STRANGE LOVE | RAFE CAMERON |

CHAPTER 24: | KOOK PRINCESS |

The news of Rafe's capture spread quickly, sending shockwaves through the Outer Banks community. Those who knew the Camerons were divided in their opinions—some felt sympathy for the family, while others believed justice was finally being served. The Cameron name, once associated with prestige and power, now carried the weight of scandal and disgrace.

For Allison, the day after Rafe's arrest was a disorienting blur. She stayed with Jessica, but her mind constantly replayed her last conversations with Rafe. A turbulent mix of sorrow, anger, and confusion filled her heart. The fear of never seeing him again gnawed at her, even as she wrestled with the knowledge of his crimes.

・ • ・ • ・

Jessica and Allison sat in the living room, the room heavy with a silence that neither of them knew how to break. Jessica's mind raced, trying to think of something, anything, that might pull Allison out of the dark cloud that had settled over her since Rafe's arrest. The normally vibrant and confident Allison had become a shadow of herself, and Jessica felt helpless watching her friend unravel.

"So, there's an annual bonfire party happening," Jessica suggested, her voice tentative. She hoped the familiar event might offer some distraction, even if just for a few hours. "I thought we could go."

Allison didn't even lift her head to acknowledge the suggestion. Her gaze remained fixed on the floor, her voice flat and devoid of emotion when she finally responded, "Jessica, I'm not going to a party."

Jessica's heart sank. She had known the idea was a long shot, but she couldn't help trying. "I get it, I do," she said, her tone gentle but persistent. "But maybe it would help, you know? Being around people, having a drink... just not thinking about everything for a little while."

Allison shook her head, the movement slow and heavy. "No. Rafe has been arrested, and you want me to party?" Her voice cracked at the end, betraying the calm facade she was trying to maintain.

Jessica flinched at the raw pain in Allison's voice. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I just thought—"

Allison cut her off, her words spilling out in a rush as if she couldn't hold them back any longer. "What if... what if he goes to prison? How much time do you get for murder, Jessica? Years? Decades? He... he could get the death penalty." Her voice broke, tears welling up in her eyes as the fear she had been trying to suppress came crashing to the surface.

"He's not going to get the death penalty," Jessica said quickly, trying to reassure her. But even as the words left her mouth, she knew they were empty. She had no idea what Rafe's fate would be, and she hated herself for not being able to offer Allison the certainty she so desperately needed.

"You don't know that," Allison shot back, her voice rising in panic. Her breathing quickened, her chest heaving as the weight of her thoughts bore down on her. "Oh my God. What if that happens?"

"It's not going to happen, Allison," Jessica insisted, but the rising pitch of her voice betrayed her own uncertainty. She watched helplessly as Allison's panic grew, her friend's eyes wide and unfocused.

Allison's hands clutched at her chest, her breaths coming in shallow, rapid gasps. "I never... I never said it back," she choked out, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Jessica frowned in confusion. "What? What are you talking about?"

"He told me he loved me," Allison said, her voice trembling. "And I didn't say it back. And now I might never get the chance." The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, and she began to hyperventilate, the room spinning around her.

Jessica's own heart raced as she recognized the signs of a panic attack. She reached out, trying to steady Allison, who was now stumbling backward, her eyes wide with fear. "Calm down, Allison. You're having a panic attack. You need to breathe."