P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

Rescue

Cory liked the island.

She knew she shouldn't.

She knew she should be wanting to go back home to the OBX like the others.

But she was happy. And so was JJ. That was enough for her.

They had made Poguelandia. They had made a home. A perfect little paradise for the kids who had only ever wanted to be in charge of their own lives. It was perfect.

Well, other than feeling the dirtiest they had ever felt in their lives. And the sun damage. And literally being unable to exist without sand in every crevice of their body.

Actually, Cory was pretty ready to go home. Not ready to let go of their paradise, but ready for a hot shower and a home cooked Kiara Carrera meal.

JJ's hair had grown out into a small mullet, something that Cory actually quite enjoyed the sight of. And frankly, she was thankful for JJ's taste in clothing the day of the rescue, because she could look at those arms for hours on end. His skin was tan as ever, getting over a nasty burn from the week prior.

Cory and JJ had become their fishermen, always looking for food for the group. Cleo and Kiara were always the most passionate about the food so they cooked. The others helped build and provide in various ways.

Mostly, their jobs were to have fun. To ride the waves and soak up the sun (as horrible as it was getting for their skin), and enjoy all of their time together.

Cory and JJ had been dating for about two weeks, and they couldn't have been happier. Of course, Cory was getting ready to be done with Poguelandia, but JJ was unmoving. She wasn't sure if anyone could get him off the island other than her.

JJ wasn't big on sharing emotions and PDA, but sometimes he just couldn't help himself. He was obsessed with her and always wanted to be touching her, so he gave in and let the others tease him for a few days before they got over it.

They were starting to get used to the comfort of being in a relationship–something neither one had experienced at any point in their lives before. They were getting used to sneaking off every other night for a little fun time by themselves, but also for the simplicity of falling in love. Cory would never get over the look on JJ's face whenever she did basically anything. She would catch him staring in awe and her stomach would immediately explode with butterflies.

Cory, of course, felt bad for Kiara. She knew that Kie loved her friends, but slowly as they all watched Pope and Cleo begin to fall in love, Kiara felt more and more single. Cory would make comments to her about that girl Lilia that she had met, but it only seemed to make Kie feel worse, knowing that she had probably moved on by now and would never be interested in Kiara Carrera again.

John B and Sarah had been as sweet as ever, seemingly getting over their spat with no issue.

All was right with the world.

But then that morning came.

All Cory had known was she had been having the best sleep she had since they had been stranded, and then she was being pulled awake by JJ.

"Cory," he mumbled. "Get up."

But then he was walking away, leaving her to figure out what was going on.

She pulled herself into a seated position, noticing John B and Sarah nearby doing the same.

They were looking in the distance at–

A plane.

Cory smiled softly, pulling herself to her feet.

There was a plane passing over their heads.