𝑇𝑊𝐼𝑁 𝑆𝐼𝑍𝐸 𝑀𝐴𝑇𝑅𝐸𝑆𝑆 / 𝐽.𝐵.𝑅

FUCK

The sun was just beginning to rise over the Outer Banks, casting a warm glow over the town. Alex Borden had just returned from a long day of dealing with the aftermath of her recent legal troubles. The Pogues had been busy, but the excitement in the air hinted at something big. Alex was in no mood to be left out, especially with the way things had been going.

As Alex strolled into the town square, she saw a small crowd gathered near the docks. Her curiosity piqued, she pushed through the crowd, her eyes scanning the scene. That's when she saw them-John B and Sarah. They were standing close together, their faces alight with relief and joy. The sight of them hit Alex like a wave.

"John B!" Alex shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. She darted toward them, her steps quickening as she approached. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around John B, squeezing him tightly. "I can't believe you're back!"

John B looked surprised but returned the hug warmly. "Alex! It's so good to see you."

Sarah, standing beside John B, watched the reunion with a soft smile. As Alex pulled away from John B, she glanced at Sarah, who was clearly just as relieved.

"Hey, Sarah," Alex said, her tone bright despite the whirlwind of emotions. "I'm really glad you're both okay."

John B and Sarah exchanged a look, their affection for each other evident. The way they leaned into each other, their hands brushing, was unmistakable. Alex, feeling a mix of happiness and curiosity, finally asked, "So, are you two... together?"

John B grinned, his eyes meeting Alex's. "Yeah, we are. It's been a crazy ride, but we're together."

Alex nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "That's great. I'm happy for both of you."

She gave them a final, heartfelt smile and began to walk away, her mind racing with a jumble of thoughts. The joy of seeing her friends again was overshadowed by a sense of confusion and an unfamiliar ache. The tight-knit connection between John B and Sarah felt like a stark reminder of her own loneliness.

Alex arrived home, her mood quickly shifting as she entered her room. The thrill of the reunion had faded, leaving behind a residue of frustration and confusion. The room seemed to close in on her as she paced back and forth, her thoughts spiraling.

Her emotions boiled over, and she couldn't contain her anger. She began tossing things around-books flying off shelves, clothes pulled from drawers, and picture frames crashing to the floor. The destruction felt cathartic, an outlet for her tumultuous feelings.

As her room turned into a chaotic mess, Alex let out a scream of frustration. The room, once orderly and neat, was now a testament to her inner turmoil. She sank down onto the floor amid the debris, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Sitting in the wreckage of her room, Alex stared blankly at the mess around her. The initial wave of anger had subsided, replaced by a heavy silence. The walls seemed to close in tighter, reflecting her sense of isolation.

She knew she needed to pull herself together, but the weight of her emotions was overwhelming. John B and Sarah's return had stirred up a storm of feelings she hadn't fully understood. Watching them together, seeing their happiness, had struck a chord deep within her.

Alex took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The destruction around her was a physical manifestation of the chaos she felt inside. As she began the slow process of picking up the pieces, both literal and metaphorical, she made a silent promise to herself. She would sort through her emotions and find a way to move forward, even if it meant confronting some difficult truths along the way.