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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As Kiara pulled away, her breath heavy, the realization hit her hard. "Wait—wait, Jayj, we... we shouldn't be doing this." She stammered, trying to process the flurry of emotions coursing through her. JJ knew this was coming, even braced himself for it. He just didn't expect it to feel like a punch to the gut. He'd tried to keep things cool, stay the playful best friend, but somehow, without him realizing, Kiara had worked her way into his head. She made him feel things he wasn't ready to admit.
JJ sat up, wiping a hand over his face, a slight smirk playing on his lips despite himself, as if he could shrug this all off. But his voice gave him away. "So, that was just... a mistake, right?" He forced the words out, watching her closely, hoping she'd say something different.
Kiara bit her lip, hesitating, before finally whispering, "Yeah... I'm sorry." She stood up, already trying to put distance between them, like stepping away would make what just happened disappear.
JJ let out a rough laugh, shaking his head. "Damn, Kie. 'Sorry'? You think I don't get it? Pogue on Pogue macking rule, right? Just don't tell me you didn't feel anything. I know you, Kie. That wasn't nothing."
She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "It doesn't matter what I felt," she said softly. "We're friends, JJ. And we need to keep it that way."
JJ's jaw clenched, the weight of her words settling over him. "Friends," he muttered, letting out a bitter chuckle. "Right. Just friends."
He felt a surge of anger, not at her but at the stupid, impossible situation they were in. He'd been through hell and back with her, fought off everyone who'd ever tried to hurt her, stood by her side no matter what. And now she was acting like it didn't mean a damn thing. It wasn't fair.
"So that's it, then?" JJ said, crossing his arms. "We just pretend this never happened, and go back to... whatever the hell this is?"
Kiara's eyes flashed with something he couldn't quite read. "Look, I don't want to ruin everything, okay? I'm not about to throw away our friendship just because we... because we got carried away."
JJ scoffed. "Yeah, because that's what we're doing. Just getting 'carried away.'" He turned away, running a hand through his hair, a bitter edge in his voice. "Whatever, Kie. Do what you want."
The room felt tense, and Kiara hated every second of it. She hadn't meant to hurt him, hadn't expected this whole thing to feel so damn confusing. But seeing the hurt flicker across his face made her chest ache.
Kiara reached out, touching his shoulder. "JJ, please, I just need time to figure things out. I don't want to lose you."
JJ's shoulders slumped, his anger melting into something more raw, more vulnerable. He let out a sigh, glancing down at her hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, sure. Time. But just... don't keep me waiting forever, Kie."
She nodded, but inside, she was battling herself, torn between the safety of staying just friends and the risk of letting herself actually be with him. JJ nodded and grabbed his backpack, muttering something under his breath about needing air. He walked out of the room, leaving her standing there, feeling the weight of her own uncertainty.
