𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃─𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

one hundred eighteen.

─☼☼☼─

THE AIR INSIDE town hall was heavy as Rafe and Charlotte stepped inside. 

It seemed that half the island was in attendance, a clear divide down the middle. On one side sat the Pogues...on the other, the Kooks. 

Charlotte scanned the Kook side, her skin prickling at the sight of her former classmates, former friends. She knew none of them were there to support her. No, they were all there to watch her and her friends fail. 

One Kook was staring back at her, eyebrows pushed together in a scowl, nose bandaged and bruised. Charlotte couldn't help but smirk at the appearance of Ruthie Benson, knowing it was her who had caused the pain. 

Ruthie rolled her eyes at Charlotte's smirk, turning her back to her before muttering something to Topper. 

"Bitch," Charlotte whispered under her breath, wishing more than anything that the Pogues' victory was going to be definite. She couldn't bear the thought of them losing Pogulandia 2.0 and having something Ruthie could taunt them with. 

"Look who it is," Drawled a voice, approaching Rafe and Charlotte from behind. "The golden couple is together again." Charlotte and Rafe both turned, eyes landing on the dark haired boy who was regarding them with a grin. "You two are just gluttons for punishment."

Rafe rolled his eyes, hand subconsciously planting itself on the small of Charlotte's back, as if staking his claim. "What do you want, Koffer?"

It had been well over a year since Charlotte had seen Caden Koffer. Last she'd heard he'd finally went to college, pre-law Willa told her.

Not swayed by Rafe's attitude, and rather amused as always, Caden focused on Charlotte. "I actually need to talk to your lady, Cameron," he swivelled his attention toward Rafe. "I mean, if that's fine by you, boss."

Charlotte bristled slightly, feeling like an object rather than a person. "It's perfectly fine," she assured before Rafe could say anything. "But make it quick, Cade."

Rafe clenched and unclenched his jaw three times before he finally conceded. "I'm gonna go find a seat," he said to Charlotte, all but ignoring Caden's presence. 

Relieved that she wasn't about to be forced to witness a pissing contest, Charlotte gave him a small nod. "I'll catch up with you when this thing's done."

With a final glare in Caden's direction, Rafe wordless made his leave, taking a seat toward the back of the room. It wasn't lost on Charlotte that he sat on the Pogue side. 

"So," she breathed, raising her brows at Caden who had ditched the mocking grin, "What's so important that it couldn't wait until this nightmare is over, Cade?"

He clucked his tongue, giving her an empathetic expression. "It's actually about this whole nightmare, so I'll make this quick." He glanced over his shoulder for a moment, as if ensuring no one was listening. "I overheard my dad talking to Judge Thornton earlier today..." he paused, glancing around again. 

Charlotte felt like someone was squeezing all of the air out of her lungs as she waited in suspense. "Spit it out," she hissed, unable to wait any longer. 

Cade refocused on her, giving a small shake of his head. "This thing's already decided...you guys have already lost."

"What?" Charlotte questioned. She could feel the blood rush from her face at his words. "How?"