DROWNING IN YOU // Rafe Cameron

10

I trudged through the soft sand as Sarah ran ahead of our group. Her dirty blonde hair spun in the wind, Topper chasing after her. I complimented her floral wrap dress in the car, knowing she loved to look good. Kelce had met us in the parking lot, going on and on about how his mom had him cleaning up post-hurricane mess all day.

"And she just kept ordering me around and wasn't having my sisters do shit." He continued ranting as the group of teens came into view. I was walking between Carter and Kelce, not wanting to spend excess time with the older Cameron boy.

"Tell me about it dude. You think Sarah does shit? No, she doesn't. I run that fucking house." The blonde boy spoke, causing my eyes to almost roll out of my head. 

"Speaking of sister's who didn't do shit today," I heard my brother begin, already preparing myself for an argument. "How come I had to help Dad clean the yard while you sat in bed?" Carter questioned as he lightly shoved me. I slapped his stomach, threatening to aim lower next time.

"I'll have you know I cleaned my room today. And that, is an accomplishment." I politly answered with a gleaming smile before flipping him off and walking ahead to find Sarah ane Topper. 

She was climbing a red, washed up, buoys when I found her. Topper stood at the foot of the object thatb belonged deep in the waves as he asked her to get down.

"Look! At the sea line!" She laughed as she pointed towards the blue water.

"Little help?" He asked me, putting his arms up as if he was going to catch her.

"She's not five Top, I think she can survive a fall." I groaned out, hating the way the couple went mushy and baby talked eachother. I decided to leave the entire group, venturing to the party alone. They would end up there eventually, and I would be able to spot Kelce in his vibrant green shirt anywhere on the island. 

Teens around me yelled and laughed with eachother, pogues, kooks, and tourists alike. A few friends from school had came and talked to me, but I was now looking through the sand at the contents that Agatha had washed in. Post-hurricane shell hunting was one of my favorite past times. The rough waves pick up whatever is buried in the sand out at sea and brings it to the shore, giving me all new shells and relics for my room.

"You lose an earring?" A voice disrupted my focused thoughts. My head snapped up from being craned over, eyes searching the sand. The ocean blue eyes I saw the other day looked over me as his blonde toussled hair danced in the breeze. He held a red solo cup topped with beer that dripped down the side.

"Uh, shell hunting." I laughed out, half embarrassed I chose to find shells at a party. I held out my hand, showing him the colorful ones I had found so far. Jesus could I act anymore like a toddler? JJ Maybank let out a small laugh, but examined the contents of my hand closely.

"I like that one the most." Was all he said before I was beckoned from above.

"Olivia!" Carter shouted from a group containing Rafe, Kelce, and a few other boys I didn't know. Every set of eyes were on me. I adjusted my top before mouthing "sorry" to JJ and walking up the beach. He simply nodded, knowing they would've stomped over in seconds if I didn't comply.

I approached with a slight scowl and eyes that could kill. "Can I help you?" I asked as I put my hand on my hip. 

"Yeah, how about you enjoy tonight with your friends and not some ass from the Cut." Carter ordered as he brought his beer to his lips. He looked around at his friends, almost trying to amuse them. I scoffed, confused as to why JJ was an "ass". Sure I know the pogue-kook battle ran as deep as bloodlines on the island, but the hatered must have gotten worse since I was last home.