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"It's like a tradition to kind of kick off the school year. Everyone shows up." Estrella explains, "It's one of the few times everyone actually coexists."

"You go every year?" Charlotte asks

"I don't have much of choice." She chuckles, "You see who our friends are?"

"Yo." JJ says walking up to them. He holds his hands out to them

"Oh, this beer sucks." Estrella grimaces

"Come on." JJ says dragging the words out, "We have to show Charlotte a good OBX party."

Charlotte frowns as she takes the other beer from him, "I thought that's what the hot tub party was for."

"Right, but considering-" He stops pointing towards Estrella's leg causing her to roll her eyes, "This is another shot at it. No pun intended."

"Haha." Estrella says sarcastically causing Charlotte to laugh

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Estrella finally felt herself start to relax as the party went on. She missed when they were able to just be teenagers. When they could go to parties, stay out all night, and just have fun like 16 years olds should.

"Estrella!"

The girl turns to find a friend from school waving her over. She turns back toward Kie and Charlotte, "I'll be back."

The two girls watch her walk off. It was silent between them despite the conversations going on around them. Charlotte knew Kie wasn't a huge fan of her. She didn't exactly know why, but she figured it was just Kie needing to warm up to people.

"So," Kie starts causing Charlotte to look over, "You having fun so far?"

"Oh, yeah." Charlotte nods, "Never been to a bonfire before."

Kie frowns, "Seriously?"

"No." Charlotte chuckles

"Figured you did all that stuff with your rich friends."

Charlotte's smile falters, "Um, I didn't have many friends back home."

Kie looks at her as Charlotte takes a sip of her beer, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Charlotte shrugs, "I just didn't fit in with them really. Their values didn't line up with mine."

Charlotte smiles softly as Kie looks down, "I just- assumed you know? Seeing as your grandmother is who she is."

"I try not to let who she is overshadow who I want to be."

Kie was a bit taken aback by Charlotte's words. Most kooks she's met have been stuck up assholes. She would've assumed that even bigger kooks would be worse.

She looks off again towards where Estrella had walked off to. The girl was laughing with her friends with her cup in her hand. Estrella hadn't noticed any eyes on her as she had yet to look around. JJ tilts his head from the other side of the party.

"Who's that guy with Estrella?" JJ asks

Pope looks over towards Estrella before shrugging, "I don't know. Some guy from school I guess." He then turns toward JJ whose eyes had yet to move from her, "Are you seriously jealous?"

"I'm not jealous." He says finally looking toward Pope who raises his brows, "Just curious. I mean, he's put his hand on her arm at least five times."

"Wow." Pope chuckles

"What?"

"Nothing."

"No, tell me." JJ says

"It's just- she's not yours, JJ." Pope says hesitantly. JJ can feel his heart drop at Pope's words, "I know you care about her and probably a lot more than that, but you have a funny way of showing it."

JJ knew Pope was right. Of course he was. JJ knew he messed up the second he woke up the next day and realized what he did. He woke up everyday after that wishing he could go back and get rid of the bet completely. He didn't regret what happened with Estrella, but if that never happening would've meant they would be back to how they were, he'd do it in a heartbeat.

"Be honest with me, all right?" JJ says. Pope nods, "Do you think her and I will ever be the same again? I know that despite me apologizing, she still doesn't trust me."

Pope looks at JJ for a few seconds before sighing, "I think what you did was fucking stupid, but I can't tell you what she feels. Normally, she has it written all over her face, but it's hard to tell lately."

Both boys turn toward Estrella and her friends. A smile was plastered on her face as she stood with them, "What happened with you hit her hard and then what happened with John B and Sarah just made it worse."

"I just want her back the way I had her."

"That's probably gonna take awhile." Pope says turning to him, "Let her come to you."

JJ lets out a deep breath through his nose before downing the rest of his drink.

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"Have a little respect! Her dad just died!" Topper yells. Estrella turns around trying to catch where the yelling was coming from.

Estrella doesn't take a second before walking towards the group that was forming. She spots Kie on her way there and taps her, "What happened?"

"I don't know, but it's John B."

"What you gonna do, John B, you gonna kill me like you killed Sheriff Peterkin? Huh? Do something!"

John B then turns a throws a punch to Kelce sending him back into Topper. Topper then comes forward and grabs John B by his collar.

"Shit!" Estrella says as she and Kie try to push through the teens surrounding the fight. The two get pushed to the side as another fight begins behind them.

"Move! Move!" Kie says as she makes a path for the two girls

"Get off!" A girl yells before pushing Sarah

"What the fuck?" Estrella exclaims as she jumps down to help Sarah up

"Move, bitch! What's your problem?" Kie says pushing the girl back

"Hey, what the hell?"

Kie turns to Sarah as Estrella gets to her, "You all right?"

"Whose side are you on?" The girl says

"She's my friend." Kie yells to her

"You okay?" Estrella says pulling Sarah up

"Yeah." Sarah breathes

"Guys, let's go!" Kie says

"Where's Charlotte?"

"I'm right here." The blonde says coming from the crowd

"Are you okay?" Estrella asks. Charlotte nods as the boys finally coming running toward them.

"Get out of here, Pogue!"

"Kie, let's go!" Pope says as the group runs towards the Twinkie. John B turns around to help Kie down before the two follow their friends.

•••

A tense silence fell over the teens as they sat in the Twinkie. Kie and Pope in the front seats with the others spread out in the back. Estrella sat with her back to Pope's seat as JJ came walking toward the van. He lets out a burp as he tosses his beer can.

Estrella grimaces, "Dude."

"Well, that was a little unexpected." He says

"Was it?" Kie says. John B stayed silent with a cold beer can held to his head.

JJ turns to Charlotte, "Have fun for your first OBX bonfire?"

Estrella's head lulls to the side as she looks up to Charlotte. Charlotte gives a small smile, "Definitely a night to remember."

"That's a win." JJ nods. He then turns to John B, "Hey, maybe she'll come around."

Pope turns to Kie who holds a solemn expression. The group knew exactly who he was talking about, but with the events that unfolded tonight, they weren't too sure she would be back.

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