duchess → outer banks

EPISODE XIX.

[midsummers]

After an hour or so of driving around the OBX trying to calm herself down, Duchess felt confident enough that she wouldn't break down into tears the next time she spoke to someone. She drove back to the cut, picked up her dress and makeup from her grandmother's house and made her way to Kie's house.

When she rang the doorbell, it was Kie who answered. Instantly, she was brought into a hug by her friend. "Is he okay," she asked.

Duchess, still hugging Kie replied. "No."

"Well, are you okay?"

"I will be when I know he's no where near his dad."

Kie was the first to break the hug, in order to look at her friend in the face. "Knowing JJ, he's probably going to show up at John B's. You did what you could, Duchess. I'm sure just showing up to the sheriff's department was more than he could have asked for."

Duchess thought back to JJ in that place, the look of relief when he saw her. The look of fear when she told him that his dad was also there. "I just wish I could have done more."

"We all do. Pope especially," Kie replied.

"Yeah. How's he doing," Duchess asked, trying to get the topic off of JJ before she started crying again.

"He feels guilty. Relieved. Guilty that he feels relieved. I still can't believe JJ did what he did," Kie said, leading Duchess into her house. When she walked inside, Duchess was reminded of how rich her friend really was.

"I can believe it," she said, "JJ's like that. He more loyal than anyone I've ever met. And he always puts The Pogues before himself."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Now come on. Let's get ready for Midsummers. The sooner we leave, the sooner this night will be over."

Duchess laughed at her friend's apprehension to attend the Kook event.

❁

Duchess looked at herself in the full body mirror in Kie's bedroom. For the first time since she moved to the Outer Banks, she had curled her hair and done a full face of makeup. Back in New York, she had done that pretty much every weekend to attend parties, but it was different here. Everyone had that chill natural vibe, so the brunette had left her curling iron and makeup bag alone.

Wearing a dress was also something she hadn't done since moving. But, looking at her powder blue dress, she decided that she really did miss having excuses to get all dressed up. Never did Duchess ever think she would miss the pain of wearing high heels.