Bad Influence (Rafe Cameron)

Chapter 16

TW: mention of rape and sexual assault
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It's been two weeks since Rafe and I broke up. I haven't seen him at all and that makes things so much easier. Most days he barely even passes through my mind.

I've still been spending every day with the pogues and honestly I feel like life couldn't get any better. Like JJ and I agreed, we kept things from being awkward after our kiss. I can't be more grateful for his easy going personality. Topper and I are also as close as ever and he has been hanging around with only Kelce lately. Apparently neither of them have heard from Rafe once in the last two weeks.

I guess I could say I'm finally content for the first time since moving to Outer Banks.

Of course, there's still a hopeful, pathetic part of me that gets a little disappointed every night when I see I have no texts or missed calls from Rafe. I thought he would've at least tried a little harder to keep me. Apparently I didn't mean as much to him as he meant to me.

There's a party tonight and Topper is forcing me to go. I remember the last time Topper forced me to go to a party and I shudder involuntarily. Rafe has ruined parties for me altogether.

I still agreed to go though because Topper is so desperate to have me do something other than hang out with the pogues. I expected him to be upset when I revealed the news that they were my friends but he didn't really react to it. All he did was ask that I be careful and not bring them over to our house. I was willing to agree to that and thanked him for being understanding even though he doesn't like them at all. I'm pretty sure the only reason he was so cool about it though is because he still feels bad about the whole Rafe situation. He also knows they're pretty much the only friends I have.

Whatever the reason is for his graciousness, I'm still going to this party tonight. And that's where it leaves me now, staring at my options of dresses lying across my bed.

These are the times where I really wish I still had Sarah as a friend. She is so much better with fashion than I am. She hasn't tried to get ahold of me since she broke up with Topper though. She probably knows I'm upset with her so she's not attempting to speak with me. Smart girl.

I decide on a tight fitting black dress with a square neckline. It has long sleeves that are low on the shoulder and the back is black mesh material, starting from my neck all the way to my lower back. It's not too short and it ends on my mid thigh.

It's hot, and doesn't show much for cleavage which I'm appreciative of. I'm still yet to feel confident wearing revealing clothing. I try, but I just can't do it so I'll stick to comfy over sexy for now.

I curl my blonde hair into loose waves and put on minimal makeup. Just concealer and a little bit of dark shadow on my lid and dark lipstick. I want to look mysterious and dark. I've always been known as the innocent girl in the loose clothing and high ponytails. I want to look nice for once. For my self confidence I want to feel hot and different tonight.

When I go downstairs Topper is sitting on a chair at the kitchen island on his phone, waiting for me. When he turns around his eyes scan me up and down before he frowns in disappointment.

"Yeah, I don't think so." Topper says, still glaring at my outfit.

"What do you mean you don't think so?" I ask angrily. "This dress isn't the least bit revealing. You can't seriously be upset with this outfit."

"It will draw too much attention to you and I don't need some idiot spiking your drink. I won't be able to protect you from some guy while you're dressed like that. I want to do all I can tonight to keep you out of the spotlight and that outfit is not helping." He says like it's the most obvious thing ever. He dismisses me with his finger. "A t-shirt and jeans will suffice."