Pretty When You Cry ୨୧ Rafe Cameron

seventeen

Isla's phone zapping under her pillow woke her up from her slumber on the couch. She looked around at all the Pogues, asleep in the living room as well. She just missed one familiar face, her brother who was in jail.

Her head pounded from the hangover as the brightness from her phone hit her face. Six texts, two missed calls, from Rafe Cameron. He was probably in the Bahamas with his dad and the gold like nothing happened. She opened the messages.

They pretty much read as a series of 'why the fuck would you post that' and 'Isla answer me'. She only then recalled what she posted, but she truly didn't care. Rafe deserved the world to know that he was a killer, if they'd only believe her.

She glanced at JJ sleeping peacefully. If only she had chose him and not the thrill of messing around with Rafe. Was that all it was? Just messing around?

She looked at the picture she posted, before she added the text over top of it. They looked like happy newly weds or something. She only realized now that his hand was on her lower back, the other one holding his toothbrush. Despite her hatred of him, she missed that touch, the way it could send warmth through her entire body. One thing she knew for sure is that in that photo neither of them looked like they were only 'messing around'.

Isla wished she wasn't such a burnout. She wished that every time something overwhelming happened she didn't wanna drown herself in alcohol or whatever other intoxicators she could get her hands on. She wished she could just cry it out instead. Her father was probably looking down on her and wishing she was dead instead.

JJ snapped awake, and the first thing that came out of his mouth was, 'I have a plan.'

This woke everybody up, and they all stared at him waiting to hear whatever he just came up with.

'So basically I just had a dream right? And I pulled up to the prison pretending to be like a paramedic, and then John B was like sick so I was supposed to bring him to the hospital.'

'Seriously JJ? You think because you had a dream you can just like— poof John B escapes prison!' Pope groaned.

'Well I mean it can't be that hard, my cousin Ricky is a paramedic. I get him to give me his ambulance, John B fakes sick, and then boom I've got him,' JJ explained.

'Why is that actually like— the best idea we have right now?' Isla raised an eyebrow.

'See! Isla agrees with me! My dreams are like— I'm like a physic. I know what's up,' JJ said.

'Well I mean it's not like we have anything to lose,' Sarah shrugged.

'Ok, so I've got his sister and his girlfriend's permission. This plan is officially happening, three out of five vote yes,' JJ got up and grabbed the keys to the Twinkie, 'you guys just stay here. I'm going to visit John B. I'll update you.'

Then JJ was gone, leaving no time for anyone to object to his plan.

'Well then,' Kiara sighed, 'let's get some breakfast.'

The others went straight out to the kitchen, but Sarah stayed back with Isla.

'Hey Isla, can we maybe go talk for a bit?' she asked.

'Yeah, no problem,' Isla said. The two girls headed down onto the dock, sitting down overlooking the marsh. It was funny how quickly things changed. Only days ago was she banned from ever coming back here because she kissed Rafe, now she was back and her brother was arrested and Rafe was a murderer.

'What went down between you and my brother?' Sarah asked.

Isla jumped at the question. She didn't know how to answer, 'I— um, I don't know.'