Last Summer

River

"The bonfire is tomorrow night. Is everything ready to go?" John B's voice filled my small room. Everyone looked at me.

I nodded, "I believe so. Things should be right where we need them to be."

"What time is he picking you up?" Sarah asked, crossing her legs on my carpet.

"I think once the sun goes down. He didn't give me a specific time." I played with my hands in my lap as I spoke. Now that the moment was so close, I was nervous.

"It'll all be okay." Rafe pushed my hair behind my ear and I met his eyes.

"We don't have to go through with it, River." Kiara spoke up next to JJ, who was sitting next to Harper. Next to Harper was John B and Sarah, then Pope.

"No, we need to. Like John B said before, Topper has wronged all of us in one way or another." I told her, pulling my gaze from Rafe.

He placed his hand on my leg as it shook.

"Okay.." Pope's tone was anxious as his words trailed off into nothing.

"It'll all be okay." I repeated Rafe's words to the rest of the group.

"At least there's going to be beer." JJ made all of us laugh.

"That is true, my friend." John B laughed back.

"Let's go to the beach." Harper looked at JJ then to all of us.

We all exchanged nods and headed for the door. As I stood up, Rafe grabbed my hand, stopping me.

"We'll catch up with you guys." He told the group.

"Okay." Harper was the last one out of the room, I watched as she caught up to JJ, who laced his fingers with her's.

I turned back to Rafe, who pushed his hand through his hair, making it messy.

"Are you okay?" I asked, touching his arm.

He quickly pulled me into his chest, "I love you, River." He breathed into my hair as he kissed the top of my head.

"I love you." I told him. I buried my head into his chest, the intoxicating smell of his cologne filling my nose.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He pulled back, holding both my shoulders as he studied my face.

I nodded my head in understanding, "I know."

I knew how much he hated himself for what Topper had done. He blamed himself. I hated myself that he did.

"I promise." He reiterated.

"Rafe," I began, touching his face softly, "You make me safe. With you, I am untouchable." I smiled.

He kissed my forehead, then wrapped his arms around me, "It's you and me."

"You and me." I repeated.

I couldn't describe the feeling in my chest. It was a mix of love and what you feel when you get home after a long day. I wanted to hold the position we were in forever. He made me feel whole. Understood.

"Where is she?" A woman's voice shattered our moment of silence. I turned quickly to see my father standing in the doorway, his back turned to me.