ALWAYS || RAFE CAMERON

13

we'd been woken up at 2pm, by a severely hungover Topper bringing us all brunch from my favourite local restaurant.

"sorry," he'd said, "for last night."

Rafe and i were now at Tanny Hill, outside while he sniffed coke off the seat of his bike.

"Rafe, stop that." i kicked his leg.

"i'll sniff it off you if you're not careful." he kicked me back and finished the line.

"shut up,"

"you should lighten up, Ju, you want some?" he offered.

"and ruin my life, and my looks? no thanks." i scoffed.

we turned, hearing an engine approaching.

it was Rafe's other bike, the one he'd given Barry as collateral.

"fuck. tell me you've got his money, Rafe."
i turned back to him.

he was staring at Barry as if he'd seen a ghost.

"go inside, Juno." he hissed. "inside. now." he repeated when i didn't move.

i rolled my eyes, but walked off, stopping on the porch.

i watched Rafe and Barry exchange a few words, and Rafe shook his head.

suddenly, Barry grabbed Rafe's arm, pressing it to the hot engine, no doubt burning it.

i ran over, grabbing Barry's greasy ponytail and pulling hard.

he whipped round to face me.

"you little bitch!" he let go of Rafe's arm, lunging for me.

i ran and he chased me, leaving Rafe writhing on the ground, clutching his arm.

i sprinted into the house, into the kitchen and grabbed a long knife from the knife block.

i pointed it at Barry, who put his hands up in surrender, backing away.

"you'd better not come here again. and you'd do well leaving Rafe alone, and never calling me a bitch. understand?" i hissed.

he nodded, though a light smirk still graced his horrible face. 

i lunged forwards, cutting a long nick down his arm.

it didn't hurt him, but still drew blood.

he laughed.  "you'd do well to remember i know where Country Club lives." he wiped the blood away.

"get out." i spat.

Barry walked out, shaking his head and laughing to himself.

i followed him, making sure he went nowhere near Rafe.

once he'd gone, i dropped the knife and rushed to him.

"shit, Rafe!" i clutched his arm, which was red and blistering. "what do i do? put it underwater right? come on, i'll get Ward or Rose!" i pulled him up and led him to the kitchen.

"no, Juno, you can't." he winced.

"shit..." i breathed.

if i told them, they'd know Rafe was on the verge of addiction, and most likely kick him out.

i turned on the tap, holding his arm under the cold water.

leaving him to it, i ran to the Cameron's phone, dialling for Hector.

"hello?" he said, picking up on the second ring.

"what do you do for burns?" i demanded.

"Juno?"