𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐈𝐄 ¹- jj maybank

𝟎𝟐𝟗; 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥

SEASON 1
EPISODE 6

"Tell him it's either me and Charlie, or none of us."

»»-----　　-----««

SIERRA ENTERED Victoria's room without warning, the door creaking as it swung open. Victoria jumped, hurriedly wiping her nose with the sleeve of her hoodie, ensuring no evidence was left behind.

"You didn't even say hi," Sierra said, her tone sharp but not unkind. She leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms, her posture signaling a mix of concern and frustration.

Victoria sniffled, avoiding her mother's gaze. "Well, hi then," she muttered, her voice uneven.

"How was it at Charlie's?" Sierra pressed, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly scrutinizing her daughter's every move.

"Yeah, uh— it was good," Victoria replied hastily, her words tumbling out too quickly to sound convincing. Her mind raced, desperately trying to steer the conversation away from what had really happened. There was no way she was going to tell her mom about John B getting shoved off the viewpoint, the sickening crack of his body laying on the sand below, and the chaos that followed as he was rushed to the hospital. She'd end up right there with him if her mom found out.

Sierra tilted her head, unconvinced. "How is he? You never talk to me about anything anymore." She stepped into the room and sank onto the edge of Victoria's bed.

Victoria's heart sank as her eyes darted to the small, empty plastic bag peeking out from the mess on the bed. Panic surged through her. She shifted her weight, subtly scooping it up and tucking it under her thigh before Sierra could notice.

"He's good," she said quickly, the lie tasting bitter on her tongue. "Yeah, he's fine."

Sierra studied her daughter for a moment, her gaze piercing, as if she could see through every facade Victoria was putting up. "That's good to know," she began, her voice softening slightly, only to be cut off mid-sentence.

"Look, Mom, I'm too tired for any conversation right now," Victoria interrupted, forcing a yawn that she hoped would sound convincing, hiding the repeating sniffles. "It's been a long day."

Sierra's lips pressed into a thin line, a flicker of hurt crossing her face before she masked it. "All right. Since you don't want to talk to me, I'll leave," she said, her voice clipped. She stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her.

Victoria exhaled heavily, rolling her eyes as the tension in her chest grew tighter. Her heartbeat was erratic, her palms clammy against her thighs. She glanced down at the hidden plastic bag, feeling its presence like a weight pulling her deeper into trouble.

No wonder I don't talk to her, she thought bitterly, guilt mingling with anger. She leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as a fresh wave of anxiety washed over her.

»»-----　　-----««

Kiara walked up to John B, balancing a tray with water as she caught sight of him standing near the counter. His eyes wandered over the familiar decorations of The Wreck—the tangled string lights, weathered fishing nets draped along the walls, and faded surfboards leaning in the corners. His posture was casual, but there was a tension in his shoulders that Kiara noticed immediately.

"Sorry, so you're staying where now?" she asked, her eyebrows raising in disbelief as she adjusted the tray in her hands.

"Tannyhill," John B replied, turning to look at her. His tone was straightforward, but there was an edge of defensiveness in it.