Mavis Kentala knows life as a Pogue means sticking together and keeping one another safe, especially when you're best friends with John B., a fellow outsider left alone after his father's mysterious disappearance. As his only family now, Mavis and her dad risk everything to shield him from social services, determined not to let the system take away one more person she cares about.

But life on the Outer Banks is never simple. After rumors spread that Mavis crossed into Kook territory, a feud ignites between her and the privileged elite, fueled by a lie that paints her as the villain. Now, she's caught in a game she never asked to play, with Rafe Cameron—a dangerous and untouchable Kook—at the center of it all. Soon enough her and the Pogues get caught up in something even more dangerous than just a simple rumor... A journey to find real tressure. Gold.

And that's Mavis—or Mimi, if you're a Pogue. She's my best friend and neighbor. Her dad has helped me a lot since mine disappeared, and we've grown pretty close. But not too close; I see her as a sister, as do most of the Pogues. At least, I hope so.

Mavis is incredibly smart, and she doesn't let anyone forget how out of their league she is. Her father isn't around much, and her family struggles financially, but she never lets it show. She's a true friend through and through; even when she's struggling, she always puts others first. Her kindness has always amazed me, though it sometimes worries me too—I don't want to see her get hurt.

She's been single for most of her life, claiming she's waiting for the right spark in her heart. Personally, I think she's watched a few too many rom-coms, but she's my sister, and I love her for it.

- John B

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

THE BEACH STRETCHED out wide and empty in front of me, golden sands blending seamlessly with the soft, lapping waves that reached for my feet. I took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air feeling the sand under my bare feet. This place usually brought me peace, a moment of quiet.

But then, a voice broke through the silence.

''Well, well. Look what the tide dragged in.'' I glanced up to see a blonde guy blocking my path, his arms crossed over his chest with a smug look plastered across his face. Topper Thornton, one of the Kooks' self-proclaimed princes, with his family's money and that attitude they all wore like a badge.

I rolled my eyes and kept walking. "Just walking on a beach, Topper. You can mind your own business for once."

He scoffed, stepping forward to block my way again. ''This is Kook territory, Pogue. Losers like you don't belong here.''

My fists clenched, and I lifted my chin, refusing to back down. "Last I checked, beaches are for everyone. Or did your rich daddy buy this one too?''

Before he could come up with a response, a hand settled warmly on my shoulder. I didn't have to look to know who it was.

''Topper, get lost.'' Ashley's voice was calm but firm. She was smiling, sure, but I knew that look—a blend of charm and unwavering confidence that only Ashley Brown could pull off. Topper's face twisted into a frown as he looked between us.

''Why are you always on the Pogues' side?'' he demanded.

Ashley shrugged, giving him an easy smile. ''I'm not on anyone's side, Topper. I just don't want any drama.'' She raised an eyebrow, as if daring him to argue.

Topper stood there for a beat, clearly annoyed but unwilling to press it. He let out a huff and finally turned away, muttering something under his breath as he trudged off down the beach.

Once he was gone, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Ashley's hand slid from my shoulder, and I turned to look at her, shaking my head with a smirk. ''Still running off your Kook friends for me, huh?''

She laughed, nudging me playfully. ''Please. You think I actually like hanging out with those jerks? You're the only one worth anything around here.''

Yep, that was my best friend, Ashley Brown. Her family's got money—tons of it, just like mine used to have, back before everything changed. Despite all the Kook vs. Pogue nonsense, she never turned her back on me, and I never turned mine on her. We'd done so much crazy stuff together that I'd lost count. Parties, getting drunk, stumbling around and laughing too hard to care.

There was this one time we got so wasted, we ended up puking all over the floor. I remember both of us on our hands and knees the next morning, desperately trying to mop it up before anyone caught us. She was always there for me, bringing me along to every event, proudly introducing me like I was the coolest friend she had. Honestly, it amazed me every time.

We'd even made a pact—if we're not married by thirty, we'd just marry each other. And if not, well, we'd still be each other's maid of honour.

Suddenly Ashley's eyes sparkled with excitement . ''Guess what? There's a party tonight!''

I glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. ''Not sure I want to get wasted again, Ash. Remember last time?''

Ashley placed her hands together, giving me her best puppy-dog eyes. ''Pretty please? And you can even bring the rest of the Pogues. Make it a whole gang thing.''

I sighed, though a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. ''They probably wouldn't want to come anyway, but thanks.''

Pogues and Kooks at the same event? That just screams for a fight.

''Alright, alright,'' she relented with a playful shrug. ''But this party's gonna be dope, so don't miss it!'' She gave me a quick hug before striding off down the beach, her excited energy almost contagious.

Later, when I reached my house, I found someone waiting on the front steps. Kie stood there, arms crossed, looking like she'd been there a while. The last traces of a scowl softened as she saw me approaching.

''Hey,'' I greeted, unlocking the front door. ''Everything okay?''

She shrugged, glancing down before meeting my eyes. ''Got into another fight with my parents... thought maybe I'd come hang out here for a bit.''

I nodded. ''Come on in,'' I offered, holding the door open for her, it's not like my dad was home often anyway, so I could always invite my friends over.. ''Want some water?''

She gave me a grateful look as she stepped inside. After getting her a glass, I wrapped my arms around her in a hug, feeling the tension in her shoulders slowly melt. ''Hey, how about coming to a party with me tonight? Might help clear your head a bit.''

Kie pulled back, her eyes lighting up slightly. ''You think?''

''Absolutely. And we can get ready here. I'm sure Ashley wouldn't mind some extra company either.''

The two of us spent the next hour hyping each other up, laughing and getting ready. We traded makeup tips, sharing eyeliner and swapping clothes. By the time Ashley showed up, we were ready, dressed to the nines and fully in the party spirit.

''Let's go!'' Ashley grinned, throwing her arms around us. We piled into her car, music blasting as we headed to the party. Kie and I both got a notification from the group chat with the guys—Pope, John B., and JJ—letting us know they were having a ''boys-only night'' and wouldn't be able to text us back until tomorrow.

When we arrived, the party was already in full swing. Music thumped from the speakers, lights flashed, and people were everywhere. Ashley and I dove straight into the crowd, and it wasn't long before we found ourselves lost in the music and drinks. Kie went off dancing with a group of Kooks, blending right in, even though I knew she never truly felt like one of them.

A few drinks later, Ashley excused herself to the bathroom, looking a little green around the edges. I laughed as she stumbled off, waving her hand in a ''don't wait up'' gesture.

Wandering back toward the bar, I suddenly felt a hard shoulder brush against mine. I looked up, only to find Rafe Cameron's piercing gaze staring down at me. He looked me up and down, his expression a mix of disgust and annoyance.

''Why is a fucking Pogue here?'' he sneered, folding his arms across his chest.

I steadied myself, refusing to back down. ''I was invited.''

Rafe let out a scoff, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ''Oh, invited, right... Just like you were 'invited' to snoop around my backyard?''

It hit me like a punch. He was the one who started the rumor that I was sneaking into Kook territory like a thief. Anger bubbled up inside me, and I stepped closer, meeting his glare.

''I was looking for my lost dog, Rafe,'' I retorted, keeping my voice steady. ''I wasn't snooping around for some grand Kook secrets.''

Rafe's smirk twisted into something more menacing. ''Stop lying, Mavis. I know what I saw.'' He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. ''And don't ever show up near me again.''

Before I could explain further, he shoved past me, leaving me standing there, my fists clenched at my sides as the crowd closed in around me.

After a few minutes I found Ashley sitting on the floor, too drunk to stand up by herself. I helped her get back on her feet and placed her on my back.

Ashley's head was heavy on my shoulder as I made my way through the crowded house, trying to find Kiara. She was slurring a line from an old song, her voice fading in and out between hiccups: ''To die by your side... is such a heavenly way to die...'' Her words drifted and her arm hung limply around my neck. 

I looked around for Kie, hoping she might have a plan, but the place was a sea of faces, none of them familiar, and moving was a struggle with Ashley clinging to me. The crowd was pressing in on all sides, and I knew if I didn't get her out now, we'd be trapped here all night.

Finally, I managed to make it to the sand. The beach stretched out before us, moonlit waves lapping the shore. I shifted Ashley to get a better grip, hoping she'd perk up. ''Hey, Ash,'' I whispered, trying to get her attention. ''Let's keep moving, okay?'' She hummed sleepily, still humming the tune, her voice soft as she mumbled lyrics I could barely make out.

Just as I was about to take a step, I nearly walked straight into Topper. His face twisted into a smirk as he noticed us. ''Look who it is,'' he sneered, blocking our path. ''You're really struggling there, Mavis. Didn't bring enough Pogues to back you up?''

I tried to brush past him, but he stepped in front of me again. I felt my pulse quicken, and I gritted my teeth, refusing to let him get to me. ''Topper, I don't have time for this. Just let us pass.''

He scoffed, leaning closer with an air of mock concern. ''Aw, look at you. So tough, but no one to save your weak ass now. What are you gonna do, huh?'' His eyes gleamed as he tilted his head, as if daring me to fight back.

I laughed. ''Please. Your ego's higher than you are—and that's not saying much.'' I shot him a smirk, catching the flicker of anger that flashed across his face. He clenched his fists, his face turning red.

Without warning, he stepped forward and shoved me hard by the shoulders, causing me to stumble back. My grip on Ashley faltered, and she staggered to her feet, mumbling something incoherent.

Topper sneered at me, his smirk growing. ''What, Mavis? Gonna hide behind your Kook friend now? Guess you're not so brave after all.''

Just as he raised his fist, a strong hand caught his arm mid-swing. I glanced up to see Rafe standing between us. ''Enough, Topper,'' he said sharply, his grip tightening on Topper's arm.

Topper gave him a derisive laugh, pulling his arm back roughly. ''What, Rafe? You hooking up with her now? That why you're protecting her?''

Rafe's face hardened, his jaw clenching. ''She's not the one starting trouble,'' he replied. ''And I'm not about to stand by while you take a swing at a girl for no reason.'' His gaze was steady, almost daring Topper to push back.

Topper's smirk faltered, and for a moment, he looked genuinely surprised. But it quickly twisted back into his usual smirk, and he raised his hands in mock surrender. ''Alright, whatever, man. Do what you want.'' He glanced at me with disdain before walking off.

Rafe gave a small, irritated shake of his head, then turned to me, his expression unreadable. ''Get going, Mavis,'' he muttered, nodding toward the path ahead.

I wrapped my arm around Ashley again, who had thankfully quieted down, and started moving down the beach. As we walked, I could hear the murmur of voices growing louder behind me, and soon enough, the sounds of an argument broke out. Topper and Rafe's voices clashed, although I couldn't hear what they were saying exactly, I knew they weren't holding back.

''Come on, Ash,'' I whispered, my voice low as I pulled her close. ''Let's just keep moving.''

I reached my house about twenty minutes later. I pushed the front door open, trying to keep Ashley balanced against my side, the warm light of the living room fell over us, revealing my dad standing by the hallway. He raised his brows, but instead of launching into a lecture, he just nodded, stepping forward to help ease Ashley's weight from my shoulders.

''Rough night?'' he asked, glancing at Ashley, who was half-asleep and mumbling nonsense under her breath.

I nodded. ''Something like that.''

Without another word, he helped me get her down the hall and into my room. Together, we laid her on the bed, her arm flopping over the edge, her hair a mess over the pillow. Dad adjusted the blanket over her with a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly.

''I'll wait for you in the kitchen, alright?'' he said before he gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and left, closing the door softly behind him.

Turning back to Ashley, I set to work. She barely stirred as I wiped away her smudged eyeliner and smeared lipstick. Her face relaxed, looking softer and more peaceful, almost innocent. I dug through my drawer and found a pair of old pajamas, easing her into them carefully, even managing to unclip her bra without waking her up.

Then, with her hair finally untangled, I reached for my spare bonnet, the one I usually used for my own hair. Gently, I slipped it over her head, knowing she'd appreciate not waking up to a bird's nest in the morning.

With Ashley settled, I slipped out of the room and made my way to the kitchen, where Dad was sitting with his hands around a warm mug, waiting patiently. He looked up as I entered.

''So, where were you tonight?'' he asked.

I pulled out a chair across from him, resting my arms on the table. ''Just... with some friends,'' I replied, meeting his gaze. ''Ashley needed a bit of help getting home.''

Dad's eyes softened. ''I know Ashley's different, Mavis. But you need to be careful with the Kooks. They're not all like her,'' he stated. ''I trust your judgment, but... be cautious. Don't let your guard down too much.''

I nodded, appreciating his concern, even if he didn't need to say it. ''I know, Dad. I'm careful,'' I replied softly, giving him a reassuring smile.

He leaned forward, squeezing my hand briefly before standing up, his eyes still holding that warmth that I knew meant he trusted me. ''Alright then. Just remember—you can always come to me, no matter what.''

We shared a quick, tight hug, his arms grounding me, and then he gave my shoulder a gentle pat before heading back to his room.

I lingered for a moment. My gaze drifted to the family portrait hanging on the wall. It was from years ago, a snapshot of a moment frozen in time. My mom was beside my dad, her face bright with a smile, with me, just a baby then, sitting on her lap. Meanwhile my dad had a small puppy cradled in his hands, looking at the both of us instead of the camera. That photo felt like a different lifetime.

A soft sigh escaped me as I turned away. Finally, I made my way back to my room, slipping under the covers beside Ashley. She shifted slightly, mumbling something in her sleep, and I couldn't help but smile, settling in next to her. Soon enough, I drifted into sleep, comforted by the sounds of her soft snores.

words: 2644

A/N

For the next chapters I will be using the same gif all over again, they change for each season, but there's too many chapters and not enough gifs of my face claim, so I hope you understand. Gifs of my face claim appear in season four since the chapters there are longer and there's no fitting gifs from season 4.