Staring out over the water 16 year old Dakota Thornton sketched the stretch of ocean in front of her. Sitting atop scaffolding being used to build the newest posh house on the Outerbanks she had an unobstructed view of the ocean meeting sky. Switching colored pencils she added the array of colors the sky was turning as the sun moved closer to the horizon. There were three things that made Dakota truly happy: her artwork, surfing, and her friends.

"Fair Rapunzel won't you let down your hair?" called a voice from below the scaffolding. Looking down Dakota smiled at the sight of one of her best friends, JJ Maybank standing on the deck below her with a six pack in his hand. With him were the rest of their friend group John B. Routledge, Pope Heyward, and Kiara Carrera.

Calling out a hello to her friends she reached down so she could grab the beer from JJ before he climbed up beside her. "Hey, Kie said she tried calling you earlier but you didn't pick up," he commented, popping the tab on one of the beer cans, "Ya want?" he asked, indicating the beer.

Holding up her water bottle she declined the beer, "I've got a good buzz going from this," she told him as he took it and took a swig of the vodka and orange juice she had in her water bottle. "Whew that's more vodka then oj," he declared. Studying her face he asked her what was wrong. Sighing she put her colored pencils back in the case, "Just had a run in with Dr. Thornton," she told him referring to her mother, "She's insistent that I spend this summer doing volunteer work to pad my college resume and just forget about my 'fickle' hobby," she told him angrily using air quotes.

"Fickle? Has she ever seen your work?" he asked, picking up her sketchbook and paging through it, "You're an artist, Kota," he assured her. Sighing Dakota thanked him for the vote of confidence, "She just doesn't understand I don't want to study pre-med, like her, I want to draw or paint or sculpt whatever comes into my head," she told him smiling, "And of course it doesn't help with Topper being Mr. Golden Boy," she revealed referring to her twin brother. "You mean King Kook," JJ laughed sarcastically.

The outerbanks had two social classes. The Kooks where she and Kiara, or Kie for short, were from. Most of the Kooks lived out on Figure Eight, the rich side of the island . As her father was a successful lawyer and her mother a doctor out on the mainland her family was one of the top Kook families. Oftentimes she didn't see her parents for weeks at a time as they both stayed on the mainland claiming work. Kiara's family ran an extremely successful restaurant, The Wreck, that took full advantage of the tourists coming to their slice of paradise every year. On the opposite end of the kooks were the Pogues, who lived on the south side of the island, also known as the Cut. They were the working class of the island. The boys were from this side of the island. They often referred to themselves as The Pogues.

Rolling her eyes at the nickname for her brother Dakota laughed, "As you know he's also dating Queen Kook, Sarah Cameron . If I have to dodge one more attempt at my mother trying to set me up with Rafe Cameron I may throw myself from this scaffolding," she told him dramatically referring to Sarah's older brother. Snorting JJ shook his head, "Like you'd ever get that desperate to date that asshat."

"That's what a 3 story fall to the deck?", Pope called looking up at the house, "I'll give you a one in three chance of survival." Turning Dakota looked up to see John B teetering on the edge of the roof to the house, "John B get your ass down," she yelled up at him. Smiling, he waved at her as he lifted his foot and stood on only one leg. Sighing Dakota rolled her eyes. John B's father had gone missing almost nine months back, supposedly lost at sea. Ever since getting the news John B had been getting more and more reckless with his life. "You know telling him not to do something is like an invitation for him to do it," JJ told her looking up at one of his best friends.

"Guys they're going to have Japanese toilets with towel warmers," Kiara voiced coming out of the half built house, "This used to be a turtle habitat but who cares about the turtles, I guess," she complained. Looking up she caught sight of John B on the roof, "Can you not kill yourself?" she requested. "Don't spill that beer," JJ called, "I'm not giving you another one," he told John B. At that exact moment John B just about lost his balance dropping the beer in his hand as it landed with a splat on the deck. Scoffing JJ looked up at him, "Really dude? Like as soon as I said it to you," he muttered.

Hearing someone yell from the driveway, Pope looked over the balcony railing, "Hey uh guys security's here," he told them. Throwing the rest of the beer into Dakota's bookbag along with her sketchbook and pencil set JJ threw the bag onto his back, "Shit they're early today," he laughed sliding to the edge of the scaffolding he yelled up at John B as he climbed down, "Humpty Dumpty let's go." Scooting to the edge Dakota followed JJ over the side of the scaffolding. Feeling his hands at her waist she turned her body placing her hand on his shoulder as he lifted her the rest of the way to the deck, "Come on fair princess," he laughed taking her hand as they ran laughing through the house with the rest of their friends.

Once all five of them were safely in John B's vintage VW bus he drove them across the island to the house he'd lived in with his dad affectionately nicknamed the Chateau. Other than being out on the water it was probably Dakota's favorite place to be. Pulling up to the house Pope opened the back door and climbed out with JJ following him. Using JJ's offered hand she let him help her out of the van, "Why thank you kind sir," she said playfully.

Entering the house Dakota moved to the kitchen and began pulling out the things she'd need to make fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. After finding out John B was barely eating she and Kie had begun bringing groceries to the Chateau and they took turns making various dinners. "JJ can you get the shrimp ready while I boil the fettuccine?" she called out to the back porch where the others were lounging.

The fettuccine was just about done when JJ came in holding a large bowl of peeled and deveined shrimp with their tails off. "Where you want them?" he asked. Pointing to the heated skillet he dumped them in to cook as she got to work making her homemade Alfredo sauce. Noticing the time, she swore, "Can you strain the fettuccine for me?" she asked as she whisked parmesan cheese into the pot for her sauce.

Once everything was done she poured the sauce and shrimp in with the fettuccine and mixed it together. "Dinner," she called as JJ took bowls down from the cupboard. The five of them took their bowls and drinks outside and sat around the fire pit while they ate. "Did you guys see the news? Apparently there's a hurricane coming our way," Kie mentioned as she ate. Shrugging John B shoveled noodles into his mouth, "What else is new. Every time we turn around there's a storm," he commented.

"When's the storm coming in?" JJ asked. Storms hitting the island usually entailed people preparing their houses and businesses for possible damage which meant a lot of places would pay for the help. "Day after tomorrow," Kiara answered him, "We'll be sandbagging the restaurant if you want to earn some cash," she told the boys.

After everyone had eaten Dakota lay in the hammock with JJ while Kie and Pope cleaned up the kitchen, "My mom left for the mainland today if you need a place to crash," she commented casually. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him looking at her, "Sleeping in that big air conditioned house? I'd have to be crazy to give that up," he told her. Sighing in relief she turned her head giving him a small smile. Neither one wanted to admit the true reasons behind him staying at her house.

It had started a few months back when JJ had shown up at her window in the middle of the night bruised and bleeding. Normally when his father would lay into him he'd go to the Chateau but John B had just lost his father and he didn't want to add his issues to John B's and Pope had been gone at a college tour so he'd come to her house. She'd immediately taken him in and cleaned him up while he told her about his abusive father. It just so happened the night he'd shown up she was home alone. Her parents were on the mainland and Topper was staying with his friend, Kelce. Staying in that house alone had terrified her and so she invited JJ to stay the night. For months now he'd sneak in her bedroom window at night and sneak out in the morning.

It was midnight by the time John B pulled up to the dock outside of her house in his boat he'd dubbed the HMS Pogue. They'd already dropped Pope and Kie off and Dakota's house was the last stop of the night before John B headed back home. Hopping onto the dock JJ tied off the boat before holding his hand out to help her out. Running his hand through his hair JJ glanced down at John B, "Hey man I'm gonna crash here tonight," he told him. While their friends knew he occasionally stayed with her neither one had ever talked about it before. Clearing his throat John B nodded as JJ untied the boat from the dock, "Goodnight," he called.

After calling goodnight to John B the two followed the dock up to her house. "I texted Topper earlier he said he was staying at Kelce's so you don't have to climb up to my balcony," she told him heading to the back door. As they walked around the pool the outside security lights flipped on. Smirking Dakota eyed the pool, "You up for a midnight swim?" she asked, dropping her bookbag onto the patio table. Laughing JJ kicked his boots off as he stripped his shirt off, "Ya better get that dress off," he told her before charging towards her. Shrieking Dakota managed to kick her flip flops to the side and pull her sundress off letting it fall to the patio before he swept her into his arms and jumped into the pool with her.

Laughing they both resurfaced. Dipping her head back she smoothed her hair out of her face, "Jerk, you could've given me a minute to pull my hair up," she scolded, splashing him in the face. Yanking on her blonde hair JJ turned in the water and swam out of reach. Narrowing her eyes Dakota swam after him grabbing him by the ankle and pulling him down. "Damn you're fast," he complained when he came up sputtering. Smiling Dakota shrugged, "Reigning state champion in the freestyle," she told him smugly. Laying her head back with her arms spread wide Dakota let herself float as JJ swam lengths back and forth.

Yawning Dakota pulled herself from the pool, "You ready to go in?" she called standing at the edge of the pool in her underwear. Glancing over at her JJ blinked as he sucked in a breath, "Jesus, Kota, shit's practically see through," he told her. Looking down Dakota shrugged before grabbing her sundress and slipping it back on, "Better?" she asked. Swimming to the edge JJ climbed from the pool, "Oh yeah, having a wet dress clinging to you makes it all better," he told her sarcastically, "You do know I'm a sixteen year old male, right?" Cocking her head Dakota frowned, "You're my best friend JJ. I'm more comfortable with you then anyone else," she told him simply.

Heading inside the two climbed the steps to her room. Walking into her bathroom she pulled a towel out for herself and one for JJ before going back to her room. He was already pulling a change of shorts from her bottom drawer where he kept clothes. Tossing him the towel she went to her dresser and pulled out a tank top and shorts to sleep in before heading back into the bathroom to change. Going through her nightly routine of washing her face and brushing her teeth Dakota made sure she gave him plenty of time to dry off and get changed before opening the door and heading back into her room. JJ was already in bed and so she climbed into the king size bed with him and shut off her light.

"Kota?" JJ whispered in the dark. "Yeah?" she answered turning her head to look at him. In the dark she could see him swallow before he turned his head to look at her, "You're my best friend, too," he told her quietly. Smiling Dakota slid closer to him laying her head on his pillow she took a hold of his hand, "Night JJ," she whispered. Feeling his lips press lightly to her forehead she heard him wish her a goodnight.

The next morning Dakota walked into her room with two mugs of coffee, "I've got coffee," she declared handing JJ one of the mugs before settling down next to him in bed. "This storm, Agatha, looks like a mean bitch," he commented as he watched the news report on her television. "Before we head to The Wreck to help with the sandbags can you help me make sure the generator has gas and get the Wildflower buttoned down?" she asked, referring to her family's boat. Nodding JJ agreed to help her as he watched the news coverage on the impending storm.

"I don't think DCS is gonna make their appointment with John B tomorrow," JJ commented, climbing from her bed to grab a pair of shorts from his drawer. Choking on her coffee Dakota looked up confused, "Since when was DCS coming?" she asked. Heading to the bathroom he told her about John B's meeting the day before with his case worker. With John B's father presumed dead his uncle was supposed to be his guardian. The problem was his uncle wasn't around either and DCS was not okay leaving an unsupervised sixteen year old on his own, "That's why he was being reckless on that roof," he told her, "I'm gonna grab a shower before we go," he said closing the bathroom door.

Hopping up Dakota pulled out a bikini and shorts to wear for the day. Grabbing her bookbag she pulled out her traveling cosmetic bag making sure it was stocked before putting it back in her bag. She threw in an extra bikini and a change of clothes checking to make sure her sketchbook and pencils were still inside too. Zipping it closed she grabbed sunscreen from her dresser and stuffed it into the side pocket. Waiting for JJ to get done in the bathroom so she could shower and get changed too Dakota opened her balcony door and stepped outside. The wind was already starting to pick up as she leaned against the rail sipping her coffee. Her room overlooked the back bay and she could see the docks and her family's boat and Topper's brand new wakesetter tied to the dock. Hearing JJ come out of the bathroom she headed back inside to get ready for the day.

After making sure the generator had gas the two walked down to the docks to secure the Wildflower. Glancing longingly at the wakesetter JJ shook his head, "A ride like that is such a waste on your douche of a brother, no offense," he said. Shrugging Dakota looked at the wakesetter, "I wish you could have known him before he got involved with someone like Rafe Cameron," she told him, "When we were younger we were so close and now I barely recognise him."

"You and Kie never really said what it was that made you decide to become friends with us," he commented, looking at her. "I won't go into details but Sarah did Kie dirty and I felt bad so I tagged along one day when she was hanging with you guys and I realized that I was just tired of it," she told him, "When I'm with you and the others I don't have to pretend to be something I'm not."

The two had just finished with the Wildflower when they heard a boat pulling up to the dock. Hurrying to catch the tie off line from John B JJ secured the HMS Pogue to the dock, "Hey I was on my way to The Wreck figured I'd swing by here and pick you two up," John B told them. Smiling Dakota picked her bookbag up from where she left it on the dock and hopped into the waiting boat. Glancing up at the darkening sky she called to JJ to grab the two raincoats she'd put on the deck of the Wildflower earlier in anticipation for the rain later that day. Rolling his eyes JJ grabbed the jackets, "Really Dakota we spend 90% of our time in the water, you're really worried about the rain coming in?" he asked, tossing the coats to her before going to untie the Pogue from the dock. Huffing she rolled the coats up and shoved them into her bag, "Ocean water and rainwater are two completely different things and you'll thank me later when we're both dry," she retorted as he jumped into the boat and pushed off from the dock.

After picking up Pope the four of them made their way to the back dock leading up to The Wreck. They found Kiara inside moving chairs and tables with her parents, "We're here to help," Dakota declared after saying hello to Kiara and her parents. Looking relieved, Mr. Carrera glanced at the three boys over Dakota's shoulder, "Thank you for helping. We're going to need to board the windows, sand bag the front, and get everything to higher ground," he explained. Nodding John B picked up a hammer and nails and handed them to JJ, "We got it sir. This isn't our first hurricane," he said as he grabbed a sheet of plywood and followed JJ out front to start boarding the windows.

Once they were done with preparing the restaurant for the storm Mr. Carrera paid each of them for their time, "Thanks for bringing help," he said to Dakota. Nodding Dakota smiled, "We're all Kie's friends and friends help each other out," she told him simply. Dakota had a feeling he thought the only reason the boys had come to help was because of her and not because they were genuinely nice guys who would drop everything to help their friend. Following the boys out Dakota waved, "Everyone stay safe!" she called. Jumping into the boat Pope said he had to get back home to help his dad finish boarding up the seafood store they ran.

Pulling up to the dock outside Heyward's Seafood JJ jumped out securing the Pogue to the dock. "After we help here I've gotta go down to The Mermaid," she told JJ as he helped her from the boat. Eyes lighting up JJ smirked, "I'll head down there with you," he told her. Rolling her eyes she shook her head, "Amy is not going to sleep with you, JJ," she said. The Mermaid was a small gift shop art gallery that she sometimes sold her art too. Amy was the owner and could very well be JJ's mother, but he was forever flirting with her. Throwing his arm around her shoulders as they walked down the dock to the seafood shack JJ winked at her, "Never hurts to try."

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you guys?" John B asked again. Shaking her head Dakota assured him she and JJ would be fine, "You need to get the Pogue back and get it on land before this really hits," she told him glancing at the darkening sky, "The water's getting too choppy for you to wait any longer." Glancing at the turbulent bay John B shrugged, "I know but I feel bad leaving you guys," he said.

"If you need JJ's help with the boat he doesn't have to come with me. I can just walk over to the Chateau after I'm done at The Mermaid myself," she told him. "Yeah I don't think so. You're not walking in a freaking hurricane by yourself," JJ cut in, "Besides Pope is going with him to help with the boat." Scoffing Pope rolled his eyes, "Well how come I have to walk home in a hurricane by myself?" "Dude you could just stay at the Chateau," John BB invited him. Glancing behind him to the store they'd just helped his dad board up, Pope shook his head, "No way my dad's gonna let me stay out during a hurricane. You're lucky he's letting me go with now," he commented. "Alright well let's get moving. If we stand here any longer the storm will pass us by," JJ quipped.

"You two were a lifesaver," Amy Martin declared smiling at Dakota and JJ. Amy and her husband, Tom, had already had the windows boarded and sandbags down when Dakota and JJ had arrived but had gratefully used their help moving the merchandise of the shop from the first level to the second. "You can board and sandbag all you want but if that water's coming in, nothing's going to stop it," Amy commented as they stepped out the front porch. "Oh it's really picked up," Amy noticed, "Maybe you kids should stay here," she suggested as the rain started to pour and the wind whipped the trees.

Opening her bookbag Dakota pulled out the two rain jackets she'd shoved in earlier, "We'll be okay. If we cut across yards we'll be at John B's in five minutes," she assured the older woman as she handed a jacket to JJ. Holding the jacket up JJ sneered at it, "This is not a fashion statement I'm prepared to make," he told her sarcastically. Shrugging her jacket on over her bookbag, to keep the bag dry, Dakota simply looked at him until he begrudgingly put the jacket on. Laughing Tom shook his head, "Trust me. You'll get along much better if you remember they're always right," he told JJ patting him on the shoulder. Hugging Dakota Amy glared at her husband, "That's because we always are."

"I say we make a run for it," JJ yelled over the wind before grabbing her hand and taking off across the Cut to the Chateau. By the time the two made it to the back porch of the Chateau they had mud up their legs to their knees and had rainwater running like a river from their raincoats. "Holy shit that was wicked," JJ exclaimed, pulling his jacket off and flinging it over the couch on the enclosed porch. Pulling her jacket off Dakota picked his jacket up from the couch and hung them on the nails outside of the back door, "Don't you dare go into that house with your shoes," she scolded as he opened the door.

Sighing JJ kicked his boots off. "Go straight to the bathroom," she instructed leaving her flipflops on the porch. Inside they found John B poking inside the fridge with a beer in his hand, "Hey mud monsters," he said glancing over at them. "Hey man, toss me one of them," JJ requested, catching the beer on his way to the bathroom. Stopping in John B's room Dakota pulled out a pair of JJ's shorts and one of the shirts he kept in the bottom drawer. Due to the situation with his dad JJ made sure he had clothes any place he may end up for the night.

Following JJ into the bathroom Dakota hung her bag on the hook on the door before pulling off her shorts and stepping into the tub with her bikini bottoms on, "Let's go, into the tub," she instructed, turning on the water. Taking the shower nozzle down she pulled the lever for the water to shoot out of the nozzle. Running it over her legs and feet she washed the mud away before turning around to a shirtless JJ who was eyeing her as he chugged his beer. Throwing the beer can into the trash he smiled wickedly before grabbing the shower nozzle and turning it on her. Blasting her in the stomach Dakota shrieked as she tried wrestling the nozzle away from him.

By the time they finished their water fight they were both completely soaked. Shivering Dakota clutched the towel JJ had given to her, "I got your shorts," she told him pointing to the pair she'd laid on the small sink, "Go change in John's room," she said, shoving him from the bathroom before closing the door. Pulling off her soaked shirt and bikini she toweled off before digging in her bag for a pair of underwear. Putting them on she put JJ's clean shirt on. It landed mid thigh and was perfect to wear as a night shirt.

Stripping off his soaked shorts JJ had dried off and was pulling on new shorts when John B appeared in the doorway. Leaning against the door jamb John B smirked at him. "What's your problem?" JJ asked. "Just wondering when you're going to admit you're totally in love with each other," he said shrugging. Narrowing his eyes JJ told him to shut up. Hearing the bathroom door open JJ sent a withering glare at John B before elbowing past him. Stopping short in the hallway, his heart nearly stopped at the sight of Dakota in his shirt. She'd of course worn his shirts the same way before but somehow it seemed different all of a sudden.

Side note: All words, phrases, and situations familiar from the show obviously belong to the creators!