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It was a warm summer night in the Outer Banks, and Imani stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the summer dress that hugged her curves. The party she was heading to wasn't exactly on her parents radar, and she planned to keep it that way. Her parents were overprotective, and though they often let her get away with more since she was older, this particular night was something they'd never approve of. Too much alcohol, too many wild kids, and way too much drama.

As she tiptoed down the stairs, her heels in one hand, Imani knew she had to be quick if she wanted to avoid her parents waking up. She was halfway to the door, hand on the knob, when a voice broke through the silence of the dark house.

"Where are you going?"

Imani froze, turning to see her little sister Kiara standing at the foot of the stairs, arms crossed. Kiara was in her usual casual attire—cutoff shorts and a baggy T-shirt—but her expression was serious, with one eyebrow raised.

"Kie, what are you doing awake?" Imani whispered sharply, glancing over her shoulder to make sure their parents were still asleep.

"I could ask you the same thing," Kiara retorted, smirking. "You're sneaking out? Wow, real responsible, Imani."

Imani rolled her eyes. "Don't start with me. You know I'm not the one getting into trouble all the time."

"Right. You're just the one sneaking out to some sketchy party in the middle of the night."

Imani knew she didn't have time for this. She needed to leave, but she also knew her little sister well enough to know that Kiara wasn't just going to let this slide.

Crossing her arms, she met Kiara's gaze. "Look, Kie, I'm not in the mood for a lecture. So how about we make a deal?"

Kiara's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, this should be good. What do you have in mind?"

Imani sighed, stepping closer and lowering her voice. "I'll take you shopping. You've been eyeing those new eco-friendly surfboards, right? I'll get one for you."

Kiara's eyes gleamed for a second, but she hid it quickly, trying to keep her face neutral. "You think you can bribe me that easily?"

Imani gave her a knowing smile. "You know I can. Besides, it's not like you're telling Mom and Dad about every time you sneak off with the boys, right?"

Kiara's lips twitched into a small smile, but she was still pretending to weigh her options. "Fine," she said after a beat. "But you're taking me out for food, too. And I get to pick where."

"Deal." Imani slipped her heels back on and gave a relieved grin. "Thanks, Kie."

Kiara shrugged, a playful smirk on her face. "Just don't get caught. Or you'll owe me way more than a shopping trip."

Imani rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Trust me, I won't." She gave her little sister a quick wink before slipping out the door.

Kiara could be a pain, but at least she was still her sister. The only one who had her back when things got messy.

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The bass thrummed in Imani's chest as 2 On by Tinashe played through the speakers.

The air was thick with the smell of sweat, perfume, and ocean salt lingering in the breeze that blew in from the open windows. Alice and Violet, were dancing nearby, waving Imani over, but she was content to hang back for now.

"Girl!" Alice's voice suddenly pierced through the music, loud enough to make Imani wince. She turned to see Alice making her way over, her face flushed from dancing. Violet followed close behind, more relaxed but clearly interested in whatever Alice was about to say.

Imani raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Alice leaned in close, practically shouting over the blaring music. "Did you hear about Carson Walker?"

Imani blinked, her brow furrowing slightly. "Uh, no? Why?"

Alice's eyes went wide with dramatic emphasis as she put a hand on Imani's arm. "His family left OBX!"

"What?! Why?"

Violet chimed in, now at Alice's side. Her voice was softer, but still loud enough to be heard. "Well, after the fight with Rafe. Carson's parents didn't want to deal with the Cameron's anymore."

Imani shook her head slowly, letting the information sink in. "That's crazy," she said, crossing her arms. "I knew Rafe was bad news, but to scare a whole family off the island?"

Alice nodded eagerly, clearly feeding off the gossip. "Yeah, Carson's parents didn't want to risk it. They've been packing up all week. Some people are saying Ward Cameron had something to do with it too, like he's trying to cover for Rafe."

Imani scoffed. "Of course he is. That family gets away with everything."

Violet took a sip from her drink and glanced at Imani. "It's probably for the best that Carson left. Nobody wants to be on the wrong side of the Cameron's, especially not with Rafe acting more unhinged by the day."

"Well," Imani said, forcing a small smile, "I guess that's one less person to worry about running into at a party."

Alice's laughter faded as her eyes darted toward the front door. Her expression changed instantly, the carefree energy dropping from her face like a switch had been flipped. "Oh my God," she muttered, grabbing Imani's arm. "Rafe Cameron just walked in."

Imani's head snapped toward the entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd. Sure enough, there he was. Rafe, taller than most of the guys in the room, his presence immediately casting a dark shadow over the party. He had that look about him—like he was barely holding it together, his jaw tight, eyes sharp as he scanned the room.

What is his deal? Imani thought. He just always seemed to be on the edge.

It was the first time anyone had seen him in a week, ever since the fight with Carson Walker had blown up and ended in his suspension from school.

Violet let out a low whistle, leaning in closer to both Imani and Alice. "Nobody's seen him since the fight. What's he even doing here?"

Imani's gaze locked on Rafe. He moved through the crowd with that same unsettling confidence he always had, like he was in control of everything, even when everyone knew he was spiraling.

She could see the way people subtly shifted out of his path, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to be the next person to cross him. There was something almost predatory about the way he moved, as if he were searching for something—or someone.

"He's got balls, I tell you that," Imani said under her breath.

Alice shook her head. "He probably thinks he's untouchable."

Violet snorted. "Of course he is. The Cameron's never face consequences, right?"

As Imani watched Rafe move through the room, her curiosity deepened. She never really knew him well. They'd been in school together since kindergarten, but their paths had always stayed far apart. At least, she thought they had.

Imani had never noticed that whenever Rafe was near, his eyes often followed her. The subtle glances, the way he always seemed to be just on the edge of where she was, but Imani, always busy with her own world, had been blissfully unaware.

As Rafe approached the bar, his eyes finally landed on her. For a split second, he froze, his expression softening just enough. She felt a strange knot form in her stomach as his stare lingered, intense and unwavering, before he glanced away as if nothing had happened.

"Imani," Alice said, leaning closer. "He's staring."

"I know. I stared back at him," Imani brushed it off with a shrug, forcing herself to look away from him. "He probably just recognised me from school," she said, trying to sound casual. "It's not that deep."

Violet narrowed her eyes, like she didn't fully believe her. "I don't know. There's something off about him. Just be careful."

"Yeah. We don't need you to be on his get fucked list," Alice snorted at that.

"Unless he wants you in the other way," Violet joked.

"I hope not," Imani nervously laughed, though her thoughts were still swirling. Rafe was trouble, everyone knew that. She knew that.

Rafe grabbed a drink from the bar, turning his back to the crowd, but Imani noticed his movements were slower now, like he was deliberately staying within view of where she stood.

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Rafe leaned against the bar, drink in hand, surrounded by a cluster of his friends. They were loud and boisterous, exchanging jokes and stories that barely registered in his mind. All he could focus on was Imani. She was across the room, dancing with her friends. He didn't even know who they were, but one was loud and the other was quiet.

He hadn't planned on going to the party at all. In fact, he was content staying home for once. But then one of his friends casually mentioned Imani's name- said she was going to be there.

And boy did he run out of the house like a flash of lightening, even almost falling face down on the ground, barely stopping to think as he rushed out of his house.

And here she was, wearing that red summer dress—one he'd never seen before- its fabric clinging to her curves just right, accentuating her every movement. The dress swayed gently as she danced, the hem brushing against her thighs with every step. Her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, framing her face and adding an air of elegance that made his heart race. Imani's laughter rang out above the music, a sound so warm and inviting that he could almost feel it wrapping around him.

She was beautiful, undeniably so. He thought.

But it wasn't just her looks that drew him in. It was the way she carried herself, a confidence that seemed to radiate from her very core. She danced, as if nothing else existed but the rhythm of the music and the joy of being surrounded by friends. Rafe had watched her like this before, from a distance, always feeling that inexplicable tug that pulled him closer to her.

"Yo, Rafe!" One of his friends called, giving him a playful nudge.

Rafe blinked, shaking himself out of his thoughts. He could feel the heat rise in his cheeks, knowing he'd been caught staring. "What?"

"Who are you looking at?" His friend asked, a grin spreading across his face as he followed Rafe's gaze. "Ahh, I see it. Imani Carrera."

Rafe's jaw tightened slightly. "I wasn't," he muttered, trying to deflect the attention.

He took a long sip from his drink, letting the alcohol burn down his throat, hoping to suppress the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

Jake, his friend, leaned closer, taking a sip of his drink and chuckling. "Man, look at her," he said, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Imani's the hottest girl on this island, hands down. I swear, half the guys here are secretly in love with her."

Another friend, Ryan, piped in. "Right? You know she doesn't have a clue about all the guys drooling over her."

Rafe's jaw clenched involuntarily at Jake's and Ryan's words, the playful tone of his friend grating on his nerves. "Shut up, man," he said, his voice low and dangerous, a warning edge creeping in.

"C'mon, we're just saying what everyone's thinking," Jake shrugged, unfazed. "She's got that whole 'girl next door' thing going on, but with a side of—"

"Yeah, I get it," Rafe interrupted, his temper flaring. "Just keep your mouth shut, alright? She's not some trophy for you to gawk at."

Jake raised his hands defensively, a smirk still on his face. "Alright, alright. I thought you hated her, man. You've always been saying how she's too much of a goody two shoes and how she doesn't fit in with the 'real' world. What gives?"

"Yeah," Ryan chimed in, smirking. "You've been pretty vocal about not being into her type. Now, all of a sudden, you're acting like her knight in shining armour?"

"Exactly, i'm surprised you knocked Carson out. I thought you were cool with him."

"It's because he touched Imani, isn't it?" Ryan chuckled. "Our boy doesn't like that." He put an arm around Rafe, patting his chest.

Rafe shot his friends a glare, his mind racing with thoughts that churned in his gut. He didn't like the way they talked about Imani. Rafe's obsession felt deeper, more complicated than simple attraction; it was like she held a piece of his soul in her hands, and he wasn't about to let anyone disrespect that.

"Be careful what you say to me," Rafe warned, lowering his voice. "Don't forget who you're dealing with."

Jake rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, as if he suddenly understood that Rafe was serious. "Alright, alright. Chill out, man. I didn't mean anything by it."

"Just keep your distance, alright?" Rafe muttered, forcing himself to relax, even though every instinct in him screamed to stay away from her himself.

But Rafe Cameron was never a follower for rules.

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Feeling overwhelmed by the noise and the chaos of the party, Imani slipped out the back door, stepping into the cool night air. The music faded to a distant thrum, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the sound of waves crashing in the distance.

Feeling a little buzzed from the alcohol, she leaned against the wooden railing. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard the flick of a lighter. Curious, Imani turned her head to see Rafe leaning against his motorcycle, the orange glow of the flame illuminating his sharp features. He took a slow drag from a cigarette, the smoke curling up into the night sky.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear. Imani felt her cheeks flush as she took in the sight of him—there was something undeniably captivating about the way he held himself, a mix of rebellion and confidence that drew her in despite every bone in her body told her to stay away from him. The way he exhaled the smoke, his gaze steady, felt intimate in a way she couldn't quite comprehend.

Trying to break the tension, Imani cleared her throat and for the first time, she spoke to him. "Smoking is bad for you," she said, forcing a lightness to her tone.

Rafe shrugged, still leaning casually against his bike, a half smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I don't care."

She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest as she took a step closer, unable to ignore the urge to challenge him. "You should care. You'll die early if you keep smoking. You should find something else to distract yourself with."

"Do you want to be my distraction then?" He asked, his voice low and teasing, yet laced with something more serious.

Imani's breath caught in her throat. The suggestion hung in the air between them, thick and charged. She couldn't deny the thrill that shot through her at his words, but she also felt the weight of the moment, the risks involved in even contemplating his question. She had always heard Rafe was trouble, and yet there was something undeniably magnetic about him that pulled her in.

"You shouldn't speak like that to me," Imani cleared her throat.

"Oh, forgive me, princess for stepping out of the line," Rafe rolled his eyes, taking another drag before blowing the smoke out slowly.

As Imani turned to head back inside, a thought nagged at her. She stopped in her tracks, her heart racing as she glanced back at Rafe. "Did you fight with Carson because of what you saw in the library with me and him?"

Rafe's demeanour shift immediately. "No," he denied quickly. "Don't get too happy."

"Oh, okay," she murmured. She turned to leave, the confusion swirling in her head.

"Come here," he called, his tone commanding yet soft.

"What?"

"I said, come here." He beckoned with his fingers toward her.

Something in her hesitated, a strange instinct urging her to turn back. Against her better judgment, she did, walking slowly toward him. She stood in front of him, the space between them crackling with tension. Rafe leaned casually against his motorcycle, cigarette in hand, taking a drag as he watched her.

Rolling her eyes, she tried to maintain her composure. "You should really stop that," she said, gesturing to the cigarette, though the words felt hollow as she watched him smoke.

Rafe chuckled softly, his smirk both playful and dangerous. Instead of responding, he moved his free hand, reaching out to grab her by the hip. His touch sent an electric jolt through her, and Imani gasped, nearly colliding with his chest as he spread his leg slightly to make room for her to stand in between his legs.

"What- Rafe!" She exclaimed, heart racing at the sudden proximity. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, the smell of smoke mixing with the faint scent of something uniquely him. "What- what are you doing?"

"Just relax," he murmured, his voice low and smooth, his eyes locked onto hers. He took another puff from the cigarette, and gently gripped her cheeks, tilting her face up to meet his gaze, his thumb brushing softly against her skin as he leaned in closer, and before she could protest, he blew the smoke into her mouth, the tendrils swirling around them..

"Just inhale slowly," he instructed, the intimacy of the moment crashing over her. "Now breathe it out," he whispered, his gaze never leaving hers, a mixture of mischief and seriousness swirling in his eyes.

As she exhaled slowly, the smoke drifting between them, she could see the satisfaction in Rafe's expression. It was a fleeting moment of intimacy, a connection forged in the haze of uncertainty and allure.

"Why would you do that?" She managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper, the reality of their situation crashing over her.

Rafe shrugged, that familiar smirk creeping back onto his lips. "Relax, you're still alive. Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to really feel it."

Imani felt her heart pounding in her chest, caught in the tug of war between desire and caution. She was drawn to him in a way that made her head spin, yet every instinct told her to be wary. "And what if I regret it?" She asked, voice shaking slightly.

"Regret is part of living," he replied.

"Why are you even talking to me? I thought you hated me."

"Have I told you that?"

"But-"

"Answer the question," he commanded. The dominance in his voice, sent a tingle down Imani. And it was that one part of her body she least expected.

"No," she whispered.

"Then stop assuming things."

"But i'm a Pogue. Isn't that some kind of rule for you, like stay away from me?" She crossed her arms.

"It doesn't matter to me what you are."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh," he smirked.

Imani stood there, her heart pounding as Rafe's hands remained resting on her hips, anchoring her in place. Her gaze flickered down to his lips, and she felt a rush of heat wash over her. It was impossible to ignore the way they looked, slightly parted, just inches from her own.

Rafe's eyes held hers, intense and searching, but she could see his focus shifting, drawn down to her mouth as well. She swallowed hard, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. There was something thrilling about being this close to him, the world around them fading away.

Maybe it was because she was slightly drunk, but in a moment of boldness, Imani let her fingers trail down to his white shirt, her touch light yet purposeful. She could feel the hard lines of his abs beneath the fabric, and it made her breath hitch.

Rafe tensed under her touch, his breath catching slightly as he looked down at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. "What are you doing?" He asked, his voice low and slightly husky, as if he were struggling to maintain his composure.

Imani met his gaze again, as she leaned in a little closer. "Just exploring," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt bold, a surge of confidence coursing through her veins as she traced her fingertips along the fabric, feeling the heat radiating from his body.

Yeah. I'm definitely drunk. Sober Imani would never do this.

His expression shifted, the playful glint in his eyes replaced with something deeper, something that spoke of desire. "You're trouble," he said softly, a half smile playing on his lips. "But I can't say I mind."

She could feel the tension escalating, the air thick with anticipation. Her fingers lingered on his shirt, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her touch, and she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to take that final step into the unknown.

"Maybe I'm just the kind of trouble you need," she replied, her voice steady, matching his intensity.

Rafe's eyes darkened, a flicker of something primal igniting between them. He leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart, the warmth of his breath mingling with hers. "You have no idea what you're getting into," he warned, but the teasing tone fell with the seriousness of his words.

"Maybe I want to find out," Imani replied, a spark of daring in her eyes. She felt alive, caught in the moment, and she didn't want it to end.

Before she could think too much about it, she reached up, her fingertips brushing against his jaw, urging him closer. Rafe's hands tightened on her hips, and she could see the conflict in his eyes, the battle between wanting to pull her closer and the knowledge that doing so could change everything.

"This is the part where you tell me to stop," Rafe muttered.

"What if I don't want you to?"

"Then you're taking a risk," his gaze flickered down to her lips again. "You think you can handle that, baby?"

Oh.

"It's you who should be worrying about handling me," Imani smiled, tilting her head to the side.

Rafe's expression softened at her boldness, and a genuine smile spread across his face. There was something adorable about the way she looked, all fire and charm, and it made his heart race in a way that surprised him.

His finger brushed against her hair, gently tucking a loose strand behind her ear, leaning closer now.

Just as Imani was about to close the distance further, their moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice calling out her name. "Imani! There you are!" Alice's voice rang out.

Imani felt her heart drop as she quickly stepped back, putting a little distance between herself and Rafe.

Fucking bitch. Rafe rolled his eyes when he watched the blonde girl walk towards them.

Imani turned to see Alice approaching, her expression shifting from relief to something that was harder to read as she looked between Imani and Rafe.

"What's wrong?" Imani asked, trying to mask the flush on her cheeks and the lingering tension from their intimate moment.

"What are you doing out here?" Alice asked, a hint of suspicion creeping into her tone. Her gaze remained locked on Rafe, who stood with an air of confidence that only heightened the awkwardness of the situation. "I was looking for you."

Imani opened her mouth to respond, but the words felt stuck in her throat. "Just getting some air," she said finally, forcing a smile that felt tight.

Alice's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Rafe, and Imani could sense her friend's protective instincts kicking in. "Oh, really?" Alice said, her voice tinged with skepticism. "Because it looked like you were busy."

Rafe leaned against his motorcycle, a relaxed facade. "Just having a chat with Imani," he replied coolly, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Right," Alice said, folding her arms, clearly not convinced. "A chat."

"You got a problem with that?" Rafe raised a brow.

"Let's just go back inside," Imani quickly suggested, cutting their conversation short before it got heated.

"Great idea," Alice threw one final glare at Rafe, linking her arm with Imani as she dragged her back to the house.

As they made their way inside, Imani couldn't help herself so she quickly glanced over her shoulder, her eyes searching for him one last time.

Rafe was still there, leaning against his motorcycle, his gaze locked on her with a smirk playing on his lips. She watched as he slipped his helmet on, his movements deliberate and smooth. The low rumble of his motorcycle filled the quiet night as he revved the engine, never taking his eyes off her until the last possible moment. Then, with a final glance, Rafe sped off.

"You need to stay away from him. He's not good for you," Alice warned, breaking Imani out of her trance.

I don't think I can. Imani thought, but nevertheless nodded to Alice.

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authors notes:

- i think i'll do a couple chapters of how Rafe and Imani fell in love before I move to the OBX plot.

sydney sweeney,
ALICE JACKSON

kristine froseth,
VIOLET ARCHIBALD