Sarah Cameron, Topper Thornton's girlfriend. She stood atop an old ocean buoy that had washed ashore, staring over the crowd. She wore a loose blue sundress that flapped ever so slightly in the breeze of the evening.
I watch in annoyance as Topper comes into view. He yells at Sarah, telling her to get down from her spot on the buoy. I roll my eyes, always so controlling. Topper grabs his girlfriend, picking her up off the buoy and spinning her around.
I notice John B's gaze lingering on the dirty blonde. I nudge him with my shoulder. He glances at me shaking his head. I raise my eyebrow in question but I drop it.
"Go talk to him." John B says looking at me.
"What?" I snap out of my thoughts, looking at him with wide eyes.
"JJ."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Dude, he's your best friend. You guys obviously care about each other with all these stolen glances and small touches you don't think anyone notices. Look I don't know where you guys stand, but he cares about you."
"I know."
"So?" John B gives me a questioning look.
"I'm not gonna go interrupt his partying."
"Fine. I will." John B states. He reaches up to cup his hands around his mouth, yelling at JJ. "Hey, yo, JJ!"
The blonde looks up from the girl he was talking to. A small smile in his face as he notices John B and I sitting by each other. He excuses himself from the girl before jogging over to us.
"Hey." He greets.
"Franklin was just telling me she wants to talk to you." John B says before walking away.
I look at JJ, an awkward smile crossing my face. "I certainly did not say that, but I'll accept the company."
"Want another drink?" JJ asks. I nod at him, a smile on my face. "Come on." He wraps an arm around my shoulders, leading me over to the keg.
He fills another cup with the beer before handing it to me.
"Thank you."
"You doing any better?" JJ asks me, taking my hand.
"Yeah. Im glad you guys came."
"Me too." The blonde leans over, pressing a kiss to my cheek. I let out a light giggle before sipping my beer.
I notice a familiar couple walking toward us. Topper's eyes were on me the whole time. JJ pulls his hand out of mine, stepping toward the pair.
"Sarah, can I interest you in a tasty Milwaukee beverage?" JJ offers.
"No, thanks."
"Is it not fancy enough for you?" JJ asks.
"JJ, don't." I speak up.
"No, we were just leaving." Sarah says again.
"Hey, you know what?" Topper cuts in. "I'll take it. As soon as he said that I knew this was gonna get ugly. "I'll- Thank you, man, I appreciate it."
"That's nice, but I didn't ask you." JJ responds. "If you said pretty please, maybe, but you didn't."
"Oh, pretty please." Topper mocks.
"Yeah. Sarah. You can have it."
Topper smacks the cup, dumping the beer over JJ's face. "She doesn't want it, you-"
JJ snaps, breaking his previous calm facade. He lunges at the male kook, shoving him backward.
"Hey, JJ, no!" I grab onto the blondes hand, pulling him back.
"Hey, you're so funny man." JJ keeps taunting the other boy.
"JJ, stop. Calm down." I say catching his attention. His eyes soften when he looks down at me. "Please?" The boy nods at me, relaxing a little.
"Dirty Pogues!" Topper shouts. I whirl around quickly, my eyes narrowing in anger. They really just wanted to make it worse. John B launches himself at the Kook, shoving him, making him stumble several feet backward.
Pope steps in front of John B, finally getting involved. "We're supposed to be incognito, remember?"
Topper steps forward, his arm pulled back before launching his fist into John B's jaw. John B stumbles back, falling into the shallow water. A collective gasp echoes through the air.
"Guys? Guys!" Sarah yells.
Topper punches the brunette again as he tries to get up. "Hey, John B! Don't make me drown you like your old man, all right?"
"Hey! Top!" The blond looks up at me.
"What? You got something to say Kook Queen?"
"Yeah. Why don't you shut the hell up?" I snap.
"I don't think so." Topper punches the boy in the water again.
The crowd surrounding my friends start cheering. "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Kiara jogs up behind me. "What the hell is going on?"
"The boys might've had too much to drink." I state.
"Look." Kiara nods towards the boys.
John B stands again, tackling Topper to the ground. Both boys grunt as they slam into the wet sand.
Pope steps in front of Kie and I. "John B, let it go, man!"
"Stop, you guys!" Kie shouts, voice cracking.
Both boys breathe heavy from the harsh impacts they had both taken. They continue to fight, grappling with each other and getting punches in when they could. They grunt each time one of them gets hit. The sound of bone on bone contact makes me cringe.
"Topper! Knock it off!" I yell.
I notice Kiara running her hands through her hair, stressed. I glance at her, giving her a worried look. Her eyes dart away from mine, a scowl coming over her face.
I roll my eyes looking back to the boys fighting. Topper finally flips John B over his back, causing a loud gasp from John B. John B lands with a loud thud and a big splash. Topper holds the boys head under the water.
"Topper! Stop, no!" Sarah calls out frantic.
"Oh my fucking god. He's drowning him." I stress.
"Top, get the fuck off him!"
"No! He's drowning him." Pope repeats, looking over at us girls.
Sarah continues to yell at her boyfriend as he continues to drown our friend.
My mouth widens as a loud gasp escapes my lips when JJ rushes over, pressing a gun to the blondes head. I shudder as I hear him click the safety off. I step behind Pope.
I could feel tears burning in my eyes at the sight of the boy I cared so much for holding a deadly weapon to Topper's temple. I froze in my place, my breath going ragged, body going cold.
"Yeah, you know what it is." JJ states. "Your move, broski."
"Come on, chill dude." Pope yells from in front of me.
I remain unmoving as the crowd dispersed around me. My eyes stay trained on the boys in front of me.
"Stop! JJ!" Sarah screams, her voice raw from all the yelling. "Put the gun down!"
"Did you say something, princess?" JJ demands from the Kook.
"We're good. We're good." Topper yells, holding his hands up in surrender as he stands.
"Kie! Can you check your psycho friend, please?" Sarah yells out.
JJ finally turns away from the other blonde boy. "Okay, everyone, listen up!" JJ points the gun up in the air, towards the sky. "Get the hell off our side of the island." He releases two bullets onto the sky.
I flinch at the loud bangs that ring out from the gun. My knees go weak, making me fall to the ground. I brace myself on my hands and knees, staring at the cold grains of sand that were sticking to my finger tips.
I could hear the Pogues arguing but I couldn't understand what they were saying over the loud buzz that had filled my ears.
I feel hands wrap around my waist, pulling me to my feet. I recoil away from the blonde when I see his face, stumbling away from him.
"No!" I call out. I take off running. Running away from the beach. Away from the Pogues. Away from him.