Warnings: zero
Summary - JJ and Ellie are hiding their relationship from his friends what happens if his friends come back early from dinner?

3rd person POV

JJ Maybank is unpredictable but even the Pogues knew him as the guy who never got too attached in a relationship, he floated through flings and hookups like they meant nothing. He never saw the same girl twice and never stuck around long enough to explain why. But recently, there was someone different someone he couldn't shake off, no matter how hard he tried. Ellie.

Ellie wasn't like the other girls JJ had been with. She was sweet and intriguing, with a sharp wit that challenged him in a way no one else ever had. She wasn't a Kook or a Pogue; she was an outsider, someone who had come to the Outer Banks for reasons she kept to herself.

The rest of the group had never even met her. They didn't know about the nights she'd sneak over to Chateau, or how JJ's pulse quickened every time he saw her.

Tonight, the Pogues were all headed to The Wreck for dinner, family dinners were something the pogues did frequently normally at John b's but occasionally they would go to the wreck when it was empty.

It was supposed to be a dinner night like very other, but JJ had other plans. He had faked a stomach bug, a classic move to get out of hanging with the group.

Once he heard the gang pull out the drive, jj flopped himself on the couch and laid sprawled out, he typed out a quick message to Ellie.

JJ: House is empty. You should come over.
He smirked as her reply buzzed in almost immediately.

Ellie: Be there in 20.

He threw his phone down, adrenaline coursing through him as he jumped up to make the place look somewhat presentable. His heart raced with anticipation, knowing that Ellie would arrive in a few minutes and they'd have the place all to themselves.

Ellie arrived right on time, letting herself in like she'd done a hundred times before. JJ's breath hitched as he saw her standing in the doorway, her eyes sparkling in the light.

She was wearing denim shorts and a green summer tank top that fit her body perfectly.

"Playing hooky again, I see," she teased, kicking off her shoes and crossing the room to him.

JJ shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "Can you blame me?"

Ellie laughed softly, the sound sending a shiver down his spine. "Not at all."

She leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that was all heat and need. JJ's hands found there way to her waist, pulling her closer as their kiss deepened. It was always like this with Ellie gentle but intense, like they were both trying to make up for lost time.

They lay onto the couch, their bodies tangled together. JJ's fingers trailed up her back, under her shirt, feeling the warmth of her skin. Ellie's hands were in his hair, pulling him closer, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

- 

They lost track of time, wrapped up in each others taking in the warmth from each other bodies, until the sound of a car pulling up outside caused the couple to break from each others clasp. JJ froze, his heart leaping into his throat as he realized who it had to be.

"Shit," he muttered, fulling pulling away from Ellie. "That's them."

Ellie's eyes widened with panic as she scrambled to fix her clothes. "What do we do?" She whispered being able to hear the stress in her voice.

JJ's mind raced. The Pogues couldn't find her here not like this. It would raise too many questions, and the last thing he needed was to try and explain why he'd been lying about being sick.

He grabbed her hand, pulling her towards his room john b lent him.

"Got it" Ellie whispered back as she got pulled by the arm.

They hurried through the house, adrenaline pumping as they slipped through jj's bedroom door. It was cluttered, but it would have to do. He ushered Ellie inside.

"Just stay here, okay? I'll get rid of them."
Ellie nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Hurry please." She spoke out not liking the darkness of his room, the only light source coming from the shine of the moon.

JJ slipped back into the hallway closing the door softly behind him. just as the front door opened, and the Pogues spilled inside, still talking loudly. John B's voice rang out, the sound of it making JJ's pulse spike.

"JJ! You alive in here, or did you puke yourself to death?"

JJ forced a weak grin, leaning against the door frame. "Still kicking. Just felt like shit earlier."

Kie gave him a skeptical look. "You look fine now. A little too fine."

"Yeah, well, the worst of it's over," JJ said quickly, trying to steer the conversation
away from his smooth recovery. "Why'd you guys come back so early?"

"Pope forgot his textbooks," Sarah said, glancing around. "He's got that big test tomorrow, remember?"

Pope rolled his eyes. "More like you forgot them. I knew exactly where they were."

JJ's heart pounded in his ears as he watched them move around the house. The longer they were here, the more likely they'd notice something was off. He needed to get them out of here, and fast.

"Do you want us to stay and make sure you're okay?", John b announced

"No, I'm feeling better, but I still want to rest. You guys don't need to hang around. I'll be fine."

John B frowned, eyeing him suspiciously. "Are you sure? We can stay if you want."

JJ shook his head, plastering on what he hoped was a convincing smile. "Nah, seriously. Go. Have fun without me."

The group exchanged glances, clearly not entirely convinced, but after a few more minutes of back-and-forth, they finally relented.

"Alright," John B said reluctantly. "But call us if you need anything, okay?"

"Will do," JJ said as he folded his arms leaning more into the door frame, relief flooding through him as he watched them head back out to the van.

He waited until the sound of their car faded into the distance before he made his way down to the end of the hallway where his room was.

Ellie was sitting on his bed fidgeting with boredom. "Are they gone?" she asked as soon as he opened the door.

"Yeah, they're gone," JJ said, pulling her into his arms as she stood up. "We're good."

Ellie snuggled against him, her body trembling slightly. "That was too close."
JJ nodded, his fingers gently stroking her hair.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Ellie looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "Why do we keep doing this, JJ? Hiding like we're doing something wrong?"

JJ sighed, his heart aching at the uncertainty in her voice. "Because it's complicated. They wouldn't understand."

"Why not?" Ellie pressed. "What are you so afraid of?" She said in a soft tone stepping out of his hold to look at his face better.

JJ hesitated, the words stuck in his throat. How could he explain that he was terrified of losing her, that he didn't want to risk what they had by letting the rest of the world in? That he was afraid of how much he'd come to care about her, and what it would mean if she left him?

"I just... I don't want them to get in our heads, make this more than it is," he said finally, his voice low.

Ellie's gaze softened, and she reached up to cup his cheek. "And what is this, JJ?"
JJ swallowed hard, his heart pounding.   

"It's... it's real. And that scares the shit out of me."

Ellie smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made his heart clench. "Me too."

She leaned up, pressing her lips to his in a gentle, lingering kiss. JJ held her close, his mind whirling with everything he couldn't say. But for now, he let himself get lost in her, in the feel of her lips on his, the warmth of her body against his.

-

The next day, JJ couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in his gut. The Pogues were bound to figure out something was up.

he'd been too on edge last night. And sure enough, by mid-afternoon, John B was at his door, his expression serious.

"Can we talk?" John B asked, leaning against the doorframe.

JJ forced a casual smile. "Sure, man. What's up?"

John B didn't beat around the bush getting straight to the point. "I know you're hiding something."

JJ's heart sunk to the bottom of his chest afraid of his friends next words. "What do you mean?"

"I mean...," John B said slowly, his eyes locked on JJ's, "you were acting weird last night. We all noticed it. And I found these."

He held up a pair of gold hoop earrings, the ones Ellie had been wearing last night. JJ's stomach dropped.

"I know these aren't my girlfriends and I know Kie wouldn't wear something like this, which leaves you." He said pointing to the pieces of metal
"You don't have to tell me who she is," John B said quietly. "But I want to know why you're hiding her?"

JJ swallowed, his millions of thoughts racing at once. "It's complicated, JB. She's not from here. She's not like us."

John B's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

JJ sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what we are, man. I've never felt like this about anyone before, and I didn't want to jinx it by bringing her into all this Pogue and Kook bullshit."

John B's expression softened slightly. "So it's serious then?"

JJ hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. I think it is." To me at least he repeated in his head.

John B studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "You know we'd have your back, right? Whoever she is, whatever's going on, we're here for you."

"I know," JJ said, his voice rough with emotion. "I just... I didn't want to screw things up."

John B nodded, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Then don't. But no more secrets, okay? If she's that important to you let her in" he said before he pulled his hand back from his shoulder exiting the room.

Word count: 1777

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