𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

②①

...

Jazmine left the party, each word Rafe had spoken echoing painfully in her mind, like knives cutting deeper with every step. The world felt blurry and distant, as if she was floating outside of herself, struggling to process the betrayal that had shattered her. 

She'd thought she'd found something real, something sincere between them—something she'd never known before. But now, there was only an aching emptiness, growing heavier with every moment.

Without even bothering to get her car, she walked all the way to the beach, lost in thought. After a half-hour of wandering, she reached the shore, the cool sand under her feet grounding her slightly, helping ease some of the pain. 

The beach was alive with activity—kids played in the sand, surfers caught the waves, and a gentle breeze softened the air around her.

As she stared at the ocean, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

Kiara approached, looking surprised and slightly concerned. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

Jazmine offered a sad smile. "Rafe's having a party... lots of people at his place. I just needed to get out."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, examining Jazmine's face closely. "Are you sure it's just that? You don't look okay."

After a pause, she added softly, "Look, I hate Rafe with everything I've got, but you can talk to me. No one has to know, I promise."

Jazmine looked down, nervously twisting a strand of her hair. "It's just... since I got here, so much has happened. I was only supposed to help Rafe with a deal, that's all..."

Kiara stayed quiet, encouraging her to keep going.

"But then I found out I had a sister, I met people... and for the first time, I thought I'd found a place where I actually fit, you know? I thought maybe... I'd found my place." She gave a slight shrug, a wistful smile on her lips. "But maybe I was wrong. Maybe it was all just an illusion."

Kiara looked at her closely, her gaze steady. "Is any of this about Rafe?"

Jazmine sighed, feeling torn. "I don't know what to think about him anymore."

Kiara gave a small, bitter laugh. "Well, I've got my mind made up about him, that's for sure."

A slightly bitter smile crossed Jazmine's lips. "I don't know what he did to you all, Kie... but I swear, he's different with me. He's kind, attentive, gentle. No one's ever treated me like this."

Kiara sighed, her voice laced with exasperation. "Oh, please."

 She looked away, remembering all the little gestures, the stolen moments. "He's sweet, he's thoughtful, he buys me all these things I don't even need. He takes care of me."

Kiara rolled her eyes. "Oh, please! He's a guy, Jazmine. They all know how to act nice when it suits them."

Jazmine turned to face the ocean, Kiara's words echoing in her mind. "Maybe you're right," she murmured softly.

"Listen to me," Kiara continued, her voice taking on a sharp edge. "Rafe is the worst person on this planet. Maybe his dad takes the top spot, but Rafe's not far behind."

Annoyed, Jazmine clenched her jaw. "Stop saying that. What has he even done to you guys, other than take that stupid cross?"

Even now, she kept defending him.

Kiara let out a hollow laugh. "Oh, I could give you thousands of examples."

"Go on then" Jazmine challenged, her voice hardening.