Bound To You- [R.C]

✧*̥˚Chapter 9*̥˚✧

I'M IN SARAH'S ROOM, getting ready to go out for a meal with the Cameron's, who have kindly invited me along. Sarah lets me pick something from her wardrobe and I end up deciding on a belle sleeve tie front top with a black bralette underneath, along with some light wash denim shorts and my high top converse.
"Cute" Sarah smiles at me, looking at me through the mirror as I apply some mascara.

I make my way down the stairs as I spot Rafe waiting near the door. He's wearing a white long sleeve shirt with the top buttons undone and some khaki shorts. He looks up at me, and I see a smile form in the corner of his mouth, before he stops it. I roll my eyes, going to join Sarah and Wheezie.

We arrive at the venue, and Rafe comes round to open the door for me. Since when did he become such a gentleman. I ignore him, starting to walk off but I feel him linger behind me.
"You look good" He whispers to me, and I try to stop myself from blushing because I know he's just messing with me.
Just as I'm walking through the door to the entrance I trip over a step I don't see and fall onto my knees. My cheeks fill with embarrassment as Rafe reaches out his hand to help me up.
"Real smooth" He smirks, as I take his hand and try to compose myself.

"I'll have the salmon please" I tell the waiter, going back to sip my lemonade.
"Cheers to an amazing summer!" Ward raises his glass up and we all clink them together. He starts to describe his plans for the summer, before looking to me.
"How long do you plan on staying with us Eve?" He smiles, but I hear some tension in his voice.
My cheeks flame up. "Just for a little while, a week maybe? I can go back home if it's a nuisance" I answer him.
"Don't be silly Eve, you're family! Stay as long as you want" Rose smiles at me, taking a sip of her wine.
My heart warms as she says it, but I can't help but wince at the 'you're family!' after me and Rafe's antics the other day.

I feel something brush against my leg, and as I look up I see Rafe's eyes on me. He's sat across from me, brushing his foot along my leg under the table. I quickly look away and tune back into my conversation with Sarah, she's asking some random question when my phone buzzes.
I take my phone from my pocket and read the message at the top of my screen.
Rafe
You ok?
"Rafe, you know how I feel about phones at the table" Ward smiles at him.
I quickly tuck it back into my pocket. I catch Rafe's eye as he's putting his phone away, and I nod at him, smiling weakly.

"Guys I have a question" Sarah shouts randomly out loud.
"Go ahead, but indoor voices would be nice" Ward laughs at her.
"Okay okay, if you were stranded on a desert island, from this table who would you pick?" She asks, pointing at me first. I think about my answer for a few seconds.
"I'd pick Wheezie, she's not afraid to get her hands dirty and I'd never be bored" I tell them. I catch eyes with Rafe again who's grinning, and can't help but smile myself.
Wheezie's face lights up whereas Sarah's drops.
"Rude! I'm your best friend!" She snaps at me.
"Sarah, you'd cry if you broke a nail my love" I smile at her, patting her on the back gently.

"How about you Rafe? Who'd you pick?" Wheezie asks him. The rest of us have all answered.
He sits silent for a minute, before answering.
"I'd pick Eve. She's the smartest. And the strongest swimmer out of all of you" He says.
I'm caught off guard, expecting him to say Ward seeing as he looks up to him so much.
I smile, mouthing thank you at him while Sarah isn't looking.
"I've got the salmon?" The waiter says, placing it down in front of me.

Once we're all finished with our meals and eating our body weight in ice cream we go back to the car to head back home.
The four of us youngest are squished into the back, singing along to the radio the whole time.