𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬| 𝑅𝑎𝑓𝑒 𝐶𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑛

fifteen

"What the actual hell are you doing?"

Banksie said as she stared at the Cameron boy through her window, her hands on her hips, one of her eyebrows raised.

"Just let me in, Loey."

"Pfft, yeah, okay," she rolled her eyes, not moving from the current position she was in. "What do you want?" she asked.

"For you to let me in."

"I'm surprised you haven't just let yourself in," she shrugged.

"I'm not going to come in if you don't want me to, Loey," he stated.

Her face fell for a moment in thought before she sighed and told him he could come in.

"Okay, now can I help you?" she asked. "I wanted to sleep," she rolled her eyes, walked to the side of her bed, and sat down.

Rafe looked at her for a second, his eyes naturally looking her up and down, eyeing where her clothes sat on her body. When he looked back at her, a single eyebrow was raised, and a smirk was plastered on her face.

"Are you done?"

"My dad kicked me out."

"...Huh?" was all she could say.

"I need somewhere to stay," he said. Now looking up at her, he began to fidget with his fingers as he turned to pace up and down her room. "And I know your dad knows people, and I can't go to anyone my dad knows because they'll tell him and-"

"Just stay here," she blurted out, not even thinking.

"What?"

"You can stay here... for tonight, and then you can speak to my dad in the morning."

Rafe fell silent and stood still. His gaze landed on the circular blue carpet, his fingers tapping on his leg.

"Rafe?"

No response.

But that's when she saw it, a tear running down his cheek.

This was the first time she'd seen him like this; she had only ever seen him violent. She couldn't have even imagined this would have affected Rafe Cameron.

She walked over to him, his gaze still on the floor as more and more tears fell. And for the first time, for probably a very long time, he was shown kindness.

Banksie didn't even think about it, she just hugged him, tightly.

She felt him tense up, which brought his mind back from its state.

She was ready for him to push her off, but he didn't. It took its time, but he relaxed little by little. It was as if it was a test, and he was trying not to trigger the trap.

She hugged him tighter, encouraging him to know it was okay. She reached to his neck, running her hands through his hair in a try of comfort.

And slowly, but surely, he hugged her back.

Which was surprising to her, at the very least.

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his eyes. The sadness in them was overwhelming, and for a moment, she felt a pang of sympathy she never thought she'd feel for Rafe Cameron.

Rafe's eyes flicked down to her lips, and for a second, the world seemed to hold its breath.

She wasn't sure what to do. This was Rafe Cameron, someone she loathed. Instead, she found herself leaning in, her breath mingling with his.

He moved closer, their faces just inches apart, and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. She closed her eyes, anticipating the kiss, but just as their lips were about to meet, he pulled away abruptly.

Banksie opened her eyes, her heart still pounding in her chest. She swallowed hard. "It's okay," she said softly, trying to hide her own confusion and disappointment. "Let's just get some rest."

Rafe nodded, grateful for the out.

"Follow me, spare bedroom just up the hall," she smiled awkwardly. Rafe nodded.

Banksie led him out of her room and up to the polished but basic spare bedroom. She couldn't believe she almost had a certain moment with Rafe.

She wouldn't have imagined it in a hundred years.

"Okay, so, bathroom through this door, any spare clothes and stuff in here, and uh, yeah that's about it," she nodded.

"Thanks."

"Mhm," she trailed off with a smile before leaving the room as fast as she could.

As soon as she got to her bedroom and shut the door, she stood there for a moment.

"Why the hell didn't he just say that over the phone?"

HELLO.

So, took a little longer but it's here.

this chapters also a little short but oh well.

i hope you're all enjoying what we you're doing. whether you're on holidays, half term, etc etc.

and uh, yeah.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES. i'll see you next time.

BUH BAI