fade away youth// rafe cameron

15-KEEP ON, KEEP ON, KEEP ON

Once Sarah was gone Kie calmed down, but she still dipped. I told her I was on her side. That John B was a dick for bringing Sarah around without telling anyone.

I head to Tannyhill to talk with Sarah. We sit out on her dock.

"John B told me it was no big deal," Sarah tells me.

"Obviously he was wrong," I reason.

"It's all Kie's fault," Sarah states.

"And she says it's yours so," I tell her. Sarah scoffs. "I think you two just need to work through your shit."

"I will when she does," Sarah tells me.

I sigh. "I just don't want John B to have to choose between the two of you. Because honestly, he won't. Then it's gonna be him stuck in the middle. I know you don't want that." Sarah looks slightly guilty. "So, you and John B?"

She smiles. "Yeah."

"When did it happen?" I ask. "How did it happen?"

"I was helping him with your little treasure hunt," Sarah tells me.

"So, you broke up with Topper?" I ask.

Sarah nods. "Yeah."

"Good," I tell her. "Topper's a douche and I'm not just saying that 'cause John B is my friend."

As I walk through the yard towards my own, I spot Rafe standing by my car. I smile slightly.

"Fancy meeting you here," I joke.

"What are you doing tonight?" Rafe asks me.

I hold back a grin. "Nothing."

Rafe smiles. "Go out with me?"

I nod. "Okay."

Rafe and I walk along the beach carrying our shoes.

"Did I do a good job on our first date?" Rafe asks.

I smile as I nod my head. "Yeah. I've had fun. A lot of fun."

I stick my toes in the surf. The water is warm.

"What are you waiting for?" Rafe asks.

I turn around and see Rafe taking his shirt off.

"What are you doing?" I ask while laughing.

"Going for a swim," Rafe tells me. I just look at him for a moment. He starts to undo his belt. "You comin'?"

I don't look away from Rafe as I take my top off. Rafe laughs and suddenly it's like we can't get our clothes off fast enough. In a minute we're in the water. I laugh as I splash Rafe. He smiles as he grabs a hold of me. I rest my forehead on his.

"I wish we could stay here forever," I tell him.

"It would be nice," Rafe agrees.

"Totally unrealistic," I state. "But nice."

Kie and I are at the dock waiting for Pope to show up. John B's grand plan is to strand Kie, Sarah, and I on a boat in the marsh. He's convinced that Kie and Sarah will be friends by tomorrow morning. I say there's a fifty-fifty chance one ends up with a black eye.

Pope pulls up in the Pogue. "Code red!"

"What the hell is going on?" Kie asks.

"Okay, JJ and John B conked out in the marsh. They need a tow," Pope explains.

Kie and I hop in the boat.

"Uh, okay, well, what does that have to do with us?" Kie questions.

"We need you for mechanical," Pope reasons.