𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣'𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑

After calming down, I am sat down by the Pogues who make me swear to never tell anyone about what they tell me and I agree.

They tell me all about the key they found which opened a motel room which lead them to a sunken boat where they found John B's dad's compass. They also tell me that people are now after them and John B thinks his dad is alive, trying to send him a message. I take in the information in awe, still very shaken up from the near death experience.

They all decide to go check out another possible place John B's dad could have left a message and the Rouledge boy offers to drop me home on the way which I happily accept.

We reach my house and out on the lawn, I see Sarah stood with Rafe and the two seem to be arguing until they notice the van pull up. They haven't noticed me yet but the angry look on Rafe's face causes me to hesitate, worry filling my stomach.

"You can come with us, blondie" John B offers.

"Thank you, but I have to go home" I decline politely.

JJ abruptly throws the side door open and hops out the van, turning to me with a mischievous grin. He holds out his hand to me and my nerves are put to ease for a split second, my lips curling into a smile. I glance at Kiara who smiles at me softly from the passenger seat.

"Will I see you later?" I ask.

"You will" She nods.

I smile happily and take JJ's hand, climbing out of the van. The Cameron siblings stare at me in surprise, the eldest being visibly more angry than confused.

"What the fuck?" Rafe spits in rage.

"You got a problem, big guy?" JJ retorts in amusement.

Rafe moves forward to start a fight but Sarah grabs his arm and his glare falls on me, shivers running down my spine.

"JJ, you guys should go" I warn him.

"Yeah, yeah" The blonde boy waves me off with a smile "See ya round, princess"

JJ kisses my cheek and climbs into the van, slamming the door shut and leaving me stood there in surprise with red cheeks. The van speeds off and Kiara sticks her head out the window, waving at me which causes me to smile.

"What have I told you about those dirty Pogues?" Rafe sneers, grabbing my arm and my smile drops.

"Rafe, let go of her!" Sarah demands, pulling me away from her brother.

"They were just trying to help" I defend them.

"Help?" He scoffs in disbelief.

"I was lost and drunk, and it was late so they let me stay over" I explain.

"I bet you put yourself out there on purpose. Just waited on the sidewalk like a whore for Maybank to come along and take you away" Rafe accuses me.

"JJ wasn't even the one who found me. Kiara was" I argue.

"One day with that scum and suddenly you think it's okay to talk back to me?" He questions rhetorically "That shit is so disrespectful"

Before I can open my mouth to apologise, Sarah takes a step forward and pushes her brother, making my eyes widen in surprise.

"Leave her alone" Sarah orders in anger.

"Push me again. I dare you" Rafe snarls.

"Hey! What's going on?" I hear my brother yelling and I turn to see him exit the house with my parents "Allison!"

I'm quickly crushed into a warm hug by the trio and I smile happily, feeling safe and secure in their hold.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. I got lost and Kiara let me stay over" I tell them as we separate.

"Kiara Carrera?" Thomas questions in surprise and I nod "I thought you guys had a falling out"

"Yeah, it was a long time ago" I shrug.

"She's a Pogue now" Rafe states with clear disgust.

"There's nothing wrong with working class people, son" My dad tells him.

Rafe scoffs, rolling his eyes and storming off in the direction of his home a few houses down.

"I'm so sorry about him" Sarah apologises.

"You don't have to apologise for your brother, sweetie" My mom assures her.

"I should check on him" I speak up, glancing at the retreating boy.

"Allison" Sarah frowns, grabbing my wrist gently.

"He'd check on me" I tell her.

"No, he wouldn't" She counters.

Ignoring the sinking feeling of my heart deflating, I pull my hand out of her grip and start chasing after Rafe.

"Alli!" Sarah groans.

I catch up with the boy as he enters the grounds of the Cameron residence and I fall into step with him, slipping my hand into his. He doesn't return the gesture but allows me to hold him without pulling away.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you" I tell him, needing him to tell me that everything is okay.

"Okay" He replies bluntly.

I trail next to him as he enters the house, breezing right past his parents who both give me small smiles that I return.

The boy finally tightens his grip around my hand as he tugs me into his room and I grin at him happily, hoping that this means we're okay.

As soon as the door closes, I'm pressed up against the wall and Rafe's lips are on mine. Although I kiss him back with a desperation, I've never liked the feeling of kissing him. I've never enjoyed many feelings with him at all, to be honest.

I sometimes wonder if maybe I just don't like sex or intimacy like kissing, but then I remember what it's like kissing Sarah in a drunken haze on nights out and I know that's not the case.

I feel a tight grip on my neck and my air supply is cut off, causing me to gasp for breath. Rafe chokes me roughly as he kisses my jaw and I begin getting light headed, black dots clouding my vision.

"R-Rafe, can't breathe" I choke out.

"You're fine" He retorts.

»»-------------¤-------------««

The doorbell rings and Rafe pinches my bare thigh, pushing me towards the direction of the door. I pull myself off the sofa with wobbly legs and head to the door where I see Rose is already stood.

"Who is it?" I ask the woman.

"It's for you" Rose answers.

The woman ruffles my hair as she passes me and I smile at her softly before heading to the door and opening it wider to reveal Kiara Carrera stood on the Cameron's doorstep.

Her eyes scan my body and I wrap my arms around myself, feeling extra insecure for some reason. She pauses on my neck which I know for a fact has started to bruise and I pray that she doesn't mention it.

"Kie" I breathe out in surprise "What are you doing here?"

"Do you want to go on an adventure?" She asks me with a mischievous grin.

Although my brain screams yes, I feel a presence approaching me and I turn my head to see Rafe stood behind the door, out of the dark haired girl's line of sight.

He shakes his head at me with a stern warning look and my heart drops as I turn back to Kiara.

"I can't" I tell her.

"Why not?" She questions, her smile fading away.

I gulp in reluctancy, hesitating before I look the girl the eyes and run over the words playing in my head that were placed there by a very angry Rafe.

"We can't hang out again, Kiara. It was a mistake" I declare, not meaning a word that escapes my lips "I shouldn't be seen with Pogues. It's bad for my reputation"

Her face falls in disbelief and I see the hurt swimming in her eyes as she stares right at me.

"You don't mean that" She says, her voice cracking a little.

"Please just go away" I plead.

"Allison, come on" She replies weakly.

"She said go away, Carrera" Rafe snaps, coming into view.

Kiara watches with a sad expression as Rafe glares her down, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close to him.

"Yeah, whatever" She mutters.

The girl glances at me one last time before walking away, leaving me with my own self hating thoughts.