STRANGE LOVE | RAFE CAMERON |

CHAPTER 1: | IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK |

Allison hadn't seen the Outer Banks since she was seven years old. Now, years later, she was back, her heart caught in a delicate mix of excitement and anxiety. The memories of her childhood summers spent here flooded her as soon as she stepped off the boat. Aunt Anna was standing on the dock, arms wide open with a welcoming smile. When they hugged, it was more than a simple embrace—it was the warmth and comfort of all those years apart, melting away instantly.

As they loaded her suitcases into the trunk and began the drive to Aunt Anna's house, Allison gazed out the window, soaking in the scenery. The Outer Banks had changed, but it had somehow stayed the same. The sprawling beaches, the giant houses, and the crisp, salty scent in the air felt both foreign and familiar. There was an ache in her chest, but it was softened by the thought of being here again.

Finally finishing school had been a huge relief, and her parents letting her spend the summer at the Outer Banks was like a dream she'd been waiting to relive. She had missed this place more than she ever admitted—the sandy shores, her sister Kie, and her best friend Jessica, whom she'd known since birth. Though distance had kept them apart, Allison and Jessica had somehow managed to maintain their friendship over the years. The thought of reuniting with her brought an excited flutter to her stomach.

Arriving at the house, Allison's heart pounded in her chest. The house stood before her like a relic of her past—different, yet still carrying the same charm. And there, on the porch, was Kie. Her face lit up the moment she saw Allison, and they both broke into a sprint, running toward each other. They collided in a tight embrace, tears of joy brimming in their eyes. It had been far too long. The house itself had the same cozy atmosphere, with its wrap-around porch and the familiar scent of blooming flowers mixed with the ocean breeze. Inside, the warmth of the family photos lining the walls brought a rush of nostalgia, the space feeling lived-in and loved.

Kie pulled back from their embrace, her eyes shining. "Can we go somewhere? We have so many things to catch up on," she said eagerly.

"Two of you should probably stay here," Mark interjected, his voice tinged with concern. "They said the hurricane will be bad."

Allison laughed, brushing off the looming threat with a light-hearted joke. "First night back and already a hurricane? Didn't know I had that effect on the island."

Both girls burst into laughter, the tension easing.

"Help Allison move into her room, and we'll start dinner," Anna suggested, giving them a knowing smile.

Kie nodded and grabbed one of Allison's suitcases. Together, they made their way through the house, down a hallway that ended with a familiar door. When Kie opened it, Allison paused to take it all in. Her eyes landed on the nightstand, where a framed photo stood. It was from the last Midsummers before she moved away—Allison, her parents, Kie, and Kie's parents, all dressed up for the event. Allison picked it up with a bittersweet smile.

"This is still happening, right?" Allison asked, holding the photo.

"Yes, unfortunately," Kie replied with a hint of disdain in her voice.

Allison raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why unfortunately?"

"I'm not a fan of Midsummers anymore," Kie admitted. "Too many stuck-up Kooks in one place."

Allison let out a laugh. "But we are Kooks," she pointed out, teasing.

"Oh no, maybe you are. I'm with the Pogues now," Kie corrected her with a proud smirk.

"Really?" Allison's surprise was clear, her eyebrows shooting up in curiosity.

"Yeah," Kie confirmed.