𝙍𝙄𝙋𝙏𝙄𝘿𝙀 BOOK ONE || 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐁𝐗 𝐅𝐢𝐜

𝔐𝔦𝔡𝔫𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 𝔚𝔥𝔦𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔰

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Apocalypse - Cigarettes After Sex

⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

2:28 ———|———— -4:50

𝒯𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝓎

𝒴𝑜𝓊'𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓁𝑜𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇

𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃'𝓉 𝓈𝒶𝓎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Cameron house echoed with the rhythm of the waves as Isla slipped out of Sarah's room, her mind restless after the bonfire and Rafe's behaviour.

Despite Sarah's steady snores nearby, Isla felt loneliness enveloping her, a feeling that had persisted for the past three months. Surrounded by families, friends, and relationships, Isla couldn't shake the sense of being an island just like her name.

Hours slipped by as Isla tossed and turned in bed, the gentle night breeze whispering through the open window, casting moonlit patterns across her closed eyelids.

Finally giving up on sleep, Isla rose from bed with practiced silence, careful not to disturb Sarah.

The house seemed unusually quiet as Isla descended the stairs, her footsteps barely making a sound. The Cameron walls adorned with family photos told stories of laughter and the family she had never known in her own life.

One photo stood out among the rest—a grinning Rafe with a buzzcut from last Summer. Isla couldn't help but smile as she remembered.

Wheezie accidentally got slime in Rafe's hair during her science fair project preparation. Rafe, helping her in the kitchen, ended up with food dye all over the counters. Meanwhile, Isla and Sarah had been practising for cheerleading tryouts in the living room.

Rafe had driven to The Wreck and brought back smoothies for everyone in his new car. Remembering Isla's favourite was cherry, he left hers on the kitchen counter. However, chaos ensued when Wheezie hugged him with slime-covered hands. Rose got Ward's clippers and shaved it all off.

Isla thought he looked the most handsome like that. That way she could see all of him, his sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes, high cheekbones. She always thought he was unfairly gorgeous.

In the blue seashell photo frame there Rafe was on the boat, tying a knot, his cap on backwards with a grey flannel on, a grin that could melt her in under a minute. He looked so different. Isla heard a floor board creek. Spooking her out.

She put the frame down and walked back to the kitchen.

A sudden sound startled Isla, causing her to turn abruptly, cheeks stained, wiping her face quickly.

"You don't have to tidy up after us," Rafe's voice, though sleepy and husky, like hot cocoa. Isla cursed her own delusional thoughts, trying to keep her composure.

"I don't mind," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Turning away, Isla leaned against the cool marble countertop, as she tried to steady herself. She inhaled deeply.

"What's wrong?" Rafe's concern furrowed his brow, drawing her attention back to him.

Isla straightened, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Nothing," she insisted, but her facade faltered under his gaze.