The red carpet stretched endlessly in front of the theater, glowing under spotlights and camera flashes. Giant posters for Outer Banks Season 5 lined the entrance, the title shining above the crowd like a promise. Fans were already screaming when the cast arrived.

You walked the carpet slowly, stopping for interviews, posing with the cast, laughing when photographers called your name from every direction. Questions blurred together, favorite scene, funniest moment on set, what fans should expect this season. Every so often, you caught Drew nearby, leaning toward Jonathan, listening to an interviewer, but glancing over when you laughed. Inside the theater, the energy shifted. The lights dimmed, the audience settling as the first episode of the new season began. Applause erupted during key scenes, cheers breaking out at familiar moments. Sitting among the cast, you felt that shared buzz, the relief, pride, and excitement of finally showing the world what you’d worked on for so long. When the credits rolled, the room exploded into applause.

Season five was officially out.

Not long after, the cast regrouped outside, slipping into a waiting limousine that would take everyone to the after party. The mood was lighter now, jokes, laughter, phones already buzzing with reactions online. When the limo stopped, the doors opened to chaos. Photographers. Fans. White light everywhere.

Madelyn, Jonathan, Chase, and Drew stepped out first, waving as they moved toward the entrance. You followed last, instantly pulled into the moment—fans calling your name, asking for selfies, holding out posters and phones.

You stopped for them, smiling, signing, leaning in for pictures.

A few steps ahead, Drew noticed you hadn’t followed. He turned around and saw you laughing with fans, completely present despite the noise and flashes. Instead of going inside, he waited. When you finally reached him, slightly overwhelmed but smiling, you shrugged apologetically.

He shook his head. “You’re good,” he said quietly. “They love you.”

Together, you walked into the party.

Music thundered through the venue, lights pulsing as the VIP section filled with cast and crew. Drinks were passed around, laughter mixing with the bass. You danced with Drew, nothing serious, just playful, moving with the rhythm, spinning each other around, laughing when the beat dropped unexpectedly.

From below, fans watched, phones raised, whispers spreading as videos captured moments of the night.

You leaned in close so he could hear you. “This is definitely ending up online.”

Drew smirked. “At this point, I’m used to it.”

Hours later, the group headed back out, signing autographs once more before slipping into the limousine again. You sat down next to Drew, Jonathan across from you, the adrenaline finally fading. The door shut.

Jonathan broke the silence with a grin. “So… Drew is going on a daaaaaate.”

Drew looked exhausted, a little tipsy, head tilted back against the seat.

“Am I?” he asked, glancing sideways at you.

You raise an eyebrow at that. “Guess we’ll see.”

Drew laughs quietly, shaking his head as Jonathan groans dramatically.

A little while later Drew falls half asleep against the window.

You turn to look at him, then out at the lights, smiling to yourself.