(i don't know why but) with you i'd dance in a storm in my best dress, fearless

Kie didn't know what took over her, as she ran from the midsummers party. All she knew was that the pogues were making a swift getaway, therefore so was she.

As she left her parents, the kooks, and her responsibilities behind her, she ran towards JJ with tunnel vision. All she knew in that moment was that she had found her people: no matter what side of OBX she had been born in, the scruffy, boisterous boys she had fell in with were hers.

And that is why she – Kiara Carrera, who had always shown a visceral dislike toward physical contact and PDA – threw herself into JJ Maybank's outstretched arms as he ran backward in the sand. No other reason.

She felt his body shake with laughter at the sudden impact, and she giggled in response as he lifted her off the ground and twirled her around him. The adrenaline must really have kicked in, because Kiara felt giddy and slightly dizzy at this point as she drew back from JJ, reeling from the onslaught of his familiar scent: sea salt, board wax and a subtle undertone of weed.

Kie wondered briefly whether this was a lingering scent or whether he was high at that point because that would most definitely change the way she interpreted how he looked at her – his pupils fully dilated, cheeks reddened and dimples fully on display as he beamed down. Yep, definitely high, she thought as she brushed off the look and disentangled from his arms.

Just as the Twinkie pulled up to the chateau, the rain began to fall.

Then the lightning struck.

The thunder clapped.

And Kiara Carrera swore.

'Shit.'

'What's up with you? We've seen worse than a storm,' commented John B as he pulled the handbrake, before stepping out the car to open the opposite door for his girlfriend – ever the gentleman, 'You really scared of some water?'

'I'm not scared, you dumbass.' Retorted Kiara, 'By all means, if you wanna repay my parents the $250 this dress cost to rent, go right ahead. Unfortunately, after the events of this evening, I have a feeling I'm cut off indefinitely, so I absolutely cannot afford to fuck this up.'

'$250? Seriously?' Queried Pope, looking unconvinced.

'Kooks are crazy as shit, man.' Commented JJ. Ever the deep thinker. 'Here, use my jacket.'

At any other point, Kie would have immediately assumed that JJ was simply looking for an excuse to use an extremely cliched pick up line on her, but she knew that he could see through the joking way she talked about paying for the dress. She absolutely could not afford it, and as JJ does, he tries to offer any solution he can, even if it means he appears to make a move on his best friend. Especially if it means he appears to make a move on his best friend.

It was this knowledge that meant Kie took the jacket from JJ gratefully, shrugging it onto her shoulders and revelling in how long the arms were, reaching past her fingertips and keeping her shivering frame warm.

'Aw, JJ, seriously?' Kie exclaimed as the hand she had shoved in the oversized pocket came out holding a half used joint, 'This is what you keep in your jacket pocket?'

'Only the best, Kie' He replied with a grin.

Apparently, the rainstorm outside the chateau was all the sign John B and Sarah needed to think that now would be the best time to retreat to the couch for a make out session. Now. Even with two other people in the house.