JUNE SIGHED, walking into her home. Her home that never really felt like it. She stared at the gold necklace that laid in a glass safe that held all of her mother prized possessions in.

She smiled at the most powerful thing in there.

Years before her mother died she gave her specific instructions on what she wanted to happen when she did. She wished to be cremated and made into a necklace. A silver one with a small crystal, with her ashes strictly inside of it. It broke her heart at first to hear it but, she listened.

June didn't even realize the body that stood behind her, "Um, June," she jumped at her fathers voice. She didn't even have the power to say anything until she saw the many bags packed around him. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going." Was all he said. "Going? Going where?"

"I'm staying with your grandmother for a couple weeks. I'll be working from home." June shook her head, "What am i suppose to do?"

"Stay here. Don't, I don't give a damn. I just need to be away for a little." She felt like her heart was being twisted and laughed at, "Away from me? Or outerbanks?"

"You, June. This house. Everything." She hiccuped, her breathe hitching as she nodded, "Okay. Can you atleast do one thing for me?"

"What?"

"Open the safe." June looked behind her. He shook his head, "Your gonna lose it. Her." June was in disbelief at her father's words. "She'll be more their for me than you have been since she died. Just open the safe."

His heart was breaking at her words but he knew it was for the best. "The password is your birthday. I'll see you, kid." Then he walked out. No hug. No i love you. Not even a, be safe.

She nodded, chuckling at how pathetic she was as she stared at the door that was now being shut in her face.

Though, not everyone was sad. But, nervous as John B made his way to the chateau in the mean time, chatting it up with a specific girl, oblivious to the trouble he could cause.

John B and Sarah were definitely something. Their constant chats, but June was also oblivious to the many kisses they have shared. They were being selfish. Love always comes with trouble no matter how good it feels— family is first.

And John B didn't know what that meant.

"What's up," JJ waved at the girl who had her car keys in her hand, making her way over to sit in between JJ and Pope, "Yo!"

Kiara watched as she walked to sit down, not even looking at her. She hated June so much. She hated the way her hips moved when she walked, he silky black hair, her eyes that sparkled in the sun— she hated her.

At the sight of the girl staring, June rolled her eyes leaning into her best friends arm, "Beer?" He asked, "Nope." She shook her head, pulling out a bag. "Praise June." JJ teased, making her laugh as she gave it to him.

Her heart stopped immediately when she looked up. John B and Sarah walking in. Hand in hand. The hand that Sarah used to braid her hair with, graze her skin— touch her waist. He was holding her hand.

Sarah almost stopped in her tracks, letting go of his hand at the sight of her. June didn't even say anything only taking a deep breathe and leaning into the two boys touch.

"No effing way!" Kiara immediately began. "You brought her here? So what? She's in on this now?" John B looked at his three friends for support, "I dunno."

"Look, all I care about is her cut comes out of your share." JJ pointed, looking at June for her opinion, June only shook her head, waving him off.

"You know, I don't remember taking a vote. This is our thing! A Pogue thing." Kiara was sure to make everyone in the room uncomfortable, "I gotta say, I'm just a tad uncomfortable with all of this."

"Thank you!"

"When are you not uncomfortable?" John B was defensive. And June could feel the reason why. "I rode here on the back of JJ's bike pretty comfortably."

"You know we were all extremely comfortable until you brought her." Kiara said, "Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Sarah finally spoke up, "Then leave!"

June shook her head, "This is so childish, guys." Kiara swung her head around to look at June now, "Are you seriously taking her side? You know what is going on here right?"

June sat up completely, "I told you." Sarah muffled. "Told him what, exactly? That your a liar?"

"No, that your a shit talking bitch!"

Pope and JJ began reaching over June, giving each other money, as the two argued back and fourth, "I bet on June." JJ said, June immediately smacked him, throwing his money across the room, "That was ten dollars!"

"Can both of you shut the fuck up! Seriously? We aren't freshmans anymore. You did fucked up shit, Kiara, she doesn't like you for you. Me and you did some fucked up shit to Sarah— grow up!" June yelled, her cheeks bloodshot red as she leaned back in silence.

"John B?"

"Kie, you are my bestfriend, right? And, Sarah, you're," June could feel her heart pounding in her chest, "Say it."

"Your my girlfriend." June got a familiar overwhelming feeling as she let her blood pump through her body, the itchy feeling coming up as she watched the scene, "You have got to be lying. Sarah?" June stood up, pushing of JJ's hand as he tried to calm her,

Sarah could only look at the ground.

June was now standing infront of her, "Did it mean fucking nothing to you? Did I mean nothing?" The group was beyond confused as Sarah and June looked at each other, both with tears in their eyes.

June laughed, tears now filled up as she looked at the sky, "No, have fun with her JB. Have so much fucking fun!" Sarah lightly winced to herself as June pushed the door open heavily, her hair falling off her shoulders.

June found the nearest tree as she fell against it, her heart beating in her chest as she wiped her tears. She promised herself after Kiara she would never cry over a girl again and here she was.

Crying over a girl again.

A girl she thought would be her everything in the future. They were suppose to love each other and care for each other as they promised. Sarah told her she liked her. She should've known.

June quickly wiped her tears, taking a deep breathe as she walked back to chateau, taking her seat back. "Are you good?" She nodded, a fake smile on her face as she waited for everyone to get back, "Fine."

Going home was silent. Only her thoughts and regret filling the room. She should've just kept her feelings to herself. And here she was barely able to control a car with her shaky hands.

The house was empty. Her footsteps echoed the home, and the only thing that truly felt good was the necklace that was placed carefully around her neck.

A smile placed around her face as she saw her kitten, Butters waltz in, rubbing her face along her calve. Sarah helped June name her. It was given as a gift on her birthday that lingered so close.

A phone call made her sigh to herself as she threw her phone on the couch, walking up the stairs. But, loud banging echoed her ears. "For fuck sakes!"

As the door swung open, June cursed to herself, "Go away," She paused at the sight of her cousin, Lucas, holding grocery bags. "Ice cream? My mom told me about your dad." June nodded, "Come in, yeah."

Lucas laughed as she grabbed the jug of cookie dough ice cream and the biggest spoon she could find as she made her way to her room, the boy following her like a lost puppy.

"So, talk to me. What's on your mind?"

"Everything. My dad, Sarah, John B," He furrowed his eyes, "Wait, why him?"

"He's banging Sarah. Totally dating he said. He knows himself how much I like her. He did it anyway." She shrugged, sighing at the memory. "What about Kie? You still like her?"

"She kissed me the day of midsummers, but it was just to help me out. Now, she's being a fucking dick." His eyes almost flew out, "You kissed Kiara?"

"No! She kissed me. Only because I was having a panick attack and stopping your breath stops it or whatever. Now, she will barely look at me without huffing or rolling her eyes." Her heart ached.

"Because she realized how much she actually likes you. She hates you. But, not in the way you think." Lucas explained, leaving her confused, "What does that mean?"

"You'll find out one of these days."

"What about you and Devin?" She wiggled her shoulders, winking as he pushed her face away, "He gives good dick that's all I'm gonna say." Her mouth dropped, "Ew! Oh my god! That had to hurt!"

"Bitch!" He pushed her, making her fall off the bed in a giggle attack. "Oh shit!"

June loved these kinds of days in outer banks. Days that could be healed with a smile or hug. Maybe it wasn't the days. Maybe it was the people.

June loved all the people she surrounded herself with. All the people who guided her. Held her hand. Gave her a hug when she needed it.

The only thing she really needed and sought to have was a blonde.

A blonde girl.