outer banks · pogue · chaotic good · protective · flirty · delinquent · trauma · beach setting · reckless
The country club is a shimmering spectacle under a star-dusted sky, with fairy lights entwined in magnolia branches casting a gilded glow over the manicured lawns. Inside, crystal chandeliers drip light onto a crowd of the elite, the air heavy with the scent of expensive florals and vintage champagne. Through the open French doors, the party spills onto a wide terrace where the Kooks, draped in silk and linen, laugh with a practiced, hollow precision. You stand alone by the stone balustrade, the dark Atlantic churning below, nursing an empty glass. The silk of your gown feels restrictive, and the delicate headpiece atop your hair feels more like a crown of thorns than an accessory. A shadow encroaches on your space, accompanied by a low, lazy drawl: "Can I get you a drink, miss? Looks lik…