Just Colleagues

4. Golf Boys & Dance Moms

Besides having to say goodbye to Wheezie as she went off to her summer camp, the next week was quite fun. I offered to help Pope and his Dad with their orders for the whole week since I wanted to have my hands busy before my internship started. It took a lot of convincing to help their company without getting paid since Mr. Hayward felt bad for making me do free labor, but I insisted that I just wanted to volunteer. Besides, Pope seemed like he wanted a duo partner to deliver groceries with, and I didn't want to leave him to do it all by himself.

Pope and I got along more than ever that week since we had a lot of time just spending the day with each other. We realized how much we had in common: from talking about crazy conspiracies, to his morgue obsession, to my love for data science, and so forth. It was nice knowing there was another nerd I could bond with, especially since him and I's growing platonic relationship was definitely a breath of fresh air compared to JJ and Toppers flirtatious nature that I experienced.

After helping out the Haywards, Pope always brought me to hang with the others at the Chateau where I had the chance to get closer with the rest of the gang. Kie and I shared our love for Peter Tosh and music in general, I became JJ's weed partner (since I always offered to get high with him every time he'd smoke), and I often helped Sarah online shop for John B since she claimed that I had the best clothes she's ever seen, and that her boyfriend's fashion sense needed a makeover that only she and I could cure.

The pogues quickly rubbed on me that week and I'm proud to say that I did the same with them. The tight-knit bond they had with each other, yet still including me with everything they did, was something that I didn't know I craved all my life. It started to feel like they were my long lost family.

That week I also spent some time with Rafe and his friends, but mostly Rafe. Yeah, his friends would come over to play games or work out in the Cameron's built-in gym, but I would mostly just sit around and spectate while the boys did their thing. Occasionally, Topper would try and 'flirt' with me, as Rafe would call it, but I never really reciprocated it. Sure the boy had a knack at making me laugh, but he's not really my type. The most memorable times were during those late nights where Rafe would text me at 2 am saying he couldn't sleep, and the both of us would end up going to the gas station together to grab snacks and watch a movie in his basement until we'd finally start feeling sleepy.

However, those late nights with just Rafe and I always felt like there was some underlying feeling of tension between us. I don't know if it's because I think he's cute, but the fact that he would always text me to see if I was awake always made me wonder why he would think of hanging out with me before asking any of his friends. Though, I mean, I do live in his house which is easier for him, and he does know that I have trouble staying up late.

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On a fresh and early Sunday morning, I wake up to my alarm, and the rays of the morning sun peaking through my curtains. Struggling to open my eyes, I force myself to grab my phone and sit up on my bed.

"Shit. I have to get ready" I whisper to myself as I stare at the time on my phone.

8:00am

The other night, Rafe snd his friends invited me to go golfing with them since they realized that I've never golfed before. Little did I know how hard it was going to be for me to wake up so early for it. Then again, I should have already gotten used to waking up early because of me volunteering for the Heywards.

I rush to my bathroom and do a quick shower, then grab one of my tennis skirts and a cropped tight athletic tee to pair with it. I quickly put my dark brown hair in a ponytail, grab the nearest hat that I own to put on my head , and finally slip my socks and shoes on. As I leave my bedroom I freeze in my tracks, realizing that I almost bumped into a tall figure right in front of me. I tilt my head back to notice Rafe in front of me, leaving his bedroom as well. He lets out a slight grin.