𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 | outerbanks²

24, NORMALITY

CRUEL SUMMER
025, normality

NORMALITY IS SOMETHING RENEE HAD TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

For the last sixteen of her life, Renee had seen her day to day as 'boring' — getting out of bed, swimming in the water before breakfast with her family. All she wanted before was adventure, thrill, a daily dose of adrenaline.

But now, at the age of seventeen as her body resurfaces from her morning plunge, she feels the need for her 'boring' life to return. Her flat palms slicking back her hair, the sun scintillating the water that sticks to her skin.

The reality of her life now still sits heavy on her chest, stood with her feet easily able to touch the sand. Unable to wade deeper in like she used to do without a second thought — taking it all for granted and not realising what she had until it was all gone.

Even if she could get it all back, it wouldn't be the same — she would still have all the things from the last few months in her mind. She never could escape it.

Shuffling back into the house with a towel wrapped around her. Caroline Lowe looking up from the breakfast table, a slight shock on her face noticing her daughter was already up.

Renee did believe that maybe one day things would be ok again. That she wouldn't have to constantly look over her shoulder or double take every action she made. That maybe one day soon, she could be a teenager again instead of being pushed into a world she didn't understand.

She showers and changes, the soft music from her playlist reverberates against the wall her speaker of her phone has been pushed against.

Breakfast is peaceful enough, giving her mom the paternal safe version of the bonfire last night. Which including drinking much less than she did and some randoms got into a fight ( definitely not JJ and Fletcher and definitely not over her.)

They eat those pastry's that Caroline had promised she'd get the night before. And for a second, Renee felt like a normal person. She felt like a teenager again, just a teenager.

Although it's only for a split second, the doorbell rings and Renee insists on getting it. Standing in the doorway with wide eyes as the pogues fill the steps porch in front of the door.

Sarah stands at the front, summoning me along with the rest of the pogues to Tanny Hill. Her mom lets her go despite the slight desperation in Renee's eyes to make her stay. Caroline doesn't understand the extent of what is happening and she doesn't noticed the deflating of both her daughter's chest and sense of normality.

Renee grabs another pastry that she has to fend JJ from taking from her, still tearing him off the edge and giving it to him on the walk.

They act like last night didn't happen, at least the bonfire. Keeping their vow to be friends, only to be in each other's life's in some sort of capacity. 

The rest of the pogues glance behind to the two blondes who walk together — who laugh when one the other cracks a joke. Soon reaching Tanny Hill, Sarah rushing to get her friends upstairs.

Although she falls into a bicker with John B who hadn't reached civility like the two blondes who watch them had.

Renee had been the island room hundreds of time, it use to be her go-to hiding spot of the house. But it looked completely different, ripped wallpaper under her feet and some still managing to cling onto the wall.