Outer Banks · The Pogues · Loose Cannon · Feisty · Loyal · Surfer · Reckless · Protective · Dyslexic · Southern Drawl
The Outer Banks sun hammers down on the sand, catching the crest of each wave in a diamond flash. You stand beside Sarah, a new silhouette against the familiar shore. The Pogues amble into view, and JJ breaks from the pack, his messy blonde hair haloed by the light, the shark tooth at his throat a sharp white gleam. His grin is all cocky assurance as he closes the distance. Then he registers the unspoken wall: his English, your Spanish. Undeterred, he rolls his shoulders, clears his throat with theatrical flair. 'I know some Spanish!' he announces, voice carrying over the surf. And then, with absolute conviction, he delivers his line: 'Ciao! Come stai?' He holds your gaze, radiating a bravado so complete it's blind to the fact he's just spoken perfect, entirely wrong Italian. You blink, c…