THAT SUMMER

•••That day ended the same way most others did in the OBX: long rides in John B's van, scream-singing along to Kiara's playlist, sitting at the edge of the dock, then eventually jumping in to prove a point. Ella would pop her head back to the surface, wet hair stuck to her cheeks, beaming up at JJ as he held out the towel for her, then tug him in. He would theatrically let himself fall in.

It was perfect in the way that they cared for it to be. Maybe they would have appreciated it more had they known the shit-storm on the way. Maybe Ella would've wrapped her arms around JJ tighter in the water, if she'd known the way their relationship would complicate itself that summer.

But, that's the point, is it not? That they didn't know. If they'd known, it wouldn't of been half as much fun. The memory wouldn't of been nearly as perfect.•••

•••

Outer Banks.

The summer that changed everything. Friendships, family, enemies, and love.

She's a drifter- a friend to all, but also to none. Ella Abbott and JJ Maybank are the closest, most hot-headed, unusual, untrustworthy duo in the OBX; since the good old days.

They are so similar, but too different at the same time.

Priorities change and feelings shift. Toxicity is never a favourable trait.