P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

Fire

Cory and JJ were on the hammock at the Chateau, JJ's hand draped over her torso as he drew small shapes on the smooth skin.

It had been a rough day for the both of them, who literally had no clue what to do next.

And when Sarah showed up at the Chateau, they were really stumped.

Cory wanted to believe in her friend, but it was hard hearing from John B that he had been cheated on. It didn't make sense. Sarah wouldn't do that to John B... well, Cory guessed she did. Moreso, Cory wanted to know what was going to happen next.

"Hey, thanks for waiting," Sarah said, suddenly pushing off of the porch and moving toward the group of Pogues.

Cory moved, pulling herself off of the hammock, using Pope to balance herself. JJ followed behind her, cautiously looking at the Cameron girl.

Sarah smiled lightly. "Look who decided to come home."

They glanced back at the porch where the door swung open, and John B stepped out. He didn't look happy, but at least he wasn't in jail.

The Pogues all grinned, mumbling 'hello's to their friend.

"You gotta be kidding me," JJ said with a smirk.

John B didn't respond. He simply stepped up to be in line with Sarah, joining the circle of Pogues.

"I have something I want to share with you guys," Sarah said, a grin still present on her face.

Next to Cory, JJ tensed up. Cory reached over, wrapping her hand around his arm in an attempt at being supportive.

"I can get us down to the Orinoco," Sarah informed.

The Pogues seemed frozen at the information.

"Are you serious?" Pope asked.

The tense muscles in JJ's body seemed to relax, and he glanced over at John B with a smile.

"Okay, and how's that gonna happen?" Cleo asked.

"My dad's gonna let us use the plane," Sarah explained.

"Ward?"

"Your dad?"

"Yep," Sarah nodded. "We lay low tonight, then wheels up first thing in the morning."

"Okay, that's a lot to process," Pope sighed. "Your dad actually helping us."

Sarah nodded. "I talked to him. He'll do it."

"So we trusting Ward now?" Cleo asked, who would always be cautious of the man she had heard so many stories about.

"Trust Sarah," Kie said.

"Alright."

"Great, that's all I needed to hear."

Sarah frowned. "But wait, I also just have one more thing to say. Um... since we've gotten back from the island, I've done some things that I regret. A lot."

The silence that settled over the Pogues was familiar–a sort of air that, yeah, they knew what she had done.

But she seemed to be done speaking, and Cory rolled her eyes, glancing at John B. She cleared her throat loudly.

"Yeah, uh," he mumbled, making brief eye contact with the girl. "I feel... I feel like we've all done a thing or two we regret."

"And... I don't..." Sarah mumbled. "Poguelandia, guys. It's all I've been able to think about. We were all together on that island and it was a good thing, and I don't wanna ruin a good thing. And I... I just wanna know, are we still all in? Are we still all together?"