𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙉𝙀𝘿 𝙊𝙉 𝙔𝙊𝙐 || 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞

𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲 :)

𝘆/𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘃

I woke up to my brain pounding out of my skull. I tried to lift my eyelids open, but the light forced them shut. I groaned in my pillow and slowly sat up, adjusting to my surroundings. As soon as my vision cleared up, I noticed Sarah sitting outside on my balcony reading a book. I stood out of bed and made my way to the screen door.

"What are you reading?" I wondered.

"Marianne and Connell are so adorable." She blurts, putting a bookmark in between pages.

I smile and slid the screen door open, "Take the book and text me as soon as you finish it." 

"Gladly. You should probably text JJ, and text me right after you two are done hanging out." She laughs and stands up, taking the book in hand. I started to remember the events of last night. JJ. Rafe.

"Yeah. I should do that." I give her a quick grin and she leaves. I looked to the ocean and smiled again. After a little while I grabbed my phone to text JJ. Unfortunately there were three missed texts from Rafe.

𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘: We can't be friends.

𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘: I want to, but we can't.

𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘: Don't hang out with that pouge.

As if I wasn't already confused enough. I exited out of the conversation and clicked on JJ's name.

𝗬/𝗡: Morning! Care to cash in that rain check?

A few moments passed and my phone lit up.

𝗝𝗝: Meet me at the beach in 30?

𝗬/𝗡: I'll be there!

I felt my cheeks burn up and I immediately move to get ready. I hate to admit the amount of time I spent getting ready, especially to go to the beach. It was worth it though because I looked hot. The hottest I've felt since being here to be honest. I looked at myself one last time in the mirror, and headed downstairs. To my surprise, Topper and Rafe were sitting at the kitchen island and turned when they noticed my presence. 

"Where are you going?" Topper questioned. I was a bit flustered seeing Rafe, but I shook off the feelings and reminded myself of my promise.

"Hanging out with a friend." I said bluntly. As the words left my mouth, Rafe quickly looked to his plate and lightly threw the waffle he was holding down. I turned and left without another word. I didn't understand why he did that, but he seemed frustrated. Don't hang out with that pouge. I remembered his text. I arrived at the beach and brought my surfboard down from the roof. I spotted JJ waxing his board on the sand and made my way over to him. I sat down taking my board out and placing it on my lap.

"Hey!" He smiled and looked to me.

"Morning!" I smile back. For some reason we didn't say much after that, we just waxed our boards. The silence was comfortable though, and soon enough we were out on the waves.

"What's with you and that kook?" JJ hesitantly asked.

"What kook?" I laughed.

"I think you know." He smirked.

"He's Sarah's brother, nothing more nothing less."

"I see the way he looks at you." He smiled. "I won't push it further though."

"Well you're observant." I laughed. 

"Yeah I guess I am." He seemed a little disappointed, but covered it up as he splashed me. I acted shocked and splashed him back. We surfed for a little while longer and finally made our way up to the beach. It was sunset and officially one of the longest days I've ever spent surfing.

"That was fun!" I smiled. "You'll have to teach me those moves you did today, they were incredible!"

"You'll have to teach me yours too! You should really think about competitive surfing. You'd be amazing." He suggested.

"Oh I would love to, just never had the time, or money." I explained. I finished packing my board and turned to JJ. "You should come over for dinner!"

He turned to me and laughed. "In kook territory, yeah right. That's a dinner written for disaster." 

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Another time, I promise. You should get home though, it's getting late." He smiled to me.

"You're right, thanks for today. I needed it."

"No thank you, it's good to get out. I think I needed this more than you." He smiled back.

"I'll see you around." I turned and made my way back to my car. I couldn't stop smiling the whole drive home. I turned into the driveway of my dad's house and made my way inside. Sarah, Topper, and Rafe were sitting in the living room watching a movie. Sarah turned to me and immediately lit up with excitement. 

"How was your date?" She winked at me. I saw Rafe shift uncomfortably out the corner of my eye.

"It wasn't a date." I said impulsively, "It was fun though. I'll tell you about it later, I need to shower." I left to my room and hopped in the shower. I began smiling to myself again remembering the day. I got out and wrapped myself in a towel. I made my way into my room and immediately stopped when I saw Rafe scanning through my bookshelf. 

"What are you doing in here?" I started to cling to my towel, hoping it won't fall.

"How was your date?" He asked. He almost seemed annoyed. 

"Why do you care?" I shot back. "It's not like we're friends, or do you not remember your texts?" I was angry. Angry that he thought he could be nice one day, then act like he didn't care the next. Angry that he said he didn't think we should be friends, then come in my room and act annoyed that I went on date. Even though it wasn't a date. 

"I was drunk." He turned to me and leaned on the bookshelf. "You shouldn't have hung out with that pouge."

"I don't think you have any right to tell me who I should and shouldn't hang out with." I was fuming by the second. 

"You could hang out with literally anyone, and you choose that pouge. I see how he looks at you." And he sees how you look at me Rafe.

"JJ. His name is JJ, and why do you care about how he looks at me? You said we shouldn't be friends, and I agree. I don't think there's anything more to say, so get out."

He laughed and slowly nodded his head. "You're right. This was a mistake. When you realize that pouges are pieces of shit, don't come crying to me." He stormed out and slammed my door closed. 

Fucking psycho. I let out a breath and started to get changed. I sat out on my balcony and stared at the ocean. Rafe was beyond confusing. I needed to stick to my vow, no matter what. I wanted to avoid conflict as much as possible. I heard knocking on my balcony door and saw Sarah with a sorrowful face.

"I heard you and my brother." She came and sat down in front of me. "Sorry about him."

"It's okay." I reassured her. It wasn't, but didn't want to talk about it.

"How was your date with JJ?" She smiled and brought her knees to her chest, excitingly waiting for me to tell her about it. I laughed and told her everything.

𝐀/𝐍 - Sorry it took forever for a new chapter! Writers block is no joke lol. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'll do my best to write more consistently and frequently. Love you all <3