P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

Friendship

Later that night they pulled up to the Wreck, Kie's parents restaurant. A very touristy attraction on the island, but also an oasis for a group of kids with no money to their names.

"Stealing drones makes you hungry," Kie chuckled as they climbed out of the Twinkie.

"What I would do to a beer and shrimp and grits right now," JJ moaned.

"Would not be pretty," Pope finished, throwing a hand on JJ's shoulder.

The Pogues followed Kiara inside, waiting for their cue.

"Hey dad," she greeted.

"Hey," Mr. Carrera acknowledged his daughter.

"How'd we do?" She asked.

"Didn't turn it over once," he said in a disappointed tone.

"It's probably just bad luck because of the storm," Kie offered. They hugged and Cory lowered her gaze to the floor. She felt a hand grab hers, and looking over she found it was JJ's. He squeezed it in support.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to tell the banks that," Mr. C responded.

John B and Pope started forward toward the seating, and JJ had to pull Cory along. And honestly, thanks to the boys for that because then Cory didn't have to sit and listen to Kie and her functional father.

When Cory looked up, Kie and her father were looking over at them. Cory waved meekly, and then realized the boys had done the same. They watched for another moment before Kie grinned, reaching forward to hug her dad. Cory grimaced again, but found it sweet. It was also a confirmation that they would be getting free food.

Kie's dad walked away and Kie turned back to the Pogues. She made a face and said, "Sit down."

"Yes," the Pogues celebrated, making their way to a table.

They sat down, and eventually were served Mister Carreras signature fries. Of course, along with a serving of chicken tenders for Cory. She smiled politely and thanked him before turning and aggressively smacking JJ's greedy hand away from her good food.

The Pogues joked around as they always did, making it a seemingly normal summer night in a not so seemingly normal summer. Just earlier that day they had stolen–borrowed from JJ's dads old boss. And they were searching for a long lost gold. And of course they had been shot at multiple times in the past couple of days. Life was as un-normal as ever.

And yet here they were. Just a group of teenagers having fun.

Eventually one of Mister Carreras rare good songs turned on.

"I love this one," Cory muttered, singing along to it.

After a minute, she watched as Kie began to dance, gesturing to John B to join her. Cory's eyebrows raised as she watched John B flirtingly get up and dance with her.

Cory and JJ exchanged a shocked glance before JJ stood dramatically. He held a hand out to her.

"Milady," he said.

Cory's jaw dropped into a wide smile. Never had JJ ever offered to dance with her or Kie before. They'd tried. Oh how they had tried to get the boys to dance with them. But they would have none of it. Cory guessed the boys felt it was a little too close to the no Pogue on Pogue macking rule (not that they seemed to care about that anymore).

And so Cory had taken his hand, allowing him to bring her to her feet. He placed a hand on her waist, helping her sway to the music. It felt so natural. From looking at John B and Kie, Cory knew something about this was a little too flirty, but she tried to ignore that, and just enjoy her rare dance with JJ.

The song eventually came to an end, much too soon for Cory's liking. But good for her, another good one came on after.

JJ and Cory had parted ways, as had John B and Kiara.

And so Cory turned to Pope, who was eating a sad bowl of ice cream. She leaned over the counter, snatching it from his hands and placing it down.

"C'mon, Popey," she urged, holding out a hand to him. He rolled his eyes but she swiftly grabbed one of his newly empty hands and yanked him out from behind the counter.

She placed his hands on her hips, though this felt a lot less intimate than it had with JJ just seconds prior. To Cory, this felt like friendship. Just the two of them and the good music. No JJ. No Kiara. And no John B.

Eventually, Cory got Pope to sway along to the music. His previously sad face had seemingly transformed into a wide grin. He was having fun. Cory internally pumped her fist in victory. That was all she had wanted.

Pope was too stressed out all the time. Kiara. The illegal things they all got up to. His scholarship. His family. He needed a break from that. And if his break wouldn't be smoking a joint, then Cory would make it dancing.

And so they danced and danced until the song was finally over and they were broken from their trance.

They finished, Pope pulling away from Cory, who had the biggest smile on her face that any of the Pogues had seen in days. It almost made them forget about the bruises littering her body.

JJ whistled. "Pope, chick magnet!"

Cory made an 'oh stop' motion, trying to keep up Pope's good mood. Pope laughed, waving JJ off.

"No, seriously dude," John B said.

"I mean, look at that chick!" Kie announced, waving her hands around. "Look at the hips you just had your hands on!"

"Ooh la la!" JJ continued. "Do a spin, doll!"

"Oh I couldn't," Cory joked.

"Do it!" Kiara added.

"Well, if you insist," Cory said before holding her arms out and doing a light little spin. John B whistled. Cory was close enough to be able to reach over and push his head lightly. "I'll be here all night." She winked at Pope.

"Ay," JJ continued. "Let me get a taste."

"Ew, JJ," Kie said, breaking the show.

Cory laughed but made her way back to her seat to eat more food, purposefully enticingly moving her body as she passed JJ.

"Aie yie yie," JJ called.

"Jay," John B called out. "Leave the chick alone."

"Oh, the chick doesn't mind," Cory said, propping her legs up on the table. "She doesn't mind at all."

"Oh and why not?" John B asked.

"Well, she hasn't got much action recently," Cory said, pretending to smoke a fry.

"And would she like some?" JJ asked, giving her the eyes.

Cory moved her legs, silently placing her face close to JJ's. So close that their noses were practically touching.

"Depends on the guy," she said. "A stud like you?" JJ waited like a dog for her answer. "No way!"

"Aww, come on, doll!" JJ yelled.

After the laughter died down, they were left in a peaceful silence. There was still music playing all around, and a few quips here and there from the Pogues, but it was peaceful. Peaceful and exactly what Cory wanted from her friends.