The Outer Outer banks//Rafe Cameron

Senior Year

I woke up at six am, the normal first day of school ritual. The difference was I am now alone. My mom came back from Rome and we celebrated my eighteenth birthday at a fancy restaurant like she promised. I lost Kie, John b, and Rafe. But Rafe wasn't mine to begin with.

It's been a week since everything happened.

The most long week I've ever lived was after the big birthday blowout. Talk of the town. Full on rager. But that wasn't me, it wasn't ever what I would have wanted. John B never reached out, and so did Rafe. I blocked Kie on Everything, I couldn't handle this right now. So last week I was alone, drowning in junk food and soap operas.

6:30 Am
Today is the first day of senior year. The day I dreaded, swim season was also starting. At least I'll be busy. Quickly I threw on my first day of school outfit and rushed my hair and makeup.

As I made my way downstairs my mom met me at the kitchen with pancakes and orange juice.
"My babies last first day of Highschool." She said doing a fake sad face.
"Mom! Don't be sad you still have a whole year with me before I go away." I smiled, I jumped up and gave a her a bear hug.

My mom and I became closer then what I could think of. We were always just coexisting, but now we talked everyday.

After I ate my breakfast I quickly grabbed my car keys and drove to school, usually I'd pick up Kie but JJ told me John b was picking everyone up. Including Sarah.

Senior orientation, I sat alone. I told JJ it was okay and he could sit with the "gang". I wouldn't want to ruin his first day anyways with my sadness.

I walked into the auditorium and sat in the back, alone. I looked ahead and saw Kie, Pope, JJ and John B. It made me sad seeing them all together, I felt like an outcast once again.

"Zee!" A voice called out behind me. I looked back and saw topper and the kooks.

"Come sit with us." He shouted. He had a black eye, still. I felt horrible, he didn't deserve that.

I got up with my stuff and sat next to him.

"Yo Zee that party was crazy, like I didn't think you had it in you to throw that." Cooper laughed in all.

"Thanks?" I replied.

I looked over to topper and he was already looking at me.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't think something like that would happen to you, you don't deserve that." Topper quickly cut me off.

"Zee, I know it's not your fault. But honestly, I'd do anything for you." He smiled. Smiled in the way he meant it and he was being genuine.

"OKAY STUDENTS." The principles voice shouted over the intercom.

After an hour of boring senior updates we finally were given our schedules and we got to meet our new teachers.

My first period class was English, I arrived to class early as I always did. I liked being the first one there, I liked school in general. Not in the way I got to see people, that was my least favorite. My favorite part was learning, it was something my dad and I had in common.

"And you must be?" The teacher asked.
"Zee." I replied.
"Zoya?" The teacher asked again, annoyed.
"Yes I'm sorry..Mrs.Backer.." I looked down and pulled out my laptop, this was getting awkward.

People started to enter the room and surprised to see it topper walked in, following Kie.
"Great." I groaned, as my head slipped onto the desk.

"Yo Zee!" Topper said in excitement as he took the chair next to me.

"Oh hey top." I said looking next to me.

We talked about how the room smelled weird, made fun of our teachers last name, and any other random things we could thing of.

Class ended and I still have three classes left to go to.

**BEEP**
*new text message**

Hmm, I haven't gotten much text messages at all the past week, I'm eager to see who it is. Quickly I went into my back pocket and took my phone out.

Topper: How about we skip and get lunch?

Me: hmm but it's the first day :/

Topper: Come on!! Plus the lunch today is bad :(

Me: fine. Meet u outside.

Topper. Shit, we were always friends. Yeah we flirted but personally I'm not ready to ruin more friendships.

I looked side to side and when everything was clear I bolted out the exit doors. To my rescue, Topper was parked outside in his glossy black truck.

"I'm thinking the country club?" Topper insisted.

"Yeah I'm kinda craving calamari right now." I smiled.

He smiled back, then we made our way to the club.

The smell of sea salt brushed over my nose so quickly, I loved the beach. I loved going to the country club as a girl with my dad. We would eat and go on the beach. But I wasn't a girl anymore, and my father wasn't here anymore.

"I'll go in and get us a table." Topper said. He could tell I wanted to walk around for a minute, I stopped coming here. After everything with my dad,  Sarah.

One thing about topper was he could always read the room. He knew me from the way I move my eyes, he could read me like none ever.

I looked around and decided it was time to go in, I didn't want him waiting for too long.

Quickly the door opened and to my surprise it hit me in the face. Deja vu feeling hit me like a rock, I fell backwards on the ground and could hear a man asking if I was okay.

"I'm so sorry miss!" A voice called out.
As I gained my vision back from being fuzzy I saw a outline of a tall built figure.

"Zee?" The voice called out as he finally moved the door out of the way.

"Rafe?" I said confused, he was here? Obviously he was here he always is. I feel like it's the reason I said yes to topper. I feel guilty but, I wanted to see him.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" Now he was worried, he closed the door and got on his knees so we were leveled.

Rafe gently moved his hand under my chin, like he did once before. I tried not to make eye contact, I couldn't. I couldn't allow myself to fall back into his gaze, so I closed my eyes. Pretending we were okay, I was okay.

"Yeah I'm all good." I replied.

"What are you doing here?" He asked moving his hand to the side of my face, slightly rubbing it.

With my eyes still closed, I asked.
"You wanna get out of here?"

The door opened and quickly Rafe stood up and turned around.

A women walked out, early 20's, blonde, and most of all beautiful.

"Babe, are you ready to leave?" The women said as Rafe turned his whole body away from me.

"Is she okay?" She asked.

Great.

"Yeah she is, let's go now Laura." Rafe continued.

They both left quickly, Rafe didn't look back once. I felt sick to my stomach, had he been with her? I DIDNT want to think about it, yet all I could do was think about it.

I walked out, walked home. Too many memories at that place. I DIDNT want to create new ones anymore.

I let topper know what happened, well kinda. I told him I just couldn't, it reminded me of my father. He understood. Topper was there for me when my father left, so he got it.

As I made it home I ran inside, I wanted to be snuggled in my bed, alone.

**BEEP*
**New text message*
Rafe: We need to talk.