering a ' come here' to her friend who snuggled herself in the arms of the blonde.

" you know I would stay-" Renee exhales as Sarah nods " don't worry, I don't want to be in the same house as Rafe either." she tells her.

Renee squeezed her arms around her friend, burrowing her head into the crook of her neck, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

" I love you." Renee whispers as Sarah sniffles again,

" I love you more." she says, and Renee smiles "and I'm here, if you need anything."

Sarah nods her head again, as the sound of the door slamming shut makes a slight shiver run down Renee's back — " I better go." she says, letting go of Sarah.

She nods, watching as the blonde slips on her shoes and walks over to the bedroom door.

Opening it as she turns, " really, if you need anything-" she tells Sarah who jokingly rolls her eyes.