𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 - rafe cameron (obx)

𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣.

Something creeps up in my chest. It's not disappointment, or shame, or anger. Or maybe it is. I don't know.

I don't know what it is, because it's something I've never felt before.

Whatever it is, I want it gone - now.

̶̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶　　　　　　 ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶

̶̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶　　　　　　 ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶

Stella

I sit with Pope in a boat, the both of us processing what had happened earlier that day.

"Thanks for taking care of the delivery for me, Stel," says Pope, looking solemnly out into the water.

"It's no problem," I tell him, looking at the spot Rafe hit him. He notices me staring and puts a baseball cap over it. I sigh. "He got you good, didn't he?"

Pope sighs and puts his chin in his hands. "It's fine. They could've done worse."

"Are you sure you're okay? Did your dad help enough?"

"I said I'm fine, Stella," Pope snaps. 

"Sorry."

Pope sighs. "No, I'm sorry. This isn't your fault."

I wrap an arm around him. "It's fine. Karma will get 'em."

"Pope! Stella!" A voice calls. I turn around and see JJ running down the dock towards us. "Guys, you are not going to believe what just happened to me! Whoo, that was the best 100 bucks I've ever made!"

JJ enters the boat, continuing to go on about the money he made. I give him a look that says "read the room, dumbass" and JJ's face goes from excitement to concern.

"Wait, what's up with you, bro? You good?" Pope doesn't respond. JJ looks at me, and I mouth the word "jumped".

"Yo, what happened to your face, dude?" Asks JJ, lifting Pope's hat up. He sees the bloody mark Rafe and Topper left on him. "Jesus! What happened?"