ALWAYS || RAFE CAMERON

17

after being thrown out of Tanny Hill, Rafe refused to stay at my house, instead choosing to squat at the Glissons place.

Oliver and Marilyn Glisson, along with their daughter Alexandria, were in England, and had been for the past seven months, leaving their house totally unattended.

i was heading there with food and alcohol for him when i spotted Wheezie.

i slowed down and rolled my window down.

"hey, Wheezie. where are you off to?"

"to see Rafe. he asked for some stuff." she said, holding up a bag.

"get in then," i sighed.

Rafe was sat on the back porch surrounded by mostly empty bottles.

"hey," i sniffed.

he stank of weed and stale alcohol.

"did you bring the stuff?"

"my life savings," Wheezie threw a bundle of cash to him.

"Wheezie!" i frowned. "Rafe, you can't take money from your little sister!"

"relax, i'll pay her back." he picked up the money and counted it.

i dumped my own bag on the floor beside him.

"i thought you wanted to sort your shit out," i said.

"i'm going to! i'm gonna get it so tight. you watch!" Rafe pointed at himself.

"whatever," i squinted into the distance. "i don't get why you won't come and stay at mine."

"because all you fucking do is nag-nag-nag! i just... i don't know!"

"maybe i nag because i want what's best for you! you think i want to see you sat here drunk at 11am? you'll pay Wheezie back and sort your fucking shit out, asshole." i yelled. "come on, Wheezie."

i grabbed her shoulder and guided her out.

"why do you put up with Rafe? you could do so much better!" Wheezie asked as i drove her home.

"he's a lot of work, but we get each other. what do you mean i could do better?"

"half of Kildare has a crush on you! the Kooks, the Pogues, the creepy dads..."

"huh. how'd you know?"

"how'd you not know?"

i laughed and shook my head, pulling up to Tanny Hill.

i packed five blunts, sunglasses and a towel in my bag.

i changed into my swimsuit and rash vest, and secured my board to the top of my Mercedes.

i was off to find the Pogues.

why, you may ask?

i had a lot to sort out with them, and a lot to apologise for.

i drove to the boneyard first, but nobody was there.

next, i drove to John B's.

i heard voices and walked round the side of the house.

John B, JJ, Pope and Kiara were sat chatting on the porch.

their conversation halted as they spotted me.

"what are you doing here, Kook?" JJ sneered.

i ignored him, talking to John B—he was most likely to listen.

"i've got a lot so say sorry for," i said.

"not really," he replied. "your boyfriend and best friend do."