There was nothing that delighted you more than shutting yourself up in your room with a good book and an open window that allowed the sounds of the ocean to accompany you into the fresh pages. The words allowed an escape from reality that you knew you'd never get otherwise.
The Outer Banks was a pretty cool place if one was only staying for the summer, but growing up there was a little different. There was nothing appealing about coming up poor as hell in a vacation destination, and poor as hell was exactly what you were.
Your home on the Cut wasn't anything spectacular but your family managed to have a pretty great life despite the circumstances. Both of your parents and your older brother worked on boats while you stayed home and watched over the family pets: Jack the black and tan German Shepherd and Bro the big, grey house cat.
Education was important to you and you'd tried your best every year to make perfect attendance. Graduating high school was bittersweet because you were the first person in your family to do it, but didn't have enough money to attend college and couldn't get financial aide.
"There is nothing wrong with the grind," your older brother clapped you on the back as he dropped you off at your first day of work at The Wreck, "have a good day, kid."
That first shift was when you met the boss's daughter, Kiara, and made the first legitimate friend you'd had since your early teen years. As the months wore on, the two of you became closer and she wanted to bring you out to meet the rest of her friends.
"Come on, have you ever even been to the boneyard?"
"No," you busied yourself wiping a table, "and I don't care to go. I'm cool here, Kie."
"You're cool staying home in your room until you need to come here and then when you leave here you go directly home. You're cool staying as comfortable as possible."
"Yes."
"Listen, you're a pogue, you've always been one and I just met you a few months ago. You need to get out more."
"Why," you scoffed, tossing the wet rag over your shoulder and grabbing the dirty plates from the table you were cleaning.
"Because you're 22 years old and you desperately need to get laid," Kie smirked as she spoke and tossed her own rag at you, "please come out tonight. Do me this solid and if you hate it I'll never bother you again."
*
Kiara had run away from you almost an hour ago claiming she'd 'be right back' and the sun was starting to set. You wandered around down by the waves and wished you had never agreed to attending this party.
"Hey," a tall, curly haired brunette came running up and wrapped his arm around your shoulder, "you're the girl Kie invited from work, right?"
You shrugged off his arm, earning a soft laugh from him, and introducing yourself properly.
"It's good to meet you, I'm John B."
"Nice to make your acquaintance, John B."
"Oh shit," he stepped back and gave you a strange look, "I know you. Kildare Local, right? You're an actual pogue!"
"Guilty," you bowed your head slightly, "but I don't get out much."
"Until today," he smiled and pulled you into him, "you down to grab a beer and meet the rest of our friends?"
"Sure," skepticism was creeping in but John B gave off pretty chill vibes so you went with it, "lead the way."
John B guided you up the beach with his arm still wrapped around your shoulders as he described his friends to you. When the two of you finally reached one of the small fires burning in the boneyard, everyone in the small circle began to cheer.
"Kiara," he pulled you in a little closer, "I think you brought this one out tonight, care to introduce her to the crew?"
Kie stood up from her spot and ran over to the two of you, pushing John B away and wrapping you up in a tight hug.
"So, you've met our heroic leader already," she nodded toward John B, "but I want you to get to know the rest of us."
She started with Sarah, the gorgeous blonde who had been dating John B for years. Sarah was kind and welcoming, giving you a big hug and pulling you into the seat beside her.
Pope was next. The man had always been the brain of the group and had passed up college to strengthen his family business, which he did. You knew it, the Hayward Company had done great things for the OBX, but it was nice to meet him anyway.
JJ was the last person John B and Kie introduced you to. They didn't say much about his past, but you got the feeling that it wasn't great and you weren't going to press it.
"Hi, JJ, it's nice to meet you."
You extended your hand in hopes that he would shake it and everything would be cool. JJ narrowed his eyes at you before breaking into a big smile.
"Kildare local, I fucking know you!
"You do, you all do. Pogues for life, I guess."
The group raised their beers and howled about loyalty before throwing them back. You did the same but when you dropped your cup, your eyes beelined to the blue eyed blonde with too many abs that you'd tried to forget about when you graduated.
You never said a word to him until today, but JJ Maybank had been on your radar for years.
