„Well, that was fun", James chuckles when we've finished cleaning up the mess we've made. We're still covered in paint but at least our surrounding looks alright. I recognize the weird feeling in my chest. He's right. It was fun and I'm glad that he's helped me. I enjoy hanging out with former friends from kook school and realize not all kooks are the same, just most. Yet I didn't understand his concrete plan as James made an effort to be around me today.
„Hey uhm. I'm throwing a party tonight, like to come?", James asks me as we enter the house and find all the others hanging out in the living room, „Actually, I'd like to invite you all. Rafe and other certain kooks aren't invited." „It's not like we-"
„Guys, you don't need to-", I try to butt in but Cleo already nods. „Pope and will stop by." "We will?" „Yes, we will." „Figure eight and we don't get along well so we'll stay here", Kie decides for JJ and her whereas John B and Sarah look indecisive.
„Will you be there?", Sarah gives me a look that tells me everything I need to know. She's been not as close as I to Abi and Kim but she can't deny having had good friends on figure eight as well. She's tempted to be around them for a night and so am I. It's just not their party but James'.
„You don't have to decide right now or at all. Just stop by if you'd like. It's just meant as a round of hanging out with old friends", James states friendly. I nod and he asks me to follow him outside.
„What is this supposed to mean?", I ask James as we stand in front of our house. Our house. Owning a house with my friends sounds crazy, yet it's true.
„I think you've figured out what I'm up to." James gives me another one of his charming smiles that could melt ice cubes on its own.
„No", I shake my head instead, „We might have money now but we're no kooks." „Isa.. come on. You know I don't care about this shit."
„That's the thing, James", I sigh taking a step back, „I barely know you. Yes, we went to school together and Abi and I have been friends for years but the two of us never hung out. What are you trying to make work here?"
James shakes his head disappointedly as if he had expected me to say something else. But what did he expect? I know that he's a good guy, kind, smart, supportive. Honestly, that's it. I could say I've had a crush on him during school but I wouldn't stop by the house and help him repair it just for a crush.
„I knew a girl who told me who I am without even trying", James replies softly. A lot more question marks appear on my mind. If his goal was to confuse me, he's been successful. „Let's get some food before we clean up?", James suggests a moment later and points at our dirty clothes, „You're invited." „Alright", I agree hoping to find out more about his intentions.
We've spent the walk to Figure Eight talking about a lot of different topics like his time in college, my adventures with the pogues and how Kildare has changed. Everything but the huge questions that he left me thinking about. Why did he claim that I know him?
„Miss Scott, Mr. Holland. Your dinner is about to be finished in a second", the receptionist at the yacht club tells me. „Sure, thank you."
„What did you order?", I ask James realizing that I haven't told him what I'd like for dinner. „Truffle pasta. I remembered it's your favorite", James tells me so cooly as if he just read the newspaper whereas I look at him with my eyes wide open. „James, why-"
„Uh, what do you look like?" I turn around to find Sofia approaching us in her work clothes but she's still buttoning up her blouse. Behind her, Rafe who stomps out of the employee's room buttoning up his jeans.
„I might return this question", I just reply rolling my eyes. She gets the message and goes back to the bar knowing this isn't worth it. If we picked up a fight again, we'll just be frustrated.
„What are you doing here together?", Rafe stops in front of us staring at the gap between James and I as if we've crossed a line by standing next to each other. He only looks at me like I'm the one who needs to apologize about something. My body tenses knowing what Rafe means. What am I doing here with him. James must notices the change in my body and answers for me.
„Picking up dinner. It's been a long day." Rafe furls his brows nodding towards us. „A long day?" „Rafe-"
„We've been working on the house." „You?", Rafe chuckles, „A kook working for pogues?" „It's called helping out, Rafe", James sighs, „Try it."
Rafe chuckles as I glare at James for trying to get a rise out of Rafe. He's not wrong.. I'm just afraid of these fights.
„Alright", Rafe nods with a smug grin on his lips. When he walks past us, my eyes follow his path realizing he just stayed calm. Did Sofia change him? After all these years, did he learn to drop it when necessary?
„I'm sorry. I couldn't help it", James mumbles apologetically. I lay my hand on his arm to tell him it's fine. Before I can ask him why he's got an issue with Rafe seeing as both went to school and college at the same time and never had a fight, we receive our takeaway bag.
„Let's sit down at the beach?", James suggests although his place isn't far. I'd prefer dinner at the beach over dinner at home anytime but I'm surprised that he suggests this as he'll be throwing a party in just two hours. „Don't you need to prepare anything? I could help you", I offer as he guides me down the stairs and finds a calm place to sit down.
„No, it's not a big deal. Have some time for yourself at home. I'll just cool down the drinks", James replies relaxed but chuckles as we open our food boxes, „We're eating truffle pasta out of a box at the beach. You're really not the kook princess everyone expected you to."
„Guess what", I grin proudly, „It's even worse."
„No, don't tell me you use truffle powder on the cut instead of real truffle", James joins me joking imitating the behavior of kooks. It sounds like he's trying to pretend being Ruthie.
„Worse", I add sarcastically, „I've ordered this pasta as takeaway to eat it on the cut."
James rolls his eyes and acts like he's a girl throwing her hair behind her back. „You're not a real kook, Bella." Watching him makes me lough loudy from the bottom of my heart. It's a laugh that I haven't allowed myself to let out in a long time. I'm feeling released, ready for a new beginning. I'm actually feeling happiness in this moment watching the sun illuminating the ocean while having dinner with James.
YOU ARE READING
ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4
FanfictionIsabella Scott - born as a kook, pogue by heart. In a relationship with JJ Maybank, first love been Rafe Cameron. Kiara as her cousin, Sarah as her best friend. John B as her brother, Topper as her good friend. Many differences but also many chances...
