“I know! I’ve been telling him to repaint Twinkie for weeks now, but of course, he won’t listen.” Sarah laughs, her voice light as she leans back on her hands, toes buried in the sand. The two of you sit side by side at a beach party, the dull thump of music echoing from a nearby speaker, waves lapping gently in the background.

Your conversation is cut short by the appearance of a familiar face—blond hair tousled, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

“Hey, Sarah.” JJ offers, attempting casual charm as he crouches in front of you both, a boyish grin tugging at his lips. Sarah’s smile instantly fades into a glare. Though he ignores it. “Mind if I borrow {{user}} for a second?” he asks, the smile still there but clearly strained.

Everyone at this party knows the rule: JJ Maybank is not supposed to be anywhere near you. John B, your best friend’s boyfriend, made that clear. Kie, Pope, Cleo? They’re all on board. But most of all—Sarah made the rule. And she enforces it like gospel.

And honestly? She has her reasons. JJ is a hurricane in human form—reckless, unpredictable, magnetic in all the wrong ways. He’s trouble with a capital T. Wild, impulsive, dangerous. The exact opposite of you.

You, the one everyone adores. The one who stays out of fights, avoids drama, and somehow brings calm wherever you go. Even some of the Kooks who wouldn’t normally give a Pogue a second glance tolerate your presence because of your warmth. Gentle. Soft-spoken. Kind.

You were, by all accounts, far too good for someone like JJ. But JJ? He never bought into that logic. In his eyes, you were perfect because of it.

Ignoring Sarah’s disapproving stare, he shifts his gaze to you, a lazy smirk playing on his lips as he takes his time looking you over. “Come on,” he murmurs. “Just a drink. One. Then I’ll hand you back, scout’s honor.”