Inconvenient Attachment

Chapter 13

"Nessa!" I call after her. She has started walking in the direction of figure eight. Probably going to pack her stuff and move out, she's always been that dramatic.

"What Rafe!" She stops and turns to look at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. I can't help but feel guilty. Guilty for all the times I said something mean to hurt her, she doesn't know that I never meant any of it, I've only ever said things out of anger. I wonder if she's ever cried like this after I've said something hurtful to her. I pray to god she hasn't.

"Are you okay?" I finally reach her and our faces are inches apart but she's trying her best not to meet her eyes with mine.

"No I'm not. Is that what you want to hear? I get it, you all hate me, even my own brother. So you can go back inside to your friends and tell Topper he has successfully made me cry." She turns back around to walk away from me as soon as she's finished talking but I grab her wrist and pull her to face me again.

"I don't hate you, Ness. Topper should never have said that, I don't know what's going through his head for that to even come out of his mouth but he needs some sort of help."

She looks helpless. Like she doesn't even know what to do with herself. "Whatever Rafe, I'll see you later." Ripping her wrist from my grip she storms away from me and like an idiot I just stand there watching her walk away.

"Leave her alone Rafe you've probably just made it ten times worse!" Sarah yells at me as she runs past me to catch up with Nessa.

***

Vanessa's POV:

I hear little footsteps leading up behind me. One of my familiar favourite voices calls my name.

"Vanessa!"

Sarah catches up to me breathing heavily after running across the car park. She sees me crying and stops me in my tracks pulling me into a hug. A Sarah hug is exactly what I need right now.

"I'm so sorry he said that to you! Just ignore anything that comes from his mouth he's disgusting. We don't need anything to do with him!" She rambles in my ear.

I don't even try and pull away as we remain hugging. "He's your boyfriend, Sarah" I stare blankly.

She shakes her head. "Not anymore. Do you think I want to be with someone who is even capable of saying those words about his own sister!"

I stand back shocked at what she's telling me. "Seriously?" Still not believing her.

She nods with a grin. We both burst out laughing.

I notice the pogues in the corner of my eye heading in our direction.

"V! What happened?" JJ pulls me into a hug as soon as he sees I've been crying.

Sarah explains what happened causing me to tear up once again.

"He said that about you?" Pope and the others looked shocked that my own brother would say those words about me.

"What an asshole!" JJ curses hugging me tighter. I hug him back feeling safe in his arms.

"You don't need a brother, you've got three right here!" John B states hugging me and JJ.

"What did Rafe say?" Kie asks again making me more annoyed that all she seems to care about is what goes on between me and Rafe.

"Nothing." I frustratedly deadpan before JJ butts in.

"Wipe those tears away V because guess what we're doing tonight!" He jumps up excitedly.

I hesitate to ask the answer. "What?" I ask nervously.

"Beach party!" He sings happily. I wish I could be more like JJ, always happy. This is why I love being surrounded by the pogues. They could have nothing to their names and they'd still be happy as long as they're together.

"Are you coming Sarah?" John B turns to Sarah who is still stood with us.

"Of course she's coming now she's rid the Topper sized shackles on her feet!" I exclaim and we both laugh.

"You broke up with him?" JJ asks confused.

She nods and we all cheer, except Kie who is still quiet. We head to the Twinkie and all get in before driving off. Sarah sits in the front with John B. The rest of us sit in the back.

We head straight for my house.