Golden Hearts | Rafe Cameron [1]

70

August 19

I can't believe that in 2 days I'll be leaving OBX.
The thought that this summer is coming to an end and it's time to start over. To move. Somewhere where I don't know anyone at all.

I'm scared. What if no one likes me? What if everything goes wrong there? When I come back next summer, will everything be the same as it was? So many unanswered questions that I just want answers to. But it's hard to talk to the future.

Sarah has started school again, and Topper started his job yesterday. I don't really know what he does, except that it has something to do with boats. To be honest, I don't think he knows what he's doing either, but he does a lot for Sarah. Kiara also started school today. It's nice that they get to be together.

My bag is lying on the floor in front of me. Almost everything is packed and there are just a few things left. Packing makes me so sad because then I know it's almost over. All of this. All these memories that have been made. Even though this summer has been a rollercoaster, I still found the love of my life, even if it meant losing my dad forever.

I've tried to get over it, but if I'm honest, I haven't. Not at all. Because it's impossible to get over someone you love so much. So, I don't think I'll ever manage to. I'm not trying to be negative, just speaking the truth.

There's a knock on the door to my bedroom. "Come in," I say, and see my mom enter the room. The thought of leaving her here in OBX also hurts. But Rose has promised to take good care of her and I trust Rose.

"How's the packing going?" my mom asks.

"Good," I say. "But it feels so strange."

"I know, but it will be fine, you'll see. You'll make lifelong friends and get a good education," my mom says.

"Are you sure you'll be okay without me and Nate?" I ask the question I was afraid to ask.

"Don't worry about me, Addie, I'll be fine," my mom smiles at me, but I know that smile isn't true. "I won't disturb you, I'll keep doing the laundry."

I nod to my mom before she closes the door behind her and goes into the bathroom where I've left my toiletries. Now I think everything is ready. Just a few small things that I'll sort out on the morning we leave.

There's another knock on the door and in comes Rafe. I smile when I see him and get up to give him a hug. How I will miss this person.

"What a nice welcome," Rafe laughs as he meets my hug by wrapping his arms around my waist while I hold him around his neck as I always do.

"Is everything packed?" I ask.

"Almost,"  Rafe says meeting my gaze. Our eyes look at each other for a long time without saying anything.

"You look so handsome today," I say, which makes him grin widely.

"Really?" he says, raising an eyebrow. "I could say the same about you, my angel."

I almost blush at his words and meet him with a kiss on the lips. It's quick but sweet.

Rafe is wearing beige linen pants with a Ralph Lauren shirt.

"I thought we could do something if you're not busy?" Rafe says as he tucks the hair that had fallen into my face behind my ears.

"Of course we can," I say, smiling. Rafe then leaves the hug and extends his hand for me to take. We walk together along the house, down the stairs, and are met by my mom and brother who are getting things ready for Nathan to leave tomorrow too.

"Rafe, it's so nice to see you!" says my mom and greets Rafe with a hug.

"Good to see you too, Jenni," Rafe says.

"We were thinking of going out for a while, if that's okay," I say.

"Of course it is," my mom says, continuing to fold the laundry.

Nathan comes into the room. "Rafe," he says, greeting him with some strange handshake that is just weird.

"See you later," Rafe says before he holds the front door open for me, making me feel like his princess.

"You know, sometimes I feel like your princess when you do such nice things for me," I say when Rafe closes the door.

"That's because you are my princess," Rafe says, wrapping his arm around my waist.

I know exactly where we're going because we've been to this place a lot over the past few weeks of this summer. Where I once thought I would be kidnapped. Now, I can only laugh about it instead.

We walk to the spot even though it takes twenty minutes to get there. I think we both want to spend as much time together as we can before it's too late. Before we have to move to different states for school. But we'll see each other next summer again, and we can always call each other every night and morning.

We arrive at the place, and the flowers are still blooming, though they're a bit more withered than before. It's sad that soon the field will be empty.

Rafe sits down in the grass and pats his legs for me to sit on his lap.

"I can't believe it's almost over, everything we created this summer," I say.

"But it will come back next summer," Rafe says.

"But I'm just scared that people will get tired of me when we come back. That you might meet someone else because you don't want a silly long-distance relationship," I say.

"Addie, you're the only one I want. Only you," Rafe says and I believe him.

Why wouldn't I?

"I love you more than anything else. Losing you would be too much," I whisper.

"You won't lose me," Rafe says. "I love you more than anything. We'll call each other every day, and next summer, we'll spend every day together," Rafe says.

I'm glad we both think our relationship should continue even though we're moving. Because I never thought I'd say this, but Rafe is the love of my life. I want to be with Rafe forever.

Author's Note:
I get sad when I say there are only a few chapters left. But there are some fun things to reveal soon! I'm so excited, but I'm also sad that this book is coming to an end.