The Sinner

16

warning: talk about abuse and alcoholics

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The next morning, something felt different.

I don't know if it's because I woke up in Sarah's house, but not her bed. Or if it's the fact that I didn't sleep alone last night. Or maybe it's even the fact that I woke up alone.

I'm not entirely sure why I feel this way either. But I know that the last thoughts before my head hit the pillow were about Rafe. I almost caught myself in saying that I was starting to develop feelings for him.

I take that back completely, I don't like Rafe. And he doesn't like me.

I gradually sit up, Rafe's fluffy-looking comforter completely around me. For the entire night, all I could smell was Rafe. It seemed as though his arms were wrapped around me, enveloping me in his musky scent. It made me want to spend the entire day lying in this bed.

Just as I hear the door open, I brush some of my hair down. My gaze is drawn to the entrance, where I keep a close eye on who's walking in. When I see Rafe, he doesn't notice that I'm awake. He softly closes the door and slowly turns around.

"Jesus," He jumps when he finally notices me. "I thought you were still sleeping."

"Where did you go?" I ask, trying not to let a frown out. He was dressed in a tight black shirt that looked like mine, along with some grey joggers.

"Topper came by, he was calling non stop," Rafe rolls his eyes, showing in annoyance. I glance at the clock on the nightstand to see it was 11 am.

"Did they get home okay last night?" I ask, eyebrows knit together in concern.

"Well," He stops himself as I feel the bed dip down. He sits on the edge, his back facing me. Why's he not finishing his sentence?

"Rafe, you're scaring me," I say slowly. He turns around to face me finally and he's shaking his head with a smile. Why is he smiling?

"Topper and Sarah got in a fight at some look-out point last night," He explains. "It was after the party, he somehow found Sarah, who was with John B at the time. Top called Sarah a whore, and him and John B started fighting."

I roll my eyes, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Yeah well," Rafe says, the smile still on his face. "He shoved John B off of the look out."

"What," I say in shock. I can't believe he did that. "Is he okay?"

Rafe laughs, "He's fine. He's here actually."

"Why is he here?" I ask. There were so many thoughts running through my head right now. The smile on Rafe's face was still hovering over his lips, which made me confused. "Why are you laughing?"

"Because Topper's an idiot," He explains himself. "It's also funny because it's John B."

"He could've gotten hurt Rafe," I say with a scowl.

"He's a fucking Pogue Corrine," He spits out 'pogue' like it's dirty. "Who the fuck cares if he did?" How could he say something like that? Just because he's a Pogue doesn't mean all his rights as an individual get taken away.

"What if he pressed charges?" I say, anger starting to build up inside.

"You don't think any of us have the fucking money to get ourselves out of it?" He asks with an eye roll.

"Money doesn't solve everything," I tell him. "He could've gotten killed."

"I don't give a fuck about any of them, okay? They don't mean shit to me, and they never will."