The Outer Banks.

LEFT TO OUR own devices. Freedom like this—no rules, no boundaries—it's what we live for. And in a place like the Outer Banks, freedom feels limitless. At least, that's how John B always describes it. 

''You know, if you fall, you've got about a twelve-and-a-half percent chance of surviving,'' Pope remarked, deadpan, as he observed JJ with the steady look he always wore, like he was sizing up a risky science experiment.

''Then I won't fall,'' JJ retorted, shooting him a confident look. ''Besides, I am applying myself... just not the way they want.''

''Good luck explaining that to the ER doctor,'' I muttered, crossing my arms as I watched him with a mixture of amusement and worry. JJ was my best friend, and he had a habit of testing every limit he could find.

Kiara poked her head out from a window opening, her expression caught somewhere between exasperation and awe. ''You guys, they're going to have Japanese toilets here with towel warmers,'' she said, shaking her head. ''Towel warmers. Ridiculous.''

''Can you please not kill yourself tonight?'' she added, looking straight at JJ.

''Worth something, right?'' He shot me a wink as if we were in on the same joke, then nodded towards John B. ''Just try not to spill the beer, bro.''

Below us, a spotlight swept across the yard, illuminating the seagrass and the sandy stretch down to the beach. The hum of a golf cart caught our attention, making Pope straighten up.

''Unfortunately, gentlemen and ladies,'' Pope announced, sounding like he was giving a lecture, ''our time on the veranda is officially ending.''

I glanced down to see a couple of rent-a-cops rolling onto the property in the golf cart, flashlights cutting through the dark. John B tossed his empty can, and we all bolted down the stairs, the sound of our footsteps echoing as we descended. It was the best part of the night—the thrill of getting away.

We burst out the back, racing past an empty pool, and I couldn't help but laugh at JJ, who was whooping at the top of his lungs. The guard's heavy footsteps pounded behind us, closing in. I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see him huffing and puffing, nearly doubling over as he tried to keep up. I couldn't help laughing under my breath—Gary was gunning for a raise, that was for sure, but the poor guy looked like he was about to drop.

''Come on, Mave!'' JJ urged, grabbing my hand for a split second before letting go and urging me on. 

We darted through a hedge and landed on the sandy path leading to the Twinkie, John B's old, beat-up beige van.

''Hey, Mavis,'' Pope yelled from the back. ''Next time we're running, remind me not to be the last one onboard. I think I pulled something.''

I raised an eyebrow at him, grinning. ''Just keep up next time, Pope. You getting old now?''

''You hear that, Pope?'' JJ slapped him on the back, laughing. ''Maybe work on those legs of yours. Gary almost had you!''

We piled into the Twinkie and John B slammed on the gas, sending us flying forward. One of the security guards cut across the lawn, trying to intercept us. I twisted around to look out the back window, stifling a laugh as he stumbled, losing ground.

''Look at this guy,'' Pope chuckled, nodding at the guard. ''Gunning for a raise.''

JJ leaned out the window. ''That sort of initiative is just begging to be punished!'' he shouted, grinning as John B slowed the van just enough to let the guard think he might catch us. The rent-a-cop got close, and JJ tossed an empty can his way, laughing as the guard dodged.

''Oh, come on,'' Kiara groaned. ''You'll give him a heart attack.''

''Hey! They don't pay you enough!'' JJ called out, sending the man a mock salute.

''You little pricks!'' the guard shouted, his face flushed as he stopped chasing. We sped off, our laughter echoing against the night. Through the rear window, I watched as he slowly disappeared from view.

The Twinkie hummed along the coastal road, the familiar welcome sign flashing by with its faded lettering: ''Welcome to the Outer Banks.'' As we passed the mansions and sprawling estates of Figure Eight, I took in the sight with a familiar sense of distance. This part of the island was like a whole other world, filled with Kooks who'd never understand what life was like on our side.

''So, this is Figure Eight,'' I remarked, resting my arm on the window as we drove. ''Home of the Kooks.''

''Guess where we don't live,'' John B muttered, giving me a knowing look as we crossed the bridge, leaving the mansions behind.

The van rumbled onto the Cut, passing cottages and trailers, the edges worn and weathered. Every turn brought us closer to home, to the side of the island that had built us, flaws and all.

Pope tapped on the window, his face a mask of mock solemnity. ''And thus, ladies and gentlemen,'' he droned, with an exaggerated wave of his hand, ''we enter the natural habitat of...''

''Drumroll, please,'' JJ cut in, tapping the dashboard.

''The Pogues,'' I finished with a grin, exchanging a glance with John B.

JJ threw himself into a seat, kicking his feet up on the edge, a contented smirk on his face. ''Not bad for a day's work, if I do say so myself,'' he declared, crossing his arms behind his head. ''Now, who's ready to find the next big adventure?''

Kiara shot him a look, half-exasperated, half-amused. ''How about we try not to get chased for one day, JJ?'' she teased. ''I know that's hard for you.''

I chuckled, leaning into the bench as I caught my breath. ''I'm with Kiara on this one. Let's just enjoy the fact that we're not on Gary's radar—at least for now.''

JJ rolled his eyes but was grinning. ''All right, but mark my words, you're gonna be thanking me when I find enough gold to buy us a boat three times this size. That'll keep us out of reach of any Kook.''

''You'll keep dreaming about that, JJ,'' Pope muttered, shaking his head as he adjusted his cap.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

THE GOLDEN HOUR washed over the docks in a warm, honeyed glow, casting a soft light over the usual beach crowd—tourists mingling with townies, blending into a mess of bare feet, sun-kissed skin, and laughter. I leaned beside John B on the railing, soaking it all in. He stood there like a king surveying his kingdom, the breeze tousling his hair as he watched the scene with a faint grin.

JJ's voice cut through the noise as he bounced over to Kiara, eyes gleaming with that mischievous energy he always had when he was up to something. "Come on, Kiara. Go talk to them," he pleaded, gesturing towards a group of tourist girls nearby.

Kiara gave him a pointed look, her arms crossed as she raised an eyebrow. "Bait your own hook, JJ," she replied.

JJ let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced over at the girls again. "They won't come if I do it, alright? But if you go, it's the cool local rasta girl asking them. Please, Kie. Just this once."

Kiara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile creeping onto her face. She pushed herself off the railing, shooting JJ a sideways glance that clearly said, You owe me.

As she walked towards the girls, I nudged John B, stifling a laugh. "He's really laying it on thick this time," I murmured, watching JJ's hopeful grin grow as Kiara approached the group.

He nodded, grinning as he crossed his arms. "She always gives in eventually, doesn't she?"

Kiara had a way about her—effortlessly cool, but a little more polished than the rest of us. She had that rich-girl vibe that seemed to attract people, even though she tried hard to shake off her Kook background. She maneuvered through the crowd with ease, her Trina Turk sandals gliding across the deck as she slipped past a kid in cut-off khakis and a too-crisp Oxford shirt.

When she reached the tourist girls, I could hear her invitation, "We're having a house party tonight. You guys should slide by."

JJ's face lit up in celebration, his fist punching the air as he whispered, "Yes!"

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

THAT'S HOW MOST days in Outer Banks go. Partying, partying and even more partying. I don't mind it, especially not with the Pogues, having a fun night with just a few beers was always something.

The night was alive, buzzing with music that pulsed in the air. Beneath a towering oak draped in Spanish moss, the crowd huddled around a fire, the warmth casting shadows across the circle as everyone moved and laughed. Kids were sprawled on the shingles of the roof, beers in hand, with stars scattering above like a glittering ceiling. It felt wild and free—exactly what we all needed this summer.

I walked past John B, who was weaving through the crowd with that easy-going grin. I spotted Pope nearby, caught mid-conversation with a tourist girl who was probably already regretting every word she'd just spoken to him. She had that glossy, beachy look, blonde waves spilling over her shoulders, practically glowing with the confidence of someone who didn't need to try.

''All my friends tell me I give great advice,'' she announced, playing with a strand of her hair. ''I'm thinking of becoming a life coach.''

Pope tilted his head. "Really? I want to be a coroner."

The silence that followed was instant and brutal. The girl blinked, her smile flickering before she muttered something and turned away. I barely held back a laugh as John B and Pope exchanged a knowing look.

I leaned in, unable to resist poking fun. "Oh, come on, Pope. Like you could pull anyone here."

He rolled his eyes, smirking. "Please, Mave, like you're any better."

"That's exactly it," I shot back, holding up my beer. "I don't even try. That's the difference, Pope."

We both laughed, and as he shrugged, feigning defeat, I scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face. Then I spotted Ashley—her head tipped back in laughter, eyes bright with that carefree energy she always carried. She looked different tonight, though. Maybe it was the drink in her hand, maybe the firelight, or maybe I was just seeing her differently.

I threaded through the crowd until I reached her, and she turned, beaming when she saw me. "Mimi! Finally! I thought you were ditching me tonight," she teased, her words a little slurred.

"Never," I grinned, pulling her into a quick hug.

 She reached for my hand, tugging me closer as she spun around, the two of us slipping effortlessly into the rhythm of the beat. I laughed, letting her pull me around, spinning in circles as she laughed. 

Ashley's arm draped around my shoulder as we moved, the two of us lost in our own bubble. After a few songs, she leaned in close, smirking. ''Okay, Mav, let me find you a real dance partner,'' she teased, her eyes glinting mischievously.

Before I could protest, she spun me out of our dance, nudging me toward a tall guy with sandy hair and a friendly smile. I stumbled right into him, and he chuckled, steadying me with a hand on my shoulder.

''Looks like your friend threw you to the wolves,'' he remarked, his smile widening. ''I'm Blake.''

''Mavis,'' I replied, my grin matching his. ''And yeah, I guess she did.''

The music shifted to a slower beat, and Blake stepped in a bit closer, his hand settling at my waist as we moved together. It was relaxed, easygoing, like he was content to just sway with the music. After a minute or so, he leaned in, close enough that I could feel his breath against my cheek. His hand slid up my back slightly, his intentions clear as he moved closer.

I laughed, pulling back gently, offering a friendly smile as I shook my head. ''Nope, sorry'' I murmured, keeping it light.

He shrugged, chuckling along with me. ''Can't blame a guy for trying,'' he responded, taking a step back with his hands up in surrender. 

But as I glanced around the crowd, the smile quickly faded. Ashley was nowhere to be seen. The beach, which had felt so packed and alive a few minutes ago, now felt like a confusing, pulsing maze of people.

''Hey, did you see where my friend went?'' I asked Blake, scanning the groups clustered around.

He shook his head, looking over the crowd with me. ''Nah, she might've gone toward the bonfire?''

But even after I walked over to the flickering flames, past faces both familiar and not, Ashley was still nowhere to be found.

words: 2170

A/N

this was written from a transcript so I hope it's actually accurate and not confusing though I feel like it is. It's so hard to find a transcript that actually describes what's going on around them. It was just world building to see the dynamics of their relationships and stuff.