THE GIRL'S EYES went wide immediately at Sarah Cameron's words, both of their mouths agape. "You kissed who?" Maia and Layora said in sync.

John B involved Sarah in the middle of the treasure hunt, which was dumb considering the rest of the group wasn't exactly fond of Sarah— mostly Kiara. And while the rest of the pogues were fighting and erupting chaos, they were making out at the pier.

"Oh my god, oh my god!" Layora was jumping in excitement, obviously loving the drama. Messy, I know. Maia was dumbfounded, her hand swinging to slap against her mouth, trying to contain her giggle. "Sarah!"

Sarah put her hands on her face, shaking it, "No, guys, this isn't good! What about," Layora put her finger up at Sarah, giving her stern-yet a joking gaze. "Don't you dare say, Topper. He's treats you like shit, he doesn't love you, Sar'. You need to learn this different between love and obsession, it's different. He's obsessed." Layora corrected. Maia's hand found Sarah's face, stroking her cheek before moving her hair off her shoulder.

"But— I don't know. It felt different with John B. He's everything Topper isn't. Maybe that why I'm attracted to him." Maia sighed, scooting closer to the two, "And that's okay. That just comes to show that Topper is an ass. John B is everything but." Maia twirled a piece of her hair, a nervous tick she had.

Sarah exhaled deeply, moving to lay her body down on the two girls. They comforted her with ease, trying to giggle about something else. Before finally Maia broke the silence. "Do you guys think Pope is, I dunno. It's stupid." Sarah and Layora immediately shared looks, obviously knowing of her crush. "You need to tell him, Mai. You've liked him for years," Maia groaned shaking her head, "That's why it's embarrassing!" She argued, making Sarah giggle. "No, it's adorable."

Maia pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin against it. "He doesn't like me back. I know it." She sighed, trying to find a reason in her head why he would. "Fine. Let's make a plan, hm?" Sarah said, making Layora nod instantly. "What kind of plan?"

Layora moved to sit criss-cross infront of her whilst she spoke, "Pope is gonna be at midsummers today. Your gonna walk up to him and ask him to dance," Sarah began not short after her words, "You're gonna flirt with him and watch him unfold infront of you." Maia rolled her eyes, hitting them with the pillow. "Don't mock me," she snorted playfully.

"We're serious. Now, get your ass up and change because your gonna get your man tonight." Layora demanded, a cheeky smile spreading across her face. Maia contemplated before looking over at the dresses on the chair. "Fine, but your getting up to!" Maia demanded, making the girls clap while following.

         RAFE walked into the party, reaching to grab a glass of champagne of the platter, ignoring the cheers. His father, Ward, owned a multi-millionaire real estate company; The Cameron Development. So, he was born into a wealthy and powerful family that held down their own in the state of Outerbanks, North Carolina.

Rafe looked over to his sister, who immediately walked to her boyfriend, Topper Thornton, leaving him with Ward and his step mother, Rose. Ward always favored Sarah and Wheezie, despite the amount of work his eldest son did to make him happy. Rafe blamed his dad for him being the way he was but, he couldn't help but yearn for his fathers approval.

Layora was held onto her mothers arm, allowing Michael to walk them over towards Ward and Rose. Michael wasn't on duty but she couldn't help but notice the slightly weird walk he had, indicating her suspicions of the gun her had tucked into his pants. She spent enough time in the cut to know when somebody had a gun, and now was one of those times.

"Ward," Michael greeted his acquaintance, shaking his hand with a friendly smirk. "Michael, how are you?" Ward went along. Layora had never been fond of the man, always listening to how he treated his kids. She thought it was backwards. You'd think the one who put in the most effort was the golden child but for the Cameron's it was the opposite.

"Veronica, it's so good to see you," Ward said to her mother, pulling her in for a friendly hug. Veronica and Ward were familiar. For the years of their children had been friends, it was only normal for them to be friendly. Especially because him and her father were friends. He felt like he needed to know Veronica out of respect, his words. "Always a pleasure."

Rafe caught the eye of the girl, traveling down her appearance. Her hair was curled, like a princess's. Her doe eyes looked up at him with a stoic gaze, matching his own. Her silk dress hugged her body in all the right places and he couldn't help but think of how many people would be offering a dance with her tonight. How'd he'd have to watch Layora Rae, the girl he hated, dance with another man. It bothered him. It irritated him how much he wanted to rip that dress off her.

Layora could feel his stares, looking up at him. It was almost scary. She couldn't tell what he was thinking or seeing, but it was almost undeniable the intensity it carried.

"Mom, I'm gonna go with Kie, okay?" She warned, rubbing her moms shoulder. Layora didn't forget to bump Rafe's shoulder on the way out, his drink slightly spilling onto the ground. His jaw instantly clenched, whipping his head around to look at her.

Her hand tightened around the glass as she walked over to them, giving Pope a hug, "Everything okay?" She asked, rubbing the piece of oil off of Pope's face. His father worked and Pope helped, Layora thought it was honorable. She was proud to call him her friend, her was gonna be successful with college.

Kiara shook her head at Pope, not wanting to worry the girl. Her head tilted, arms crossed. "Tell me." Layora demanded softly, confusion and worry filling her body. Pope sighed in defeat, looking at Kiara before the girl infront of him, "JJ got locked up yesterday morning. Haven't seen him since."

Her heart instantly dropped to her feet, nervously looking around. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She mumbled, moving her hair off her shoulder. "We didn't wanna worry you. Like you are now," Kiara tried to lighten the mood with her comment, but it went unheard by the girl who was taking out her phone. Kiara put a hand on hers, lowering the phone in her hand, "He's fine. JJ does this shit all the time— you know this," She nodded in understanding, wiping her clammy hands against her dress. "It doesn't make it less stressful."

Layora and Kiara drifted after her and Sarah fell out. It was weird. All of a sudden the two hated each other when just a few days before it all went to shit they were partying in Sarah's room, drinking beers she stole. Well, that was freshman year.

Layora ended up walking away with her mom, the women practically shoving her in everyone's face like her daughter was eye candy. Layora wasn't dumb. She knew it was just for show. To make sure everyone knew how perfectly okay they were without her father.

Fake smiles and hugs were all she got that night, all by women and men she had no idea of, whom probably worked with Michael or her mother. Her hands trembled while she held the drink, eyes scanning the area for quite literally anyone to come drag her away. And there was JJ, her night in shining armor.

"Can I steal her for a sec? Gotta catch up on something real important, Ms. Rae," JJ said, not even giving her mother enough time before he pulled her away. Her heart felt an instant lift by his presence and when she could no longer feel her mothers eyes, her body instantly jumped onto his.

JJ was taken aback, confused for a second before it quickly hit him. Her legs dangled in the air slightly, his arms tight around her waist. "I'm glad your okay. I'm sorry I wasn't," JJ stopped her before she could continue, putting her down, "Layora, I know you care about us but, we don't need you to worry. We worry about you just as much as you worry about us— but, we can handle it." JJ reassured, fixing her dress. "I know. Yeah, I know."

They locked eyes, her heart softening at the realization of his face. "Fuck, Jay," she mumbled, reaching up to graze his bruised face. "I'm fine. I took it like a champ." JJ joked, catching her wrist gently before she could touch it. Layora gave him a stern look before nodding. "You got a mission?" She tilted her head, noticing the paper in his hand. "Sure do, sweetheart. Your best friend over there, has her a letter. Anonymous one," JJ winked. "Interesting. Don't get threatened this time, mkay?" She called out whilst he walked away, ignoring his middle finger.

She didn't wait for him to come back, taking two glasses off the platter. Her mouth effortlessly wrapped around each one, chugging it. Her nerves felt calmed almost instantly, looking around to make sure nobody had saw her.

Two turned into three, three turned into four, and four turned into a dizzy and relaxed state. Her nerves slowly crumbled away as she walked into the night, taking a seat on the stairs of the building. Her head tilted back, analyzing the stars above her. They were scattered, the astrology facts filling her mind.

Her dad used to teach her about astrology. It was his favorite thing. Whenever he would go fishing with her, the whole time he would talk about how the stars will tell you exactly where to go. She thought it was bullshit, but she would pay any amount of money to hear him say those words again.

"Havin' fun?" A familiar voice spoke up from behind her. Her head turned, with a small eyeroll. "If I was, I would be in there," She slightly curled up her nose, pointing towards the door. Rafe could've crumbled into her right there, but he contained himself, keeping a small chuckle. "I'll give you that."

Layora rolled her eyes at his change in attitude. Yesterday he was a mess and now he seemed to be more relaxed than ever. "Okay, what's your problem? I just don't understand you," She begun, "One day your beating up on my friends and the next your all smiles."

Rafe scoffed, meeting her annoyed eye roll, "It's not that hard to understand. I don't like you or your friends. Or are you illiterate to?" He retorted. Layora stood up despite her wobbly legs, walking over to stand just inches away from him. "I think your bullshiting."

Rafe's eyes scattered along the features on her face that he happened to have memorized. "Bullshitting? What are you," Rafe tried to defend himself but the responsive girl cut him off, "Your lying to yourself." Rafe scoffed, looking away before towering over her once more, "What are you even talking about?" Layora poked her cheek with her tongue, trying to contain her drunken rage.

"You don't think I don't see right through you? Every time I'm around you cant stay away. You hate me but everytime I turn a freakin' corner you're here!" She stated, pointing at his figure. Rafe knew she was right. Layora was magnetic. He couldn't stay away when she was around. And when she wasn't around he hated her for it.

"If I liked you or your stupid friends, I would have you." Rafe gritted, his gaze burning into her face that was curled in disgust. Their bodies were just a step away from touching and she could feel his lingering breath hitting down at her face. She opened her mouth to say something, but she was at a loss. His eyes were intoxicating even if they were suppose to make her scared. But, she wasn't. "Real mature, Rafe." She whispered, relaxing her face. "I hate you." She puffed out with an insane amount of menace laced in her voice.

"Feelings mutual, sweetheart." Rafe scoffed, his eyes traveling along her appearance. For a few moments, silence filled the room and you could almost hear the pairs loud thoughts. Slowly, his hand lifted up and pushed the hair off her shoulder, revealing the small stick and poke tattoo. Layora's eyes followed his movements, her chest heaving. Rafe quickly let his hand fall, balling it into a fist.

His jaw clenched, trying to bite back all the words he wanted to curse at her. "Have a good night, Rae. Mature enough for you?" He grumbled out, stomping back into the country club.

Layora sighed, her hands finding her hair once more. What the fuck.

MAIA nervously made her way to Pope, her heels gently tapping against the floor. She made a deal. And it wasn't one that wasn't unreasonable. Right?

"Hey," Pope's head swung to face the familiar voice, his eyes wide. "Hey," He greeted, slightly stammering upon his words. She bit her lip, trying to suppress her growing smile. "How's, um, how's the party?" Maia questioned, finally looking back up at him. He instantly relaxed, seeing her expression.

"It's fine. What about you? Having fun?" Pope teased, referring to her father who had forced her to be by his side all night. "Yeah," she chuckled, "I love listening to old men talk about golf and gambling." She smiled cheekily, making Pope chuckle. If you looked hard enough, you could see hearts.

Maia's eyes widened in shock at his laugh before joining in. She loved that sound. Even though he didn't do it a lot anymore because of stress but, it was a relief to hear it.

"I was gonna ask if you could take a break," Pope stiffened in confusion. "What do you need?" He asked almost immediately, making her giggle. "No, I mean like.. take a break so we can dance."

Pope's heart dropped to his ass at her words. "Um, yeah— yeah, definitely." Pope stammered, taking off his gloves and lifting up his sleeves. Maia nervously held her hand out as the nerves in her hand shook. Until he grabbed it. Every touch, smile or even gaze he had ever sent her calmed her body completely. It was like, she needed it. She needed him.

"Wasn't expecting you to ask me," Pope sighed as they began dancing. He steadied his hands on her upper-hip whilst hers stayed on his shoulders. "Why?" She cocked her head to the side, genuinely curious. "I don't know, but im glad you did." Pope's words slid out naturally, making her smile widen if that was even possible at this point.

Their chest touched ever so lightly, making her grip on his shoulders tighten just enough for comfort. Pope's breathing halted, his eyes traveling around her face. "Your, um— Your really pretty, Mia."

Her face softened and she moved on her tippy toes, now hugging him. His hands didn't hesitate to captivate her back, rubbing her back through the satin silk of her dress. They hadn't hugged in a while— to scared for contact. But, this? It felt right.

"Thanks, Pope." She hummed, resting her chin on his shoulders. Oh, I could get used to this.

gabi writes:

AHHHH I am actually happy with this chapter!! also this chapter is not proofread, so sorry about any mistakes😭

tension & bickering >> any other trope

>>>>>