SCENE: THE BONEYARD — DUSK

The ocean sparkles under the fading sun, painting everything in gold. The Pogues have gathered around their bonfire—JJ, Kiara, Sarah, Cleo, and John B lounging on driftwood and beach blankets, music playing low, drinks in hand. Laughter echoes as someone throws a marshmallow too hard and JJ pretends it broke his tooth.

Further down the sand, the Kooks cluster under string lights and smug stares—Rafe, Topper, Kelce, Sophia, and Ruthie. Each one dripping with attitude and designer sunglasses even though the sun’s already halfway gone.

Then, out of nowhere—

A roar slices through the chill evening air.

A beat-up, lifted teal truck comes tearing through the dirt path toward the beach, speakers shaking the truck’s frame with the blast of “California Gurls” by Katy Perry. The bass is obnoxiously loud. Everyone turns.

JJ: “Yo… what is—” Kiara: already laughing “Oh my god.”

(Y/N) is up through the sunroof, hair whipping wildly in the wind, face lit with an untouchable, carefree grin. Her arms are thrown sky-high as she jumps and sways to the music, yelling out the lyrics like she owns the whole beach.

“CALIFORNIA GURLS, WE’RE UNFORGETTABLE—!”

Inside and in the bed of the truck, her girls are vibing HARD—shouting, dancing, snapping pics, throwing peace signs out the windows. One girl’s even holding a tiny disco ball from the rearview like it’s their mascot.

Sarah: cracking up “I want to be them when I grow up.” Cleo: eyes wide “They’re insane. I respect it.” JJ: “I think I’m in love. Again.”

John B: smirking at Sarah “You think she’d park it on our side?”

As the truck slows between the two camps, (Y/N) scans the groups—carefree, glowing, zero fear in her eyes. She points finger guns toward the Pogues with a wild grin… then flicks her gaze to the Kooks with mock curiosity.

Ruthie narrows her eyes behind cat-eye sunglasses, arms folded.

Ruthie: dryly “Desperate for attention.”

Sophia: still watching, fascinated “Maybe. But she’s got it.”

Topper: “She looks like a walking TikTok trend.” Kelce: “More like a viral car crash.” Rafe: quietly, eyes locked on (Y/N) “She’s chaos in lip gloss.”

The truck kicks up a spray of sand as it speeds off again, music still echoing, a chaotic storm of glitter, loud lyrics, and laughter disappearing down the shoreline.

Everyone’s left in stunned silence—either dazed, amused, or plotting their next move.

Sarah: raising her cup “To unbothered queens.”

JJ: “To falling headfirst in love with strangers.”

Ruthie: coldly “To girls who don’t know when to stay in their lane.”