summary: you and rafe study. you and rafe go on a date. you and rafe go to a football gala.
word count: 4.9k
warnings: mention of rafe loving his sisters. terrible description of 3 dresses. emotional distress?
notes: i burnt my thumb making cookies and it hurt sm to type this. :( also poll at the end i cant decide how to end this, so you guys are.
previous part. next part. series masterlist.
Finals were nearing. The end of football season was nearing. The end of your first semester in college was nearing. So far you could say it's been a great time. You actually lived life and thoroughly enjoyed your college experience.
Yes you were studying a crazy amount, but you were still going out with all your friends. You were still actively participating in the sorority. You were passing your classes, what you tell your mom is the most important part. You tell Leah it's the opposite.
You managed to convince Leah to come down the last week you're in school before winter break, she would be done with finals while you still have one more. You’re excited for her to come meet your friends, you’re even excited for her to meet Rafe.
You didn’t expect Rafe Cameron to be like this with you. If somebody told you right after the interaction the two of you had in August, that he’d be helping you study when in reality your study sessions turn into flirty comments thrown back and forth, you would’ve barfed on them.
After he helped you out the day after Halloween, your relationship to you seemed like it changed course. Rafe seemed easier around you, he no longer looked like he was holding back, instead he would answer any flirty advance you gave ten fold.
It was a welcomed change, you certainly were enjoying it. You were no longer pretending that you weren't attracted to him either.
Now here the two of you were in the library, your usual spot. A deck of flashcards nearly gone between the two of you.
Rafe was spinning some pen between his fingers, lazily leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on you with that familiar smirk.
You, although, were plotting ways for his murder. For the last hour and a half he had you going through these flashcards. You even tried to get him to do his own work and leave you alone, but no, he claimed he finished everything before meeting you.
“Last one,” he said, you groaned. “What is the function of the notochord in chordates? And don’t tell me to help them live.”
You rolled your eyes. “It’s a flexible rod-shaped skeletal structure that provides skeletal support and serves as an attachment point for axial muscles. HA!”
“Wow, almost word for word off the flashcard,” he laughs.
“Don’t look so smug,” you shot back. “I only remember because I got it wrong so many times.”
Rafe let out a low chuckle. “I’m not smug, I’m proud. You’re paying attention to me instead of counting down the hours you get to leave.”
Before lowly adding, “only took the entire semester.”
“I always pay attention to you,” you counter.
You held his gaze, refusing to back down as he stared at you daring you to elaborate. Instead of firing back with his usual quick wit, Rafe got quiet. He tapped his knuckles against the desk, his expression shifting to something more determined, something more nervous.
“Your friend gets into town soon right?” He asks.
You can’t lie, the change in subject made you a little embarrassed. Instead you nodded and answered. “Yeah, actually in two weeks. She finished her finals next week, weird super early. I told her we’re all getting dinner, you’re coming right?”
“Obviously,” he responded like it genuinely the most obvious thing in the world. “I want to meet the only person with a brain from your hometown.”
Rafe adjusted his position, his eyes laser focused on you before saying, “but before she gets here, I want to take you out. Just the two of us.”
Your heart did a flip. “We go out all the time, Rafe. Technically we’re out right now just the two of us.”
“Not like this. No studying, no sisters, no frat parties, just us. At dinner at this nice Italian restaurant. An actual official date. Thursday night.”
You study his face for a second, “an actual date?”
He nods. “Yup. You dress up, I pick you up, we eat a nice dinner and get ice cream after. Let me take you out properly.”
You bite the inside of your cheek to hide the smile growing on your face. “Okay, Thursday night. It’s a date.”
He smiles at you like he’s won the lottery.
Thursday came faster than you thought. After spending almost two hours in TJ maxx looking for the right dress you finally decided on a silk white dress with black polka dots. It had thin straps and a nice lacey area in the chest area.
A ding from your phone broke the steady stream of music playing. Your heart started pounding faster.
Rafe: I’m outside
Rafe: Also I would’ve come to your door to come get you if I didn't have to scan my ID to get in
You smiled as you grabbed your coat and purse and headed down the stairs. You stepped out the glass doors to see Rafe waiting outside against the hood of his car. His phone was in his hand, as if he could sense you he looked up.
His eyes looked you up and down, and for a second couldn’t form any coherent thought.
“You look… wow,” he breathed. He cleared his throat, opening the passenger door for you. “Seriously, you look incredible.”
A flush warmth crept up your neck. You smiled at him. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
The restaurant Rafe had chosen was a small italian restaurant tucked away in that same historic district. Far enough from campus that the two of you could have a nice night without anybody bothering you two.
The hostess led you to a secluded corner booth, and the moment you sat down, the easy rhythm took over. No first date award small talk, just simple easy flowing conversation. The two of you talked about any and everything. From how your sorority was doing, how the frat was, how off-season was going to be like him for him.
“Yeah, we’re going to lose a good amount of players this year for the draft,” he told you. “That just means anybody wanting to transfer here or commit here, I have to show them a good time.”
“Make sure to wear protection. I heard football players really get around.”
He throws a piece of bread at you. “You know that's not what I meant.”
“Would you declare?” You asked him. You twist your head to the side, watching his face for a reaction. “I mean, I’m sure you have a ton of time between graduation and when you have to take over your dads company. Plus professional football players usually retire when they’re like 30 anyway.”
He stares at you for a second. “You know, I never thought of that.”
“You’re welcome,” you sing, taking a sip from your drink.
When the food arrived, two massive plates of homemade pasta and another basket of bread, Rafe leaned back in his seat.
“What?” you asked, pausing the fork that was so close to getting into your mouth. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No,” he shakes his head. “I was just thinking about the last time we went out to eat. How different it is this time, not that I’m complaining though, you’re a corpse when hungover.”
You roll your eyes, “that was a one-time lapse in judgement that will never happen again. But to be so honest, thank you. You could’ve left me to sit in my sadness at all, but you didn’t. You really helped me out.”
He smiles at you. That nice, soft smile. The one that makes your stomach do a little flip. The one you told yourself you’d be stupid to fall for, but now here you are.
“It was the highlight of my semester.”
By the time you finished dinner, the night air had grown even colder, but neither of you was ready to call it an evening. Thankfully, Rafe found a little ice cream shop down the street that was still open. Despite the fact that it started to get a little bit more chilly, you agreed it was never too cold for ice cream.
With a waffle cone in hand with two scoops of your favorite flavor, you walked over to a weathered park bench. The one with those attached tables that you always see in a park or around campus.
You slid onto one side of the wooden bench pulling your coat tighter around your shoulders. Rafe sat next to you, dropping his coat on you without another word.
“Won’t you be cold?” You ask.
“Maybe a little. But it’s worth it,” he shrugged like it was nothing.
You would’ve believed it, if you didn’t see him shiver slightly. You took his hand in yours, giving it warmth it obviously needed. He squeezed it softly, letting his thumb brush your knuckles.
“You know, Sarah was convinced I was going to mess this up today. Tried to convince me to just let her take you out instead.”
You laughed. “Why’d she think that?”
“I normally don’t do this,” he said, his tone slipping into something genuine. “I haven’t been on a real date since I started college. I’m usually focused on football or something else. I feel like I’d have to perform to whatever people expect of me. But with you, it’s easy, I don’t feel like I have to perform or prove anything. I feel relieved.”
“You never do,” you say simply.
His face was soft as he looked at you. The dim glow of the overhead light casting a shadow in his eyes.
The conversation drifted into random quiet things. He told you he wasn’t looking forward to winter break, all his friends came here. The only person he was excited to see was his sister. You asked about her, and he seemed to just melt. Rafe loved his sisters, that much to you was evident.
He tells you he’s glad you chose this university. “Even if it was because your old friends are assholes, I’m still glad it led you here.”
The drive back to your dorm was anything but quiet. The nice peaceful evening you had, shifted.
You laughed, loudly. “Do you seriously have Carly Rae Jepsen in your pregame playlist? Rafe, you are thirty.”
His face flushed. “Can you stop going through that?”
“Oh my gosh, Madonna? You’re a diva?”
“I’m deleting the playlist,” he grumbles. You double over in laughter.
When Rafe turned into the parking lot of your dorm, you were near tears. He grabbed his phone from you, pressing shuffle on another playlist, different from the one you were scrolling. When Drake started playing, you laughed harder.
“You can’t defend yourself with Drake of all people!” You insist, wiping your eyes.
“He has great lyrics!” He countered.
“Keychain go jang-a-lang are great lyrics?”
“Anyways,” he began, changing the subject. “Did I pass the first date?”
“The Drake failed you,” you answer.
He groans your name. You shake your head. “I’m kidding! Yes you did pass, I had a great time.”
“Okay good,” he said. “Because, I wanna ask you on the second date.”
“Already?” You ask, jokingly. “Wow, I’m good.”
You smile teasingly when he looks at you with a ‘are you serious’ expression. But he continues nonetheless.
“It’s next weekend. The donors for the team throw this end of season gala. It’s pretty formal, and usually everybody has a date and I end up getting forced to speak to donors all night. Would you wanna be my official date for it?”
Your eyes widened slightly. A gala surrounded by donors for the football team, the football team plus dates, the coaching staff, and any extra staff deemed football responsible was a lot of people to be around. Especially if you’re going to be with the star player. Not to mention his first date ever to the event.
Your ego was singing.
“Rafe, I’d love to go.”
Relief washed over his face almost comically. “Yeah? You’re sure? It might get a little boring, listening to donors talk for hours.”
“Do you want me to change my mind?” You asked. He shakes his head quickly. “Yes I’m positive.”
"Great," he nodded, his eyes bright. "I'll send you the info when I get home.”
You nodded.
You’re stepping out the passenger side the same time he gets out the drivers. He’s walking you to the front of your building.
“Goodnight, Rafe,” you say softly looking at him.
He grins, “dates not over yet.”
Your pulse jumps as he leans down. His lips connect with yours, softly and only for a few seconds.
“I’d be an idiot not to kiss you goodnight.”
You didn’t stop smiling like an idiot until you were inside your dorm. You hadn’t felt this unbothered happiness after a first date in a long time.
Sarah picks you up on Thursday for the two of you to go dress shopping. The second you’re in her car, she lets her questions bombard you.
“Was he a gentleman? Did he open the doors? Did he pay, he better have paid. What did he do? What did he wear? What did you wear? Do you have pictures? Show me!”
You blink in utter shock taking in all that she just said. “Okay, so one question at a time.”
She nods, takes a deep breath. “How was it?”
You melt into the seat. “Oh it was so great. He was genuinely the perfect gentleman all night. When we were sitting outside, he gave me his jacket, even though I already had mine, even though he was cold.”
Sarah gushes. “Oh he’s so gone.”
As the two of you drove toward the shopping district downtown, you gave her the full rundown. The cozy Italian restaurant, the ice cream outside, you mentioned his taste of music being insane, and finally the invitation to Saturday nights gala.
Sarah practically squealed. “The gala! That’s huge for him! The boosters are always breathing down his neck, and usually our dad tries to manage who he associates with at those things because of the business and whatever. Asking you means he wants everybody to know who he’s with! I’m so happy I could literally burst.”
The boutique Sarah leds you unit smelled faintly of vanilla and expensive linens. Racks of different material gowns lined the walls in a gradient of light to dark colors.
“So the theme is, as always, the nutcracker. I don’t know if the donors love the play or what, but for the past three years it’s been the nutcracker. So we need something that I guess makes us look like we’re in the nutcracker.”
You spent the next hour in the changing rooms, parading out in front of the massive three-way mirrors while Sarah sat on the plush velvet ottoman, acting like the two of you were in a movie montage. Every time you stepped out, she gave you critique that she said she channeled her inner Miranda Presley.
Eventually you chose the strapless dark green gown with a sparkling design across the chest area and subtly down the dress. It had 2 different layers that laid up nicely to give the look that the dress was bigger than it actually was. Which is what Sarah said worked perfectly.
Now it was your turn to sit in the chair and let Sarah parade in front of you in different dresses. She found her dress faster than you did. A nice blue velvet dress with a square neck and little mesh sleeves.
With the bags safely stored in the trunk, Sarah began dragging you toward the nail salon down the street. The two of you sank into the faint leather massage chairs, sighing in relief as your feet hit the warm bubbling water.
As the technicians began shaping your nails, the conversation drifted away from the gala and toward your busy schedules for the next few weeks.
“So,” you began. “Formals coming up, I heard they finally settled on a venue.”
Sarah perked up, eyes widening with excitement. “Oh, yes! Aw, your first formal. Have you decided who you’re taking, you have to bring somebody for the ticket sales and extra funds or whatever Melanie said.” She paused for a second, a mischievous grin spread across her face. “Are you gonna ask Rafe?”
You bit your lip, a sudden wave of nerves fluttering in your stomach. "I don't know. Should I? Is it too soon? We just had our first official date yesterday."
"Are you kidding me?" Sarah laughed, leaning across the armrest of her chair toward you. "Yes, ask him! He literally just asked you to a massive gala as his official date. Do it!”
“You don’t think it’s too forward?” You asked, eyes focused on your nails.
“Not at all,” Sarah insisted. “Trust me, he asked you to this, he’s going to be more than happy to go to formal with you. If you want him there, ask him. He'll probably clear his entire schedule before you even finish your sentence.”
The last sentence made your face warm. “Okay, I’ll ask him when he’s dropping me off after the gala.”
By the time Sarah dropped you back off at your dorm, the sun had gone down. Your arms were full with heavy shopping bags, holding your dress, and a few more things you treated yourself too. You were careful to open the door, your nails had come out perfectly and you didn’t want to chip them before Saturday.
You walked through the heavy glass doors of your building, your shoes clicking happily against the polished tile floor. As you waited for the elevator, you caught your reflection in the shiny metal doors. You looked bright. You looked alive.
Stepping into your dorm, once again opening the door so carefully. You tossed everything into your bed and yourself next to it. You were exhausted, but not in the same way you were last year.
This time last year you had been treated like public enemy number one. Your only friend was Leah, and even if you loved her, it was lonely at graduation watching everybody with their friend groups.
A wave of gratitude washed over you. Moving across the country had been the best thing you could’ve done for yourself. The close second would be joining the sorority and meeting Sarah.
You were genuinely and undeniably happy.
Saturday came quickly and you were a bundle of excitement. You didn’t go to anybody’s home to get ready, choosing to stay in the comfort of your own dorm.
Your hair was swept up into a bun, letting a few pieces fall from the sides. You wore simple silver jewelry, the dress was practically the accessory in itself. You sprayed perfume, applied lotion, did whatever it took. You were so excited you couldn’t remember what steps you’d done before.
Your music was cut off once again with a ding that had you practically leaping towards it.
Rafe: I’m here
Rafe: once again you live inside a fortress or I’d knock on your door
Your heart fluttered, you grabbed a small clutch, took your phone off the charger and practically raced downstairs.
You stepped outside to see Rafe leaning against his car. A sleek black tuxedo with a tie that matched the color of your dress perfectly. You’d sent him a zoomed in picture so you could match, only so he could see the color, not the entire dress.
The moment the door closed behind you, Rafe’s casual stance froze. His hands that were loosely resting in his pockets dropped. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t speak. His eyes traveled from your hair all the way down to where he could see your shoes peaking out from underneath your dress.
Amused by his reaction as you approached him, you did a small spin to show the dress off. You could hear him exhale, sharply.
“Well?” You asked softly. “Are you just going to stare or..”
Rafe swallowed hard. “I… Jesus,” he breathed out, his voice low. “You look, wow. I… there’s no words. I have none.”
You smile, “do you like the dress?” Knowing the answer.
Rafe closed the distance between you in one long stride, his fingers grasping this soft material. The intensity in his gaze was enough to make your breath catch. “I love the dress,” he answered, fast. “You’re gorgeous.”
The warmth he radiated and the genuine adoration in his eyes made you feel like it was only the two of you in the world right now.
“Thank you,” you whispered, leaning up to kiss his check. “You’re pretty handsome yourself.”
He grins and winks at you. Gently, he guided you into the passenger seat, ensuring none of your dress was ticking out before closing the door.
The gala was held in some grand ballroom near the university. It had gold lighting, an ice sculpture of a nutcracker, Christmas ornaments hanging from the ceiling, and a giant tree in the corner of the room.
You walked in, your hand tucked securely into the crook of Rafe’s arm. You felt a shift in his posture. The sudden ease had slipped into something rigid.
“Cameron!” A booming voice said, approaching the two of you. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with silvering and a sharp tailored suit.
"Coach," Rafe said, his posture straightening further as he shook the man’s hand. "Good to see you tonight."
"Great season, Cameron," the coach said, before his eyes immediately drifted to you, expanding into a warm, welcoming smile. "And who is this lovely young lady you've brought along?"
Rafe squeezed your hand slightly. He introduces you, and maybe it was the look in his eyes or the softness in his voice, but his coach’s eyes sparkled at you.
Rafe smoothly transitioned into speaking to the two donors who were lingering besides the coach. Thanks to the countless amount of time the two of you spent together you didn’t miss a joke. You engaged almost effortlessly, laughing at their bad jokes and old football plays. Reliving some of their glory days with them.
Rafe couldn’t take his eyes off of you. The way it was so easy for you to step into this like it was nothing, astounded him.
For the next couple of hours, the night was flawless. You shared a beautiful dinner, whispered a joke to him about the dramatics of a speech that made him choke on his drink, and the stolen quiet glances shared that made you feel like it was just the two of you in the crowded ballroom. Blissfully, perfectly happy.
Around mid-evening, you excused yourself to go to the restroom, meeting up with Sarah and Kiara near the grand corridor. The two of you spent a few minutes in front of the mirrors, fixing your lipstick and gushing over how incredible the night had been.
“I haven’t seen him take his eyes off of you all night,” Kiara said playfully. “Remember when it was ‘Rafes just being nice’?”
“Or, he’s just helping me study?” Sarah added.
You snort. “I still think he was just being nice.”
Kiara groans your name, “I love you, but you are the worst.”
With smiles plastered on your faces, the three of you pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the lounge to return to the ballroom. But as you stepped out into the quieter, dimly lit hallway that led to the athletic balcony, the sound of raised, angry voices cut through the quiet air.
“You’re insane, Rafe! You don’t get to just pay me and forget about it.”
You froze, as did Kiara and Sarah.
"Shut the fuck up, Kelce," Rafe's voice shot back, sharp, dangerous, and laced with venom. "I paid you weeks ago, forget about it. The bet has been off for weeks.”
“But you’re not even gonna tell us if you slept with her? I mean dude, parading her on your arm here like you didn’t just bet us 3 grand you couldn’t sleep with her is kind of crazy,” Kelce scoffed. “And don’t act high and mighty now, if I remember correctly it didn’t take any convincing to get you to agree.”
The hallway suddenly felt smaller with no oxygen. Your hands went numb, your fingers were gripping your phone so tightly your knuckles turned white.
A bet. A fucking bet. Three thousand dollars. Parading her on your arm.
Every memory of the last few months flashed through your mind like a car crash. Only a few weeks ago did you tell him how you were treated and made into a joke only a year ago, and apparently he had turned you into one already.
Topper met your eyes and suddenly cut in, “both of you shut the fuck up.”
A heavy suffocating silence fell over the hallway. It wasn’t until Rafe heard bracelets jingling, Kiara putting her hand over yours, did he turn around.
The color drained from his face the second he locked eyes with you. You were standing there, with the most profoundly hurt, devastated expression imaginable. You were biting the inside of your cheeks to keep yourself from letting any tears fall from the humiliation you were feeling in the moment.
Beside you Sarah and Kiara stood horrified. Their eyes darting between the two of you.
“No,” Rafe whispered. He took a step toward you, you took a step back. “Please-,”
You didn’t let him finish. You spun around in your heels, the skirt of your dress twisting around your legs. You couldn’t bring yourself to care, instead you ran. Focused only on fleeing the situation.
"Wait! Please, wait!" Rafe’s frantic shouts echoed down the hallway behind you, followed by the heavy thud of his dress shoes sprinting after you.
Damn him being a football player, you thought.
You bursted through the exit doors into the freezing air. Your hands trembled violently as you managed to order the first Uber available.
Arrival time is four minutes, great. He’d surely get to you now.
"Please, just stop running! Hear me out, please!"
Rafe crashed through the exit doors, his tie completely loosened, his chest heaving as he sprinted down the steps. He stopped just a couple of feet away from you, his hands raised frantically in a gesture of pure desperation. His eyes wide and frantic with panic.
You whirled around to face him, you wouldn’t cry in front of him, no you wouldn’t give anybody that satisfaction. Your voice was shaking with a mixture of raw agony and betrayal, “how could you do this to me? How could you do this to me, Rafe? You knew! I told you what happened before, how I was humiliated and made into a laughing matter, and you did this to me again?!”
"I know, I know, and I hate myself for it!" Rafe begged, taking a trembling step closer, you took another step back. "I regret it so much. I swear to you, I cancelized it weeks ago. Please, you have to believe me, I’ve never cared about anyone the way I care about you! I’ve never felt his way towards anybody like I do with you, I’ve never liked somebody like this please!”
You let out a harsh, broken laugh, shaking your head. "You liked me? You had everybody fooled, Rafe! You played the part perfectly. Was it fun? Was it entertaining watching me actually trust you?"
"No! It wasn't a play!" he cried out, his voice cracking. He reached out, completely terrified to touch you but desperately wanting to close the distance. "I did like you. I do like you. Everything we did, that was all real! I swear on my life, it was real. Just please, please listen to me!"
"If you actually liked me," you whispered, your voice dropping into a cold, devastating clarity that seemed to cut him deeper than any scream could, "you would have never even considered saying yes to them. Saying yes to that bet made me an object to win. For money you don't even need, Rafe! You didn't do it because you needed the cash. You did it for fun. Because it was a game to you."
Rafe’s chest hoisted as he let out a ragged, shallow breath. The fight completely drained from him, his broad shoulders slumping as he stared at you, his voice dropping into a quiet, agonized plea.
"Please, don't do this. Don't leave. Just let me explain. Please."
"Leave me alone, Rafe," you said, your voice entirely dead, devoid of the warmth he had spent months coaxing out of you. "Just stay away from me.”
At that exact second, a pair of headlights swept across the pavement stopping right besides you. Without giving him another single glance you yelled open the door and slid into the backseat.
You slammed the door shut, begged your driver to get away from him as fast as they could.
When you finally make it back to your dorm you can’t help but let the tears flow freely. When you unlock the door, you’re met with your roommate sitting on her bed.
You’re shocked for a second, “sorry I didn’t know you’d be here.”
She looks up at you, startled first by the loud intrusion, and concerned second.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
She doesn’t know Rafe. She didn’t grow up with him and have some biased opinion on him.
So you tell her everything.
She listens. She hugs you, tells you he’s an idiot because only an idiot would do something like that, especially to you.
She apologizes for being a shitty roommate, you reassure her it’s okay because at least you never walked in on her in bed with her boyfriend. She laughs.
She helps you out of the dress you’re in that makes you feel like an idiot now.
You two order pizza and sit in her bed watching a movie for the rest of the night.
summary: you wake up after halloween to see rafe cameron spent the night in your dorm. the two of you spend the rest of the day together.
word count: 3.7k
warnings: alcohol misuse mentioned. underage drinking mentioned. cheating (not by reader or rafe). toxic family (WARD!!!).
notes: guys i’ve genuinely tried to post this 5 times im angry. anyways sorry for the late update i failed one of my finals and i was in mourning. but we’re back to our regularly scheduled updates.
previous part. next part. series masterlist.
27 days left.
You wake up to the loudest birds you’ve ever heard in your life. The sun was shining brightly in your face, that you could feel still had your makeup on from the night before. You felt icky, gross, disgusting, every word you could think of to describe a hangover.
You loudly groaned.
“Oh, you’re finally up.”
“What the actual fuck,” you said, turning to the side to see Rafe. Standing there shirtless with nothing on but what looked like colorful swimtrunks. “Oh my gosh, did we-,”
“No!” Rafe cut you off fast. “You were really drunk last night, so I brought you back, and you asked me to stay the night.”
You sighed with relief. How drunk did you get that you don’t even remember seeing him at the party? Must’ve been a hell of a party. You stared at him for a few moments, your brain taking longer than usual to process information.
Rafe looked remarkably put together for someone who slept in a bed not comfortable at all, even if he was still wearing the exact same low effort outfit as the night before.
“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Rafe said, handing you a trash can like it was the most casual thing in the world.
“I feel like I’m about to,” you muttered, holding onto the trash can like it was a life line. “Why is everything so loud, it's too early for the birds to be awake.”
“It’s noon,” he pointed out. “Not early at all…”
You let out a dramatic groan, rolling onto your back and staring at the ceiling. The memories of last night started to trickle in now. You remember the shots you took while nobody was looking, the bad game of beer pong (slightly), and Rafe taking you away from John B and Sarah.
“You really don’t remember asking me to stay?” Rafe asked, sitting across from you on your roommates bed.
You shook your head, “I remember bits and pieces. All I remember from after I played beer pong was Party in the U.S.A being in your playlist, and the chair moving.
“Of all things to remember,” he grumbled. “I’m glad you had fun, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk like that. Normally when you’re at our parties you drink maybe once or twice, but you damn near blacked out before it was 11:30.”
You bit the inside of your cheek. “I was just celebrating Halloween. Everybody gets wasted on Halloween, I wasn’t going to be an exception to that.”
“Not before midnight,” Rafe countered. You avoided his eyes, he wasn’t going to let it go. “You don’t just accidentally down half a bottle of liquor before you even get into the car.”
You perked up at that, “I did?”
The heat rising in him, diminished in an instance. “Sarah texted me this morning, said to make sure you’re okay.”
“I just lost track of it,” you shrugged. “I’ll text her, tell her not to worry. Genuinely a one time thing.”
“Don’t shrug it off,” he was insistent now. “I stayed up half the night to make sure if you threw up it wouldn’t be all over yourself. I made sure you didn’t choke on your own tongue, the least you can do right now is give me a real answer. Why’d you get so drunk?”
The Instagram story flashed vividly in your mind. It felt so stupid to admit out loud, you got ridiculously drunk all because your ex and his new girlfriend (your ex-bestfriend) were in matching costumes? To admit that out loud to Rafe Cameron, just felt even more pathetic.
“Its nothing, it was nothing last night, and it's nothing now,” you said, your voice tight. “Just a lapse in judgement. I thought I could handle more, and I was wrong. Besides I wanted to turn my brain off for a little, that's really all it was.”
Rafe didn’t comment on the two different excuses, but he picked up on them. “People turn their brains off with a beer or two. You basically erased your whole consciousness. Did somebody tell you something?”
You blinked, surprised on your face, but it was gone within the second. Couldn’t let him know he was on to you, then you’d have to explain your reasoning. “What makes you think someone did something?”
“You have a tell,” he said casually, leaning back onto the bed. “When you’re stressed you talk fast, when you’re nervous you pick your fingers, but last night you were obsessively fixing your necklace, I only see you do that when you’re embarrassed. Like that day we were in the library and you were on your phone and walked right into that bookshelf.”
You groaned covering your face, “first of all, I didn't need the example. Second of all, you pay too much attention.”
“Yeah I do, so what was it? Or who was it?”
“Rafe, just drop it,” you muttered. “My head hurts too much to keep talking.”
A look of determination crossed Rafe’s face. Instead of dropping it, he stood up. He reached down, grabbing the edge of your blanket, and pulled it completely off of you.
“Hey!” you shrieked, curling into a ball at the rush of cold air. “Give that back!”
Rafe tossed the blanket into your desk chair. “Nope, get up.”
“Are you insane? I’m dying here!”
“You’re hovering death, not dying,” Rafe rolled his eyes at you. He crossed his arms, looking down at you with a rigid expression. “Get up, get in the shower, and wash that ridiculous amount of glitter off your face. We’re leaving.”
“Leaving to go where?” you groaned, making no move to actually get up.”
“Out,” he said firmly. “I’m taking you to get food, and then we’re going to talk about whatever made you try to drown in alcohol. And if you’re not up in the next two minutes, I’m going to carry you outside looking exactly like that.”
You did not need people seeing what you looked like right now. Glitter all over your face and upper body. Costume from last night still on, and hair tangled up in ways you don’t know how you achieved. You looked at Rafe to see if he was bluffing at least a tiny bit, but he was looking at his phone, foot tapping impatiently at you.
“You’re terrible,” you said, swinging your legs over the edge of the bed. The movement making the throbbing in your head intensify.
“I’m a treat,” he corrected.
That was probably the best shower you had in your life. The second the water touched you, your joints stopped aching as badly as they did. Your face felt lighter washing the makeup off. You were too lazy to wash your hair at this very moment, so you’d braid it before you left.
Rafe was waiting by the door, holding a duffle bag, and miraculously changed. He looked you up and down, you did look better than you did twenty minutes ago.
“Better?” he asked, cocking his head to the side. You knew it was a rhetorical question, you knew he was just proving his point. “See, now was that so hard?”
You gave him an unimpressed look. “Let's just go get food.”
The drive out of campus was quiet, the low purr of his car was soothing. Rafe didn’t push the issue in the car. He kept the radio off and drove with a steady ease that you appreciated. He pulled into a small, hole in the wall almost, breakfast diner.
Once the waitress dropped off two massive mugs of coffee and a plate of greasy hash browns. Rafe leaned back against the seat. He watched you take your sip of the coffee and then a bite of the hash browns. His eyes locked onto yours over the brim of his own mug.
“Alright,” he said, “You’ve got food and you’re caffeinated. The floor is yours.”
You sighed, wrapping your hands around the warmness of your cup. You couldn’t keep lying to him, he wasn’t going to let you now. He seemed entirely too determined, and he was not letting it go.
“Its a long story,” you finally said.
“I have time.”
“Rafe,” you said weakly. “It’s embarrassing.”
He gives you a little smile before saying, “you tell me this, I tell you the real reason I changed my major. Deal?”
You sighed, “fine.”
Gosh, you can’t believe you were going to tell this story. You couldn’t look at him in the eyes while you talked about this, deciding to focus on the plate of hash browns in front of you.
“Summer before senior year, I had my little friend group. We were basically inseparable, which is what I thought. During winter break, my boyfriend cheated on me with who I considered to be my best friend at the time. Only I didn’t find this out yet because I didn’t have any WiFi, I was on a mission trip.
Anyways, when I got back, two days before school started again, the narrative spread throughout our friends that I cheated on him during my trip. That I was insanely jealous of my old friend. Nobody was talking to me, I was so confused. The first day back, he broke up with me in a very loud public manner that was all over Instagram within the hour.
I had no idea any of this happened, until Leah told me about everything. She was the one that caught them, she tried to reason with our friends but they had always preferred her to me. I was then basically considered a raging bitch at school, which is also why I decided to leave Texas for college.
Besides the point, somebody I still followed posted the two of them last night in the Halloween costume we wore literally last year. And I don’t know, it brought back all of those old feelings. I know it’s stupid, I graduated so long ago. It’s just the fact that I’m still a joke to so many people.”
You took a deep breath when you finished. You still couldn’t look up.
“It’s not stupid,” he spoke up. “I think that’s pretty valid.”
You looked up at him, “it’s been so long, you’d think I’d get over it.”
“They were your friends, and didn’t even hear your side of the story out. Just assume what those bitches said was true.”
You laughed. “Thanks, Rafe.”
“Just next time, don’t find comfort in drinks,” he murmured. “I honestly thought you were going to get alcohol poisoning.”
“Okay, that’s fine,” you nodded, taking another sip of your coffee. “Your turn, I shared.”
“Damn, was kind of hoping you would’ve forgotten.” Rafe sighed. He took a deep breath before starting.
“My father owns a business back home, pretty big real estate thing. He wanted to pass it down to one of us, but then he started training this guy to take over. I thought I was in the clear, so when college came around, I got to do what I wanted. But then, that guy, he was selling secrets to rival companies.
Dad fired him the second he found out. But that meant Sarah and Wheezie, our little sister, one of them would have to take over. Especially if I got further in my degree. I'm the oldest, so I gave it up.”
“It was never because you weren’t smart enough,” you said. “Knew it, what you did was really great Rafe.”
Rafe met your eyes, shrugging. He let out a dry, short laugh. “Yeah well, dad said I lacked the discipline to be a doctor anyway.”
“That’s insane,” you argue, like what he said personally wronged you. “You prove how insanely disciplined you are with football and your classes, plus tutoring me. Did you tell him why you switched majors?”
Rafe shook his head, “wasn’t worth it. It didn’t seem like a big deal to me then, you know? It was a year ago and I’ve made peace with it. Besides, I see how hard you’re working right now and it’s only your freshman year. No way would I have measured up to that.”
You made a face. “Okay, so you’re insane. Rafe you’re still super well-versed in the topics. I’m not saying go back into premed if it’s not something you wanna do, but obviously you would’ve been cut out for it. I see how your brain works, I see how you work. Besides, giving up what you wanted to do so your sisters could is noble, I wouldn’t have done it.”
He didn’t say anything back for a second. Instead he just stared at you, head tilted like he was processing your words. His shoulders were tense, you could clearly see this wasn’t something he liked to talk about.
Just before you went to apologize, he beat you to it.
“I never really thought about it that way,” he admitted. “You know, you’re the only person I’ve told this to. I better not get a text from Sarah later tonight telling me to switch my major back.”
The joke was light hearted, but you answered like he was serious. “I would never. What happens in the diner stays in the diner.”
He smiled, that boyish one that you didn’t want to admit made him look handsome.
The conversation following was easier and effortless now. You talked for a while longer, you told him about the ridiculous traditions your family had for football days, he told you about the ridiculous traditions he has on game days.
“What are sports people without their superstition,” you had sighed.
When the check came, Rafe was fast to have it paid. He didn’t think twice, instead he slid out the booth. Nodded towards the front door and held his hand out to help you.
"Come on," he said.
"Back to the dorms?" you asked, feeling a slight pang of disappointment.
"Nope," he said, practically beaming with excitement. “I don’t think you’ve experienced enough here, especially if we’re still thinking about Texas.”
You rolled your eyes, following him outside. He led you back to the car. The raging headache you were feeling earlier practically gone with the cool autumn breeze hitting your face.
“Have you ever been to the shops here?” he asked, glancing towards you.
You shook your head, “I’m never free.”
He nodded, as if a plan was falling into place. “Great.”
The two of you ended up near this historic looking district, a little ways from the university. It was a stretch of cobblestone streets lined with storefronts that held names like ‘Nias polka dot boutique’ or something similar in dorky names.
"We’re starting here," Rafe spoke, pulling into a tight parallel spot with practiced ease. He hopped out and rounded the car to open your door before you could even reach for the handle.
Had you even touched a door today? You weren't sure.
You shielded your eyes from the sun, getting out of the car. You did a once over at the stores and then your outfit. “This isn’t like some weird high-end stores right? Because I’m not dressed for that at all.”
He looked you up and down, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. "Not at all. Let’s go.”
For the next few hours it was a blur of bell-chimes and different candle scents that all somehow had a twinge of old paper. Rafe was playing tour-guide, although all the facts he was telling you were definitely made up, you played along.
In an antique shop that you could barely walk through, you saw a dusty velvet-lined top vat and placed it onto his head. Handing him a cane to go along with it. You laughed when he posed and took a picture.
“I look like I own railroads,” he said, leaning onto the cane. If he was complaining you couldn’t tell.
"It makes you look like you’re about to tell me a very long, very boring story about those railroads too," you laughed, leaning against a display of mismatched china.
"Rude," he sniffed, though he caught your eye in a nearby gilded mirror and started to chuckle himself. He caught your hand, pulling you toward the back of the shop where a collection of old postcards sat in a wire rack. When you picked one up of a dusty sunset on a beach, he spoke again, "that's the beach back home.”
“Really?” You asked, examining the card closer. “Must be lucky.”
The energy shifted for a second. He held the card out, his fingers covering yours. You were staring at him, the look on his face. Maybe you didn’t like home anymore, and maybe you were assuming that everybody else was also like that, but Rafe clearly wasn’t. He looked like he missed home.
He met your eyes, the soft look on your face. He was about to say something when a cuckoo clock went off. When you jumped like a cat touching water, Rafe was set into a fit of laughter.
The best part of your evening together was when you found a store called The Time Wrap. It was a thrift store that was home to the loudest outfits of each and every decade.
“God no,” Rafe said, when you walked up to a rack of neon windbreakers.
“Oh, absolutely yes,” you countered. “Can I play dress up?”
“As in dress yourself up?” He asked, but the mischief glint in your eyes made him groan. “Fine, BUT, only if I get to dress you up too.”
You two made a deal.
For the next thirty minutes the two of you split up inside the store. You stayed on the men’s side looking for the most hideous pairs of clothes to pair together while Rafe was on the women’s side more than likely doing the same thing you were.
You two met back in front of the fitting rooms handing each other your respective outfits. Glaring at each other for the ridiculous clothes, you stepped into a fitting room.
Rafe stepped out in mustard corduroys hugging his frame in a way that sort of worked for him. The mesh shirt glittered, and to top it all off was a pair of oversized, white-rimmed sunglasses. He was leaning up against the frame of his fitting room, trying to stretch out the pants he was wearing.
“I feel like I should be spinning disco records in 1974," he deadpanned.
You, meanwhile, stepped out wearing a floor-length, puffy-sleeved dress that looked like it belonged to a Renaissance fair reject, layered under a leather vest with 'BORN TO BE WILD' embroidered on the back in pink rhinestones. Rafe had also insisted you wear a neon green beanie he found near the register.
“I looked like a medieval biker lost in a craft store,” you retorted, picking at the sleeves. “I could hide a bowling ball in these sleeves!”
Rafe bursted out laughing.
The two of you stood in front of the full-length mirror while you took pictures. You told him to pose in ridiculous ways and he listened. Followed by 0.5s of each other making silly faces.
You laughed especially hard when a group of older ladies walked back and whistled at Rafe. His face went to a deep shade of red, and you swore tears started coming out of your eyes.
Leaving the shop, with only one bag, the pair of sunglasses Rafe wore because you secretly liked them for yourself and an old sweatshirt from your university. The sun was already starting to set, the sky was painted a nice orange-gold as Rafe pulled the Porsche back toward your dorm.
The car was quiet, but not like this morning. It was more content. You didn’t feel the need to throw up any longer from the hangover or the information you had to share. You felt content.
"Thanks for today, Rafe," you spoke up softly. "I really needed to not think for a while. This was really nice.”
His eyes stayed on the road, but his hands tensed for just a second before relaxing. “Yeah. Can’t have my favorite student getting alcohol poisoning every time she wants to not think.”
“Oh I’m your favorite student?” You teased.
He pulled into your dorm's parking lot. He didn’t unlock the doors immediately, locking them back when he parked. He turned in his seat to look at you.
“Well, I wouldn’t stay up all night in a dorm room for just anyone,” he answered.
You smiled, reached out to squeeze his hand. “Thanks again, I’ll see you Monday?”
“Always,” he nodded.
Rafe watched you hop out the car, wave one last time, before disappearing through the heavy glass doors of your dorm building.
He sat in the driver’s seat, his hands gripping the wheel. He felt a strange, tight pressure in his chest. A sensation that was entirely unfamiliar to him.
It wasn’t adrenaline, he knew what that was from after a game.
It wasn’t anger, he knew that from every time J.J. Maybank opened his mouth.
It wasn’t sadness, he knew that.
This was something quieter. Something that made the idea of going back to that frat house without you with him feel terrible. Something that made seeing you walk away after spending all day with you, feel terrible.
He realized today he hadn’t thought about any of that normal nonsense he normally did. He didn’t think about football season pressure, or his fathers expectations of him. He just thought about you.
Making you laugh. Making you smile. Keeping you happy.
He let out a long, shaky breath and reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. The screen flickered to life, showing a string of missed texts from Kelce and Topper asking where he’d been all day. A singular text from Sarah asking if you were okay, but that was hours ago.
He clicked on his threat with Kelce.
Rafe stared at the keyboard for a long time. Two months ago, it seemed like a joke. A way to pass the time and prove that no matter what a girl would fall for him.
Now looking at the door you’d just walked through, the beg felt like dead weight in his stomach. It felt like betrayal for the girl who opened up to him, who spent the afternoon laughing with (and even at) him.
His thumbs moved faster after that.
Rafe: I’ll give you your money tomorrow. The bet’s off.
He tossed the phone into the passenger seat and drove off. The pressure in his chest didn’t leave. If anything, it settled in, grounding him in a way he wasn’t sure of.
notes: finals are next week, and i have NOT studied once, so next week may or may not have a chapter.
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28 days left.
The first Halloween in college and it’s all anybody around you could talk about. The sorority, mixed with classes, football season, and volunteering during your free time was well taking up a lot of your free time.
You were beat, and more than excited to go out with your friends tonight to completely turn your brain off.
You ordered your costume weeks ago, you kept it simple, and probably basic, deciding to go as a mermaid. You had an eyeshadow palette that had exactly the right shades you needed, and already owned the perfect accessory for it. Plus it was the cheapest thing you found.
You were getting ready in Sarah, Kiara, and Cleo’s apartment. Music was blasting, the room smelt like burnt hair, as different pieces of each other's costumes got passed around for the other to either check or steal.
The four of you decided to also pregame. Sure you had a definite in at Rafe’s frat, thankfully, but Halloween night meant more people went out than usual, which meant less drinks than usual.
Going to Rafe’s frat house tonight didn’t leave you a little on edge like it usually did. The more the two of you studied together, and since he gave you a ride back from that one away game, the two of you got along ten times better. There were no more snide comments from your end, and the ego from his end turned extremely down in the past few weeks.
You two were genuinely friends. You had a thought of him stalking you, but then found out your schedules just weirdly lined up in that way.
He was nice and patient with you, which when you told Sarah about she thought was the most out of character thing for him ever. If he ever had to help her or their little sister, he’d quickly get a temper.
You had yet to see that temper.
It also didn’t help that anytime the two of you were together and a boy came up to you, he’d absolutely show that he didn’t like that extra attention.
When you told Sarah this, she became utterly convinced he had a crush on you now. You didn’t believe it, but it did boost your ego. If Sarah thought this, so did a lot of people.
Kiara just switched the music from whatever your Spotify DJ was playing to a random playlist titled ‘Halloween throwbacks’. Sarah was currently adding gems to your hair as you attempted to make iridescent scales near your eyes.
“I’m just saying,” Cleo began, adjusting her skirt in the mirror. “The Rafe Cameron I saw with her in the library is not the same Rafe Cameron from the outer banks. He only looked angry once, and it was when I went inside their room to say hi.”
Kiara, who was sitting at the edge of the bed, zipping up her boots, nodded her head dramatically. “Thank you! I remember once, I was at Sarah’s, I let the fridge close too loud when he was near the kitchen, he blew up at me!”
“See!” Cleo said, gesturing towards you. “She doesn’t think it’s that weird, she thinks his frontal lobe is developing.”
“Oh please,” Sarah laughs.
“If that was true, he wouldn’t have been aggravated when JJ asked for help, like two weeks ago,” Kiara answered back. “But with you? He’s dropping everything.”
“Pope thinks he’s been replaced by a clone,” Cleo said absentmindedly. “Don’t disagree. Only way he would switch his personality up like that.”
Sarah turned around, a smile taking up half her face, “oh he’s not a clone. He’s in love.”
You rolled your eyes. “You guys are just over analyzing it. He probably just realized that being a jerk is too much work, or he’s happy the team’s on a winning streak, or his classes are going great.”
“He does not care about that,” Kiara said, as if it was a fact that had no room for an argument. “The team wins all the time, and Rafe has never once cared about how ‘well’ his classes are going. Professors will pass him just to make sure he plays on the team.”
“This quiet, patient, caring Rafe is not one happy that he’s winning,” Cleo added. “If that was it, he’d be loud and obnoxious. But he’s not. He’s nice!”
“Only to her,” Sarah added. “I asked if we should just carpool back home, he said you have a car, drive it yourself.”
“That’s not nice,” you muttered.
“Yeah? Tell him you think so, I bet I wouldn’t have to drive home for Thanksgiving.”
You paused adding the eyeshadow all over your face. Letting their words sink in. How true could it really possibly be? The two of you just a month ago were at each other's throats.
Now?
Well now he was spending his time drawing diagrams of DNA sequences and explaining it in a way that made you understand science to a whole other level. You’d even grown used to not having to open a door or pull out your own chair when with him.
It was weird how much of a constant he was becoming in your life.
“He’s just being a good friend,” you said, although your voice did not carry any confidence in your statement. “He’s teaching me, not liking me.”
Kiara and Sarah exchanged a look.
“He’s nice to you,” Kiara emphasized. “And because he’s nice to you, he’s been remarkably tolerable to everybody else. It’s kind of like you’re the human version of drugs.”
“Whatever the reason,” Cleo added, grabbing a bottle of body spray and misting herself, “I’m here for it. If you being around means Rafe is bearable and not ruining every single thing we do, then you’re doing God’s work. Now, pass me that palette. I need to look more captain-ish.”
Thankfully the conversation shifted before you had to get more in depth with your feelings while drinking. You couldn’t be bothered with it, not one bit.
Like fate decided to hate you tonight, you checked your phone. Opening Instagram, and seeing a girl from your high school you still follow posted a story. Your ex boyfriend and the girl he cheated on you with, a girl you called your best friend, wearing matching costumes and it being captioned ‘definitely cuter than the last time he wore it’.
The same costume the two of you wore, only last year. Reheating your old ideas.
The jab was for you, and boy did it still sting a little. Sure you’d grown up, but it really had only been like nine months since everybody in your life suddenly became a Batman supervillain.
You took a deep breath, before chugging the rest of whatever was in your cup, pouring a new shot, and taking that down too.
You weren’t going to let it ruin your night, but you were definitely going to let it get you drunk.
The night progressed and somehow, maybe because you poured five shots and drank them while nobody was looking, you were already plastered. You were stumbling a little, but thankfully so was Kiara.
The apartment slowly stopped being a swirl of makeup and hairspray and started becoming more picture perfect. One by one you guys lined up to take your individual pictures.
Hopefully in the morning when you look back you don’t look as drunk as you feel.
The four of you in your costumes made no sense together, but it didn’t stop an angel, Red Robin Hood, a pirate, and a mermaid from all taking pictures together.
The fourth roommate of their apartment was taking group shots for you all.
“You all look so nice,” she muttered as the flash went off. “If you’re going to come back late, don’t make any noise. Some of us actually study in college. You know to get my degree, not whatever it is the three of you do.”
You gaped at her while Sarah just shrugged her off giving her some PR trained response.
“Oh, I'd be so happy if you decided to take over her lease in August,” Cleo whispered.
“Trust me, we all would be,” Kiara whispered too, hugging your shoulders.
“Okay, final check,” Sarah announced. “IDs? Phones?”
The three of you nodded your heads and walked out the door. Outside, JohnB was waiting in his van to take you all to the parties.
He, thankfully, decided to be designated driver, and promised to make sure everybody got to their final destinations in one piece.
“Wait hold, can you come fix the back of my costume?” Sarah asked, grabbing your arm.
You hummed, turning her around to see what needed fixing. She spun back around, and grabbed your shoulders.
“I know we were just making jokes about Rafe, but promise me, you will not go up to his room when we get there. I love my brother, but I actually love you a little more, and would hate it if he’s just doing all of this to get in your pants. Plus, the second we get there, I know he’s going to be attached to your hip. So if that “old Rafe” comes out, come find me and we will leave immediately okay? Don’t put yourself in a situation you’re not comfortable in.”
You slowly blinked at her. Maybe drinking so much so fast wasn’t a good idea, because half her words registered the other half of her words did not.
“Yes I promise. No going off, come find you,” you nodded your head.
“You’re already drunk, huh?” She asked, turning her head to the side, amusement on her face.
“I so am,” you whispered, getting close to her face like it’s a secret only the two of you should know.
“Well, it wouldn't be your first Halloween without getting absolutely wasted.”
The drive to the party was fun, you and JJ doing terrible karaoke in the back with Kiara on adlibs. It seems that you weren’t the drunkest person there. Thankfully.
Arriving at the frat house, to see even the outside decorated with one singular inflatable and large wooden signs of their letters. Groups of girls you’d never seen before were standing there taking pictures.
At that same time Rafe stepped out the house to see the seven of you walking up to the door. He stopped a little when he saw you. He told the pledge at the door to let the group of you in, and immediately attached himself to your side.
“You look pretty,” he murmured in your ear.
You hummed leaning into him slightly. “Thanks. What’re you supposed to be?”
He grinned, leaning back so you could see him better. His shirt was off, and he was wearing colorful swim trunks. “A surfer.”
“You didn't try hard,” you giggled, before heading towards the large drink table the rest of your friends were at.
He didn’t leave your side. When a group of guys stumbled into the kitchen all of a sudden he was in front of you, blocking you from their view and vice versa. Rafe’s hand seemed to find permanent residence on the small of your back, guiding you through the house with ease.
The two of you ended up back with Sarah and John B. Both you and Sarah were extremely wasted, stumbling over and into each other with no other care in the world. John B was finding it all hilarious, taking a video to show you two in the morning. Definitely no way you were remembering any of this.
“Hey,” Rafe said in your ear, drumming his fingers on your back to get your attention. “I have to go take care of something, I’ll be right back okay? Stay with them.”
You nodded your head, pretending to comprehend anything he just told you. You watched him walk away before turning back towards Sarah and drinking whatever she gave you.
“Let's play beer pong!” Sarah exclaimed, dragging you by the arm towards the table a couple of brothers were currently setting up.
“Wait, I’ve never played,” you murmured, eyebrows furrowing.
“It's okay! I'm terrible!” She reassured you. “Just an excuse for us to drink more!”
You nodded your head excitedly, you liked that idea. Who were you to complain about a couple more drinks, you definitely wanted them.
The two brothers started first, easily landing in their ball. You took the first drink and let Sarah throw first. She missed, badly. You took the next shot, and missed just as badly. By the end of the game, you drank five out of the ten cups of whatever beer was inside. It did not taste good, but at this point, everything tasted the same to you.
When the game finished, you felt a hand on your back again. Rafe was back.
“You’re back!” You exclaimed with a giggle, swaying to the left a little.
Rafe’s hands shut out to steady you, “you drank more since I left?”
You nodded your head, “I played beer pong!”
Rafe took a deep breath and looked at John B, “you let her drink more? She’s obviously plastered!”
John B shrugged, “it's her first Halloween here, I’m not going to cut her off from having fun.”
“Yeah, no, I’m taking her back to her dorm,” Rafe seethed. “She can’t even stand with my help man!”
“She’s having fun,” John B argued.
“She’s two more drinks away from alcohol poisoning!” Rafe answered back.
“You’re taking me home?” You asked looking up at Rafe.
He looked down at you, “yeah? You ready?” His voice immediately softened.
“I guess,” You shrugged, falling slightly at the movement. Rafe’s jaw clenched, looking at John B.
You hugged Sarah, barely the two of you could not stay up right, and waved bye to John B. You held onto Rafe’s arm as he guided the two of you outside.
“Wait,” you stopped him from helping you into his car. “You didn’t drink? How’re you driving?”
He shook his head at you, “figured one of us should stay sober. Good thing I did, huh?”
“Ahh,” you said, nodding your head slowly at his words. As if he said some great profound thing. “Time to go home.”
The drive to your dorm, Rafe let you play music off of his phone. You’re nosy and went straight towards his ‘pre-game’ playlist. When Party In The U.S.A started playing, you laughed at him for fifteen straight seconds before belting the rest of the song. You swore he was humming along, even if he did look completely mortified you found this song of all in his playlist.
Once you got back to your dorm hall, he helped you out the car and inside the building. He also had to press the button in the elevator to get to your floor, you missed four times before he gave up letting you try.
“Are you gonna go back to the party?” You asked fumbling with your door.
“I don’t know,” he shrugged his answer. “Whisper, your roommate might be asleep.”
You shook your head, finally walking through your door. “She's never here, her boyfriend lives like two floors down. She's always there.”
Rafe nodded his head, looking around your room. He didn’t think the first time he saw your room was helping you back after you got wasted, but this is what was in store for him. It was very you, he could see your laptop was open on your desk, notebooks scattered around your desk. Your bedding was neatly tucked in, and the side he assumed belonged to your roommate looked very unlived in. Your side, it looked like you were barely here.
He assumed that was the truth too. His schedule with the fraternity and football he could only imagine how yours looked.
“Is that chair moving,” you asked, head turned to the side examining your chair. “I feel like it's looking at me.”
“It’s not moving, you are,” he laughed, settling you down into your bed. “Come on, you gotta sleep this off.”
“Okay,” you hummed, moving around to get comfortable.
Last second, when Rafe turned around you reached out and grabbed his hand. “Stay, tonight. Please.”
Your voice sounded so meek and small. He never heard you sound so desperate before, and that same feeling in his chest from when he gave you a ride after the game was rising again.
He said your name softly, about to decline your offer. You shook your head at him. “Not like that, no no. Just, so I have some clue about tonight, tomorrow. Please, Rafe.”
He clenched his jaw, and nodded his head at you. “Okay, you promise your roommate isn’t coming back?”
You nodded your head eagerly, excited he agreed to stay. “Yes! Promise, just want you here.”
Rafe took a deep breath. “I’m staying. Get some sleep, I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Thank you,” you murmured, eyes closed, already drifting off.
summary: rafe runs into you at the library and helps you study, which leads you to making a deal with him to attend his frat party. while rafe is attempting to flirt with you, the two of you get interrupted.
word count: 2.5k
warnings: slight underage drinking i dont think its ever specified, youd have to squint.
notes: i was rereading this and realized how much i pov switched, if its confusing i will rewrite this to make sense. lmk guys!
pervious part. next part. series masterlist.
2 months and 15 days left.
Rafe wasn’t worried about winning at all. He knew he could get a girl if he really tried hard enough to. Three grand to him was pocket change, although his dad would be pissed if saw Rafe’s bank statement with 3,000 dollars going to Kelce of all people.
At least if Rafe had the money he’d know what to do with it. Kelce would be blowing it all in twelve hours. So he was obviously doing this for the greater good.
The start of the semester, and the start of football season meant Rafe had to put in extra work into his stupid course load. On-top of the bet he was currently in, maybe he should add it to his resume, multi-tasking skills.
Walking into the library with his head in his phone making a straight path to the study room he always booked. He never looked up, just kept going.
But then, he heard a laugh that sounded awfully familiar.
He peered through the window and saw you sitting at a table your phone propped up against a water bottle and a smile on your face, you have yet to grace him with.
Studying could wait, he was not going to lose three grand to Kelce.
He opened the door, “you look like you’re studying hard.”
The smile on your face dropped as fast as he had seen you. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Whose that?” the girl on the phone asked you.
“Rafe,” you answered begrudgingly.
“Oh yeah, the football star right?” Your friend was obviously asking sarcastically however Rafe saw an opportunity.
“You tell your friends about me?” He asked with a smirk on his face, taking a seat across from you.
You frowned, “why are you getting comfortable? You’re leaving, I have to study.”
“Yeah, looks like it,” he answered boredly. “My study room had somebody in it, you don’t mind if we share right?”
You looked like you wanted to punch him. He was smiling. Your friend on the phone was cackling.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” your friend wheezed out. “I’m going to let you go, have fun with that.”
You tried to stop her from hanging up but she was gone too fast. You looked up at Rafe with a disdained look before going back to her laptop. He rolled his eyes, how is he supposed to win this bet if you won’t stop looking at him like he killed your puppy.
He was watching you aggravatingly flip through your textbook and your notebook, and he didn’t miss the confused look on your face, or the way your shoulders slumped.
“Need help?” He asked.
You sighed, “no, I just don’t understand this.”
“That sounds like you need help,” he answered back.
“Smart ass,” you muttered. “I don’t need help, I just need to understand this.”
Rafe rolled his chair from across you to next to you, looking at your notebook. “Oh this, yeah I struggled with it too.”
You didn’t look up, your highlighter hovering over a diagram of the heart. “Don’t you have a playbook to memorize? I’m really busy, you know, trying to figure out why the SA node is firing but my brain isn’t.”
Rafe huffed a laugh, yet he didn’t pull back. Instead, he pointed at a spot on the other side from where your hand was. “You’re confusing the depolarization sequence. You’ve got the signal hitting the Purkinje fibers before the Bundle of His. If that happened in real life, the heart would just quiver instead of pumping. Basically you’d be in V-fib.”
Your mouth parted and you slowly turned your head toward him, he had a stupid little smile on his face. “How do you know that?”
Rafe leaned back in the chair, a simple shrug of his shoulders. “I was a bio major my freshman and sophomore year.”
Your head turned to the side, “why switch?”
Rafe clenched his jaw, “wasn’t smart enough for it, finance was just easier.”
You didn’t believe that for a second. You weren’t going to push him on telling you the real reason, when you didn’t even like him that much. Instead you looked from him to your notebook and sighed.
“Okay, so explain to me this: if the signal starts at the SA node, why is there a delay at the AV node? That just feels like a stupid trick question.”
Rafe pulled the notebook closer, and to your surprise he didn’t mock you or make a ridiculous comment about you owing him after this either.
Instead he took your pencil and started drawing a timeline.
“I remembered it by thinking of it like a snap count,” Rafe said. “The SA node is the center snapping ball. The signal has to travel, right? But the AV node is like the quarterback holding the ball for a split second. It has to delta the signal so the atria has time to fully contract and dump all the blood into the ventricles before they squeeze. If they both squeezed at the same time, the blood would have nowhere to go. It’s all about the timing of the play.”
Wasn’t smart enough for it my ass, you thought.
“Okay and if there was no delay, blood wouldn’t have anywhere to go?” You asked, writing what he said as fast as you can.
He hummed and nodded his head.
The next forty minutes were spent with him helping you understand the diagram. You expected him to lose his patients at some point, he just never did, he took every question you asked and responded quickly and easily. Rafe was surprisingly good at explaining things.
You found yourself getting closer to him, your shoulders basically one as you followed his pen. When you finally grasped the difference between the systole and diastole in the pressure-volume loop, you had a mini celebration.
And finally, you didn’t look at Rafe like he killed your puppy, you had a genuine smile. And he felt uncomfortable. He went quiet, watching you write the correct sequence, as his thoughts drifted to that bet with Kelce.
You two finally had a real conversation without witty remarks being thrown back and forth.
Rafe cleared his throat, “see. You’re not as bad at this as you think. You just overcomplicate the simple things.”
You smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. “Thanks, Rafe. I actually mean it. I really thought I was going to fake a medical emergency just to get out of this exam tomorrow.”
“Don’t do that,” he said, holding your gaze for a second too long. “You’re too smart to let this beat you.”
He started packing up his things, he realized if he stayed any longer, he might actually start second guessing this whole thing. Nothing was worth giving Kelce three thousand dollars.
“I’m sure my room is empty now,” he smiled tightly. “Since I saved your ass, I expect to see you at our party tomorrow night.”
You rolled your eyes, there was the Rafe you knew. “Just because you actually did save me, I will be there. But don’t think this means I’m joining your fan club, Cameron. I still think you’re pig-headed.”
“I can live with that,” Rafe said, winking at you, and walking out the door.
As he stepped out into the actual part of the library, he saw Kelce leaning against a shelf of books, checking his watch.
“Study session is cute Rafe,” Kelce grinned. “Gonna fall through on this bet?”
Rafe shook his head, “not a chance, man.”
⋆˚꩜｡⋆˚꩜｡⋆˚꩜｡
You had never been more thankful for Rafe, the exam went so smoothly you couldn’t help but be happy he interrupted your study session.
When you told Sarah she was shocked. She had come to your dorm to take a nap, seeing as your roommate was quite literally never in the room, you had no idea where she actually was too, it didn’t bother you.
“I didn’t know he knew all of that,” she had muttered. “He told us he changed majors because he was struggling, that doesn’t sound like he’s struggling to me.”
“That’s what I thought!” You exclaimed. “I asked why he changed majors and he said basically the same thing to me, but then explained the whole thing like it was the easiest thing in the world. I didn’t pry, didn’t feel like my place.”
Sarah nodded her head slowly, you could tell this wasn’t going to leave her mind any time soon.
“So, we’re going tonight?” She asked, changing the subject.
You nodded your head vigorously.
Your dorm quickly turned into a disaster zone. Cleo came over as well, since she was going out with the two of you. Three girls getting ready in one tiny room, with a small mirror was grounds for pure disaster.
At one point you sprayed your perfume, forgetting Cleo was right behind you and accidentally sprayed her in the eye. You’d never seen somebody get passed perfume in the eye faster, it was honestly a little crazy.
By eleven the three of you were hopping out the uber and walking towards the house. The air smelled like cedar smoke and cheap cologne, and the bass from the speakers were enough to make your teeth rattle.
“Okay, if a guy comes up to you to talk about your ‘sparkley shirt’ he's trying to get you to go upstairs with him, walk away,” Sarah warned you, grabbing your arm.
You grimaced, adjusting your shirt. “Ew, okay!”
The three of you were dancing, having fun, but you got thirsty. You told Sarah and Cleo you were going to get a drink and you’d be back in a second.
As if you summon him when you’re by yourself, Rafe appeared within the first thirty seconds of you leaving the dance floor to the kitchen. He was holding a red plastic cup, and his eyes were locked straight on you, like you were his target.
“There she is,” Rafe said, his focus entirely on you. “I was starting to think you’d stood me up.”
“I told you I’d be here, didn’t I?” you countered, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Thanks by the way, for that analogy, the exam was easy.”
Rafe stepped closer, leaning down to look at you, “told you. So, since I saved your ass, what do I get in return?”
It was a blatant move. You didn’t understand how your bickering went to flirting in only two weeks. He was attractive, so why not go with it.
Just as you were about to respond, a guy you didn’t recognize came up to the two of you. He was tall with dark curly hair and a friendly, easy-going, smile on his face. He wasn’t the basic frat outfit the rest of the brothers had on, and he didn’t seem to be acting like he owned the ground he walked on.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” the guy said, looking directly at you and completely ignoring the six foot two giant man standing right in front of you. “I couldn’t help but notice you from across the room. I’m Caleb.”
You blinked, surprised by the directness. Nevertheless you introduced yourself.
Caleb smiled, “I haven’t seen you around before, you’re a freshman I assume? I’m a sophomore.”
“Yeah,” you nodded, finding his normalcy refreshing after spending a significant amount of time with Rafe. “I actually just moved here from Texas.”
“No way?” Caleb laughed, leaning in. “I’ve been dying to visit Austin. Is the barbeque actually as good as people say?”
Rafe, who was still standing right there, felt a strange, cold feeling prickle in his chest. Usually, when he was talking to a girl, other guys stayed away. He never had to worry about some douchey sophomore named ‘Caleb’ before ever. Caleb was literally talking to you like Rafe was some wall.
“She was actually right in the middle of a conversation,” Rafe snapped.
You shot Rafe a look, that screamed back off, and turned back to Caleb. “Don’t mind him. And yes, the barbeque is to die for.”
Caleb chuckled, reaching into his pocket, taking out his phone. “Well, look, it’s way too loud in here to talk about anything. I’d love to take you out sometime and hear your full report. Can I get your Instagram?”
You didn’t even hesitate. Why would you? Caleb was cute and polite. “Sure.” You took his phone and followed yourself.
Rafe watched, in disbelief, as you handed Caleb back his phone. He felt a surge of heat rise up. It was sharp, ugly twisting, in his gut. His jaw tightened so hard it was beginning to ache.
He could not believe Caleb's audacity to come up to them like they were just chatting friends? Rafe was finally making some progress with you, just for it to be ruined in five seconds but a douche?
As he watched you laugh at something Caleb said. He wanted to shove Caleb into the woods, and tell everybody in the room to leave so he could just talk to you now.
He sighed a breath of relief when the douchebag walked away. You turned back around to face him. You swear he looked like he swallowed half a lemon, and was keeping the other half in his mouth.
“What is your problem?” you asked, bewildered by the way he acted towards Caleb, and the look on his face right now.
“You just gave your info out to some random guy,” Rafe muttered. “You told him where you’re from, you don’t even know him.”
You shrugged. “Texas is huge, he is not going to find my home address. Plus he seemed nice, didn’t assume I was going to ask for his autograph once.”
Rafe rolled his eyes, “I called a truce!”
You laughed. “I’m never letting that go, Rafe.” You patted his shoulder, walking past him, “this was fun.”
You left Rafe standing in the kitchen, more confused than when he left you in the library. How was he genuinely supposed to win this bet with this many distractions surrounding the two of you?
summary: taking a road trip to an away game you realize rafe isn’t really that bad. especially when he gives you a ride back.
word count: 3.2k
warnings: cursing, tension (tiny tiny bit), minor mention of hospitalization/childhood illness. i think thats it :)
notes: i wrote this at 2am i am TIRED.
pervious part. next part. series masterlist.
1 month and 21 days left.
The sky looked grey and gloomy, not compared to everybody around. Today your school’s football team was playing a sister school only two hours away. Except with the 95% chance of rain, nothing was really deterring your spirits.
You had driven to Sarah, Kiara, and Cleo’s apartment to finish getting ready there. While Sarah was the one who was driving, it made more sense if you were with them instead of them joining extra traffic on campus. It seems a lot of people had the idea of going to the game today.
Sarah was sitting at her vanity, trying to figure out a way that she could stay cute without it being ruined by the rain. Kiara was sprawled across the bed, trying to decide between three different hoodies that looked practically the same, but all had one little difference that anybody could tell. While you were busy packing a backpack to the brim with snacks and drinks for the ride there and back.
“You’re very focused on these snacks,” Cleo said, snapping you out of the trance the backpack had you in.
“What if we get stuck in rain, I don't want to be hangry,” you muttered.
“We’ll be fine,” Sarah hummed. “We have a full tank of gas, snacks to last us days, and Kie made a great playlist last night.”
The room turned into a whirlwind of discarded t-shirts and shorts, and empty energy drink cans. The first away game of the season left everybody feeling jittery, especially you.
It was crazy to you that a couple of months ago you would have had to beg your parents to let you go two hours away with your friends, and now? You just let them know in a simple text this very morning, and that you would answer them once you made it back to your dorm that night.
“Kie, just pick the blue one,” Cleo urged. “It makes your eyes pop.”
“Why aren’t you coming with us?” You asked rolling over on the bed to face Cleo.
She shrugged. “Love John B and JJ but they are not worth the possibility of being trapped in rain.”
You nodded your head in understanding, “makes sense.”
You were only going because somehow everybody in your life seemed to think this was the most important thing in your life.
Kiara sighed, pulling the blue hoodie over her head. “I just hope the field isn't a swamp by the time we get there. I’d hate to drive up there just for the game to get canceled.”
“It’s fine,” Sarah waved a hand dismissively. “The storm is supposed to stay offshore. Besides, if it does happen to move inland, it'll be after the game.”
“At least we won’t have to sit in the stands during a storm,” you said. “Do not want to have to buy a poncho.”
The three of you said your goodbyes to Cleo and Pope who were cozying up on the coach to have a Star Wars movie marathon.
Pope was busy trying to get the DVDs he brought to work, while Cleo was giving you three hugs, from where she was sitting on the couch. Her eyes were darting towards the window between people.
“You guys actually going through with this?” Cleo asked, voice laced with pure concern.
“The pressure is dropping fast,” Pope mumbled. “The weather channel was on before I left my apartment. According to the weather man, the visibility on that bridge is going to drop to 0 in a couple of hours.”
“We’ll be fine,” Kiara brushed him off.
“Um, he has a good point,” you said, a little alarmed. That did not sound fine to you.
“If it makes all of you feel better, we’ll leave a little after halftime?” Sarah offered.
“That’s great with me,” you nodded your head.
“Yeah, maybe don’t kill her, her freshman year?” Cleo said, with a small laugh.
“Don’t call me complaining when you see it’s actually a great game,” Sarah said. “Will not be hearing anybody out.”
Pope laughed heartily at that. “Oh trust me, we won’t. Tell JB, and JJ we said good luck.”
Kiara and Sarah nodded their heads, while the three of you sang out a chorus of goodbyes and headed out the door.
Sarah slid into the back seat while you and Kiara took your seats at the front of the car, Kiara driving obviously.
“A little rain never hurt anybody,” Sarah sighed, settling into her comfortable position for the next two hours. “I’m happy we’re going. And I’m happy we convinced you to go!”
You smiled at that. It did take some convincing to get you to go with them. You sort of felt out of place going, the two of them were going for their boyfriends, you were just going for what? But in the end Sarah and John B, who swore you wouldn’t feel like the ultimate fifth wheel, wore you down.
You also may or may not have mentioned it to Rafe, who told you not going would be a huge mistake.
“Pope is just being pope,” Kiara answered. “Shame he’s roped Cleo into too. They may physically be twenty, but mentally they’re eighty-seven.”
The three of you laughed. The car rolled out of the gravely parking lot onto the less gravely street.
The first thirty minutes of the ride went smoothly. So far you didn’t have to skip any songs from Kiara’s special playlist, you had been given ultimate control over the playlist, Sarah had yet to feel a wave of car sickness, and the gossip they were telling you was deliciously good.
You were eating one of the two bags of pretzels you packed as you listened to a crazy story they told you from when they were all in high school. At some point, apparently, their senior year was filled with a crazy scavenger hunt.
It sounded crazy to you.
At the mention of their home life it seemed like they took the perfect opportunity to bring up the one and only other person you know.
“Speaking of senior year,” Kiara started. “Remember the first time Rafe came home for Thanksgiving break?”
Sarah laughed. “Yeah, locked himself in his room, only came out if it was to eat or party, he went completely anti social that first semester.”
You frowned. “That’s weird… is it because he was a pledge? Was he doing some weird rituals?”
“You know, probably,” Sarah answered. “He’s done a complete 180, now though. Especially this semester.”
Kiara wiggled her eyebrows at you. “I wonder if it’s because he’s trying to impress a certain somebody.”
You laughed, shaking your head. “No way, he literally asked if I wanted his autograph the first time I met him. No way is he trying to ‘impress’ me.”
You could see Sarah shrug in the mirror. “I mean this sudden transformation into your personal tutor is a little out of character and crazy.”
“Yeah, I mean I’ve known Rafe since we were kids, I’ve never seen him go out of his way to help somebody without them giving him something in return,” Kiara nodded her head. “JJ told me he helped some freshmen with their footwork the other day at practice. It’s weird.”
“See, it can’t possibly be for me. I’m not at their practices,” you pointed out. “Plus people change, maybe he’s just decided to act like an adult instead of a ten year old with the ‘coolest lunch box’.”
“Yes people change,” Sarah muttered. “This just seems different though, he always adapts to the people he likes. He’s like a chameleon. When he likes a girl he takes on their personality.”
“He doesn’t even know me well enough to know my personality,” you deadpanned. “Our conversations are strictly biology and chemistry related.”
“Very defensive for somebody so insistent that he’s not changing for them,” Kiara said, a certain light in her eyes that made you roll yours.
“I just don’t believe he could be becoming a nice person all for my benefit,” you answered. “He’s a grown man, that personality flip is all his.”
Sarah and Kiara laughed. Both of them exchanged a glance through the rearview mirror.
“Whatever you say babes,” Sarah said, finally settingly the matter. “But the second, we’re right, you tell us.”
“Wait,” you turned fully around in your seat. “You wouldn’t care if something romantic happened between your brother and me?”
“I thought you didn’t care?” She asked, turning her head to the side, biting back a huge smile.
You blushed. “Not what I meant!”
The three of you arrived at the stadium shortly after, the teasing didn’t stop there. You were sure it would be getting worse on the drive back. You weren’t going to worry about that now though. There was too much excitement surrounding you to even care about that.
The sister school stadium wasn’t as nice as yours, but it had a similar feeling.
The air was pulsing with excitement. Kids were running around in rain boots and ponchos, even though you still had an estimated seven hours before rain hit. People were high-fiving as they passed each other, happy to see a fan of their favorite school.
You loved game days, it was like one big community event. It literally is a community event.
The game itself was honestly a little boring. For all the hype about playing a sister school and the amount of people who did the two hour roadtrip, the actual plays on the field felt almost too easy.
It didn’t feel like the first game you went to where you were literally on the edge of your seat. It felt like a choreographed dance that the other team knew they were going to lose at.
From the stands, you couldn’t help but watch Rafe.
He looked so calm. There wasn’t any shouting or helmet slamming. There were no erratic last minute plays. No last minute throws to save his team's ass.
He was moving with basically calculated grace. He looked like a dancer and that was his stage.
As if being able to read your thoughts, Sarah caught your eye and gave you an ‘I told you so’ look. Like the calm and nicer version of him was even spilling onto the field.
“Look at Rafe,” Kiara exclaimed, whisper shouting to you and Sarah. “He’s literally communicating with JJ and John B right now. That has literally never happened.”
Down the sidelines you could see the three of them in a small huddle. Rafe was gesturing, not wildly, just moving his hands around. When he stopped, it looked like he was actually listening to whatever the other person was saying.
Sarah faked gasping at the sight.
“This is too easy,” you muttered watching them run whatever play they were just talking about. “This feels so wrong?”
“I agree, it feels like we’re going to lose in some crazy way.” Kiara nodded her head.
Your school won. 48-0. It was honestly a little crazy.
Since the rain seemed to not be coming for another few hours, even though the sky definitely didn’t look like it. The three of you decided to meet up with John B and JJ. You could feel that becoming a fifth wheel was happening, but where were you supposed to go?
Once the five of you all met up, you sort of slunked off to the back of the group. You congratulated JJ and John B for their win, and immediately after took four steps back and went on your phone.
As if on cue, “hey there.”
You turned around to see Rafe standing there, his hair still wet from the shower he took, holding his duffle bag behind his back.
“Let me give you a ride back?” He offered. He nudged his head towards your couple friends, “I’m sure that will be a fun ride back.”
“Didn’t you guys take a bus?” You asked.
Rafe shook his head, “Coach let us drive on the condition that we’d all be here three hours earlier than needed.”
You laughed softly. You really could take him up on his offer, the only thing you had in Kiara’s car was the bag of snacks that was neither your bag nor your snacks. Your purse with your keys, phone, and wallet were all on you.
“You know what, sure! I don’t see why not,” you shrugged.
He smiled at you, “great. But, you’re not playing music. I don’t trust that I won’t have to listen to whatever girly pop thing you’re into.”
You hummed, “really? Thought you would’ve loved Sabrina Carpenter.”
Rafe’s face physically recoiled. “You hurt me, every time you say something, hurt me.”
You rolled your eyes at him, running off the tell Sarah and Kiara they don’t have to worry about giving you a ride.
Sarah smirked at you, while Kiara nudged your shoulder. You sighed. You knew the next time you saw the two of them, it was going to be hell for you.
The two of you walked step in step to the parking lot in silence. It wasn’t quite awkward but it was there. This was going to be the most alone time you two have spent without their being some type of school work to talk about.
When he unlocked his car, you actually laughed out loud. It was a sleek black Porsche, because what else would it be.
He looked stunned that you’d laugh. “What’s so funny?”
“Sorry, it’s just this is literally so on the nose I didn’t think you’d actually be driving a Porsche.”
His mouth was gaping, “shut up. Just get in the car.”
He held the door for you as you laughed harder. He rolled his eyes before closing the door.
“I was serious by the way,” he said pointedly. “You are not playing that pop bullshit.”
You gasped, “you mean, you aren’t going to let me play Taylor Swift the whole ride back?”
Rafe looked like you physically hurt him. “You were going to do that?”
“No idiot,” you laughed. “I was being sarcastic. But anyways, play your music, I don’t care.”
When his phone connected to the car, and the first thing that came out of the loud car speakers was Olivia Rodrigo, you couldn’t even get a noise out your mouth. Instead you turned to him, your eyes bright and his face beat red.
“Not a word.”
“Oh, I’m telling everybody.”
Rafe drove with a calm you weren’t expecting. His hands were steady on the wheel, his silhouette sharp against the glowing blue of the dashboard. For a while, the two of you just watched the road, the silence between you surprisingly heavy but not uncomfortable.
“So,” he said, breaking the quiet. He didn't look over, but you could see the corner of his mouth twitch. “Why biology? I feel like as your unofficial-official tutor, I should probably know what my student is actually planning to do with all this knowledge I’m giving her.”
You shifted in the leather seat, “That’s assuming I actually pass biology. These plans can easily turn into me becoming an elementary teacher.”
“You’re too smart for that,” he countered, his voice smooth. “Come on. What is it like a big secret?”
You looked out the window at the dark marsh passing by. “I want to be a pediatrician,” you said softly.
It felt a little vulnerable admitting it to him, mainly because you felt like Rafe, the finance bro, would mock you for it.
“A baby doctor?” he asked, finally glancing towards you.
“Not just babies. Kids,” you corrected.
You took a deep breath before deciding to just tell him the truth. Not like you had anywhere else to be.
“When I was younger, my little brother was in and out of the hospital a lot. I remember sitting in those waiting rooms, feeling like the world was ending because the doctors were all so clinical and rushed. Our parents couldn’t take a lot of time off of work, so it would just be the two of us there. They would always talk over him, and they definitely talked over me.”
You paused, watching a droplet of rain run down the window. “There was this one resident, though. She didn't just look at his chart; she sat on the edge of the bed and asked him about his favorite comic book. She made him feel like a person, not a patient. I want to be like that for other kids. I want to be the person who makes the scary stuff feel a little less like a nightmare.”
You felt a flush creep up your neck at his silence. You quickly added, “I know it’s cheesy.”
You expected a joke. You expected him to say something about how much work that was or make a comment about how kids are sticky and loud. But the silence that followed was different. It was loud.
You looked over at him. Rafe was staring straight ahead, but his grip on the steering wheel had softened.
“It’s not cheesy,” he said. His voice was lower now, lacking any of the playfulness from before. “Actually, it’s… it’s really cool. Most people I know choose their careers based on how much money they’ll make. Choosing something because you want to make a kid feel less scared?”
He trailed off, shaking his head slightly as if he was trying to process a thought that didn't fit into his usual worldview. As if he was trying to clear the thoughts swarming through his head.
“You’d be good at it,” he added, and the way he said it made your heart do a weird, stuttering hop. It wasn't a casual compliment. He sounded like he truly believed it.
“You’ve got this way of making people feel like they’re the only person in the room. Even if they don’t deserve it. You’ll be great at it.”
You didn't know what to say to that, so you just watched him.
In the dim light of the car, you felt like you saw something change in his eyes. The way he glances over at you again, for a second time, was like he was seeing you in this different light.
Not like the girl whose his sister's sorority sister, or the girl he tutors occasionally for no pay, or the girl he arrogantly believed wanted his autograph. It seemed like he looked at you with clarity.
He didn't say anything else for a few miles, but the energy in the car had shifted from a simple ride home to something else. He reached over, his hand brushing against the console before he settled it back on the wheel, but his fingers were trembling just a tiny bit.
“You okay?” You whispered.
Rafe cleared his throat, his eyes fixed on the road as the campus gates finally came into view. “Yeah,” he said, but his voice was thick. “Just thinking about how much it would’ve sucked to be stuck in a car with those four.”
As he pulled up to your car and this engine turned off, leaving the two of you in the heavy silent rain, you realized maybe Sarah and Kiara were right.
The way this Rafe was looking at you compared to the one a month and a few weeks ago looked at you was completely different.
summary: the first week of classes comes to a close, and the first weekend of football season opens. attending your first game, thanks to rafe. the uncharacteristic charming rafe you meet after the game leaves you remaining unimpressed and him frustrated.
word count: 2.5k
warnings: slight mention of underage drinking (pouges are sophmores so 19-20), maybe inaccurate football description, i think thats it lmk.
notes: hi!! i left a note on my masterlist for the series, but i'll update chapters every thursday :). should i make a taglist?? lmk
pervious part. next part. series masterlist.
2 months and 29 days left.
The first week of classes was probably your personal hell. Your course load was heavy with science and math, and boy did it show. You assumed syllabus week meant you’d actually be able to prepare a little before the lectures and quizzes started rolling through, you were wrong.
Now it was finally Friday, you were back at the Zeta house. It was you and a few other girls studying in the dining room. Thankfully a few of the sisters had taken the same classes as you their freshman year, so you got to listen to their advice for the professor.
“Hey, I was looking for you,” Sarah says walking into the dining room, sitting at your table. “How did classes go?”
You sighed, "definitely not what I was expecting, it's going to take some getting used to for sure.”
Sarah nodded her head in understanding, “yeah, I felt like that my first semester too, don’t worry you’ll get the hang out it. But anyways, I came to tell you I got our tickets for tomorrow's game.”
Your eyes widened, you completely forgot football season starts tomorrow. Sarah showed you her phone to show the tickets, and your eyes nearly went out of your head.
“Oh my gosh, we’re so close!” You exclaimed. “Gotta love your football boyfriend, and bestfriend’s football boyfriend!”
“Actually, Rafe got these for us,” Sarah says.
Your face twists again, “oh, so he does want me to really ask for that autograph huh?”
Sarah laughs.
The rest of the night you go from studying to talking about the game tomorrow. You probably got zero work done, but tomorrow is going to be a long day for you.
Wake up early and get ready, get to the Zeta house to take pictures, and then head over to the tailgate to get more pictures, and finally watch the game. Surprisingly the game starts at six p.m., but your day starts at ten a.m..
The next morning, your roommate was long gone when you woke up, or maybe she never got in last night. Gave you the chance to turn all the lights on and play your music as loudly as you want.
By eleven, Sarah was there to pick you up. The two of you laughing, blasting music, and you attempting to get your camera to work.
The Zeta house had a new banner in front of it, a stupid pun about how the opposing team today sucks, but you laughed and took pictures of it and with it. You texted a picture to Leah too, telling her you're happy she convinced you to do this.
Once it was two, you and Sarah met up with Kiara and another girl you didn’t meet last weekend, Cleo, to go towards the tailgates.
“So, how are you liking it so far?” Cleo asks you, the two of you were sitting in the backseat of Kiara’s car.
You smiled, “I’m actually having a lot of fun, I’m happy I decided to leave home.”
Cleo grins, “best decision I ever made.”
JJ got Kiara an insanely good parking pass, you were right in the middle of the stadium and where the tailgates were held.
Walking over towards the loud music, and smell of beer, was making you feel jittery. First real college football gameday where you can participate in gameday traditions without your parents being around the corner. It felt great.
The heat was already rising from the concert by the time you made it towards the tents. To you, the atmosphere was amazing. Everywhere you looked, there was a sea of school colors, Greek letters, and the smell of barbeque and beer fighting for dominance.
“Okay, nobody move!” Sarah chirped. “The sun is making y’all look great.”
You, Kiara, Sarah, and Cleo huddled together in front of a massive truck decked out in school colors, plus a flag.
You adjusted your dress slightly. A light breezy thing, that you at first felt a little weird about, until seeing all the other girls adorning similar outfits. Sarah did also point out that a lot of sorority girls dress up, coming to football games for pictures rather than the actual game.
After a dozen shots, all on a different person's phone or camera, you took a second to look through them. It had only been two weeks since you were on the phone with Leah, worrying about being liked here, and now here you were. You honestly felt like a different person.
“We look so cute,” you laughed, leaning into Kiara.
“Cute as bunnies,” Kiara joked, handing Pope a camera.
Pope had been tasked as the photographer for today. Since he was by himself with the other half of their friend group warming up. He was a saint for putting up with it, he was juggling two cameras, and four phones, while also holding Cleo and Sarah’s purse.
The group floated through the different tents, finally settingly at Rafe’s frat’s tent. Thankfully he wasn’t there, you did not want a repeat of last week. The music was thumping so loud, you could see the coolers vibrating.
You turned around just in time to see a crowd cheering, circled around Cleo who was hoisted up doing a keg stand. Your jaw dropped in shock and amusement. You watched Pope taking a video on his phone cheering her on, while Sarah and Kiara cheered for her next to you.
“Keg stands are so cool,” you laughed saying to the two girls with you. Cleo jogged back over towards everybody just in time to hear you say that.
“So, what I’m hearing is your turn?” she teased, nudging you with her shoulder.
You laughed, looking from the keg to yourself, dressed in a dress and boots. The person who promised she was going to have fun was screaming to go for it, to dive head first into something you had only ever seen in movies.
“Ugh I wish, but I don’t think flashing an entire frat, plus some, is a good idea my first month here.”
“Next month then?” Kiara asked, which resulted in you playfully swatting her shoulder.
The sun was still high when the four of you decided to walk towards the stadium. Apparently not the only ones who thought about it either, as you joined the enormous crowd of people.
You were thankful you didn’t have to walk up the ramp with said enormous group of people. Instead you took your seats in the first deck. It seemed like you were basically on the field from your viewpoint.
“These are ridiculously good,” you said. More so talking aloud than to anybody in particular.
“Rafe really treated us today,” Cleo said, taking her seat. “Tell him I said thank you.”
“Wait, he bought everybody tickets?” You asked, turning to face towards Sarah, a confused look written on your features.
“Yeah, I was shocked too,” she admits. “He’s never even bought me a ticket before, I usually get him from John B.”
“Maybe he’s trying to impress a certain new girl,” Pope said, winking towards you.
You pretended to barf.
“I heard it wasn’t a pleasant first encounter,” Cleo questioned, turning towards Pope.
“It wasn’t,” you answered.
“When is it ever,” Kiara sighed. “But she held her own against him.”
“It was really weird, who immediately assumes somebody wants their autograph? It’s college football, and we’re not even a top ranked school,” You said.
“I warned you about that ego,” Sarah reminds you, raising her eyebrows. “Who knows, maybe he’s apologizing.”
“That’s weirder,” Pope says. “He beat my ass when I was fifteen and hadn’t apologized yet.”
“What?” Your eyes were practically popping out of your head. “And you’re cool with him?”
Pope shrugs. “My revenge is just to be nice to him, it makes him angry when he can’t get under your skin.”
“Which is probably why he wants you to want his autograph so badly,” Kiara nodded.
You huffed out a quiet laugh through your nose. Rafe Cameron is unbelievable. Leah would love this story.
Once the game started you were kind of in awe about how well he played. He was honestly great at running the team.
Rafe moved like he owned the field, like every player on it was just a part of something he’d already mapped out in his head.
When he was sitting on the bench once the other team had the ball, took off his helmet, you could see his smirk on his face. Of course he didn’t look nervous, if you were him you probably wouldn’t either.
You’d never admit that thought out loud, based on the one interaction you had with him, you did not want to feed that ego anymore than it already was.
The game was starting to heat up after halftime. The opposing team was losing by a crazy amount and seemed like they were playing for blood.
Towards the end of the third quarter, the opposing team had Rafe surrounded.
The pocket collapsed around him, bodies about to crash into him from both sides, and for a split second, you thought finally. This was going to be the moment when he would take the smallest bit of a hit.
Even though you felt crazy slightly rooting for the other team to take down your school's quarterback, it felt needed.
But Rafe didn’t panic. He stepped back, scanned the field, calm like he had hours before he was even taken down. Then he threw it, quick and precise. The ball landed gracefully in what Sarah told you was John B’s hands.
The crowd exploded, chanting Rafe’s name like he was a savior. Like he brought them out of the gutter with that throw.
You could understand the ego. If you had a stadium full of people chanting your name, you’d be just as big headed as him.
You would never admit that out loud either.
The game ended, of course your team won, the opposing team accepting a terrible defeat. The stadium was loud with excitement and happiness. Never had you felt more school spirit than watching your football team win.
“I’m not going to lie,” Cleo whispered to you. “I didn’t think they’d win.”
You laughed turning towards her, amusement clear on your face. “What? You were rooting against us?”
“No, but I did bet against us.”
The group of you waited till the crowd simmered down before leaving. Sarah and Kiara wanted to meet up with their boyfriends after the game, and well Kiara was your ride, couldn’t really argue with that.
By the time you made it to the designated meet-up spot, outside the field house, the air was cooler, but the energy hadn’t diminished. You were leaning against the brick wall, your feet beginning to hurt in your boots.
“Told you to pack sandals in the car,” Kiara said.
You groaned, “I forgot!”
The doors finally swung open. A group of players emerged, all looking freshly showered, but all buzzing with the excitement of the first win of the season.
John B was the first to reach the group, practically lifting Sarah off her feet in a massive hug. JJ wasn’t far behind him, practically lunging for Kiara with a grin that you could see made Kiara blush.
Being the good friend you were, you took your camera out and got a picture of the set of them.
“Hey,” you heard his voice from behind you, mentally groaning. You turned around to see him, a little smile playing on his face. “Glad to see you made it.”
“You were good Rafe!” Pope and Cleo said in unison, winking at you before turning back towards John B and Sarah.
You watched Rafe tense a little, making you laugh.
“So, saw us play, are we real enough football for you?” He asked, cocking his head to the side.
You crossed your arms, leaning back, like you were examining him. You could see the subtle shift he did to stand up straighter.
“It was… alright,” you said. “A little slow in the second quarter, but your defense saved your ass.”
Rafe’s jaw dropped as if you’d stabbed him. “My defense? I threw for 289 yards!”
“And you almost threw an interception in the third,” you reminded him.
Rafe paused, a look of genuine surprise crossing his face before he masked it with a smirk. “Paying attention to my plays? I figured you were just there for Instagram pictures.”
“Well, I wanted to see if the pig headed guy who asked if I wanted an autograph the first time I met him was actually worth the hype, or just a lot of talk,” you answered, matching his smirk.
Rafe stepped a little closer, so close you could smell his cologne and a faint smell of grass. “And? Am I worth the hype?”
You looked him up and down, then pulled your phone out, like it was the heaviest thing in your bag. “Wow, look at that huge crowd still clearing, and I still don't see a line for the autograph booth. Should I get it while you’re still relevant? Heard resale value on ‘local legends’ drops significantly once they realize they’re not all that.”
You watched his smirk fall before you added, "don't worry, I’ll use whatever I make to pay for my textbooks. At least that way, you’re still useful.”
John B let out the loudest laugh you’ve ever heard. “Oh man, you gotta let him up.”
Rafe’s jaw tightened for a fraction of a second, but he stopped himself. Not a way to win. He instead forced a smile, one that actually reached his eyes.
For a split second, you could call him handsome. You’d also never admit this outloud either.
“Funny, you’re real funny.” He reached out, his hands briefly brushing the sleeve of your dress. “The guys are throwing a victory party tonight, you should come. I’ll even promise to drop the whole thing.”
You looked unimpressed. “Is this your version of a peace offering?”
“It’s an invitation,” he shrugged. “We may have gotten off on the wrong foot last weekend, thought I’d make it up.”
You looked back at Sarah, who looked just as confused as you were. But she nodded her head at you slightly. Then your eyes flitted towards Kiara who was equally as confused and unimpressed. The ‘nice guy’ thing he was trying wasn’t working on the people who have known him for a while, why should it work on you?
“I’ll think about it,” you lied, you were not going.
You turned to follow Kiara, Sarah, and Cleo toward the car. Leaving Rafe standing there, watching you walk away.
The facade he had slipped into a frustrated look. Kelce and Topper joined him outside, following where he was watching.
Kelce laughed, clapping Rafe on the shoulder. “Three grand, man. She’s gonna be tough.”
Rafe didn’t look toward him, instead keeping his eyes on you until you disappeared into the backseat of Kiara’s Mercedes.
bsf!rafe cameron gets jealous after seeing you with another guy
warnings: smut
rafe was pissed. he couldnt believe you left with another boy (despite girls being all over him all night). but when he got outside and saw that guy all over you, he dragged to his car, opening the back door.
as soon as you get in the car, rafe pounces on you, his lips smashing against you desperately. “get in.” and with that, you’re in the back seat, grinding against rafe’s thigh, desperately trying to reach your high. your whimpers and moans only cause rafe’s short to feel even tighter as he rips of your top. “so fuckin beautiful, can’t believe i haven’t fucked you yet.”
he slowly reaches down to your panties, slipping his fingers into your pussy, feeling around all the slick “so wet for me and i haven’t even done anything yet.” you shiver at his touch, desperately pining for more. “rafe please. i need you so bad” he smirks as he flips you on your back, towering over you.
you stare at him, doe eyed as he takes of his boxers, “think you can handle it princess?” he slowly slides inside you, putting in the tip, just enough to have you shaking, begging for the rest. “don’t get too cocky, ive had bigger.” that was it. just enough for him to slam inside you, filling you up. his eyes full of lust as he pounds into you, “yea? bet that random would be bigger too then right?” he groans out as he’s gripping on your boobs, pinching your nipples with his fingers.
“you gonna answer me princess? hm? or do i need to stop?” you whimper out a quiet “please don’t stop” as he begins to slow down slightly. “answer me. would he be bigger too?” he’s full of pure lust, not holding back as he slides inside and out of you like he’s addicted. “no. no one’s as big as you rafe. please keep fucking me.” you moan out as he continues to ram into you.
“thats fuckin right. you’re mine. all mine.” he fucks you like he’s been deprived, like he hasn’t fucked in years. “holy shit y/n. you’re so fuckin tight. fuck.” he grips onto your thighs as he digs deeper and deeper into your cunt. your back is arched, nails digging into his back like claws. you could feel him in you, deep in you.
“oh my god. rafe fuck i can’t take it” you whimper as his cock falls deeper in you, his rough pounding bringing you closer to your high. “cmon baby, i know you can take it.” he smirks as he continues to treat you like his fuck toy. he pulls out, making you whine at the emptiness in you.
“calm down baby, im not done yet.” he flips you onto your stomach, ass up face down, reinserting himself into you. you moan out his name as he slams back in you. he knows you’re almost there, slowing down his pace just to mess with you, then speeding right back up. you’re a mess. moaning his name, tears forming from how big he is.
soon, you feel the knot in your stomach, you’re so close. you start grinding back on him as you reach your high, not wasting any time. “fuck y/n. im gonna fuckin cum.” the sound of his groans pushes you, you shake as you moan out his name. “oh fuck rafe. fill me up please.” you beg to feel his warm cum in you, filling you up. “yea? dont worry baby. ill fill you up real good. fuck.”
he speeds up his pace. you’re still stuck in the feeling of ecstasy, even more as he continues to pound you, pushing your face down on the seat. he grips your hair, pulling you up to kiss as he comes in you. his warm liquid fills you up as he moans out “fuck” continuously. you both stay there for a minute, coming down as you smile back at him. he admires how you look, hair messed up, mascara dripping down your face, looking cock drunk. he feels himself getting hard inside you before moving to get dressed.
“cmon baby, lemme clean you up before i end up not being able to control myself again.”
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