Dark Clouds || Rafe Cameron || OBX

Twenty three.

"Tie this up." Kie said.

"Guys I'm going to go get the rest. It's taking them too long." Valerie said.

"No. Val, I've already left you once I won't do it again, we can't loose you again." JJ said gently.

"J." She breathed while putting her hands on his cheeks. "I promise, this time it's different." She reassured him.

"Let her go, she needs to find them." Kie interrupted.

JJ thought for a moment. He sighed in defeat before looking at Valerie again. "Fine. But whatever happens, you're gonna leave with us."

Valerie knew she wanted the Kook and pogue war over, she knew all she wanted was Rafe, but they were her family, she needed to leave with them. "Okay." She breathed.

Within minutes she was walking around the boat,  trying to find the rest. She heard the sound of the crane go on. He did it. Pope did it. This was it, all she needed to do now was find the rest and somehow get out of here.

Valerie was about to make a turn for the stairs, until she saw Rafe walking her way. He rubbed his eyes in pain before he could take notice of Val.

"Rafe.." she began to back up.

"Valerie." He breathed out, walking towards her. "You're safe." He smiled. "They're taking the cross, come on, we need to go." He grabbed her wrist but she immediately pulled away. His relieved expression turned into a confused one. "Val-"

"I'm leaving with them." She said in regret, her eyes shutting in the process.

"No. You can't- we discussed this, you wanted to come with me." He shook his head.

"I know, Rafe. But they're my family." A single tear rolled down her cheek. "I love you."

Rafe's eyes widened at her words, he seemed to get more calmer. Rafe's posture was now still, he didnt show any intention in going anywhere. "Val, if you'd love me, you'd leave with me no matter what."

Her hands found the sides of his face, pure pain coming out of her. It killed her to leave him. "I do, I do love you." She reassured him. "That's why I'm leaving, it's best for us, I just got out of a relationship, we would never work."

"Give me a chance, I promise I'll do better." He begged.

"Then let me leave." One tear turned into twenty. Valerie knew she wanted to stay with him, but she needed to leave. She had to go with her friends. She's been their friend longer than she's been with Rafe.

"I can't do that." He spoke lowly.

"But I can." She nodded, her voice cracking in the process. "I love you, so much. You've been nothing but amazing to me." She spoke as one Hand found the back of his head. She gently gripped onto his hair, her eyes burning into his.

"I love you too, Val." He finally said before smashing his lips into hers. She knew she wanted to kiss him forever, but this was a goodbye kiss. As soon as Rafe noticed, he pulled away with tears in his eyes. "I can't let you leave." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry." She began to cry before pushing him away harshly, making him bump into a wall. It was enough time for her to make a run for it. She had no time to look for the others, she knew Rafe was right behind her. She had to pray that they were already on the life boat.