Kook? Or pouge? Maybe both.

Chapter 1: pilot

The sun was sinking lower over the water, casting orange and pink streaks across the sky. John B, JJ, Pope, and Kiara were sprawled out on the beach, sharing laughter and stories of the day's adventures. The salty breeze brushed through their hair as they relaxed, their usual playful banter filling the air. Suddenly, Kiara's eyes flicked to a figure approaching from down the shoreline.

"Oh, look who's here," Kiara muttered, raising an eyebrow.

The others turned to see Alona Rivers making her way toward them. Alona was a Kook, through and through, but she was a different kind of Kook. Her parents were laid-back, unbothered by the social divides that ruled the Outer Banks, and she wasn't caught up in the status games that defined the Kooks and the Pogues. Dressed in a loose, off-the-shoulder sweater and cutoff shorts, her sandy brunette hair flowing behind her, Alona walked with a casual, effortless confidence. She spotted them and gave a wave, her gaze lingering on Kiara before she finally reached them.

"Hey, losers," Alona teased, a playful smirk on her face. "Having fun without me?"

JJ shot her a look, leaning back on his elbows. "Didn't think you'd want to join the 'lowly Pogues,' Alona. Thought that wasn't your style."

Alona rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Please. I've known Kiara since we were kids. I don't see any lines in the sand. Plus, you know Sarah's basically glued to my side these days."

"Alona!" Kiara grinned, standing up to give her friend a quick hug. "Thought you were off on some Kook yacht party or something."

Alona scoffed. "Boring. Do you know how many times I've heard Rafe talk about his precious boat and his 'amazing' new watch?" She mimicked Rafe's voice with exaggerated disdain. "I swear, I'd rather be stranded on this beach than listen to that one more time."

Pope chuckled, shaking his head. "So you came to the right place. Welcome to Pogue territory."

Alona held up her hands, laughing. "Don't tempt me. You know, this is way more fun than pretending to care about Kook drama." She looked around, taking in the relaxed, happy faces of the Pogues. "Besides, it's good to see normal people. No offense, Kie," she added, giving Kiara a nudge.

Kiara laughed, shrugging. "None taken. But are you sure you're ready for the Pogue lifestyle? We're talking cold pizza, two-dollar beer, and mystery boat wrecks."

Alona's eyes lit up. "Did you just say 'mystery boat wrecks'? See, that's more exciting than anything I've heard at the country club." She gave them an expectant look. "So...are you gonna fill me in, or what?"

John B leaned forward, crossing his arms over his knees. "Alright, alright. Long story short: we found a sunken boat after the hurricane. It might have something to do with my dad's disappearance."

Alona's playful smile softened into genuine concern. "John B...you think this might actually be a lead?"

John B shrugged, trying to keep his voice casual. "It's something. And around here, that's better than nothing."

Alona nodded, studying him with a mix of curiosity and sympathy. "So, what's the plan? You're not gonna, like, get yourselves killed chasing this, right?"

JJ snorted, smirking. "Oh, trust me, Alona. Danger's just part of the package. But we can handle it."

"Mm-hmm," Alona replied, raising an eyebrow. "Just be careful. I don't want to see your faces on the news or anything. 'Four idiots lost at sea' isn't the headline I want to wake up to."

Pope chimed in, smirking. "Hey, if we get famous, you know you'll want to be part of it."

Alona put a hand to her chest, feigning horror. "Me? A Pogue? My parents would disown me. I'd be banned from every country club brunch from here to the mainland."

The group burst out laughing, but Alona's smile quickly turned serious. She glanced back toward the Kook territory on the other side of the beach, where the sleek yachts and fancy beachfront houses looked like a world away.

"Look," she said, her tone softer, "I may not be a Pogue, but I'm not like them either. Sarah's cool, you guys are cool, and as long as I'm with my people, I don't care about anything else." She gave them a smile, genuine and warm, before she returned to her usual smirk. "But don't get used to seeing me slumming it over here. My Kook reputation can only take so much damage."

Kiara grinned. "Oh, please. You love it here. Admit it."

Alona rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. Instead, she glanced at John B, her expression turning thoughtful. "So...when's the next 'adventure'? Because if there's one thing I learned from growing up in a mansion, it's that there's no thrill in safety."

JJ chuckled, throwing a playful salute her way. "You're in, Princess. Just don't slow us down."

Alona laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder with mock arrogance. "Oh, please. I'll probably be saving your butts by the end of it."

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