ROCK BOTTOM ~ Rafe Cameron // OC // JJ Maybank

FIFTY THREE.

tw: slight violence

There were three main versions of Rafe.

Bexley came to this conclusion a long time ago.

When they first started dating, she'd notice how inconsistent his behavior was, how he turned into a different person depending on his mood. At first, she swore he had two different personalities. But after living with him, after knowing him, she was now sure there were actually three versions of Rafe Cameron.

And now, because she was planning on using Rafe to get out of here, she forced herself to make a mental list of how to identify and deal with each version:

1. Insecure Rafe

Most people would incorrectly identify this as 'Angry Rafe', but anyone who knew him would realize his worst spouts of anger only ever came from insecurity. That's what had happened earlier, why he screamed at her and threw her in a locked pipe closet. She didn't want to talk to him, or acknowledge him. He lost the attention she always used to give him, and he knew it was because he didn't have the same hold on her that he used to. She was moving on from him, and that's why she didn't blindly do what he said. It scared him. That's what she had to remind herself, he was only crazy because he was insecure and scared. It's the same thing that triggered all of his awful anger issues.

How to take care of an Insecure Rafe? Assure him. Rose had mostly been right, if Bexley was calm he'd stay that way for the most part. But if he started yelling, she just had to blindly agree with whatever he said. Vocally comfort him. Physically comfort him. Place a hand on his back, or arm and console him.

But don't cry. Never cry when Rafe's yelling. Because crying makes Rafe realize how horrible he is being, and then he starts thinking about how he doesn't deserve Bexley, and then he gets worse and does whatever he can to keep her from being able to leave.

And most importantly, when dealing with Insecure Rafe, she had to remember to be smaller than him. Bexley would have to let him think he's above her, and then his insecurity would eventually wither away.

2. Broken Rafe

Broken Rafe was very similar to Insecure Rafe in emotion, but this version of him is so heartbroken that he doesn't have the energy for anger. Broken Rafe is the one who always reeled her back in. The one who'd fall to his knees sobbing, begging her not to leave.

The craziest part is that Broken Rafe wasn't manipulative like Insecure Rafe was. He was pitiful, and impossible not to empathize with. He craved nothing but acceptance, and she was the only one who really gave it to him, so he now only craved her. Broken Rafe was the most open he'd ever be. In the long run, had he shown other people this side of him while growing up, maybe a lot of issues would have been addressed, and he would've ended up better.

How to deal with Broken Rafe? Opposite of before. She had to be bigger than him. Of course he could use soothing comfort, but more than anything she needed to speak with more authority. "You're not worthless. So stop acting like you are." When she was more stern with him, he'd trust that she was being honest, so everything would just pour out of him. When she was dealing with Broken Rafe, she was the boss, and she needed to remember to act like it. It was the only way to get through to him in this state.

3. Her Rafe.

This third and final version of him was self explanatory. The Rafe she fell in love with. The one that was a little dumb, a little too cocky, a little too into her.

The Rafe that would tease her for wanting to get a job at the Country Club, but then visit her there every single day. The Rafe that would complain about The Cut, and then spend everyday at her shitty house. Her Rafe, the drug addict that once got clean for her.