SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

023

Gabriella woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of her room. As she stretched and rubbed her eyes, she noticed a handwritten note on a sticky pad slipped under her door. Her heart fluttered as she picked it up, recognizing the familiar scrawl of John B's handwriting.

"I know you need your beauty sleep
and rest, sunshine.
Meet us at the Wreck at 10 pm.
P.S. I made you a PB and J.
- JB."

A small heart was drawn in the corner, making her smile and her heart race. John B had her number, he could've texted her, but he wrote her a note. "It's like he came out of a 2000s rom com," she whispered to herself, smiling as she held the note close to her chest.

Gabriella carefully placed the note on her bedside table, savouring the sweetness of John B's gesture. She reached for the PB and J sandwich he had made for her, taking a bite and feeling a warmth spread through her. It tasted perfect, just like everything else about him.

After finishing her sandwich, she got dressed, choosing a comfortable yet stylish outfit that would allow her to explore the beauty of the Outer Banks. She left the house, jumping on her skateboard and rolling through the island. Hoping that maybe, just maybe she could find something about her birth father.

As she skated along the coastline path, she noticed how the houses were becoming increasingly better. She was on Figure Eight, alright. Gabriella marveled at the pristine beaches and the grandeur of the big, white mansions that lined the shore. They looked like they could be the White House itself, each one more impressive than the last. Lost in thought, she almost didn't notice when she bumped into someone.

"Hi Gabriella!" a cheerful voice called out. She looked up to see Sarah Cameron, wearing gloves and carrying a trash bag. "Are you here for the beach clean-up?" Sarah asked kindly. Gabriella wasn't initially, but she couldn't miss the opportunity to make the earth a better place and perhaps get to know Sarah better. "Yes," she replied with a warm smile, deciding on the spot.

"Great! Here, you can use this," Sarah said, handing Gabriella a spare pair of gloves and a trash picker. "I'll put your skateboard in my car."

"Thank you!" As Gabriella and Sarah walked along the beach, the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore accompanied their conversation. "Sorry about the sneaking onto your dad's boat."

"Oh, it's cool. We don't really go diving after a hurricane." Sarah laughed.

Gabriella had just asked, "How have you been since, well, the Boneyard?" Feeling slightly awkward to take her back to the night her boyfriend had a gun to his head.

Sarah, her expression animated, shared, "You should've heard how John B talked to me. That kid's got a mouth on him!" Sarah said with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Gabriella, curious, tilted her head. "What? When? What happened?"

Sarah continued, "He was so rude, shouting at me for thinking I told Ward about the scuba gear. After everything my dad has done for him, you'd think he'd be more grateful."

Gabriella's face fell, a look of concern etching her features. She stopped in her tracks, facing Sarah with a serious expression. "John B has had it rough for the past few months. He's still not over what happened to his dad. It's been tough for him."

Sarah, slightly defensive, replied, "I didn't tell Ward. I swear, I haven't told him anything."

Gabriella's eyes scanned the large group of teens gathered on the beach for the clean-up. Her gaze landed on Topper, who was mingling with some of his friends. She turned back to Sarah, a hint of suspicion in her voice. "Are you sure Topper didn't rat him out?"