𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | RAFE CAMERON

Thirteen | M I D S U M M E R S

I tugged at the silky straps of my light blue dress, the fabric clinging to my skin like a second skin. It was the day of Midsummers, the annual summer gathering thrown by the Cameron family, and the whole Outer Banks was abuzz with excitement. The sweet scent of honeysuckle drifted in through my bedroom window, a heady mix with the faint scent of lavender from Lilahs hair oil.

"Lilah, you gonna finish those curls anytime soon?" I asked. Lilah, draped in an emerald green dress that shimmered with sparkles, was perched on my bed, her head bent to the side to as she looked at my vanity mirror.

"Patience, Scarlett," she murmured, spritzing her hair with a mist of hairspray. "It's a night for making a statement, not rushing into things."

I scoffed, pulling open my drawer. "Statement? I'm just tryna get out of this house before my mom catches me with this."

I pulled out my hoodie from yesterday, the one I'd been using as a stash spot for my little stash of weed. "You know, the good stuff."

Lilah raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. "When did you start doing this, Scar? I thought you were all about living a clean life."

"The moment my life flipped on its axis," I replied. "The moment I played the Pogues, the moment I realized I needed a little something to take the edge off."

I recounted my disastrous attempt to betray the Pogues, the way I'd stumbled and fumbled, ending up face-down in the grass by Kie, humiliated and embarrassed. Lilah listened with concern.

"And you're telling me you're going to this thing high? With Rafe Cameron?" Lilah asked. "I'm shocked but impressed... You managed to melt Rafe Camerons cold, black heart."

"Just as I date, that's all," I assured her, pulling out a small, discreet baggie from my purse. "JJ's uncle sells the best stuff he mentioned it once when I was on one of our little missions, so I snagged a little earlier this morning. You can have the stash I got from Barry." I handed it to her.

Lilah shook her head, her smile both amused and serious. She grabbed the flower crowns sitting on my dresser and places it on my head, "Just be careful, okay? I'm counting on you to survive this night without ending up too trashed."

We finally set out to the country club. I spotted Rafe across the crowded lawn, his gaze fixed on me, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. He looked different than usual, tonight. He looked out together and classy.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, his voice a low rumble as he met me halfway.

"Thanks, you look good yourself." I smile.

We talked for a while, his hand resting lightly on my back, his gaze lingering on my eyes.

"We have to greet the guests," he said, "We're going to make our entrance soon, and we have to be out there for my family." He gave me a small smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's... part of the deal of you being my date."

I nodded and we grouped with his family and I say hello to them.

The crowd surged forward, everyone eager to catch a glimpse of the Camerons. We emerged from the country club, with smiles dazzling under the setting sun. I scanned the faces, spotting Kiara in the back, her eyes rolling at the sight of us. She gave me a pointed look, her expression full of annoyance. But I didn't let it ruin my night.

Fairy lights twinkled in the trees, and laughter filled the air, mingling with the sound of ice clinking against glass. I was feeling bold, grabbing the guys to go around back and smoke the weed I had with me that comfortably sat in my bra.

"Hmm." I stared at them both before pulling the joint out of my pocket and popping it out of the tube. "I'll get this by the end of tonight," I announced.