The Lines We've Crossed

SIX

The day before the hurricane hit, Sarah, Tyler, Rafe, and I piled into the car to go grocery shopping. Sarah had insisted we have a hurricane party, and while the idea of being stuck inside with Rafe didn't thrill me, the thought of spending time with my best friend and my brother made it bearable. To make things even better, Sarah had invited the Pogues to join us later, promising an evening of fun before the storm hit.

The nearest supermarket was bustling with activity. Everyone in town seemed to have the same idea: stock up on essentials before the storm hit. The air was thick with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Alright, let's split up," Sarah suggested as we grabbed a cart. "Rafe and Heather, you guys get the snacks and drinks. Tyler and I will handle the essentials."

I groaned inwardly. Of course, I'd get stuck with Rafe. "Great," I muttered. "Let's get this over with."

Rafe smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Come on, Heather. It'll be fun."

"Yeah, right," I mumbled, pushing the cart down the first aisle.

As we started picking out snacks, the bickering began almost immediately.

"We need chips," I said, grabbing a couple of bags.

Rafe shook his head. "No way. We need pretzels. They're better."

"Better? Who likes pretzels more than chips?" I shot back, rolling my eyes.

"Me, obviously," he retorted, reaching for a bag of pretzels and tossing it into the cart.

I huffed, putting the chips back. "Fine, but we're getting dip too. Otherwise, your precious pretzels are going to be boring."

Rafe chuckled. "Sure, whatever you say, princess."

We moved on to the drink aisle, where the argument continued.

"Beer and wine coolers," Rafe declared, grabbing a case of each.

"We need something non-alcoholic too," I argued. "Not everyone wants to drink during a hurricane."

"Alright, Miss Responsible," Rafe said with a mocking tone, grabbing a few bottles of soda. "Happy now?"

I glared at him. "Ecstatic."

Tyler and Sarah found us in the cereal aisle, both of them carrying armfuls of canned goods and other essentials.

"How's it going?" Sarah asked, her eyes darting between Rafe and me.

"Fantastic," I replied sarcastically. "Rafe and I have discovered we have vastly different tastes in snacks."

Tyler chuckled. "You two are like an old married couple."

Rafe laughed. "Yeah, except I wouldn't be caught dead marrying someone as stubborn as Heather."

"Right back at you," I shot back, but there was a hint of a smile on my lips. Despite the bickering, there was something almost fun about it.

We continued shopping, with Tyler and Sarah occasionally stepping in to mediate when our arguments got too heated.

At one point, Rafe and I were debating the merits of different types of cookies when Sarah intervened.

"Alright, enough," she said, putting a hand on each of our shoulders. "We're getting both kinds, and that's final."

Rafe and I exchanged glances, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Fine. But if the cookies you picked out suck, I'm blaming you."

"Deal," Rafe said with a grin.

As we headed to the checkout, I couldn't help but notice how Tyler and Sarah were watching us. There was a look of concern on their faces, but also something else. Maybe they were hoping this forced togetherness would help Rafe and me get along better. Or maybe they just found our constant bickering amusing.

We loaded the car with our groceries and headed back to the Cameron's house. The wind was starting to pick up, and the sky was growing darker. The impending hurricane loomed over us, but for now, we were focused on the party.

Back at the house, we unloaded the groceries and started setting up. The living room was soon filled with an assortment of snacks and drinks, and Sarah put on some music to lighten the mood. I had texted the Pogues to come party with us because we for sure bought too much for just the four of us! The Pogues arrived shortly after, bringing more supplies and their usual energy.

"Alright, let's get this party started," Sarah said, raising a wine cooler in a toast.

"To survive the storm," Tyler added, clinking his beer against Sarah's bottle.

"And to not kill each other in the process," I said, giving Rafe a pointed look.

Rafe smirked. "Cheers to that."

The Pogues settled in, and soon the house was filled with laughter and chatter. We played games, told stories, and even managed to laugh together. It was strange, but amid all the tension, there were glimpses of something else – something almost like camaraderie.

At one point, JJ couldn't resist commenting. "So, Heather, how's it going with your new best friend, Rafe?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, it's been just delightful. We've bonded over our mutual love of bickering."

"Sounds about right," Pope said with a grin. "You two could argue about anything."

Sarah laughed. "It's true. I've seen them debate the merits of different types of cereal."

John B chimed in. "Hey, as long as you're not killing each other, I'd say it's progress."

JJ leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You know, they say there's a thin line between love and hate."

I shot him a glare. "Don't even start, JJ."

Tyler laughed, shaking his head. "You guys are relentless. But honestly, it's kind of entertaining."

As the night went on, I found myself relaxing more. The hurricane was still a threat, but for now, we were safe and together. Despite the bickering, there was a strange sense of unity among us. We were facing the storm together, and somehow, that made it all a little less daunting.

Later, as the party started to wind down, I noticed Rafe standing by the window, looking out at the darkening sky. I walked over, a drink in my hand.

"Hey," I said softly. "You okay?"

He glanced at me, then back at the window. "Yeah, just thinking about the storm. It's going to be a rough one."

I nodded. "Yeah, but we'll get through it. We always do."

Rafe looked at me, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Thanks, Heather."

I smiled back. "No problem. Just remember, if you need someone to argue with, I'm always here."

He laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

By the time we all finally went to bed, I felt a mix of exhaustion and relief. The next day, the hurricane would hit, and we'd have to deal with whatever came our way. But for now, I was grateful for this unexpected camaraderie – even if it did come with a side of constant bickering.

As I lay in bed, listening to the wind howling outside, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe, just maybe, this hurricane would bring us all a little closer together.