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The first time you saw him, it was your first bonfire. Pogues and Kooks alike danced around the flame, sometimes in pairs, other times alone. You were drinking a strong liquid from a flimsy plastic cup, and talking, only half heartedly, to Rafe and Topper. Each was trying to impress you in some way, and though their attempts had begun since the day you had arrived, neither would “let you go,” as they had said. You knew, however, that neither of them could let the other win.
As the two bickered, you let your gaze wander across the beach, surveying the teens walking over the sandy ground. There were girls in bikinis, despite the chill air, boys with slicked back hair, no doubt trying to impress the others, and some, who you assumed were the Pogues, who looked as if they didn’t care about their appearance. The same people, of course, were the ones that looked effortlessly flawless, soft hair and tanned skin, that curved in every way you would want it to.
You looked down at your own clothes, and picked at your hair, remembering how much time you had put into looking like this. It had never felt natural, but the outcome, you had convinced yourself, was always worth it.
When you looked back up at the crowd again, a blond-haired boy caught your eye almost immediately, and you couldn’t think of how you had missed him earlier. His skin was perfect, and his smile, you thought, was immaculate. Based on his clothing and worn out boots, you knew immediately that he was a Pogue, but for the first time since you had come to the Outer Banks, you didn’t really care.
As he glances your way, probably sensing your eyes on him, you turn back towards Rafe and Topper, who are still arguing. After a couple of moments, you turn back towards him, only to find that his eyes glance back over towards you. You smile and look down, slightly shyly as he notices and when you look back up, he’s smiling as well.
~
The second time you saw him, it was at the country club. You had arrived late in the afternoon with your family, wearing casual clothes that hugged your waist and legs. You were deep in conversation with your mother when you entered the large dining room, but your words caught in your throat when you saw him behind the counter serving drinks.
His uniform made him look even more handsome than before, and you found yourself staring, only snapping back into reality when your mother asked you if you were alright.
“Huh? Oh, yes,” you respond, stuttering, and as your family makes their way to a seat by the window, you can see the boy looking at you out of the corner of your eye.
You want to go up to him, ask for a drink, maybe even his name, because you know you’re obsessed with this beautiful boy. You want to know more about him, his family and friends, his life, but you stop yourself. Pogues with pogues and kooks with kooks, you think.
Eventually a waiter makes their way over to your table, and everyone orders. When the waiter leaves, conversation continues, but all you can think about is the boy behind the counter.
You are still deep in thought, wondering if he prefers the beach or the woods, when the boy appears, balancing all of your food in his muscled arms. Looking up, you watch him (almost creepily) place a plate down in front of everyone at the table, before making eye contact with you, and setting down your dish.
“Maam,” he says, a playful smirk appearing slyly on his face, as a blush creeps onto yours.
“T-thank you.” You murmur, maintaining eye contact with him as he finally turns his attention back to the rest of the table.
“Anything else I can get you?” He looks around, and when no one responds, glances at you again, and leaves.
~
The third time you saw him, you felt a spark. The beach was busy that evening, apparently surfing was a popular pastime as the sun dipped below the waves. You had never been much of a surfer yourself, but saw the enjoyment in it.
Feet padded across the sand, and the waves rushed against the shore as squeals of delight echoed through the air. Your nose was where it usually lived, in a book. This particular story was a romance novel, love at first sight, the usual. As your eyes scanned the pages, you heard a now familiar voice ripple through the sea of bodies towards you. Looking up, you suddenly saw him.
His hair was wet, and falling in strands over his forehead, and his muscular arms clutched a surfboard at his side. His skin was even more tan than it was just two days prior, and he wore the same gorgeous smile that you had first noticed at the bonfire.
You noticed, a little too late, that you were staring (yet again), at his indescribable features, and attempted to shake away your need to look, when he met your eyes. For a long moment, you just stared at each other, neither of you making a move closer or further away. Something lurched in your stomach when he sent you a small, sweet, smile, which you returned, and looked back in the direction of his friends, who were already making their way towards the street. As he reluctantly followed, his eyes stole glances back towards you, and you knew that something amazing could happen if you let it.
~
The fourth time you saw him, he finally kissed you. It had happened suddenly, and you swore that neither of you had been expecting it. There you were at the midsummer's party, in a new outfit and styled hair, smiling as you talked with Sarah and Wheezie, when you saw him, in his usual waiter uniform, looking as amazing as ever.
Before you knew it, the two of you were making eye contact again, smiling and blushing at each other. “Y/N?” You could hear Sarah ask you, but it wasn’t until Rafe stepped between you and the boy you now knew was named JJ, that you snapped back to reality. Rafe was facing JJ, now walking towards him, arms shaking and nostrils flared.
“What are you doing staring at her, Pogue?” He spat, making JJ cock and eyebrow at him.
“Sorry Cameron, I didn’t realize she was your property. Does she even know, or are you just helplessly in love with the new girl?” A smirk began to grow on JJ’s face, and if the circumstances were different, you knew that you would be smiling too.
“Shut your mouth Maybank,” Rafe shouted, almost directly in front of him now, “you don’t know anyt-'' but before he could finish his sentence, JJ had punched him square in the jaw, sending Rafe to the floor. Blood dripped from Rafe’s lip, and you put your hand over your mouth to hide a gasp of astonishment. JJ was on him again in a second, sending him further and further into the ground.
“JJ,” you start to call, but your voice is quiet compared to the screams and yells of the people around you, as they back away. Instead of trying to speak over the crowd, you walk forwards, grasping JJ by his shoulders and attempting to pull him off Rafe, who at this point is almost unconscious. “JJ!” You say again, and he finally turns to you, his fist still raised in the air, ready to strike.
“JJ, please,” you say, looking him directly in the eyes, and they visibly soften at the hurt in your voice. “Please don’t.” Slowly he lowers his fist, still looking at you, and you help him off of Rafe.
“I need to go.” He mutters, looking around at the people still staring at him.
“Wait,” you almost whisper, but he still turns. “Can I come with you?” The words are still a whisper, but JJ hears you as if you’re the only person in the room. He nods, and holds out his hand, which you take. He pulls you along with him, off the porch, through the sand, and towards the street where a motorcycle stands waiting. Swinging a leg over, he pats the seat behind him, and you hope on, wrapping your arms around his waist securely. Over his shoulder, you see him smile.
JJ takes you to a place he calls “the chateau.” It's an older wooden house right by the water, and though it’s run down, and the lawn is scattered with odd items, it looks comfortable and quiet, away from the bustle of the town nearby. He helps you off the motorcycle, keeping an arm wrapped around your waist as your feet fumble on the uneven ground. When the two of you reach the door, he turns to you and pushes the screen open. “Welcome to paradise,” he chuckles, revealing a narrow hallway that leads to the rest of the house. There is a door on either side, and another in the living room.
He leads you into the kitchen, his hand still holding yours, and you don’t know if he realizes it or not. However, once you reach the counter, he drops it, and turns to you.
“Why did you stop me?” He asks, curiosity evident in his voice, but he doesn’t sound mad or accusatory, instead, like he is genuinely interested.
“I-I don’t know,” you stutter, “I didn’t want you to get hurt.” He smiles.
“You’re pretty cute y'know,” he informs you, “for a kook anyway.” You can’t hide the blush that creeps onto your face as you respond.
“You too, for a pogue of course.”
“Of course, of course,” he laughs, looking down at the ground. “I’ve seen you staring at me, the beach, the restaurant. You like me or somethin’?” You blush again, smiling.
“Don’t act like you don’t stare back.”
“Yeah so?” he chuckles.
“So, you must like me as much as I like you.” You look up at him, only to find him already staring back at you.
“Then you must be head over heels for me,” he whispers, walking towards you, and putting his hands on either side of the counter, pinning you in place, his face only inches from yours. You look at him wide-eyed, and he smiles again, “aren’t you sunshine?” And then he kisses you. It’s warm and gentle, but passionate at the same time, and you return the feelings almost immediately, telling him everything you can without saying a word. Your hands reach behind his neck and run through his hair, and his snake around your waist and up your back. You lose the fight for dominance almost immediately but you don’t seem to mind as he pulls your flush against his chest, holding your body impossibly closer to his.
Finally you break apart slightly winded and gasping for air, your bodies still pressed together. “Nice to meet you too,” he jokes, pulling your lips back towards his own.
~
The fifth time you saw him, his arms were around yours on a beach towel. The sun had already set, but the crowd was still present, laughing and calling out for their friends in the dark. His hat rested over your eyes, and his face was buried deep in your neck, soft snores echoing from his throat. Your legs were tangled with his, and despite the heat, the two of you couldn’t have been physically closer. Finally, since the first time you had stepped foot on this new and strange territory, you felt safe and at home, with a boy you never thought you could fall in love with.