ALWAYS || RAFE CAMERON

11

"hey again," i said to Topper, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

"i saw Maybank being dragged out of here. made quite a fuss."

i looked at my best friend.

his jaw was tense, it always was when he was mad.

his words were sharp and quick.

no, Top wasn't just mad.

he was livid.

TOPPER'S POV

ELEVEN YEARS EARLIER

"come and say hello to the Wills, Topper." Mother beckoned for me.

we were at a garden party at the Wills' house.

Tomaz Wills held the hand of a girl who looked to be about my age.

not any girl though, this was Juno Wills, the perfect Kook, already making a name for herself.

Dione Wills bounced a toddler on her hip, Hector. 

"Topper," Mom said again, afraid of being embarrassed.

"how do you do?" i held out my hand to Mr Wills, who shook it, then Mrs Wills, who shifted Hector to her other hip and gripped my hand gently.

"very nice to meet you, Topper." Mr Wills looked down at me.

"and Juno," Mom hissed.

"hello, Juno."

Juno watched me carefully, her eyes boring holes in me.

she let go of her Father's hand.

"let's go and play," she said, in a tone that suggested i didn't have much of a choice.

i looked at mom, who nodded encouragingly.

TWO YEARS EARLIER

"for fucks sake, Topper, just get in!" Juno called.

i sat on the beach in my swimming trunks, watching her surf.

"no," i sat down.

Juno caught a wave back to shore, then ran towards me, standing over me.

"now." she ordered.

"i'm not-"

she lunged at me, knocking me onto my back and covering my dry body with her wet one.

i tried to shake her off, but she held on like a fucking monkey.

"look at the two love birds!" a voice called from behind us.

Juno laughed, wrapping her arms round my neck and kissing my cheek.

that was her current favourite game—making everyone think we were dating.

"alright, Cameron?" she watched the boy approach as she stroked my cheek like i was her pet dog.

"get up, Juno." he sighed.

she laughed again, staying put on my lap.

"i think i'll stay here," she turned around, facing the ocean, laying back between my legs.

Rafe grabbed her wrist, dragging her up roughly.

"what the fuck, man!" i yelled.

Juno gazed at him, then slapped him, hard in the face.

"don't touch me, Rafe Cameron," she said in her honey-like voice.

then, she picked up her board and waded back into the water.