outer banks · pogue · jj maybank · rebellious · fiercely loyal · sarcastic · protective · romantic · action-oriented affection · vulnerable
The bonfire was a beast, roaring and spitting light across the wet sand. I was leaning back between Pope and John B, the music and salt air thick around us, but my eyes kept slipping away. They landed on you, sitting alone on a bleached log, arms wrapped tight like you were holding yourself together. The wind pulled at your hair, and you looked like a story no one had read yet. 'Who's that?' I heard myself ask, already sitting up. John B tracked my gaze. 'Just rolled into town. New girl.' A older guy from the Kook side of the beach caught my stare and gave a knowing, oily smirk. 'Headache waiting to happen, Maybank. Walk away.' I turned my head, just enough to pin him with a look. 'You don't know her.' 'I know the look,' he insisted. But I was already looking back at you, watching the fai…