SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

002

Without any hesitation, Gabriella packed her things and made her way to the airport via the infamous yellow cab, disregarding the car her father had waiting for her outside.

She knew how extortionate prices for the cab were, yet she wanted to give Dean a final, 'fuck you,' by spending 170 dollars to JFK airport. Charging it to his credit card, of course.

She had remembered when she was little, her mother would talk about 'The Great Outerbanks'. The way she would speak about Outerbanks was as if it was a fantasyland, like one of the places you'd see in movies, but you could never see in real life. That was where her parents had met each other and supposedly fell in love.

Dean would often talk about his good, close, childhood friend that never seemed to make it out of 'The Cut'. Gabriella didn't quite know what to make of 'The Cut' but she thought it was better to not ask questions. As time went on, Dean and his friend's friendship remained strong. It's not like they could talk often due to Dean's insanely busy work schedule but, Dean held a lot of love for his friend. So much love that Dean thought nothing better than to ship Gabriella off to live with his friend.

Gabriella stared out of the plane window, her heart a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. The patchwork of green fields and winding rivers below gradually gave way to the sparkling blue expanse of the ocean, and she knew they were getting close. The Outer Banks, with its promise of sandy shores and salty air, lay just beyond the horizon. She had read about this place, an island chain teeming with natural beauty and tranquility, a stark contrast to the overwhelming life she had left behind in New York City.

She had packed thoughtfully, her suitcase filled with essentials for island living: comfortable clothes for beachcombing, sturdy sandals for exploring, and books on marine life she couldn't wait to dive into. Her excitement was tinged with nerves, though, as she didn't quite know what to expect. The unfamiliarity of a new place was both thrilling and intimidating, and she wondered what this adventure would hold for her.

A fleeting thought of Dean crossed her mind, and she felt a pang of unease. Dean Evans, with his presence and distant demeanor, had made her life a series of lonely moments punctuated by his neglect. His obsession with his career, the constant phone calls, and the cold interactions had left her feeling more isolated than she ever felt alone.

It wasn't like he was evil. When he wasn't drinking and he was good, their relationship was so good, but that would always end once he had reached for the whiskey and drowned his sorrows. Over and over again. 

But now, as the plane began its descent, Gabriella realized that solitude on this island was a gift, not a burden. She was trading the oppressive atmosphere of her step-father's world for the open skies and endless ocean views of the Outer Banks. The idea of being alone no longer frightened her. In fact, it brought a sense of relief. Here, she would be free from his shadow, free to explore, to breathe, and to be herself without the constant reminder of his absence in her life.

As the plane touched down, Gabriella felt a surge of determination. She was ready to embrace this new life, to find peace and strength in her own company, and to immerse herself in the beauty of the island. She smiled to herself, knowing that this journey was the first step toward healing and rediscovering the joy that had long been missing from her life.

Gabriella disembarked from the plane, her suitcase in one hand and her backpack slung over her shoulder. The crisp air of the mainland greeted her, a welcome change from the stale cabin air. With determined steps, she made her way through the terminal, navigating the crowds with practiced ease.

As she approached the ferry terminal, her initial excitement began to wane. The place was chaotic, a teeming mass of humanity all vying for space on the same vessel. The ferry itself looked worn and overworked, its once-white exterior now a grimy gray from years of exposure to the elements and constant use.