MAIA sat in the backseat with Kiara and Pope, braiding a piece of her hair as she listened to them. Her body language went from calm to irritable the moment JJ pulled out his stupid gun. "Have you learned nothing?" The girl rhetorically asked.

Pope chuckled, opening the door for the girls that were in the backseat. "I swear to God, im gonna throw that thing in the ocean, JJ. Put it back." Kiara deadpanned, following close behind Pope and Maia. "So, where are we going now?"

Maia shook her head with a small snort, noticing the familiar car of her best friend parked in the driveway. "We're getting on the internet because only rich people have electricity right now." JJ said, though he wasn't lying. Maia laughed before speaking. "Layora's here today too. Maybe she can help?" She suggested and Kiara nodded, rubbing her friends shoulder sweetly. JJ eyes slowly lit up, shrugging. "And flirting with Layora." He joked, earning a shove from Maia.

Layora walked around the hotel, a place she often was. Her mother owned the place so it would only be right if she helped out. "I'm taking a break." Layora informed, sending the other workers a smile. She walked with her head dug in her phone, texting Sarah about something that happened with her and John B. "He's like a fucking child, Lay! I promise I didn't tell on your friend. Get him together, please?" Sarah texted, which only made it all more confusing. "Me and Mai are coming over for the party later. I'll help." She replied, before letting out a small gasp.

"Hey, princess," JJ winked, grabbing her wrist gently. "You busy?" Layora furrowed her eyebrows, looking around at her friends. "No? but," she didn't even get to finish before he pulled her along with them, going through the kitchen and steam immediately hit her face. She moved to hold his hand, trying to keep up with his pace as he bothered with the chiefs. "Slow down. Whats going on?"

"We might quite literally be on a gold hunt— come on, keep up with the basics." JJ said, making her eyes widen. "I'm sorry?" She began again before the arrived to the library. John B spoke this time, sighing. "Before my dad got lost at sea, he was trying to find gold. He didn't get the chance to finish it so now we have to solve it." Layora was happy for him, with his new adventure and all but, the emotion in his voice bothered her. She knew what it was like to lose a parent after all. "What can I do?" The girl spoke after a couple seconds, earning a smirk from him.

"Wait, okay! Let me get in there I gotta check out my insta models," Layora rolled her eyes, pushing him out the way. "Perv," she commented. John B laid out the map and Maia stood in confusion next to them, wondering what the absolute fuck is going on?

Layora smiled at Maia, watching her— no, admiring her. Layora believed Maia was everything she wasn't. Compassionate, hopeful, interesting, and so much more. She could name over a hundred things about Mai that she loved, without fail. But, she wished the girl could see herself in her own eyes. Layora knew Maia Kovington was perfect.

"They got a drone that can drop 1,000. It had a 360 camera and everything. It's for like deep fives and stuff, it's exactly what we need." JJ explained, the pogues shocked and intrigued with this sudden information. "And can your dad get his grimy little hands on that?" John B irritably spoke. "Well, my dads grimy little hands got his ass fired. I guess the salvage captain frowns on showing up shitfaced, turns out." Disappointment fell on all of their faces, all staring at the gorgeous blonde with some type of hope. "But, the drones there."

"How much did you say was on the Royal Merchant again?" Kiara questioned, her brows furrowed. "400 million," they synced.

Pope immediately got up at that, putting his body infront of the door, spreading his arms wide. "Guys, no," he begun before he was pushed to the side by Kie and John B. Poor baby, Layora giggled, patting his arm playfully whilst following after them.

As the Pogues adventured, Layora held herself back. Her uncle was a police officer, in a close duty right next to Shoupe and Peterkin. He said they had the chances to be in the best in the industry. She wouldn't dare mess with his clientele. The niece of a well known police man basically robbing a man? Yeah, no.

Her uncle, Michael, was everything her dad wasn't. Or couldn't be. He stepped in after her father's death, making it the three of them. Her mother; Veronica, Layora and Uncle Mike. Layora didn't think of him as dad, though. It always felt wrong. Was he there during everything? Of course. Was he the glue to making sure everything didn't fall apart? Obviously. But, was he her father? No. Not at all.

Just being in outerbanks held her down she liked to say. It was home. The fresh breeze hit her face when she climbed out her blacked out BMW, having to hold her sun glasses in order to make them stay. She was at her dealer, Barry's, house hoping to land a sale on some good weed.

Layora pulled the door open, not even noticing the motorcycle that was pulling into the corner of the house. The stares of the men didn't scare her but it was like walking into a cage. Instead, her eyes wandered around for Barry, finding him seated on the couch. "Hey, Barry," he immediately recognized his customers voice, standing up from the couch. "Hey, babydoll."

Layora smiled wider as he gave her a respectful hug. He was always a sweetheart to her. Maybe it was because she was hot or because she paid him good money. Could be both, honestly.

"The usual? Knew the kooks were gonna be comin' up here today," Barry's voice was rough and raspy but also comforting. She couldn't explain it. It was true, though. He was the best dealer in OBX and the kooks were throwing a big party tonight. So, yeah. They were getting shit-faced.

"You know it," the girl joked, following his into the room where he handed her the bag of weed. She smirked wider when she saw the blunt wraps, a variety. "Barry, take my wallet at this point," He darkly laughed at her joke, shrugging to himself.

Once done, she texted Sarah. "Mission W.E.E.D accomplished." Layora typed, pressing send with ease. But, she wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone, who nearly made her fall to the ground. But with a grab of her elbow, she was supported again. And there he was. Rafe Fucking Cameron.

His addicting blue eyes stared into her brown ones that were laced with irritation. "When are you gonna stop bumping into me, Cameron?" Rafe scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "When did you start going to Barry?"

"Really? Sorry to be a bitch but, I go to Barry for weed. You go to Barry for coke. We're not the same," Layora mouthed off, pushing past him to her car. Rafe pretended not to be hurt, but maybe it did. Reading Rafe was hard. You couldn't tell if he was mad, happy or just batshit crazy.

Rafe let out a low and cold chuckle, making her heart beat faster. "Aren't you a peach?" His words only annoyed her further more, scoffing. "Goodbye, Cameron." Her words sent a wave of reaction to his body, making him close her car door with an amount of force he didn't intend. Layora's eyes went cold, staring into the face of the man she wanted to despise. It wasn't until that moment she realized how close they were.

"You know, I always see you. Waltzing around with those pogues. That Maia of yours?" Layora clenched her jaw, tightening her grip around the purse over her shoulder. Rafe tapped her chin, making her look up at him, "What's wrong? Sensitive?"

Layora smacked his hand away from her, trying to ignore the fire coursing through her blood. "Maybe you should go back to Daddy. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy if he knew you were here." She taunted, returning the favor. Finally, she was able to hop in her car, giving him one last cold glare before she sped off.

Rafe scoffed, the evil grin forming on his face. He walked into Barry's house, ignoring the stares from the people around. He was overdressed— looking like he had just been misplaced surrounded by junkies. But, all he could think about was Layora. Why?

Layora was at ease unlike Rafe, walking into Sarah Cameron's room, holding bags. "Hey!" The two girls, Maia and Sarah greeted. It was time for the party, and she wasn't missing it for the world. "Hey— I brought swimsuits, dresses, everything really." Layora giggled, beginning to search through the bags.

"Slutty dresses? Or dresses for me?" Maia innocently questioned, twirling a piece of her hair. Layora rolled her eyes, throwing her a dress and swimsuit. "Slutty dresses for you, actually." Sarah could only laugh when she saw the groan coming from Maia.

Sarah Cameron was a typical Kook, obviously. She adored all things of drinking, partying, her boyfriend, and her best friends. Sarah was always that way, the two girls sat in front of her could confirm. They met Sarah in 7th grade, Layora and Maia were sitting alone as usual when Sarah came over. They all instantly clicked.

"Ew! You would fuck that thing?" Layora commented, listening to Sarah rant about Topper and his needs. "Come on! Maybe I should?" Sarah murmured, making Maia sigh. "Don't do anything you don't wanna do. Fuck him and his boy problems." Layora laughed at that, sliding her dress on.

"Wait, what happened with John B?" Sarah instantly looked stressed at the question, shaking her head. "I saw him coming onto the boat holding tanks. I promised I wouldn't tell on him and I didn't. He accused me of lying! He's a dick," Sarah vented, making Layora sigh. "He has a hard time, you know? A hard year like that would make me a bitch to." Layora admitted before Maia spoke, "You already are." Maia joked, laughing when a pillow was thrown at her.

When it was time for the party, they all walked in together. But, like any other day they were separated. Maia sitting by the pool with a couple a couple of kooks and Sarah was with Topper. Layora was a huge party girl, loved the thought of dancing with groups of people you had no idea about. Just pure vibes and fun.

So, as she danced with three girls and a drink in her hand, she didn't have a thought in the world. Her drunken body swayed to the music against the curly haired girl who's hands roamed her body like she was sculpting every inch of her. "I'm Michelle. What's your name?" The girl asked over the music, pulling Layora's back closer to her chest. Layora chuckled, shaking her head. "Shut up and dance." She smirked. With one beautiful girl behind her and another one in front of her, Layora swore she was the happiest girl ever. And drunkest.

Rafe's face lowered towards the table, sniffing a line quickly. A dizziness hit his body, before it quickly relaxed him. He felt his heart rate speed up, but that was exactly what he wanted. With his dad being an asshole, his sister off with his best friend— the only thing on his mind was how could he get it off his mind.

He lifted up from his chair, wiping his nose as he heard the commotion that happened. When he arrived, he saw the three girls who danced. Not even the three— he saw one. Her long black hair suited her so well, especially in that mesh black dress— Rafe could hear his own heart beat. When the girl grinded against Layora and hearing her giggles that were louder than usual and all he could think about was one thing.

He came out of his trance when Kelce tapped his shoulder, holding a beer. "You good, bro?" Kelce chuckled, noticing him staring at the crowd. Rafe played it off, nodding with the same laugh. "Yeah, yeah. Some good shit," Kelce nodded, referring to the coke. "Yeah, gimme your guy man." Rafe let out a low scoff, shaking his head. But, when he looked back at where Layora was, she was gone.

"Hey, Kelce," a feminine voice spoke. Rafe turned his head, noticing Layora. Truth was, Layora seen him watching. She seen how his chest rose up and down every time the girls would caress her or attempt to kiss her. It was exhilarating. "Wassup," Kelce's voice trembled at the beautiful girl infront of him, trying his best not to look at her chest. Layora smirked, sucking on her teeth before tilting her head to get a glimpse of Rafe. "Hi, Rafe."

Kelce could feel the tension, his eyes shooting between the two of them. It was like a heat wave or magnets as some would say. "I'm gonna go over here, man," Kelce mumbled, patting Rafe shoulder before rushing off.

Rafe broke eye contact, his mouth forming into a smirk. "Hm. Have fun with your girlfriends?" Layora scoffed, shaking her head. "No, I don't do girlfriends. Or boyfriends, actually." She corrected, looking up at him with an amount of seduction even he couldn't handle. He felt like his whole body was on fire. At her words, Rafe let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "I can see that."

Layora tilted her head, rising her eyebrows. "What's that suppose to mean, Cameron?" The girl asked. "First it was that Maybank kid and now your slutting around with Michelle Kyler. Who's it gonna be, sweetheart?" Rafe turned to face her, towering over her frame.

Layora laughed at his words, her bitch facade slowly falling the more she sipped. "Really? That's where you wanna go, huh?" Rafe couldn't help but scoff, a small grin forming at his mouth. He couldn't help but watch the way she chugged the drink. His mask instantly built back up, a form of annoyance hitting his face. "That's enough," he mumbled, taking the drink out her hand. Rafe couldn't help but be annoyed at how stubborn of a drunk was as soon as she snatched that drink back.

She furrowed her eyebrows, rolling her brown eyes, "Im sorry, but you can't tell me how to drink." Layora mouthed off, twirling the cup around. Rafe scoffed, shaking his head. "Your my sisters best friend. And she's off— doing whatever she wants as usual." Rafe passive aggressively spoke, making her furrow her eyebrows. "So? Fucks that gotta do with me? Go with one of your sluts, I don't need a babysitter."

It might be confusing how quick they could switch from cordial to arguing but, this was all they knew. They grew up practically screaming at eachother. Many times even so close to beating eachother's asses. Cause Rafe was infuriating.

Rafe instantly caught her wrist in his hand, yanking her body into his. A soft gasp escaping her lips, looking up at him with a shocked expression. Her jaw instantly clenched, a fire filling her eyes. "Let go of me, Cameron." Rafe eyes had the same amount of heat as hers, maybe even more. But, feeling her body pressed against him, sent shivers down his spine. Rafe eyes traveled around her faced, noticing the small sparkle she had. Of course, he knew she was beautiful, but up this close? He could've done anything he wanted in this moment.

Layora's chest pressed against his lower one and for some reason the only thing she could stare at was his lips. The way they licked at themselves, the way he nipped it softly. And when her eyes traveled back up to his eyes, it wasn't hatred like she thought it was gonna be. It was something different. Layora had never seen it in Rafe before. Or just haven't noticed. "Maybe you should go home. Don't want you gettin' hurt." Rafe voice was low and raspy, but his subtle aggression only intensified the way she felt in that moment.

"Let go of me." Layora repeated once again. His body contemplated, but he complied. His hand let go of hers, quickly lifting up to put them in the air. Rafe couldn't help but chuckle, walking backwards and away from the girl. When he disappeared from her sight, all she could do was stare. She was confused, she hated him? Why did he have to be so hot?

Layora stormed outside, excusing herself to the group of people. Maia smiled, opening her arms to the girl. "Layo!" The brunette cheered, opening her arms. Layora smiled, helping her up. "Hi, Mi. Let's go find Sarah and leave."

Maia furrowed her eyebrows, waving bye to her friends. She tried to keep up with the girl, but it was hard with how fast she was walking. Eventually, a vibration coming from her phone made her stop at the bottom of the steps, leaving Layora to walk up there alone.

Maia pulled out her phone, noticing a message from Kiara. "We missed you tonight. Hope you had fun— Pope." Maia's heart warmed at the message and she swore she could feel her feet almost buckle from under her.

Down fucking bad.

gabs writes:

UM HELLO???

is it bad i am literally alr obsessed? and expect more of Pope and Maia!

AHHH IM SO READ I CANT

okok go read the next chapter 😉

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