𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡, obx . discontinued

𝟐𝟏 ;; 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑.

The next day dragged on forever. Ward had recorded a full confession, admitting to all of his crimes. It was nice to know that they were all free and didn't have to worry about him anymore, but it was weird thinking that he wouldn't come back. He was gone. Dead.

Nalani wasn't sure what to feel. She was meant to be sad, everyone else was sad, but it didn't feel like that at all. She felt empty. Ward was gone, just like that. No more yelling, no more hatred, no more wishing the old him would come back. She had hoped for this day for years, watching him leave while she sat on the shore, but it felt different now. The house was quiet, too still, like it was holding its breath. She thought it would feel like freedom, but instead, it felt wrong.

Rafe turned the corner and saw Nalani sitting at the end of it, absently picking at the edge of her shoes. Her eyes had bags under them, her cheeks puffed up with tears. For a second, he wasn't sure whether to walk forward or not, unsure if she even wanted to talk to him. But, she spotted him first.

"What do you want?" She asked softly, her voice not full of malice like he expected it to be.

He looked down at the ground for a moment. "I- I just wanted to say sorry."

Nalani's eyes didn't move, but it felt like her stomach did a backflip. Silence hung in the air, looming over them like storm clouds.

Rafe's voice sliced through the silence as if it was butter. "I was just trying to do right by Dad, I swear, I didn't mean- I didn't mean for this to happen."

"I really don't wanna talk right now, Rafe." She shook her head slightly, her eyes finally meeting his. They were empty, like no happiness had ever entered them. "I'm just waiting for Oscar to message me so I can go meet him."

"You heard what dad said, Nala." Rafe stepped forward slightly, running a hand through his messy hair. "He said we should stick together, stay as a family. I'm gonna- I'm gonna do what he said."

"When have you ever cared about what he says?" Nalani scoffed, talking under her breath. She rolled her eyes. "Just leave me alone, please, I don't wanna talk to you."

He nodded slightly, deciding to listen to her, retreating down the hallway and around the corner. As he left, Nalani felt a tear fall stray from her eye, quickly wiping it away. Her phone beeped loudly, so she picked up and read the text from Oscar.

- 🌊 -

Nalani and Oscar were sat on the boat, opposite Pope and John B. The air felt heavy, thick with the weight of the recent events. Sarah and John B had broken up, apparently, because Sarah got upset that John B was happy about Ward dying.

"I don't get it." John B shook his head, staring up at the stars. "I don't."

Pope sighed, "Love is five minutes of pleasure for a lifetime of pain."

"You should sign up for slam poetry at the country club, Pope," Oscar remarked sarcastically, looking over at Nalani who was also looking up into the sky,

John B shook his head, ignoring Oscar's comment. "Okay, so, you and Kie. What's going on?"

"Um..." Pope sat up, wiping his face with his hand. "Well...she just wants to be friends."

"Ha, peak." Oscar pointed at Pope, smirking happily at his joke.

"What does that even mean?" He furrowed his eyebrows in response, "Does that mean good?"

"I think it's sarcasm, I'm not sure-" Nalani shrugged her shoulders, motioning for Oscar to

JJ and Kiara walked down the dock, interrupting the conversation. JJ threw a beer across to Pope, which he didn't catch, causing it to hit the edge of the boat and spray beer all over Nalani. Her jaw dropped open. "JJ, I swear to god, I'm gonna kill you!"