"Different girls on the floor,
distracted by my thoughts
of you."
IT SEEMED THAT the Outer Banks was a whole new planet. For worse or for better. Red wasn't even affected by the demise of Ward Cameron, but it still felt so different.
On the night of Ward's death, Red couldn't even sleep well in her bed. She was so distracted by all her thoughts. So much has happened.
Now, it was the day after everything had happened that Red stuck around the Chateau. It wasn't only the fact that Sarah wasn't there, but nobody else was when she got there. She could only figure that something had happened because someone was always at the Chateau.
But she left anyway, it didn't feel right to be the only person there. She did come back later though, and that was when John B had filled her in on him and Sarah breaking up.
Red's heart fell to pieces. She stayed inside with JJ and Kie as Pope and John B talked outside.
"Why so quiet, Red?" Asked Kie, noticing the silence red had returned to all of them since Ward died, even when they were in the middle of a conversation.
"I think I'm still in shock," Red responded, cracking open a beer for the first time since she decided she didn't drink. "So much is going on."
"Hey, hey, hey. You don't drink." JJ reminded.
"Well, I do now." Red cheered the air and took a sip of the beer, a disgusted expression on her face as the beverage hit her tongue. "Mmm... So good. I'm gonna go check what's up with Pope and JB."
"I'll double that." JJ followed, walking down the dock beside Red and Kie. "Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato, two!" JJ whooped, throwing beers at Pope and John B. "What are you guys doing down here? Having a good cry?"
Pope looked at John B. "Cry?"
"Cry? What are you talking about? We don't cry."
"You know it's not your fault, right?" Kie asked, slightly comforting.
"You think she'll come around?"
"Of course, she will," Red replied taking a sip of her beer. "She's a pogue now."
"Hmm..." John B smiled, scratching the back of his neck. "Sarah's a pogue. She'll come around. Yep, she'll come back to me."
"Damn straight." Another voice approached them, turning heads towards her.
Kie scoffed playfully, "Bennie! Where've you been?"
"Takin' some me time, y'know?"
"Right..." John B sighed. "Toss me a beer?"
Bennie looked around at the group in silence. "You got it. What's going down guys? Hey, what's the matter with you guys? Come on? What's the matter?" Bennie questioned, picking up the vibe. "What is this, a nuclear Saturday or something? Come on, guys. This is our first weekend back together, the first 'Pogue' weekend. We got to be goin' out in style, cruisin' the coast, sniffin' some lace, downin' some brews...but no!" Bennie crept behind John B teasingly. "The one older brother had to go and screw it up!"
John B playfully took a swing at Bennie, missing her head as she ducked down.
"I don't know what to do with ya, kid." Bennie rolled her eyes, sitting next to Pope as Joh B stood up.
"Y'know I was just thinking about it..." John B started, his voice slurred because of the alcohol. "I'm gonna do a backflip."
"Your lying!" Kie teased, pointing at the drunken boy.
"I won't do it?"
"You got money!? I'll bet on it!"
"Hold— my beer that you already dropped." John B ordered Bennie, pretending to be offended as she took the beer and repositioned her Elton John sunglasses to the top of her head.
The pogues cheered as John B flew off the side of the boat, actually landing a pretty good backflip.
After the alcohol in all of their systems had worn off, Red knew she needed to go home. She was only half sober and she was tired out of her mind. She stumbled through the door, happy to see that her dad was nowhere to be found.
Red made her way upstairs, crashing onto her bed and passing out before she would even get ready at all.
It was only the next morning when Red realized just the mess she was when she began getting ready for school the next day. Surprisingly, her first hangover wasn't that bad. Nothing that a little ibuprofen couldn't fix.
She practically ran down the stairs, already late enough for school, and hopped into her car which had only been bought for her when school started. It was a red Audi S5, and Red couldn't be more proud of it.
She closed the door behind her as she exited her car, immediately seeing Max as she approached the school.
Max quickly ran towards her, an expression saying 'what the hell' written all over his pale face. "Red. Where the hell have you been? Do you just- skip school now?"
"Kinda a long story," Red replied, unlocking her locker and zipping her backpack down.
Max rolled his eyes. "That's what you always say! Red, I'm still needing that explanation. I'm starting to think you're a felon!"
"Max, I'm not a felon." Red scoffed playfully. "But I can't tell you how much you helped me and my friends. I appreciate it."
Max sighed in defeat. "I'm glad I could help... I guess. But please, where'd my best friend go?"
"She's still right here."
"Not really." Max shook his head. "I mean... she's standing here but she's not really here."
"Look, I'm sorry, Max. I really am. But there's so much going on. I think it's your turn to be my best friend." Red sighed. "I'm really sorry."
Their conversation was cut short when the bell rang. It was always the first three periods that time would fly like it didn't really exist at all. But soon, Red would be entering her third period.
Red took her seat behind where John B had just been sat, tapping on his shoulder rapidly. "Hey!"
"Hey!" John B replied, matching her tone. "How's your first hangover, Shoupe?"
"Nothing a little ibuprofen can't fix." Red smiled, leaning back into her seat as the teacher approached.
"Glad you could join us, Mr. Routledge." Mrs. Dodge approached, handing him the test.
"It's good to be back!"
"Just in time for your first quiz."
John B's eyes widened as he pointed at Pope. "A test?!"
"I told you we had a test!"
"No, you didn't-"
"Yes, I did it was the first thing I said-"
Their petty argument was cut short when the teacher cleared her throat, signaling them to be quiet.
"Psst... John B." A girl's voice came from beside John B, passing him a note.
Red immediately sprung between the two, shooting the girl a dirty look. "They're not divorced, Josie! It's just a trial separation. Don't think I don't know what that note says, okay? Nobody. Nobody's gotten more notes than Red Shoupe!"
"Thanks for not getting in the middle of this." John B groaned.
"She was just asking him to the bonfire!" Peeler defended, the situation becoming louder and louder as each person spoke.
"Oh, I know what she was asking for. And if she asks again, I'll stab a pencil through her heart. You hear me, Josie?" Asked Red, standing up to point at her.
"Josie!" John B stood up after her, stopping her. "The answer is yes."
"W-What are you doing?"
"Red, John, sit down." The teacher ordered, both the teens exchanging looks before taking their seats again.
Just as soon as the bell rang, Red found Kie over by her locker. "Can we please talk about this John B dating other people when he's still not over Sarah aka his wife?"
"Shut up!" Kie asked in disbelief, closing her locker and walking with Red down the hallway. "Spill."
"So I was in my third period, right? And Josie freaking Walker passed him a note, so as any good friend would, I told her he wasn't interested, and then he told her he was."
"Red, maybe you should let him decide when he's ready." Kie chuckled.
"You know what I don't care. I don't care if he's ready because I'm not ready."
"It might be better to fix whatever's up with you and JJ before fixing John B and Sarah." Kie nodded her head towards JJ, who immediately turned his head from Red, as he had been looking at her from across the hall. "I know that you think you're not good enough and that you're a handful, but he doesn't. To him... Your perfect."
"All I'd do is let him down."
"Give it a shot, Red. Please." Kie suggested, almost pleading. "I've talked to him about it. I've heard the way he talks about you. There is no way you could ever let him down. Now, let's go to break, please."
As soon as school let out, it was back to the Chateau for not only Red but for everyone because Pope had something 'important' to announce to everyone.
"Guys, this is from Denmark's diary." Pope held up the book, reading it out loud. "'August 15, set sail from Port-au-Prince on calm seas. Came upon the Spanish ship San Jose on fire. The entire deck was aflame. And we could hear the screams of men trapped below. The Spanish Captain cared only about one thing, his valuable Cargo, The cross of Santa Domingo, and countless bars of gold. Once the cargo was on board, we went to help the crew, but Captain Limbrey ordered us to pull bayonets and not to let any of the Spanish Crew on board. He robbed them, and left them to die." Pope put the book down.
Red exhaled sharply. "That settles it. All Limbreys are assholes."
"So it didn't go down off Bermuda." JJ acquired, laying back on the couch.
"And it was a Limbrey stealing shit again," Kie added.
"This diary proves that both the gold and the cross and the cross of Santa Domingo were all on the Royal Merchant."
"Why didn't we find it the well then?" Asked JJ, closing his lighter before sitting up. "I mean... if Denmark was able to get this bedazzled cross off of the merchant to shore, why didn't he just hide it with the gold?"
"That's a... really good question." Red sighed, leaning back in her seat.
"Because it was too big." John B answered.
"You're right," Pope replied. "He had to keep it someplace else."
"But where?"
"Right before he was hung, Denmark said he buried the treasure at the foot of the angel."
"Wait... Pause, I thought this was all about the key." Bennie questioned, taking a sip of root beer.
"Right, so what's the connection?" Asked Kie.
"'The path of the tomb begins in the island room'" Pope quoted, not sure what it meant.
"But what is the island room?" Kie tilted her head back in annoyance.
"You know what helps me figure things out?" Asked JJ, standing up. "Smoking beers and drinking weed. The ideas just pour out of me. If we just sit here we're gonna get nowhere... But if we get creative and go to this bonfire tonight... maybe we get somewhere."
"Well... I just got disowned by my parents and I'm an official member of the nothing-to-lose club." Kie smiled.
"Pope?"
"We're so close." Pope shook his head, wanting to focus on the important stuff.
"Pope, come on." JJ kneeled in front of him. "Think about how much... you could think if you just gave your brain a rest."
Pope sighed in defeat, "Fine."
"What about me? Can I come?" Asked Bennie, suddenly exited with the subject.
"Whoa... no. Absolutely not." John B answered, brushing off the idea.
"Why? I'm a teenager now. And you missed my birthday, bitch." Bennie complained, hitting John B with the beer stick. "Make it up to me."
"Fine. But don't get molested."
"Red?" Asked Kie, noticing that Red hadn't said anything. "Give. It. A. Shot." Kie reminded her of the conversation earlier.
Red sighed, smiling slightly. "I guess it'd be pretty pathetic not to, right?"
"Atta girl!"
Later that night, the pogues would exit the Twinkie one by one. Bennie had whipped out her golden Elton John glasses as she spun around in a circle, happy to be involved.
"Alright, I need to know where the dance floor is, y'all, 'cause say hello to the party Bennie!" Bennie whooped, immediately walking away from the group.
Red couldn't help but feel out of place at a party like this one. So crowded and full of people she used to know. But now it just felt empty. Though she was recognized and greeted by most people there.
She breezed through the crowd as 'Bust A Move' by Young MC found itself playing on the speakers' teenagers had set up around the concrete.
Red swayed her hips to the sound of the music, comfortable taking her spot next to Kie. It didn't take long for JJ to realize she was there as he had already been on the dance floor, hyping Pope up.
A bright smile appeared on JJ's face as he danced over towards Red, offering her his hand, "There you are. May I have the pleasure of dancing with you to thy holy Young MC, M'lady?"
Red chuckled softly, taking his hand. "Well, I since I have been keeping my distance."
The pair made their way back to the crowded area teens had been using as their dance floor.
Red continued dancing across from him, laughing and making fun of hers and his dancing skills until the song came off and she was on her way back to her spot next to Kie.
After about an hour more of chatting and hanging around with both Pogues and Kooks, Red took a seat on the bench, craving a break.
"Pretty lame party, huh?" An unfamiliar voice came from almost out of nowhere.
"Yeah... super lame," Red replied, watching as the dark-haired boy took a seat beside her.
"I'm Louie, by the way. Louie Rodriguez." Louie introduced himself.
"Red. Red Shoupe."
"Shoupe?"
"Yup." Red chuckled. "Hope that doesn't scare you."
"Nope." Louie laughed, messing with the rim of his cup. "Did you come alone or are your friends just busy?"
"Oh... Yeah, I came here with my friends." Red responded, smiling softly as she looked over at Pope and JJ. "What about?"
"Well, I was so proud of myself too. I came here with a girl and she's right... over there." Louie pointed toward where Josie sat flirting with John B.
"Aw, I'm sorry." Red half-chuckled. "Don't worry, John B isn't interested."
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Not even close," Red replied, then looking over towards JJ again who now was joined by a girl she couldn't recognize.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
Red shrugged, "Maybe someday." She stared at JJ and the girl, almost regretting everything she had said the day before. "It was really nice to meet you, Louie, but I think I have to go now."
"Yeah! It was nice talking to you."
With that, Red walked away, leaning up against the wall beside Pope. "How's your night, Pope?"
"Pretty horrible. Yours?"
"What do you think?" Red asked rhetorically, nodding her head towards JJ and the girl. She picked up a beer, shotgunning it. "Doesn't really matter though. It's my fault anyway."
Pope looked at her, almost in pity. "Just go talk to him."
"Now?"
"Yeah, now."
"Pope, he's in the middle of a conversation-"
"He does not care. Just go do it."
Red sighed, building up the courage to approach JJ. "hey." She greeted. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Uh... right now?" Asked JJ, looking in between Red and the other girl.
"Can't you see he's busy?" The girl spoke up, crossing her arms.
Red scoffed, immediately annoyed by her voice. "Can't you see he doesn't need an advocate?" Red sneered, turning back towards JJ. "Please, it's important."
"Yeah, totally." JJ agreed, walking off with Red away from the girl. "What's goin' on?"
"Uh... I just wanted to talk to you about yesterday." Red explained, fiddling with the rim of her cup.
"You do?"
"Yeah." Red breathed. "I've thought about it... a lot and I-" Red's sentence was immediately interrupted by voices coming from behind them. "Was that John B?"
"Yep," JJ responded, pushing through the crowd where Topper and John B were, fighting on the concrete.
Red rushed to Sarah's aid alongside Kie when Josie pushed her to the ground.
"You alright?" Asked Kie, coming to Sarah's side.
"What's your problem, Josie?" Red questioned, pushing Josie further away.
"What the hell, Red? Who's side are you on?"
"She's our friend!"
"Yeah, right." Josie sneered. "Your lucky your dad's the sheriff because if he wasn't I'd slap you right now."
"I don't think it's my dad stopping you, Jo." Red scoffed. "I think you're just scared."
"Too bad you can't cry to your mommy anymore. Or your boyfriend. Oh wait, he left you too."
Red couldn't help but feel hurt by Josie's words, but she was sure what her mom would do. She didn't let Josie see she got to her. She never would. "You're a bully." Red tilted her head. "Y'know... something my mom did teach me is how to handle a bully."
"What was her advice?"
"Hmm..." Red hummed, turning around and back to slap her hard across the face. Josie leaped backward, not expecting her to actually make a move. "That."
"Holy shit, Red." Sarah breathed, standing back up. "Thanks."
"Of course." Kie smiled softly.
"Yeah, us blondes gotta stick together, right?" Asked Red, reminiscing old memories.
A bright smile spread across Sarah's face. "Yeah. Yeah, we do."
ok but when Red slapped
Josie it was 100% a
"Go bad bitch, go bad bitch."
moment that needs to be edited.
also if anyone got my
Boy Meets World reference
lemme know ;)