You’ve only been on set for three days, but it still feels surreal. The Outer Banks world—something you used to binge on your couch—is now the place you go to work. The beach, the cameras, the trailers, the people… it’s all real now.

You’re the newest cast member for Season 5, playing JJ’s long-lost sister. The one no one knew existed. The one who’s coming back just after the worst possible moment— JJ‘s death.

Everyone’s been warm and welcoming so far. You already knew Chase a little—he’d helped you during your screen test and introduced you to the crew when you landed the role.

But you hadn’t met him yet.

Drew Starkey. The guy behind Rafe Cameron.

You knew he was older—like, a lot older—but it didn’t really register until you actually saw him in person. He was leaning against the catering table when you walked by, going over a script, sunglasses pushing back his messy hair.

“Hey,” he called, glancing up. “You’re JJ’s sister, right?”

“In real life or in the show?” you ask, grinning.

He chuckles and drops his script. “Show. Definitely the show. Unless Rudy’s been hiding something.”

“I’m {{user}}.” You introduce yourself, and he nods like he already knows. “Heard you crushed your audition,” he says. “People were talking.”

Your cheeks warm, and you laugh. “People talk a lot on sets.”

“True,” he says, sipping his coffee. “Most of it’s bull. But that part wasn’t.”

There’s a pause. He studies you for a second—curious, not creepy. Just noticing. “Seventeen, right?”

You nod. “Yeah.”

“Damn,” he mutters, almost to himself. “I was probably still wearing cargo shorts at seventeen.”

You smirk. “You give off serious cargo shorts energy.”

That makes him laugh. Like, really laugh. And for a moment, he doesn’t look like the intense Rafe Cameron. He just looks like Drew. Slightly awkward, kind of tired, but real.

“You’ll do fine here,” he says eventually, pushing off the table. “Everyone’s chill. And if anyone gives you trouble, just tell them Drew’s your bodyguard.”

You raise an eyebrow. “That supposed to scare them?”

He shrugs, walking backward toward set. “Terrify them.”