Left Behind - Outer Banks

A Ferris Bueller day off

Kiara POV

A few weeks later and October was already upon us. I loved fall. Halloween was the best day. 

Pope and JJ picked me up for school most days. As we drove I looked out the window seeing all the halloween decorations. "What are you guys dressing up as on Friday?" I asked them. I was sat in the back next to JJ while Pope drove. Pope had been spending more time with Luisa. He hasn't said how he truly feels about her, but I think he might ask her to be his girlfriend soon. I hope. Since Pope isn't around as much JJ and I have been hanging out alone a lot. Last summer I was never that close with him, until after John B left. He got me, in ways that Pope didn't. 

"I have no clue." JJ declared. 

"We should dress coordinated." I said.

"What do you have in mind?" Pope asked.

"Well I was thinking wizard of Oz characters. I will be Dorothy, JJ as scarecrow, and Pope as cowardly lion." I described. I've had this Idea since the summer, and John B was supposed to be tin man, but three is enough.

"Tell me what to wear and i'll be there." JJ responded.

When we arrived at school we parted ways for classes, but always sat together at lunch. I grabbed a sandwich, while JJ had a slice of pizza. We sat across from each other at the end of a long table. 

"Wheres Pope?" I questioned. I gazed at JJ. His hair fluffy as ever. I always loved that. 

"I think he's taking a test or something." He responded. 

We talked a bit about boring school and about the kids we didn't like. JJ could tell I wasn't in to anything today. I was tired, and needed a break from the same thing, day after day.

"Do you want to dip?" JJ asked.

"Huh?" I responded zoned out.

"Like, do you want to leave for the day?"

"Honestly yes." We quickly finished our meals, then stood up and walked out of the cafeteria without drawing too much attention. We grabbed our bags and left out a side door, the only one without cameras. Since Pope had the keys to the van we had to walk. The ocean was only half a mile away so we decided to go there. Being a school day no one was at the beach. We went to the public bathrooms to change into our swimsuits. It's important to always have a swimsuit on you, you never know when you will need it. Once we stepped out we rushed into the ocean.

I'm not going to lie JJ always looked good in a swimsuit. We swam into the water until I could barely touch. Since JJ was taller he held my hand to make sure I didn't get washed under. After a while went back on land and sat in the sand. We ate some Pb&J sandwiches I had in my bag. We talked until sunset. He always made me laugh and feel good about myself.

"Kie, can I be honest with you?" JJ asked. He looked into my eyes. I knew this was something important to him.

"Yeah, you can tell me anything." I explained.

"I want to be with you, I have for a long time. I was always too afraid to say anything, and this summer was really hard. You make me feel whole again, I-." I cut him off with a kiss, a long one to be exact. 

"I want to be with you too." I stated. 

"Now you're not just saying that like you did with Pope?" JJ remarked. I chuckled pushing him over in the warm sand. I kneeled over top him, and started kissing him harder with more passion. His arms embraced my back. For the first time in months I felt safe. 

We stayed like this for a bit until it became dark. "We should probably go." JJ suggested. As I stood up he handed me his sweatshirt to wear. 

"I'll walk you home." JJ insisted.

"But Pope's place is the opposite way." I informed.

"Its okay I don't mind walking." He responded. 

"No really I'll be fine. You should get home before Pope calls the police, you know him."

"Uh, okay." JJ huffed. He tilted his head down and kissed me, putting his hands on my cheeks. They were warm compared to my cold body. I smiled, and we parted ways. 

As I walked home it felt as I was walking on air, I felt so good. I never wanted that night on the beach to end.