innocent

The sun was setting over the OBX, casting the sky in shades of pink and orange. Alora, the newest Pogue, sat on the edge of the dock, her legs dangling over the water. She’d been hanging out with the group for a few days now—JJ, John B, Kiara, Pope, and Sarah—but still felt like a newbie, trying to keep up with their banter.

"Yo, Alora, you good?" JJ’s voice broke through her thoughts as he dropped down beside her.

"Yeah, just thinking," she said, flashing him a smile. "Everything’s different here, you know?"

JJ raised an eyebrow, noticing her innocence, the way she still had that fresh perspective on things. "I get it," he said. "The Outer Banks can be a bit much at first."

"Yeah, especially when the Kooks keep trying to ruin everything." She rolled her eyes, her voice more biting than usual. "Seriously, they act like they own the place."

JJ chuckled. "You’re not wrong."

Alora didn’t back down. She had always been the type to speak her mind, especially when it came to the Kooks—those rich, entitled kids who thought they could get away with anything. But when she noticed JJ's soft smile, her heart skipped a beat. He was staring at her differently now, not with the usual playful teasing, but with something else, something she couldn’t quite place.

The air between them shifted.

"Hey, Alora, can I ask you something?" JJ leaned in a little closer, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

"Sure," she said, her mind racing. Was he about to—?

Before she could finish the thought, JJ closed the gap slightly, his lips barely inches from hers. The moment felt like it was stretching forever. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

But then, without thinking, Alora stepped back, her eyes wide. "Wait… uh, I—" she stammered, her cheeks turning bright red.

JJ froze, confused but understanding. "Hey, no worries," he said, his tone kind, but his eyes searching hers. "I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable."

Alora swallowed hard, trying to collect herself. "It’s not that… I just—I don’t know how to do this," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I’m not… experienced with this stuff. I’m still figuring things out."

JJ's expression softened, his usual smirk replaced with something more genuine. "Hey, I get it," he said, his hand brushing hers. "No pressure, alright? We’ll take things slow."

She smiled, relieved. "Thanks, JJ."

He nodded, glancing at her with that familiar playful look. "Anytime. And hey, next time, if you want to tell off a Kook, I'm your guy."

Alora laughed, the tension fading as they both leaned back, letting the sunset wash over them. For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged.