CHAPTER TWO
"this is the least kook car I've ever seen in my life"

EVELYN LIGHTLY HUMS as she carefully cuts back a few of the flower bushes in her garden the next morning, her hair thrown up into some sort of makeshift ponytail to keep it out of her face. The sun beams down on her skin, the humidity already at ridiculous heights for such an early hour of the day.

She'd promised Alex that she would keep his plants in good shape whilst he was gone and it's not a promise she is looking to break. She comes out and waters them every day, making sure to keep them properly pruned as well. Her mother had been the one to plant them — herself and Alex had made a pact to make sure they stayed alive in order to keep her memory going.

The girl's fingers lightly run over the pink flowers with a smile, Eloise Carter present in every one of them splayed amongst the bushes. She has a few memories of her younger self with the pink flowers intertwined in her hair, wearing a matching flowing dress and throwing the very same petals as she walked down the aisle of her mother's wedding. They'd been everywhere, Alex more than happy to let his wife decorate the area as she pleased with little to no argument.

"Well, well, a kook doing her own gardening? What a sight,"

Evelyn rolls her eyes somewhat fondly and turns around to see JJ Maybank watching her. He's shielding his eyes from the sun, wearing his usual tank top and board shorts, Evelyn can only assume that he's just come from doing an odd job around the place.

"Good morning to you too, JJ. How are you?" Evelyn asks, pushing herself up off the ground and turning completely so she can look at him.

"I'm good. You actually sober? The only time we ever talk is when you're drunk off your ass," JJ responds with a grin.

"You instigated the conversation," Evelyn points out. "But yes, I'm sober. Did you need something?"

"No, just heading back home after mowing a few lawns,"

Evelyn hums lightly, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She has seen him around many times after completing a few random jobs for some quick cash, she knows for a fact that Alex has happily handed over some money for some help in his garden — to JJ and John B both. Nine times out of ten, they'd wind up staying for hours and the man would chuck some extra money their way as a way of saying thank you.

"How's, uh, how's John B?" Evelyn asks, crossing her arms awkwardly.

JJ looks a little surprised by the sudden question but he shakes his head with his trademark grin. "He's okay. Nothing he can't handle,"

"And you made sure to keep an eye on him? You know that secondary drowning can happen? Like he could be fine and then all of a sudden he'll be like drowning without even—"

"Evelyn, he's fine," JJ assures. "You sound like Pope, he does enough worrying for all of us, you included,"

Evelyn nods and JJ can't help but find her worry a little endearing considering the fact she's the furthest thing from involved with them — not that he'd ever tell her that. She might be okay in terms of being a kook but she's still a kook.

"How's Topper?" JJ sounds slightly smug when he says it, obviously alluding to the events of last night with the weapon that Evelyn has been trying to forget about.

"I haven't seen him but I imagine he's not happy," Evelyn responds.

"I'm sure. Oh speak of the devil,"

Evelyn follows JJ's gaze to see Topper heading towards them. Unfortunately, Evie knows that JJ isn't going to be the type of person to walk away from oncoming confrontation — she'd seen that last night. She moves to stand in front of JJ as Topper finally reaches them, his glare aimed on the blonde haired boy rather than Evelyn.

"Back away, Topper," Evelyn says quickly, placing her hands on his chest to push him back. He hardly budges, the boy a fair bit bigger. "Topper!"

"You have a lot of nerve showing up around here," Topper hisses at an amused looking JJ.

"Good to see you've recovered from last night," JJ retorts.

"Guys please," Evelyn now has one hand on either of them, trying to keep them apart. "Topper go home,"

"Me? This is my side of the island, the pogue should be the one leaving,"

"This is my house and I'm asking you to go,"

Topper's gaze finally moves from JJ so that he can look at his girlfriend's friend, eyebrows scrunched together in disbelief. "You're asking me to leave? This gun held a fucking gun to my head last night!"

"And you tried to drown his best friend, Topper. Please, this doesn't need to escalate any further,"

JJ holds his hands up. "Don't worry, sunshine, I'll go. Wouldn't want to upset Topper Thornton of all people,"

"Useless Po—"

"Enough!"

The sound of her yell is enough for the both of them to shut up, the smaller girl well and truly at her wits end. She looks at JJ first.

"Go inside," Evelyn gestures towards her home, ignoring the way Topper goes to object. She doesn't trust them not to start a fight the minute she turns her back on them, sounds judgmental but it's true. "Please JJ,"

The blonde glances at her for a few seconds before nodding his head, retreating into Evelyn's house without another word. Topper watches his retreating figure, gaze sharp and distasteful.

"You're not helping anything by doing that," Evelyn comments quietly, hoping that he'll actually listen for once. "Just go home, okay?"

"And leave you with him? Do you forget what he did last night?" Topper scoffs.

"No but I also remember what you did. Come on, Topper, you can't keep acting like you did nothing wrong. Trying to drown John B? Ring any bells,"

She's being a lot softer with him than she should be, she knows that, but this is Sarah's boyfriend. Evelyn can't lose her shit at him because it'll get back to her and there's a good chance that ends in another argument. Topper's stance seems to fall slightly, relaxing as he looks at her, almost as if he's finally beginning to listen to reason.

"You text Sarah if he tries anything—" Topper starts and for the first time since he'd arrived, Evelyn gives him a smile. It's small, almost unseen, but she appreciates his worry (even if it's unwarranted).

"He's not going to try anything, Top. I'll be fine," Evelyn assures.

The boy takes one last look at Evelyn's house before nodding and walking away. She moves to rejoin JJ, turning her head to make sure that Topper has actually left as she goes inside. JJ is awkwardly sitting on one of the dining chairs, fiddling with his thumbs.

"You need a ride home?" Evelyn asks him, leaning against the wall. "I was going to head to The Wreck to get something for lunch anyway,"

"You, Evelyn Carter, are going to let a pogue into your car?" JJ gasps, feigning shock as she rolls her eyes and throws a box of tissues in his direction. He manages to duck out of the way just in time, taking in the way she's smiling. "Sure, I gotta meet JB anyway,"

"Let's go then,"

Evelyn grabs her car keys off the side, gesturing for the boy to follow after her which he does. JJ is rather surprised by the lack of flare that the girl's car has, a small blue vehicle that isn't all that too common for a kook.

"You do something wrong?" JJ asks the girl as he slips into the passenger seat.

"What do you mean?" Evelyn questions in confusion, turning the key and putting her seatbelt on.

"This is like the least 'kook' car I've ever seen in my life,"

Evelyn smiles lightly and shakes her head, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "It was my mum's," she admits.

Eloise wasn't much of a driver, she didn't do much of it at all, and she didn't think she needed a fancy, expensive car if she was never going to use it. Alex had tried to buy her a new one as an anniversary present but she'd declined the idea, happy with her small, blue car.

JJ only nods his head. It's pretty common knowledge amongst everybody on the island that Eloise Carter had died a few years back, it was a sore topic for many people. She was a pretty well loved woman amongst kooks and the pogues didn't detest her anywhere near as much as other people on this side of the island.

"So, what else are you up to today?" Evelyn shifts the topic of conversation, driving down the street.

"Probably just gonna hang out at John B's," JJ shrugs.

Evelyn simply nods in response to his answer. The two of them continue the drive in relatively comfortable silence until they reach near the Wreck, where she'll be happily buying some lunch from.

"Did you just want to get out here? Or do you want me to drive you to John B's?" Evelyn asks as she pulls over in front of the restaurant.

"Nah I'm good here. Might be able to scam Kiara into giving me a free meal," JJ smiles.

"I doubt that. Come on then,"

Kiara, whom is working at the front, looks up when she hears the door open. She offers Evelyn her friendly 'customer service' smile before her eyes stray to JJ and it drops in disbelief. It's a look she's already seen on Topper today but at least Kiara isn't showing her distaste.

Evelyn and Kiara were never really close, not like either of them are or were with Sarah, but they were on friendly terms. Neither have had much to do with one another since Kiara and Sarah ended their friendship so the brunette hopes there is no animosity between them.

"What have you done now?" Kiara practically scolds JJ who holds his hands up defensively.

"Nothing! Evelyn just offered me a ride," JJ replies, sitting down at the counter.

"Hmm. Can I get you something?" The question is aimed at Evelyn who is watching them.

"Just two lots of fries please," Evelyn says, pulling her wallet out and paying for it.

Kiara relays the order and Evelyn stands by waiting, not wanting to intrude on anything. JJ has taken to scribbling on one of the notepads that had been lying around, ignoring the glare Kiara sends his way. A bell is rung after a few more moments and Kiara brings Evelyn's food over, holding out the bag.

"Thanks Kiara," Evelyn smiles, opening the bag up and putting one lot of the fries on the counter in front of JJ. "Here, now you don't have to scam a free meal,"

JJ gapes at her for a few seconds before grinning, shoving some of the fries in his mouth. "Thanks sunshine,"

Evelyn's nose scrunches up at the way he talks with his mouth full. "You're welcome, JJ. Uh, I'll see you guys around,"

Kiara is watching her with inquisitive eyes but she still raises her hand as a way of saying goodbye. Evelyn turns around and walks towards to door, unable to stop herself before she runs straight into Pope Heyward — again. This time, however, no drink ends up all over her.

"Uh, sorry," Pope states awkwardly, hands moving to fix the cap on his head.

"It's okay," Evelyn smiles, moving to her left only for Pope to go the same way — neither of them actually moving out of the other's way. They repeat the same thing to other direction and the girl chuckles. "I go that way, you go that way,"

Pope nods and they execute it properly this time, Evelyn using a moment to wave back at Kiara and JJ one last time. "See you around, Pope," she ends with, leaving the trio to watch her go.

Evelyn sits on the dock, aiming her camera out at the water. She never gets tired of the beautiful ocean imagery and Alex has always been a fan of it too, the walls of their home aligned with many photos she's taken around the Outer Banks. There's one up in the living room that had been her mother's favourite, the sunset over the water and a few birds flying close by. To most it would be a pretty basic photo but the woman had loved it so dearly for some reason or another, neither her or her step father had questioned it much. It's sat in the same spot for years now.

"Evelyn?"

The girl turns her head to see Pope standing at the edge of the dock, the very dock that belongs to his father and their shop. Evelyn had asked the man if she could take up his dock for the afternoon, which he'd allowed because he wasn't getting more deliveries in for the afternoon.

Evelyn's lips lift up in a smile, lowering her camera so that she can look at him properly. "Hey Pope,"

"What are you doing?" He asks, seemingly confused about her presence near his place of work. He's seen her around before, many of times actually, but he's never seen her down at the dock. Usually she's taking photos of some of the local wildlife or something.

"Oh, your dad said I could sit here and take some photos," Evelyn replies, holding the camera up to show him.

"He did?"

"Mm hmm. Would you like to join me?"

Evelyn pats the spot beside her and Pope looks at her for a few minutes before slowly making his way over to her. He sits down beside her, his posture so awkward that Evelyn wants to laugh. She doesn't though, not wanting to scare him off.

"You ever use one of these before?" Evelyn questions the boy, fiddling with the camera in her hands.

"No I haven't," Pope admits.

"Here, have a go!" Evelyn all but shoves the camera at him with a grin, always happy to share her love of photography with other people. Pope looks down at it for a few moments. "If you're going to take a photo, you have to actually turn it on first," she teases.

Pope shyly smiles, turning the camera on and lifting it up. He aims it towards the water, taking a photo and then handing it back over to the girl. Evelyn looks at it, grinning when she sees the slight blur to the image.

"For a first attempt, you absolutely nailed it," Evelyn compliments, turning it off and placing it beside her on the dock. "You supposed to be working?"

"Hmm probably. Dad will come out and yell at me in a few minutes," Pope replies.

"Well, then we'll just have to show him your photo. Tell him it was important practice,"

Pope laughs lightly and shakes his head. "Not quite sure that will work,"

"Never know,"

"Pope!"

Evelyn lets a laugh fall from her lips at the timing, Heyward walking out and looking to his son with his hands on his hips. Pope sighs and pushes himself upwards, not wanting to get into more trouble than he's likely already in.

"See you later, Pope," She repeats for the second time today, the boy waving in response.

Then she's left alone with her camera — something she's grown used to.

NOTE

I don't know whether I like this chapter or not but I'm trying to build up some of her friendships and such before we get more into the plot of the show. Hope you enjoyed and thank you for stopping by!

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