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"It's like a tradition to kind of kick off the school year. Everyone shows up." Estrella explains, "It's one of the few times everyone actually coexists."
"You go every year?" Charlotte asks
"I don't have much of choice." She chuckles, "You see who our friends are?"
"Yo." JJ says walking up to them. He holds his hands out to them
"Oh, this beer sucks." Estrella grimaces
"Come on." JJ says dragging the words out, "We have to show Charlotte a good OBX party."
Charlotte frowns as she takes the other beer from him, "I thought that's what the hot tub party was for."
"Right, but considering-" He stops pointing towards Estrella's leg causing her to roll her eyes, "This is another shot at it. No pun intended."
"Haha." Estrella says sarcastically causing Charlotte to laugh
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Estrella finally felt herself start to relax as the party went on. She missed when they were able to just be teenagers. When they could go to parties, stay out all night, and just have fun like 16 years olds should.
"Estrella!"
The girl turns to find a friend from school waving her over. She turns back toward Kie and Charlotte, "I'll be back."
The two girls watch her walk off. It was silent between them despite the conversations going on around them. Charlotte knew Kie wasn't a huge fan of her. She didn't exactly know why, but she figured it was just Kie needing to warm up to people.
"So," Kie starts causing Charlotte to look over, "You having fun so far?"
"Oh, yeah." Charlotte nods, "Never been to a bonfire before."
Kie frowns, "Seriously?"
"No." Charlotte chuckles
"Figured you did all that stuff with your rich friends."
Charlotte's smile falters, "Um, I didn't have many friends back home."
Kie looks at her as Charlotte takes a sip of her beer, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Charlotte shrugs, "I just didn't fit in with them really. Their values didn't line up with mine."
Charlotte smiles softly as Kie looks down, "I just- assumed you know? Seeing as your grandmother is who she is."
"I try not to let who she is overshadow who I want to be."
Kie was a bit taken aback by Charlotte's words. Most kooks she's met have been stuck up assholes. She would've assumed that even bigger kooks would be worse.
