⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ the bell tower ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

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【 SEASON 1 EPISODE 7 PART 3 】

The Twinkie roared to life, the engine growling in the warm Outer Banks air. Clara pressed her foot to the gas, feeling the car hum beneath her. Beside her, Sarah couldn't stop grinning, her fingers lightly tapping the dashboard as they drove through the coastal town. The salt in the air mixed with the hum of excitement that had taken over both of them.

"So, welcome to the Pogue life," Clara said with a smirk, glancing over at Sarah. "Is it everything you ever dreamed of?"

Sarah let out a little laugh, her eyes sparkling. "And more," she replied, her voice soft but full of admiration. She leaned back in her seat, her legs stretched out, basking in the sun and the carefree thrill of it all.

Clara chuckled, her own grin widening. "Ooh, I like that. You really are fitting in already."

The two girls exchanged playful glances, both of them reveling in the freedom of the moment. For Sarah, this was a far cry from the suffocating, structured life she had grown up with as a Kook. Here, with Clara, she could just be herself-no expectations, no restrictions.

The road twisted and turned ahead of them, the tires kicking up dust as Clara drove faster. But then, suddenly, a loud honk pierced the air, making both of them freeze. Clara turned her head just in time to see a motorcycle pulling up alongside them. Her heart sank as she recognized the rider.

"Oh, shit. That's Rafe," Sarah muttered, her face falling into a scowl. She hated the way Rafe's presence always seemed to darken the mood.

Clara groaned, her foot instinctively pressing harder on the gas to speed away, but Rafe wasn't going to let them off that easily. He maneuvered his bike to block their path, a smirk on his face as he revved the engine and honked again, the noise cutting through the air.

"Hey, pull that piece of shit over!" Rafe yelled, his voice full of venom.

Clara didn't slow down. Instead, she shifted gears, trying to power through. But Rafe had anticipated her move, swerving right in front of the car and forcing Clara to slam on the brakes. The tires screeched as she came to a sharp stop, her grip tight on the steering wheel.

"Shit! No, no, Clara!" Sarah yelled, panic clear in her voice as she reached for the door handle, but Clara gave her a cool, detached look.

"What?" Clara asked, her tone calm despite the situation.

"Let me handle him," Sarah said, her voice firm, her posture already shifting into that familiar, take-charge stance.

Clara exhaled sharply and shrugged. "Fine. You've got this."

She leaned back in her seat, arms crossed as she watched Sarah climb out of the car and walk toward Rafe. Clara knew Sarah could handle her brother-she always had. But still, the tension between them hung thick in the air.

Just as Sarah and Rafe were exchanging words, Clara heard the familiar sound of another motorcycle pulling up behind them. She turned, already knowing who it was. The familiar figure of Topper came into view, and she sighed heavily. Of course, he would show up now.

Topper's bike roared as he parked beside the Twinkie, his boots hitting the pavement as he stormed toward Clara, anger practically radiating off of him. Clara didn't move from where she stood, her hands instinctively going to her hips in an almost casual stance.

"Gonna try to kill me again?" Clara smirked, her voice laced with sarcasm. She could already feel the familiar stirrings of irritation bubbling inside her, but she wasn't about to back down.

Topper's jaw clenched as he stepped closer. "Yeah, here we go. It's always the Kooks' fault, isn't it?"

Clara arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh, don't pretend like you're any better, Topper. You've got a serious case of double standards."

"What's the matter, Clara?" Topper scoffed. "You think you're better than us now? You've got this girl from a prominent family-getting her involved in your little criminal life?"

Clara's eyes narrowed, but she kept her cool, the sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Back off now."

Topper stepped closer, his face red with anger. "I'm not the one corrupting her. You're just some girl, trying to turn her into... this. A lesbian? Seriously? What kind of sick influence do you think you're having on her?"

At those words, Clara's anger flared. The sting of his homophobic insult hit her hard, and she knew she had reached her limit. Without thinking, she shoved Topper hard, sending him crashing to the ground with a thud. She turned on her heel and started walking back to the Twinkie, her hands shaking slightly, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins was too powerful to care.

Sarah was right behind her, climbing back into the car. Clara slammed the door shut and floored the gas pedal, the tires squealing as they sped off, leaving Topper and Rafe in the dust.

Sarah glanced at her girlfriend, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice quiet but full of genuine worry.

Clara nodded, her eyes glued to the road as she navigated the winding path. "Yeah. You?"

"Somewhat," Sarah said with a sigh. "My brother's a psycho. I swear."

Clara gave her a quick glance, the corners of her lips turning up slightly. "Topper's a homophobe. Saying I'm corrupting you..." She let out a frustrated breath. "He doesn't get it. None of them do."

Sarah looked over at her, her lips curving into a faint smile. "No, he doesn't. But I'm glad you're here with me, Clara."

Clara's heart softened, her frustration from the encounter slowly melting away as she looked at Sarah. "Always."

There was a brief pause, a silence between them as Clara concentrated on the road, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space. But then, Clara glanced over at Sarah, her eyes alight with excitement.

"You know," Clara said, a sly grin forming on her lips, "I want to show you something. It's... it's kind of special."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Clara's grin widened. "You'll see. But it's something you'll want to see."

She turned the Twinkie down a quieter road, the trees surrounding them in a thick canopy, the sunlight casting dappled shadows across the path. Sarah leaned forward in her seat, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Clara's fingers tightened around the steering wheel, her grip firm as she steered the Twinkie down the winding path, each turn making her heart race with anticipation. The familiar pull of excitement gnawed at her chest, the kind of feeling that always surged when she was about to share something meaningful with someone special. And this time, that someone was Sarah.

Clara had been to this place countless times, but it had always been hers, her sanctuary, a secret hideaway from everything else. Today, it was different. Today, she was sharing it with Sarah, and that made the moment feel infinitely more special.

As they rounded the last curve, Clara could see the old church in the distance. It stood, timeless and weathered, almost like a forgotten relic from a past long gone, and yet it had always been a quiet presence for Clara. The sun was dipping low in the sky, painting everything around it in a soft golden glow, and the church's silhouette stood out against the dusky backdrop. Clara's breath hitched slightly as she pulled the car into the gravel parking lot, the tires crunching under the weight of the moment.

She cut the engine, the sound of the car dying into the calm evening air. She turned her head to Sarah, who was already gazing at the building, her face filled with awe and curiosity.

"Oh my god. I didn't even know this place existed," Sarah said, her voice full of wonder as her eyes took in the church's aged stone walls, ivy curling up its sides, and the tall, pointed spires that reached toward the heavens.

Clara gave a soft, knowing laugh. "It's one of those hidden gems," she said, her voice low, almost reverent. "I used to come here when I needed to get away from everything. It's quiet, peaceful. A place to think."

Sarah's eyes flickered between Clara and the church, as if trying to understand the gravity of the place. "Wow," Sarah breathed out, still in awe.

Clara's lips curled into a smile as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Come on. I want to show you something."

She stepped out of the car, the air growing cooler as the sun set behind them. Sarah hesitated for just a moment, taking in the stillness of the place, but then followed Clara toward the entrance. The church's massive oak doors groaned as Clara pushed them open, and they were met with a rush of cold, musty air inside. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the quiet, the faintest trace of dust hanging in the beams of light that filtered through the stained-glass windows.

"Wow," Sarah whispered again as her eyes moved over the interior. The church was large, its vaulted ceiling towering above them, the beams stretching out like an intricate web of wood. The pews were old, worn, but still intact, lined up neatly in rows. The walls were a mosaic of aged stones, each telling a story in its own way. The stained-glass windows were pieces of art in their own right, casting colorful hues across the floor as sunlight poured through them.

"It's... beautiful," Sarah said, her voice soft, reverent, as she slowly took it all in.

Clara nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's where I come when I need to clear my head. Just sit and think. It's peaceful here. Away from everything."

Sarah looked around, a slight frown pulling at her brows. "It's so... quiet," she said, her voice quieter now. "Like, I feel like the world stops here."

Clara stepped closer to Sarah, the corners of her mouth turning up in a soft, knowing smile. "Exactly. That's why I come. It feels like the world slows down. It's just... us here. Just the space and the silence."

Sarah's eyes met Clara's then, a connection passing between them as Sarah let out a breath, still processing the moment. Clara gave her a gentle nudge toward a narrow staircase at the far end of the church.

"Come on," Clara said with a smile. "I want to show you something else."

Sarah followed, her footsteps tentative as they ascended the old wooden stairs, each one creaking beneath them. The air felt cooler as they climbed higher, and when they reached the top, Clara pushed open a small wooden door, revealing the bell tower. The sound of the bell's chimes filled the air, the deep, resonating notes making everything feel even more real, almost surreal. The tower smelled like aged wood, the scent of history mixed with the fresh, crisp air that came through the cracks in the windows.

"Wow," Sarah said, her voice breathless as she stepped into the space, her gaze sweeping around the tower. It was high, the view stretching out in all directions. She stepped toward one of the open windows, looking out over the town below, a sigh escaping her lips.

"This is amazing, Clara," she said, turning to face Clara. "I didn't expect this."

Clara smiled, a soft laugh escaping her. "I figured you wouldn't. It's not exactly... a typical spot for a first date."

Sarah chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Definitely not what I expected."

Clara stepped closer, her heart beating just a little faster now. "Come here. I want to show you something."

She led Sarah over to a large wooden beam that ran across the tower. Clara's fingers brushed over it lightly, guiding Sarah's hand to follow. "Look," Clara said softly, her voice quiet and intimate. Sarah leaned in, tracing the worn grooves in the wood with her fingers. She blinked when she read the carving.

"John B and Clara," Sarah read aloud, her voice filled with wonder. She looked at Clara, her brow furrowing slightly. "Wait... John B? Like your brother?"

Clara nodded, her lips curving into a fond smile as she looked at the carving. "Yeah. It's something I did with my brother, John B, and my dad, Big John. They thought it would be funny. A way to mark this place."

Sarah's eyes softened as she looked at the carving, her hand still lingering on the wood. "That's... really sweet," she said, her voice quieter. She looked at Clara, a small smile playing at her lips. "I didn't know you and your brother were so close."

Clara smiled, her gaze following Sarah's as she stood next to her, their shoulders brushing ever so slightly. "Yeah, we are. We've been through a lot together."

Clara's eyes moved to the window, and she took a step back to get a better look at the view outside. The sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple, casting a soft, warm glow across the town. The light reflected off the rooftops, making everything look dreamlike, almost unreal.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Clara asked, her voice soft as she let the moment sink in.

Sarah joined her, her gaze following Clara's as she took in the breathtaking view. "It really is," Sarah whispered, her voice quieter, almost reverent as she stood beside Clara, the moment settling over them both.

Clara turned her head toward Sarah, her breath hitching in her throat. Without thinking, she leaned in, her lips brushing Sarah's in a soft, tentative kiss. At first, it was gentle, both of them unsure, testing the waters. But as the seconds stretched, the kiss deepened, the world outside fading into nothing as they became consumed by the feeling of being close to each other.

When they finally pulled away, Sarah's breath was shallow, her cheeks flushed. She hesitated, looking at Clara with a nervous edge in her voice. "I don't know if I'm ready for... you know... the devil's tango," she said, her words laced with uncertainty.

Clara smiled, cupping Sarah's face in her hands, her thumb gently brushing over her skin. "It's okay," she reassured her, her voice calm and steady. "Whenever you're ready, it's your choice. I'm not going anywhere."

Sarah bit her lip, her eyes flickering with doubt. "I feel like I should warn you. When I get to this point... usually, with boys, I... bail."

Clara's expression softened, and she placed a gentle kiss on Sarah's forehead. "I'm not going anywhere. You can take your time. I'm not mad, not hurt. I'm here for you. I want you to be comfortable."

Sarah's brow furrowed slightly, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Wait... you're not mad? You're not... hurt?"

Clara shook her head, her lips curling into a reassuring smile. "No. I'm not upset, Sarah. It's okay."

They both sat down on the small wooden bench in the corner of the bell tower, the evening light casting soft shadows around them. Sarah, still processing, let out a deep breath as she looked up at Clara.

"So, um," Clara began softly, breaking the quiet between them, "have you... ever had sex?"

Sarah hesitated for a moment, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her shirt. "No. I haven't. Does that... freak you out?"

Clara shook her head, her smile warm and understanding. "No. It doesn't bother me, Sarah. It's your choice."

Sarah's shoulders relaxed, a small, relieved smile breaking through. "Thanks," she said, looking at Clara with gratitude.

Clara's smile grew as she leaned back against the wall, her fingers gently brushing against Sarah's hand. "I've been there," she said softly. "When I first... well, you know. It was with a girl, actually. I was nervous, too. But it was about trusting the person you're with, not about rushing things."

Sarah's eyes softened as she nodded slowly, the truth of Clara's words settling over her. "I think... I think I get it now," she murmured, her voice quiet but filled with understanding. "It's about trusting the person, not the act itself."

Clara smiled, nodding. "Exactly."

They sat together in the quiet of the bell tower, their hands intertwined, and as Sarah leaned in again, Clara kissed her gently. This time, the kiss was filled with more certainty, both of them understanding what was happening between them.

As Sarah pulled back, her strap slightly slipping off her shoulder, she looked at Clara, her face full of question. "Are you sure?"

Clara nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Yeah. I'm sure."

And with that, Sarah leaned in, blowing out the light in the bell tower, the world around them fading as they shared another kiss, a quiet moment of understanding between them.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

my sweet babies🥹

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