Pretty When You Cry ୨୧ Rafe Cameron

forty two

"Oh my god, I was joking! I didn't think you were actually—"

"Can we not, Kie? I hate the word," Isla sighed, before groaning into Kiara's decorative pillow.

"It's— yeah I was gonna say it's gonna be fine, but I'm not gonna lie, this is bad." Kiara wanted to laugh at her friend honestly, the Isla she'd known a year or two ago wouldn't have even went near Rafe Cameron. Now, at a fresh seventeen, she was knocked up with his baby. It was a twisted humour.

"No shit this is bad. Rafe's all weird with me now, not that I blame him. I feel weird with me too," Isla said.

"He loves you. He'll come through. You guys have that aggressive kind of love that's just unavoidable no matter how much you're mad at each other and try to kill eachother or whatever. I mean, it was only a few months ago the boy put a blade to your throat. Just because he's pissed at the situation doesn't mean he'll break things off with you."

"He didn't want this. Ever, Kiara. I hadn't even thought about it. It's a lot," Isla explained. "He hasn't said a word to me since the appointment, only 'ok' after I told him to drop me here."

"Have you told your brother?" Kiara asked.

"No, and I'm dreading that. He's gonna try and kill Rafe. I don't want the drama."

"Isla, it's drama already. This is insane shit," Kiara replied. "But you know I'm here for you, Iz. I don't care what happens, I'm here. I won't leave you alone in this."

"I know. And I love you for that. I just wish this wasn't happening," Isla sighed.

"Well it's definitely happening," Kiara responded. "But hey, atleast you don't have any parents to tell."

Isla let out a dry laugh at her blunt honesty.

"That came out harsh, but it's true," Kiara replied. "You've just gotta deal with your brother. And Pope. And JJ, which will probably be even worse than your brother."

"Why would JJ be worse?"

"He's still totally in love with you, Isla. Can't you see that?"

Huh? Isla had thought that those feelings were a thing of the past. She'd almost forgotten about her and JJ's two minute relationship, if she was being honest.

"He knows I love Rafe."

"So? I mean yeah, he knows that, but I heard him talking to John B and let me tell you, he hates that fact."

"Oh," Isla replied. She didn't know what to make of that. She loved JJ as a friend, always had, always would. It wouldn't be anything more because it wasn't meant to be.

"He's gonna be pissed that he doesn't even have a chance anymore. I mean, Rafe put his claim on you in the most claimy way possible."

"Jesus, you make it sound like it was intentional. And weirdly caveman-ish."

"I know it wasn't. But it's true. You've literally got a piece of him inside you."

"Thanks for reminding me. Real nice," Isla huffed.

"You'll be okay, Isla. You're the strongest person I know. You've been through more than any of us. This is just another bad thing happening to you in the scheme of many, and you always overcome them and come out stronger. You're the baddest bitch of them all."

"A bad bitch who feels like an idiot on legs. I should've noticed sooner. I should've done something. I could've done something, but I ignored the signs. Do you remember what I used to say back in freshman year about Ethan cheating on me?" Isla said.