▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

Days had slipped by, slow and heavy, and Imani had kept her distance from Rafe with a determination she didn't know she had.

Each night, she made sure her balcony doors were locked tight, knowing it was the one way he could always sneak in. She would listen to the muffled sound of him trying to test the door handle in the dead of night. But she forced herself not to give in. Each time she heard him outside, she'd just pull her blanket tighter, willing herself not to move, not to let him in.

During the day, she would ignore him at school or anywhere she would see him, making sure she sat next to one of her friends instead of him. Making sure she walked with a crowd so he couldn't corner her.

Her phone was another reminder of him. She'd blocked his number after a string of missed calls and messages filled her screen, each one unanswered and pressing against her resolve.

But even now, she couldn't help but scroll back to those last messages, her thumb lingering over his name as she reread the words he'd written. Each text was filled with the same intensity he always had, tinged with a desperation she'd never seen from him before:

asshole: baby, just talk to me.

asshole: i'm outside. open the door.

asshole: i know i messed up. just let me explain.

Her heart twisted as she read them, his words tugging at the parts of her that still wanted to let him back in, that still wanted to believe whatever explanation he might have. But she shook her head, pulling her gaze away from the screen, only for her thumb to hover over the unread voicemails just beneath the messages.

With a deep breath, she tapped the first one, his voice spilling through the phone, low and strained.

"I'm sorry, baby."

"I know I messed up, okay? Just... just give me a chance to make it right."

The line cut off, but her heart beat louder as she played the next message. This time, his tone was softer, almost pleading.

"Look, I don't know what to say that'll make you believe me. I just... I don't want to lose you, alright? Please, just talk to me."

In another, he sounded almost resigned, his voice lower.

"You don't get to just disappear on me, okay? I won't let you just walk away like this. I told you, you can't leave me."

There was a pause, the quiet sound of his breathing before he continued, his voice dropping into a lower, rougher tone.

"You know I'm not letting this go. You're mine, baby, and you know it."

The possessiveness in his words sent a shiver through her. She could almost picture his expression as he said it, the intensity in his eyes that had drawn her in time and again. The message ended, leaving her in the heavy quiet of her room, but she could still feel him there, the weight of his voice lingering.

Imani exhaled, clutching her phone tighter. As much as she wanted to shake him off, he was everywhere—between the lines of his messages, in the silence he left behind, in the ache of her own heartbeat. But she couldn't let herself forget what she'd seen that night. No matter how much his words tugged at her, she couldn't give in... even if a part of her desperately wanted to.

━━━━━━━━━━

Kiara pushed open the door to Imani's room, holding a bouquet of white roses and pink peonies in one hand. "Guessing your sneaky link sent these," she said, waving the flowers in the air as she stepped further inside. "Again."

It was the third bouquet of flowers he sent in three days.

Imani looked up from her bed, already rolling her eyes. "Throw them away."

"Seriously? You're just gonna toss them again? There's even a note in this one..." Kiara reached into the bouquet, ready to pull out the slip of paper.

Before she could read a word, Imani lunged forward and snatched it out of her hand, her fingers tight around the small piece of paper. "Hands off," she muttered, turning her back slightly as she unfolded the note.

Kiara crossed her arms, leaning against Imani's dresser with a knowing look. "You know, if he's going through all this trouble, maybe he's actually trying to apologise," she said, sarcasm lacing her tone. "Or maybe he's just obsessed."

Imani ignored her, focusing on the scrawled words on the note. It was short, simple, and direct, but it still managed to make her pulse quicken.

Unblock me.

The words stared back at her, bold and almost demanding. And then, just at the bottom, as if added as an afterthought, there was a single word:

Please.

She scoffed quietly, a bitter laugh escaping her as she read it. A please? Really?

From the corner of her eye, she could see Kiara craning her neck to try to read over her shoulder, her curiosity evident. Imani shot her a warning glare, folding the note and slipping it under her pillow.

Kiara raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, keep your secrets. But you know he's not going to just give up, right?" She tilted her head, an amused gleam in her eye. "You never go for the easy ones, do you?"

"Unfortunately, not," Imani muttered.

"My offer stills stands. Let me beat his ass. The boys can help too," Kiara shrugged.

"No."

"You're boring."

"Why are you even still here, Kie?"

Kiara feigned innocence, holding up her hands with a guilty smile. "Don't be mad..."

Imani's eyes narrowed even more, instantly suspicious. "What did you do?"

Kiara shifted, avoiding her gaze as she took a small step back. "Okay, so... I may have borrowed your bracelet. You know, the one with the little charms?"

Imani's jaw clenched. She knew exactly the bracelet Kiara meant—it was one of her favourites. "You didn't."

Kiara's smile turned sheepish as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah... and, um... I lost it."

Imani's hands fell to her sides, exasperation flooding her face. "Kiara, are you serious? That bracelet cost me a lot to buy. With my own money too!"

"I know, I know! I was going to tell you, but I thought maybe I could just... find it first."

Imani just glared at her. "You're covering my shifts next week."

"Deal."

"And you're going to buy me a new one with the money you have saved."

"What?! That's two things. That's unfair!"

"You shouldn't have taken my things without asking me!" Imani threw her pillow at her. "Get lost, before I tell Mom and Dad that you skipped school and had Shoupe chasing you around for gate crashing a Kook's party."

"I wish I was an only child," Kiara grumbled, leaving the room with attitude.

━━━━━━━━━━

Imani stood at her locker with Alice and Violet, gathering her books for her next class. The hallway buzzed with students, laughter, and the usual chatter, filling the space with a loud, chaotic energy. Imani was mid-sentence, telling Alice and Violet about a new art project, when she suddenly felt a sharp shove from behind.

Her books slipped from her hands, scattering across the floor. She stumbled forward, catching herself against her locker. As she regained her balance, she heard a familiar, mocking voice say, "Oops." Turning, she saw Cynthia smirking as she strode past, her usual posse of followers trailing behind her.

Before Imani could react, Ruthie, one of Cynthia's friends, sneered and said, "Maybe you should watch where you're going," and with a swift nudge of her foot, kicked one of Imani's fallen books further down the hall.

A wave of irritation surged through Imani, but instead of shrinking back, she felt a steely resolve. Straightening, she called out, her voice clear and confident enough to echo down the hall, "Hey, Cynthia!"

Cynthia paused, half-turning, her smug expression faltering as she realised Imani was speaking to her in front of the growing crowd of students now watching. Imani raised her chin, eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint. "Is it true?"

"What's true?" Cynthia raised a brow.

"That you have herpes? I saw you walking out of the nurses offices with a pamphlet about herpes. I think your fuck buddies should have a right to know if you've got it, you know?" Imani smiled innocently.

The hallway fell silent, Cynthia's face freezing in shock, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, the shrill sound of the bell echoed through the halls, breaking the quiet. The tension snapped, and almost immediately, whispers spread through the crowd, laughter and murmured gossip crackling as people leaned into one another, snickering as they cast glances at Cynthia.

Alice and Violet burst out laughing, and Imani couldn't help but grin, feeling her friends' support at her sides.

"You'll pay for this." Cynthia's face twisted in fury, but with everyone's attention on her now, she turned and stormed away.

Ruthie trailed behind her with an indignant huff.

Imani watched her go, feeling the satisfaction of standing her ground. Violet nudged her shoulder with a grin. "I think she's going to be dealing with that one for a while," she whispered.

Alice grinned, leaning down to help Imani. "Remind me to never mess with you."

Imani shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips as she gathered her last book. "Guess some people just need reminding that they don't have power over others."

Just as Imani closed her locker and turned to leave, she caught sight of Rafe approaching from the other end of the hall. His gaze fixed on her, a familiar intensity in his eyes as he closed the distance between them.

"Hey," Rafe greeted, his voice low, almost hopeful.

Imani barely paused, giving him a quick, dismissive glance as she hoisted her books higher in her arms. "Bye," she replied curtly, turning on her heel before he could say another word.

━━━━━━━━━━

The library was filled with hushed laughter as Imani and her friends gathered around a table, flipping through books they had no real intention of reading.

Alice and Violet were cracking jokes, and the three of them dissolved into quiet giggles that earned them a few shushed glances from other tables.

"Fuck. Marry. Kill," Imani began. "Sirius Black. Remus Lupin. James Potter."

But suddenly, Alice and Violet went quiet, their gazes shifting to something—or someone—approaching from behind Imani. She felt a prickle of tension run down her spine, the faint echo of footsteps on the carpeted floor coming to a stop behind her. Then, a veined, masculine hand rested on the table beside her, the familiar weight of a silver ring catching her eye. She didn't need to look up to know who it was.

Rafe leaned down, his voice a soft, gravelly whisper against her ear. "Can we talk?"

Imani didn't turn to him, her gaze fixed forward as she replied coolly, "I'm busy."

A slight, frustrated exhale escaped him, and he lowered his voice further, enough that only she could hear. "Just give me a chance to explain, baby."

Across the table, Violet's eyes widened in shock as she turned to Alice, silently mouthing the word 'baby?'

"Shh," Alice scolded her.

"Leave me alone, Rafe."

He stiffened, the frustration darkening his voice. "I'm not leaving until you listen to me."

The quiet in the library was disrupted as a few people began watching them, their curiosity piqued as Rafe's voice rose just slightly. Alice cleared her throat, stepping in to diffuse the situation. "It's best if you leave," she said, her tone steady but cautious.

Rafe turned to her, his gaze sharp as he snapped, "It's best if you shut the fuck up."

Imani's eyes narrowed as she glanced at him, her voice scolding and firm. "Don't talk to her like that."

Before he could respond, the librarian approached, a stern look on her face. "What's going on here? If you can't keep it down, you'll all be asked to leave."

Rafe looked back at Imani, his expression pained but refusing to back down. "Just listen to me once," he murmured, desperation slipping into his tone.

The librarian's gaze softened as she focused on Imani. "Are you okay? Do you need me get security for him?"

Imani glanced back at Rafe, her jaw tight, and something flashed in her eyes. "It's fine," she replied calmly, her voice clipped. "He's no one. Just... some boy from school."

The words hit Rafe like a slap, his face flickering with a wince that he couldn't quite hide. He held her gaze, the tension between them thick, and after a long pause, she pushed back her chair and stood.

"You have one minute," she said coolly. "Let's go somewhere private to talk."

Imani's eyes fell on Rafe, taking in his disheveled appearance. He was still in his school uniform, but his shirt was untucked, his tie loosened and hanging carelessly around his neck, like he'd been tugging at it in frustration. It was a look that, despite everything, sent a flicker of something she tried to ignore through her chest.

Without a word, she turned and led the way toward a quieter corner where no one would interrupt them, her steps brisk and purposeful. She felt Rafe fall in step beside her, close enough that she caught the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the library's old paper and dust.

Then, just as they neared the edge of the bookshelves, he reached out, his hand brushing against her back as if to steady her, or maybe just to feel close to her.

The touch was light, but Imani didn't hesitate. She slapped his hand away. "Don't," she said quietly, her voice low but laced with a warning edge.

Rafe's jaw tightened, but he withdrew his hand, his fingers curling into a fist for a brief second before he let it drop.

She led him to a secluded spot at the end of the aisle, turning around to face him with a glare that dared him to push his luck further. "Alright," she said, crossing her arms and keeping her voice barely above a whisper. "You've got one minute. Talk."

━━━━━━━━━━

Rafe stood there, staring at Imani as she stood just a few steps away, her arms crossed, gaze unwavering, cold. He couldn't help but let his eyes trace over her, taking in every detail—the way the light caught in her hair, the quiet strength in her posture, the sharpness in her gaze that cut right through him. Even furious, she was mesmerising. And God, he had missed this. It had only been a few days, but with her silence, each of them felt like a fresh layer of agony.

But the one thing that echoed most in his mind was what he'd said to his father that night. Those words. He winced just thinking about it. He hadn't meant them. He hadn't meant a single word. They'd left his mouth like a shield, something to protect her from his father's probing gaze, from the weight of Cameron expectations and judgment that he'd endured his entire life.

But in the end, all he'd done was hurt her.

He clenched his jaw, trying to find something to say that would fix the mess he'd made, his mind racing. But every word felt useless, every apology inadequate. Still, he was here, hoping she'd give him a chance to explain. To tell her he didn't care what his father thought—that it didn't matter, not compared to her. But as he looked into her steely eyes, he wondered if he'd already lost her, and the thought tore at him in a way he hadn't expected.

"Imani..." he started, his voice quieter than he intended, almost rough from the days of silence, of her absence. But she just held his gaze, her expression resolute, unmoved. And for the first time, he felt like he was at a loss, truly unsure if anything he could say would bring her back to him.

"You literally just wasted this one minute by staring at me," Imani shook her head. "Times up. Bye."

Rafe caught her arm, turning her back to him. "I'm sorry."

"No need," she replied, her tone cold, detached. "It's not like we're a couple or anything. There's no strings attached to... whatever this is." She waved a hand vaguely between them.

Something dark and unyielding flared in Rafe's eyes at her words. "I thought I made it pretty damn clear that you're mine."

She scoffed, eyes narrowing. "You have a funny way of showing it."

Without warning, he took a step closer, his frame closing in on her, his presence overwhelming. Imani instinctively leaned back, her shoulders pressing against the bookshelf, but she didn't break her gaze from his. Towering over her, he braced a hand on the shelf beside her, his body inches from hers, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. "Don't doubt me, baby. Don't doubt what I mean when I say you're mine."

Imani rolled her eyes, shoving him back. "Really? Because if I'm yours, then why was I just 'some girl from school?"

He winced, the sting of those words hitting him harder than he expected. "I didn't mean it like that," he muttered, searching her face, hoping she'd see the regret in his eyes.

She stared back, unmoved. "Then tell me what you did mean, Rafe," she challenged. "Are you ashamed of me? Am I just... what, some fling? Or something for you to gloat around with the boys at school? Something you can keep in the private?"

He shook his head, his frustration building. "No, that's not it at all."

"Then what is it?" Her voice was sharper now. "Is it because I'm half-black? Because I don't fit into your world the way your dad would like?"

The question hung heavy between them, and he felt anger coil in his chest, frustration layered with a hurt he couldn't express. "No," he snapped. "That's not it. Don't twist this into something it isn't."

"Then what was it?" she shot back, her voice soft but sharp, demanding an answer he didn't know how to give.

He swallowed, trying to find the words to explain, to make her understand the grip his father had on his life, the way he'd spent years maneuvering to avoid his father's scrutiny. He took a step closer, his voice low and almost pleading. "I didn't mean it like that. I just... I said it because—my dad—he's—I was trying to protect you."

She shook her head in disbelief, the weight of his words sinking in with an ache she couldn't ignore. "Protect me? You're not even making sense at what you're saying, Rafe. You never make sense when all I'm trying to do here is understand you."

Her words hit him like a punch, each syllable a challenge, digging into him deeper than he wanted to admit. She was right—he was twisted up in his own mess, fighting a battle inside of him that he didn't even fully understand. And now she was forcing him to confront it, demanding answers he wasn't sure he could give.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but the words spilled out before he could stop them. "The only thing you need to understand..." He took a step closer, his voice rough. "Is that I want you."

She scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger and confusion. "No," she said, her voice firm, like a wall she wasn't about to let him break.

Rafe's frustration spiked, a growl escaping from him. "What the hell did you just say to me?"

Imani's gaze didn't waver as she took a step forward, closing the space between them. Her hand shot out, grabbing the tie around his neck, pulling him closer until their faces were just inches apart. "I said what I said," she hissed, her voice low, daring him to challenge her. "Listen here carefully, Rafe. If this is how you want it, then so be it. If you fuck with me, I'll fuck with you. If you want to play this game, i'll play this game, but you do not treat me like i'm a nobody."

The tension between them thickened. Rafe stared at her, his chest rising and falling with every breath, the fight inside him only growing stronger.

And then, to her surprise, a slow, dangerous smile crept onto his lips.

Imani narrowed her eyes at him, a flicker of confusion breaking through her anger. "Why the hell are you smiling?" she demanded, her grip on his tie tightening.

His smile only deepened, his gaze darkening. "You being mad at me," he murmured, his voice gravelly and thick with desire, "turns me on."

Rafe expected Imani to push him away, and scold him off shyly like she usually did when he spoke of his inappropriate thoughts to her.

But, she feigned a pout, her lips curling into a teasing smile as she smoothed his tie down against his chest. "You are, baby?"

He was breathless, his heart pounding, completely captivated by her. The way she was looking at him, the way her hands moved over him—it was driving him mad. He swallowed hard, the words escaping before he could stop them. "Yes."

"Tell me you need me."

"I need you."

Her smile grew as her hands trailed down from his chest to his waist, her fingers grazing over his pants, feeling the undeniable evidence of his arousal pressing against her. "So hard," her voice was low and seductive, the words a whisper just for him. "Do you need help?"

Rafe's breath caught in his throat, his hands instinctively reaching out as if he might pull her closer, but all he could do was nod, barely able to form any words.

Imani smiled again, but it was more dangerous this time, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Do it yourself then," she said, her voice barely above a murmur as she pushed him back with a gentle but firm shove.

"Baby—" he gritted out.

"Oh, and good luck trying to walk out of a public library with that little dick of yours." She didn't give him a chance to respond, turning on her heel and walking away, her hips swaying with each step.

Rafe stood there for a moment, frozen, his mind racing and his body screaming for her. He watched her walk away, knowing damn well she had just left him hot, bothered, and craving more than he could handle.

"It's not even little," he muttered to himself with frustration.

━━━━━━━━━━

Imani sat on the low wall outside the school cafeteria, laughing with Violet and Alice, the sun warm on her face as she sipped her iced coffee. They were in the middle of a story about last weekend's bonfire when a sophomore from the soccer team came up to them, out of breath.

"Imani," the girl gasped, clutching her backpack strap. "Your sister, Kiara... she's fighting."

Imani immediately set her drink down and stood, heart pounding. "With who?"

The girl hesitated before answering, "Sarah Cameron."

Violet's eyes widened, and Alice choked on her water. "Sarah?" Violet asked, stunned. "I thought they were friends?"

Imani didn't wait to answer. She was already jogging across the courtyard, her friends trailing close behind. As she neared the lockers, a crowd had formed, buzzing with excitement and phones out, recording the whole scene. She squeezed through the onlookers and felt her stomach drop when she saw the mess in front of her:

Kiara and Sarah, locked in a full-on, hair-pulling struggle, both of them too angry to let go.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Rafe standing a few steps back, hands in his pockets with an expression halfway between amusement and boredom. He sighed and turned to Topper, muttering, "This is what's more important?"

Imani rolled her eyes and slapped Rafe's arm, glaring up at him. "Seriously? Are you just going to stand here? Help me!"

He looked at her for a second, the surprise flickering across his face before he gave a short nod. Apparently, he'd learned fast not to question her twice.

Together, they dove in, grabbing their sisters by the waists. Imani managed to get a grip around Kiara, and Rafe hauled Sarah up, holding her back. Both girls struggled against them, trying to lunge at each other.

"Fuck you, bitch!" Kiara yelled.

"Rich coming from the girl who called the cops on me!" Sarah yelled back.

"Enough, Kiara!" Imani hissed under her breath, exasperation bleeding through her voice. She could feel everyone's eyes on them, and the last thing she wanted was for her sister to become the center of another public spectacle.

Before they could diffuse the situation further, a teacher's voice cut through the noise. "All right, that's enough! Everyone, clear out. Now!"

The crowd scattered, phones disappearing into pockets and backpacks as students scurried off. But the teacher's gaze locked onto the four of them—the Cameron and Carrera siblings standing side by side.

"All four of you..." the teacher gestured, exasperation clear on her face. "Follow me. Your parents will be hearing about this."

━━━━━━━━━━

Imani and Kiara sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the hard bench outside the headmaster's office, facing none other than Rafe and Sarah, who were slouched in the seats across from them. The air between the two girls crackled with tension, Kiara and Sarah still shooting daggers at each other even as they sat separated by Imani and Rafe's interference.

Imani exhaled loudly and nudged her sister. "Can you chill?" she muttered under her breath, but Kiara only huffed in response, still glaring at Sarah.

Across from them, Sarah wasn't much better, arms crossed tight, eyes locked on Kiara like she was mentally planning her next move.

Imani rolled her eyes at the pair of them, feeling the beginning of a headache creep in.

She felt Rafe's gaze still on her, that lazy, knowing smirk tugging at his lips, and she had to resist the urge to stare right back at him. She could feel her cheeks starting to flush, and as much as she wanted to look unaffected, her heart was racing.

"You two are gross!" Kiara groaned from beside her, rolling her eyes as she glanced between them.

"Yeah, seriously, can you two stop eye-fucking each other?" Sarah added, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

Imani's blush deepened, and she looked away, pretending to find something interesting on the opposite wall.

Rafe rolled his eyes, glaring right back at them. "I'll do whatever the fuck I want."

Kiara scoffed, and Sarah rolled her eyes, clearly not interested in anything Rafe had to say.

Imani glanced up as her parents arrived, her mom's expression a mix of disappointment and confusion, while her dad simply shook his head, looking more tired than angry.

"Not you too, Imani," Anna sighed, her voice holding that familiar mix of worry and expectation.

Imani held up her hands defensively. "I stopped it," she replied, calm but firm, meeting their gaze.

Her parents exchanged a look, then nodded, refocusing their attention on Kiara. "Kiara, let's go," Mike said, his voice low but stern. "You're coming in with us."

Kiara grumbled under her breath, shooting one last glare at Sarah before following her parents into the headmaster's office.

Then Ward Cameron approached, his attention immediately on Sarah, fussing over her with coddling murmurs of concern. "Are you alright, honey?"

"Uh– yeah," Sarah nodded.

"Dad—" Rafe began to call for his father's attention.

Imani watched as Rafe tried to step up, as if seeking even a bit of acknowledgment from his dad, but Ward barely glanced at him.

"I'll deal with you later," Ward muttered dismissively to Rafe, before guiding Sarah into the office without a second thought, leaving Rafe standing there, shoulders tense, jaw clenched. The usual smugness and confidence were gone, replaced by a flash of vulnerability he didn't even try to hide.

Imani watched quietly, feeling something tighten in her chest. Without thinking, she stepped closer, closing the distance between them and sitting down beside him on the bench. Rafe didn't look at her, but she reached over, letting her fingers intertwine with his, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He tensed for a moment, then his grip softened, his thumb brushing over her hand before he lifted it to place a discreet kiss on the back of it, a small gesture that made her cheeks warm.

"Talk to me?" she asked gently, searching his face for any hint of what he was feeling.

Rafe gave a small, dry chuckle. "I'm fine," he murmured, not meeting her eyes.

Imani frowned slightly, knowing how he was. She could feel the walls going back up even as he sat there with her, pushing his emotions away, refusing to let her in fully.

But instead of pressing him, she just gave him a soft smile, leaning in and gently bumping her forehead against his.

Rafe let out a quiet, almost surprised laugh, a flicker of warmth in his eyes as he looked at her. For a moment, the tension faded, and he relaxed next to her, fingers still laced with hers.

Then their moment was ruined.

The door to the headmaster's office opened, and Ward emerged with Sarah in tow, his expression a mix of irritation and exasperation. "What a waste of my time," he muttered, barely glancing at Rafe. "This is the kind of nonsense I have to deal with."

Rafe shifted beside Imani, and she immediately noticed the change. His hand slipped out of hers without a word, his shoulders stiffening as he leaned slightly away from her.

What the hell?

The easy, quiet warmth they'd shared just moments ago was gone, replaced by the detached, closed-off version of him she had seen far too often.

Ward's sharp gaze flicked to Rafe, his tone cold and clipped. "We're leaving. Let's go."

Imani expected Rafe to look at her, to at least give her a glance, a hint that he hadn't completely shut her out again. But instead, he stood without a word, following his father down the hallway like a shadow.

He didn't even look back at her.

Imani's chest tightened, the sting of his sudden withdrawal sharper than she wanted to admit. She tried not to let it show, but her fingers twitched where they'd been resting on her lap, now empty and cold without his.

Before Ward turned the corner, his gaze landed on her briefly, studying her with a curiosity that made her stomach churn. His assessing look felt like a warning, sharp and invasive, and she frowned, holding her ground even as unease crept in. Something about the way he regarded her made her feel as if she were being measured, judged, and dismissed all at once.

Then they were gone, leaving Imani alone on the bench. She stared at the empty hallway for a long moment, her jaw tightening as she replayed how easily Rafe had withdrawn from her. He'd let her in for a moment—just a moment—before shutting her out all over again.

The familiar ache of disappointment settled in her chest, but she bit the inside of her cheek, refusing to let it overwhelm her. Still, she couldn't stop the thought from echoing in her mind:

Why does he always do this?

━━━━━━━━━━

The soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses filled the country club as Imani sat at a small table with her friends. Violet and Alice were animatedly discussing plans for the weekend, but Imani's focus was elsewhere. She stared blankly at the centerpiece, her thoughts tangled in the events of the day.

"Hello? Earth to Imani," Violet teased, nudging her arm. "What's got you so distracted?"

Imani blinked and turned to her friend, trying to summon a smile. "Nothing,"

But Violet wasn't buying it. "I'm guessing it's him," she said, nodding toward the entrance.

Imani followed her gaze for just a second before quickly looking away. Rafe had just walked in, his eyes scanning the room. It didn't take long for his gaze to land on her, a look she knew all too well—intense, unreadable, and undeniably locked on her.

"You two just need to fuck at this point," Alice rolled her eyes.

Imani shook her head and stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. "I'm going home."

"What? Now?" Alice asked, confused.

"Yes. Now." She didn't wait for them to argue, weaving her way through the crowd and heading for the exit. The cool night air hit her as she stepped outside, wrapping her arms around herself as she walked.

"Imani," a familiar voice called behind her.

"Just leave me alone, Rafe," she kept walking.

Rafe quickly caught up to her, blocking her path so he can look at her with that same look in his eyes—apologetic but guarded. "I'm—"

"I don't need your apology. Not when it means nothing when you constantly do this."

He took a step back, turning around as he muttered words under her breath which Imani couldn't understand. But she had noticed the way he started to rub the side of his head with his palms, almost too aggressively.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" The tears now began to well up in her eyes.

"I can't," he said simply, his voice quieter than usual, almost pleading. "I need you to understand–"

"Understand?" Imani scoffed. "How can I understand you when you won't let me in."

"At least let me drop you off home."

"No," Imani said firmly, crossing her arms. "I don't need you to. I don't need anything from you."

He exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "Imani, come on—"

"No," she cut him off, her voice more forceful this time. "You can't just show up, act like you care, and then shut me out whenever it suits you. I'm not doing this with you."

For a moment, he just stood there, his jaw tightening as if he wanted to argue but couldn't find the words.

"Why should I give you all of me when you can't do the same with me?"

He didn't answer.

That was all Imani needed to know. She stormed down the winding path, the gravel crunching under her shoes as she moved further away from everything. The cool night air was crisp against her skin, but the frustration bubbling inside her kept her warm.

She knew Rafe was following her—his heavy steps echoed hers, his presence undeniable.

He just wanted to make sure she got home safe at least—even if she was angry at him.

"Rafe, stop it!" she snapped, spinning around to face him, but he didn't stop.

"No!" He snapped back, surprising her by throwing her over his shoulder.

"Let go of me!"

"The fuck I will," he scoffed. "Not now. Not ever."

He kept walking, and into the secluded spot he took her once before, where the entire island spread out beneath them in a sea of twinkling lights.

"Are you serious right now?" she demanded when he let her down, throwing her hands in the air when she realised where they were.

Rafe didn't answer immediately. His jaw was set, his eyes hard as he stood across from her. "You were running," he said simply, as if it explained everything.

"Yeah, I was running! Away from you!" she shot back, her voice rising. "Because I don't want to keep playing whatever this is!"

Rafe stepped closer, his posture tense. "Whatever this is?" he repeated, his voice low and tight. "Don't act like you don't know what you are to me."

"Are you kidding me?" she scoffed, taking a step back. "What I am to you is one step forward and two steps back. You confuse the hell out of me! One second, you let me in, and the next, you're shutting me out like I don't mean anything!"

"That's not true," he snapped, his tone sharp now, his frustration bleeding through. "You mean more than anyone—"

"Then show it!" she interrupted, her voice cracking. "Because I'm done. I can't keep doing this with you."

His eyes darkened, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "No," he snarled, stepping closer again. "You don't get to say you're done. You don't get to walk away from me."

Imani's breath hitched at the raw possessiveness in his tone, her heart pounding in her chest. "I can't do this, Rafe," she croaked out. "Not when you're like this. Not when you keep pushing me away every time I try to get close."

"I'm not pushing you away," he argued, his voice breaking slightly, though his frustration was still evident. "I'm trying, Imani. I'm fucking trying."

"Trying?" she repeated, her voice heavy with disbelief. "Rafe, all you're doing is confusing me. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about you when you keep pulling me in and then shutting me out like you're afraid of your own feelings."

"I'm not afraid of anything," he shot back defensively, his voice rising.

"Then stop proving me wrong every time I try to believe in you!" she yelled, her emotions spilling over. "Stop making me feel like I'm fighting for something that you can't even give me."

Rafe ran a hand through his hair, his chest rising and falling as he tried to control his anger and frustration. "You think I don't want to give you everything?" he said finally, his voice quieter but no less intense. "You think I don't fucking hate myself every time I mess this up? But I can't—" He stopped himself, his voice breaking.

Imani stared at him, her own emotions swirling. For a moment, she thought he might say something that would change everything. Something that would make her stay. But when he didn't, when the silence stretched too long, she shook her head, her voice breaking as she said, "Then I can't do this."

Rafe's eyes snapped to hers, blazing with something desperate. "That's not happening."

"You don't get to decide that," she replied, her voice firm but trembling.

"Shut up," he muttered, his jaw tightening.

Imani blinked, her anger flaring back to life. "No, you shut up!" she snapped, her voice sharp.

"You're so damn stubborn," he growled, stepping closer.

"Right back at you," she shot back, taking a step forward to match his energy.

"You're a pain in my ass."

"You're frustrating."

"You're mine."

"You're an asshole."

They glared at each other, tension crackling in the air like a storm about to break. But there was something else too—an undeniable pull neither of them could ignore, no matter how angry they were.

Imani's voice trembled as she looked at Rafe, her emotions tangled and raw. "Why are you doing this?"

His gaze softened for a fraction of a second before hardening again, his jaw clenching. "I think you know why."

"Then say it," she demanded, her voice breaking.

"You know I want you, baby."

Her heart clenched at the weight of his words, the quiet confession breaking through his usual armor. "Then show me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You never—"

"Imani," he cut her off.

"What?"

He stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. "I'm going to kiss you now."

Imani felt the tears welling in her eyes, her breath catching in her throat. "Do it," she whispered, bracing herself.

But he didn't move.

Her chest tightened, her emotions threatening to spill over. When he still didn't move, she blinked away the tears and turned away, her heart sinking. "I should've known."

Before she could take another step, she felt his hand grab the back of her neck, firm but careful, spinning her around to face him. Her breath hitched as he tilted her head back, One hand gripped her hair tightly, pulling her closer, his other hand cupping her jaw. And then he kissed her—aggressively, urgently, possessively, like he was trying to stake his claim. It was overwhelming, the intensity of it stealing her breath. His grip on her hair tightened, his fingers tangling in the strands as he kissed her harder, his breaths ragged between the hungry, feverish kisses. It was unyielding, holding her in place as if he was afraid she might slip away.

Imani froze for a moment, stunned by his boldness, but then she melted into the kiss, her hands instinctively grabbing the front of his shirt to steady herself. She kissed him back just as fiercely, tears slipping down her cheeks, mixing all her pent-up frustration and confusion into the moment.

There was no elegance in the kiss, just the heat of two people caught up in something they couldn't control, something they both needed but couldn't quite grasp.

It was messy, heated, and charged with everything they couldn't say to each other.

Rafe broke the kiss just enough to look into her eyes, his forehead pressed against hers. His breathing was heavy, his voice low and rough when he finally spoke. "You're the one thing that makes sense to me in this whole damn mess of a life."

Imani's lips trembled, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her as she stared back at him.

He swallowed hard, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I'm not good with feelings, or talking about them," he admitted, his vulnerability clear in his tone. "But I'll try. For you. I'll try." He took a deep breath, his voice soft but desperate. "All I know is that I need you. I'll keep proving it to you, however long it takes. If you want me to beg on my knees for forgiveness, I'll do it. If you want me to give you the world, I'll give it to you. Just... please don't give up on me."

Not like everyone else.

A soft sob escaped her lips as her tears fell, but this time she didn't try to hide them. Rafe's hand moved to wipe them away, his touch tender as he studied her face. "Don't cry," he whispered.

"Happy tears," she managed, her voice trembling. Her lips curved into the smallest smile as she added, "That was my first kiss."

"Mine too."

And he hoped she would let him be her last, just like he had already promised she would be his.

For once, the walls between them seemed to crumble entirely, leaving nothing but honesty and raw emotion. "I'm serious about this," he murmured, his voice steady now. "About us."

Imani didn't respond with words. Instead, she grabbed his shirt, pulling him back to her, the kiss reigniting with the same fiery passion as before.

And for the first time, she believed him.

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

author's note:

- how you feeling after reading this chapter?

- a couple more chapters left until obx season 1 starts. it's even worse and you're all going to hate me 😂

- thank you for 50k. i literally just published this a month ago. this is crazy!

- make sure to vote and comment on every chapter please.