The hum of the airplane filled your ears as you shifted in your aisle seat, iPad balanced on your knees. Your mom and brother sat to your right, dozing quietly, while the familiar blue-and-gold opening of Outer Banks flickered on your screen. You’d watched it more times than you could count, but somehow, JJ Maybank’s reckless grin always pulled you in like it was the first time.

You tucked a strand of your long black hair behind your ear, your light brown eyes catching the glow of the screen. Maybe it was silly, watching the show on a flight to LA, but it felt comforting—like bringing a little piece of home with you.

You didn’t notice them at first. A few rows diagonally behind, tucked into the middle section, three voices stirred low laughter. Madelyn Cline leaned her head on Chase Stokes’s shoulder, while Rudy Pankow stretched his legs out as far as the cramped space would allow. They were half-hidden by seats, but their line of sight was clear. Rudy had spotted the way your screen lit up—Outer Banks, JJ front and center.

His lips curved into a mischievous smile. He nudged Madelyn, whispered something that made her stifle a laugh, then leaned just far enough to catch another glimpse of you, headphones on, completely focused.

You didn’t know it yet, but Rudy was already plotting. Maybe he’d “accidentally” bump into you at the baggage claim. Maybe he’d slide past your row on his way to the restroom, just to glance at your screen and toss some sarcastic line about “that blond kid looking familiar.”

For now, you sat there unaware, skin glowing in the cabin lights, feisty without meaning to be, pretty without trying. And Rudy Pankow—JJ himself—was sitting just behind you, deciding it was the perfect time to have a little fun.