ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

habitat

"Princess kook back in her natural habitat."

❥

Rafe is right about one thing. The kooks never gave up on me. Rafe never pushed me away, even when he was jealous. He never gave me the fault for whatever happened. It took him some time to realize what he did but he only judged himself. JJ however.. Whenever he's afraid, he calls Rafe the reason for our issues. 

JJ can actually be quite disrespectful. I used to understand him and defend him in front of everyone else including myself. Now I just wonder if I was wrong. No, JJ was just angry about seeing Rafe and I together. Does that justify what he said? No.

I'd rather stay on the cut forever than to work for princess kook. And Rafe, the kookiest of all, make use of it. It's fun with her. 

Why do I just rethink everything that's happened and that we've said? I shouldn't let my pasta be ruined by the thoughts of JJ's issues. I have to accept the present. I'm sitting here in the country club with Rafe and I actually enjoy it.

"Babe", I hear Rafe say softly, "Hey, do you hear me?" Did he just call me babe? And does it make me feel like when we were together? I can't deny it. "Hm?" "How's your pasta?", Rafe asks softly laying his hand on mine again to show me affection. "It's good, really good", I nod quickly, "I've missed a proper dinner." 

I just realize that I haven't had such a great dinner in months. I haven't noticed that until now. During our time on poguelandia I didn't worry about what we eat as long as we survive another day. "Yeah, right. It's been a long time. One month", Rafe adds, "I was worried sick. Your parents were worried sick." 

"You mean the parents whose location you wouldn't tell me about?" "It's in your best interest, Bella. You'll see them soon", Rafe assures me, "Promise." "Fine", I sigh in a relaxed way. I've always liked the country club so it's can have a rest here. After a few minutes we've finished dinner and Sofia takes our empty plates glancing at our entangled hands for a second too long. 

I don't think she's jealous of me for sitting here with Rafe. I feel like it's more about me. She didn't like me already when we've been at kook academy together. "No way. Isabella Scott is back", I hear someone call me and realize it's Kelce when I look up from our table. Kelce who's right next to Topper. 

"The one and only", Topper grins as they come closer so I stand up to give him a tight hug, "I've missed you, Bella." "Missed you, too", I mumble into Topper's shoulder smiling lightly. Topper's been here all the time. He's always accepted me as his friend no matter what's happened. "I'm surprised to see you here in figure eight, especially you two together", Kelce smiles at me before hugging me as well, "But I'm glad you're back. Figure Eight was boring without you." 

"It's not like I've been away for a long time", I chuckle shyly, "It's been one month." "No. It's been a month since you've been god knows where but it's been months since you left to stay on the cut." "I only stayed with the pogues for a few days each week", I correct Topper. "No, he's right. It actually felt like you lived there. Pogue school, pogue friends, po-" 

"Got it", I interrupt Rafe smiling, "It's good to be back." "So it's official. Princess kook is back", Topper grins proudly, "You should have broken up with JJ way earlier." "Told you", Rafe agrees giving me the typical 'you-could-have-listened-to-me' look. "I see, you two get along again", I mock them instead, "Why don't you sit down and have a drink with us?" Topper and Kelce nod and take a seat at our table. Within a few minutes, Kelce and Rafe begin a conversation. Topper gives me a skeptic look. 

"Rafe and you, hm?" "We're not back together", I tell him, "JJ and I just broke up." "Why though? I thought he's your risk?" "Well.. Kie and him.. Nothing's happened but almost. I could tell that he likes her." "I'm not going to say I've told you so but.." "But you told me so", I nod. "Well, I didn't mention Kiara but I knew he'd hurt you. Thank god you're back with us." "Thanks, Top", I reply softly, "You've helped us a lot the other night and you've helped me as my friend many times." 

"Of course, Bella. We're friends. I wouldn't just let you down", Topper says as if it was completely normal for us to stay friends after all that's happened. If the pogues knew that I am sitting here.. mainly JJ.. Seems like that's where our friendship ends. "How have you been doing?", I ask Topper interestedly. "I've been fine actually. Really fine. I'm dating Elena now." "Elena? Wow", I giggle surprised, "I imagine you being a great couple." 

I'm happy for Topper that he's found someone, especially someone like Elena. I remember Sarah not liking her and I understand her skeptism as well because Elena's always had a crush on Topper. But from all the kooks, she's quite humble. That's what I like about her. "We are", Topper agrees, "We actually are. You know it's nothing like Sarah and I. And I really like it this way." "I'm really happy for you", I smile at him. 

"What about you and Rafe?" "We're.. living together. There's a relationship called roomates." Topper laughs lightly. "Sorry but that's the last definition that fits for you guys." "You could have let me believe it at least", I laugh and raise my glass, "On being a kook?" "If you speak a toast on being a kook, I'm definitely in, Ms. Scott", Topper chuckles and Kelce and Rafe join our conversation and drink with us.

"It's late. Let's go home?", Rafe suggests when the boys are talking about Kelce's new boat. This is not the kind of conversation in which I can play a big part so I've decided to rest for a few minutes. "Yeah", I reply sleepily so we say goodbye to the boys soon. 

"You should come to the beach party tomorrow. Both of you together", Kelce invites us. "We'll think about it", Rafe answers for the both of us and takes my hand before we leave the boys to pay at the reception. "Write it on Cameron", Rafe tells him. "You don't need to-" "You're family, Bella. It's on me, always."