Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Outer Banks. I only own my OCs.

Chapter 3: Dance the night away

The sky was a mixture of oranges, pinks, and a white lavender as it was hitting the afternoon mark. Night was next and the bright stars Maribel loved to watch every now and then would be twinkling in the sky soon.

She was currently at another party at the Boneyard with her friends. The usual party attendees were there. Several Pogues and also to her annoyance, Kooks. Now that it was summer the Boneyard also had tourists. Tourons as they were known to the Outer Banks locals.

Maribel was sitting around a bonfire with her friends. John B and Pope were sitting across from her while Kiara was to the left of her, roasting marshmallows for the s'mores she was making.

JJ's was sitting to the right of Maribel with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Even though she was comfortable with his touch, her heartbeat quickened at his proximity. His touch to Maribel by now was familiar and it had been completely platonic from her side. Except that changed for Maribel once they entered high school.

That's when JJ's affection towards her started to make her feel weak in the knees. Maribel tried her best to ignore the way JJ's attention made her feel all warm on the inside but it proved to be a challenge.

It probably would have been better if she told JJ to stop being so affectionate with her but selfishly Maribel didn't want that. She needed to remind herself that JJ was just an affectionate person with all his friends. She wasn't anything special.

Maribel recalled Kiara pointing out to her that JJ was way more affectionate with Maribel than with the other Pogues. She smiled when she first heard that before getting a hold of herself, not wanting to get her hopes up for different reasons. Mainly, she didn't want to get hurt.

Plus there was the whole no Pogue-on-Pogue macking rule. Although lately she'd been finding the rule to be ridiculous.

Maribel tried focusing on the music that was playing from a speaker someone brought rather than how nice JJ's arm felt around her shoulders. She happily munched on the s'more Kiara passed over to her. As she was enjoying the chocolate snack she noticed Pogue without anything to drink.

She was aware Pope didn't usually drink at parties, so she came prepared.

"Drink, Pope?" Maribel asked her knowledgeable friend after finishing her s'more.

Pope shook his head, politely declining."No thanks. I'm not drinking anything alcoholic tonight."

"You hardly ever do, man." JJ added into the conversation earning an eye roll from Pope.

"Here, I still got you." Maribel tossed him a Jumex she got from the cooler next to her. "I brought a bunch of these with me."

Pope caught the drink. "Apricot Nectar." He read the flavor and then smiled at her afterwards. "Thanks Mar."

"You're welcome, buddy." Maribel happily replied. She wasn't a fan of plain beer either, the taste wasn't for her. So she was thankful to whoever had been able to snag a few Smirnoffs.

Her friends sure liked to tease her about liking the brand but she didn't care. Spicy tamarind was her favorite flavor. Unfortunately all that was at the party was the pink lemonade flavor. Still, that was better than drinking plain beer.

Having already had a Smirnoff of the pink lemonade flavor, Maribel decided to get a Jumex for herself. She bought a pack earlier today from the Calimex that was not that far from her home . She opted for the Strawberry-Banana Nectar flavor. Her favorite out of all the Jumex flavors.

John B had finished telling a joke when Maribel noticed a Touron standing a few feet away from them. She knew he wasn't either a Pogue or a Kook based on how he was dressed. Out of towners dressed a certain way that made them stand out. Like John B had told her, they were chum for the sharks.

The tourist had red hair and looked her age. He was by himself, fidgeting with the drink in his hands. He looked miserable all alone, looking at who Maribel thought were his friends dancing in the middle of the Boneyard.

That wouldn't do.

Maribel finished her drink and then stood up.

JJ's arm fell to the side. He looked at her, dejected that she moved from him. "Where're you going?" The rest of her friends were now looking.

"I'm going to ask him to dance." Maribel let them know, pointing to the redhead who caught her attention because of his glumness. "He looks lonely and sad. Everyone's here for a good time, not to sulk. I'll be right back." She started to make her way to him, her steps determined.

"Don't forget to recycle that can!" Kiara shouted after her, referring to the can Maribel was holding.

Maribel glanced over her shoulder. "Already on it!" She replied loudly, giving Kiara a wink as she threw the can into the small recycle bin the Boneyard had thanks to her environmentalist friend.

"Why does she always have to be so charitable?" JJ complained with a frown. He did not look happy as Maribel now chatted with the red haired Touron. He took comfort in the smile she had on was polite and not flirty. JJ supposed he couldn't fault the Touron being all starry eyed for Maribel. She was not only sweet but beautiful. A perfect combination. But of course he was still jealous.

"That's just Maribel for you." Kiara answered with a smile, staring at where Maribel had gone. She knew her best friend and Maribel never liked seeing people down in the dumps. Maribel was kindhearted. Sometimes Kiara thought she was too kindhearted and that worried her.

JJ scoffed, shaking his head. "She sees a wounded animal and she just has to help."

"No one likes seeing a wounded animal, JJ. Metaphorically speaking or not." Kiara lightly chastised. "Here, have a s'more." She passed the treat she'd been making. "You're not you when you're hungry."

JJ pretended to laugh as he took the s'more, his blue eyes still on Maribel and the red haired Touron. The two of them moved over to the middle of the Boneyard where it was considered the dance area. His annoyance and jealousy skyrocketed watching them dance.

The song Yo Voy by Daddy Yankee and Zion Lennox was playing. JJ cursed low, knowing this was one of Maribel's favorite songs. That explained why she was putting more effort in her dancing. Not that she needed to. JJ thought Maribel was an amazing dancer. He knew his friends would agree.

In fact all the Pogues at the Boneyard would say so. JJ even thought a few Kooks would probably agree if their staring while she danced had anything to say.

Maribel Mendoza was a hypnotizing dancer. It's why so many people often stopped what they were doing to stare at her while she moved to the rhythm of the music.

As JJ watched Maribel swing her hips to the song he pictured he was the one dancing with her. He certainly would have done a much better job than the lame Touron who was failing in trying to keep up with her. JJ and her actually danced together many times before. Each time a delight for him.

The blond Pogue almost crushed the s'more in his hand when he saw the redhead put his hands on Maribel's hips. He let out a breath of relief when Maribel simply got out of his hold by spinning herself. She was playing it cool while remaining polite.

The guy seemed to understand their dancing was to be kept at a distance and JJ was glad the Touron caught on quickly otherwise he would have taught him a lesson about personal space with his fists.

Thankfully the song came to an end. JJ expected Maribel to leave the redhead and sit next to him again. His blue eyes narrowed when he saw the redhead stall by making conversation. He was probably trying to convince Maribel to stay for another dance.

JJ let out a huff. "That's it." He wasn't able to take this anymore. In the past he'd been able to handle Maribel dancing with other guys because they'd all been pity dances, but it was getting harder to do so now with his growing feelings for her. He quickly shoved the entire s'more into his mouth.

Kiara's eyes widened. "JJ, what the hell?"

Pope looked so concerned. "That's so not safe man. You're gonna choke."

"Here." John B motioned for JJ to take a drink from his beer since the blond already finished his. At least this way JJ would be able to swallow the s'more down without choking. "Where are you going?" He asked when JJ handed him the beer to stand up. His eyes followed JJ's gaze and that's how he got his answer.

JJ's blue eyes were on Maribel who was still talking to the redhead. "The song's over." He spoke once he finished eating the s'more. "I think it's time for Mar to have a new dance partner."

John B's lips quirked. "Right." He shared amused looks with Kiara and Pope as JJ made his way over to Maribel.

Meanwhile Maribel was still politely conversing with the guy she'd been dancing with. She learned his name was Ryan and that he was from Florida vacationing here for a week with his parents. She'd only offered to dance one song with him to get him to lose some of his glumness. She was ready to excuse herself after the song was over but he resumed talking with her. Maribel thought it would be rude to just walk away. Plus Ryan seemed cool. From what he was currently telling her he was on the track team at his high school.

Although his dancing wasn't the best, he still looked happier than before. Certainly more than when he had been sulking in the background. She figured another conversation with him wouldn't be so bad.

Maribel felt an arm wrap around her shoulders. She already knew who it was based on how familiar the touch was to her. Maribel looked up at JJ with a smile. When she looked at Ryan again he wasn't as happy as before.

Ryan saw the arm wrapped around her and didn't think the touch was platonic. The final confirmation was the glare the blond guy was giving him. He gulped. "Oh, I'm sorry man." He nervously began to ramble, backing away. "I―I didn't know."

"Didn't know what?" Maribel asked but it was no use because the redhead already skedaddled. She looked at JJ with furrowed eyebrows. "What was that about?"

JJ shrugged his shoulders, innocently. There was no trace of the glare he'd been giving the redhead. "Just a Touron being a Touron I guess. Dance with me now?" He asked with a grin.

Maribel was going to return back to her friends but now that JJ was next to her she had a change of mind. Her aunt told her that even though she looked a lot like her father, Maribel did inherit a few things from her mother. She was an excellent dancer like Mary had once been.

And JJ was a good dancer himself. He knew how to keep up with her, and Maribel liked that. She stepped away to take hold of his hand with a smile. "Show me what you got JJ."

JJ surprised her by twirling and then dipping her dramatically. His blue eyes shined looking down at her. "Oh, I'm happy to show you my moves again Mar."

Maribel laughed when JJ pulled her up, the two of them easily finding a rhythm together. The music sounded louder to her as they continued dancing, and song after song the giddiness she felt never went away.

Time goes by fast when you're having fun, Maribel thought as she walked with her friends to where John B parked his VW van, the Twinkie.

After all that dancing with JJ, the simple side braid Maribel had been able to do with her short hair loosened. Her hair wasn't in complete disarray like it used to be whenever she danced the night away. She hated dealing with tangles and was glad she no longer needed to worry now that her hair was shoulder length.

Some exuberance still lingered in the friend group despite the party coming to an end at the Boneyard.

"Guys wait, I need to say something important." Maribel suddenly called out to her friends as she came to a stop. She smiled merrily when they paused to look at her, waiting to hear what she had to say. "If my life was suddenly turned into an indie film I'd want Beach House to do the soundtrack."

JJ and John B laughed at the random comment while Kiara looped her arm through Maribel's when they continued walking. Pope shook his head at her. "So you're obviously not driving tonight."

"I'm not that drunk but it is better if you drive." Maribel patted his shoulder when passing by him with Kiara.

Usually it was either Pope or Maribel who became the designated driver after a night of partying.

Tonight the responsibility fell onto Pope since Maribel had a bit more alcohol than usual. She wasn't drunk to the point where she was slurring her words or struggling to stand. She was just buzzed but it was enough for her to know she shouldn't be behind the wheel.

When they got into the Twinkie she sat in the back with Kiara and JJ. Pope and John B were up at front with John B in the passenger seat. A change of sitting since he too wasn't fit to drive at the moment.

"You all need to be better at keeping the signal clear." Pope lectured his friends as he started the vehicle. He already knew where they were heading to. Back to John B's place. The Chateau. Their main hangout place. It was also where they all crashed a lot of the time.

"You keep your signal clear." JJ retorted with a grin. He was against Maribel, resting his head on her shoulder as he shook from his laughter. He thought in his somewhat drunken state that what he said was impactful.

"Nice retort." Pope deadpanned, shaking his head lightly.

John B turned on the radio and kept switching stations until he got to a station that was playing a song by the band Wallows.

Maribel immediately recognized the song. Ground. It was one of her favorites by the band. There weren't any complaints from her friends about the music choice, finding the song soothing after all the partying they'd done.

Rather than singing along Maribel hummed, nodding her head along. Listening to Wallows always seemed to make things better, even when things were already great to begin with.

Maribel made a wave motion with her hand that was soon mirrored by a smiling JJ who was still resting his head on her shoulder. Her laugh softened when JJ gently grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers together.

Now thanks to all the dancing she'd done and the few drinks she had, Maribel's face felt flushed. But JJ holding her hand? That definitely had an effect on her. She played it cool, telling herself this wasn't anything out of the norm for them.

This was just JJ being his affectionate self after a night of partying and drinking. So what if he was holding her hand? They did that at times. Maribel wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. Not even over the fact that JJ didn't let go of her hand until they arrived at John B's place.

Maribel exited the Twinkie, welcoming the cool air that hit her warm face. The Chateau had several places for the Pogues to crash on. John B obviously slept in his room but everywhere else in the house was fair game.

Pope already chose his sleeping spot. The couch that was near the screen door. John B said goodnight to his friends as he went into his bedroom. That left Kiara, Maribel, and JJ in the living room.

There were two other couches in the living room and one of them was a pull out couch. It appeared based on how comfy Kiara was on the smaller couch that's where she would be sleeping.

So that left the pull out couch for Maribel or JJ. Or both…and even though they've slept next to each other a lot of times already it now made Maribel feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Pope's already passed out." JJ commented with a grin, hearing the soft snores from his friend.

"So is John B." Maribel pointed out as she distracted herself by looking through her backpack. She was actually trying to find her cell phone to text her aunt about where she was staying over. By now Estefanía was used to her sleeping over at John B's after partying at the Boneyard. The older woman just asked for her niece to send a text of confirmation of where she was staying.

JJ fell onto his back next to Maribel on the pull out couch. "Yeah but Pope didn't even drink."

"He's tired." Kiara answered, shrugging her shoulders. "What's up?" She asked when she saw Maribel digging through her backpack. Kiara thought perhaps she was looking for her inhaler to use.

"I need to text my aunt." Maribel answered after finally finding her cell phone. She wrote a quick text and then hit send. "Let her know I'm staying over at John B's." She couldn't ignore JJ now that he was lying next to her. She gave the blond a smile, feeling sheepish. Thankfully that's when she got an alert notifying she got a text message. One text message soon became four.

Maribel looked amused as she read the text messages by her aunt.

"What's so funny?" Kiara asked, noticing the amusement on her friend's face.

Rather than telling her friend, Maribel decided to show her. She passed her cell phone over to Kiara who looked at the text messages Maribel's aunt sent her.

Thanks for letting me know

Don't get pregnant

I mean it Maribel!

Buneas noches :)

Kiara laughed when reading the text messages. "Does your aunt actually think you're having sex?" She handed back the cell phone to her.

Neither of the girls noticed JJ lift his head from the couch pillows after hearing that question. His blue eyes shined with curiosity as they focused on Maribel.

Maribel shook her head. "No, we just joke about it. She trusts me enough to tell her when I'm actually ready to have sex." She pocketed her cell phone. "We had the safe sex talk when I turned sixteen." She snapped her fingers. "Literally when the clock struck midnight she brought up the topic of sex and let me know the ups and downs of it."

JJ composed himself enough to let out a chuckle. "The ups and downs."

Maribel, even with the butterflies in her stomach, initiated contact by playfully pushing JJ's shoulder. "She considered the talk as part of my birthday gift." She told both of her friends with an amused expression. When she spoke her voice was steady. "She'd say, el conocimiento es poder, y el poder es algo que se necesita en este mundo. Sobre todo cuando eres mujer."

JJ stared at Maribel in complete wonderment. "I have no idea what you said but I love how it sounded."

Kiara laughed a little at JJ's expression. "She said knowledge is power. And something about being a woman?" She became sheepish when looking at Maribel. "Right?"

Maribel nodded her head. "Knowledge is power, and power is something that's needed in this world. Especially when you're a woman." She earnestly translated to her friends.

"Amen to that." JJ cheered.

"My aunt's always trying to enlighten me." Maribel somewhat jested. She really did think her aunt said some of the most interesting and honest things to her that were helpful. Estefanía certainly was wise and she was only thirty-two. To Maribel it sometimes felt like she was living with an older sister than an aunt.

Kiara listened, wishing her mother was as cool and understanding about sex as Maribel's aunt was. She brought the topic of sex to her mother before and she totally flipped out thinking she was asking because she was interested in sleeping with one of her Pogue friends.

That wasn't even why she asked. Kiara was just curious, and thought it was normal considering her age. Her curiosity wasn't going to disappear simply because her mother refused to talk about sex with her. Kiara wished her mother trusted her like Estefanía trusted Maribel.

"Your aunt's awesome." Kiara let Maribel know, wishing her mother was as half as cool as Estefanía Mendoza.

Maribel smiled. "Yeah, she is."

The trio kept talking but Kiara between the three of them was the first to fall asleep. Maribel and JJ were following right behind. Maribel was sleeping on her right side, facing one of the living room windows. The hammock on the big tree outside was in her line of view and Maribel was able to see it even in the dark.

"JJ?" Maribel softly called out. The warmth on her face spread to her neck when she felt JJ shift behind her. He probably turned to face her.

"Hmm."

Maribel took a deep breath, hoping that would calm her heart. It didn't. Still, she turned around to her left side. She'd been right, JJ had turned to face her. "Are you going to sleep here?"

"Nowhere else I'd rather sleep, Mar." JJ smiled sleepily and then hesitated a little. "Is that okay?" They've fallen asleep next to each other before but that didn't stop JJ from asking her if it was alright. He'd quickly get up and sleep somewhere else if Maribel said it bothered her.

"Yeah, that's okay. Nowhere else I'd rather sleep because…." Maribel paused, tiredness mixed with the alcohol in her system made her almost slip up about how she felt for him. She cleared her throat. "It's a comfortable couch." She murmured before switching over to her right side again. She closed her eyes, smiling. "Night JJ."

"Night Mar." JJ responded in a soft tone.

Maribel liked to think JJ was smiling as she was. She found comfort whenever JJ was near, and honestly the brown eyed teen wouldn't be surprised if she woke up the following morning with JJ and her cuddling. She and JJ somehow always woke up in each other's arms whenever they fell asleep together.

Secretly that was something they were more than okay with.