Infatuation ~ Rafe Cameron

thirty-six

In the weeks before the Pogues went back to school, as mentioned prior, they avoided Iris. Well, Kie and Pope did. JJ, not so much, not after her stunt at the Country Club because low and behold, he had gotten his job back. So, they had been spending a lot of time together. Nothing bad. There was nothing wrong with it either. But no one knew except them. Or so that's what they thought.

Anyways, JJ told Iris that he was being forced to retake his English class, even though he passed last year. The teacher had something against him and she thought he cheated his way through so she was making him take her class again. So that's why Iris was at the school, to sweet talk the teacher to change her mind. And it worked.

Iris
by the way, no more english class with mrs.percy

JJ
Wow Campbell, you really outdid yourself this time

Iris
I try my best Maybank

JJ
Let's celebrate at John b's tonight

Iris
sounds good

And Iris figured that Kie and Pope would come along too, but when she showed up, it was only her and JJ.

"Why do you look confused, Campbell?"

"Where are the others?"

"Why would the others be here? It's usually just you and I. You do remember that they kinda hate you right now, hm?"

"I just thought with today's news, I don't know, that they would be here."

"Well, I've been with them all day celebrating and now I'm celebrating your ability to sweet talk people. And the fact that your best friend is alive!" JJ exclaimed as a huge smile spread across her face.

"Our best friends are alive!" She yelled as he laughed, picking her up and spinning her around.

This was something she couldn't do with Rafe. Tell him certain things. Be happy like they used to. Sure maybe her and JJ had some form of a trauma bond, but so did her and Rafe. Is that why she felt so tied to him?

JJ twirled her around a few more times before slowly letting her down and the two stared at each other. Rafe didn't deserve her. He would say it every day until it got through her head. And she didn't understand how madly in love he was with her.

"Iris, you have no idea how badly I want to-"

She immediately broke eye contact with him, "We've talked about this JJ."

They had. Only because Iris was honest with him from the beginning. They were friends.

"Fuck. I know we have, it's just, it's just, you're tormenting yourself being with Rafe and having to play along with every little thing."

"How do you know how I feel?" She asked, raising her voice slightly.

"You're doing drugs again. Is that not an issue all of a sudden?"

"I've always done-"

"Not like this. You know what makes it worse? Rafe. Ever since you two got back together, you've been using all the fucking time. We hangout, your pupils are so dilated that your eyes are practically black, the ocean is gone! You're not even letting yourself get close to what reality actually is because you don't want to face the consequences of your actions."

Tears brimmed her eyes, "What consequences JJ? Why don't you just say it?"

"You're dating a killer, Iris. I don't know what kind of hold he has on you, I don't know what he's doing to you behind closed doors either, and fuck if he is doing anything, then I feel terrible for the things I've said. But I'm right here. We're all right here. You just don't give us the chance anymore."