Thinking about how Linebeck implied him and Jolene knew each other as children.
Children.
Probably were childhood sweethearts - not really romantic cuz they're Children but they did seem very attached to one another and classically people would label that as them implying future romance. (Which is kind of weird, maybe don't do that but for the sake of tropes let's say that that's the conclusion people make.)
But maybe Jolene was always kind of harsh, and maybe Linebeck was a bit sensitive even as a kid. Maybe they'd bicker a lot because that's what kids do. They have meaningless arguments. They have misunderstandings.
Jolene would probably scold him for not doing as she says when they're playing, probably because he's spaced out or something wanting to do his own thing.
But she loved being around him, wouldn't trade him for any other kid in the world. She couldn't pin why she was so drawn to him but she is was.
Linebeck felt the same, although he was rather scared of her as a kid. Possibly hiding from her whenever he'd make her upset.
Linebeck has a difficult time saying sorry. Not that he doesn't mean it, and not that he doesn't feel guilt or regret. He just doesn't know how to confront it, even as an adult. It's difficult for him.
They were best friends. They'd always find ways to make up.
Possibly Jolene calming down, wandering to where she knows he hides. He probably crawled under a porch of a house... Her with a bowl or something bucket like in her hand and offering him some stuff she found wondering the beach looking for something to do as she had time to calm down.
He liked the shells... And she'd ask if they can go get them together. And that's how they'd be okay all over again, just kids playing at the beach after they've had a breather.
Maybe something seperated them as kids. Maybe Linebeck gave her no warning, and they left the island. Maybe they moved unexpectedly.
Maybe SHE moved unexpectedly, and Linebeck found out she was moving. When he did, he couldn't confront her. He didn't want their last memory to be a goodbye, hoping to maybe cherish the final time they got to play together.
Maybe him hiding from her kind of upset her, not really painting a good memory on her side.
But then, they grow up. They're split apart, they become less and less important to each other over time. It's how life works.
Only for them to meet again, over an accident.
Linebeck saves her life, but can't bare to tell her it was accidental. She's overjoyed to see him again, imploring him to stay and maybe they can talk about things. They're reunited! Linebeck went out of his way to save her, surely he wanted to catch up!
Except he ran away. While she was asleep.
She waited years... years to see him again. And he left like he didn't even care about her...
Which, was the opposite of how he truly felt. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't know how to confront the issue.
Jolene always vaguely states Linebeck stole something from her.
But it's not a physical thing he can obtain.
Jolene loved him, platonically or otherwise. She loved him so much and she was deeply upset that it seemed he didn't return the feelings.
But they're not going to just separate and never talk again just like that - Jolene will sail through hell and back to catch up to him. She WILL have closure with him, whether he knows how to take it or not.
Linebeck, as cliche as it is, stole her heart... Her feelings, her every thought that came from every triggered emotion.
And she won't just let him get away with that.
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