the deal (snippet) - rafe cameron

a/n: my first public writing piece ever! please be nice, i’m sensitive :) let me know what you think and if i should publish the entire thing. this is a small part of a bigger series that i want to do and also this is not the first part, just the first part that i wrote! i’ve been wanting to do an OBX rewrite for a long time, please let me know what you think! this is a snippet of a rewrite of ep 6 of s2.

Series Summary: Rafe Cameron and Josephine Whittaker. The couple of the Outer Banks. Nobody knew how they made it work. He was brash, arrogant, and viewed pogues as nothing more than the scum on the bottom of his shoe. She was soft-spoken, kind, and despised the social and financial hierarchy. Polar opposites who somehow fell in love. But when the two are caught up in a whirlwind of events surrounding half-a-billion dollars in gold and a historic cross, their love will be tested to the fullest extent.

Preview Summary: Jo goes to make a deal with an unexpected ally.

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x OC (*Rafe isn’t in this snippet, though)

Warnings: swearing, mentions of drugs (weed), Barry being a little creepy, not edited

Leaves crunch under her feet after every step. She already sees the beginnings of the mud that caked the bottom of her white Steve Maddens making their way to the sides, becoming more visible the more they trekked through it. She cringes, thinking about how much of a bitch they’re going to be to clean. Her mom was going to have a whole fit if she caught sight of them. She briefly wonders why she wore sneakers, but remembers it’s because her only other options were her sandals and it’s better her shoes be caked in mud rather than her feet.

Y’know what, I’ll just buy a new pair, she thinks as she steps in a particularly deep patch of mud, effectively ruining her current pair. She never stops walking though, her end destination being worth more than ruining a $75 dollar pair of shoes.

She finally stumbles upon the rundown trailer, a place she’d only ever been once before, but had never set foot in. She remembers seeing it through the passenger window of Rafe’s truck, but only for a short moment before he was grabbing what he needed and pulling out of there faster than he had pulled in.

She knew he didn’t want her there longer than she had to be.

She hesitates going up to the front door, realising how out of place she must look. Her stark white jeans, crop top, and (formerly) white shoes are a stark contrast to her surroundings. She’s grateful she didn’t drive because she’s sure her all-white BMW convertible would’ve stuck out like a sore thumb even more than herself.

Climbing the few steps up to the porch, she hesitates again. What was she even going to say? She had rehearsed it over and over again on the way but suddenly couldn’t remember anything she was going to say

Fuck it, she thinks before raising her fist and knocking on the screen door three times. 

“Who is it?” a gruff voice shouts from within the house.

“Um, I’m looking for Barry,” she shouts back, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible. 

She hears footsteps approaching and she takes a couple seconds to take in her surroundings. The wood is rotten and the floor beneath her creaks with every movement, the off-white, gray-ish color the house had faded into making the house seem dingier than it probably once was.

Not dingy, no, that’s rude, she thinks. Old, just old, She decides.

The screen door swings open, startling her out of her own thoughts. She has to move back quickly to avoid it hitting her, the floorboard beneath her letting out a discouraging squeak.

She comes face to face with Barry, or so she assumes. She hadn’t formally met him, only heard his name from around town and from Rafe a couple of times, but it wasn’t hard to tell. His black hair is pulled back in a ponytail and his outfit consists of a worker’s jumpsuit stained in what looks like grease. He leans against the doorframe with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, eying Jo with curiosity.

“Now, what’s a pretty lil’ thing like you doing out here?” he asks, eyes raking down her body.

Everything she practiced goes out the window and the only thing she can manage is, “I need your help.”

He tongues the inside of his cheek and chuckles.

“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” he says with a smirk. He opens the door a little wider and beckons her inside, the smell of weed becoming so strong Jo has to resist the urge to wrinkle her nose in disgust. She knows he’s got the wrong idea of what she wants from him, so she figures she has to say something else quick.

“Now, I usually save my good shit for the regulars, but for a pretty lil’ thing like yourself I could–”

“It’s about Rafe.”

Even though his back is turned, she can see him visibly tense at the mention of her boyfriend’s name. She doesn’t know whether or not to take this as a good sign, so she takes a tentative step inside the house. He turns around slowly to face her, making her regret the step she just took. Then he starts to laugh.

Wait, what?

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Barry chuckles, cracking himself up even more, “If it isn’t Mrs. Country Club herself. A pleasure to finally meet you, princess. ”

She cringes internally at both the nicknames he’d given her.

“You two are quite the talk of the town, y’know? Kook prince and kook princess. Try to bring you up around Country Club but he goes apeshit. Said he doesn’t want you involved in this shit,” he smirks. “If only he could see you now.”

“Can I explain or are you just going to keep making fun of me?” she says with a sudden burst of bravery. The frustration and lack of sleep from worrying had manifested itself into a short temper these last few days and her patience was wearing thin. 

Barry’s face doesn’t falter, only throwing his hands up in mock surrender before taking a seat on the couch.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Mrs. Cameron?” he jabs, kicking his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. “What’s your name again, sweetheart? Jessica? Jenny? Julia?”

“Josephine.”

He snaps his fingers in the air as if he finally remembered even though she knew he couldn’t give less of a fuck. 

She takes a deep breath before speaking, afraid that if she doesn’t start now she’ll lose her courage.

“Rafe needs help. Like actual, real help. The longer Ward is able to tell him what to do, the worse he’s going to get and I’m afraid of what’s going to happen when worse comes to worst,” she starts, willing herself not to cry in front of Barry. She has a gut feeling that he wouldn’t be the most sympathetic. 

“Rose isn’t going to do anything about it as long as Ward’s involved. I don’t want Wheezie to be involved any more than she is. He doesn’t trust Sarah. He doesn’t trust anyone right now except for me and, for some reason, you,” she states as she crosses her arms defensively. She wishes she could do this on her own but she knows deep down that Rafe opens up more to Barry than he does to her. She ignores the pit in her stomach that forms at that thought.

“We’re his best shot at getting the help that he needs.”

Barry’s face has dropped from the amused grin he had before, his jaw now clenched with a scowl. He kisses his teeth before scoffing, “What makes you think I want to help him, let alone you?”

“Because I know you’ve noticed. And I know you’ve been letting him stay here from time to time,” she challenges. Though they never crossed paths often, Jo knew Barry had been Rafe’s first point of contact with this whole Ward-John B-Sarah situation. Another blow to her chest.

“As for me,” she says, reaching into her crossbody slowly just in case he thinks she has a weapon, “I have this.”

Barry’s eyes lock on the wad of cash between her fingers and she knows she’s got him. If she’d learn anything from being a kook, it’s that everyone has a price. Wildly unethical, but necessary when you lived in a place like the Outer Banks. She throws the wad towards him, watching as he catches it and begins to inspect it.

“And how do I know you won’t fuck me over like your lil’ boyfriend did?” he asks, never taking his eyes off the cash.

“Because there’s more where that came from,” she promises. “And I know you’ll be able to do it.”

Barry ponders for a moment before his amused grin returns.

“Alright, princess, you got yourself a deal.”

theresnothingshecandoaboutit:

my new favorite genre of obx fanfiction: rafe cameron finally getting the girl he’s been simping for and becoming an even bigger simp in the process

*cough*euro trip&college tripby@lurkymurker*cough*

*cough*ambivalenceby@mackenzielovee*cough*

EDIT: I FORGOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE RAFE SERIES

*cough*new lightby@outerbankies*cough*

Request:yes but I can’t find it. Was basically just the song Enchanted by Taylor Swift with Pope Heyward. 

A/N:Who isn’t enchanted by Pope?

TS Anthology Series|Outer Banks Masterlist

_ . ◦ ⭐︎:*.☾.*:⭐︎◦∙._

“This is kind of a lame party, huh?” You chanced asking, feeling a little awkward as you stood in the large kitchen at Tanney Hill. There was some background music that you didn’t recognise, no doubt whatever Rose found on Spotify when she typed in ‘graduation party playlist’. In an effort to get away from the suffocating afternoon affair you’d slipped into the kitchen, hoping to find a few extra desserts left behind or a good bottle of vodka that Rose wouldn’t notice anyone pilfering.  

Instead you found a Pogue, one you recognised almost immediately as Sarah’s boyfriend’s friend Pope…a little long winded but at least you had some information. You’d been surprised but also relieved when you’d seen Sarah’s less than savoury friends show up for the party. Maybe it wouldn’t be so dull after all. It was a pipe dream though because an hour into the afternoon and you realized that no look could escape the inevitable graduation party of stuffy family and friends doing their best interpretation of coastal grandmother, chatting about vacation spots and college studies and eating hor d’oeuvres.  

“More than kind of,” Pope laughed, tapping the steamless plastic wine glass against his chin before taking a sip. He’d filled it with lemonade that JJ had tried to top off with alcohol and almost succeeded in actually doing. The slightly sour taste of the lemons offset the entire afternoon and even surrounded by his friends he’d needed an escape from feeling out of place.  

“So who are you hiding from?” You asked, looking around as if someone might enter the kitchen and interrupt your time together.  

“No one in particular,” Pope replied, unsure how to accurately explain that he felt like he wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place. He tried so hard, aware that his friends didn’t recognise the effort he made to fit in with them, but it never felt like enough. He never felt outgoing enough or funny enough or cool enough. If he mentioned it, he was sure it would be followed with a chorus of reassuring ‘you’re a pogue, through and through’ that he’d have to accept and pretend changed anything about how he was feeling.  

“Well since we’re both hiding from ‘no one in particular’, want to go outside?” You asked, looking back toward the double doors that led out to the veranda. The garden and pool area, unoccupied, we’re decorated in twinkle lights that looks like stars through the glass.  

“What’s outside?” Pope asked, watching as you grabbed a bottle of white wine that had been chilling on ice.  

“A good hiding spot,” you replied, shrugging your shoulders.  

Pope followed you to the glass French doors, slipping out into the warm night with you and wondering if this was all really a good idea. He had seen you around and, if he had seen you, surely you had seen him before. You had to know who his friends were, who his parents were, where he lived. You had to know he wasn’t a kook. So what were you doing entertaining your time with him. He wanted to ask, the question was right there on the tip of his tongue, but then he was afraid he wouldn’t like the answer. That maybe this was just that, entertainment. A funny past time of watching a pogue like Pope trip over themselves to say something intelligible or interesting so you could laugh later with your friends over lunch at the Island Club.  

“I heard you’re going to med school in the fall?” You asked, taking a sip of the wine as you sat down on a bench along the garden path.  

“Uh, yeah…yeah I am. I’m studying pathology,” he replied, the subject matter comforting him enough that he took a seat beside you, beginning in the way he always did to explain what it was he loved about the practice. Talking interests was like Pope’s own form of drug, it could relax him immediately and he usually went off on tangents that were unintentional and, according to his friends, boring.  

You didn’t look bored though, Pope thought. He could hear himself running over all the facts that he found so interesting and talking about someday working at Mayo Clinic or NIH or somewhere just as prestigious. He could hear himself but he couldn’t stop himself, his calm had transformed into nervous rambling and his tangents had woven through all the things he found most fascinating about the work. But you didn’t look annoyed or like you were planning an escape. You listened and you offered short commentary and asked questions, you looked like maybe you actually found him interesting.  

“Sorry,” he finally apologized when he felt like he’d run of things to say. “I’m monopolizing the conversation.”

“It’s okay,” you angled more towards him, “I don’t mind. I like listening to you.”  

Before Pope could reply to you, JJ’s voice cut out through the garden, calling for his best friend. He could almost imagine JJ hanging out the back door, hands on either side of the frame, leaning almost dangerously into the evening and shouting that they were heading to Hawk’s Nest to finish the party. Pope thought that, if JJ had shown up thirty minutes ago, he would’ve been thrilled to leave but now he was sitting here talking to you and he wished he could push JJ back inside and lock the French doors.

“Sounds like your friends are ready to go,” you mused, smiling at him.  

Pope nodded, somewhat distracted. All he could think was that if he left now would the spell be broken? Would you see him the next time around the island and pretend you didn’t know him? Would you laugh with your friends about the pogue who was practically falling in love with you just sitting there drinking white wine at a graduation party?

“Maybe we could…uh,” Pope hesitated, standing up, unsure what he really wanted to say or could, “maybe we could hang out sometime?” He almost wanted to cringe at his own question. It sounded so awkward.  

“Give me your phone,” you held your hand out, setting down the wine bottle and taking his phone so you could put your number in and text yourself. “There.” You concluded.

“Sorry,” he apologized as JJ called his name again, “I wish we could just…keep talking.”

“I’ll see you soon Pope.” You promised, leaning forward to kiss his cheek in a moment of boldness, or maybe you were just tipsy enough to be a little more outgoing than usual.  

“See you soon.” He felt like he was floating on a cloud as he backed away from you, clumsily tripping over a large flower pot on the path and righting himself, before turning and leaving. You couldn’t help the wide smile on your face as you watched him, entirely mesmerized by Pope and eager already for the next time that the two of you would see each other.  

-

Taglist: @maybankbby​@alanniys​@stylesyourmine​@nicolee-anne​@dudenhaaa27​@alexoberlinluthor​@luversgirl​@lemur46​@mariahlaufeyson​@beth-gallagher22@swagmoneydrew​@xivilivix​@americaarse​@scenesofobx​@alexademiesluvr@butterflymoons@allisonxmcu​@milkiane​@inwonderlandwritemealetter@phxntom-2021@iamasimpingh0e @unbelievablystillafangirl@caitlyn-winchester@truewdw1@randomwriter1021@bjrmaybank@rebelangelwings 

Request:Okay this might be a stupid request but I dreamed about this and I would love an imagine or something about it. So JJ is working at a restaurant and reader (his gf) is having dinner there with her little sister and JJ is just really excited that he can serve you and he gives your sister like coloring stuff so she can color and JJ tells all his colleagues that your his girlfriend and just pure fluff idk

A/N:So this originally started as part of another request and then just became it’s own fic. Sorry it took so long to actually post!

Outer Banks Masterlist

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

Birthday dinners in your family were always a major deal. While your mom and dad usually chose the Wreck or the 24hr diner over near the pawn shop for their respective birthdays but your sister always went all in. She’d spend weeks before her birthday talking about where she wanted to go but always ended up choosing the same place, The Island Club.  

“I’m gonna get lobster,” she insisted on the car ride over. Your parents were on the mainland for a funeral but you’d promised to take her without them, almost grateful that you wouldn’t have to sit through your dad talking about the value difference of everything on the menu or your mom read each price out loud as if she was somehow shocked that a restaurant for kooks cost so much money.  

“Lobster?” You asked, pulling into a parking space between a tesla and a benz. You thought of JJ immediately, joking that at least you knew your car wouldn’t be stolen. “Do you like lobster?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged, the taffeta sleeves of her dress brushing her cheeks. In your opinion, though you’d appropriately ‘ooh’ed and ‘aah’ed when she came out of her room in her birthday outfit, the dress looked like cotton candy on her gangly eight-year-old self. She had a pink tiara to match, feathery and covered in glitter, proclaiming that today was her birthday. “That’s the point of trying things.”  

“Touché,“ you replied, pushing the door of the Island Club open so she could pass before you. A couple of expensively dressed, middle-aged, kooks looked your way as you were led to your table. Your sister looking like an 80’s pageant queen and you, in the satin, strappy, light blue dress you’d worn to prom. It was the nicest thing you owned and she had insisted that it was the only dress that fit her idea of ‘dressed up’.  

“JJ told me he’s working tonight.” Your sister mentioned, looking up at the host as they seated you at a table near the wall of sliding glass doors, “do you know JJ?”

“…Maybank?” The guy asked, handing over two menus.  

“Yeah,” she smiled, “he’s my best friend.”  

You almost wanted to laugh when she said it. When JJ had asked you out two summers earlier, your sister had been far from thrilled. While your mom was just happy that you had a boyfriend, asking to meet him the first time you ever even mentioned his name, all your sister could think was that you dating meant someone else was going to occupy your time. Before JJ you’d been something of a second mother to your little sister, stepping in while your parents worked. Now that you were dating and he was around the house all the time, he’d practically adopted the title of honorary older brother to your sister. She was completely convinced that he was the best person she ever met.  

Your sister had told JJ weeks before that she was going to the Island Club for her birthday and had asked if he would be there that night, hopeful that she could see him if he couldn’t actually come to dinner.  

“Oh man,” JJ’s voice came from behind your sister, his hands landing on the back of the chair as he leaned over her, “I better hide all the ice cream.”

“JJ!” She twisted in her seat to see him, smile so wide it practically reached her ears as she looked up at him. “Are you coming over tonight to have cake with us?”  

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.” He replied. A glance back toward the double doors of the kitchen were enough to tell JJ that socialising on the clock was not going to fly with his boss. He sheepishly backed up from the table, sending your sister an apologetic smile, “I’ll be back out to see you, okay? I gotta get back to work.”  

The minute JJ was back through the double doors he was apologizing, grabbing the bus bin off the cart, and announcing to everyone in the kitchen that his girlfriend’s sister was turning eight today. The calendar hanging on the wall near the kitchen office had her birthday circled, as if it was some sort of holiday for the whole staff to celebrate.  

“Hey,” JJ leaned against the counter near the stove, plastering his nicest smile on for the woman who ran the kitchen. “Remember how you said I could work on my waitering skills the other day. You were like ‘JJ you should have just as much opportunity to move up as anyone else, you’re such a hard worker and a great kid-“

“I don’t think I said all that.” She remarked, looking at him pointedly, waiting for him to get where he was going with the conversation.  

“Well anyway…you think I could wait a table tonight?”  

“Let me guess,” her face remained blank as she stared at him, “you wanna wait your girlfriend’s table so you can impress her and the little sister by doing something that isn’t cleaning up dirty dishes?”  

JJ nodded, trying to offer whatever compromise he could think of, “look, whoever’s table it’s supposed to be, they can keep the tip.”  

“You got a girlfriend that tips?”  

“Whats that suppose to mean?”  

“I work with you JJ, I know what a cheapskate you are.” She replied, almost cracking a smile when he scoffed.  

“I’m not a cheapskate I’m fucking broke all the time.”  

“And this girlfriend of yours is rolling in it?”  

JJ groaned, annoyed that the conversation was going so off course, “can I wait the table or not?”

“Fine.” She finally agreed, quick to tack on rules, “But only one free dessert for the kid’s birthday…I don’t want you clearing out the fridge over some little kid.”

“Okay,” JJ was grinning was ear to ear, already on his way to the small office area where aprons hung to grab a new, clean one for himself. The prospect of waiting your table wasn’t just exciting because he would get to actually see you all night but because he couldn’t help feeling more than a little impressed with himself and hoped you did too. Just a busboy was fine, he made a decent pay check, but he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life busing tables. He didn’t even want to spend the rest of the summer cleaning up after kooks. Serving them might be worse but if it meant that he could impress you, show off a little in the process, that was well worth it.  

The host brought drinks to the table, a Shirley Temple for your sister and a water for you, and then JJ was in the dining room, walking straight for your table.  

“Are you waiting on us?” You asked, your sister smiling eagerly as she clutched the menu in her hands, she didn’t even need to look but she had anyway, trying to be as fancy as possible.  

“Yeah,” he nodded, “they’re letting me wait this table. I’m in training.”  

“Glad to be your Guinea pig then.”  

“JJ,” your sister cut you off, “I’m gonna get lobster.”  

“Whoa, pulling out all the stops for your birthday huh?” JJ asked, checking the menu for the actual order and scribbling it down on the his notepad.  

“Only the best,” you replied, JJ laughing at the sarcastic undertone in your voice. He knew birthday dinner was on you this time and, while you had been saving up as much as you could, lobster at the island club wasn’t cheap.  

“And for you?” JJ asked, turning toward you and trying to act professional as another waiter passed by the table.  

“The salmon and the house salad,” you replied, “Kie and I are trying to do like…a no fried food diet or whatever,” you explained, almost laughing when JJ made a face and rolled his eyes. “Don’t start with your dumb “you don’t need a diet” crap JJ, we’re trying to be healthy!”  

“French fries are potatoes. Potatoes are healthy.” He argued, taking the menus from you when you held them out.  

“Next you’ll tell me beer is healthy cause it’s just wheat and water.”  

“I mean-“ he shrugged and you laughed.  

“Go get our food.”

“I‘ll be right back.” He huffed, leaning over to whisper to your sister as he passed her. She laughed and he looked back at you conspiratorially, just so you would know for sure that they were gossiping about you.  

JJ wasn’t gone long, reappearing in a few minutes with a thin colouring book and a pack of crayons that the club usually provided for kids dining in. The book had line drawings of different animals that were native to the OBX and your sister flipped first to the page of dolphins, “I’m gonna do one for Kiara, she’s coming over tomorrow.”  

“What about me?” JJ asked, lingering at the table when he knew that technically he still needed to be busing others.  

“I already drew you a picture, it’s at home.” She explained, full concentration on the picture in front of her needing to be colored in.  

“Wow,” JJ drew the word out, as if truly impressed, “what is it?”  

“You and me surfing!” She replied, finally looking up at him. “Cause we’re gonna go surf on the weekend…right?” Your boyfriend had agreed to teach your sister how to surf as a birthday present, promising your parents that he wouldn’t let her drown or get eaten by a shark.  

“Yeah, we’re totally gonna go surf on the weekend.” As JJ spoke, Andrew passed him, nudging him and pointing out a few tables that had finished and needed to be cleaned off. JJ gave a small sigh, “I’ll be back with your birthday food, I gotta go clear off some tables.”

-

Taglist: @maybankbby@alanniys@stylesyourmine@nicolee-anne@dudenhaaa27@alexoberlinluthor@luversgirl@lemur46@mariahlaufeyson@beth-gallagher22@swagmoneydrew@xivilivix@americaarse@scenesofobx@alexademiesluvr@butterflymoons@allisonxmcu@milkiane@inwonderlandwritemealetter@phxntom-2021@iamasimpingh0e@aureamelendez@unbelievablystillafangirl@caitlyn-winchester@truewdw1@randomwriter1021@bjrmaybank@rebelangelwings@izzydixon @thecaptainsgingersnap@purple-flamingo@tenaciousperfectionunknown@my-baexht-ls 

Request: yes. Not sure where it is cause I lost it but the general request was the song Lover by Taylor Swift with JJ Maybank.

A/N: I didn’t want it to be like a word-for-word interpretation of the song more so the feeling of the song so that’s what I tried to do. Hopefully it worked.

TS Anthology Series|Outer Banks Masterlist

_ . ◦ ⭐︎:*.☾.*:⭐︎◦∙._

“Let’s get our own place,” JJ whispered, his shoulder digging gently into your back as you leaned toward him, as if you couldn’t hear what he said.

You could’ve just as easily pretended that you were still sleeping, undisturbed by the shrill ringing of your cousin’s alarm from the other room or the soft patter of footsteps as your dad moved around the kitchen. But you’d been up for the last half hour, your sleep interrupted by your niece crying, the sound not even slightly muted by the door that concealed her room.

“How?” You whispered back. Two sixteen year olds with limited income weren’t exactly promising homeowners.

“I don’t know,” he tilted his head to the side, letting it rest against the back of yours as he pulled the blanket further up on his side and feigned sleep.

You and JJ were in kindergarten when you met, first day in and you were already best friends. In third grade there was a lull, he met John B and your parents house was foreclosed on, moving you a little further into the Cut. Your grandparents modest three bedroom was old, built way back during WWI, “it used to be a farm” is what your granddad always said, as if it still was.

By fourth grade, when you and JJ started hanging out again, your aunt had moved in too. Her and her two kids, your parents and your three siblings. JJ would ride his bike down to your house and play with you and your family until it was too dark out to ride home and then your dad was throwing a sheet over the couch and offering him the last surface in the house to sleep on. The house, with its two bathrooms and three bedrooms, was almost always crowded. JJ was the only friend you let through the threshold, at eleven you already knew that most kids had bedrooms and their own clothes. Even JJ had his own room, his own bed.

By sixteen, if he wasn’t sleeping on the sofa in John B’s house then he was at yours, sharing a mattress with you on the living room floor because your sister had moved back home and one of her kids always took the couch.

“We could have our own room,” JJ proposed, still a whisper in the dark room as he thought more about the imagined place. Just above his head, at the top of your mattress, the branches of the family Christmas tree reached out, threatening to drop pine needles if you shifted the wrong way. At twelve, JJ had succeeded in taking the tree all the way down to the ground when a clap of thunder had woken him up two days before Christmas.

“Just the one?” you almost laughed.

“Why do we need two rooms?” He seemed genuinely unsure why you wouldn’t want to share a room.

For as long as you two had been friends, privacy hadn’t really been a thing that existed between you. And while neither of you had ever actually ‘made the first move’ it was generally accepted that you were together. Mostly because you were rarely apart.

“So we can be those bourgeoise kooks with ‘home offices’.” You joked, shifting around on your mattress to face him. “Or guest rooms that we decorate in white and blue nautical crap.”

“Two bedrooms then.”

You squinted in the dark, whether because you were trying to see him better or somehow see through him, you weren’t entirely sure. There wasn’t much to see in the dark, just the general shadow of JJ’s face close to yours, but you knew what he looked like enough that if you never saw him again you could’ve still sketched a fairly accurate picture.

“What if you get bored living with me everyday? I’m not as adventurous as John B,” you posed, “you could move into the Chateau.”

The question was a fair one, JJ had been spending a lot of time at the Chateau lately and you couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. Maybe it was stupid, to be bothered by something so trivial as where someone decided to lay their head at night but you couldn’t help it. JJ was supposed to stay at your house, in your cramped living room on a mattress that was lumpy and tired from being dragged back and forth every morning. He was supposed to sleep next to you and stay up too late and make you laugh at stupid jokes.

“Why would I wanna do that?” He asked, propping himself up on his elbow as if it would help him see you better.

“I don’t know,” you can’t shrug laying down but your voice carries the same uncertainty, a sort of embarrassment you can’t shake. “Would we live on the Cut?”

“Anywhere we wanted,” he replied. “We could live right on the beach, like those houses on stilts. We could surf everyday and lay out in the sun.”

“Sounds amazing.”

It was all just a sleep-deprived dream that the two of you had. You knew that real life things would creep back in once the day started and dreams of living on the beach and surfing all day weren’t dreams that you or JJ could afford to have. Still, it was a nice thought, one where you could live in a haze of happiness and sun and JJ.

“I wanna spend the rest of my life with you,” JJ admitted, shifting closer to you again and wrapping his arms around you. His breath fanned out over your shoulder and you felt him leave a kiss to the skin on your arm, where your shirt sleeve rode up. “Sitting on the beach, smoking weed, watching the sunset or whatever you and Kie like to do when you get up at the ass-crack of dawn.”

“That’s the sunrise you moron,” you laughed quietly, tucking your head into the crook of his neck.

“Whatever, we’ll watch it together.” He replied. “And drive around listening to all that old shit your dad likes and we’ll have a big porch with those giant couches and we’ll sleep until noon every day.”

“How are we watching the sunrise if we sleep till noon?” You asked, leaving a kiss against the base of his neck. He was warm and you were finally starting to fall asleep.

“We’ll wake up and then go back to sleep.” He said, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. You could hear the soft slur in his voice as he spoke and felt his lips press against your temple.

You closed your eyes in the dark. “I think you might need that sleep now,” you replied.

“Yeah,” he was drowsy and clingy, a side of him you saw often and never tired of experiencing, “we’ll make plans in the morning, for our house.”

“Okay.”

“And don’t forget…a Christmas tree all year long.”

“Okay,” you repeated. “I promise not to forget. Go to sleep.”

He hummed and you thought for a minute he might actually take your advice and let himself doze off but then he pressed another kiss to your forehead and you could hear him repeating, “don’t forget” but the end of the sentence trailed off before he could finish it.

“What?” You whispered, curious if it was anything actually important or simply another feature of your future home.

JJ tilted his head back, half-lidded eyes searching for yours in the dark, “I said I love you.” He replied then settled back in.

“I won’t forget that,” you assured, “I couldn’t.”

-

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Pouge Princess Chapter 1

(Rafe Cameron x Reader)

A/n: Thank you guys so much for all the likes on my pouge princess blurb This has really helped rekindle my love for writing and I can’t wait to share more with everyone. I hope you all enjoy the official first chapter

Word count : 2,227

Warning ⚠️: swearing, mention of sex and drugs, drinking, Rafe being a dick (are we really shocked about that in a rafe cameron fanfic)

The best job to have on the whole island had to be working at one of the county clubs. Simply for the fact that there was no such thing as a bad tip day. It was totally worth watching stuck up seniors and spoiled kooks play golf all day because you knew you’d go home with plenty of money in your pocket.

The only real con was you’d be stuck serving people that you have to see at school once the summer ends. Most of the kids at school do summer internships or at most are forced to “work” part time at their parents’ jobs. No one you knew in figure 8 had to work a real job. On the cut almost everyone you knew had a job it was the only way most kids could stay afloat there was nothing odd about it.

But when you are in figure 8 It was one of the things that made you feel embarrassed, having to serve the same people you call your friends at school reminded you that your diffrent. Today was a prime example of that your manager told you that you were personally requested for a party of 3 on the course. When you pulled up at the first hole you saw none other than Rafe, Kelce and Topper.

“Well look at this isn’t it nice that everyone’s favorite little baby doll finally decided to grace our presents.” Rafe shouted leaning against his club arms crossed.

“Come on man don’t start already ” Topper said, hitting the tall blonde upside his head.

If there was anyone besides Sarah you could count on it would be Topper. He was always there to be your knight in shining armor and the only one that could truly put Rafe in his place besides Ward.

“No it’s fine Top, you guys are practically giving me a chance to hang out instead of work today. So you wanna get started I’ll get the drinks going?”

You couldn’t help but to bounce up as you passed the drinks, Rafe snatched the beer from your hand eyeing you when you waited to give Topper his drink. He couldn’t help but notice the way your hand lingered longer than it should when you passed a beer to Topper.

Hole after hole you followed the boys as they played watching as they’d talk shit to each other and slug down more beers.

“Well guess who’s finally out of the single guys club. What are you two losers gonna do now that I’ll be spending a lot of my time with Anais? ” Kelce said with a toothy grin.

Anais is the girl Kelce has been trying to get with for months even coming to you for advice on how to win her over knowing you’d have a better perspectivecompared to Rafe and Topper.

“Oh God don’t tell me your pussy whipped already.” Rafe couldn’t help but to nod his head in disapproval.

“Well there goes our plans for hot boy summer. I’m finally ready to live the single life with you guys and you have the nerve to get cuffed.” Topper added 

“Omg Kelce don’t listen to these two they’re just jealous, congratulations I know how much you really liked her. I’m happy you two are together now its about time.” Kelce patted you on the back, his smile never fading.

“I’m glad someone actually cares about me here. Now the real question is when are you finally gonna get yourself a boyfriend (y/n). I think its time you threw yourself out there, you need to get one so we can go on double dates” Kelce said snickering at the sight of your panicked face.

“Um I mean I don’t know I guess I just haven’t found a guy that really likes me.”

The real problem was the guy you liked didn’t seem to realize how much you liked him but of course you couldn’t tell them that.

“Oh come on there are plenty of people dying at a chance to go out with you (y/n), there hasn’t been anyone that sparked your interest ?” Topper chimed in looking over at you.

You felt as if your face turned into a giant stop light with how red you’ve turned from the conversation.

“Or maybe you’re just a prude that thinks she’s better than everyone else. That could be why you’ve never had a boyfriend.” Rafe said smirking at the little stink face you gave him.

“It’s not that, I mean you’ve never had a real girlfriend Rafe. Everyone says you’re only known for a good hookup, as far as I’m concerned we’re basically in the same boat.” You retorked wanting desperately for the attention to be off your nonexistent love life.

“That’s only because I don’t want a girlfriend no one can hold my interest for long. Word must get around that I’m known for great sex if even you know that I’m good for hookups. It’s just a fact that I have a BIG presence in the bedroom.” Rafe couldn’t help himself from putting emphasis on the word big with the way he smirked. “And at least I have experience in the bedroom unlike some people we know little Miss Virgin Mary.”

It was common knowledge around the obx that everyones favorite pouge has never had a boyfriend. Everyone also seemed to know that you held onto your v card as well. so it was only natural that Rafe would try to throw it in your face every once in a while to try to get under your skin. 

“You know I think you have it confused Rafe everyone says that you are a big dick not that you have one.”

Topper and Kelce turned to each other before erupting in laugher causing Rafe to simply roll his eyes.

“Oh you know what (y/n) my bottle seems to be feeling a little empty mind getting me a refill.”

Rafe began to wave his bottle in the air clearly trying to gain control of the situation again. As the laughing died down you made your way over to the cart and handed Rafe another drink. He leaned over to you making sure that Kelce and Topper couldn’t hear him.

“If you ever wanna find out if the rumors are true you know where to find me, I think I need to remind you who’s in charge here (y/n).”

Rafe couldn’t help but to smile as you looked down clearly speechless from his comment. He took this as a silent win before turning his back to go take his turn. A few more rounds where played and the boys could feel themselves getting a little sloppier as each hole progressed and the sun seemed to get dimmer as the hours went on. They all still managed to have a good game going though not letting the fading day and alcohol take them out. Kelce was clearly winning seeing as he had a slightly better tolerance for his alcohol compared to the other two.

At this point Topper decided to sit in your cart and you couldn’t help but smile as he looked over at you. “Thanks for coming along today, you know I appreciate you putting up with us all the time.” He said ruffling your hair a little with a smile.

“You know I don’t mind I like spending time with you guys.”

You would be lying if you said you didn’t have a little crush on Topper after all these years. You where practically devastated when he started dating Sarah but you couldn’t help yourself from feeling mildly happy that the people you cared most about found love in each other. A part of you was relieved when the two of them broke up when Sarah decided to date John B. Even though it was a hard time for all of you, especially being caught in the middle of your two closest friends. You couldn’t help but to hold onto a glimmer of hope that maybe after all of this time Topper would stop seeing you as just his childhood best friend. But this was a secret that you’d take to grave not wanting to complicate things or have anyone’s feelings hurt explicitly your own.

“Hey Top how about you get your ass up and finish this hole with us? Or are u just gonna talk to the fucking pouge all day, there not paying her to chit chat there paying her to serve us.”

Rafe yelled, stepping towards the two of you and resting his arm against the canopy on your side of the cart. Rafe was clearly feeling the affects of all the alcohol he consumed. He only ever became meaner the more he drank. You couldn’t help but be grateful this was all he did today knowing that if he had done a few lines then he’d practiclly become a whole new person. Rafe couldn’t help but to stare deeply at the two of you with a scrunched up look on his face.

“Come On man just quit it already you’ve been throwing jabs at (y/n) all day I just wanna have good time. I’m out after this I’m not gonna stick around for you to just be an ass”

Topper pushed himself up walking towards Kelce to take his turn. When Topper was far enough from the cart Rafe leaned in staring you directly in the face making your cheeks flare up at the proximity for the millionth time today.

“What do you want this time Rafe ?” You asked.

“What do I want (y/n) ? Well let’s see I want you to stop with the fucking goo goo eyes your always makeing at Topper. You’re starting to seem a little pathetic. When are you gonna learn that he just doesn’t see you that way.”

At this point your body felt like it was on fire and you where doing everything in your power not to let the comment affect you.

“I dont know what your talking about Rafe, Topper is my friend maybe your just not used to seeing a stable relationship between a guy and a girl that doesn’t involve sex.”

Not the best comeback but it was the only thing you could think of when all you could do was think about was how fast your heart was pounding from his accusations. Obviously they where true but Rafe was the last person you would want to know about your secret feelings towards Topper. Rafe didn’t seem like he was backing down yet either and you weren’t sure how much of this you could take. You continued to stare at him when suddenly he started to fish in his pockets to reveal a wadded up 100 dollar bill he crumpled it up even further and chucked it in your face watching as it fell perfect in your lap when it hit you.

“ What the heck are you doing ?” You said, picking up the crumpled money and holding it in your hand.

“I’m tired of dealing with you so I figured I’d just give you what you came for. Isn’t that why you hang out with kooks so you can take our money and show off to your little friends on the cut.”

It wasn’t the alcohol that was making Rafe act this way it was the sight of seeing you with Topper. It was something that always got under his skin after all these years, he was just able to mask it by blaming it on drugs or his natural hot headed temper.

You could feel tears swelling up in your eyes but couldn’t bear to give Rafe the satisfaction of knowing just how deep he cut you. You didn’t know why he always felt the need to  remind you that no matter how hard you tried you’d always be diffrent from everyone.

“I don’t need your damn money Rafe I get paid regardless if you’re here or not, and I’ll have you know that Topper asked me to be here. My manager said I was requested to come serve you guys today. I’m just doing my job.”

You took the crumpled bill and threw it back at Rafe letting it hit him before falling into the grass.“I’m heading back to the club, my shift is ending soon anyway.”

Turning the wheel of the cart you started to make your way back to the club not wanting to deal with this any longer then you had too and not wanting everyone to see the tears that started to trickle down your cheeks.

Rafe stumbled back once the cart started to move looking down at the money before glancing over at his confused friends. He couldn’t bring himself to admit that he was the one that requested to have you with them today but the fact that you assumed it was Topper had him even more pissed off then before It always had to be about fucking Topper.

“I’m fucking done with today I’m leaving.”

In a fit of rage Rafe stormed off throwing his club down before heading back. Deciding he’d rather be alone then have to explain to his friends as to what just happened just now. (Y/n) wasn’t the only one harboring an unrequited love for someone that didn’t seem to notice them.

Another A/n: Well I hoped you guys liked the official first chaper. I have a lot of ideas circulating on what I’m gonna do :3

Pouge Princess

( Rafe Cameron × Reader )

A/n: This is the first fanfiction I’ve written in a REALLY long time. I use to post on wattpad and devianart like a million years ago. Anyway I’m thinking of maybe making this a series so this is kinda just a blurb to get the idea out there to see if anyone’s interested. So be warned my writing skills are super rusty and my spelling/grammar sucks so please be gentle.

*credit to who ever made this gif*

(Y/n) (y/l/n) was always considered the enigma of the outer banks. She’s one of the sweetest people on the island the residential good girl, if the Camerons are the royal family of figure 8 she was considered the pouge princess of the cut. Being one of the few or quite possibly the only pouge to be accepted by the stuck up elites of figure 8.  It all started when she successfully managed to earn herself a scholarship courtesy of the Thorton estate at the kook academy whether it was done for good press for the Thorton family or her actually merits she somehow found herself entangled in the lives of the outer banks richest families. Cozy with the kooks in the day and sluming it with the pouges at night she was truly an anomaly.  When she was a kid (y/n) found herself clinging onto

Topper being that he was the only person she knew in figure 8 at first. He was all she had in school but through him she meet his circle of friends. Sarah Cameron quickly became her closest and dearest friend though. Sarah was the only one to fully accept her right off the bat as kids never bringing up her pouge status or using it as leverage against her.Together they practically grew up ruleing the outer banks there wasn’t anyone that didn’t adore them, the kook and pouge princess. That is maybe everyone except Sarah’s brother Rafe. The thing about Rafe was that there’s no escaping him, everytime (y/n) went to Sarah’s house he’d be waiting for his chance to terrorize her. All his attention was always focused on her. It always enraged him that no matter what he did (y/n) was always nice to him. Even when he made sure to remind her that she didn’t belong all growing up (y/n) never let it faze her. Rafe couldn’t stand that she practically weaseled her way into high society and everyone just blindly accepted her and he really couldn’t stand the fact that no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t stop thinking about the fucking pouge princess of the cut. 

Last One Standing

(Rafe Cameron x Reader)

Warning ⚠️: murder, mention of death and violence, obsession, swearing

A/n: I’m so sorry I forgot to post this on Halloween yall I was busy this week so I didn’t have much time to edit and write. But I hope yall enjoy this post Halloween treat

Word count: 1,100

Your heart raced as you ran across the beach sand flying all around you as you looked for somewhere to hide. Why was this happening what did you do to deserve this what did any of you do to deserve this. You crouched down besides some rocks to catch your breath hoping you finally out ran the hooded figure that was crashing you.

Tonight started out like it would any other night, today was the halloween bonfire everyone was looking forward to it for months. It all feels silly to think that  You spent so much time deciding on a costume only to end up doing a group costume with Kie and Sarah you all agreed to go as the girls from totally spies none of you knowing that this could be the last thing you ever wear.

Secretly you were thankful because running in a green jumpsuit isn’t the worse option in the world compared to other people’s costumes. You rested your head against the rock, closing your eyes for a second only to feel a wet substance touch the back of your neck. You slowly reached your hand to the back of your neck feeling the sticky substance before slowly bringing your fingers to your face even in the dark you could tell it was blood.

You stood up looking besides you to see the lifeless body of some poor kook. Their hand must’ve painted the blood splattered mess on the rock when they were fighting for their life. You did your best not to scream and just started running again with no where in mind not even sure if you were still being chased.

Tears welled in your eyes wondering if everyone else was ok Sarah was the first to get hurt she had gotten stabbed in the stomach and you watched as she limped Over to you all warning you of the impending danger before fainting.

At first you all thought it was a joke until you all seen them the hooded figure with the ghost mask on going on a rampage. You all seen as they lunged at a random pogue with a knife gutting him in front of you all. That’s when it became real when everyone ran how could one person cause this much trouble.

You felt relief wash over you when you seen the lighthouse up ahead no one has been chasing you for quite some time now so if you could get up there and lock the door then you might be safe until the police arrived.

You ran as fast as you could up the decrepit stairs hearing each one crack beneath you. If you didn’t die from the killer then you’d surely die from these stairs each one felt like they’d give out at any second.

When you reached the top you began to jiggle the handle pushing all your weight against the rusted door to push it open. You slipped through the small crevice as best as you good before slamming it closed behind you stacking an old bench against the door as well.

Crouching down you found a cubby near the control panels contorting your body as best as you could to fit in. Your breath hitched when you heard the door start to shake realizing that he wasn’t as far behind you as you originally thought.

You prayed that just maybe he’d give up and leave once he realized the door wouldn’t open. But you heard the violent slams against the door most likely knocking over the table in the process. You cover your mouth trying your best to not sob out loud as you heard foot steps walk by you.

The hooded figure opened up the cabinet door revealing your shaking form only to grad you harshly as he yanked you up to your feet. Tears pooled out from your eyes as you started to wail at them hitting the Shiney plastic mask repeatedly they grabbed your wrists holding you upwards as they ripped off their mask.

You just kept kicking and screaming feeling your assailant take one hand off your wrists to hold your face still. You opened your eyes to come face to face with none other then Rafe your ex boyfriend.

The two of you broke up not being able to handle the pressures of coming from diffeent worlds. You couldn’t bare dating someone that all your friends didn’t approve of.

“Is this some kind of suck joke Rafe didn’t you see what happened at the beach this is no time for a fucking joke.” You cried out hitting his chest repeatedly.

“I know what happened I started it.” Your eyes widened from his works and the best you could do was gulp trying not to anger him in anyway.

“What do you mean Rafe?” You stood still and time felt as if it had stopped.

“I did this so we could be together, I had no other choice (y/n) don’t you see I had to get rid of everyone that stood in out way.” His grip tightened around your shoulders and you stared into his eyes seeing a look you’ve never seen before.

“ Listen to me ok I know your scared but it had to be done I killed Sarah, I killed Kiera.”

You began to cry again shaking uncontrollably. Rafe grabbed your face with a tight grip before gently sipping your tears away.

“Listen ok I had to do it people had to die so we could be together kinda like Romeo and Juliet.”

“Rafe are you fucking insane no one had to die you didn’t need to do this and romeo and juliet died in the fucking book Rafe not everyone else did you even fucking read it you idiot.” Anger had taken over as you shouted.

How could he do this you knew Rafe was a little off but you never thought he’d murder people.

“Calm the fuck down you should be grateful I’m trying to take care of us don’t you see that no one can judge us anymore. I have it all planned out I’m framing Pope and JJ for starting this whole thing no one’s gonna believe that one kook did all of this. Alot of people had to die but it’s all worth it I did it for you no one can stand between us anymore no one’s gonna keep us apart.”

All you could do was look in horror as he held you in a tight embrace why did this have to happen why did you have to be the last one standing.  

Pouge Princess Chapter 4

Rafe Cameron x reader

A/n: So I decided to just do a ton of rewrites and put everything for the charity ball into chapter 4 instead of splitting it. Sadly that means some things I wrote got cut and changed but ill probably use some of those ideas for chap 5 instead. If you haven’t already go check out chaper 3 it kinda flopped but I thought it was good Also if you’d like to be added to the tag list let me know

Warning ⚠️: foul language

Word count: 4,313

Finally it felt as if Saturday would never come, you’ve been dreading the charity ball for almost two weeks now. Yet here you were awake bright and early having to listen to Cynthia yell at the poor party decorators as they moved around tables to her liking.

“I’m sorry but did I say I wanted a table in the center of the dance floor? That’s right I didn’t so go get rid of it. What’s the point of a goddamn dance floor if there’s no room to dance!” Cynthia yelled motioning for the poor boy to come move the table away from her sight.

You and Topper were on table duty in the dining area, Cynthia wanted to make sure the tables were done perfectly and that her seating chart she spent months on was followed exactly as she had it.

“Ok so Kelce and his family are at table four with the Van Burrens while the Waltons and Arnold’s make up table five.” You said placing down each name card on the plates.

“Did you put the cards down for our table? I don’t see them in my stack.” Topper asked, going through his stack of names one more time.

“No, I have them right here.” You handed over a stack of cards with Topper’s family, the Camerons, a few of the richest donors’ names and a lone single card with your name on it.

Your family never seemed to get invited to these events even when you’re a yearly attendant you knew Cynthia saw no point in doing so since your family didn’t have anything to offer. They couldn’t donate money or bid on an auction without selling your house to do so; they were useless in Cynthia’s eyes.

You on the other hand are Cynthia’s greatest example of her charitable efforts. You’re the poor lowly girl from the cut that she took in and handed the best opportunities one could get and molded into an example of what could be done if given the chance. You’re the living proof of just how far Cynthia Thorton would go to prove she’s better than everyone else, like she always says no one on figure eight would do for you like she has done.

“So you and Rafe, that’s an interesting pair.” Topper said, pulling you away from your thoughts and placing the cards down on the plates.

“I mean he’s not the type of guy I pictured you with but I guess good girls always go for the bad boy types.”

“Topper get real I told you yesterday we’re just going as friends. And you’re giving Rafe too much credit. He is not a bad boy, he’s troubled at most.” You rolled your eyes as you continued to go around the tables.

“I mean after all these years it’s only natural to wanna go out with your best friend’s brother. I mean I guess more for convenience than anything you’re around him just as much as Sarah is.”

Topper wasn’t letting go of the topic, studying your face to see if he could get a rise out of you.

“The last thing Sarah wants is for me to date Rafe. She’d say I could do better. I know that for a fact. I mean what type of guys do you picture me with then? It sounds like you’ve put some thought into this.” You looked over at him shly, maybe this was your opening to finally see where Topper stands on your friendship if there’s a chance that it could be more.

“I hate to say it but we all know you’re the spitting image of a virgin mary. You need a nice guy, someone to complement that. Guys like Rafe and dare I say your dirty ass friend JJ are gonna be more of a project than a boyfriend.”

You took in his words trying to figure out what he meant by it, was this his way of hitting on you ? Or was he just being a concerned friend looking out for your well being. You always did take his words into great consideration and he knew that, same as you and Sarah, if he didn’t like someone then you both didn’t and vice versa. Of course there were a few exceptions to this rule but for the most part you both always let each other know if you weren’t happy. 

“It’s a shame you don’t have a brother that would be convenient for me.”

Oh my God why would you say that , you started to panic from his lack of response maybe you said too much or maybe that sounded plain creepy. You continued to mentally panic before Topper burst out in laughter.

“God I couldn’t handle having a brother. It’s bad enough my mom likes you better than me. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I had a brother too.”

A sigh of relief escaped your lips that he didn’t think your joke was weird at all.

“Topper quit fooling around and go make sure all the servers are wearing the appropriate color handkerchiefs for their vests. Also make sure all the auction goods are in the right place in the back. I don’t want anything out of place. And (Y/n) come with me. I want you to see the dresses I have picked out for you. I couldn’t decide which I liked best.” Cynthia motioned for you to follow her as Topper went inside to go get the wait staff ready and check the auction goods.

She had you all on a tight schedule wanting everything ready by twelve since guests will start rolling in at one. She brought you inside to the lavish locker rooms that seemed more like hotel rooms than anything. She had a few different dresses hung up on a rack one of every color you could think of.

“Do you know what color the Cameron boy is going to wear tonight?” She turned to you, putting dresses up towards your body to see what she liked best.

“Um I don’t know we never really planned to match or anything.” You shrugged looking around the room.

“Hmm well go with this one Topper told me he wears his blue suit alot to these types of events so we’ll just hope for the best. If anything you and Topper will match his tie is going to be this shade of blue. ” Cynthia pulled out a bluish gray dress with a small slit down the side and held it up to you.

“We’ll go with this one it should do your figure justice.” She handed the dress over to you and shoved you towards the changing area.

“I hope you don’t mind. I did some revisions on your speech for today. I want you to mention how the Thortons are donating a new library for Kildare County elementary.” She said hanging up the other dresses back on the rack.

“Um, don’t you think you should be the one to mention something like that? I was only supposed to give a summary about the scholarship program.” You stepped out of the changing room smoothing out the wrinkles in the dress as Cynthia came over to inspect the fit.

“It just looks better if you do it, just trust me on this. Now let me just fix your hair and everything will be perfect.”

You only nodded as she began to touch up your hair, it was gonna be a long night you could already tell. By the time you two were finished one o'clock had come and guests started to fill up the club.

Your eyes were glued to the door so you could look out for Rafe wanting to make sure you didn’t miss him at all.  You saw Ward walk through first with Rafe following behind him and you went over to greet the pair.

“Hi Mr Cameron it’s a pleasure to see you, thanks for coming tonight.” You came over and gave him a hug as Rafe stood behind him quietly.

“No need to be so formal (y/n) I bet Cynthia’s making you say that to everyone. Now let me go get a drink. I don’t think you kids wanna be bothered by me any longer. I’ll see you both later when dinner starts.” He laughed, motioning for Rafe to speak up before stepping away towards the bar.

“You look nice.” Rafe said looking you over at the way your dress hung on your body.

“Thanks you look nice too.” Of course Rafe wore his signature baby blue suit like Cynthia thought he would.

“We should go find tweedle dee and tweedle dumb there probably looking for us.” Rafe started to walk off and you followed him to go find the boys.

Kelce and Topper were talking to Kelce’s girlfriend Anais and her friend Savannah, all of them sipping on champagne trying their best to avoid their families.

“Look who finally decided to show.” Kelce patted Rafe’s back pulling him into their ever growing circle.

“Looking good Cameron.” Savannah said, giving Rafe a small wave. 

He barely acknowledged her, only giving her a small nod of thanks. That wasn’t stopping her from cozying up to him pressing herself against his side as you all talked ignoring you completely.

“How does Sarah feel that you two are here together tonight (y/n) ?.” Anais said, resting her head on Kelce’s shoulder.

“Baby you can’t just ask people that (y/n) is one of the bros that’s just weird.” Kelce looked at her with shock in his eyes.

“Yha that must be so weird for Sarah that you’re here with Rafe tonight.” Savannah said, glancing over at you.

“I mean It is a little surprising you two would go together usually your my date by default since we’re dateless a lot of the time. I mean we’ve probably known each other the longest too.” Topper pointed out.

You couldn’t help but to feel a little unsure of what Topper meant from his words all day. He’s been confusing you since early this morning. It almost felt like he was holding something back.

“You and Rafe do make a pretty goddamn odd pair. I mean everyone knows you and Topper are like a package deal just like Sarah and you. So for you to come with Rafe is just fucking bizzar.” Savannah added.

“Why does any of this shit matter? First off I’ve known (y/n) just as long as you have Topper It’s not that fucking weird and I could give a shit less about what Sarah thinks too I make my own choices. You guys are just being fucking ridiculous. I don’t get why the two of us coming here together is so damn weird.” You could see a slight scowl form on Rafe’s face as he spoke, his nerves starting to get the best of him.

“I mean it’s not weird Rafe’s right we might butt heads a lot but we’ve always been good friends.” You leaned your head on his shoulder and smiled causing him to relax from your affectionate touch.

Savannah did her best to squeeze between the two of you to reclaim her spot next to Rafe, angering him once again from the fact she was standing between the two.

“I mean it’s good to know you guys are just friends.” She smiled.

The awkward tension felt like it was in the past as you all continued to chat. Before you knew it everyone was gathering for the auction and impending speeches. You all moved towards the lounge where Cynthia had a gorgeous stage set up for the auction bids. It was a Thorton specialty to host an auction to raise money; it’s what supposably set their charity balls apart from others on the island.

“These auctions are nothing more than a glorified garage sale for rich people.” You said as you all watched everyone crowd around to see what Cynthia would announce.

“ I guess someone like you wouldn’t get the point of this.” Savannah chimed in, rolling her eyes. You looked over at her and the attitude that she’s been giving you most of the night didn’t go unnoticed.

“I mean (y/n)’s right my dad donated a private plane ride this year. People are gonna go crazy for a chance to ride on the Camerons private plane.” Rafe said.

“Ugh my dad was gonna bet on that.” Anais groaned

“All our parents wanna do is show off on who’s giving out the best prize and who’s dishing out the most money.” Topper said, keeping his eyes glued ahead waiting for when he’d have to take the stage with his grandpa.

You saw his mom signal him over as he quietly pulled away from the group making his way towards the stage. You knew your turn would be approaching soon, your stomach twisting into knots from your impending speech.

“All I’m saying is that this is supposably done in the name of charity but it’s all actually a big ego competition. No one really cares where the money goes, they all just want everyone to talk about how much they gave or how great their auction prize was.” You couldn’t help the words from coming out of your mouth the closer it got to you having to go on stage.

You didn’t even notice that Rafe had started to rub small circles on your back in a way to comfort you. Rafe leaned in, pressing his lips close to your ear where only you could hear him.

“Are you ok?”

“Yha just nervous I guess.” You tried reassuring him, smiling from his efforts to talk you down.

He really did seem to be on his best behavior tonight for once he was sticking to his word. You were pulled out of your thoughts when you heard Topper announce your name as the next speaker, you made your way towards the stage stepping over to the microphone. You flash your signature bright smile as everyone’s claps begined to die down. Rafe couldn’t help himself from keeping his eyes on you admiring how just your simple presence could light up a room.

You looked down at your cards quickly before looking back up at the crowd.  “Good evening, I just want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who has donated today. Your kind actions have not gone unnoticed, your money is going towards a wonderful cause to help underprivileged children through the Thorton foundation.”

So far your notes didn’t seem too far off from what you originally had as you continued to go your eyes finally noticed where your words ended and Cynthia’s began.

“As some of you may know, I was lucky enough to have my life changed by the Thorton foundation when I was a little girl. I was picked out of hundreds of kids to get the chance for a better education. The Thorton foundation has saved me from my life of poverty and despair.”

A copper taste started to form in your mouth as you read the words out loud everyone’s eyes stayed on you. The looks of pity and a few tear stained faces were seen in the crowd clearly affected from your untrue words.    

“Not only was I lucky enough to have this opportunity but I was also able to find a new found family in the Thortons. Thanks to Cynthia Thorton I was giving a second chance I would of never had before.  She saved me and provided for me when my family couldn’t. She helped me to come out in society as the well rounded young lady you all see before you today. She’s practically a second mother to me who has  graciously taken me under her wing and into her home for all these years. That’s why I’m so happy to announce that the Thorton family will be donating a new library for Kildare County elementary so that kids today can have a better chance at a more well rounded education just as I was giving the chance from the the Thorton foundation.”

You smiled as everyone started to clap and cheer from your speech. Cynthia had come back onto the stage hugging you tightly and kissing your cheeks as you walked off. You tried your hardest to not let this bother you to not let this get under your skin as you walked back to everyone.

“ Interesting speech you had there (y/n).” Topper said his eyes fixed to the stage as he watched his mother bow from the praises being thrown her way.

“You really are the orphan Annie of the cut aren’t you. You know not everyones lucky enough to have a nice rich family to take care of them like you.” Savannah looked at you waiting for you to embarrass yourself and snap at her. 

“Shut the fuck up Savannah you have been such a  needy bitch all night can’t you go cry for attention some where else.” Before you could say anything Rafe had already done it for you saying it better then you probably would have. That still didn’t stop Savannahs jaw from dropping over Rafe’s word considering he’s been relatively quiet this whole night.

“Your really gonna stand up for her, sure she can slap on some name brand clothes, go to the country clubs and cozy up to us but no matter how you look at it (y/n) isn’t one of us she’s always gonna be a fucking lowlife pouge.” Savannah was fuming and you couldn’t quite understand where her animosity with you came from but all of this started to feel like too much.

“Um, why don’t we all go to the table? I think dinner is gonna be served soon so we should all go sit down.” Kelce grabbed Anais hand, edging her to take care of Savannah so they could all walk off to their table.

You just stood there quiet not saying a word unsure of how to feel about everything. Your head was swirling with a million thoughts at once.

“Don’t listen to that (y/n) you’ve always been one of us, you’re a kook at heart. I don’t care where you’re from, you’re better than that, you were never meant to be a pogue.” Topper said trying his best to comfort you but his words stung more than anything without meaning too.

“You don’t get it, none of you get it.” You ran off heading towards the locker rooms just wanting to finally break down.

You sat on the floor letting out all your anguish that you’ve been holding in all this time. You put your head between your knees and continued to sob not even hearing the door opening up.

“Hey.” Rafe said, sitting down beside you.

“What do you want? Did you come here to get a good laugh to tell me how I’m just Topper’s little love sick bitch or something come on Rafe what is it this time you must be so excited to finally see me knocked down a peg.” Your voice seethed with anger looking at him with tear stung eyes.

“No I don’t wanna say anything like that I just wanna see if you’re ok.” He looked at you his blue eyes staring deeply into yours.

You didn’t see any pity in his face if anything he looked sad almost like he could feel your pain. You just busted down once again.

“I know I give you a hard time but I would never kick you when you’re down like this, I know for a damn fact that wasn’t your speech up there. I also know Savannah is a huge fucking bitch.”

“She is, isn’t she.” You laughed, making him smile at your slight change in tone.

“It’s just all my life everyone’s wanted me to be what they think I should be. I’m either the pogue princess, the Thortons charity case or a traitor to the cut. All my life I’ve had to prove to people that I deserve to be where I am and that I deserve to have the friends that I do. No one even knows who I am.” You looked over to Rafe tears gently rolling down your face as you sniffles calming down slightly.

“ You’re the girl that puts everyone’s needs before your own. The kind of girl that would invite her best friend’s mean older brother to hang out with them after he destroyed their fort.” He looked down as he said it, not wanting to meet your eyes.

“It was actually a tent not a fort.” You couldn’t help but to smile. Rafe was really trying his hardest to make you feel better.

“Why have you been so nice to me recently? I’m used to your hot and cold attitude when it comes to me but you’ve really been extra nice recently. It’s kinda weird.”

“Well I’ll be fucking mean to you if thats what you want.” You couldn’t help yourself from leaning in and hugging him tightly, catching him off guard It took him a minute to hug you back.

He relaxed a little, taking in the scent of your shampoo and the way you felt in his arms a feeling he could relish in forever. Before you could pull back, Rafe leaned in, kissing you gently, too caught up in the moment to realize what he had done. The kiss was surprisingly chaste coming nkt what you’d expect from Rafe Cameron himself. You were shocked to say the least.

“Sorry, I should go.” He got up in a hurry trying his best to rush out.

“Rafe wait.” You stood up holding onto his arm so he couldn’t go yet.

“What is it.” He didn’t bother looking at you, embarrassment starting to seep in the longer he stood by you. He couldn’t believe that he let himself get carried away like that after all this time.

“Can I kiss you again?” You asked, looking down.

“What did you just say?” He looked down shocked trying to make sure he wasn’t imagining everything and that this wasn’t another dream of his.

“Please don’t make me say it again Rafe.”

He leaned down, taking your face in his hands and kissing you once again, this time deepening the kiss. He couldn’t believe this was actually happening that you just asked to kiss him. He’s dreamt of a moment like this for years but never thought you’d actually reciprocate.

But like all his dreams it always came to a halting stop when you pulled away suddenly at the sound of the door opening to reveal Topper making his way inside.

“Hey is everything ok I know Rafe said he’d handle it but I just wanted to check on you.” Topper said, stepping in looking between the two of you.

“Everything’s fine i’m feeling better now.” You couldn’t meet his gaze wondering if he saw anything from the looks of it he didn’t seem to be any wiser.

“Ok that’s good my moms wondering where you’ve been we’re like half way through the dinner.” Topper smiled, opening the door up to let you out.

You started to make your way out wiping your face to remove any evidence of crying. “Aren’t you guys coming ?” You turned around noticing they weren’t following you.

“Actually I’m going to talk to Rafe for a second, right buddy.” He looked at Rafe and all he did was nod.

You looked between the two of them nodding as you walked off towards the dining area. Maybe he did see you guys kissing and was gonna ask Rafe what was going on. To be honest you weren’t sure what made you want to kiss him, you had a million thoughts running through your head.

It was so nice to just finally be noticed for once and to be heard after all this time. You wondered what Topper wanted to talk to Rafe about and why you couldn’t be around.

“So you where in here for a while was everything ok.” Topper looked at Rafe looking for a clue as to what took you guys so long.

“Like I said earlier I just wanted to make sure (y/n) was ok.” Rafe could see something was bothering Topper that he wasn’t saying.

“You look like you wanna say something why don’t you fucking say it.”

“It’s just… I don’t know man you’ve been acting different around (y/n) and she’s not like those other girls you mess around with that you can just toss to the side.” Topper eyed him seeing Rafe’s demeanor change.

“Are you trying to say I’m not good enough for (y/n) or some shit? Where’s this even coming from who the fuck are you to be the judge of who’s good enough for (y/n) and who’s not.” Rafe was shocked at Topper’s sudden attitude change. He knew that you had some type of feelings for Topper but he never thought Topper reciprocated.

“Listen I care about you Rafe but all i’m saying is you come with alot of fucking baggage and (y/n) shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

“Don’t fucking worry about what I do "buddy” I didn’t realize you where (y/n) keeper. I’ll see you outside.“ Rafe walked out not wanting to deal with this any more than he had too. What the hell was happening?

It was bad enough he had to worry about JJ, now all of a sudden Topper is switching it up on him. He couldn’t help but to hold onto your kiss and wonder if it had as much meaning for you as it did for him. This was the sign he was waiting for he couldn’t wait any longer Rafe wasn’t gonna let anyone stop him from finally going after you. 

Tag list: @hopebaker

Pouge Princess Update

Hey everyone I just wanted to start off by saying thank you for all the support on this little series of mine. You don’t know how much it means to me that this silly idea of mine has been so well received.

Anyway I just wanted to let you guys know where I’m at right now. I was thinking of combining chapters 4 and 5 and releasing them at the same time since they’re kinda both gonna be centered around the charity ball I keep mentioning.

So instead of getting a chapter this week I’d wait and post them both next week. If guys want I could separate them but I’m honestly leaving it up to you guys to see what your interested in.

Also if you wanna be added to a tag list I’ll start doing that come chapter 4 so just let me know if you wanna be added to that as well.

Pouge Princess Chapter 3

Rafe Cameron x Reader

A/n: Sorry this took a little longer then the other chapters I ended up doing a couple of rewrites. I’m really excited for chapter 4 and 5 I have alot planned for them. Anyways enjoy

Warning ⚠️: swearing

Word count: 2,930

Days when the club is understaffed are the worst days in existence. Because instead of being out on the course you’re stuck helping the wait staff in the kitchen. Forced to serve and carry heavy trays, trying your best to remember what food goes to what table.

The only saving grace was that you worked with JJ, one of the few pogue friends you still had. You knew JJ since before your big school jump as a kid, he was basically the last friend you ever made at your old school before the big switch.

“Your day dreaming again princess, we don’t leave until two so maybe you should hustle with these orders.” JJ said, leaning into you with three tracys in hand.

“I wasn’t daydreaming, I was just in deep thought.” You grabbed one of the trays he was holding and made your way over to your tables.

“Well what’s the difference then you look spaced out either way?”

“Daydreaming uses your imagination and deep thoughts are usually focused on a single topic.” You said walking back into the servers area once the trays were dropped off.

“Bullshit you’re making that up, is this what they’re teaching you over at kook academy because I’d want my money back.” You giggled, slapping his shoulder.

“God you’re annoying anyways onto better news you should come by the beach after our shift. Come watch John B and I surf and stuff.”

“Hmm I can’t, I’m supposed to hang out with Sarah after this.”

“Come on you hang out with Sarah all the time, just bring her with you it’s not like John B’s gonna complain. I barely get to see you, you’re always hanging out with Sarah or Topper, the sexiest surfer guy on all of the island.” His voice goes high when he says Topper’s name, folding his hands and lifting up one leg.

“Why are you doing that?” You whined hitting his arms.

“Because that’s how you say his name, your voice gets all soft and dreamy anytime you mention him. If I didn’t know any better I’d say you liked him. Maybe that’s why you’re still single, are you holding out for him” JJ says, pointing an accusing finger at you.

“Omg why has my lack of dating life been a hot topic recently. I do not like Topper, he is and always has been a close friend.”

It felt as if liar was painted across your forehead with the way JJ was looking at you. Were you being that obvious ? If JJ could tell then everyone must be able too all it takes is one person to notice before word gets around.

“Hmm all I’m gonna say is maybe it’s time to get yourself a boyfriend I’ll help you go through applications.”

Before you could respond your manager came through the service doors eying you two to get back to work. You guys continued to work keeping your eyes glued to the clock for your shifts to end. When two o'clock finally hit, JJ and you bolted out the doors not wanting to get pressured into staying an extra hour or more.

“Alrighty princess, make the call to Sarah you’re coming with me today I aint taking no for an answer.” JJ lifted you up holding you as if you were his bride as he was whisking away from the altar.

You couldn’t help but to laugh as he carried you all the way to the twinkie. John B was always nice enough to lend him the twinkie whenever he had to work. JJ was struggling to open the door with you in his arms reaching out to grab the handle as best as he could.

“Ok ok we’ll come just put me down before you pull a muscle.” You said in-between laughs.

You hopped into the van taking out your phone to see if Sarah was ok with the change of plans. “She said yha we just gotta pick her up.”

“Ok treat me like your own personal uber driver I guess.” JJ said driving off into the direction of Sarah’s house.

You guys picked up John B and Sarah before finally heading to the beach. Sarah and you watched layed up on two towels as the boys were surfing.

“ So is this like a double date ?” Sarah said, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Omg Sarah you know JJ is like one of my best friends. Why is everyone getting on me about this recently.” You turned around deciding to lay on your stomach so you didn’t have to face her knowing she couldn’t comment on how your face was flushed if she couldn’t see it.

“I’m just saying, me and John B, you and JJ it would be perfect honestly. Think about it JJ is totally into you too.”

“He is not, we’re sandbox buddies for life.”

Sarah rolled her eyes at you. “Come on (y/n) you can’t tell me you’re hooked on "Frosty” still is this why you’re so against dating. I mean It’s been how many years, who even is this guy! You haven’t even told me your best friend in the whole wide world who he is. You’ve practically wasted all your prime dating years holding out for this mystery man. I don’t get it.“ Sarah started to wave her arms around frantically as she went into her rant clearly frustrated with your secrecy.

Frosty was your code name for Topper but Sarah couldn’t know that, while you could hide who you have a crush on you can’t hide that you have one. It was one of the rules to your "secret game”, you two must always tell each other if you like someone if you’re caught lying then you have to do a punishment of the others choosing.

Which you learned the hard way  when Sarah made you go to your first ever middle school party in a shirt that said Sarah Cameron’s bitch after she caught you doodling the code name on one of your binders.

“Come on (y/n) all I’m saying is you have a perfectly great guy that’s dying for the chance to be with you. And think of how perfect it would be to date a fellow pair of besties.” Sarah decided to prop herself up watching as the boys came back to shore.

“I don’t know, maybe you’re right.” Before you could finish your thought JJ flung himself down on your towel resting his head and torso on your back, his wet body feeling cold against your skin.

“JJ oh my God, I was trying to avoid getting wet today.” You said doing your best to turn and look over at him.

“Aw come on, maybe if you weren’t such a towel hog I wouldn’t have to do that.” He nuzzled his head into your back causing you all to laugh.

John B stood smiling, taking a towel from Sarah and wrapping it on his neck giving her a knowing glance. Suddenly his smile turned his eyes squinting as he looked off into the distance.

“Don’t look now but the kook patrol is on the horizon.” John B said watching as Rafe, Kelce and Topper made their way down to the beach.

You all couldn’t help but turn seeing that they also noticed the four of you lounging on the beach.

“Ugh God why are they coming over here.” Sarah groaned, bringing her knees to her chest.

“So who do we have here?” Rafe was the first to speak coming over to stand by you. All his eyes could focus on was the sight of JJ laying down on you. He felt that twinge of jealousy creeping up on him once again.

“Can you guys just not?” Sarah said glaring at her brother before darting her eyes at the two Boys standing behind him.

“We just came over to say hi to (y/n) actually, not you three.” Topper spoke, pointing his finger at you.

Looking up you shook JJ off of your back so you could sit up, he couldn’t help himself from sitting as close to you as possible in a protective manner, even though he knew Topper and them are your friends he still didn’t trust them.

“Um well do you guys wanna go over there and talk or something then.” You asked. 

All these years you’ve always tried your hardest to keep everyone separated from each other. You never wanted any confrontation knowing the history that they all share.

“I mean I want to talk to you about the charity event anyways so why don’t you hang out with us for a little bit.” Topper kept his focus on you not wanting to acknowledge the rest of the group.

“As long as you guys don’t mind, I’ll come right back. It will only be for a little bit.” You looked over at the group.

Sarah and John B could tell that you desperately wanted to avoid an issue at all costs. And by the sympathetic looks on their faces you could tell they were willing to be the first to compromise. JJ on the other hand was just trying to do his best to bite his tongue.

“Go ahead, we’re just gonna get ready to head back to my place, we’ll wait for you.” John B smiled, patting your shoulder as you got up to go with Topper and the boys.

Rafe glanced back at JJ as the four of you walked off noticing the way JJ’s eyes never left your frame. He was well aware of the look JJ was giving you. It was the same look he had plastered on his face all these years.

“So my mom wants you to help us with setting up on Saturday.” Topper said, acting as if the air on the beach wasn’t polluted with tension.

“Yha of course but isn’t she paying to have it set up?” You stayed close to Topper letting your arms brush together as you all continued to walk seminingly with nowhere in mind.

Rafe and Kelce having a conversation of their own, only chiming in when needed. That didn’t stop Rafe from glancing over at you any chance he got.

“Yha, she just wants us to make sure the clubs do it exactly how she likes. You know she just wants to micromanage everything. Anyways, enough of this boring talk, I heard you have a date this year.” Topper slapped Rafe on the shoulder causing both of you to look at him with shock in your eyes.

“A date! Come on Top where just going as friends.” Your eyes felt like saucers as you stared at him before looking at Rafe to confirm your Comment.

A light bulb went off in Rafe’s head when he saw the way you looked at him, it all started to make sense. It was Topper that you’ve been interested in all these years, his best friend was the reason you treated him like he was invisible.

“Get real it’s not a fucking date come on man.”

Rafe couldn’t help but to feel hurt by how quickly you dismissed the idea of going on a date with him but it all made sense now. That still didn’t stop a bitter taste from forming in his mouth as he looked over at you though. To make matters worse he saw JJ starting to approach them all.

“Hey (y/n) we’re starting to pack up the twinkie you coming?” JJ didn’t even bother to look at the boys, only focusing on you.

“Hello to you too.” Rafe said his patience was starting to wear thin.

“That’s rude you’re not even gonna say hi or excuse me.” Kelce spoke up mad that he interrupted the conversation.

“Maybe someone should teach him some damn manners.” Topper chimed in, his previous demeanor changing completely.

You looked over at the boys trying your best to ignore their taunts just wanting this exchange to end. 

“Don’t listen to them ok, I’ll be there in a sec, I’m just gonna say goodbye first.” Your hand reached out to his shoulder giving it a slight squeeze not knowing that this would be Rafes’ final straw.

He was doing his best to not let this whole thing get to him but he just couldn’t contain himself any further.

“You know you don’t have to slum it with that dirty ass salt-lifer if you don’t want to (y/n), you can just hang out with us. But hey, I guess you always did love your charity work.” Rafe laughed, smiling widely as JJ puffed up his chest getting closer to him. 

“You know Rafe your a fucking ass what is (y/n) only good enough when it’s convenient for you because I heard what happened at the club and while (y/n) might of let it slide I haven’t.”

The boys were now in each other’s faces, fists clenched while Topper and Kelce took a few steps closer ready to jump in if Rafe needed them too.

“Big talk for the guy that will be serving my mai tais next week, if you wanna keep your job I suggest you shut the fuck up.” Rafe jabbed his finger into JJ’s chest with each word he spoke.

JJ was asked to work the day of the charity ball and you knew it was a big opportunity for him to make a few extra bucks. Big events at the club always mean more tips and overtime. You didn’t want JJ losing out knowing how much he needed the money.

You did your best to slide in-between the two boys putting your hands on each of their chests.

“Can you guys please just stop it and put your egos aside for once just drop it.” You looked at both of them watching as they backed away, Topper grabbing onto Rafe and patting his shoulder while you pulled JJ aside. 

“I’ll meet you guys at the twinkie ok, just give me a minute please.” You smiled gently, holding onto his shoulders once again before he walked off, still angry at the situation but stopped himself from going any further for your sake.You turned around facing the boys, your mood now bitter.

“Can you guys just please for once not do anything stupid. I know you all have your problems but I can’t keep being in the middle of this. I don’t want any problems at the charity ball next week.” You tried your best to sound stern but there was a slight quiver to your voice that you just couldn’t mask.

“(Y/n) look…” Topper tried taking a step forward but you simply backed away too upset by his action the most.

You rarely see that side of Topper you knew it was there but you’ve been lucky enough to avoid it for the most part.

“I’ll see you guys next week bye.” You turned around picking up your pace to head towards the van. Rafe couldn’t help himself from following you, catching up after you got far enough from the guys.

“Hey I know I’m not the easiest person in the world to be around so don’t be mad at Topper and Kelce, they only tried to have my back. I’m not making any promises but if I stick by you at the charity ball then I’ll have no choice but to be in my best behavior.”

You paused looking over at him studying his face before he went on. “I mean it’s hard to get in trouble when you have little Miss baby doll with you.”

“Let’s just see how everything goes I’m keeping my fingers crossed for no issues.” You waved goodbye walking off to go to the twinkie.

Sarah and John B were clearly trying to calm JJ down as he paced around ranting about the altercation that just accused.

“JJ I’m sorry about before I should have stepped in sooner.” You said going to Stand by Sarah.

“Hey it’s not your fault they’re dicks.” John B said arms crossed watching as JJ finally stopped pacing.

“Let’s just go home.” JJ mumbled heading into the van to head back.

When you guys arrived back Sarah gave you a little wink as John B and her made their way to his room. While you and JJ sat on the couch.

“Why do you hang out with them (y/n) ? Like I get you need to have friends and everything when you’re in kookville but why Rafe and them.” JJ turned to you, his arm resting against the back of the couch.

“I mean It just kinda happened when I was a kid. Rafe’s always been rough around the edges and Topper and Kelce we’re just defending him I guess. They aren’t always like that. I just hate it when you all fight.” You turned to JJ staring into his eyes.

“I just worry sometimes you know I don’t want you to get hurt or anything especially by Rafe I mean dudes a fucking wild card.”

“ You know I’ve known them all for years, I mean Rafe is unpredictable but he has his good moments. You don’t need to worry about me” You reassured him by leaning your head into his arm and he gladly accepted your affection.

Truth was you couldn’t help but to feel a little uneasy about next week like something was brewing in the air. Everything just felt off and you couldn’t put your finger on what it all was, hopefully this would all go away once the charity ball was over.

A/N: Well here u have it chapter 3 is officially done. Next week we’re going to the charity ball folks and buckle up bc its gonna be a good one

Secret Game

{A pouge princess one-shot}

(Sarah Cameron x Bff Reader)

A/n: This is a little tie in with my pouge princess series I figured I’d dedicate a one shot to the game I’ll be mentioning alot. You don’t need to read this one to understand anything in pouge princess but I figured it would be a cute add on.

Warning ⚠️: none, everyone is aged down so Rafe is 10, Sarah and reader are like 7 and Wheezie is 4

Word count: 1,349

Sarah and you gathered underneath the covers of the tent Ward helped you guys build. Giggling as you pulled out a flash light to illuminate the small space, a notebook with stickers and sparkly pens scattered all around the two of you.

Sarah opened up the notebook to the first page popping open one of the pens in the process. “What should our game be about?”

“Umm i don’t know we should make it so we stay friends forever.” You giggled

“yha definitely we need something that will never tear us apart, something that we can play for years to come.” Sarah said doodling little hearts around the header of the notebook.

“How about we make it a game of truth? So we always have to tell each other everything.”

“That’s boring though we need something more.” Sarah huffed

“Oh I know how about in the truth game we have it where we never lie to each other about anything.”

“And if your caught in a lie you have to do what ever the other one says. But what type of things can’t we lie about” Sarah said writing down in the notebook what the two of you just came up with.

“We always have to let the each other know when we’re mad. You said taking a pen and adding the rule in.

"You always have to let me know if you like someone.” Sarah said turning the notebook towards her to add it.

“What why.” You winned.

“Because I wanna know everything we can’t keep secrets remember.” Sarah stuck her tongue out at you and you busted into a fit of giggles.

“Ok fine what else should we add?” “How about when ever one of us says pop quiz we just ask each other random questions and we have to answer no matter what and if not we do mini punishment.” Sarah pops up scribbling down the new rule.

“That’s a good idea we should keep tally of whoever has the most punishments.” You two continued to scribble in the notebook giggling at each thing you two wrote.

Before you knew it you had pages full of rules covered in stickers and written in glittery pens. The only thing left was to put a name towards your creation so the two of you sat there stumped trying to come up with something to call your game.

Suddenly your tent began to shake rapidly causing the blankets around you two to collapse ontop of you. Sarah and you cried out crawling out from underneath to see Rafe arms crossed with a scowl on his face.

“Your tents in the way, I wanna watch TV so why don’t you two get lost.” Rafe said stating daggers into the two of you.

“RAFE HOW COULD YOU.” Sarah yelled out stomping towards her brother fists clenched, trying her best to meet his eyes as he toward over her.

“You two have been in here for hours its time for you guys to go on in your room.” He said jabbing his finger into Sarah’s forehead.

You could tell by the look on Sarah’s face that she was ready to blow if it was possible you where sure steam would shot out of her ears. You walked over to them clenching the notebook that Sarah and you had spent hours working on trying to break up the brawl before it gone any worse.

“How about we all watch TV together and we can rebuild the tent and all hang out.” You squeeked looking down as you spoke.

Rafe turned his attention away from Sarah to pinch your cheeks shaking your whole body in the process. “Like I wanna hang out with a bunch of damn babies I’m not here to babysit its bad enough I got Wheezie following me around all day.”

Low and behold you turned your head as best you could to the sound of a little Wheezie tottering her way up to you all. Crossing her arms just as Rafe was before.

“Yha a bunch of babies.” She mimicked looking towards her brother for approval.

Rafe didn’t let of of your face only glancing over to Wheezie with a slight smile before turning his attention back to you two. Sarah wasn’t letting Wheezie’s distraction get in the way she pushed herself as close as she could to Rafe getting in his face

“Don’t touch my (y/n).” Sarah yanked Rafe away from you causing you all to tumble down, you sat up trying your best to pry Sarah off of Rafe as she began to slap him her arms flailing rapidly.

Rafe layed back blocking her shots as best as he could as you held onto her waist trying to pull her off.

“Sarah please let’s just go to your room i hate it when you guys fight like this.” You pleaded but Sarah kept on wailing away that was until you heard heavy foot steps aproch and all of you froze in place to see Ward standing by the doorway.

“Now what in the world is going on in here,  I shouldn’t hear you guys when I’m all the way in my office.” He said his voice sounding stern as he looked at us all with his hands on his hips.

“Rafe started it” Sarah cried out  shaking her way out of your hold to go rest her head on her father’s legs.

“He messed up our tent and said the D word Daddy, he even started to pinch (y/n)’s cheeks too.” Ward put his Hand ontop of Sarah’s head sending a look over towards Rafe.

“What did I tell you about messing with the girls Rafe, you should know better then that. We're  gonna have to have a talk in my office later.” He said voice harsh as he looked over to Rafe.

“But dad you seen she was hitting me why aren’t you gonna do anything about it.” Rafe huffed pointing his finger at Sarah as she turned her head to stick out her tounge before nuzzling her face back onto Wards legs.

“She wouldn’t of done it if you didn’t go and start this whole mess now I want you to apologize to the girls and come find me in my office after that.” His voice was harsh feeling like he cut Rafe with each word spoken. Rafe looked down his face hot with rage only nodding at his fathers words.

“Now when I’m done with that I’ll help you girls rebuild your tent.” Wards voice softened as he spoke to the two of you.

Sarah and you flashed him huge smiles thanking him as he walked off back into his office. Rafe turned to you first picking up the discarded notebook and handing it over to you.

“What’s this?” He said looking at the decorated cover.

“It’s the rules to our game.” You said shly before Sarah stomped over once again facing Rafe.

“Its the rules to a secret game,  so only (y/n) and me can play. Your not allowed now say sorry or I’ll tell dad on you again.” Sarah eyed him waiting for him to finally apologize.

“Whatever I don’t wanna play anyway, I guess I’m sorry.” He shoved his hands into his pockets taking one more look at you as you smiled at him before heading towards Ward’s office.

Wheezie followed suit after getting lost in the commotion as she followed Rafe most likely to sit outside of the door to wait for him. “That’s what we should call our game.” You said looking over to Sarah opening back up the notebook.

“It’s perfect since only we can play no one can ever know what our game is about its just for us and us only.” Sarah gleamed as you two wrote down the name.

You both burst into giggles rolling around the floor in pure glee after finally figuring out the name to your game. Neither one of you realizing that a silly little game created by two kids would go on to span years worth of friendship. 

A/n: I hope guys enjoyed I wrote this while I was hiding from my manager at work today

Pouge Princess Chapter 2

(Rafe Cameron x Reader)

A/n: Chapter 2 is here !!!! I just wanna start off with saying thank you guys for reading of course I kinda wanna start dabbling in maybe headcanons or doing stuff from a prompt list eventually once I see how this all goes. So let me know if anyone’s interested in that. Also this chapter is heavy Wheezie centric I feel like she needs more love in the Fandom. She’s the only one in the show that let’s us see that Rafe still has a heart and that’s just so fascinating to me. So I figured I’d give her some love this chapter

Disclaimer: I forgot to mention this in the blurb and chapter 1 but everyone is aged up in this and obviously there is no gold or killing or anything (yet maybe idk)

Warning ⚠️: foul language that’s about it

Word count: 3,100

You couldn’t help but to avoid Rafe like the Goddamn plague after that day at the golf course. To say he got under your skin that day would be an understatement.

All your years in knowing Rafe Cameron you tried your best to understand where Rafe was coming from because the moment he laid eyes on you as kids he made it his mission to terrorize you day in and day out.You would think with him being three years older he’d be more mature but that was never the case.

You’d take the wrath of little Rafe any day compared to what he does now. When you were kids he would pinch your cheeks with his hands and just hold your head calling you an annoying, a little baby or other innocent insults before running off to avoid getting in trouble. It was so much simpler than wishing you could just go back to that version of Rafe. But yet somehow no matter what he did you always seemed to have a secret soft spot for him.

Maybe it was because you saw how hard Ward was on him. Every time you’d come over Rafe was always being scolded, Ward expected the best from him and everytime Rafe didn’t deliver the harder he’d be on him. A part of you wondered if this was why Rafe had a hard time letting people into his life with all the high expectations that people put on him.

Maybe this was all part of being the kook prince, maybe the title was actually a curse in disguise. When you have a title like that attached to your name people start treating you as if you’re not a person, you just become whatever people want you to be. Both you and Sarah understood that all too well.

When you’re back home on the cut, everyone tries to cozy up to you in hope of getting invited to kook parties or to see if you have any dirt on outer banks richest families. Some even go as far and call you a traitor feeling as if you abandoned your roots. And when you’re in figure 8 you feel the need to prove that not all pogues are just sleazy poor people and that you’re not just there to steal from them. That’s why you always tried your hardest to prove everyone wrong and show them that just because you’re a pogue doesn’t mean you have no class which I guess in return earned you your princess of the cut title after all these years.

But moments like these really made you question why you even tried in the first place. And as you walked up the steps of Tannyhill after a week of avoiding it simply because of Rafe you couldn’t help but to wonder what your next course of action would be if you saw him. Sarah has been asking you for days to come over and hang out with her but you just kept pushing her off knowing that running into Rafe in his own home was inevitable.

But here you are standing at the beautiful, mostly likely hand sculpted doors of Tannyhill. Before you could even get ready to knock the doors swung open revealing none other than Wheezie Cameron herself.

“I’m so glad you’re here (y/n) I’m in the middle of a deep crisis and I could use all the help I can get.”

“Um but I was supposed to…”

Wheezie didn’t even give you time to finish your sentence as she yanked you inside, taking your hand and dragging you towards her room.

“We have no time to waste.” She slammed the door behind her pressing her body against it as if she was trapping you inside.

“I need advice and I need it now and you’re the only person I can go to. This is top secret stuff here (y/n). I’m bypassing the whole Cameron family and I’m coming straight to you.”

“Well what is it that you need….”

“Shhhhh ” Once again Wheezie cut you off this time by pressing her finger against your lips.

“I can’t let anyone know you’re here Sarah’s in the shower getting ready for you. We only have limited time to talk before she wonders where you are.” You nodded your head afraid to cause another over dramatic outburst from the youngest Cameron.

“I screwed up big time (y/n) . I think I crossed the line with my crush. You know the one from my school and they totally hate me now. I said something I know I shouldn’t have, I kinda called them out on something I know they’re insecure about but in my defense I only did it because I was hella fucking jealous that they weren’t paying attention to me. But love makes you do crazy things you know.”

You nodded taking in what Wheezie was saying as she frantically waved her arms around. “Well maybe you should…” once again you were cut off feeling Wheezie pressing her finger against your lips once more.

“I’m almost done, I’m getting to the big finish.” Dramatically she put her arm over her forehead leaning back and closing her eyes.

“I’m just scared that I’ll never get the chance to apologize. I really messed up. I guess I’m just worried they don’t like me back and I’ve wasted all this time crushing on them for nothing.” You waited wanting to make sure that she got out everything she needed too before finally speaking.

After all these years you really bonded with the youngest Cameron. You guys are just as close as Sarah and you. She truly felt like an outsider in her own home. She wasn’t as popular as Sarah and Rafe at school and she always felt buried beneath all their drama. And even though she was younger than you, you always felt like you two shared a special bond.

“ Well as long as you’ve given them space and everything you should take the time to reach out to them and apologize. If you’re not ready to let them know how you feel then just continue trying to be a friend, if they care about you too then they’ll forgive you just make sure to allow them to forgive you on their time not yours.” Wheezie nodded, taking in the information you told her.

“Also jealousy and love make you do crazy things so just be careful those are two very powerful emotions that consume you if you don’t handle it properly.”

At that Wheezie hugged you smiling widely. “You’re the best (y/n) I knew I could count on you for top tier advice. If Sarah asks just say you’ve been waiting in the foyer for her and that she needs to take quicker showers, her and Rafe are the only people I know that can use up all the hot water in Tannyhill.” You laughed before making your exit.

Walking back to the foyer you could see Sarah texting on her phone. “Um, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for like ever.”

“Funny I got here almost 20 minutes ago looking for you. I’m guessing your "quick” shower took longer than expected like always.“ You roll your eyes as she begins to laugh.

"Ok my bad I’ll make it up to let’s head outside.”

As Sarah and you make your way to the back Wheezie pops her head out from behind one of the closet doors making sure the two of you are gone before making her way towards her brother’s room.

Knocking on his door she slowly peeks her head in to find her brother laying down playing on his phone.

“What’s the point of knocking if your just gonna fucking barge in anyway.” Rafe said not bothering to look up at his younger sister.

“I come bearing information about (y/n) that I thought you might like to hear. But if I’m not wanted then I could always go.” She says coyly sitting at the end of his bed as her brother’s head pops up at the mention of your name.

“Why would I care about that ?” Rafe says, sinking back down Wheezie knows he’s just trying to play it cool not wanting to seem too over eager at the idea of you.

While Rafe has never come out and said it directly to her Wheezie has always known about the secret crush he’s harbored for you. She always held a deep admiration for her older brother so naturally she’d follow him around when she was younger. And over time she started to realize that while she was following him he was always following you, watching as you and Sarah would play in the background, taking every chance he could to tease you.

At first she just thought he was being a normal annoying boy treating you like he would his sisters. But as you all grew older Wheezie understood that he had a diffrent type of love for you.

Naturally she found out about what happened at the golf course, granted it took major prying on her end for Rafe to explain why he’s been in such a mood this past week. So she figured she’d take matters into her own hands knowing that communication was never her brother’s strong suit.

“So I was talking to (y/n) about "MY” little problem and she gave me some pretty solid advice.“

"Wait, what’s your problem? Do you need me to take care of anything?” Rafe said, sitting up clearly not getting his sister’s hints.

“No stupid I basically refrased the issue your having with her but making like its my issue.”

“Oh ok why didn’t you just say that.” Wheezie couldn’t help but roll her eyes at how stupid her brother could be sometimes.

“Anyway I think you should apologize to her but like in your own way so she doesn’t get sus about your crush and everything. And she also says that if someone cares about you they’ll forgive you just don’t get all pushy like you usually do. I know you have no patience.”

Rafe nodded, taking in his sister’s words. “I think it’s about time you just tell her how you feel Rafe. It has been agonizing to watch all these years. Plus I would love it if (y/n) was my sister in law.”

At that Rafe flicked Wheezie on her head “Jesus Wheeze let me work on my own goddamn time, you’re jumping too far ahead I gotta focus on today.”

“So you’re admitting you’ve thought of marriage.” Wheezie smiled, jumping off his bed and running to the door before he could flick her again.

“Sarah and (y/n) are outside. I can get Sarah away from her so you can apologize.”

Following his sister out they made their way to the backyard to see you and Sarah sitting beneath a tree facing one another and laughing.

“What are you two doing? ” Wheezie calls out running up to you guys as Rafe stands behind leaning against the back door.

“We’re playing our secret game.” Sarah says giggling

“God not this again when are you two gonna give this up.” Wheezie whines and you two burst into laughter.

For years Sarah and you have been playing this “secret game” that only the two of you know about much to everyone’s annoyance. It was something you two did to ensure you’d always be friends and never fight and after all these years it seemed to be working. While Sarah has a tendency to drift away from people she never seemed to drift from you.

“Gosh you two are so annoying together, anyway Rose texted me to ask if you can send her a picture of that contract she just signed for that new house she sold.”

“Why can’t you do it? I’m busy.”

“I don’t know where it is. Can you show me?”

“Ugh I’ll be back (y/n).”

Rafe watches as Sarah gets up following Wheezie inside before stepping his way over to you. “Hey” He said, towering over you instead of sitting.

“Hi Rafe.” He couldn’t help but see the way you looked up at him before looking back down, noticing the way you didn’t want to make eye contact. Rafe finally sat down, sitting opposite of you like Sarah was just moments before.

You watched as he suddenly lifted his large hands to your face. “Um Rafe, what are you….” Before you could finish your sentence Rafe began to pinch your cheeks and shake your head.

“I’m trying to get you to stop being such a fucking baby and look at me when I talk to you.” He said as he watched you squint your eyes and scrunch up your nose secretly relishing the feeling of your face in his hands.

Once satisfied he released your face and watched as you busted out laughing, he couldn’t stop the smile from forming on his face as you laughed. As much as he ragged on his friends for being love sick bitches all the time he was probably secretly the worst out of all of them because everything you did riled him up to no end.

“You Camerons can never let me finish a sentence.” You chuckled.

Excited that he finally got you to speak to him he found a way to keep the conversation going as best as he could. “Hmm, So uh you’re going to Toppers next week for the yearly Thornton charity ball ?”

“Yha it’s not like I have a choice really.”

“Well you gotta love being Cynthia Thornton’s favorite trophy piece to show off.” Once again you giggle at his words noticing Sarah approaching from behind.

“Is he bothering you (y/n)? I could always have dad lock him back up in the kennel with the other dogs.” Sarah said arms crossed waiting for Rafe to move from her spot.

“I’m fucking going” standing up he took one more glance at you before walking away noticing the small smile you gave him. He was trying his hardest to bite his tongue, not wanting to ruin the moment between the two of you just to get into a petty dispute with Sarah.

“You know actually I think it might be time for me to head home. I have an early shift tomorrow and you know it will take a while for me to get back.” You said standing up and brushing off the dirt from your shorts.

“Aw come on (y/n) why do you always have to be so responsible?” Sarah whined before taking you in her arms. “Come over tomorrow we can keep playing our game.”

“I can give you a ride home (y/n) I was gonna head over that way anyway.”

Rafe could see the look of shock on both Sarah and yours face and a part of him already felt regretful for even offering. But he couldn’t sit on his feelings for you any longer. If he didn’t start acting on them then he might actually explode, and a ride home was a good step in the right direction.

“Um sure I’d really appreciate that it saves me the cab fare.” Rafe could tell you were agreeing just to avoid the awkward rejection and it hurt a hell of a lot to realize that.

“I’ll see how I feel after my shift Sarah and let you know.” You hugged her one more time before taking your leave falling a few steps behind Rafe’s tall frame.

The two of you got into his truck sitting in an awkward silence as he started the engine. Neither one of you spoke for sometime both just keeping your eyes straight ahead.

“Are you going to go see Barry?” You asked knowing that Rafe wouldn’t be caught dead in the cut unless it was to see Barry.

“Uh yha I owe him money and I gotta pay him back today.”

“Hmm” your attempt at making conversation fell dead, coming off as more judgmental than you intended it to be.

“So I assume you’re going to the charity event next week too. Maybe we could hang out for a bit. I always hated going and I know Sarah kinda isn’t invited because of… well you know.” You looked over at him to see if you got any reaction.

A part of you was mentally screaming for even asking him. Rafe seemed like he was extending an olive branch today so of course you’d try to grab hold of it and finally end his years long reign of terror against you. Plus it would be nice to finally go with someone to the Thornton charity ball and not awkwardly hang onto Topper for the whole event.

“Sure I hate those fucking things anyway I only go for Topper and since my dad is makeing me this year.”

You nodded watching as Rafe turned down your block slowing down when he reached your house. “Well thanks for the ride Rafe, I’ll probably see you tomorrow.” Rafe nodded as You flashed him another smile, you got out of the car waving goodbye when you reached the door.

Rafe stayed to make sure you got in safe and to get the excuse to watch you a little longer before pulling off making his way over to Barry’s house.

Maybe Wheezie was right that now was the time for him to make his move. You’re sweet and caring and no matter how hard he’s tried to push you away you always end up forgiving him.  Being around you is the best high he’s ever had but he couldn’t stop the nagging voice inside his head from telling him he’ll just ruin everything or more importantly ruin you. 

A/n: Well that’s the end of chapter 2 I had alot of fun writing this one. I’m gonna try to come up with a consistent posting schedule and shot for Thursday nights to post. Anyway I hope guys enjoy I have some fun stuff planned

My Random Obx Headcanons

● I know Rose is a realtor but she gives me strong interior decorator vibes. Like I can see her and Ward having their own flip or flop type vibe

● Wheezie runs a gossip page about all the kids in obx. She’s definitely the gossip girl of figure 8 dishing out everyone’s dirty secrets even her own siblings, no one is safe

● Rafe played football and baseball as a kid before giving it up to focus on golf. 

● John B is a horrible texter. He’ll read your messages but forget to respond to them. It will take him a solid 3 days to a week to actually send you a message back. 

● Ward makes all the kids sit down for a family dinner at least once a week and makes them all say what the best part of their day was 

● Kelce is a secret nerd but won’t let Topper and Rafe know in fear of them teasing him about it. His favorite things are probably star wars and anything to do with Superman and Spiderman. He goes to conventions in New York but lies and tells the boys he’s visiting family. 

● Also credit to the person I saw post this, if I can find it I’ll tag them for credit but I definitely agree that Topper is hands down the best fighter in the obx. Like he can definitely take down guys twice his size. 

● Topper was definitely student body president like there’s no way around it like he was in student council and everything. 

● Topper was also in mock trial for sure since his grandfather is a judge his mom made him join. 

● Jj use to sell candy and silly bands secretly from his desk when he was in elementary school until a teacher caught him and busted down on his business 

● Barry is a really good artist, he’s drawn portraits of everyone that’s bought from him just for the hell of it. 

● Rafe once looked through one of Barry’s sketch books and seen a drawing of himself. Barry was pissed but Rafe’s nosy and can’t mind his own business 

● Rafe and Barry go fishing together from time to time 

● John B uses 5 in one body wash while Pope has a normal shower routine and JJ insists that just water will get the job done 

● Sarah had braces in middle school but got them out before high school started 

● Kie got in trouble at school once for staging a walk out during class to ban plastic straws at school 

● Pope is afraid of mice idk why but I just know he is

● If Ward was still a pouge he be like one of those guys on deadliest catch that goes out looking for crabs and shit

A/n: These are random ass thoughts I had when I was board during work today , the only person they probably make sense to is me Anyway if you enjoyed this check out the first chapter to my fic Pouge Princess . If I knew how to do the little highlighted link thing I would but for now I just have it pinned to my page. Anyway hope you enjoy

Traitor

Pairing:JJ Maybank x Reader

Warnings:Swearing, angst, drinking and smoking, i think thats it?

Word Count: 2.8k

A/N:Gif is not mine, but this writing is. I just heard this song and I knew I hadto write something for it!! Based in the song Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo.

 Y/n was quick to stop dead in her tracks when she saw them together. Kiara and JJ walked hand in hand down the beach, throwing their heads back in loud laughter that just made Y/n’s heart throb painfully. Sure, she knew that the two were friends, best friends even, but this was more than that.

Friends didn’t hold hands like that. Friends also didn’t kiss each other the way that Y/n watched them do. Her heart ached and she chewed on her knuckle to stop the sobs as tears slipped down her cheeks. It had been just weeks since she and JJ had broken up, rather roughly, and today all of her suspicions were confirmed. 

Y/n was tucked into JJ’s chest as they lay on the couch at the chateau. The silence was getting to Y/n, making her mind run through scenarios that terrified her. JJ was always prepared for those ‘Would you still love me if I didn’t have legs?’ and other equally off the wall questions from the girl and he laughed every time and told her of course he would. JJ thought he was ready for anything the girl threw at him, but what came out of her mouth when she rolled onto her back and looked up at him was nothing he could have planned for.

Y/n rolled onto her back in his arms and touched her hand to his face, tracing his jawline. “JJ?” She asked in a small voice, JJ smiled down at the girl in his arms and waited for her to continue with her inevitably silly question. “You would tell me if you stopped loving me, wouldn’t you?” JJ sucked in a breath and looked into her eyes.

“Why would I ever stop loving you?” He asked her with a dry chuckle. “Where do you come up with these questions, Y/n?” He kissed her forehead but when he looked back at her, her eyes were trained on his.

Still tracing her fingers along his jaw, she swallowed heavily. “They just pop into my head and I can’t get them out without an answer.” She sighed, running her fingers up the bridge of his nose. “Sometimes I get worried JJ, sometimes all I can think of is who you used to be, who everyone told me you were when we got together.” Y/n rushed the words out and JJ’s eyes went wide. “I just need to know that when you tell me that you love me, that it’s just me.”

“Where is this coming from? Have Rafe and Topper been telling you things again? Because I told you Y/n, you’re it for me. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone before.” 

Y/n’s voice dropped so soft that JJ barely heard her. Barely. “Even Kie?”

JJ’s heart throbbed in his chest, hearing his girlfriend ask about Kiara. It was no secret that before Y/n came along, JJ was into Kie, but there hadn’t even been the slightest amount of flirting between the two since JJ asked Y/n to be his. “Y/n, you know that Kie and I are just friends. We’ve been friends since the beginning and that’s all we ever will be. Don’t be so paranoid, princess, you aren’t getting rid of me anytime soon.” He kissed her nose repeatedly until her laugh rang in his ears.

“I’m sorry.” She nuzzled her face into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her frame, holding her tight.

The conversation was fresh in her mind as she watched the two of them find a spot on the beach to sit together. When they got closer and JJ touched his hand to Kie’s jaw, Y/n had to close her eyes because she knew what came after that. When she opened her eyes, they were still kissing deeply, JJ cupping her face with one hand and his other hand still holding her hand. She couldn’t stand just watching them anymore, her heart couldn’t shatter any further. No sooner did she turn around, and literally smacked into Rafe Cameron’s chest. “Where you going little pogue?” Rafe’s loud voice boomed in the quiet air. Topper, as usual, was at his right hand. He looked toward the beach and an evil grin formed on his face as he slapped his hand against Rafe’s chest and pointed to the couple. “Are you spying, little pogue?” Rafe taunted, voice raising impossibly louder making Y/n wince as she tried to step past him. “Maybank dumped you and now you’re stalking him? That’s fucked up, even for a damn pogue.” Topper laughed at his friend and a tear threatened to fall from Y/n’s eye. 

Shaking her head quickly to try and fend off the tear, she scoffed. “Yes Rafe, I’m a pogue, I think we’ve covered that by now, don’t you?” She pushed at him again but was denied once more. Y/n clenched her teeth, preparing to run again when she heard footsteps coming up behind her.

“Let her go, Cameron.” JJ threatened as he stepped in front of Y/n. When JJ turned his face to hers his eyes were wide and she could see the guilt in them, looking away quickly, tears welling. “Y/n, let’s get out of here.” He tried to turn his back on Rafe, which was a mistake. The older boy grabbed JJ’s shirt collar and pulled him back.

“We were just talking about how sad it is for baby pogue to be following you and Kie around, I mean you broke up with her, so she’s gotta be pretty pathetic that even you didn’t want her.” Rafe and Topper laughed loudly, fist bumping each other. 

JJ was quick to act, swinging on Rafe before the other boy even knew what happened. JJ was quick with his jabs, hitting Rafe twice before he swung back sloppily. JJ had the upper hand from the start and Rafe was quick to end it by falling into Topper as he scrambled away from JJ. Y/n spoke his name barely over a whisper as she touched his shoulder lightly. The blond physically relaxed when she touched him and his head whipped yo where they connected. Pulling her hand back quickly, Y/n turned tail and ran away from the scene. 

JJ was quick to follow, but he knew she was faster, she would no doubt lose him in minutes. Pushing on, JJs boot slapped the pavement as he yelled for her. Y/n ran quickly, tears freely pouring down her face as she made turn after turn hoping to hide. Within minutes of breathless running, Y/n had finally made it to her front door, pushing it open, she ran inside, slammed the door and slid her back down it as she fell to the floor. Sobs ripped from her throat as she heard JJs footsteps running up her porch before pounding his fist on the door. “Y/n, please open the door.” His voice was breathless but soft. “Come on, Y/n." 

Hiccupping loudly, the girl scrambled to her feet and willed them to carry her body up the stairs. Once to her room, she threw herself onto her bed and curled into a ball. She could hear JJ’s voice, calling to her from the back yard as she covered her ears.

"Y/n, come on, please just talk to me!” JJ shouted up at her window. “Please, just let me explain! Y/n!” He paced back and forth, before going back to staring up at her window, his heart throbbed when he saw her stand and watch him from the window. “Y/n, princess, please just talk to me.” JJ clasped his hands together, pleading with her.

Y/n stood at her window, holding the curtain aside and stared at the blond, tears streamed down her face. Throwing the door open to her small outside loft, she scoffed, “Don’t fucking call me that, asshole. You lost the right to call me when you dumped me for her.”

“Hey! No! I didn’t dump you to be with her, Y/n.” He rubbed the back of his neck and pulled his hat off. “It just kind of happened, honestly. Look, Y/n, please just talk about this with me.” He pleaded, scrubbing a hand over his face. JJ knew he had fucked up, he knew he had lied to her. He did break up with Y/n for Kiara. He remembered back to that day, when a seemingly off the wall question made things explode in his mind. From that day one, he found himself gravitating towards his best friend, he noticed the way the sun made her skin glow when she laid on the HMS Pogue. JJ noticed Kie and he pulled away from Y/n.

They were having a kegger, shocker I know, and John B and Pope were manning the keg. JJ stood off to the side with his arm around Y/n’s shoulders but his face was close to Kie, whispering something in her ear that made her throw her head back in laughter. A pang of jealousy made its way into her heart, and she tugged in JJ’s hand lightly, trying to get his attention back on her. She knew it was childish, she knew she shouldn’t be jealous, she just couldn’t help it. 

Instead of giving her his attention, he withdrew his arm from around her, crossing them over his chest, face turning red when Kie asked him to dance. “Well then, my lady, let’s dance.” He bowed deeply, offering his hand dramatically which she took, matching his drama equally. Y/n stood alone, watching her boyfriend and a girl who was supposed to be her best friend, dancing closely, JJ’s hands hovering just above her skin. 

John B happened to watch the scene unfold, walked over and wrapped the girl up and swung her around tightly, “Come on Y/n, I know you know how to man the tap and Pope is truly awful.” He threw the girl over his shoulder, smiling at her laughing shrieks as he dropped her by the keg. 

It was almost an hour later that JJ reappeared at the keg. “Hey princess, there you are, I’ve been looking for you!” JJ slurred, his eyes hazy and a smile grew on his face. He leaned in for a kiss and Y/n turned her head as he kissed her cheek instead. “Awe come on, babe, gimme a kiss." 

"I’ve been right here since you left me to dance with Kie, JJ, you’re the one who’s been gone.” Y/n spat at him, pouring another beer before handing it to John B to pass off. “Where did you go? Why’d you leave me?” She tossed the tap a little hard, causing a loud clunk sound when it hit the keg. Crossing her arms over her chest she just stared at JJ while he stared at his boots.

“Jesus, Y/n, not this again? Kie asked me to dance and then we went to smoke, it’s not like we were hooking up in the sand.” He spoke with anger but it didn’t reach his eyes, his eyes radiated guilt. “Nothing happened, I swear.” John B scoffed, turning to look at the pair.

“Methinks he doth protest too much.” John B glared at his best friend, he had heard the lie when it fell from the boy’s mouth. Y/n was easily the best thing that had ever happened to his best friend and here he was fucking it up, just by being his typical JJ self. 

“Fuck off JB, stay out of it.” JJ growled at him, pointing an angry finger at the boy. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

John B stood up, walking toward JJ and pushed his chest. “I know that you’re about to mess up the best thing you’ve ever had because you can’t keep it in your pants.” He turned towards Y/n, her chin trembling with understanding. “Y/n, I’m sorry that your boyfriend is a giant horny child who can’t see how great he already has it." 

JJ pushed John B back and got close to his face, "leave it alone, John B. Y/n trusts me, don’t you princess? You know I wouldn’t lie to you." 

Y/n took a small step towards the boys, John B stepped back and JJ stepped forward. She shook her head softly, letting a tear escape and slide down her cheek. "I don’t.” Those two words took the breath from her lungs and she held a hand over her trembling chest. JJ’s face went from anger, to shock and back to anger in just a few seconds. 

JJ angrily stepped back, pacing a few steps away from her before rushing forward until they were chest to chest, he looked down at her but she wouldn’t look up. John B rushed forward quickly, ready to pull the blond away if he needed but Y/n held up her hand and he stopped. JJ reached for her chin but she jerked her head away, staring him in the eyes. “Why are you with me if you don’t trust me, Y/n? Huh?" 

"I don’t know anymore JJ.” Y/n sighed, a silent sob shaking her frame.

“Then let me save you the trouble.” He seethed in her face, “were done, Y/n. Done.” His words were like venom and she shrunk back, hand clenching her shirt front now. “Hope you liked it while you had it, because the fairy tale is over princess.” He stormed off, leaving Y/n in the middle of a group that had gathered for their fight. Kie stood off to the side and JJ walked straight to her and pulled her  away by the arm behind him. John B was quick to Y/n’s side, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her the opposite way, still staring after JJ, Y/n’s body moved on its own to follow. 

The fight was two weeks ago, today was the first day she went back to the boneyard. She just wanted to walk around, listen to the water, instead she stumbled along JJ and Kie, then Topper and Rafe and her whole day was ruined. “You called me paranoid. You wanted me to trust you while you lied to my face. You got angry when I didn’t trust you and you broke my heart, all for you to confirm my original suspicions from a month ago? JJ, what is there for us to talk about? You ripped my heart out that night in front of the whole island, I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

“Nothing happened that night, Y/n, I fucking swear to god, nothing happened between me and Kie.” JJ shouted, waving his arms wildly. “Y/n come on, just come down here." 

"Okay so you didn’t cheat, but you’re still a traitor, JJ. You told me that there was nothing between going on and two weeks later you’re macking on Kie on the beach. What am I supposed to think?” Y/n ran a hand through her hair and sighed loudly. 

“Things with Kie and I are different now, yes, but Y/n we aren’t together right now. Nothing happened while we were together, it was after.” JJ pleaded with her, “you know how I felt about her before you came along and then you took over my life in the best way possible but now I have a chance with Kie and I’m going to take it.”

“Do you love her, JJ?” Y/n’s voice was laced with pure heartbreak as she held her breath for his answer.

“I don’t know, maybe.” He sighed loudly, throwing his hat to the ground. 

A sob tore past Y/n’s lips and she saw a tear slip down JJs face. “I was there through every fight with your dad, through every encounter with the cops. I was here.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “God JJ I wish you had thought this whole thing through before you made me fall in love with you." 

"She was the first girl I had a crush on in my life, I’m sorry Y/n. She’s always been in my head. I did love you, honest. I loved you so much. Please don’t doubt that. I know it’ll take a while, but I hope you can be okay with this.”

“You can’t ask that of me. I’m glad you finally caught your unicorn, JJ, really, but just know that you’ll forever be my Kie.” Y/n turned with a final sob and walked back into her room, closing the door and sliding down the glass. 

A/N:ok so i just finished this today, but ive been working on it for weeks. I hope you enjoy an angry John B. gif is not mine, credits to the owner

Pairing: No Pairing but this is a Routledge!Reader.

Warnings: Siblings fighting, Angst, uh i think thats all?

Word Count:5.4k

Today is the day. Big John has been officially missing for a whole month, and now the coast guards are standing at the door, hats in hand, breaking the news to the eldest Routledge child. “I’m sorry son, but it’s time to change our approach. We’re now looking at body recovery, not a rescue.” John B slams the door in the man’s face and runs a hand through his hair. With a loud cry he swipes his hands across the table, knocking off unpaid bills and dirty dishes, shattering them on the floor. “Fuck!” He went around the room, clearing every surface one by one. 

“JB? What are you doing?” The youngest Routledge shouted, stepping inside from where she was on the back porch. “Look at this mess! What the hell?” She waved her hands around the room before they settled on her hips. John B looked at his sister with teary eyes as he crumpled to the floor amongst the mess. 

John B sobbed softly as he stared into his sister’s eyes. “They called off the search. It’s not a rescue anymore, it’s a recovery.” He closed his eyes as tears slipped down his tanned face. “They can’t give up, he’s not dead, he’s out there and-" 

Y/N cut him off with a soft shushing noise, rushing towards him and folding herself onto the floor in front of him. John B responded by wrapping his sister in his arms and crying freely. "JB, come on.” She cooed. “You can’t tell me you haven’t been prepared for this?” Y/N asked gently, hoping a light voice would soften the blow. 

John B snapped his head up, grabbing her shoulder tightly. “What are you saying? That he’s dead? You really think he’s dead, Y/N/N?” His wet face contorted into anger quickly. “He’s not dead Y/N.” He gritted through his teeth. “He’s alive and he is out there. Waiting to come home to us, his loving children who knew all along that he was still out there.” John B used both hands to grip her shoulders now, using them to push himself to stand, then pulling her up too.

Taking a step back from him, she took a deep breath before putting her hands on his cheeks. “He’s gone John B.” Y/N spoke sternly, staring into his eyes. “Dad is gone and he’s never coming home.” John B roughly shoved his sister’s hands away from him, shaking his head. “No JB listen to me, it’s been a month now, you have to accept that he’s not coming back!” She raised her voice at him. 

This is not the first time the siblings have had this argument, usually Y/N telling him to think rationally and John B screaming at her that she was wrong, that he was coming home. They could never agree and it was a horrible topic that got brought up more often than the pogues would have liked. Kie was often a voice of reason and was able to talk John B down from screaming at his sister. But today it was only the two of them, no one there to help diffuse the situation. 

“He is coming back, Y/N!” John B shouted, gripping her shoulders even tighter. “Stop fucking saying that he’s not!” He shook her roughly, his fingers sure to leave marks on her bare shoulders. 

“I’ll stop saying it when he walks through the door J, until then I stand by the fact he’s never coming home!” She tried to pull away from him but he only gripped her tighter. “He abandoned us JB! He abandoned us and now he’s dead!” She cried, “Dad is dead and he’s never coming home!" 

What happened next was something that neither of them ever thought would happen. Never in a million years could Y/N have expected her brother to act this way. John B stared into his sister’s eyes, the same eyes she shared with their father. Y/N didn’t recognize the look in her brother’s eyes, the clouded fury behind them, and then he shook her harshly before pushing her backwards. The girl stumbled for a second, waving her arms to catch her balance but it was no use, pain blossoming quickly as she crashed hard into the end table, clattering to the floor with a hiss. "He’s dead, John B.” She cried from the floor, shying away when his foot connected with her side again and again. 

Y/N tried to keep her mouth shut, her whimpers being swallowed as quickly as they bubbled up. She grabbed for his leg, his hand, anything she could reach to try and stop the attack, but to no avail. John B stopped, seemingly snapping awake again, when there was a crunch and a scream. “FUCK!” He screamed, moving from his whimpering sister and punching the wall above her. When he bent down beside her, looking at the wreckage he had caused, he sucked in a breath after he reached for her and she pulled away sharply. 

Scrambling to her feet as quickly and carefully as she could, trying to put distance between her and her big brother. The brother she looked up to since she was a kid, the brother who protected her for years, the brother who had beaten up and gotten beaten up for her over the years. The very same brother who had just wailed on her, who had just broken a rib or two. Y/N kept her eyes to the floor, hand touching gently to her side, sobbing softly. “Y/N/N,” John b reached out her her, the sound of her crying breaking through whatever the fuck had just happened in his head, covering his mouth to cover his own sob when she flinched away from him. “Y/N, please look at me.” He reached for her again but when she slammed her back into the wall to avoid his touch, he took a step back from her. “Y/N, please, I’m so sorry.” He sobbed, “I don’t know what happened, please Y/N/N you gotta believe me." 

Shaking her head, she pushed past him and ran for her room as quickly as she could, while favoring her broken ribs. John B reached out for her as she slid past him but when he caught her wrist, she screamed out in pain, Y/N’s other hand squeezing into a fist and connecting with the side of his face. "Don’t fucking touch me right now John Booker.” She gritted through her teeth, spit flying as she pulled her hand out of his grasp and slammed the door behind her. Dropping to her bed with a loud sob, she rolled off of her side and curled herself into a ball and cried. Y/N laid there and cried. Cried for her dead father. Cried for her angry brother. She cried for herself and eventually fell asleep, only to be awakened by a soft knock on her door. 

“Lucky?” John B knew he was fighting dirty, using the nickname their father used when his sister was a child. He opened the door slightly, pushing through with a cup of tea for the both of them. When he looked at his sister curled up, tear stained face, and sniffling softly, he stopped. 

Y/N curled herself tighter, a fresh wave of tears coming as she looked into her brother’s eyes. “Go away.” She whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. John B just couldn’t take that as an answer and walked towards her. “I’m serious, JB, leave me alone.” Y/N pushed herself into a sitting position, crawling carefully to the farthest side of her bed. Wiping her hand across her eyes and wincing when she tried to tuck her knees against her chest. 

“Y/N, please,” he set the steaming mug of tea on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. “Just let me explain.”

She stared at her brother, a bruise forming on his cheekbone. “What is there to explain?” She laughed dryly, wiping fresh tears away angrily. “We argued, we fought, it’s done.” She crossed her arms over her chest, wincing in pain before uncrossing them with a frustrated growl. “I’m broken and you’re bruised, we’re both sorry and we both still love each other.” She glared at him, not able to meet his eyes, instead looking at a spot on her blanket and picking at it. 

John B sighed, reaching his hand across the bed to touch hers before pulling back quickly when she flinched away. “Jesus, Y/N/N, I’m so fucking sorry.” He stood up and gave her a sad smile, staring at her, hoping she would meet his gaze, but when that didn’t happen he sighed and turned towards the door. 

It was well into the night when Y/N emerged from her room, slouched slightly to not stretch her sore and tender ribs. The house was dark except for the television flickering in the living room, John B stretched out on the couch, snoring softly. Y/N reached her hand out slowly, stretching her sore rib carefully, and ran her fingers over her brother’s bruised cheek. “I’m sorry J, and I forgive you.” She whispered quietly, stilling her hand when he stirred. 

“I forgive you too, lucky.” John B murmured, eyes never opening. She smiled down at her big brother, tapping his nose softly like she’s done since she was little. She carefully sat on the loveseat beside the couch, propping herself up so she wasn’t in pain and drifted off to sleep in the mostly dark living room. 

-

The next morning, both Routledge kids were startled awake by a pounding on the front door. John B was quick to jump up and run towards the sound while Y/N jumped lightly and hissed in pain, forgetting about her ribs. John B looked at her sadly before opening the door, Sheriff Peterkin standing in the doorway. “Good morning John B, Y/N.” The sheriff nodded to the both as she pushed her way in the house. Both of them responded with soft ‘good mornings’, John B closing the door behind her. “I’ve been informed that the coast guard has called off the rescue, which means as of now, Big John Routledge has been declared dead at sea. You know what that means?” Sheriff Peterkin asked them softly, looking around the chateau at the mess from the night before that neither John B nor Y/N had cleaned up yet. When neither answered her, she turned to look at them both. “It means that CPS will be calling soon.” John B looked at the sheriff with wide eyes. 

“There has to be something you can do? Peterkin, they will separate us!” John B shouted and the sheriff didn’t miss the way his younger sister flinched when he yelled. “You can’t let them separate us!” He slammed his hand down on the table and Y/N jumped again. 

“Hey, John B, just calm down now.” The sheriff put her hand on his chest and glanced at Y/N, who still stayed nestled into the couch avoiding eye contact. Switching gears, Sheriff Peterkin pointed at her own cheekbone. “What happened there, John B?” He reached up, hissing when he touched the edge of a bruise. 

John B shook his head, waving his hand in her direction. “It’s nothing, but seriously, Peterkin, you’ve got to help us,” he spoke sternly, looking at his sister, “you can’t let them take her away from me. She’s all I have left.” The way his voice dropped low made the sheriff’s heart ache for these kids. 

“I’ll do what I can, kids, but until then just lay low. Don’t cause any attention to yourselves, you hear me?” She looked at both of them and nodded. “Get in touch with your uncle, he should be your guardian right now.” She nodded her head at them and walked towards the door. “Also you should get this mess cleaned up before you get some questions.” She nodded to John B and spared a glance at Y/N which made her heart break. The usually fiery teen sat still and quiet the whole visit, which wasn’t normal. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.” She nodded at the girl who finally looked at her, Y/N nodded back with a glance at her brother. 

Seconds after they watched Peterkin pull out of their driveway, there was a tap tap at the side window, making Y/N jump and wince. When she moved the thin curtain, JJ Maybank smiled at her. No matter how much pain she was in, no matter her mood, the one thing that could make her smile, was JJ. Waving him in, his grin got bigger, he nodded and ran around to the door. 

“Big swell out there, kids.” JJ clapped his hands loudly when he charged through the door. “Let’s get off these asses and into that water!” He emphasized his words by smacking John B in the butt with a 'whoop’ . JJ looked around the room and whistled. “What happened here?” JJ turned towards John B and looked at Y/N. “Lucky? What happened?" 

Y/N sighed, standing up and biting back the hiss of pain, "Coast Guard came by to say they stopped the search.” She walked towards her brother, stepping around him without touching him, which JJ noted. “We got a little angry and trashed the house, no big deal.”

“And what about your face JB?” He questioned, hands crossing over his chest. 

John B opened his mouth to answer but Y/N was quick to come to his rescue again. “Rafe and Topper, you know the drill.” She laughed with a roll of her eyes. “Damn kooks get pissed when we go to the 8 but think they can just strut around the cut with no repercussions.” Y/N tapped her hand in the door frame, “now are you done with the questions? The waves are calling.” She gave him a smile and he smiled back. 

“As you wish, princess.” JJ bowed at her with a wink, smiling until she walked away. “So what really happened, JB?” He turned towards his best friend who just shrugged.

“Just like she said, Rafe and Topper cornered me on the beach.” He patted his best friend on the shoulder before walking towards his own room. “If you think I look bad you should see them. I didn’t get any hits in, they just look awful.” He shot finger guns at the blond and turned the corner.

“Fine. Don’t tell me.” JJ huffed, leaning down to scoop up papers and envelopes from the floor, tossing them back onto the table. When both siblings returned to the living room, JJ had picked up most of the clutter on the floor and stacked it on the table. “I got bored, and you took forever.” He looked over the two of them, eyeing the distance between the usually stuck-at-the-hip siblings. “Are we ready? Kie and Pope are already there waiting,” he huffed, ushering them towards the door, “Pope says we’re missing some sick waves." 

Once in the van, JJ climbed into the backseat with Y/N, settling close to her, pulling a joint out of his hat and waving it in her face. "Ready to start the day the right way, Lucky?” She grinned back at him, laying her head on his shoulder. Y/N would never admit it outloud, but she loved when JJ called her that. Other than her brother, JJ was her best and longest friend, he had been around the family for years and years and had picked up the affectionate nickname her father had given her. As much as she missed her dad, she was glad that someone else was around to keep the name alive. 

Y/N was always a daredevil, and maybe that’s why her and JJ had gotten along so well, but when she would go out and no matter what trouble she got into, she never got hurt. Her father had taken to calling her Lucky when she was 4 and thought it would be fun to jump off the front of the boat, while they were still moving forward. Big John was so scared that his little girl would get sucked into the propeller that when she swam alongside the boat safely, keeping her fathers swim lessons in her mind. When she very narrowly avoided the propeller, he had said she was lucky. As in she was always Lucky to be alive. Snapping back into the moment when JJ had lit the joint and blew it in her face. “You alive in there?” He smiled but she could see the worry in his eyes. 

“I’m here and totally alive.” She smiled, curling into his side stiffly, biting her lip in pain when JJ dropped his arm to wrap around her injured side. She took the joint he offered her and took a deep hit, wincing when the stretch of her lungs pulled at her ribs. “Fuck.” She whispered, hand immediately going to her side. 

JJ moved his arm quickly, worried that he had hurt her, when she grabbed his hand and locked her fingers with his. “I’m fine, I promise.” She grinned at him and he relaxed slightly. John B watched the two of them in the rear view mirror. He locked eyes with his sister and when she met his eyes, she looked away with a sigh. 

John B couldn’t stand what had happened. He couldn’t even explain why it happened, or how. He couldn’t even remember the moment when he started kicking his own baby sister while she lay on the floor. On the floor, because you pushed her there first, his brain supplied and it made him feel worse. He had hurt his baby sister. Y/N. He hurt Y/N and now she wouldn’t even look him in the eye. She was lying so JJ wouldn’t find out. Which made the situation worse in John B’s mind. He knew what JJ thought if he found out. When, his brain supplied again, unhelpful. When he finds out. John B would be lying to himself if he thought his best friend would never find out. But the thought made him sick. 

They pulled up to the beach and Kie and Pope ran towards them, giving hugs and high fives and then they all took off running with their boards. Y/N was never really a surfer, but she always went into the water with them. This time, instead of pulling her tee shirt off and following them in, she sat on the beach, digging her toes into the sand. She cheered her friends on when they deserved it and laughed loudly when they slipped off their boards. When it came time for them to take a break, they all collapsed onto the sand surrounding Y/N. 

“Why aren’t you in the water, Y/N/N?” Kie asked, plopping her wet self next to Y/N on her towel.

“Just not really feeling up to it today is all.” Y/N leaned over and nudged Kie’s shoulder with hers with a grin. “I’m very much enjoying watching you four though.” She chuckled, recalling a particularly funny fall when JJ had shrieked before he crashed.

When the sun started setting a few hours later, the five of them went to The Wreck for dinner, John B and JJ deciding on a night of drinking on the HMS Pogue. Pope had to study and Kie had to work, but JJ insisted they go themselves, John B agreed for the both of them. Four beers in, JJ pulled his shirt over his head and flipped off the side of the boat, John B diving in after him. This spurred a water fight between the two boys, Y/N laughing from inside the boat. Shaking her head, serious now, when JJ grinned at her wickedly. He swam towards the boat, humming the 'Jaws’ theme as he did it. “Come on Y/N/N, time to jump in!" 

"No, JJ, I don’t want to get in the water.” She shook her head quickly but put a giant smile on her face and he advanced towards her, pulling himself up onto the side of the boat. Y/N squealed and jumped over the seat towards the front. “JJ no, I’m serious I don’t wanna get in!” Her words said stop but her laughs said otherwise, so he climbed towards her, grinning wildly. 

When JJ finally cornered her, he wrapped her up in his arms, her arms trapped against her chest as they laughed loudly together, John B watching them in mock sickness. John B’s laughing face turned serious and instantly felt sick when Y/N cried out in pain. John B watched as his sister’s hands covered her mouth and JJ released her instantly, hands hovering over her shoulders, leaning down to look her in the eyes. “Are you alright? Y/N? What happened? Did I hurt you?” He fired off questions quickly, Y/N nodded her head, a tear sliding down her cheek. She raised her hand to wipe it away when JJ softly grasped her hand. “Y/N?”

Y/N sighed heavily, taking a second to look at John B, “Just a Kook fight.” She looked at her brother, who looked like he was about to be sick. “We told you already, besides, it’s nothing we haven’t all dealt with before.” Laughing thinly, she touched JJs face. “You worry too much.” Patting his cheek, she tried to step away but JJ held her wrist still. 

He gave John B a confused look. “They hurt her? And you didn’t tell me?” He looked to Y/N whose pleading eyes were on her brother. “Y/N how bad is it?” His stern eyes bore into her own, she could hear his breath quickening.

“It’s- it’s not bad at all, JJ, I’m just sore is all.” She tried to reassure him but her stutter made him tilt his head to the side and his tongue swiping across his lips furiously. His eyes finding hers again, he took her other wrist in his other hand and slowly raised them both over her head, stopping as soon as she hissed in pain followed by a whimper. 

“Show me.”

She shook her head but his eyes followed hers when she tried to look away. 

“Show me, Y/N.” His voice was quiet but she could hear the emotion behind it. “Please.”

Y/N nodded silently, pushing him slightly until he took a step back. Locking eyes with John B, she slowly grabbed the hem of her tee shirt, pulling it over her head with a pained huff, standing in her bikini top. The boys gasped, John B paddling towards the boat. 

JJ sucked in a breath when his gaze fell on the sickly yellow color of the fresh bruise covering her torso. JJ crossed his arms over his chest quickly, leaning forward towards the girl.

Seeing the bruise that covered his sister, and knowing that he had put it there, made John B sick. Literally. He threw his head back over the side of the HMS Pogue and heaved. 

“JB!” Y/N cried, rushing towards her brother’s side. 

“Why wouldn’t you tell me Rafe and Topper did this?” JJ reached his best friend, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Man I would have buried their asses before now.” He jumped up and sucked in a big breath, “time to kick some kook ass.” Patting his chest with a grunt, that Y/N knew was his way of deflecting emotions, “Yup. Sure is.” Walking towards the boat wheel he turned the key and the engine sputtered to life. 

John B kept his eyes on Y/N when he shouted, “It wasn’t the kooks.” Y/N’s eyes widened and JJ turned his head. 

“What did you say?” JJ questioned, cutting the engine and spinning in his seat to look at the siblings. 

Y/N shook her head quickly, putting her hands on John B’s face. “Shut up John B. ”

“I said it wasn’t the kooks.” He spoke louder, putting his hand gently over Y/N’s mouth. “We didn’t get jumped.”

Y/N smacked his hand away gently, “John B, seriously, stop.” John B looked at JJ and clapped his hand over her mouth, Y/N whined softly. She had the perfect lie set in motion, all her brother had to do was go with it. She knew what was going to happen when JJ found out, which was why she lied to begin with.

“Then what happened?” JJ stood slowly, eyes trained on his best friends. Watching Y/N’s eyes beg for her brother to look at her, watched her pull at his wrist. JJ stepped closer to the two of them, eyes trained on John B’s face.

“It was right after the coast guard left the house, they said they didn’t think Dad was alive and they were changing to recovery tactics.” John B started with a sigh, closing his eyes as he recounted the night before. “Y/N and I got into an argument about it and I-” a tear slipped down his cheek and JJ clenched his fists at his sides. “I blacked out. All I could hear in my head was everyone telling me that my dad was dead, I could picture Topper standing in front of me and I pushed and I kicked and-” his words broke off with a sob as he looked at his sister. “And I’m so sorry, Y/N, I’m so fucking sorry.” He wrapped his arms quickly around her waist, making her jump. 

JJs breath was coming out in pants now. He looked at Y/N when she jumped, his vision going red and in seconds his fist was connecting with his best friend’s face in rapid hits. Y/N screamed when JJ moved, and was on top of her brother in seconds. “J! Stop! It was just an accident!” She grabbed onto his wrist but then he shoved his arm out behind him and she yelped in pain as she landed back onto her butt. 

“FUCK!” JJ shouted, hating that he was the cause of Y/N’s pain and he dropped to the floor of the boat beside John B. “Fuck dude.” He muttered, running his hand through his hair. “Are you alright Y/N/N?” Seeing the pain on her tear stained face, he pulled his knees underneath himself and leaned towards her. 

“I’m fine, JJ, I told you. It’s nothing we all haven’t dealt with before.” She pulled away from him on instinct and it broke his heart. He looked at John B who sat silently, looking at his hands like they had betrayed them. Y/N reached her hand over and grabbed her brother’s. “It was an accident, JB. I know you didn’t mean it.” She tried to soothe him but he scoffed. 

John B lifted his head and looked at his sister. “I did mean it Y/N/N, I just didn’t mean for it to be you.” He turned his head and looked out at the water. “Dads out there, he’s not dead. And hearing you say it,” he stopped and took a deep breath, “it broke me. You’ve got to believe that he’s still out there.” He kept staring at the water.

JJ and Y/N shared a look and she shook her head. “He’s not, JB.” She whispered quietly, JJ put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a look. “John B, you have to accept it. Dad isn’t coming home.” She took a breath and held onto JJ’s hand. “And even if he was alive, I don’t want him back.” Y/N whispered and both boys’ heads snapped towards her. 

“You don’t mean that.” John B whispered harshly.

Y/N nodded, gaze dropping to the floor of the boat. “I do.” Silent tears fell down her face as she continued to stare at a wet spot on the floor. “He abandoned me, JB. He just woke up one morning and decided to leave. Leave his home, his life, his baby girl.” Her voice was broken, face flooded with tears. JJ’s heart broke for the girl. 

John B scoffed, “He always leaves, Y/N, and he always comes back.” He grabbed her hand tightly.

Y/N gasped softly, trying to pull her hand from his grip. JJ reached out and grabbed John B’s wrist. “Let go of her, JB.” He warned, reaching his other hand out to Y/N who interlaced their fingers again. John B didn’t let go, only tightened his grip making his sister hiss in pain. JJ gripped John B tighter and tried to pull his hand away, only making Y/N whimper again. “John B, seriously.” JJ said through gritted teeth. “Let her go.”

Y/N looked into her brother’s eyes, her wet and watery, his hard and distant. “I love you, JB, I do, but you have to know how bad of a father he was to me, to us.” She whispered, her chin wobbling as she tried to hold back the tears. John B finally loosened his grip, not letting go entirely and shook his head. 

“I love you too Y/N, but I guess we had different dads, because my dad loved his kids, wanted nothing but the best for them and tried his hardest to provide for them.” Suddenly his grip tightened and he stood up abruptly, pulling Y/N to her feet. “While apparently your dad fucked off and abandoned his kids with no regards to their safety.” He pulled her close and she yelped. “That doesn’t seem like the same person, does it?” JJ jumped up and pushed his best friend’s chest, making him drop Y/N’s arm.

“I’ve seen a lot of fucked up shit, John B, hell I’ve lived it. But never once in all of my years of knowing you have you ever put your hands on your sister.” JJ pulled Y/N behind him and she pushed past him and went to the front of the boat, rubbing her wrist lightly. 

John B stood chest to chest with his best friend, neither of them breaking eye contact. “She’s never told me how much she wished our dad was dead either.”

JJ scoffed and shook his head, “JB, that isn’t what she said.” He took a step back, still standing between the siblings. “You had to have seen how differently Big John treated the two of you. You were the one who got told where he was going, what he was doing, you’re the one he gave the food and rent money to.” JJ spoke softly, reaching a hand out to John B’s shoulder but he pulled away, “Y/N was always told she was in the way, she was a bother and a distraction." 

JJ gave Y/N a sad smile over his shoulder but she was staring at the new bruise forming on her wrist. "How would you feel if your dad just shut you out after your mom left? At least my dad pays attention to me, though it’s not good attention, at least he acknowledged my presence.” John B sighed, looking at his feet. He knew JJ was right, he thought back to when his father would bring himself and John B dinner, leaving Y/N to fend for herself.

Y/N sniffled and stood up. “You are right John B, we do have different dads. My dad died a long time ago, but I’m so sorry that you lost yours.” She took steps around JJ, he reached for her but she brushed him off. “Please don’t take it out on me, we are all we have left. Look at us!” Y/N waved her hand carefully between them both, and John B sighed, looking away. Y/N grabbed her brother’s face and turned it towards her again, “This isn’t you, JB. This isn’t who we are." 

"We’re pogues man, everyone wants to beat our asses, we can’t afford to be trying to beat each other.” JJ sighed with a chuckle, reaching one hand to Y/N’s and his other hand to John B’s arm. “Come on brother, we can’t turn on each other like this." 

John B looked at his sister and his best friend, grabbing for his sister’s other hand and making them both jump. His heart broke and his lip quivered, but he raised his hand gently before holding it out to her. He smiled slightly when Y/N gently laid her hand in his. "I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I don’t know why any of this happened and I promise, no matter how long it takes, I will make it up to you.” He gave her hand a soft squeeze and threw his arm around JJ’s shoulder. “Both of you.” Y/N dropped her brother’s hand, wrapped her arms around his waist and he kissed the top of her head. 

To celebrate reaching 100 followers I meant to post my first request but i lagged Shoutout to that anon!

Request:fem!reader is from obx BUT shes not the usual denim shorts with a cute tank top and minimal makeup yanno shes a little more alt tiktok girl style/euphoria style and shes SUPER sassy and badass. can the scenario be: at a party and stands up to rafe for kie and its her meeting the pogues? so jus the pogues x platonic!reader.

a/n: to the person that sent the request, i forgot to say in the ask: I love you and i appreciate you. hope you love this ❤️  
also the hardest part about this was picking out the outfit

masterlist

warnings: cussing, rafe’s a dickhead, underaged drinking, there is talk of sex no actual sex tho sorry, terrible writing (idk who editing is)

♫ Teenagers by My Chemical Romance ♫

As someone who’s lived her entire life on an island, people found it rather odd that you weren’t much of an “island” person. Despite being born and raised in Kildare County, in the Outer Banks, aka “Paradise on Earth”, there was so much about you that didn’t conform to the same lifestyle as those around you. You tended to step away from doing ocean related activities, stood out specifically in the way you presented yourself, and more recently spent more of your time on the mainland than the islands now that school was out for the summer.

“Do you wanna…go…to the….” Sarah trailed off as she stared up at the glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to your ceilings. Any idea she had involved dressing down into swim wear and going out to the beach or just ocean in general. And she knew you would turn it down despite being grounded and therefore stuck on the island.

When you’d called her and told her that you were bored and in turn needed her company and entertainment, she didn’t really expect you to tell her that your parents had prohibited you from taking the ferry out to the mainland for the next month.

“Y’know, what’d you even do? To get grounded?” Sarah questioned as she lay on your bed while music played from the vintage record player your parents had copped for you a few years back.

“Me and my friends got caught trespassing,” you mumbled, “It was really stupid.”

“You got caught trespassing?” Sarah scoffed.

“Yeah and the only reason we go caught in the first place was because Andy-you remember Andy?” Sarah nodded her head despite the fact that she didn’t now who you were talking about, “Got super high off an indica strain and fell asleep! Lin and Nico got away cus they left me and TK to take care of him! Andy’s fucking huge!”

“Wha-Ok,why were you even trespassing?”

“Cus…we wanted to skate,” you explained and you rolled your eyes Sarah raised her brows at you.

“(Y/N), you got arrested because you wanted to skate?!”

“No, ok I almost got arrested because Andy’s a big motherfucker!” you retorted and Sarah threw her hands up in exasperation.

It was ridiculous but it made sense. Not only were you and your mainland friends kind of reckless, it made sense that your parents grounded you to the island. Sure they were actually extremely lax and reasonable (If Sarah were to describe your parents she would call them Hippies. Hippies straight out of the 60s.)They were understanding of who you were as a person and loved you for it but always warned you that they drew the line at two things and those things were jail time and life threatening injuries.

Sometimes she wondered how the two of you were friends, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way. You were one of the few people who didn’t make her feel trapped in the relationship you had. You didn’t have overbearing expectations for her and didn’t base her image off of the one she presented to the public. You were friends with her because of who she was rather than who she seemed to be.

“Ok well, your parents aren’t forcing you to stay home so what do you wanna do?” Sarahh questioned and you sighed.

“I don’t know…I…I literally don’t even do anything on this island.”

Sarah glanced at you and watched as you looked at yourself in your mirror. You’d been going through your closet and had already tried on 6 different outfits since she’d gotten there.

“I heard there’s gonna be a kegger on the boneyard?” Sarah brought up and you paused, looking at her through the mirror. Sarah raised her brows, “We could go to the kegger, drink, smoke, and have fun…or we could stay here…bored…while you try on more outfits,” Sarah tried to make the second option less appealing but considering you were…well, you, you only smiled at her.

“Will you tell me how pretty I look?” you fluttered your eyelashes and Sarah scoffed out a laugh as she grabbed a shirt from the pile of clothes on your bed and bundled it up so she could throw it at you.

“(Y/N) I sat here for 2 hours and watched you do your make up. We’re going to the kegger,” she finalized, “You might as well enjoy yourself while your stuck on the island.”

“Bold of you to assume I’ll enjoy myself,” you scoffed, tossing the shirt aside.

“Seriously why don’t you give anyone on this island-aside from me-a chance?” Sarah gave you a hopeful smile.

“Because your brother and his friends wear polos, khaki shorts, and moccasins,” you gave her a mocking smile back and Sarah shrugged as the two of you laughed. You could never understand why Kook boys decided to dress the way they did. Sure the clothes they wore were brand clothing and ridiculously expensive, but that didn’t mean they necessarily lookedgood.

“Ok, y’know what, I’ll call Topper and we could head out right now. Is that what you wanna wear-”

“Ugh, Topper Thornton? Are you talking to him now?” you groaned and Sarah gave you a look.

“What? He’s cute!” Sarah defended and you rolled your eyes.

“I just don’t trust it. For whatever reason, every cute guy on this island has daddy issues,” you undid the belt around your waist and slipped the large button up shirt off your shoulders, leaving yourself standing in your underwear  and jewelry as you pointed to Sarah to emphasize your point.

“Well Topper obviously does not have daddy issues.”

“Yeah because he has mommy issues,” you snorted and Sarah couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her lips.

“That’s not funny (Y/N)!” she chastised though she was giggling behind her hand.

“Uh, yeah it is,” you shot back and you looked around you at the pile of clothes spread across the floor. You picked up some clothes and too your time to put them on (just to irritate Sarah a little) before you turned to the mirror and looked over your outfit and how it matched with your make up.

“Are you good?” Sarah asked as she slipped her sandals onto her feet. You tilted your head and reached up to muss up your hair a little before nodding.

“Yeah ok,” you answered before you went over to turn off your record player. You stepped over the clothes you’d thrown around the room as you followed after Sarah, making sure to turn your lights off as you went.

“That’s Topper’s car,” Sarah pointed out once you turned around from locking your front door (your parents had banned you from the mainland but that didn’t mean they weren’t allowed to go live their lives) and you tried not to cringe as you noticed that Rafe and Kelce were also in the car.

“Wow, the whole frats here,” you mumbled as Sarah opened the door and let you slide in first.

“Hey (Y/N),” Kelce greeted kindly and you smiled at him, scooting a bit closer so that Sarah could fit in.

“Hi,” you greeted. Kelce was alright. He didn’t really do much aside from follow around Rafe and Topper but outside of that he wasn’t the worst. You thought that maybe if he didn’t feel the need to follow those two around you would get along with him pretty easily.

“Hey,” Topper greeted you awkwardly from the rearview mirror, before he grinned at Sarah. You rolled your eyes even as Sarah nudged at your ribs.

“(Y/N),” Rafe drawled and you tilted your head to the side as you narrowed your eyes at him.

“Rafe,” you replied pointedly.

There was an awkward, tense silence in the car before Topper cleared his throat.

“Let’s go?” he questioned and all of you mumbled back some type of confirmation.

By the time you’d gotten to the Boneyard you were overheated in Topper’s car. You’d shrugged off your cardigan, ignoring Rafe’s glance back at you as you continued to mumble to Sarah about something. Topper pulled up to the side of the road, carefully parking his car amongst the billions of other cars that found themselves at the Boneyard.

“I’m literally sweating so much right now,” you whined as you stumbled out of the car, “Why is it sohot in your car Topper?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have worn that sweater,” Topper pointed out and you gave him a look.

“Don’t knock my outfit just cus I know how to dress myself,” you scoffed before you headed off, tugging Sarah along with you. The three boys followed after you, talking between themselves. A few people greeted your lot as you made your way into the heart of the Boneyard, where the kegger was being held. There was a bonfire lit and noise all around. You and Sarah found yourselves mixing in with a group of Tourons, talking about something or another. Rafe, Kelce, and Topper were standing only a few feet away with some of their usual Kook friends.

“Should we get a drink?” you asked Sarah as you settled into the atmosphere and Sarah took a deep breath before she looked over to the keg. In the center of the beach party was usually John B and his usual crew of JJ, Pope, and Kie. The keg was currently being manned by Kie Carrera herself, her 3 friends out of sight. Sarah pursed her lips and shook her head.

“I don’t really wanna head over there,” she told you and you raised a brow.

“You’re gonna drag me to this kegger and….not go to the keg…because of a girl you kind of had beef with your freshman year?”

“(Y/N),” Sarah said firmly and you rolled your eyes.

“OkI’llgo get us drinks,” you put your arms up and Sarah opened her mouth to protest but you only waved her off as you made your way through the beach. The sand was a little firmer around the Boneyard so you didn’t have to worry that much about your shoes or your ankles giving out on you.

You stepped into where you figured people were lining up to be handed drinks and smoothed out your outfit, ignoring the looks being shot your way. You were used to those at this point.

“Do you always walk off by yourself?”

You tried not to roll your eyes into the back of your head as Rafe stepped up beside you, following the motion of the haphazard line to get closer to the keg.

“Do you always have to bother me?” you replied and Rafe shook his head.

“Yeah I don’t know what your problem with me is (Y/N) but-”

“But?” You cut off Rafe, staring up at him as he clenched his jaw in irritation, “We don’t need to get along Rafe. I’d limit all unnecessary interaction with you if I could, but you just…keep following me around.”

Rafe stayed quiet as you turned away and stepped forward.

“Hey, can I get two?” you requested and the girl manning the keg, Kie, laughed as she filled up a red solo cup.

“Geez up for a wild night?” she looked up, half way to handing you your first cup, and stopped short as she noticed who she was talking to.

“More like an ok night,” you told her taking the cup from her and ignoring the look of shock on her face.

“Oh uh…yeah…I totally get you,” she laughed awkwardly and picked up another red solo cup to fill. You rolled your eyes while she wasn’t looking. You didn’t wanna be caught up in whatever beef these two girls had. You were friends with Sarah sure but it’s not like what Kie had allegedly done was that huge of a deal. Not like anyone had actually gotten arrested (Literally. The cops had arrived and had only asked for the noise level to go down). And you knew Kie. She and Sarah had been best friends at the Kook academy your freshman year and you had been acquaintances with both of them. And though their relationship broke abruptly, and Sarah had begun getting closer to you, you didn’t understand the need to ostracize Kie for something that you weren’t sure she even did.

“Uh so how’s that going so far?” Kie questioned glancing at you and you shrugged.

“I mean I’ve been here for a,” you checked your bare wrist, “solid 20 minutes at least and I’m not arrested or dead so it’s alright.”

“For you, 20 minutes seems pretty good,” Kie joked and she paused unsure if she could even joke with you like this. It was common knowledge that you tended to avoid the Outer Banks and it’s residents as much as you could once no longer tied down to school. Yet as you only chuckled and agreed, Kie smiled, tucking some lose hair behind her ear, “I like your outfit by the way. Not very beach practical, but still very cute.”

“Am I ever beach practical,” you responded and Kie laughed as she nodded in agreement.

“That’s true.”

As Kie reached out to hand you your second cup, a larger hand snatched it up. The lighthearted atmosphere immediately dropped to a tense one as the two of you looked up in unison.

“Oh shit thanks Kiara,” Rafe laughed and you and Kie both shot him a glare.

“Don’t call me Kiara,” Kie hissed and Rafe only shrugged, smirking smugly.

“I think I’ll call a rat whatever I want,” he spit and Kie looked down at the sand in dejection as you frowned at Rafe.

“What the fuck Rafe, are you serious?”

“Hey, I just call out it how it is,” Rafe shrugged.

“I’m not a rat, kook,” Kie’s jaw was clenched in anger.

“Just leave dude,” you told Rafe, “You’re literally being an asshole for nothing.”

“Are you seriously defending her (Y/N)?” Rafe turned to you and you squared up in front of him despite his obvious height advantage. You wouldn’t let someone like Rafe Cameron intimidate you, “I thought you were friends with my sister?”

“And this is any of your business how?” you questioned and Rafe shoulders straightened up in an obvious feeling of defensiveness. Kie’s eyes were wide in shock as she glanced between you and Rafe. Something she definitely didn’t expect was one of Sarah’s closest friends coming to defend her against Sarah’s brother. But you had always been different from the other Kooks and Kie should’ve never underestimated that aspect of you.

“Hey you got an issue or something Kook!?” a voice called out and Kie watched as JJ, with John B and Pope following after him, made their way through the crowd of people. Rafe looked at them over your head but you didn’t even glance away.

“This isn’t your issue Pogues. It’s not always about you,” Rafe huffed and you tilted your head.

“Oh and it’s about you, Rafe?” you questioned and the attention turned back to you. Your necklaces jingled as you adjusted your footing, “Of course it is right? Why else would you be hanging around a bunch of teenagers?”

“You need to watch what you say next,” Rafe breathed, a hostile smile on his face.

“You’re an adult Rafe…and you subject yourself to hanging around people three years younger than you because you have no other way of maintaining your bullshit superiority,” you spoke in a low tone, eager to get under Rafe’s nerves and Rafe’s nerves only, “Oh…sorry if those words were too big for you,” you smiled up at him as your audience chuckled at Rafe’s expense.

From the side the four Pogues watched the interaction go down with wide eyes. They had barely acknowledged the Kooks who had pushed their way to the front of the scene and Sarah, Topper, and Kelce watched the two of you with anticipation. Rafe’s jaw clenched before he licked his lips and smiled that predatory smile of his, he leaned in close to you and you didn’t make a single attempt at back down or away from him.

“Yeah I’m real sure you didn’t think that when I was fucking you on my family’s boat the other night,” he said and a glance to the side indicated that the closest people, that being Kie and her Pogue friends, had heard him. You huffed as you tried to keep your cool.

“Y’know what Rafe? Maybe I would’ve actually enjoyed you fucking me…if you weren’t so far up your dad’s ass-” You gasped in unison with the crowd’s sudden yelling as Rafe threw his cup-drink and all- onto your entire front.

“OOOH SHIT!”

“What the fuck Rafe!?”

“Rafe stop it!”

Topper was quick to pull back Rafe as JJ and John B rushed to step in front of you. You panted heavily as Pope and Kie pulled you back and away from where a fight was very likely going to happen.

You sputtered at the sudden beer that had gone up your nose and you brought a hand up to try and wipe it off of your face, your make up likely ruined beyond repair at this point.

“You are such a pussy Rafe!” JJ yelled and Rafe let out a roar of anger as he broke out of Topper’s grip and shoved at JJ. John B shoved him back and return and soon enough the first punch was thrown. The crowd jeered at them in excitement, cheering them on as Topper, John B, JJ, and Rafe pummeled one another.

“Hey hey hey, are you ok?” Kie questioned you in a haste and you huffed as you wiped at your face once more, slicking your wet hair back.

“Fine-I’m fine! It’s literally…beer and a plastic cup,” you told her to try and stop her from fretting. If she was anything like Sarah…You shook your head and tried to gently push away Pope’s hands as you turned to watch the fight go down. The Kooks seemed to have gotten the upper hand so far and though you cringed you weren’t too surprised. Rafe was a pretty big guy, bigger than John B at least, and Topper seemed to hop onto JJ when the other blonde was already down.

“I think you should be more worried about your friends,” you pointed out and Kie and Pope whipped their heads up to watch their friends fight a losing battle.

“Shit!” Pope hissed.

“Dammit,” Kie breathed, “Get the hell off of them!” she yelled fruitlessly.

“Should I call the cops or something?” you questioned and Pope and Kie stared at you with wide eyes.

“What?! No!” Pope yelled and you put your arms up in defense.

“Ok jeez relax,” you chastised and Pope shrugged, embarrassed. The three of you watched the fight for only a moment longer before you cursed and rushed into the midst of it.

“(Y/N)?!”

“Jesus what is she doing?!-”

“(Y/N) stop!”  

A flurry of voices called out to you as jumped onto Toppers back and tried to get him off of JJ. Topper struggled against you, clearly disoriented and agitated.

“Get-” Topper pulled your arms from around his shoulders and you yelped as he shoved you off. You landed harshly on the sand but quickly scrambled to get back up. If you learned anything from skating, it was get the fuck up as soon as you could and pretend shit didn’t hurt.

“What the fuck are you doing (Y/N)!?” Topper yelled at you and you shoved him back to the general direction of where you figured Kelce and Sarah were as JJ tried to get himself together and Rafe and John B grappled with one another.

“Stop Topper,” you told him firmly before you turned, keeping your hand on Topper’s chest, “Rafe! Quit it, for fuck’ssake!”

JJ had gotten up at this point and was quick to shove Rafe off of John B and into the sand. John B staggered to stand up straight and you winced at the bruises already forming on his face. The two pogues stumbled back and away from Rafe and the Kooks, leaving you in the middle of their standoff.

“Alright, party’s over! Get the hell off our side!” JJ yelled and there was a murmur within the crowd as they began to disperse. Pogues and Kooks sneered at one another as they walked off toward their cars and Tourons only shrugged off the events of the night, clearly not looped into the deeper conflict of the island.

“C’mon (Y/N),” Rafe spit blood out onto the sand as Topper, Kelce, and Sarah stood behind him.

“Fuck you Rafe” you retorted, crossing your arms. You looked past him to Sarah and the girl only furrowed her brows, unsure of what you wanted her to do.

“Why don’t you just leave her alone Cameron?” JJ moved to stand beside you and everyone, including you, looked at JJ in surprise. John B raised a brow at his best friend but moved forward to stand by your other side as Rafe ground his teeth. The tall male ran a hand through his slicked back hair, pushing into a messy look that you’d usually be all over, but you couldn’t stand him right now.

“Fine, if you wanna stay here with these dirty Pogues, than be my fucking guest,” Rafe huffed and you only shrugged, unbothered.

“Better than being around you right now.”

“(Y/N)…” Sarah called and you looked at her. Her eyebrows were furrowed in distress and you couldn’t help the pang of guilt that shot through you for a moment but you stood your ground, “C’mon…please?”

“Sarah I love you but I didn’t even wanna come here tonight, let alone hang around your psycho brother. I’m not leaving with you guys,” you concluded, before you reached down to take your shoes off, “I’m just gonna fuckin’ walk.”

You ignored the calls of your name as you walked away from the boneyard and out onto the street. You didn’t really care that your socks were probably super dirty now, or that it was starting to get cold and you were drenched in beer. Alright…well you did kind of care that you were drenched and smelled like beer. You pulled your phone out and sighed at the message from your parents telling you that they’d be staying in your grandparent’s home in the mainland.

All your friends were on the mainland. Aside from Sarah. And maybe Scarlet but you really didn’t wanna deal with her right now.

The sound of a car pulling up beside you made you roll your eyes.

“Leave me alone please,” you told them, not even sparing whoever it was a glance as you continued walking.

“Not happening princess.”

You turned to look at JJ and the Pogues in surprise.

“Kie?” you questioned pausing in your trek. Their van followed as John B pressed on the breaks.

“Hey (Y/N),” Kie was leaning out the window of the passengers seat, her eyebrows furrowed in worry, “Let us take you home?”

“I really don’t-”

“C’mon (Y/L/N), it’s freezing and your dripping beer. Just get in the Twinkie,” JJ pulled the van door open even further, motioning for you to get in. It was kind of them, really it was. But JJ’s tone had irritated you and your hardheadedness so you only crossed your arms, your shoes dangling from the tips of your fingers.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because we….are offering you warmth and transportation?” JJ sassed.

“JJ. Shut up,” Pope slapped JJ’s chest and the blonde shot him an offended look. Kie rolled her eyes at them and opened the passengers side, stepping out of the car and walking up to you. She hugged herself, a bit insecure as she stood a few feet from you.

“I just..really wanna thank you. For defending me against Rafe,” Kie started, “And uh…I feel like I’ve always kind of judged you just cus you became Sarah’s friend after what happened between me and her, but you’re really cool…and you didn’t have to defend me, but you did.”

You shrugged.

“Doesn’t take much to be a good person,” you answered and Kie nodded.

“Yeah…um but..I just feel bad…that you got caught in the middle of that when you didn’t have to. So please let us take you home? I’m not even trying to…return the favor or anything…it’s just the right thing to do for someone who’s always been cool with me…”

You pursed your lips and bit your cheek as Kie looked at you pleadingly.

“You are so corny…” you murmured and Kie only chuckled as she led you over to the van. She slid the door closed behind you as you made your way over to a vacant spot.

“Hey there,” JJ greeted with a grin and Pope waved at you awkwardly.

“Not gonna happen Maybank,” you told him bluntly and his grin dropped.

“Ohoshit,” Pope coughed and Kie snorted as John B shook his head, shifting the gears and driving off toward the other side of the island.

“Wha-hey you never know,” JJ teased and you chuckled.

“Hmm, the rebellious surfer boy isn’t really my type JJ. Sorry.”

“Really? What’s your type then?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” you smirked, crossed your legs and leaning back against your seat.

“Iwould like to know actually, that’s why I asked,” JJ quipped and you laughed.

“Ok fine…My type is Heyward here,” you nodded toward the boy and he straightened up in surprise. Pope’s mouth dropped and he floundered for a moment, pointing to himself.

“Pope?! Really?” JJ yelped as Pope smacked him upside the head.

“Screw you JJ,” Pope hissed, though there wasn’t any true animosity in it.

“Yeah I mean Pope’s really cute. Aside from Pope I’d also say Kie but I didn’t want you getting tooexcited.”

Pope flushed at the compliment and JJ’s eyes widened as he looked over to Kie. The girl turned to look over her shoulder in shock. She turned back to face the front, her cheeks warm, and a smile on her face as John B chuckled from the driver’s seat.

“Sorry bubba but I’d pick Pope too,” John B said and JJ made an offended noise.

“Hey!”

Your group laughed and you couldn’t help but sink into the comfortable and fun atmosphere that came with being with these Pogues. Perhaps you should’ve tried to give them a chance before.

“Oh shit uh where do you live again?” John B asked.

no part 2 sorry :/

the idea of the pogues in a high school setting is actual so fun so i kinda got carried away. i rlly hav a thing for writing the character pining for the reader rather than the other way around.

im basing this off of how my high school was cus idk shit about any other high schools lmao. also excuse volleyball terminology, i also very much miss volleyball

masterlist|previous|next

warnings: cursing, like terrible writing, just filler stuff

one - ♫ I THINK by Tyler, The Creator ♫

It was already two weeks into your senior year and you were settling in nicely. At two weeks people were still switching around their classes making sure they wouldn’t regret the class they decided to settle into. You were satisfied with your schedule considering you only had 3 actual academic classes. 

For your last year you’d opted out of taking one least year of math or another year of science. You were a good student sure but you’d never been the best at maths or sciences. To the Pogues’ surprise Pope had a similar schedule, yet the only reason he wasn’t packed with AP classes was because he was signed up for dual enrollment with online college courses. 

“Dual enrollment helps clear GEs better than AP classes. I’m not saying I wouldn’t pass those AP tests but this way is easier,” Pope explained to JJ as they walked through the crowded halls of Kildare County High. Kooks and Pogues alike littered the hallways, separated in their own little groups and yet standing amongst one another. 

“Whatever you say Pope,” JJ shook his head. He and Pope had one class together this year and that was Intro to Drawing in the very beginning of the day.  

“Heeeey guys,” Kie greeted as she walked up to them, hiking her bag up her shoulder. Kie had opted out of a backpack this last year and had instead started using a tote bag which was only filled with her laptop, a single notebook, her pencil case, and other small personal belongings that had nothing to do with school. 

“You guys going to the game on Friday?” Kie questioned and Pope cringed as JJ groaned. 

“No Kie, we are not going to the football game this Friday-”

“Guys come one, first game of the season! Plus the environmental club is planning to work snack bar. All the money goes toward the Turtle Habitats and the Save the Ocean Foundation,” Kie plead. 

“As much as I love the turtles Kie,” the group stopped at Pope’s locker, “Our football team is garbage. Why would I subject myself to that?” 

“Ok I know that, but don’t go for the team,” Kie raised her eyebrows at the two of them, “Go for the turtles!” 

JJ shot her an “eeeh” sort of look and Kie huffed in annoyance. 

“Come on, if you could give me a whole other way to fundraise then please do,” Kie crossed her arms as Pope shuffled around the belongings in his locker. 

“You need help fundraising Kie?” 

The three teens turned in the direction of your voice and you grinned as you walked up to them, your teammate and other best friend Isabelle walking with you. Isabelle was tall, one of the tallest girls at school actually, and though they saw you two together frequently it was still kind of amusing to see one of the tallest people they new walking around with one of the shortest people they knew. 

“Yeah well, my club’s planning to do the football game snack bar but nobody goes to the game’s anyway so,” Kie shrugged. 

“You could fundraise at the volleyball game,” Isabelle suggested giving Kie a smile. Kie smiled back sheepishly as she shifted on her spot. 

“Are you serious?” she questioned, turning to you and you shrugged. 

“Well, why not? Wouldn’t hurt to ask our coach,” you stated and Kie watched as Pope closed his locker and turned as your hands reached up to fix the collar of the button up he’d worn over his t-shirt. 

“We have a game tomorrow, and then there’s a workshop on Saturday. If your club wants to try and fundraise during those, we can try and figure something out,” Isabelle spoke to Kie and Kie flushed for a moment before she nodded frantically and began talking over a few ideas that were already coming to mind. 

“And people are guaranteed to show up to the girls volleyball games,” JJ wiggled his eyebrows at you and Pope and you laughed as Pope reached up to whack JJ in the chest. You couldn’t help but note how weird JJ looked without one of his usual hats on. You figured it was because the teachers lost their minds over hats being worn inside the building. 

“So (Y/N),” Pope started and you and JJ looked at him. 

“So Pope?” you smiled and missed how JJ glanced between the two of you with a knowing look in his eye. 

“Am I gonna see your dress anytime soon?” Pope questioned and you rolled your eyes. 

“Pope I literally already told you that no one’s allowed to see it until my party,” you leaned against Pope as he shook his head.

“But I’m not just anyone,” he insisted and you laughed as the first bell of the day rang overhead. 

“Ok whatever dude,” you shoved at Pope and he playfully slapped at your arms, “Me and Isa have to go, I’ll see you guys later,” you bid and you gave Pope a hug and a kiss on the cheek before you waved goodbye to JJ and Kie. The three of them watched you two join the sea of students and JJ turned to Kie and Pope.

“Was I seriously just fifth wheeling?” he scoffed and Pope glared at him as Kie flushed at his insinuation. 

__________

“Ok can I just get like…the color? Oh my-you never even told me the color!” Pope stared at you with wide eyes and you shook your head as you covered your mouth to try and keep your laugh from coming out. The two of you were in your second to last class of the day (You were both TA’s for the Intro to Film teacher and that usually meant goofing around in the back as the class watched movies all day), and Pope had not let the topic of your dress drop. 

In fact he had asked you about it for the past three weeks. 

“I can’t ruin it,” you whined and Pope leaned forward and groaned into your shoulder. 

“Telling me the color won’t ruin it,” he mumbled and you reached up to rub his back. 

“Yes it will,” you whispered back playfully and Pope groaned again as you laughed, “Oh by the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you…” 

Pope sat up and motioned for you to continue. 

“I don’t need to have an escort or anything, but I was actually wondering if you’d like to be my escort? For my party?” you weren’t sure why you were so nervous but you couldn’t get yourself to look Pope in the eye. You watched as your fingers played with the end of his shirt. 

“(Y/N).”

You looked up at Pope through your lashes and he flashed you a wide grin. 

“I would literally be honored,” Pope pulled you into a tight hug before pulling back, “Also I would’ve been extremely offended if you didn’t ask me and I probably would’ve just been your escort anyway.” 

You laughed and quickly brought a hand up to cover it up as a few of the students in the room shot the two of you looks. 

“I wouldn’t even go through with the party without you,” you told him softly and Pope could feel his heart skip a beat. Sometimes he wondered what it would’ve been like if he had gathered up the courage to ask you out ages ago. Despite the bullshit he told his friends he knew that he was in love with you. He would always love you, but being in love with you was different. It meant so much more. 

“So that means I get to know the color of your dress right?” Pope whispered and your mouth dropped open in shock as a wide grin stretched across his face. You tried to stop yourself from smiling as you reached up to whack him on the shoulder. 

“No!” you whisper-yelled. 

“But how am I gonna coordinate with you-” 

“Drop it Pope,” you laughed as the bell rang to indicate the end of class. 

________

“Where’s Kie?” John B questioned as JJ and Pope walked up to him. Today was the first girl’s volleyball game of the year and they had planned on going to watch together. They only really did it out of support toward you but that obviously didn’t stop JJ from his usual flirting. 

“Her club’s doing snack bar or something, to help fundraise for turtles. Did she not tell you?” Pope asked as they walked into the gym together. There was music playing through the gym’s speakers and there was chatter and noise from every point. There was the sound of shoes squeaking against the gym floor and the sounds of volleyballs coming into contact with the floor, hands, the walls, etc. 

“Nah, I didn’t see her that much yesterday or even today.” 

“Yeah, where the hell were you anyway?” JJ questioned as he led the way up the bleachers. It was definitely crowded but the boys weren’t at all surprised, Kildare County High’s volleyball team was actually good, meaning they usually garnered a large audience of spectators. 

“I was at the counselor’s like all day trying to figure out how I’m gonna get enough credits to graduate,” John B sighed and JJ and Pope cringed. After John B’s dad disappeared in their sophomore year, the boy had taken a half a step back from his academic responsibilities to try and keep himself together and afloat. Then after Big John’s body was found at the beginning of their Junior year, John B had considered dropping out entirely. He missed a majority of that school year as a result of his grief, deciding that he felt there was no point for school any longer.

Yet with the surprising help of Sheriff Peterkin he had pushed himself back into finishing school. The school understood of course, but that didn’t mean it didn’t take a toll on his academic record. 

“I’m sure it’ll work out in the end,” Pope encouraged and JJ nodded, before the blonde clapped and looked around, eager to get John B’s mind off the matter. 

“Oh shit look there’s Quincy,” JJ pointed out and the trio made their way over the where a large group of other Pogues who had gathered up on one side of the bleachers. While some schools may have had senior sections or something of the like, their gym was separated by Kooks, Pogues, parents, and then any visitors from the opposing school. 

“Hey JJ what’s up man?” 

JJ dapped up Quincy and the two of them began talking about something or another as John B and Pope were greeted by the people around them. 

“Yeah (Y/N)!!” someone near them yelled, “You dig those balls!” 

The three boys turned to the court and watched as you shook your head and laughed but kept your focus on the court. You squatted down low once more and they watched as you warmed up, passing dimes for your setter to set. 

“Woooh (Y/N)!” JJ’s hands were cupped around his mouth as he yelled.

“Yeeeahhh!” John B yelled and was followed up by the student section of their gym, Pogues and Kooks alike, cheering for their team despite it only being in warm ups. 

Soon enough people had settled into the bleachers as the Varsity game came to a start. (Pope, JJ, and John B had yelled their hearts out at your introduction - “Number 10, Libero: (Y/N) (Y/L/N)!”. And JJ had pointed out where Kie was bustling over at the snack bar, charming people into buying whatever she pointed out to them). 

“Oh shit hey, I’m gonna go say hi to (Y/N)’s parents. I totally forgot,” Pope told his friends and the two nodded, waving him off. Pope mumbled “excuse me’s” as he maneuvered his way by people’s legs and tried not to knee anybody in the back of the head. He jogged down the steps of the bleacher and made his way to where the parents were all situated, watching the game intently. There was a bout of cheering and Pope glanced over to the court to watch you jump up in excitement as your team scored another point. 

“Hey Pope!” Pope looked up at that and smiled as your mom waved him over to where she was sitting with your dad.

“Hi!” he greeted, and leaned over as your mom stretched her arms up to give him a hug in greeting. 

“Your parents not here tonight?” your dad questioned and Pope shook his head. 

“Nah they couldn’t leave the store. They really wanted to come though. (Y/N)’s last first game and all.” 

“Ah well that’s alright, plenty of games after this one.” 

“Of course. Uh Mrs. (Y/L/N) how’s the party planning?” your mom rolled her eyes though he could tell there was no ill intent. 

“Stressful. All (Y/N) focused on was her dress and her guest list. Finding a place to even have the party was almost impossible,” your mom explained and Pope chuckled. 

“(Y/N) won’t even let me know what the dress looks like,” Pope told them and your mom laughed as your dad nodded. 

“She’s hid it from her dad too.”

“Won’t be able to see it ‘till the party,” your dad shook his head at that as Pope let out a surprised chuckle. 

“Youate that (Y/N)!” someone yelled and Pope and your parents glanced over at the game and watched you get picked up by Isabelle as your team cheered over winning the first set of the match. 

“Well I’m gonna head back to my friends,” Pope pointed over to where John B and JJ were sitting, now with the addition of Kie. 

“Of course, of course. We’ll be seeing you at our house later?” your mom teased and Pope shrugged as he laughed. 

He waved your parents goodbye and by the time he’d gotten back to his friends Kildare was already ahead in the second set. 

“Not working anymore Kie?” Pope questioned as he took a seat beside her leaving her between him and JJ. 

“Yeah we made shifts so it’s Marco’s turn,” Kie explained pointing over to the snack bar. 

“Was our volleyball team always this good?” JJ questioned and Pope scoffed. 

“Yeah you were just too busy staring at their asses to watch them play,” he reached around Kie to shove at the blonde and JJ batted his arms away. 

“Hey, you can’t exactly blame me!” 

“Gross JJ,” Kie rolled her eyes and the boy looked at Kie with an offended look before turning to John B as if to say, ‘are you hearing this?’. John B only shook his head at his best friend. The 3 Pogues chuckled at JJ’s expense before they turned back to the game. It was your turn to serve now and as you waited for the referee to blow his whistle John B reached up and cupped his hands around his mouth. 

“Do it for Pope, (Y/N)!!” 

Pope whipped his head over to John B as the students around them “oooh’d!” some of them shoving at Pope playfully. From the court he missed how you glanced up at where they were sitting, a grin on your face as the referee finally blew the whistle to let you serve. 

“Shut up John B!” Pope hissed and the brunette only laughed it off as Kie mentioned how Pope should’ve been used to this by now and JJ yelled. 

“For Poooope!!!!” JJ yelled as you served the ball. 

The Kildare supporters all cheered as you aced your serve and Pope flushed in embarrassment as you turned and pointed to him, riling up the crowd of students as those closest to him shoved at him once more. 

“Yes King!” someone yelled at Pope and he couldn’t help but grin as he pointed back at you. 

OBX: An Outer Banks Story | Season 1

“Hey. I heard you come in late last night. You go out with a friend after work?” My Grams immediately badgers me as I stumble down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“No. Just biked around for a while,” Technically true.

“Sounds fun,” I can tell she’s judging, but in silence. “Do you have work today?”

“No.”

“Well, you’ve been working almost every day since you got here. So maybe today’s a good day to explore the town. Meet some kids your age.” 

“Yeah. Maybe.” I turn to go upstairs.

“No.” She has a very stern voice that makes me turn around. “No hanging out in the house today. You’re going to go out and meet people. You need to be a normal teenager for just a day.”

“But…”

“No buts. I’ll give you ten minutes to get ready, then you must leave. I expect you to be gone until the sun goes.”

“Grams…”

“What?” She’s getting testy.

“Thanks.” She just smiles.

“You’ve got nine minutes now.”

At first, I started to breathe randomly. I thought I’d just end up where I’d end up. But then I found myself somewhere I recognized. Somewhere by the water. Somewhere by a dock that a certain person has a boat.

I find myself staring at the dock. Part of me knows that I should just go in the opposite direction and move on. Another part of me wants to rush up to the boat and hope to god he’s there and beat him to a bloody pulp. But in the end, I find myself just standing there. Not too close. Not too far. Just close enough to see as that same boy walks out of the boat, but not close enough that he can see me.

I watch as this boy walks around without a shirt. He’s on his phone. He’s smiling. His hair is a little messy. Something about him draws me in. But then, just as I find myself getting hard once again, a girl with fake blonde hair walks out of the boat and wraps her arms around him. He turns around and they kiss. For some reason, even though I hate this boy, something deep down inside me breaks. I quickly get on my bike, but just before I go off, I see that girl go down to her knees. I stop, and for some reason, am drawn back in. I know it’s wrong. I do. But I can’t stop staring at them. The boy just holds her head and smiles. I can see him bite his lower lip. 

“Shit,” I shout as the boy suddenly looks over and makes eye contact with me.

But he doesn’t do anything. Just as I’m ready to make a run for it, he stares back at me, smiling. He looks at me directly in the eyes as his mouth opens. I find myself staring, direct eye contact, for minutes. When the girl comes up to her feet, that’s when the boy finally looks away. It’s like I suddenly get out of a weird trance. I find myself energized and weirdly hot. 

I jump on my bike and speed away before I can see any more.

For a while, I bike around without any direction. All that’s on my mind is that boy. His slicked-back hair. That smirk. His body. Even those stupid preppy rich kid clothes. Something about him just makes me want to hurt him, but also makes me want to do other things. Other things that I am desperately trying to shove out of my head. 

I am so focused on trying to forget that boy that I guess my body moved in a way it’s used to and biked to the club. When I come up I see Taylor in the back on a break.

“Hey, busboy.”

“Actually it’s bar back boy now.”

“Ooooh fancy.” I find it weird that I’m comfortable around her.

“Yeah, I’m moving up. You better watch your back.”

“I’m scared.” We laugh as I lock my bike up. “So what you doin’ here? You don’t work today.”

“How do you know that?”

“I may or may not have asked.”

“Awww, you actually like me. You really really like me.”

“A little less now.” She punches me in the arm. “Jk. Now really, what’s up?”

“Well…” So I begin. I begin telling her everything. Well, everything from the first time I met the boy at the bar, to my Grams being extra, and to the boy on his boat.

“First of all… I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!”

“Knew what?”

“That you were gay. I have excellent gaydar and saw it on you the second you biked up to me.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Second, who the fuck’s this boy? Sounds like you’ve got yourself a crush on a nasty Kook.”

“Kook? Crush?” I’m confused and offended for some reason.

“Kook’s are the upper crust people of the OBX. Pogue’s are what you’d call us, the working class folk.”
“Folk?”

“Oh shut it. From the sounds of it, you were dealing with a Grade A Kook.”

“And he was just so…” I can’t help but lick my lips.

“Damn. You’ve got it bad.”

“Shut up. No, I don’t.”

“It’s real bad. Like stalking him online and jerking off to his Insta.”

“Taylor!”

“What? You didn’t deny it.”

“I don’t even know his name. So I couldn’t do any of that if I wanted to.”

“Well if you ever spot him again, take a pic. I know everyone.”

“Thanks.”

“So you’ve got to fill up the rest of your day, right?” I nod. “Well I’m off in 30 and there’s a party on this private beach I was gonna stop at. Wanna come?”
“Do I have a choice?”

“No, not really.”

“Fine.”

“Great. Wait here. I’ll be back.”

ALMOST AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER…

“Please say we’re close.”

“It’s just beyond this line of trees loser.”

“What’s so good about these parties that we have to drive 30 minutes then hike through the woods for another 30?”

“Not much. Just kids our age, alcohol, music, and usually a good fight to watch.”

“Oh… fun.”

“Trust me. It is. You may even see your Kook.”

“My Kook? And I thought you said it’s a Pogue party.”

“He has no name, what else can I call him? And yeah, Kook’s know we throw the best parties and always crash.”

“I feel like I need to take notes.”

“Yeah. Welcome to Taylor Teaches.” She laughs as we walk onto the beach and see dozens of teens, a buttload of solo cups, and very little clothing that makes me feel like I’m ready for a Minnesota winter.

“So… do any of the guys here wear shirts?” That makes Taylor laugh. “But seriously. Not a single boy is wearing a shirt.”

“It’s too hot for shirts. And are you really complaining about seeing that?” She tilts her head for me to see these two really hot boys wearing just bathing suits and that each have these amazing heads of hair.

“Ok… I guess…” I can’t stop smiling… or starring at those boys.

“Hey!” Taylor’s voice goes up a few octaves as she walks up to this beautiful girl with dark wavy hair.

“What’s up? It’s been too long!” They hug before the girl notices me. “Is this your…?”

“No.” Taylor and I both laugh. “This is Parker. Parker, this is Kiara.”

“Hey. Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“Parker’s new here. He’s been working at the Club with me.”

“Oh… fun.”

“No. Not really.” That makes her laugh.

“Well it’s good you’ve made friends with Taylor here, she’s a great teacher. You’ll be a pro of The Banks in no time.”

“I haven’t decided yet if I want to be though.”

“Trust me, you will.” Kiara smiles and we follow her towards the party. “Anything to drink?”

“Nah. I’m good.”

“Hey! JJ!” Kiara suddenly shouts and I turn to see her shouting at one of the boys I saw before, who’s now throwing a knife up in the air. “Don’t be an idiot! If you get blood over my knife you’re dead!”

“Shut up! I’m amazing at this!” His voice gives me a little shiver.

“That boy’s gonna drive me to an early grave.” She looks back at us. “Sorry. I’ll be back.” She runs off to him.

“That’s JJ. He’s a total shitshow of a kid, but he’s truly kind at heart.” Taylor then points to that other boy I saw before with JJ, he’s similar-looking but with long brown hair. “That’s John B. He and Kiara had a thing for a while, but they’re really just best friends along with JJ and Pope.” We look over to the boy running up to help JJ and Kiara now that JJ was cut his palm a little. “He’s the smart one of their good, very kind, but he’s the mother of the group.”

“Okayyy… and what about the thirty or so other people here.”

“Later. I’ll need a few drinks before getting into them.”

With a few drinks and thirty minutes, Taylor goes through each person at the party. I only really remember the first few and the weird ones. There’s Christian, the boy who sleeps with any girl he meets. Then Meredith, the girl who’s dad is a police officer and not so secretly hooking up with a married man. And of course, I remember Chris, the girl, who hooked up with Christian, then realized she was gay and is dating the sheriff’s closeted daughter.

Other than that, most of the others were pretty basic. But Kiara and her friends were the ones that really stuck out to me, specifically JJ. Something about JJ hits me. I can’t stop watching him. He does all this crazy stuff for attention, but I can see something damaged about him. Something in him is hurting, and he’ll do anything to forget about it. Or… I may just be reading into everything… I ended up having some drinks and am pretty lit at the moment.

It’s getting late. The sun is going down. The drinks have been flowing. The music hasn’t stopped. The people just keep on coming. And… I’m actually having fun. For the first time in months, my mind has turned off. I’m just living in the moment and enjoying it. I’ve been sitting with Taylor, Kiara, JJ, John B, and Pope. They’ve been telling me these crazy stories about their adventures around the OBX. Some involve treasure. Others involve sharks, fireworks, drinking too much, and even one that involved multiple squirrels and a jar of peanut butter. That one confused me… and scared me a little.

“Where’s Sarah?” Taylor pops to her feet out of nowhere.

“Yeah. I thought she was coming!” Kiara jumps up with Taylor and they both begin laughing.

“She said she was having some family problems, as always.”

“Bummer.” They both say together before plopping back down into the sand.

“Sarah… your girlfriend? Right?”

“Right.” John B’s smile is cute.

“You’ve got a cute smile.” It spits out of my mouth.

“Thanks.” He smiles yet again.

I see Kiara whisper into Taylor’s ear.

“What?” I look to them, at this point losing any fucks.

“Nothing.” Kiara is smiling.

“What? I won’t be mad.” Everyone just laughs.

“I just said that I thought you’re nice. And a bit drunk.”

“Awwww…. I really am drunk.” Everyone just starts laughing. “Oh shit.” I quickly notice three boys walking onto the beach, one of which is the boy. 

“What?” Taylor looks at me, worried. “You good?”

“It’s him.”

“Who?”

“Him.”
“Wait. What? Where?” She starts looking around.

“The one with the hair.”

“Well, that’s quite descriptive.”

“Oh shit. Rafe and the rest of the boy band are here.” JJ says, him and the others all looking over to the boys walking in.

“Oh shit.” Taylor looks to me. “Oh shit!”

“You good?” Kiara looks at her.

“Um… yeah. Yeah.” Taylor gets close to me. “The boy you’re talking about. Is it the one with the brown hair?”

“Oh yeah…” My mind is starting to think of some very dirty things and I can’t control them.

“No. No. No. Not allowed.”

“What?” I look at her, getting quickly confused, the alcohol not helping with that.

“That’s Rafe Cameron. Aka the psycho of The Banks. Aka Sarah’s brother. Aka the boy who killed someone and who’s rich daddy got him off. Aka…”

“Wait… what?”

“Hey! Wake up! You’ve gotta be at work in 20!” Her shouts annoy me as they do every morning.

“I’m awake!” I shout back, already dressed for work and sitting in my bed, staring at the small crack on the wall.

After a minute I finally force myself to my feet and walk downstairs. I quickly try to pass the kitchen and out the side door, but Grams sees me and gives me a look.

“Love you.” I walk over and hug her as she chops her herbs.

“Love you too. Have a good day at work.”

I walk out and immediately hop onto my bike. As I do the same ride I’ve been doing every day for the past two weeks, I continue watching the people of this town. There are those people who are running around like mad dogs, just trying to stay afloat. Then the people walking around like they know something no one else does. Then my favorite people of the OBX, those who own it and know it. They intrigue me more than the rest. They put their noses up at the rest of us, yet if you look close enough you realize that their lives are just as fucked up as ours.

“Hey. New kid!” The shout distracts me as I bike up to the country club and I fall off my bike. “Damn!” 

“Fuck!” I shove the bike off my legs, noticing the scraps and blood beginning to drip.

“Dude, you okay?” The same girl that shouted my name before runs up to me, offering a hand.

“I’m fine.” I get up and notice her, she’s my age, shorter than me, and wearing an apron.

“You sure? You’re bleeding.” 

“Yeah. I’ve had worse.” I pick my bike up and start walking it to the bike rack with her.

“Sure. Okay. I’m Taylor. I work with the pastry chef.”

“Parker. Busboy.” I lock my bike in. “Why were you yelling for me?”

“Oh. Yeah. You’re needed to help at the bar today.”

“Okay.”

“It’s a busy weekend. You’ll probably be there till Monday.”

“Okay.” We walk in together.

“Is that the only word you know?” She steps in front of me, smiling a weird amount.

“No.”

“Okay.” I laugh at that and she smiles.

“Sorry. I’m just not a morning person. Or a person person.”

“Well, that’s fine. I’m sure I’ll be your type of person soon enough.”

“Really? You think so?”

“I know so.” She smiles and turns down another hall. “See you later Busboy.”

“How was work?” Grams is hovering by the backdoor when I arrive. “Make any friends today?”

“Nope.” I go over to the fridge and grab a water bottle before I notice she’s dressed up. “What’s going on?”

“My friend’s throwing a little game night. I’ll be gone pretty late. There’s money in that jar for pizza or whatever.” The Winnie the Pooh cookie jar just stares at me.

“Sure. Have fun.” 

“You too.” She says as I walk upstairs.

I didn’t sleep a minute last night. Well, I actually did, but maybe forty minutes tops. I had fallen asleep until I had the worst dream. I dream that brought me back to one of the worst moments in my life. It just kept repeating. The scream. The grab. The Fire. The beeping. Over and over. Over and over. Over and over.

Then I snapped out of it. Sat straight up in my bed, sweating. The sad thing is… I wish I could say it was the first time or even the tenth. And as I did the other times, I sat and played sudoku on my phone. I played it over and over until the sun rose. Once the sun was up I took a quick shower and left the house on my bike.

I’ve been biking for nearly two hours and am pretty sure I’m lost. I’m somewhere next to the water. There are a few boats tied up, but not much else around. It’s quite beautiful though. I’ve never taken a real moment to notice how nice the water looks. And how perfect the sun shines on it. And for just a second my mind goes blank. The sound of the wave goes through my head.

“Hey. What the fuck are you doing on this dock?” I nearly fall on my ass when I hear the voice and turn to see someone on a nearby boat.

“What?” I just starting to snap out of my daze.

“Private. Property.” I can’t really see the guy with the light in my eye, but I take the note and start walking back.

I got to the club early for my shift so they let me get some extra hours. The bar has been crowded all afternoon. I’ve realized the bar area is filled with four different types of people since I first started. The first are the men who sit at the counter and drink for hours. They’re harmless, but really like to talk. The second type are the group of men that come after they’ve played golf and now want to discuss business. They’re usually quite rude, but they tip a darn good amount. The third type are the men that bring women far younger than them who are clearly not their wives. They are the type that prefers very little attention to them, but really want to impress the women they’re with. The fourth and final type of people that come to this bar is the group of teenage boys who think they are entitled to drinks because their daddy’s pay far too much to get them in. They are the type that truly drives me insane. They try over and over to get what they want, then threaten to get my boss or their parents.

Speaking of which… just about five minutes ago this group of four teenage boys walked in and took a table. They’ve been chatting, laughing, and looking over at the bar. 

And now one of the boys, one with slicked-back brown hair and wearing a bright-colored shit with cache shorts. He’s smirking and looking way too confident.

“Hey.” He takes a seat on a stool.

“Hey. What would you like?”

“Just four rum and cokes.”

“Four cokes?”

“Umm… no. Rum and cokes.”

“I.D.?”

“Well I left it in my office, but ask anyone, I’m a regular here.”

“Well… “ He smiles, thinking he’s about to get what he wants. “No I.D., no drinks.” I walk over to another person and top off their drink.

I start cleaning up and the boy is still sitting there, watching me. He seems intent on me. Watching. Smiling. Then looking back at his friends and laughing every once and a while. He waits a few minutes before he speaks again.

“It’s you!” He snaps like he knows something.

“What?”

“You’re the kid that was on our docks this morning.” Wait… that was him? “You were standing there like some kind of idiot.”

“Anything else you need sir?” I can feel my blood starting to heat up.

“I should’ve realized you we’re some poor Pogue. You probably live in some shithole with your alcoholic mother and father who beats you around for the fun of it.”

It hits me. Hits me hard. I can feel my blood going from zero to a hundred. My fists tighten, nails digging into my palms. I being picturing the things I could do to him. I could grab a glass and shove it in his face. I could grab him by his hair and shove his head into the counter. But my favorite thought right now is grabbing him by his hair and dragging him across the bar and throwing him into the hundreds of bottles before stomping my foot into his ribs and shattering a large bottle of tequila in his face.

But I don’t do any of that. I stare him straight in the eyes. I put all my anger into my eyes and let him feel it. At first, he stares back, but after thirty incredibly long seconds, he blinks. He puts on this fake laughter and steps off his stool.

“Come on guys, let’s go. It’s boring here.” They all walk out together.

I quickly walk to the main bartender.

“I’m taking my break. Be back.” I speed out of the bar.

I make my way down the halls of the club. Through the back exit and where most of the workers hang. I step through the few workers hanging out and around the corner. I immediately face the wall and punch it. I regret it the second I swing my arm, but at that point, there’s no going back. I immediately want to scream, but hold it in.

“Parker?” I jump out of my skin as Taylor turns the corner. “Oh shit!” She runs up to me as she sees the blood dripping down my fist.

“I…I…” I begin finding it hard to breathe. “It’s… it’s… al…”

“It’s okay. Shhhh.” She takes the apron off and wraps it around my hand.

“But… I can’t… I can’t breathe!” My chest is tightening and everything begins to get a bit hazy.

“Parker,” Taylor grabs my face and looks me in the eyes. “Focus on my eyes.”

“But…”

“Focus on them,” She’s stern. “What color are they?”

“Blue.” 

“What’s my name?”

“Taylor.” Things begin to loosen.

“Where are we?”

“Hell.” That makes Taylor laugh, then I do as well.

“Not technically wrong.” 

“Thanks.” I start to feel normal, if I was ever normal to begin with. 

“No problem.” She helps me to my feet.

“It’s just not my day. This kid came in…”

“You don’t need to tell me. I understand.” I take a look at my hand. “I’ll go and get some bandages.” She turns to walk away.

“Taylor. Thank you. Really.”

“What else are friends that you’ve known for 24 hours for?”

“I don’t know, depends if they happen to bring me back a cookie.”

“Oh, really?” We both laugh as she walks away.

I turn around and lean against the wall. I take a deep breath in and run my hands through my hair. Then I look forward and that kid from the bar is standing in the parking lot. He notices me and smiles. Then he waves before hopping onto his motorbike. He looks to me once more, that grin digging into my skull. I flip him off and that only seems to make him smile more. He rides off and before I know it I find myself getting hard as I watch him ride off.

“Damn.”