This story is all about Jiara! I'll be focusing mostly on JJ and Kiara's story, diving deeper into their connection and where things might go for them.
Just to clarify, these characters aren't mine, they belong to Outer Banks! But I'll be bringing i...
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The Pogues were lounging on the hammock at the Château, talking and laughing, when they heard footsteps approaching from the gravel path. They all froze, tense, listening. "Who's there?" JJ called, stepping forward with his usual bravado.
A familiar figure stepped out of the shadows—Kiara Carrera. Her usually confident demeanor seemed to have vanished. She looked worn out, her face shadowed with something they couldn't quite place. "Hey..." she said softly, barely loud enough for them to hear.
The reaction was immediate. John B's face hardened. He crossed his arms and glared at her, like he was trying to keep himself from lashing out. "No... hell no! She's not welcome here," he snapped, his voice sharp and cold.
JJ felt a pang of sympathy for her but didn't say anything. He stood back, waiting to see what Kiara would say, or if she'd turn and leave.
Kiara's face fell as she looked at John B. "I'm sorry, John B," she said, her voice shaky, eyes shining with regret. "I'm sorry I didn't call. Or text. I'm so sorry about your dad, and I'm sorry for being such a bad friend."
But John B was too hurt to forgive. "You're not my fucking friend, Kiara," he spat, the words raw with pain. Without another glance, he turned and stormed off into the Château, leaving her standing there. Pope gave her a brief, torn look but followed John B, leaving just JJ with Kiara.
Kiara looked down, fighting the tears now welling up in her eyes. She felt completely exposed and humiliated, standing there as the door closed behind Pope and John B. Finally, she sat down by the old oak tree, her back pressed against the rough bark as she let the tears fall.
"You can leave, too, you know," she said, looking away from JJ, her voice barely above a whisper.
JJ paused, considering it. Part of him wanted to follow John B, to side with his best friend. But something held him back. He couldn't just leave her there, crying. "I know I can," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "And I know I probably should... but I don't know if I want to."
She glanced up at him, surprised. JJ settled down beside her, leaning against the tree trunk, letting the silence fill the air around them. He could see the exhaustion and hurt in her face, her usual spark dimmed.
"So... are you gonna talk, or what?" he asked gently, his tone soft. He wanted her to know he was there if she wanted to open up.
Kiara took a shaky breath, wiping her tears. "I... I don't even know where to start, JJ. Everything's just... such a mess." She laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "My parents thought I'd be better off without you guys. They thought you were bad for me, so they sent me to that country club summer camp."
JJ nodded, recalling how she'd been gone most of the summer. "Yeah, heard you were at some fancy camp with the kooks."
She laughed, the sound hollow. "Yeah, it was supposed to be all perfect and structured, a way to make new friends. And I tried, JJ, I really tried to fit in. I even made a couple of friends. But... I didn't have anything in common with anyone there. They didn't get me. I felt like I was living someone else's life all summer." Her voice broke. "I kept wondering what you guys were doing, what I was missing out on."
