Alive | Rafe Cameron

Part 7

Rafe agrees to go for a walk and we make our way down to the beach. It starting to get late so not many people are out. Walking always helps me clear my head. We walk at a slow pace and just listen to the waves crashing on the shore.

"Why did you decide to text me?" I ask filling the silence between us.

"What do you mean?"

"You decided to text some pogue you barely know for help before any of your friends?"

He stops. I look at him and I can see he is thinking about his answer.

"The other day... you helped me. I'm just some random kook you barely know, yeah? So why did you decide to help me?" He answers my question with another question.

I take a moment for myself and ponder his words.

"You're right. I could have just left you alone...But that's not the right thing to do. Something my dad always use to say is 'No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.'" And that is exactly what my dad did. He would always go out of his way to help others, even if he was the one needing help.

He pauses and takes in my words. "Well I honestly don't know why I texted you."

I just look at him, unsure of what to say. The setting sun is shining on his face, making it glow. He looks at me and his blue eyes are sparkling.

"You wanna head back?" He asks, breaking me from my daze. I agree and we make our way back to where my car is parked in the driveway.  

I say goodbye and he gives a soft smile back. I get into my car and start pulling out of the long driveway. I glance in my rear view mirror and see Rafe entering his front door.

I start the short drive back to the other side of the island. I turn the radio on a low volume and start to get lost in my thoughts. First, I try to think of what I'm going to tell everyone when they ask where I've disappeared to. I know they wouldn't be too happy to hear I was with Rafe Cameron, especially given the way him and his friends have treated us in the past. Not that I would tell them I was with his anyways.

My mind wonders back to Rafe. I have helped JJ through some panic attacks and some rough times. I was there for John B as he grieved the loss of our father. But I have never helped someone get clean from using drugs. I want to help Rafe but part of me is scared, not knowing if I will be able to. Another part of me is not even sure if we will reach out to me again.