#beechwood

“We were young and shivering and ancient and alive” - E. Lockhart

The waves rippled under the boat as sea spray splashed your skin. The destination of your summer adventure coming into view like it always did. Sturdy and sure. Making a statement to the surrounding town.

Beechwood.

From the outside looking in, it was magical. A real life fairytale filled with sea salt, sunscreen, fudge, and brilliant smiles. The height of luxury and privilege. A king, a queen, three perfect princesses and their heirs. Two outsiders that were welcomed into the kingdom with open arms, how charitable of the king. A loyal staff and the two golden guard dogs keeping chaos at bay while causing their own mischief.

But looks weren’t always the truth. You knew this first hand after all your summers on Beechwood. Luxury was often accompanied by greed and jealously. Some not so subtle racism and a lack of basic human decency. The true colors always eventually came out dimming the once bright joys of summer on Beechwood. The older you got, the more clear it became.

It wasn’t a fairytale anymore.

Being friends with a Sinclair had its perks, of course. You couldn’t deny that at times, you felt like you were so lucky. Being pampered on a beautiful beach, not wanting for anything. Mirren Sinclair, your best friend had been taking you to the island every summer since you were both eight. You were an official member of the liars now.

Cadence, Gat, Mirren, Johnny and you. The way it was always meant to be.

Really, your favorite thing about summer fell to her cousin Johnny Sinclair Dennis. Bounce, effort, and snark. Salt, swagger, and reckless abandon...he got your heart racing. You’d been hopelessly in love with Johnny since before you could even really comprehended what love was. His loud voice, messy blonde hair, and wide blue eyes. Johnny made you feel light..like everything good was possible. If heaven was real, you were in it with him on this island filled with privilege. Damn the fairytale.

Once the boat hit the dock, you were running into his waiting arms and everything felt right again. Letters, calls and FaceTimes weren’t enough. But for the next couple months he was here and this was real. You and Johnny.

“There you are! Fuck I missed you baby!” Johnny held you tight and spun you as your legs wrapped around his waist. "I missed you too Johnny, I always miss you." Johnny smiled and pressed a kiss to your temple, holding you close and he carried you to your secret spot on the island. Where you two could exist in some peace.

Johnny had been off for a few days. He still gave you his bright grins but they didn't meet his eyes. It was tonight while you two watched the sun setting over the vast sea, that you decided you had enough. "Johnny, what's wrong?"

Your question caught him off guard, his eyes blinked a few times before he turned to you. "I'm great baby." He throws out that damn grin at you again.

"You're a bad liar" You mumbled.

A dramatic gasp fell from Johnny's lips. "First of all, I take that very seriously! How dare my own partner say that to me. It's like a knife to the heart!" He put a hand over his chest and fell back into the grass.

You couldn't help but giggle at his dramatics. "Alright fine, I will take it back if you tell me the truth. I know you Johnny Sinclair Dennis, something is bugging you." You lean over and kiss his nose. "Tell me."

Johnny sighed, his playful demeanor falling. "I don't think I'm a good person."

At his words, you sit up straight. "Johnny? What are you talking about?"

"I did something bad..back at school that I didn't tell you about." He looked over at you, seeing the understanding on your face, he counited. Telling you in details what he did. A tear ran down his face and you reached up to wipe it away.

"You did a bad thing Johnny, that doesn't make you a bad person."

"Sometimes I just..see red. I don't want to be like my dad."

"You aren't your father Johnny."

"Well I'm not Harris Sinclair either. I'm the shitty thing in between." He tugged at his hair.

"Johnny.." you frowned and took his hands. "Listen to me. You did a bad thing, I won't pretend you didn't. But you are not a bad person. You're the person who dove into the ocean during a thunder storm to save your younger brother, almost dying to do so I might add. You are the person that always picks up Mirren when she feels self conscious and you are the person who has always, always had my back. You may not be perfectly good, but you're still good. I need you to understand that. Life has set you up to feel like this but we can change it, I want to change that." You pet his cheek gently, looking into his eyes. "I love you. I love you so much I can't focus when you're around. It's like this constant ache and fullness because I am consumed by you. I love you." You lean your head on his, your eyes welling with tears.

"Fuck" Johnny let out a tear filled laugh. "You've always been better with words than me. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I'm thanking the universe all the time."

A smile spread over your face as you leaned in, kissing Johnny softly but trying to show all your love through the kiss. Johnny kissed back, his hand tangling in your hair as he deepened the kiss. He pulled you on top of his body and broke the kiss so you could both get air. "I'm going to marry you one day."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yup! We are going to have at least three little kids running around."

"Okay, can they have your hair? Those messy blonde curls would be so cute on our hypothetical children."

"Course sweetheart." Her grinned and tenderly pet your cheek. "Anything for you."

You rested your head on his chest, a smile on your face as the night drifted on. You both slept outside that night, tangled in each others arms.

But if you send for me, you know I'll come And if you call for me, you know I'll run I'll run to you, I'll run to you I'll run, run, run I'll come to you, I'll come to you I'll come, come, come

The song lyrics played softly from the small radio you two had on the coffee table. Your cheek pressed to Johnny's chest as he swayed you around the living room of Red Gate. Gat was in town with Cadence while Mirren snuck off with Ebon, leaving you and Johnny some free time. It was moments like this where he was softer, more relaxed.

"I like this song." Johnny mumbled softly, his chin resting on your head. "Reminds me of us."

Smiling, you look up. "That's so cute Johnny."

"Oh shut up." He chuckled and pinched your cheek softly. "I got you something."

"A present? I love presents."

"Oh I know babe. You'll really like this one." He let you go softly to get the small box sitting on the end table. "Hand please"

Giggling, you hold out your hand to your boyfriend. Johnny took it and pressed a kiss to your knuckles as he slid a dainty gold band with a blue stone onto your ring finger, you couldn't help but notice how the stone matched his eyes.

"It's not an engagement ring but it's a promise. You're it for me. I want everyone to know it."

"Oh Johnny...I love it." You tear up softly.

"Forever baby." He smiled and cupped your cheeks.

"Forever."

The smoke filled the stairwell quickly, heat rolling up your spine. Coughing, you tried to make your way up to the attic. "Johnny!"

How did you get into this mess? What the hell had you all been thinking? Oh, that's right, drunk emotionally charged seventeen year old's. It had been a bad family dinner. Gat was gone, you could tell you weren't wanted there but nothing was as bad as listening to the moms fight. To make matters even worse, Harris had fallen and the moms went to the hospital with him.

Gat showed up and now the liars were alone.

Liars forever.

Liars forever.

Liars forever.

Liars forever.

Fuck it...liars forever.

The plan seemed so easy at first. Get in, burn it down, get out. But the flames rose fast. Maybe it was too much kindlin? Too much accelerant? And shit, you forgot about the gas line.

"Johnny!" You yelled again, knees weakening as you made your way up the stairs. Walking, let alone breathing was becoming too much effort and the smoke was so thick. Maybe if you just rested your eyes for a moment...

"Y/N!" Johnny yelled as he raced down the stairs, smoke so thick he could barley see. He lost his balance and landed on the ground with a loud thud. "Fuck!" Johnny pushed himself up onto his knees, ready to run again but froze when he saw you through the smoke. You were unmoving and your chest wasn't rising, the love of his life was-"NO!'

Johnny moved fast, crawling his way to you and pulled your too still body into his arms. "No, no, no! Baby please..please open those pretty eyes. Come on, open them for me." He held your face in his hands, his tears rolling onto your cheeks. A cough ripped from him as he saw flames rising up the stairs. "I'm sorry baby..I'm so fucking sorry." He leaned his head into your neck, sobbing against your skin. He would stay with you, forever. "You are the love of my life. We'll go together. I love you..I love you..I love you."

Forever...

Johnny sat on the kitchen counter of Red Gate, watching his mom pack as summer ended.

"Oh, you're still here." Carrie said softly, holding a hand over her heart.

"I don't think I can leave.."

"Are you alone?" Carrie frowned and walked towards her son, reaching out like she could touch him but she knew she couldn't.

"No, I'm not alone." Johnny smiled genuinely, his eyes flickering to yours as you leaned on another counter.

You winked at Johnny and made yourself comfortable. Carrie couldn't see you, but you knew she knew you were there.

"I should have known." She smiled softly and said her goodbye to Johnny before leaving Beechwood.

Summer was ending for most but not you. Here with Johnny it was summer forever and you intended on enjoying it. You had both suffered enough.

Johnny walked to you, pulling you against his chest. "You're a hot ghost."

You let out a genuine laugh. "Why thank you my super hot ghost boyfriend."

"Nah baby, we are husband and wife now. Been through too much to just be your boyfriend. So, I'm your super hot ghost husband."

Laughing, you lean your head on his. "I love you."

"I love you too." Johnny said softly and kissed you. Everything stilled.

This was never the ending you wanted. It wasn't the future you had planned. You never thought forever would become so literal. But with Johnny at your side..you'd make it work.

He was your happy ending, the one person that made you feel light. The laughter, the smiles, the happiness. It was all him. Adventures never ended, the love only grew, and maybe in some twisted way this was a happy ending. You had Johnny, that was all that really mattered.

Our field of dreams engulfed in fire Your arson's match, your somber eyes And I'll still see it until I die You're the loss of my life...

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