Keeping up with the Camerons
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Keeping up with the Camerons
Episode 4 - Prince and Princess - Part 3
Episode transcript (/ means cut scene, bold italics means narrator, bold means host)
Word Count: 5.8K
Part 2 Here
"So uh.. The shirt worked for what, a total of ten seconds? Maybe less?" Topper snorts, shoveling a handful of sweets into his mouth.
Rafe scoffs, rolling his eyes as he snatches a handful for himself, "Yeah try an hour asshole. She made me change 'cos she thought I was too hot."
"Oh yeah she did.." Kelce smirks, raising an eyebrow which only causes Rafe's cheeks to redden and he snorts, "Fuck off.."
"HEY!!" A girls voice pierces through the air right as the packet of sweets is stolen from the blondes grasp, "Since when did I say you could have any??"
"Well tech'ic'lly.." The boy starts, mouth full of gummies to the point his words were mere mumbles, "They're 'ine 'cos I bo't 'em so.."
The other boys only grimace at his sounds, however the silence from behind him fills him with fear, causing him to turn his body round to be faced with a deathly stare. "Okay okay sorry they're all yours.. Please don't kill me."
The brunette stares at him a moment longer before a smirk tugs at her lips; she snorts before going round the bar to stand with her closer friend. He wraps an arm around her waist, leaning his head against hers.
"So Bells, when's your break?" Topper questions, reaching down under the bar to very obviously grab another packet before being swatted away with a whine.
"Now!" An unfamiliar voice answered. A girl around the boys' ages walks over, tying her apron around her waist and joining beside Bella.
"Oh my God Sofia you savior! Today's a busy one.." She moans, leaning forward to rest her head against the girl's shoulder.
"Hi Rafe.." The new girls voice softened, her cheeks blushing as her words fill the silence. Bella removes her head from her shoulder instantaneously, her shock joined by the boys' reactions. All their eyes shoot up to Sofia's, Topper chewing on a sweet slowly as he squints, Callum's brows furrowing deeper than his eyes as his tongue pokes against his cheek, and Kelce pulling out his phone to record the next few moments.
Rafe's lips tug, running a hand through his bangs as he chuckles, "Hey.."
The boys all join each other to stare him down; Bella's eyes not leaving the other girls. "Haven't seen you around in a while."
"Yeah I uh.. I've been dragged to do this show. Hard to do much when cameras are following ya' all the time." He laughs, his hand not having left his friends waist but his eyes definitely nowhere near hear figure.
"Ah! I see.. The fame getting to you already huh?"
He smiles, jerking an eyebrow at her quip, "You could say that."
Bella grits her teeth, the boys all still well occupied with surveying the situation. "Rafe I'm on break now!" She removes her apron, finally peeling her eyes away from her competition as she looks up at the boy with her big eyes.
He smirks, running a thumb along her hip, "Yeah I'm talking right now princess, why don't I meet you outside huh?" She glares at him a second, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from commenting on his suggestion.
Topper scoffs, stuffing more gummies into his mouth to keep himself quiet whilst Callum grunts, raising his brows as his eyes darken, holding himself back from standing up and dealing with him right then and there.
Bella doesn't respond, placing her apron on the bar before removing herself from the situation, dragging Topper by the arm off the stool and out the building. The other boys quickly follow behind, all gathering outside for a meeting.
Topper and Kelce both look at one another, exchanging small smirks before snickering, looking back up at the girl and flicking their imaginary hair off their shoulders, "Hiiiiii Rafeeee." They mock, dragging out their words in a whiny put-on voice, as they flick out their hands in the air in a girly manor.
Callum groans, "What's his fucking deal all of a sudden, thought you two were like glue or some shit?"
Bella shrugs, "Don't know, don't care. Why should I, It's not like we're together or anything." She mumbles through a deep sigh.
"No but Bella we all care. He clearly-"
"He's always liked her Top, there's no denying that. That's not my issue. It's just the way he acts like she's better than me."
"Is she?" Kelce questions, not understanding the severity of the situation for Bella.
Hers, along with Topper and Callum's eyes all dart up to him. Callum tilting his head slightly with a smirk, "What was that?"
"No I just mean-"
"It's okay Cal, he wouldn't be the only one to think so." Bella states, shrugging her shoulders. Her words did nothing but piss him off more, with Topper joining the equation by frowning and watching her with concern more than anything.
Kelce nudges her arm with his elbow, darting his eyes to behind the other two boys. She looks up at him before following his gaze, her eyes widening at the realisation. “Shit..” She mumbles, running past them quickly.
“JJ??” Callum spits, Topper and Kelce each taking an arm to hold him back.
“Dude you’re lucky she’s even talking to you right now, just leave it.”
“Hey ma!” JJ raises his arms to let her in, wrapping her arms around his waist tightly as he reciprocates the motion.
“Hey Jayj..” She mutters, nuzzling into his chest.
He frowns, “Bell’s?” She hums in response, not shifting from her position. “Everything okay?” He questioned due to the tightness of her hold.
“Yeah course.. missed you..”
“You sure?” She nods, causing JJ to push her off of himself, “Bells.. I know what’s been going on, John B filled me in. You’re not okay..”
She exhales, slumping her shoulders as she avoids eye contact. She opens her mouth to speak before a loud voice interrupts.
/
“There he is ladies and gentlemen!” Callum expresses, throwing out his arms to introduce the boy walking out the club, “Still got the stick up his ass by any chance?”
“What’s your fucking deal now? And where’s Bella?” He ignores Callum’s remarks as he searches around, Topper and Kelce quickly shifting their bodies to cover the view. Rafe frowns at the two boys, “Dude why’d you blow her off like that?” Callum asks with genuine concern coating his words, taking Rafe’s focus; now the other two boys both frowning, confused why he’s almost protecting Bella when usually the sight of another Pogue would set him off.
Rafe scoffs, turning to Callum with a darkened glare, "How was that blowing her off?? It's not the worst thing I could've done, you would clearly know!"
Callum shoves his tongue to his cheek, laughing breathily as he jerks a brow, "Wanna say that again, pal?"
"No I wanna find my girl."
"She'd be inside, I'm sure you would clearly know that." Callum chuckles, followed by a few snickers from the boys beside them. Their noises directing Rafe's deadly stare towards them before it suddenly softened; hardening again once he realises, pushing past the boys.
"Ay Pogue! This ain't your side of the island!!" He yells, making his way over to the two younger kids.
"Rafe??" Bella stops him quickly by pushing a hand to his chest.
He stares at the blonde a moment longer before his eyes move down to the brunette, "We don't have long left of your break Bell's just come play yeah?"
Her brows dip, nose scrunching as she steps back to place herself beside JJ, "We're a little busy right now 'princess' I'll meet you over there." JJ smirks, hiding it by ducking his head behind Bella
Rafe's lips pull, pushing his tongue to the inside of his mouth as he nods, "A'ight fine look I'm sorry 'kay? Now can we go?"
Bella shrugs, "Depends.."
Rafe frowns, looking between the two as he held back from mentioning JJ's hand against her bare skin beneath her shirt, "I'll pick you up somethin' on the way back a'ight. C'mon.." He reaches out a hand to grab hers, Bella quickly pulling back as she lets out a quiet 'nuh uh'.
"What? That's not it?" His brows furrow, body tensing as he tried his hardest to stay calm, the vein in his forehead growing more noticeable which pulls a laugh from the other blonde.
"Nope."
"Look Bella we-" He checks his watch, sighing through his words.
"Why'd you do it?"
"What?" He questions, oblivious to her meaning.
"Why do you always act like everyone's better than me?"
"I don't?"
"Wrong answer man.." Kelce mumbles as Topper distracts Callum from the conversation. JJ's eyes glued to Bella as he already noticed her tearing up.
//
"She's one of the most sensitive people I know. And don't get me wrong it's for good reason, I've never known someone have more shit happen to them then Bella fucking Brooks. It's just whenever anything or anyone makes her even remotely upset she starts to cry and I want to fucking break them. Bella being happy is the only thing I want in life and she isn't getting that by living with that prick, Callum. I mean look, Rafe makes her unbelievably happy but he's just an asshole and sometimes she realises that, and I'm glad she's not hidden from it or fucking hell would she be in for a fucking ride."
"I'm guessing you don't like the Cameron's very much then?"
"Well to be honest it's not that I don't like them, I mean they do make her happy and I love seeing her happy, like they've genuinely changed her life, you know. But me? Nah they fucking hate me." He laughs to himself, pushing his hair out his face and placing his hat back ontop his head. "So why should I like them if they don't like me huh? Any explanation would be appreciated."
//
“Okay Rafe.. JJ wants to talk, I’ll come join you in a minute!” She puts on a smile, tapping his hand gently before taking JJ’s and pulling him to the side.
Rafe’s eyes widen, just standing there and watching them.
//
“She does that a lot. Not wanting to continue the argument so she just ends it on a light note. But it’s like, I’d rather her argue back and tell me what’s going on in her head, you know. I never mean for it to end up an argument but sometimes I just raise my voice and then get frustrated at myself so it becomes like this cycle. I don’t blame her for not carrying it on and ignoring me but then it just makes me feel worse. I fucking hate that she just lets everything go, like no shout in my face and tell me I’m a horrible person, I deserve it!!”
//
Whilst JJ questions Bella about the previous night and her wellbeing, Rafe and the others grab their golf clubs and set up for the first hole.
/
“Okay sorry ready!” Bella skips over, hooking her hand into Rafe’s which causes him to look down suddenly.
“Everything okay..?” He whispers against her ear and she nods a response.
Bella steps closer to the T, placing her ball and lining up her club. Rafe watches her every move, his eyes skimming over every part of her body yet they didn’t reflect a look of desperation, but a look of guilt.
In Rafe’s mind Bella wore her uniform well: a black mini skirt, with a white half buttoned shirt tucked in. A small white apron wrapped round her waist and a pencil stuck behind her ear. Black maryjanes and white knee high socks. Her hair in a high ponytail with one of Rafe’s SnapBacks keeping it out her face.
She looks perfect. So why am I not happy?
She lifts her club to swing, the boys silent. A quiet ‘clink’ was heard before the boys started cheering and screaming.
The others take their turn until it was time to split off to find their balls. Rafe and Bella’s landed fairly close as they were the best in group.
“Dude she’s fucking good..” Kelce mutters to Topper as they look around for a white ball.
“Tell me about it. You think she’s getting private lessons?” Topper smirks, nudging Kelce’s side with his elbow as he raises his brows.
Kelce snickers, “From Rafe? Yeah wouldn’t surprise me..” He snorts, looking over at the two; Bella stood beside him, looking up at him sweetly as she slowly swayed back and forth. Rafe smirking down at her, hand against her waist.
“Right.. yeah well that’s a yes.” They both laugh, turning away instantly as Rafe catches their eye.
A loud yell was heard coming from inside the club, catching everyone’s attention before Rafe’s realisation kicks in. “What is it?” Bella questioned, concern coating her words as she frowns, grabbing a hold of his hand to stop him from walking away.
“Stay here please.” He orders, yanking himself from her grip and jogging back over to the club entrance. Bella’s eyes follow round to meet the other boys, them nodding to reassure her as she follows after him.
“Ayyyy princess! What you doing ‘ere?” Another unfamiliar face spoke, holding it his hands towards the girl which only caused Rafe to frown, swinging back his head.
His brows furrow, face tensing as he pushes Bella backwards by her arms, “I told you to stay over there..” He gravels softly, only concerned for her and nothing more.
“But it’s only Barry, Ray. It’s not like he’s gonna kill me.” She giggles, shrugging her shoulders as she gives a wave to the other man.
“You don’t know that..” His words don’t change her mind, evident by the way she doesn’t budge a centimetre, “Just.. stay close ‘Kay?”
“Okay!” She bubbles, taking his arm as they step back over to him, “Hey Bear!”
“Hey sweetheart. Your boyfriend here’s in serious trouble you know that?”
“What why??”
“He ain’t paid me back, it’s been two weeks and your man is being stingy.”
“Dude I don’t have the money right now!”
“Yeah well times up I’m afraid, country club. Give me some shit now or you gonna regret it later aight? Ya understand?”
“How much?” Bella questions, letting go of Rafe’s arm.
“It don’t matter Bee stay out of it.”
“I can get you some money Bear! I-“
“Bella!!” Rafe grabs her arm, pulling her back into him forcefully which causes her to whine. “What’d I say? Stay, out of it!”
“But Rafe he’s gonna hurt you.. you can pay me back!”
“He ain’t gonna pay you back princess! Look you ain’t got the money now, I’ll be back, 12 o’clock on the dot. You still ain’t got it? We gotta problem.”
“I’ll sort it alright? Just, I need more time! The money ain’t come in yet!!”
Bella hands Barry a piece of paper, a signature written at the bottom. “Take it. I don’t know. Just leave him be.” Her voice was shaky and quiet.
“Bella..”
“Rafe let me do this for you. I don’t want you to get in trouble again. It’s better to just leave it. Please..” She widens her doe eyes, looking into his own as she juts her bottom lip.
He sighs, looking over at Barry who was smirking down at the piece of paper, “Alright fine Bee.. but this ain’t okay.”
Her lips pull into a soft smile, her head bobbing, “I know, but neither is you getting hurt.” Her words cause Rafe to smile, him admiring her features as he pushes a loose hair from her face.
“Aww you two lovebirds want some space or what?”
“Fuck off Barry you got what you want!”
Barry leaves and Rafe and Bella carry on their game of golf; Bella and Callum being the competitive two who keep heckling one another across the course. Bella however had to leave early to finish her shift so once the boys were done they seated themselves on a spare table inside.
Sofia took care of their table, which earned the boys a few stares and glances every once in a while from their friend. Rafe being sure to keep his distance and keep his eyes to himself, throwing a few snarky complaints every other sentence.
Bella got a message from Ward to say that they’ve gone out for dinner so the house is theirs for the night. Bella and Rafe bring their clothes home with them and on the way they pick up some take out; taking it out onto the Druthers and enjoying their night with the others.
“Ward is gonna kill me..” Bella whispers to Topper, leaning over the seat to get closer whilst her brother was inside. Rafe’s hand was glued to her back, his fingers hooking into her bikini strap to keep her balance whilst she leans forward.
“What why..??” The blonde scrunched his face.
“Because..! I gave Barry all my money and I haven’t paid him back for the house yet..” Topper’s eyes widen, choking on his beer.
“Bella! That was like two days ago he asked for that shit! What’re you gonna do..??”
“There’s nothing I can do..”
“Bee my dad ain’t gonna get mad at you for anything now is he? He ain’t who she’s worried ‘bout Top.” Rafe’s eyes follow inside to meet her brother’s figure as he makes his way out to sit beside Kelce.
“What?” He furrows his brows, watching Bella’s figure.
“Nothin’.” Rafe answers, pulling her up by her strap to make it less obvious to Callum what she’s talking about. She rests back against Rafe’s bare chest, nestling her head into his neck as she closes her eyes.
Topper reaches for Bella’s leg, tapping lightly which causes her to look down at him, one eye open. “I’ll sort it out..” He mouths, giving her a wink before sitting back not waiting for her response.
“Tired girl hm..?” Rafe mutters, placing a kiss to the top of her head as his hand gently rubs against her waist.
Callum rests his head against the chair arm, his arms under his head as he rests his eyes also. Topper watches the ocean and Kelce plays on his phone whilst Rafe enjoys the comfort of his friend’s body against his own.
The land grew darker as the stars appeared like little specs in the sky. The water sat calm against the boat as the temperature cooled. The boys made their way back inside and Rafe carried Bella to the couch.
//
“You can’t tell me that there isn’t something between them Topper.”
“Oh no if you ask me he’s head over heels for her. Don’t tell him I said that..”
“What about her?”
“Well that’s the thing, if you’ve watched the show back you can clearly see she’s like that with everyone. But then again she does have a soft spot for Cameron so I honestly couldn’t tell you.”
//
Like Topper said, this next clip may be an answer to Ryan’s question, but then again maybe not.
Everyone was asleep in the living room, it was now around 2 am and Bella had just awoken; stretching out her body as she scouts the area, quickly noticing someone’s missing. She sits up, looking around as her fingers come up to rub her eyes, trying to clear her vision.
She takes a deep breath as she squeezes her fists together, going round the couch. A light from outside catches her gaze and she follows it to the glass doors where the boy is viewable.
Her brows furrow, her body now covered by one of Rafe’s baggy tops which she assumed he put on her when they came in. She quietly and slowly opens the door, her eyes stuck to the other sleeping boys as she makes her way outside.
Rafe sat himself on a pool chair, his arms behind his head whilst he watched the stars in the sky. After everyone had gone to bed he had spoken to Ryan about the clips from last night; not being able to sleep afterwards so he decided to keep to himself by the pool.
//
“So Rafe you wanted to watch that clip with Bella and Topper from last night?”
“Uh..” He scratches the back of his head, eyes avoiding contact, “Yeah if that’s a’ight..”
“Yeah of course Rafe! Sit down we’ll pull it up now.” Ryan sets up Wards computer so Rafe could watch without any interruptions whilst he places himself in the office chair.
/
“Bells can you tell me what’s going on? I know this isn’t the first you’ve felt like this.”
She sighs, placing herself onto her bed whilst she slides off her shorts to replace them with some pyjama bottoms. “Top it’s fine..”
“No I’m serious. You said you were feeling better!” Topper sits beside Bella, passing her the top that was thrown to the edge of her bed.
She looks down, fiddling with the straps of her vest, “I guess.. I don’t know.. things just never got better..”
“What things? You mean-“
“Everything Top.. with Rafe. With Callum. Even with Ward I don’t know.. it’s just never the same as it used to be and I don’t understand whyyy!!!” She cries, shoving her vest over her eyes to cover her face whilst she let tears stain the fabric.
“Hey hey Bells c’mere.” He reaches his arm round her waist, pulling her into his lap as she curls her legs up to her chest, sniffling into his shirt.
/
“You alright Rafe?”
“Yeah fine.” He couldn’t understand if he was jealous or upset. Either way he hated how he felt and despite wanting to know what happened he didn’t want to carry on watching.
/
“Top I want it to stop.. I want it all to just stop. Why can’t it just be like it used to.. why do they have to change..” She sniffles, stuttering and gasping at every other word. “I miss my best friends Tops.. I want my best friends back..!” She whines, dying for air as her sobs become too uncontrollable.
“Bella I wish I could do something to help but unfortunately they’re both too far gone to change.. I’m always here though I promise.. you can always come stay with me if all else fails..”
“You’re just saying that Top.. Cos Sarah dumped you..”
“I mean it Bells, I’ve always thought of you like a little sister and nothings gonna change that. I’d give you the world if I could!” He strokes her hair, moving it away from her face as his other hand rubs against her back. “I promise that I’d never leave you.. and I can promise that even if it seems like the most impossible thing, Rafe does care about you more than anything, we all know that.. don’t give up on him Bells.. he needs you just as much as you need him. And if anyone can fix this mess it’s you! And I believe that with every piece of me.”
She sits up, her lips pulling as she wipes her face dry, “Thanks Top.. you’ve always been so sweet to me.. but could you stay? Just ‘till I fall asleep? I don’t wanna be alone..”
“Of course I can..” He smiles, speaking gently as he tucks her hair behind her ear. She offers him a smile before tucking herself into bed; Topper leaning down and placing a kiss to her forehead before sitting beside her bed, holding her hand tightly and muttering little reassuring words to help her feel safe.
/
“Thanks Top..” Rafe mutters to himself before quickly exiting the room.
//
“Rafe..?” Bella spoke quietly, “What’re you doing out here?” Rafe’s head quickly turns towards her, smiling softly as he realises who it was.
“Can’t sleep.. go back to bed Bee.” He sits back, groaning as he stretches his limbs.
Bella walks around to sit herself upon the chair next to him, crossing her legs as she faces him.
He looks at her, furrowing his brows, “What’re you doing?”
She pulls a smile to her lips, shrugging her shoulders lightly, “Showing you that you’re not alone!” She reaches over to take his hand, taking a moment to watch her thumb graze his skin, sighing before opening her mouth, her eyes not moving from their joined hands, “Rafe I- I can’t pretend like I don’t see it.. Like I don’t know that you’re hurting. Because I know..” She looks up at him, her eyes already glistening as she squeezes his hand, “I know! And the fact you don’t talk about it hurts because it means I don’t know what I’m meant to do..” Her words tremble as her lip wobbles, her voice cracking as it got quieter the more she spoke. A tear forming in the corner of her eye.
He doesn’t look at her, only rubs his thumb along her palm, him biting his other nails.
“We can turn the cameras off whenever we want. You told me that. You!” She pats a finger against his chest, her words coming out as whines as it became increasingly harder for her to hold herself back from crying, seeing her best friend struggling so bad. “If that’s what it’ll take for you to talk to me then I can make that happen.. Or we can go talk somewhere else like my room at home or something I don’t know, I don’t care I just..” She pauses a moment to take a deep breath.
“Because I know it’s not the cameras Rafe.. You wanted to do this show, you were actually excited about it, you told me that! But it’s those little moments where your smile slips that I can just tell that you’re not okay but if I ask you just push it off.. I just..” Her eyes well up as a tear slips down her cheek, “Your my best friend Rafe!!!” She cries out, lips pouted and wobbly as she tries to speak, “I- I can’t act like there’s nothing wrong just because I know you won’t tell me. I want to know what’s wrong so I can.. I don’t know, talk about it or hold you or something!! Just.. it hurts me Rafe and I want to be able to help you.. please..” She pleads out through her teary voice, her throat drying as she tries to steady her breathing.
Rafe turns away, not being able to keep it all in as he lets go, tears running down his plush cheeks; trying to wipe them away but it not stopping more from forming.
Bella sits beside him, pulling him into her arms as she pats his head lightly, “It’s okay.. I got you..” She rests her head to his own as her hand grazes his hairs against the back of his neck.
He begins to sob; choked up breaths falling from his lips as he gasps for air, soaking Bella’s top in salty tears as he grips onto it with his spare hand.
“I just don’t know what to do.. I can’t do it anymore Bells.. I’m trying.. I’m fucking trying my best..” He chokes into her chest, causing the girl to squeeze her eyes shut, tears falling from her cheeks as she sniffles, trying to hold together for him. Her grip on him tightening without even realising as she pulls him as far into herself as she possibly could not wanting to let go.
“I know you are Ray I know.. and I am so unbelievably proud of you.. but you can do it..! You can I know it.. you’re the bravest and strongest person I know Rafe.. but it’s okay to feel stuck sometimes.. and that’s what I’m here for okay..? I’m here for those moments when you feel like that..” She kisses his head, her fingers running circles along his neck.
“Fuck I need you Bells.. every damn day I feel like without you I’m gonna fuck up and I want to die.. you’re the only person I’ve ever cared about and I.. your the only reason I’m even still here..” His voice was barely hearable as he pushed his face into the soft material, muffling his cracked words; tugging on her top firmly.
“Rafe..” She managed through a gasp of inhale, tugging lightly at his hair as his words cut deeper than intended.
“No I.. it’s a good thing..” He raises his head, glassy eyes already filling again as his cheeks glistened in the moonlight, “I just.. I never wanted to put that pressure on you.. so..”
She blinked at him, “So you never talked about it..” She nods along, finally understanding everything clearer now.
He merely nods; breaking down once again, chest heaving as he tries keeping it back.
Bella’s brows furrow, her eyes welling at the sight of her best friend struggling so hard; she reaches for him, “Hey no let it all out..” She pulls him back into her chest, lightly rubbing his back as she rests her head to his, “It’s okay I got you..”
He falls back against her, squeezing her like she was his only lifeline, like she was the only thing keeping him grounded anymore. He sniffles, “I’m so sorry..”
Bella’s emotions immediately cut short, face contorting in confusion, “What-“
“For everything.. for always pushing you away.. for-“ He cuts her off but she felt herself aching from his words.
“Rafe-“ She tugs at his shirt trying to get him to sit up as she almost begs him to stop.
“Treating you like shi-“
“Rafe!!” She cries, “Stop apologising! For gods sakes Rafe none of this is your fault.. why else do you think I’m still here?? Your dad’s an asshole, your friends are shit, your sisters hate you. Rafe I understand.. so much more than you’ll ever know.. I understand.. don’t you ever go apologising to me again for shit that wasn’t your fault..”
He stops talking, only squeezing his grip tighter as he nuzzles his face into her skin of her neck. “Bella..” He whispers against her skin.
She hums in response, focusing on comforting him as her head rested gently against his whilst her hand caressed the back of his head.
“How do I make it stop..?” He pleads hopelessy, almost begging for the answer, “How do I make the pain go away.. it hurts Bells..” He chokes out in a tear-driven whine, “And.. and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do..” His arms wrap around the girl tightly, digging his face deeper into her skin, “I don’t know what to do anymore..” He croaks, his face hidden in her shoulder.
“I..” Bella searches for an answer but nothing comes to mind as she stutters, “I.. R-Rafe all you can do is push through.. and I- I’m so sorry to say that.. we can get you checked out or you can speak to a therapist maybe.. if I could take it all away Ray you know I would.. I’m so sorry.. I- I feel so useless..” She cries, resting her head onto his, her eyes pushing into his strands as she holds him tightly.
He merely shakes his head, silence falls as they just sit there, she lets him cry it out, letting out small ‘its okay’s and ‘I’m here rafe’s whilst stroking his head, and cuddling him for comfort.
After they both calmed down Rafe sits back up, taking a minute to process his thoughts before speaking. “Bells, you ever um.. You ever had to make like a really tough decision..?” He kept his voice low as he lifted his knees to his chest, he eyes sat on his hands that wrapped around his legs.
Her brows dip as she looks up at him, her hand snaking round his leg as she gently caressed it, “What’re you on about Rafe?”
He shrugs, “Just like you know.. having to do something that’ll affect the way people view you.. How people really close to you see you..”
Bella grew more confused, yet concern fuelled her expressions as she glued her eyes to Rafe’s, “Rafe what’s going on?”
“Nothing just wondering..” He mumbled, leaning his head against his knees.
However Bella persists, “Rafe whatre you being made to do? What’s the decision?” She runs her fingers through his hair, her words causing him to sit up.
“It’s not important Bells..”
She jerks a brow, her face scrunching, “Yes it’s important Rafe! Everything you do is important to me!!”
His eyes widen, finally meeting hers before a sigh falls from his lips, “Bella I’m serious..! I don’t ask a lot from you but please just don’t worry about this a’ight..?”
“But Rafe-“
“No buts Bella! I’m fine..”
She watches him. Watches as his ocean eyes wonder the sky, as his fingers intertwine and pick at one another, as his hair gently shifted in the breeze.
Frowning, she shakes her head, “Rafe..” His attention moves back to her, “You know um.. I have to continuously make the tough decision of staying with Cal everyday.. I don’t know everything that goes on with him. You don’t know everything. No one will.. I don’t want to leave him on his own but I also can’t let myself be treated this way. So I choose to stay anyways because I know I have you.. And if I chose to let him go, I know he’d be alone. And that’s not fair.. There you go.. yes is your answer. Everyday. You’re not alone Ray you never will be.. I promise, okay? Whatever it is you have to decide, I’ll be here. Right by your side through the whole thing. I promise..” She reaches out a hand to squeeze his own.
His eyes glaze her face, admiring her features; her soft plump lips, her brown chocolate eyes, her rosy cheeks that glistened from tears she cried for him.
He sighs, knowing that this decision, if he makes the wrong choice then she won’t be by his side. She can’t promise because she doesn’t know what she’s promising. And if he chooses wrong, they might never see each other again. She understands how hard it is, but she doesn’t understand how much harder it’ll get after he’s made his decision. And yet it’s one he’s going to have to make.
He shuts his eyes a moment, pushing away his thoughts before removing himself from the pool chair. Reaching out a hand to take hers he plasters on a smile, “C’mon Bee let’s go to bed..” She smiles back softly, nodding along to his words as her hand grips tightly around his fingers, not arguing back about the fact he wants to end the conversation.
He takes her upstairs, them both embracing one another in the warmth of his bedroom as they fall asleep tangled together. Neither one of them knowing how much each other needs it at this moment in time.
//
Thank you so much for watching this episode of Keeping up with the Camerons! I know it was a long one but there was so much that had happened today that we didn’t want anything to go unseen! See you again soon to join Rose on her motherly duties and maybe some comfort to today’s happenings..
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