CARPE DIEM - rafe cameron

016.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑
[16]
Champagne Coast | Blood Orange.

☼

𝓣he next few hours were steeped in uncertainty and fear. Arabella stayed at Sarah's side, her friend's anguish noticeable as she grappled with guilt. "What if John B dies, B? It would be my fault," She blamed herself.

"He won't, S. Our dads are taking him to the bests doctors in town. Don't worry," She reassured her, though doubt flickered in her own mind. "Everything will be fine. Just try to rest."

Slowly, the blonde's eyelids grew heavy, the dried tears on her cheeks and the smudged remnants of her makeup stark reminders of her distress. It struck the brunette that her friend's deep feelings for John B could lead to heartbreak, especially since he was a Pogue— trouble seemed to follow them like a shadow.

"Did she fall asleep already?" Rafe asks, leaning against the doorframe of his sister's room, arms crossed.

"Yeah," The green-eyed girl whispered, careful not to wake her friend. "I'm worried about her. I really hope John B gets better soon."

"You need to rest too. It's been a rough night, Belly," Rafe states, his tone gentle yet firm.

"I know," She replies, standing and stretching. "Come on, let's get some sleep." The boy says as they moved to his room, where the familiar chaos of their childhood lay scattered about, now feeling strangely comforting.

As the girl settled into his bed, she rested her head on his arm. "There's so much happening.—I just want everything to be normal again, you know?" She murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Things have changed since you left, Belly. We've changed," He says, the weight of his words hanging in the air. It was a reminder that they were no longer carefree children competing for waves at the beach; the stakes were higher now.

"Yeah, I know," She replies, her eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion enveloped her.

After less than an hour a sudden voice interrupted the stillness. "C'mon, let's go." Richard barked as he stepped into Rafe's room, his tone laced with irritation. Arabella, too tired to respond, remained asleep, oblivious to the tension.

"She's tired." The blue-eyed boy says, carefully extracting his arm from under her head. "I think she should sleep here tonight."

"Are you her dad now?" Richard shots back, sarcasm dripping from his words. "Ward, control your son." He adds, his voice thick with frustration.

"Richard, let them sleep. It's been a chaotic night. I'll drive Bella home in the afternoon," Ward replies, his voice steady, though the undercurrent of annoyance was clear.

"Fine, whatever," Richard muttered, turning to leave. "We still need to discuss the business. We're closer than we think..." His words trailed off as he exited, leaving an uncomfortable silence.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Ward hisses, the door still ajar. "You don't think I noticed you left with Arabella at the party?"

"Sarah left too!" Rafe shot back defensively, feeling the unfairness of his father's anger directed solely at him.

"Yeah, but not with Richard's daughter. What were you doing? Why is she in your bedroom?—Because you want to sleep with her? Tell me now, Rafe, what were you thinking?" Ward threatens, the fear behind his bravado evident. He was terrified that if anything happened to the girl because of his son, he would have trouble with his friend.