ᴍʏ ᴘᴀʀᴀᴍᴏᴜʀ | ꜱ.ᴄᴀᴍᴇʀᴏɴ

seven.

The next day, Marley woke up earlier than usual, intending to meet John B and give back the scuba gear they had taken from the Camerons. She dressed casually, uncertain about the day's plans after finding the compass. Despite the incident with her father, she was relieved not to have encountered him since—he hadn't even returned home.

Despite John B's 7 am plan to meet at the dock in her backyard, it was 7:30 am, and Marley was still in the bathroom brushing her teeth. Her phone buzzed with calls from the Routledge boy, which she ignored. Rushing out, she bid a quick goodbye to her sleeping brother. Walking through the backyard, she could already sense the disapproving look from her best friend, John B.

"Glad to see your phone works," John B greeted her with a sarcastic smile, extending a hand to help her onto the boat without a struggle.

Walking over to the front of the boat, Marley glanced at John B and offered an innocent shrug, saying, "I was brushing my teeth. You wouldn't have understood me anyway; it's hard talking with toothpaste in my mouth."

"Is that why you're also thirty minutes late?" John B asked with an amused smile, making it clear he was teasing Marley rather than being serious.

"No." Marley shook her head, pulling out her weed and the mini grinder from her pouch, "I just woke up late."

"Of course you did," John B nodded with a small chuckle, grinning at the girl as she rolled up the joint.

As John B skillfully navigated the marshy terrain, Marley and he exchanged thoughts and laughter, the camaraderie evident in their easy banter. Sharing a spliff added a relaxed rhythm to their conversation, with Marley seamlessly taking the wheel when John B wanted a break and vice versa.

The ten-minute ride felt like a brief journey through the familiar landscapes of the Outer Banks, where every turn and curve held memories of their adventures. The low hum of the boat's engine provided a rhythmic backdrop to their shared stories, creating a sense of tranquility amid the untamed beauty of the marsh.

Marley huffed, shouldering a duffel bag and carrying tanks in both hands. John B chuckled from behind her, earning a glare as she turned. She stepped onto the Camerons' large boat, strutting up the stairs at her own pace, clearly unenthusiastic about the early hour. Reaching the door, she aimlessly stuck the key in, unlocking it and swinging the boat's door open before stepping inside.

Marley came to a sudden halt, her eyes fixed on Sarah, who lay peacefully on the boat's couch to her right. The soft morning light accentuated Sarah's features, and Marley couldn't help but be momentarily entranced by the girl's serene presence. Her gaze lingered, unintentionally connecting with the hint of Sarah's exposed bra. In that moment, Marley found herself appreciating the delicate beauty before her.

Quickly regaining composure, Marley cleared her throat and shook her head, redirecting her attention. With a subtle yet intentional shift, she continued to walk into the boat, the early morning sunlight casting a warm glow on the surroundings. The gentle hum of the boat's engine provided a backdrop to the awakening day, and Marley, pushing aside the brief distraction, focused on the task at hand.

Continuing her walk, Marley's footsteps reverberated through the boat, disrupting Sarah's peaceful sleep. Sarah stirred, her hand instinctively shielding her eyes as she rubbed them, slowly awakening to the sounds of morning aboard the boat, "Wheezie, shut up."

She gasped when Marley accidentally hit one of the tanks against a pole, causing it to make a loud sound. Sarah shook her head when she saw who was really on her boat, "You're not Wheezie."