LEGACY | OBX NEXT GENERATION

2 | Saylor Routledge ✔️

      I sat on my bed, typing away on my computer. I was trying to focus on my book, but JJ was making it impossible. He was pacing back and forth in front of my room, holding that stupid map and rambling on and on.

"What do you think this leads to?" JJ asked, holding the map in front of him. "A treasure, maybe?"

I shrugged, not looking up from my screen. "I don't know."

JJ continued to pace, his excitement growing with every step. "I mean, it must be valuable if those guys were willing to kill us for it."

I sighed, trying to stay focused. "I don't know, JJ."

But he just wouldn't stop. "What could this be?" he asked, staring at the map like it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

I finally looked up, exasperated. "Look, JJ, I think we should just return it. Whatever it is, it's not worth all the trouble. It could be bad juju."

JJ rolled his eyes. "Or good juju, maybe. This could be something that leads to treasure and our parents have done it, why can't we?"

I shook my head. "Because it's dangerous, JJ. We don't want to run into those guys again. We should turn it into the cops or something."

JJ shook his head vigorously. "No way. What can the cops do?"

I threw up my hands. "I don't know, but they'll know what to do with it."

Just then, our mom walked into the room. JJ quickly tucked the map into his pants, trying to act casual. "What's going on here?" she asked, eyeing us curiously.

JJ smiled innocently. "Just discussing her book, Mom."

I nodded, trying to play along. "Yeah, Mom."

Our mom smiled. "Oh, still working on that book, huh?"

I nodded again, smiling back at her. "Yeah."

She nodded, turning to leave. "Okay, guys, just keep it down. I'm trying to watch TV."

As soon as she was gone, JJ turned back to me, "Come on, Saylor. Let's figure out what this thing is."

I sighed, shaking my head. "JJ, we're not going to get mixed up in this. It's trouble. And I have to go." I say, getting up.

"Go where?" He asks.

"None yah." I pay him on the back as I make my way out the door. I slipped into my car, feeling excited as I drove to the beach. I was meeting Kaleb in secret, and I couldn't wait to see him.

We had been having a secret relationship for weeks now, and every time we met in private, we grew closer and closer. It was like we were living in our own little bubble, separate from the rest of the world. Not in some Pogue, Kook bullshit we care nothing about.

I had been careful to keep our relationship hidden from our friends, unsure of how they would react. Kaleb was a bit of a wild card, and I knew that my friends might not approve of him especially since he's Rykers best friend.

But I didn't care. I was drawn to Kaleb like a moth to a flame, his passion for life, his passion for football all drew me in. And as I ran up to him on the beach, throwing my arms around him, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

"God, it's been awhile since I've seen you in private," I exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

Kaleb hugged me back, holding me close. "I know, I've been holding back just going up to you and kissing you," he said. "At least now I can."

He planted a kiss on my lips, and I blushed at that. I had never felt this way about anyone before, Kaleb was everything I wanted I in a guy.

After a moment, we broke apart, and Kaleb led me to a little picnic he had set up on the beach. There was a blanket spread out, and a basket of food and drinks. It was sweet and romantic.