Rogue | outer banks

022 - Power Rangers

"Look, look, man, I can walk myself!"

I turned on my heel at the loud commotion, my attention immediately drawn to the scene unfolding. It wasn't surprising to see JJ being dragged by a guard, causing a disturbance and jeering at the guests around him.

"What the hell?" I muttered to myself, frustration evident in my tone. Without bothering to say goodbye to the crowd I had been speaking to, I turned and began pushing my way through the hordes of people, all of whom had their eyes glued to the spectacle JJ was causing.

"Let go of him! You can't just boot him!" I heard Kie's demand, and I quickened my pace, no longer bothering with polite excuses and soft movements. As I inched towards the front, Kiara stood on the deck besides her bewildered parents, glaring down in accusations.

"Excuse me, Ma'am," the guard asked roughly, raising a brow.

"I invited him," I announced sharply, stepping out from the crowd and finally reaching the front where the standoff was happening. The man's eyes locked on me, and I raised a hard brow, my expression unimpressed. JJ's eyes lit up as he saw me, and a subtle grin played on his lips when he noticed the guard hesitate. "Are you deaf?" I asked annoyed. "I told you he's with me, and last time I checked, I'm a member of this Club." I raised my chin, my eyes sending daggers to the man.

"Amelia," I heard a deep voice, and even before I turned around, I knew it was Rafe. My whole body almost trembled at the close proximity of his presence. "JJ's crashing and causing a fucking mess, leave it alone," Rafe continued, his words carrying a tone that held a mix of authority and frustration.

I turned around to face Rafe, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion and irritation. There was a moment of silence between us, a standoff in our eyes that spoke volumes.

Before any words could pass between us, JJ laughed bitterly, diverting my attention. I turned to look at him, my gaze shifting from Rafe to JJ. "That's not exactly how I remember it, Rafe," JJ said, his tone defiant and unyielding.

I couldn't help but wonder about the events that had led to this moment.

I didn't have time to ask questions or delve into the complexities of their relationship. JJ turned on his heels, and with a firm push, he sent the guard tumbling back, crashing into a waiter. The chaos that ensued, with glasses and cutlery shattering, and food and drinks flying across the floor, added another layer of unpredictability to the situation.

"Sorry about that," JJ winced, his tone completely unapologetic. I shook my head in amusement as JJ clapped, his eyes locking with mine. "Power Rangers activate! Lia, Kie, Pope, you aswell," JJ pointed to Pope, who stood beside his father, laughing with an apron wrapped around his waist. "Come on, guys, what are you waiting for?" JJ yelled, a wide grin on his face.

I exchanged a glance with Kie, a shared understanding passing between us, and then took a step forward, ready to embrace the unexpected turn the night had taken.

"Power Rangers? Seriously, JJ?" I tease as he throws an arm over my shoulders. His infectious grin is hard to resist, and for a moment, the tension that had hung in the air dissipates.

My eyes then fall onto Kie once again, who is laughing heartily. Her face lights up more in the last ten seconds than it had throughout this entire, seemingly disastrous party. "You're not a Kook, Kie, and you know it," I send the girl a playful wink.

Amidst the laughter and shared amusement, I can hear Kie's parents arguing with her, pleading and trying to grab her to keep her from joining the group. Despite their protests, Kie mutters a half-hearted apology, slipping easily from their grasp. She runs towards JJ and me, her laughter blending seamlessly with ours. The three of us now reveling in the absurdity of the moment, laughing like maniacs.