payback is a bitch / chapter one

"that dress slipped on and off pretty
easily, remember princess?"

ADELAIDE WALKED ALONGSIDE THE POGUES as they approached The Wreck, also known as their hangout spot since Kiara's parents owned it. They sat at their usual table and waited for their menu's. Adelaide and JJ sat together while John B and Pope sat across from them. Kiara wasn't with them since she usually had to work extra shifts thanks to her parents. Not that Adelaide cared much anyways, being that they always argued when they were together.

"So, you coming to the bonfire tonight?" asked JJ as he wrapped his arm around Adelaide's shoulders.

"Are you going?" Adelaide annoyingly asked.

"Hell yeah! Wouldn't miss it for the world." He confirmed, giving her a smirk.

"Then no." She said unamused, trying hard not to laugh whilst she removed his hand from her body.

"BUUURNN!" John B and Pope barked simultaneously, almost laughing like little girls.

The blonde boy shook his head and let out a sigh. "Well, I guess I'll have to ask Kie. At least she'll say yes."

Adelaide rolled her eyes and put her arm around JJ. "Oh come on blondie you know I lo-"

"Ahem."

They all turned around to see an unamused Kiara standing with the menu's on her hands.

"Took you long enough." John B complained as he took one of the menu's from her hand.

"Shut up. I had like four other tables and I'm the only one working here right now." She complained in a weary tone.

"You look like hell. When was the last time you took a sho-" JJ blurted before being interrupted.

"Cut her some slack guys!" Pope shot back feeling sympathetic for her since his dad also made him do one too many shifts. "Come on Kie, sit with us." He offered, patting the seat next to him.

Adelaide quickly put both her hands up innocently. "Hey, I didn't say anything. It was all them." She pointed to John B and JJ, who both threw her a fake stunned look.

Kiara quickly changed the topic, not wanting to look the girl's way. "So, what were you guys talking about anyways?"

All of them blurted out different answers at once not knowing what to say. Anything was better than saying that JJ was flirting with Adelaide, once again. Kiara wasn't exactly a fan of that, and everyone knew why.

"Our math test."

"Weed."

"Surfing."

"The bonfire."

"Huh?" Kiara mumbled, her eyebrows forced together.

Adelaide looked just as confused as Kiara was. She looked over at the guys before deciding to speak up, since it was clear no one was going to. "We were talking about the bonfire and whether or not we were going."

Kiara made an oh sound before looking at JJ. "Well, we have to go! Are you going JJ?" Kiara questioned him.

"Yup! going with this girl right here." He answered proudly as he pulled Adelaide towards him with his arm.

Adelaide just sat there with her lips in a line. "Yeah. I figured we were all going together. Right guys?" She added in an attempt to make it less awkward. And also because she was clearly not interested in JJ the way Kiara probably was. Yeah he was cute, but he wasn't her type. Even if she was interested in him, she wouldn't do that to Kiara. Friends or not, Adelaide's conscience wouldn't allow that. 

"Awkward.." John B mumbled to Pope.

"Yea we're all going." Pope added.

Kiara quickly stood up from where she was sitting and took the menu's from the table. "Great! So, I'll just come back with your food and drinks and we'll leave for the bonfire. You guys can eat on the way there."

"Bossy, I like that." JJ smirked, his arms resting behind the head roll of the booth. Kiara scoffed, already walking away.

"We didn't even order though?!" Pope called out, almost making it heard across the restaurant.

"I already know what you guys want, the usual!" Kiara shouted back before going out of sight.

Pope let out a sigh. "I didn't want the usual." He murmured.

"It's okay man. Just think about the girls and the booze! Imagine them-" JJ sputtered.

"Hello, did you forget I was here or..?!" Adelaide interrupted abruptly.

"Hello?! Did you forget I don't care?" JJ said in a mocking tone.

"Just stop talking. I'm leaving." She grunted before getting up the booth.

"Where are you going?!" John B questioned his little sister.

"Anywhere but here!" She snapped, glancing at the boys in disbelief.

"Be careful Addie!" JJ advised before she was out of sight.

"Okay mom." She mumbled, already starting to walk outside and looking for John B's beat up Volkswagen.

Adelaide was growing impatient looking for the car as it was almost dark and impossible to see with no light. She eventually spotted the car from afar and starts walking towards it, waiting there for a good few minutes when she suddenly hears a familiar voice behind her.

"Well if it isn't little miss perfect. I was ju- just looking for you princess. I- I have something to confess." A raspy male voice muttered, almost sounding intoxicated by the way his words would come out.

Adelaide turned around to see no other than Rafe Cameron, approaching her as his body stumbled on top of hers in a matter of seconds. At that point, Rafe had passed out on the girl's arms while she struggled to keep him up. She tried getting him off of her, or at least make an effort to help him stand straight, but his body weight and height was too much for her to handle.

"Help! There's a drunk passed out on my arms and I can't hold him for much longer!" She yelled, her arms behind Rafe's back, while his head rested on her shoulders comfortably.

"Damn it Rafe, you really need to shower. You reek of alcohol." She muttered, knowing that he couldn't hear her at all.

"OH Adelaide, you're so right, but I just can't help myself because I am a narcissist psychopath who only cares about himself!" She uttered mockingly in a deepened voice, pretending to be Rafe while she took his arm and waved it around.

"Uh, Adelaide, what the hell are you doing?" A voice questioned her, almost sounding like her brother.

She scrunched her nose and slowly turned around to reveal Kiara and the guys standing there with a confused look on their faces.

"Well are you gonna help me or not?! Because he is huge compared to me and my back is in pain, if you haven't noticed."

John B and JJ quickly helped her off Rafe while Pope and Kiara stood there watching in confusion.

"I'm not even gonna ask." Kiara murmured as she held the bags of food with both hands.

"That makes two of us." Pope agreed.

"Good." Adelaide answered, now free of Rafe's odor.

"No, not good Adelaide. Care to explain what you were doing with him?!" JJ raised her tone at her, pointing at Rafe as John B carried him like nothing.

"Okay, watch your tone dude, she's my sister remember?" John B reminded him before dropping Rafe on the floor.

"I didn't know I had to explain myself, but if you must know, he just came up to me out of nowhere. I was walking to the car when he fell on my shoulders. End of story." She explained herself.

JJ scoffed before putting his arms in the back of his head. "I'm gonna kick his ass when he wakes up."

"Are you okay though?" John B asked, a worried look on his face.

"Yea, I guess. But he reeks of alcohol. Now so do I." She retorted, smelling her shirt and making an ew face. It was like a mix of alcohol and cologne, which was even worse.

"I'm glad you're okay though." Pope added, leaning to Adelaide for a small hug. "Let's get you out of here." He said taking her by the shoulders, Kiara following behind them, sighing with the bags of food on her hands.

John B sighed, "I guess we have to call Ward."

"Do you even have his number?" JJ uttered.

"Dude, I work with the man!" John B yelled in frustration, pulling out his phone while JJ kept his eyes on the passed out Rafe.

"Geez sorry." JJ grunted.

John B's phone rang, but no one answered.

you have reached the voice mail box of Ward Cameron, please leave a message. Oh and if it's about my son, just leave him there.

Well, you heard the man, let's go! We have a party to get to." JJ insisted, already walking away.

John B shrugged his shoulders, following behind JJ "Fine by me."

As they began to walk away, Rafe started to mumble words, but wasn't fully conscious yet. From their point of view, Rafe was just mumbling words and rolling around like a dog. They couldn't quite catch what he was saying, that is until he began saying Adelaide's name over and over, and that's when JJ and John B simultaneously turned around.

"A- Adelaide. Yeah just like that." He moaned, a grin on his face.

Without a second thought, JJ ran to Rafe and punched him in the face repeatedly. "You piece of shit!" He cursed, Rafe still unconscious.

"Woah woah woah, dude stop! It's not worth it!" John B yelled out, taking JJ off Rafe before they got in any more trouble. He knew that this would have consequences, and he wasn't ready for what was waiting for them.

JJ swore, a bloody Rafe on the floor, "That's your sister man, what the hell do you mean it's not worth it?!"

John B paused, debating whether or not all of this was worth the trouble. "Look man, I'm doing this for her. I don't want her to be affected by this over some sick game he's trying to play. He'll get what's coming, just not now. Right now, we're gonna leave him here, get in the car, eat the food kie brought us, have a good time at the party, and then go home and pretend this never happened okay?" He proposed, carefully watching JJ as he waited for an answer.

JJ slowly nodded his head, not saying anything as he walked away, John B following behind him. When they got in the car, none of them said a word. John B started the car and drove off, JJ in the passenger seat, while the rest where in the back. The car ride was awkward enough, now eating their food without talking at all wasn't helping the situation.

With that, Adelaide decided to break the silence before she lost her mind. She cleared her throat before speaking. "So, did Rafe get home safely?"

JJ scoffed. "Why the hell do you care?" He bellowed, John B turning to him and giving him a death stare.

"Geez what's your problem? I was just asking. You don't have to be a dick." She cursed, Kiara and Pope observing while eating, not wanting to get involved.

"I'm sorry. It's not your fault his thoughts are disgusting. I know he just did it to mess with us." JJ blurted out, John B letting out a long sigh.

"What are you talking about?" She questioned him, watching as JJ and John B kept exchanging looks.

"We're here!" Kiara raved, quickly getting off the car, one more minute there and she would've lost it.

"Finally." Pope mumbled, following behind Kiara.

As Adelaide was about to confront JJ, he got off and followed a blonde chick that waved him hello. She decided to brush it off for her sake and his. Her brother made a comment about JJ being a man whore and the rest laughed, Kiara not so much.

They made their way to the sandy beach, where many Kooks and Pogues already stood. It was too dark to see who was there, but as long as she didn't see Rafe Cameron, she wouldn't have any problems.

"So who's up for a swim?" Kiara gushed, already making her way to the water.

John B and Pope nodded, Adelaide shaking her head. "I think I'll just sit this one out, maybe get a drink." She hinted, the others already leaving her behind.

"Ok, but no beer please." Her brother implied before disappearing into the dark water.

"Yes, father. Whatever you say." She mocked in a british accent, making her way to the keg stand instead. She wasn't much of a beer person to say the least. How could anyone ever like beer, it tasted gasoline, she would tell herself.

Next to the keg stand was a small table with a bowl of punch and those red cups you see practically in every teen party. Adelaide grabbed a cup and decided to pour herself some.

As she poured punch on her cup, she heard a voice whisper from behind. "No beer today? Party pooper."

Adelaide turned around to see no other than Sarah Cameron. "Well well well, if it isn't my sister in law." She exclaimed, embracing her in a hug.

Unlike her brother Rafe, her and Sarah got along pretty well. They met a few days after Adelaide first came to Outer Banks. Sarah had defended her after her brother was bothering her for talking to a few kooks. Of course she didn't need the help, but she appreciated it. Ever since then, they had been best friends. One more reason why Rafe despised Adelaide, and why Kiara wasn't fond of her.

"Oh, don't you mean you and my brother? Don't think I haven't noticed how he stares at you." Sarah teased, her arms crossed and eyebrows raised.

Adelaide made a gagging sound at Sarah's comment. "Gross. He stares at me as if he wants to murder me. And I was talking about you and my brother, John B? Hello?! It's so obvious." She said, making Sarah roll her eyes and change the topic instead.

"You know that Taylor Swift lyric that goes, I think they did it but I just can't prove it?" She asked, Adelaide slowly nodding, "Yea?"

"That's what I think of you and my brother." Sarah added as she took a sip from her beer cup, not sure if she was serious or just teasing her. You could never tell with her.

As Adelaide was about to clap back, Sarah abruptly interrupted her. "Speaking of the devil, look who's here." She added, pointing behind Adelaide.

She turned around and saw Rafe about 20 feet away from them, Topper behind him like a lap dog, but of course that wasn't a surprise. What surprised her was the state he was in, his face was bruised and bloodied, and he was walking as if he had a limp. At first she thought that JJ and her brother had done this, but almost everyone had it out for him, so she crossed them out the list. Come to think of it, his dad probably gave him a beating after having to pick him up drunk and passed out. He might have been an ass, but she still felt sorry for him.

On the other hand, Sarah seemed glad seeing her brother like that. "Whoever gave him that beating deserves an award." Sarah muttered, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.

Adelaide kept quiet, not wanting to give him anymore attention. They continued observing Rafe and Topper as they walked in the sand, both of them looking around the beach. It didn't take them long for them to spot the girls, and quickly started walking their direction.

"Shit!" Adelaide whispered, Sarah already walking away, pulling her friend with her. It was no use walking away since the boys were already too close to them.

With that Rafe sped walked, getting ahold of Sarah's arm and pulling it so that they would now face his direction. "Woah, Sarah! Where do you think you're going? Aren't you gonna introduce me to your friend? That's a bit rude of you, don't you think?"

Sarah scoffed before answering. "She knows who you are Rafe, she just doesn't want to talk to you."

"She can speak for herself. So unless I hear it come from her own mouth, I'm not leaving." He nagged, Topper standing quietly next to him as he looked at Sarah.

Adelaide rolled her eyes in annoyance, her eyes landing on Rafe's, and his on her's, accidentally making eye contact. "I don't want to talk to you asshole."

He smirked at her response. "Oh yeah, that's right I forgot. You were never really much of a talker back then were you? If anything you screamed more-"

"What the hell is going on here?!" A voice swore from a distance. They all turned around to see JJ a few feet away from them, fuming from the outside, his fists ready to hit Rafe. She was sure he had heard at least the last sentence Rafe had blurted out.

Rafe laughed, his hands on his chest to insinuate his sarcasm. "Aw, how romantic! Your little boyfriend came to defend you!"

"Shut the hell up man. Addie, let's go. NOW!" JJ grunted, pulling her away from them. Sarah and Topper stood silently while they watched everything happen.

Adelaide didn't say a word as they made their way out the keg stand, mostly because she didn't know what to say. But before they could get some distance from each other, Rafe decided to make a comment for his own amusement.

"Hey remember that party last year? that dress slipped on and off pretty easily, remember princess?!" He smirked, everyone around him hearing the confession.

It didn't take long for JJ to let go of Adelaide and make his way to Rafe, fists practically ready. One second he was next to her, and then the next he was on top of Rafe, already swinging his fists repeatedly. Topper quickly came to Rafe's rescue and got JJ off of Rafe.

The girls felt a slight of relief until they noticed Topper wouldn't let go off JJ. Instead, he started holding him down, Rafe slowly getting up and walking their way. He started throwing punches at JJ, Topper still holding him down.

People gathered around and started to watch, most were entertaining it rather than trying to stop it. Maybe it had to do with the fact that they were scared of Rafe, so trying to stop him was like signing a death wish.

"Rafe, stop!"

"Let him go you assholes!" Adelaide cried, her eyes on JJ, his eyes on her.

"Princess, this doesn't concern you. He gave me a beating, I'm simply returning the favor." Rafe claimed, his legs now kicking JJ's chest.

"Topper let him go!" Sarah screamed, Topper ignoring her demands.

Adelaide knew that screaming wasn't going to help the situation in any way, and the crew was nowhere to be seen so there was only one option left. Fighting him.

She held her head high as she started heading for Rafe's direction. "Hey asshole!" She swore, Rafe quickly turning her way, a punch landing on his face.

"Ouch." She murmured, sobbing her fist while Rafe stumbled to the ground.

She then looked Topper's way and noticed that he had already let go off JJ. She took no time going to JJ, immediately dropping to the floor. JJ just laid there unresponsive, his face completely bloodied.

"I'm so sorry J." She sobbed, carefully caressing his face, his eyes looking at hers but no response.

She hadn't realized that John B, Kiara, and Pope were already in the scene. She was too focused on JJ to realize another fight was breaking in.

"Topper let go of him! If you ever cared about me or loved me, you would let go of him!" Sarah yelled out, Topper ignoring her once again.

Adelaide turned her attention away from JJ and that's when she saw Rafe on top of her brother, but this time he was drowning him. Pope and Topper were throwing fists at each other, while Kiara and Sarah were screaming at them to stop. The rest were enjoying the fight too much to stop it.

At that point, she knew she had to do something, or else Rafe would actually kill her brother.

Adelaide made her way to the Rafe, who was muttering foreign things to John B as he drowned him. Without a second thought, she grabbed Rafe by the shoulders in an attempt to get him off her brother.

"Adelaide, what are you doing stop!" She heard Kiara's voice from a distance, but she ignored her.

Her attempt of course failed when Rafe mistook her for somebody else and accidentally pushed her in the ocean, where she hit her head with a rock. The water started to fill with her blood. She slowly started to lose consciousness, all she could hear were screaming and cries around her.

"Shit, shit!" Rafe stammered, both hands behind his head.

"Somebody call the fucking ambulance." Pope's voice was heard.

"Adelaide!!" She distantly heard John B say as he approached her, taking her head out of the water.

"Stay with me, okay? Don't close your eyes! He cried out, his hand shivering on her face.

But of course she didn't stay. The last thing she heard before her eyes closed, were the screams of people as gunshots were fired.