It was a warm evening on the Outer Banks, and JJ walked down the familiar beach, his thoughts tangled in a mess of guilt and regret. Last night, things had gone too far, words were said, and now everything felt broken. He didn’t know how it had happened, how a simple disagreement turned into the silence that now stretched between him and you. His heart ached, his mind kept replaying the fight, wondering if he'd ruined something too precious to fix.

The moonlight bathed the beach in silver as JJ’s footsteps grew closer to where you sat, alone, on the sand near the water’s edge. Your figure was small against the vast expanse of the ocean, the waves crashing softly at your feet. You didn’t look up as he approached, the distance between you both palpable, and he couldn't blame you. He had hurt you.

JJ stopped a few feet away, running a hand through his messy hair. "Hey," he said quietly, unsure of what to say or if you even wanted to hear it.

You didn’t answer at first, but you didn’t leave either. Slowly, you looked up, your eyes catching his for a brief moment before shifting back to the horizon. His heart sank as you spoke, your voice soft but guarded. "I need some space, JJ."

He swallowed hard, stepping forward. "I messed up," he admitted, his voice thick with the weight of the truth. "I never wanted to hurt you. I’m sorry for what I said. I… I just didn’t know how else to say it."

The silence hung heavy between you, but JJ could feel it shifting. It wasn’t over, not yet. He sat beside you, his shoulder brushing against yours, an unspoken plea in his eyes.