Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

4

A kegger means heading to the boneyard. You can't understand the Outer Banks without understanding the boneyard. It's kinda like a three-layer burrito. There's us and our friends, the working-class derelicts from the cut. Then, there are the Kooks, the rich second-homers. They're mostly from poncey-ass boarding schools, just rich trustafarian posers. Our natural enemies. And then, there are the Tourons. Totally clueless. Here for a week on vacation with their families. Chum for the sharks.

The guys set the keg up and Kie and I help by setting up the red cups. It isn't long before people start to show up. There aren't invitations to boneyard keggers if you hear about it, you can just show up. We drink and have fun. I beat JJ at a chugging contest. I watch Pope try to chat up a girl.

"What is she doing here?" Kie asks.

On top of a washed-up buoy is Sarah Cameron, Kook princess. Kiara's best friend in the ninth grade, worst enemy in the tenth grade. John B works on her dad's boats. The boy that's helping her down is Topper, her not so pleasant boyfriend. He actually thinks Pogues were bred to mow lawns.

We party well into the night. I stand with John B, my feet in the surf.

"You know this foster care thing isn't going away," I tell him.

"Can't we just enjoy the party?" John B asks.

"I'm just worried," I confess. "You know we'd fall apart without you."

John B smiles. "Stop acting like I'm leaving."

"This is serious, JB," I tell him.

"And so am I," John B says.

JJ walks over to John B and I beer in hand. "I got this for you. Want it?

"For me? Yeah, I'll take a sip," John B replies.

"Oh, wait. Hey, hey. Hey, Sarah!" JJ shouts. "Sarah, can I interest you in a tasty Milwaukee beverage?"

"No, thanks," Sarah states.

"Is it not fancy enough for you?" JJ asks.

"No. We were just leaving," Sarah says.

Topper steps in. "Hey, you know what? I'll take it. I'll... Thank you, man. I appreciate it."

"That's nice, but I didn't ask you. If you said pretty please, maybe, but you didn't," JJ taunts.

"Oh, pretty please," Topper says.

"Yeah. Sarah," JJ starts.

"Pretty please?" Topper asks.

"You can have it," JJ says, trying to hand the beer to her.

Topper smacks the beer from JJ's hand. "She doesn't want it, you..."

JJ lunges for Topper. Sarah tries to grab Topper and John B tries to grab JJ.

"No, no, no, no," John B says.

"You're so funny, man," JJ taunts.

Pope shows up. "Hey."

"Dirty Pogues!" Topper shouts.

John B pushes him back.

"John B!" I shout. JJ holds me back. "We're supposed to be incognito, remember?"

Sarah tries to talk to Topper, "Babe, babe, babe, babe..."

Topper punches John B and he hits the ground. He kicks him while he's down. "Hey, John B, don't make me drown you like your old man, all right?" He kicks him again.

Everyone starts to shout. "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

John B stands up and tackles Topper into the surf.