welcome to obx

𓆉 chapter three 𓆉

The soft crash of the waves and the warm, salty breeze were the only sounds that filled the silence between John B and Kiara as they walked along the beach, their footprints trailing behind them in the wet sand. The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow across the water, but John B barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere, still tangled up in the events of the past few days.

He kicked at a rock and let out a frustrated sigh. "I can't believe Rafe's still out here acting like nothing's changed," he muttered, shaking his head. "Saw him with Topper earlier, just laughing it up like he hasn't caused all this mess."

Kiara glanced over at him, her expression calm but concerned. She reached out and gave him a light nudge with her elbow. "I get it, John B. But you've gotta let it go. We've been through enough already, and getting worked up over Rafe isn't gonna do any of us any good."

John B's jaw clenched. He knew she was right, but it didn't stop the anger that bubbled up whenever he thought about Rafe Cameron. After everything he and his friends had gone through because of him—because of his family—it was hard to just let it go. "He's acting like he's untouchable," John B said, his voice bitter. "Like he didn't almost destroy all of us."

Kiara stopped walking for a moment and looked at him, her gaze soft but firm. "John B, we've got bigger things to focus on right now. We found the good. We've got our peace. Don't let Rafe or Topper take that away from us."

John B sighed again, running a hand through his messy hair. He knew she was right. Things had been calmer lately, almost normal—whatever that meant for them. They had a sense of freedom now, a chance to just live without the constant chaos hanging over their heads. But something about Rafe's smug face made it hard to just let it be.

Kiara nudged him again, this time with a playful grin. "Besides, aren't we supposed to be focusing on something else today?"

John B raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"The party," Kiara reminded him, her smile widening. "You know, the one we're all going to tonight? The one you've been pretending not to care about?"

John B smirked, finally letting some of the tension in his chest ease. He had heard about the party, but after spotting Rafe earlier, it had been the last thing on his mind. "Oh, right. The party." He glanced at Kiara, her eyes bright in the fading light. "You actually wanna go?"

Kiara shrugged, her shoulders relaxing as she stepped closer to the water's edge, letting the cool waves lap at her feet. "Why not? It's been a while since we've had a reason to just...chill. We deserve to have a little fun, right?"

John B watched her, feeling some of the heaviness start to lift. He knew she was right. They had been through hell and back, and maybe it was time to just let loose, even if only for a night. "Yeah," he said, finally giving in. "I guess you're right. We could use a break."

Kiara smiled, satisfied. "Good. So, no more brooding about Rafe or Topper tonight, alright? Let's just focus on the good stuff."

John B nodded, the tension in his body finally starting to ease. "Deal."

As they continued walking along the beach, the sound of the waves slowly drowning out his frustration, John B couldn't help but feel a bit of relief. Maybe Kiara was right. Maybe it was time to stop letting the past haunt them and focus on the good things they'd found together—the freedom, the peace, the moments like this one, walking along the sand with the people who mattered most.

Tonight, they would go to the party, and for once, they'd let themselves just be. No chaos, no danger—just them, enjoying the summer night.