Inconvenient Attachment

Chapter 5

I sip away my daiquiri ensuring mom isn't looking in my direction before placing the glass back down and hopping off the stool to go back to Sarah, praying that her and my brother are finished with the PDA.

I sit back down with Sarah, Topper and Kelce. Rafe is no where to be seen.

"Where did you go?" Sarah looks across to me as I sit down, shielding the sun out of her face.

"The bar."

"You coming to my party tonight, V?" Kelce asks with a smile.

"Of course she is. She's coming with me." Sarah quickly answers for me before I get chance.

Topper looks down at her. "So you're not coming with me." He whines.

"I can go with both of you, Topper."

"My ugly little sister isn't third wheeling us, that's embarrassing."

I don't hesitate sticking my middle finger up at my brothers face. "Believe me I'd rather be burned alive than be seen with you at a party too."

He pulls a sarcastic face before Sarah playfully smacks him. "Would you two quit it! She won't be third wheeling, Rafe will be coming with us."

I turn to look at Sarah after hearing Rafe's name, she's already looking at me with a grin. I can already feel my face heating up at her making it awkward.

Topper scoffs. "Poor Rafe."

"Poor me, what?" Rafe appears from behind our chairs, looking down on us all. Now I can feel my face burning up even more in front of Rafe.

"You having to deal with my sisters company tonight, so she's not a third wheel." Topper laughs devilishly at me.

"I don't mind." He shrugs.

"What?"

"What?"

Me and Topper look up at him in unison. What does he mean, 'he doesn't mind'. He doesn't mind everyone seeing us walking in together? He doesn't mind being seen with his little sisters annoying best friend?

"Yeah just like babysitting, right." He shrugs. Topper and Rafe laugh between each other.

Of course that's exactly what he meant.

I don't stop myself standing up from my seat and walking away.

"V, where are you going?" Sarah shouts to me.

"Home."

"What about Kelce's party?"

"Meet you there."

Rafe's POV:

I watch her walk away until she's out of sight. Guilt surges through me after speaking and not thinking, not thinking how it would make her feel. I know she's walking away cause of what I said.

"You two are so mean to V for no reason, what is both of your problems!" Sarah scolds us, changing her glare between the two of us.

Topper shrugs. "She's my little sister Sarah, what do you expect?" He smirks.

"Exactly, she's your sister. You could be somewhat nicer. And you Rafe, think before you fucking speak. You've known her your whole life, it wouldn't hurt to be nicer to her!" She yells before shoving Topper away from her storming off in the same direction Nessa disappeared.

The three of us look between each other with blank expressions and silence.

"She's right, you two could be a lot nicer to Vanessa." Kelce breaks the silence, causing us both to glare at him. He holds his hands up in surrender but me and Top both know he and Sarah are right.

"Shutup, Kelce." Topper huffs. His cheeks reddened. I can tell he's anxious. He always is when Sarahs mad at him. He's petrified of losing her, so he tries to be this perfect boyfriend. I know Sarah likes him, not too sure about being in love with him though. I've heard her complaining to my dad a few times about Topper being an idiot and her wanting to break up with him but my dad always persuades her to stay with him. I think my dad just wants her to have the stability in the future.

Vanessa POV:

I finally make it to the Chateau.

"Hey pretty lady!" JJ is the first to notice me causing the rest of the group to turn and face me.

"Hey guys."

"What's up?" Pope is the first to notice my glum expression but the last thing I want to talk about with the Pogues is my brother and Rafe.

So instead I stick on a fake smile and skip to go and sit within the circle of my best friends. "Nothing. What you guys up to?"

"I've got an hour before I have to be back at work with pop." Pope huffs.

"Yeah I start work at the wreck soon too." Kie groans.

"I need to get to the Camerons to fill up there scuba tanks." John B runs his hands through his long fluffy brown locks.

I look between my friends all looking glum at having to work. I feel guilty knowing I am in a completely different situation but contemplating getting a job just to be on the same level as my friends so they don't end up resenting me. "Guess it's just me and you JJ."

He shakes his head. "Sorry cupcake, I'm working with Pope today."

I nod my head acceptingly. "You can stay here and chill if you want V? Wait for us all to get back." John B offers.

I shake my head. "No that's okay JB, I'll catch a ride with you when you go up to the Camerons. I need to go home soon anyways."

"What for?" Kie questions.

I roll my eyes at the thought of the party tonight. Being stuck in the same room as my brother and Rafe no doubt insulting me the entire night. "This stupid kook party I promised Sarah I'd go with her."

"You know sometimes I question if you're really one of us." Kie scoffs.

I snap my stare to look at her. "Like you have room to talk, Kie."

She falls silent, her eyes dropping to the floor. JJ jumps to his feet crossing the circle to sit beside me and puts his arm around my shoulders. "Of course she's one of us Kie, my little hybrid. She's all about equality but she'll always put us first." I look up to meet eyes with him as we both smile. I lean into him gratefully and he pulls me in tighter.

"Right I best get going, come on JJ." Pope leaves his seat and heads towards the door. JJ pecks my forehead before jogging after Pope.

"Me too." Kie adds bluntly following after Pope and JJ.

Me and John B are left staring at each other confused by what just happened with Kie.

"You ready?" He asks breaking the silence.

I nod. "Lets go."