sunburn - rafe cameron (outerbanks)

8 - this is war

chapter 8
this is war

angie didn't know why she had come here. she never really did. but as she leaned awkwardly against the doorframe of barry's downtrodden house, she couldn't help but feel a bitter mixture of shame and resignation settle in her stomach. this was routine now—her quiet descent into old habits.

barry sat on a beaten-up sofa, slouched, one arm draped over the back. beside him was a girl angie didn't recognize, she was older, her hair a mess of tangled curls. the girl glanced at angie with mild curiosity, but barry just groaned.

"jesus, ang," barry muttered, rubbing his face with the heel of his hand. "you always turn up at the most inconvenient times."

angie shrugged, the movement jerky and uncomfortable. her fingers drummed lightly against her leg, a nervous habit she couldn't seem to shake. she hadn't meant to show up unannounced, but she didn't have the energy to offer an apology.

"sorry," she said, the word hollow and insincere. "i just—"

"yeah, yeah," barry cut her off, sighing heavily. he dug into his back pocket, producing two long, white pills between his fingers. "all i've got 'til monday," he told her, holding them out.

she handed over the crumpled cash in her pocket, avoiding his eyes as she took the pills. it felt like a transaction, mechanical and unfeeling, as though they weren't two people who had known each other for years.

"thanks," angie mumbled, pocketing the pills and turning to leave.

"thought you were off this shit?" he asked, her attention drawing back to him.

"yeah, well- apparently not today." she shrugged.

"well call next time." barry grunted in response, shifting his attention back to the girl beside him.

as angie stepped outside and closed the door behind her, she let out a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding. she leaned against her car for a moment, eyes closed, trying to steady the uneasy feeling gnawing at her insides.

the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the uneven lawn. angie glanced down at her phone, checking the time. she had agreed to meet topper at the annual outdoor movie screening, a plan they had made weeks ago. it had been sarah's idea initially, but she had bailed at the last minute, complaining that they played the same three movies every year. angie couldn't blame her; it wasn't exactly an event that demanded repeat attendance. still, topper seemed insistent on going, and angie didn't have the energy to argue.

the pills felt heavy in her pocket, a constant reminder of her temporary solution. she had promised herself she'd quit—again—but the promise was flimsy and meaningless now. she didn't even know why she kept trying.

when she arrived at the movie, the place was already buzzing with people. string lights were hung between trees, giving the whole area a nostalgic, almost dreamlike feel. the large screen at the front of the clearing flickered with the familiar opening credits of an old classic, one she'd seen more times than she cared to count. angie remained in her car for a moment, removing the pills from her pocket and snapping one in half. she placed it on her tongue, swallowing it dry.

she had found topper easily, sitting beside rafe and laughing at something kelce had said. he instantly waved her over, his grin wide and familiar. angie forced a smile in return, though it felt like more of an effort than it should have. she hadn't expected for the others to be there, it was naive of her to assume it would be just her and topper.

"hey, you made it," topper said as she approached.

"yeah," angie replied, adjusting her jacket as she stepped back. "didn't have much choice."