The sun was starting to dip low over the Outer Banks, casting golden light through the windows of the Cameron family’s sprawling beachfront villa. You and Sarah had spent most of the day lounging by the pool, sipping smoothies and pretending that the world wasn’t complicated — pretending that your life as a Kook didn’t come with layers of expectation, rules, and silent wars.

Inside, the air conditioning was a welcome break from the thick summer heat. You were in the kitchen now, rummaging through the fridge for a snack, calling out to Sarah, “You want anything?”

“Nah, I’m good,” she replied from the sunroom.

You’d left your phone behind, carelessly tossed on the glass coffee table beside Sarah, screen up and unlocked — not that it mattered, right? You were just best friends. There was nothing on there worth hiding.

At least, that’s what you told yourself.

But your heart would’ve sunk if you’d seen the way Sarah’s eyes flicked toward the screen when a notification lit it up with a soft buzz. She didn’t mean to look at first. It was just a reflex. But then she saw the name — loml❤️ — and curiosity tilted her forward like a magnet. She clicked on the contact to see its profile picture.

JJ?

That rough-edged, sun-kissed Pogue who wore rebellion like a second skin? Sure, everyone knew you were friendly with him. You’d defended him once at a party when Topper made some dumb joke. You’d sat a little too close to him at that bonfire a few weeks back. But JJ and you? A Kook? It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense.

Sarah’s thumb hesitated over the message preview, but then — against her better judgment — she tapped it.

The chat opened instantly, and her eyes widened as she scanned the screen.

jj: “missing our make out session. when r u coming over again?” jj: “I swear I think I still smell like your perfume on my shirt lmao” jj: “can I sneak out at ur place tonight? leave the window open pretty”

Sarah stared. Her mouth dropped open just slightly, her mind racing as she scrolled further up — now past the point of no return.

you: “cant stop thinking about last night.” jj: “same. I swear u tasted like strawberries.” you: “I hate lying to everyone, not ready to blow this up tho.” jj: “I get it. the pretty kook princess can’t be seen slumming it with a pogue, can she?” you: “shut up u’re my pogue.” jj: “damn right I am.”

Sarah blinked, still processing. The words felt foreign, like they belonged to another version of you. You — the girl who always kept it together, who wore pearls at brunch and smiled politely at fundraisers. The girl who never crossed lines. Especially not that line.

She leaned back slowly, eyes fixed on the screen, heart pounding — not out of betrayal, but disbelief. You’d kept this from her. From everyone. And yet… she could see it now. The way you lit up when JJ was around. The softness in your voice when you said his name.

It all made sense.

She barely heard your footsteps returning until you stepped back into the room, chips in hand, and stopped dead when you saw your phone in her hand, the open screen still glowing.