ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

standings

„Glad we could make it today", Rafe smiles at me as he steps out of his bedroom. Somehow he managed to persuade me to spend the day with him. I gave in hoping we could find a way to be just acquaintances. Sofia isn't here so he seems to be serious. I was worried he would try to make me jealous instead. 

„What's your plan?", I ask interested looking around. He only takes his cellphone, nothing else. „It's a surprise." I raise an eyebrow sceptically but keep my mouth shut. I don't want to have a discussion already. We take Rafe's bike and it takes about ten minutes to get where he planned, the horse farm. I haven't been here in ages and I'm actually surprised that he remembers. 

I used to come here regularly before I went to high school. I loved horse riding but I didn't have enough time to come here when I've spent more time in school and on parties. „Copper!", I yell surprised when I see the horse I loved the most, „He's still here." 

„Of course he is", Rafe nods smiling proudly, „I bought him last year. It was supposed to be a present for you when we got back together but despite our break up, you should come here whenever you want to." I take a surprised look at Rafe and hug him thankfully. We might have our differences but it's still a nice gesture. 

Rafe gives me some time to enjoy my time here and lay down with the horses. I also take a ride on Copper and feed him. It feels like the time before we first started dating. Despite our family issues, life was easy back then. After about an hour I get back to Rafe and hug him as a thank you. He throws me in the air and keeps me in his arm again. 

„Does James know what makes you happy?" I scoff immediately pushing Rafe by his chest to get some distance. „That's what you took me here for? I should have known this is just some stupid trick", I mutter angrily and push him away when he tries to hold me again, „Get away from me. I'll go home by myself." 

Before Rafe gets another chance to make me stay, I run away from the farm and only stop when I reach a lonely spot next to the road. I'm aware that I'd need about an hour back to the cut and think about my options. I could ask a pogue to pick me up but I know that they're working on the house and I told them I'd take a day off to spend time with my dad. They'd call me insane if they knew I'd given Rafe another chance.

„Isa, are you alright?", James asks me as soon as he picks up the phone. „I might need a ride", I sigh admitting to myself that I was wrong, „Would you mind picking me up at the horse farm?" „The one that you used to go to?" How does he know? Abigail never joined me so- „I listened to you and laid an eye on you. You used to go to school in riding clothes." „Yes, it's this one." „Be there soon."

„How'd you get there?", James asks confused as I get into his jeep. I sigh. „Rafe took me horse riding and I thought we would establish a relationship like dad would like it but he asked me about you so I left." „Topper talked to him, hm?"

„Yeah which is stupid because there's nothing to talk about." James gives me a sad look but I shrug it off. „Isa-"

„James.. I thank you for being honest with me but it's not like this would work. It's way too complicated." I look outside the window as I notice that James is driving back to Tanneyhill. „Why are you heading towards Figure eight?"

„We'll solve this now. Rafe can't decide what happens in your life forever." I roll my eyes about the fact that he's another boy to try to save me when I don't need it but I am aware of James' intention. It's not about toxic masculinity. Instead, he tries to actually help me no matter what I think about it. I could hate him for butting in but he'd know he's made the right choice.

„I can figure it out myself", I sigh wanting to avoid an actual fight with the kooks, „I won't be around figure eight anymore." „You think that's the solution? Hiding from the place you grew up in? You belong to the cut and figure eight and no one should make you stay away from either." 

„I'm not hiding", I claim quickly and realize that it doesn't feel like hiding anymore, „Actually, I don't want to hang around figure eight anyways. It's not only Rafe but all the other kooks really believing that pogues aren't worth a penny. They're born on one side of the island and think all the good stuff belongs to them. This is sick." I notice that James has stiffen in his seat. „Shit, I didn't mean you or Abs. I'm sorry, James, I-" 

„No, no, you're right. I didn't know what it was but something made me hate this side of the island. I assumed that pogues felt bad when kooks were around but it the day I've helped you on the cut, I've realized how you guys don't care about others at all and it's really just kooks continuing this fight. I never understood how serious it is." 

„This means a lot coming out of a kook's mouth", I joke lightly to lighten up his mood, „Don't feel bad, please. It's not about you or all the kooks in general. It's about people like Rafe and Topper who threaten people or burn down houses." „They did what?" 

„Topper burned down John B's home when J got back with Sarah", I nod trying not to be sad about it as Topper shouldn't win. He can burn down every house we build and we'd just continue building another one. „You can't let-" „Yes, we can. The pogues and I just want peace." „I understand." James nods but his forehead tightens as if he's trying to figure out how to solve this situation.

James changes his opinion and stops in front of the Maybank's house instead of the chateau. I thank him for not trying to start a fight with Rafe for now before I jump out of the Jeep. „Isa, wait please", James mumbles and touches my hand lightly so I turn back around. 

It feels like he's numb the moment he faces me. I give him a look wanting to know what he's about to say. „I understand if you're not ready but-" „James-" 

„Hear me out, please. I know life has been hard for you and your friends and you're already worrying about a million problems that might appear if we go out but give me one chance please. We'll have dinner like friends whether it's at home or in a restaurant. It's up to you." 

As much as the Isabella from two years ago would love to say yes, I can't throw myself into another emotional chaos, not this quickly. „I'll need some time", I whisper knowing James won't be around forever and that I might miss out on a chance to be with a great guy. He came home from college for summer and he'll return to Charleston anyways. 

I have to take a lot of time to make the right decision and to keep my heart save this time. I've let Rafe and JJ hurt me and lost my trust not in men but in relationships. I thank James quietly and jump out to get back to my friends.