P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

Half-Baked

Before Cory could get a hold of Kiara, John B decided to make an appearance.

Cory wasn't sure what had happened after she left John B and Sarah. All she knew was that she could see Sarah from afar, her face wet with tears. Topper approached her quickly, and they exchanged a hug.

And when Cory's eyes landed on John B, she knew the night wasn't going to end well. But maybe it would be the distraction she needed to get away from her sister.

It would be risky getting so close to Topper, who had been involved the night prior, but she needed to be by the fight when it inevitably happened. And Cory knew it would. Those two hadn't gone to a party together in the past year without getting into a fist fight.

So Cory turned to her sister, mumbling something about going to talk to Sarah, just as she watched John B approaching Topper.

She placed herself behind Sarah, and where the inevitable fight would occur, trying to block herself from her sister.

Cory looked over at her friend, grimacing at his face. She could see the angry, unwavering look that he held as he stalked closer.

"Oh shit," Topper mumbled, noticing him.

Cory knew that the aftermath of the fight wouldn't be good, but she didn't think anyone could stop John B from starting it anyways.

So Cory reached for Sarah's arm, pulling her to the side.

"No, not right now, bro," Topper said as John B approached, his stride growing faster and angrier.

"John B," Sarah said, but Cory held her back, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"Feel good about yourself?" John B asked, shoving his hands into Topper's shoulders and pushing him back.

"You need to chill out, bro," Topper warned, an angry look on his face, though he wasn't quite fighting back.

John B continued forward, pushing him back once more.

"You're ruining their party right now," Topper said.

"Oh, that's what you're worried about?" John B asked. "Feel good about yourself, huh?"

Sarah yanked herself away from Cory, stalking up to John B. She spun him around quickly.

"For once in your life, would you please just turn around and walk away?" Sarah begged, her voice shaking. "Please."

Cory looked to the side, finding JJ standing by the fence. They exchanged a nervous look.

"Look at me," Sarah continued. "Please don't."

For a second, Cory thought John B was just gonna walk away. But then Topper sucked in a breath and spoke.

"Hey, no hard feelings, bro," he said.

"Topper," Sarah scolded.

Cory grimaced, watching her friend closely.

"We good?" Topper asked as John B slowly turned to face him.

Cory could see the tense muscles in his arm before he ever started swinging.

But then Topper was falling backwards, where he laid on the ground, grunting.

"Ooh," John B said, shaking out his hand. "You like that shit, Top? Huh?"

"Stop, John B," Sarah pleaded as he stepped closer to the Kook sprawled on the ground.

But then John B was leaning over Topper's body and plowing his fist back into the boy's face.