written in the stars - a topper thornton fanfic (outer banks)

t h i r t y f o u r

song: 'washing machine heart' by mitski

present

'We got lucky,' Deputy Shoupe said the next day, sat on the Thornton's porch with Topper and his mother, Cynthia. 'There was a camera on a solar panel. Can't make out the face, but we were able to identify the other boat. Belongs to Heyward.'

Topper scoffed as he watched the security footage. 'All right, so she thought that I did this, Deputy, right? I told you, Mom. Not everything is my fault.'

'Can we talk about this privately, please?' Cynthia said sharply, staring icily at Topper. 'So what happens now, Deputy?'

'Well, if you press charges, it would be up to juvenile court. Now, Pope is 16. Could be tried as an adult. He'd do time.'

Topper bit the inside of his cheek and shook his head. He couldn't let Pope go to jail. Genevieve had spent so many nights telling Topper how gifted Pope was, raving about his scholarship, insisting that Pope was going to be the only one to get out of The Cut. It always pained Topper to see how much Genevieve believed in Pope, but yet couldn't do the same for herself. But Pope meant everything to her, which Topper understood now more than ever. Everytime he closed his eyes, he was haunted by the images of Pope's bloodied face, and of Genevieve's terror-filled eyes. Topper shuddered at the memory of it.

'Press charges,' Cynthia said firmly.

'Mom, I don't think there's a need,' Topper said, looking at his mother with pleading eyes.

'You know, Heyward, uh... he's a good man,' Deputy Shoupe began.

'Deputy, I said press charges.'

'Alright, we're on it,' Deputy Shoupe said, standing up and walking back to his car, followed by Cynthia.

'Fuck,' Topper muttered under his breath, running his hands through his hair.

He hadn't seen Genevieve since the night at the movies. Topper had visited the boneyard so many times since then that he had lost count, praying that Genevieve would be sat in their spot. She never was.

He needed to leave her alone. Everything he did hurt her. He hurt the people she loved, and who loved her. He was meant to be protecting her, but he was doing exactly the opposite. Topper's love for Genevieve was destroying him, and destroying her.

...

'Don't let it get in your head, brother. There's three of them and two of us. That's some typical Kook shit right there,' JJ said to Pope.

The Pogues were in Heyward's, helping around the shop. Summer was always Heyward's busiest season so he took all the help he could get, even if it was from JJ who spent more time eating the stock than he spent packing it.

'Hey Pope,' Heyward called from outside the shop. 'There's someone here to see you.'

Genevieve's eyes widened as she watched Deputy Shoupe approach them. She felt her heart begin to race, and exchanged an anxious look with Kiara. This was bad, very bad.

'Evening officer,' Pope said, a slight tremble in his voice.

'I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property,' Deputy Shoupe said, reaching into his pockets for handcuffs.

Genevieve watched as Pope and JJ exchanged knowing glances. What the fuck had they done?

'Keep your hands on the counter where I can see them. Young lady, get out of the way,' Deputy Shoupe said, pushing past Genevieve to get closer to Pope.