DROWNING IN YOU // Rafe Cameron

6

The ride home consisted of Rafe having to pull over 3 times for Kelce to puke, while Sarah sat on my lap in the front seat.

"Kelce dude pull yourself together man!" Carter yelled as Topper helped him inside his house. The rest of the car ride consisted of quiet conversations and rap music as Rafe sped through our neighborhood. His reckless driving had me clutching the door handle and center console the entire ride.

"Jeez Rafe what's the rush?" I asked sarcatically while looking at him.

"Don't tell me how to drive." He responded, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. I simply scoffed and returned my attention to the window. Someone's panties are in a twist.

Finally arriving to our humble abode, Sarah let me out of the tall truck and gave me a quick hug.

"I love you, and I will most definitly see you tomorrow whether you like it or not!" She yelled as the siblings drove off.

Carter and I silently entered our house, before going our separate ways. Since I chose the bedroom upstairs, his room was basically the entire basement. Not that I minded, I loved balcony too much to let it go to waste on him.

I got ready for bed and began to go over the night in my head. As I stood in my bathroom, I felt a wave of nostalgia, yet difference in my house. The last time I was here, Sarah and I would come home late from trying to catch fish rather than partying. I wondered what my life would look like if I had never left. Maybe I would feel less out of place. Or maybe boys wouldn't be so angry with me for not wanting to sleep with them. Actually, nothing would change that. My mind slowly drifted to seeing Rafe earlier. It was odd to see him protecting me with Carter, rather than them both being the villians that older brothers usually are. I still questioned the glances he made in my direction. The second I felt butterflies in my stomach, I crushed them. Morbid, but it needed to happen. There was never, and will never be any feelings, between me and Rafe. Besides, he's a dick.

By the time I had gotten into bed, I could barely keep my eyes open. I don't think I'll survive the summer if we party this much.
...

The morning light shined through my curtains as the waves crashed on the sand. I had already slept in late enough, and decided to begin my venture downsairs. Mom was sitting at the island with her computer as she drank her mornig coffee.

"Good morning sweetie, how are you?" She asked as she sipped from her blue mug. Her hair was in a bun, and her makeup was natural yet perfect.

"I'm good. Just tired. Did Dad leave?" I responded, noticing the silence in the house. Before work, he would typically go for a run, usually forcing Carter along.

"Yes he had to meet with Ward a little earlier than usual. He'll be back for dinner though." She answered while brushing my hair behind my ear. "What sounds good for tonight? I'm thinking of inviting the Cameron's and Gladstone's over. We could do salmon or pot roast? What do you think?" My mom loved hosting, whether it be Christmas dinner or just a taco Tuesday, she was all over it.

"Um, well the boys will eat anything. I think salmon sounds good." I answered as I walked to get a bowl and cereal. She hummed a respose before going back to her computer. The Gladstone's were a family from the neighborhood, having bought their house from Dad. Although their kids were younger than us, Mom made sure to always invite them to events. They had twin daughters and one son, Taylor, April, and Josh. The girls were 13 while Josh was only 6. I had babysat them a few times before I moved, but hadn't seen them since.

"Baby do you think you would be able to swing by the store later today? I need brussel sprouts and dinner rolls." Mom asked as she closed her laptop. She walked around the counter and gave me a kiss on the cheek, before disappearing downstairs to the laundry room. I responded "yes" before finsihing my cereal and rinsing my bowl, followed by my phone ringing. A picture of Sarah from 6th grade appeared on my screen, making me laugh.

"Hey Shithead" I answered.

"Um, rude. Anyways, I was wanting to see if you would come to the beach today." She responded. I could hear her rolling her eyes through the screen.

"Yeah that sounds good. I just need to swing by the grocery store before or after for my mom. Did you know there is mandatory dinner at my house tonight?" I questioned, unsure if my mom had texted Rose yet.

"Ugh, no. I was hoping to have a chill night but now it will be filled with the battle of us versus our brothers." Sarah groaned out.

"And Taylor and April." I added in a sing-song voice. Sarah groaned even louder, now knowing there would be a limit on how much alcohol our parents would be giving us, as we need to set a "good example".

"I swear to god if they try to bring their chickens over I'm leaving." Sarah stated causing me to laugh. The Gladstone's were not only known for having a large helping of chickens, but also letting their children have free rein with the birds. Some might see it as weird, but I personally liked the little feathered chicken tenders.

"Oh they won't. Besides, maybe we can convince them to annoy the boys instead of us. They always had crushes on Rafe and Carter when they were like 5, right?"

"Yeah that's true. Okay well, I'll meet you at Turtle Bay at 11. Bring your tanning oil pleaseeeee!" Sarah responded in a pleading voice. I agreed and then hungup, going to my cloet to pick out a bikini.

I chose a blue floral swimsuit with a tank top and cotton shorts. My hair was in a messy bun as I walked downstairs with my tote bag in hand. Not bothering to let anyone know where I was off to, I grabbed my keys and hopped in my car. With windows down, the light breeze and Don Toliver caused a smile to spread across my face. Being back in Kildare was what I had been waiting for. Life in the city felt claustrophobic, with all the smog, cars, and crackheads. Girls who only knew of concrete floors and bright lights. I was built for the sand and peace of the ocean. I had been lost in my thoughts when a blonde boy ran into the middle of the road, forcing me to slam on my breaks.

"Dude I almost hit you!" I yelled as he turned to look at me. I recognized his cocky grin with his cut off Coors Light shirt. JJ Maybank. The wildest child of the OBX.

"Olivia?" He asked as he walked towards my car. I rolled my eyes. Of course he wouldn't care that I almost turned him into road kill. JJ and I were never friends really, let alone close pals, so I was kind of suprised he recognized me.

"JJ?" I responded, just making sure.

"Well how the hell did the tide pull you in?" He said as he leaned on my car door. He had gotten taller, stronger, and definitly more attractive since the last time I saw him.

"I uh, I moved back." I answered as I looked around to make sure my brother and his friends weren't in the vicinity. They would freak if they saw JJ within 6 feet of me.

"No shit. Well, I gotta meet John B, so I'll catch you later!" He stated as he backed away from my car. I simply waved him off before continuing on to the beach.