P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

-Lilia-

The Outer Banks was a wonderful place. Or so Lilia thought.

Her sister had been living there with her fiancé since they had gotten engaged. Lilia had visited several times over the year, but she was still in high school.

As a touron, Lilia had always enjoyed the island. She snuck off to the keggars, spent way too much money on clothing that just said OBX, and ate as much coconut flavored food as possible.

David was technically known on the island as a 'kook'. Lilia wasn't quite sure what that meant exactly, but she knew he had money. When Nani moved in with him, Lilia had been excited about the opportunity of a vacation home, and her sister was excited to have her around to stay.

David's parents had a big house on "Figure Eight". Lilia had been there a few times, but often times she stayed in David's humble little home, just down the street from many of the 'Pogues', which were the opposite of the Kooks

Lilia liked David. He was kind to her sister and honestly already felt like a brother to her.

She really enjoyed vacationing at their house.

What she hadn't expected was to find herself loving into their halls.

Realistically, she should have been having the time of her life. But Lilia couldn't bring herself to enjoy the transition. Not with how she got there.

Losing both of her parents wasn't ideal. But she supposed it wasn't the worst thing in the world to get to live with her sister one last time before she was gone forever.

After a few weeks, Lilia found herself beginning to embrace the beach lifestyle a lot more. She was starting to make friends, finding them out on the beach. They had even offered to teach her to surf. She was already getting better.

They also helped her find parties and other events to attend.

Namely, "The Bonfire".

Supposedly it was a big deal in the OBX. It occurred just after school started up again, and while Lilia wasn't glad about going to school, she was excited for this bonfire.

So her best friend, Koa, had driven her there, guiding her into the party.

"Just be careful," Koa warned. "Those Kooks play dirty."

Then, he patted her on the shoulder and disappeared into the crowd, going over to someone he recognized almost immediately.

Lilia didn't mind him abandoning her, she was social and could hold her own.

So she moved into the party slowly, trying to take everything in.

She recognized many of the kids from school and the beach. There were a variety of class levels, Kooks and Pogues alike at the party.

Lilia reached for a bottle on the table, popping the cap off as she read the label. It was coconut rum. She quickly poured it into a cup before grabbing a bottle of pineapple juice. She poured that in as well and began to mix it.

"You know, that's my friend's favorite drink," a soft, feminine voice came from behind her.

Lilia spun around with a soft smile to face the girl.

Standing in front of her was Kiara Carrera, a girl that Lilia had heard plenty about.

Apparently she was controversial in the OBX. She was born a Kook, her parents the couple that owned the Wreck restaurant. But apparently she spent all of her time with the no-good Pogues.

"Is it?" Lilia asked, taking a sip. "She's got good taste."

Kiara stepped forward, reaching for the cup. "May I?"

Lilia nodded and allowed Kiara to grab the cup. She threw it back, taking a small sip.

"Sweet," she said with a smile.

"Yeah," Lilia nodded. "Makes the taste of alcohol just the tiniest bit more tolerable." She took her cup back, taking another sip.

The two began to step away from the table, nearing a brick wall that they placed their shoulders against.

"Who are you?" Kiara asked. "I've never seen you around here."

Lilia shrugged. "Moved in a few weeks ago."

"Ahh, that explains it," Kiara said. Then, she lifted her brows. "Well?"

Lilia smiled. "Lilia."

Kiara nodded. "Pretty." Then, she stuck out her hand. "I'm Kiara."

"I know," Lilia said, reaching her hand out to shake. Kiara gave her a face. "Your parents own the Wreck."

"Right," Kiara chuckled. "So, where'd you move in to?"

"Well, my sister is engaged to David Redden," Lilia began to explain. "You know him?"

"Yeah, his parents live by me," Kiara answered. "But didn't he move out of their house?"

Lilia nodded. "Yeah, once he graduated college."

Kiara's face lit up. "Oh, I remember! My friend lives just down the road from him!" Kiara gestured to the cup in Lilia's hand. "You know, Malibu Sunset girl!"

Lilia smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah, right down the road," Kiara said. "Last name is Katz?"

"Ohhhh," Lilia said, nodding. "Yeah, I know that house. Quiet."

"Well, she's not often there," Kiara explained. "We don't spend a lot of time at home."

Lilia nodded along, but slowly, as Kiara continued to talk, she felt herself zoning out, completely and utterly entranced by the girl in front of her. She was beautiful, had a magnetic personality, and embraced everything about herself with such an air of confidence. Lilia was jealous.

But her stomach didn't churn in the same way it did when she felt jealous.

No, she wasn't jealous.

She had a crush.

Lilia poured more of her drink back down her throat.

She opened her mouth to say something, but then a commotion came from nearby. Both of the girls' heads moved quickly toward the sound, spotting several teenage boys beginning to argue with each other.

"Dammit," Kiara mumbled. "That's my friends."

Lilia chuckled. "You should probably go reel them in."

Kiara nodded, turning to go. But as she moved, she turned back.

"I'll see you around?" she asked.

Lilia nodded. "Of course."

Lilia watched quietly as the fight ensued, taking note of how easily Kiara reeled the boys in. She watched them retreat to a very distinct van, and piled in quickly. Lilia took note of the girl with blonde curls, smiling at the friendly interactions between the group.

She only hoped she would actually see Kiara again.

Authors Note: Sorry for such a short chapter today. I wanted to try something different and give a little insight on Lilia, my Kiara love interest. I don't think I'm gonna have enough content to make a whole fic about them, so I figured I might as well give it here. So here is their first meeting, back at the bonfire from season 2. Lmk if this is something y'all enjoyed!

Also, I hope season 3 hasn't been disappointing so far! Enjoy the rest!