003, pink is way better

( the third chapter )

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Olivine's gaze lingered on Rafe for a moment longer than she intended, her mind replaying memories of late-night talks, laughter, and the undeniable pull they'd once shared. But before she could gather her thoughts, Daniela pulled her out of her thoughts as she thanked the waiter for their drinks and food. Music drifted from inside, mingling with the warm night air that smelled faintly of salt and jasmine.

Kelce's eyes widened at the new profound information, his eyes swept over Olivine, lingering as if trying to reconcile her familiar face with the transformation he was seeing. His expression shifted, eyebrows lifting in an amused, almost disbelieving grin.

"Hold on—you mean to tell me that's Liv Heyward?" Kelce nudged Rafe, his tone equal parts impressed and mocking. "The girl's gone from a wannabe kook to high society, huh? She actually looks—" He gave a low whistle, raking his gaze over her again, his tone turning a bit sharper. "Didn't know Pogue girls could polish up like that."

Rafe glanced up with a lazy, skeptical smirk, eyes narrowing slightly as he took in Olivine's figure hugging dress and sweet smile. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Yeah, I'd heard she was off in Russia or somewhere," he drawled, loud enough for Olivine to hear across the distance. "Guess the tuition fairy paid a visit to the Heywards."

Topper laughed, but his tone held less edge. "Maybe she earned a scholarship or something. Those Russian ballet schools don't come cheap."

Kelce snickered, crossing his arms. "Can't imagine her dad pulling that kind of cash together on his own. Probably had to take out a loan or something. Or maybe she had to work a hundred shifts a week just to make it happen."

Topper shook his head with a scoff before taking a swig of his drink, Rafe leaned back, tapping his fingers on his glass, his eyes still following Olivine as she animatedly spoke to Daniela. Kelce noticed and smirked, nudging Topper. "Look at him—he's practically mesmerized," he muttered just loud enough for Rafe to hear.

Rafe shot him an annoyed glance. "I'm just surprised, that's all," he replied, trying to sound indifferent. "Didn't expect her to come back looking like that. Last I checked, she wasn't exactly high society."

Topper chuckled, shaking his head. "Guess people can surprise you. Maybe she finally figured out who she wanted to be."

Rafe shrugged, but there was a slight tension in his jaw. "Yeah, like the fakest person on this fucking island figured out who she wants to be," he spat, his tone dismissive, though his eyes didn't leave her. He took another sip, as if trying to wash away the discomfort creeping up on him. "She'll get tired of the act soon enough."

Kelce laughed, leaning back with a smug look. "Whatever you say, man. But it seems like she's doing just fine without us."

Rafe shot him a glare. "What's your point?"

Kelce raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning. "No point. Let's just say hi, see how our favourite pogue is doing."

Rafe rolled his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. " Fuck you man" he scoffed. Topper chuckled, finishing off his drink and setting the glass down with a clink. "This'll be good," he muttered, pushing his chair back and getting to his feet.

Rafe watched Olivine for another moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes, before he shook it off and followed Kelce and Topper as they made their way toward her. The crowd shifted around them, laughter and music filling the air as they crossed the room with casual confidence.

As they approached, Kelce took the lead, clearing his throat with a dramatic flourish to get Olivine's attention. "Well, well," he drawled, flashing a wide grin. "Look who's come back to grace us with her presence."

Olivine turned- moving her attention from Daniela to the trio, her expression calm, eyebrows raising slightly as she took them in. Rafe studied her reaction closely, looking for any sign of hesitation or discomfort, but she just met his gaze with a steady, unreadable look.

Topper smirked, crossing his arms. " Welcome back to OBX, Liv how you doing" he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Olivine gave a small smile, tilting her head while Daniela glared at them. Her plump lips turning into a sneer as Kelce slide to sit beside her and Topper on her left while Rafe sat comfortably next to Olivine.

"Im okay, id ask how you are but I don't necessarily care to know" she replied smoothly. Daniela let out a giggle before reaching for her salted wedge, Rafe's eyes swept Olivine's figure once again before turning to glare at her friend.

"You should be a little nicer to us, i mean we just came over to say hi and to see how're doing- you know tryna be civil and you're so defensive while were trying be nice Olivine. Don't they teach you manners back in cut." He uttered watching Olivine eyes flicker from Daniela's to his, her pupils glazing from the top of her eyes.

His scent was overriding her senses, the familiar scent of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanilla and Dolce & Gabbana's The Only Man mixed with the aftertaste of cigarettes and gum. Keeping her calm expression deterred, her calm and composed gaze hardening at very syllable uttered, "Yeah, well it's a shame, I wouldn't know, ive only gone to Kildare Academy. And i have enough manners, to go around just not particularly for you Rafe." She fired back with a serine smile on her face, watching as Rafe's tongue poked his inner cheek.

He unknowingly flexed, hanging his arm around her shoulder - semi inhaling her scent, a a mixture of cherries, vanilla and cinnamon coconut clouded his senses. Daniela watched carefully at their interaction. Seeing how Rafe's arm was carelessly slung around Olivine's shoulder, fingers playing with the ends of her hair, Olivine noticed his touch and pushed his hand away from her hair, Rafe's jaw slackening, his lips turning upwards to a small smile at the sight of her annoyance.

Whilst Kelce chuckled at her disturbed expression, taking one of the fries laid open. Before turning to the blonde."And i mean- what's up with you, Mrs Cameron, what's with the cold shoulder." Both Rafe and Daniela turned to Kelce with a glare, "Never call me that." " Kelce shut the hell up."

The blondes said simultaneously, their words overlapping one another's. Topper raised a brow at their outburst towards Kelace's tease, letting out a sigh before realising a nervous chuckle. "Look, Dani, Liv, we mean you no harm we just wanted to come over and see how're doing after what like a year if not seeing you."

He said raising his hands in surrender." I mean sue us, for trying to be nice. I mean." Kelce raised his glass, before chugging all of its content. "We'll leave you to whatever it was you were doing ladies but we'll see each other soon." He finished off before walking away, Topper trailing behind him, but Re remained seated, still gazing into her eyes, a playful glint sparkling in his eyes. "You can go now, crackhead- no one wants you here."

Daniela said her lips pulled up into a smirk, watching Rafe's muscles tense before he pushed himself into a standing position. "Rafe's jaw clenched, and he narrowed his eyes at Daniela, forcing a mocking smile. "Funny," he said, his voice low and dripping with sarcasm. "Didn't realize i was taking opinions from Piggy, now."

He took a step closer, keeping his gaze fixed on her. "But hey, if I'm not wanted, maybe you're the one in the wrong place."

Daniela didn't flinch, her smirk only widening. Rafe glanced briefly at Olivine, as if daring her to speak up, but she simply watched, her expression unreadable. The tension hung thick in the air, and for a split second, Rafe seemed thrown off by her calm silence.

He moved backwards towards his friends. "But I'll see you at mine tomorrow, Olive !" He shouted a chuckle leaving his lips when Olivine flipped him off, making his way towards his friends near the exit.

Daniela and Olivine shared a brief look. "What an asshole." She uttered towards the blonde, who shrugged "An asshole who seemingly wants that ass." Olivine gasped before grabbing a handful of wedges before throwing them at the cheekily smiling blonde who screamed in shock at the wedges hitting her face.

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Olivine carefully threaded her second earring through, catching her reflection and adjusting the rim of her skirt.She was on the edge of being late for her tutoring session with Wheezie at the Camerons' when her bedroom door creaked open, revealing Pope with an expectant look that immediately told her he wanted something.

"Liv," he began, leaning casually against the doorframe, but his tone had that practiced, persuasive tone that made her immediately suspicious. "Could you give me, JJ, Kie, and John B a ride over to Figure Eight? We need to check something out. It'll only take a second." She turned, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Pope, I literally have to be at the Camerons' in like, twenty minutes. Don't you have a bike or something?"

He shrugged, undeterred. "It's Figure Eight, Liv. A bike would take forever. And it's barely out of the way! You could just drop us off real quick."

"Why can't one of the others drive?" She turned back to the mirror, adjusting her hair as if that settled it.

"Because... they're already waiting outside. And the Twinkies out of gas." He flashed her a pleading look, the kind he only used when he was really hoping to get his way.

Olivine huffed, barely holding back an eye roll. "You guys are unbelievable."

But Pope didn't miss a beat, leaning in with a grin. "Come on, Liv. It'll be like... five minutes. We'll get out of your way so fast you won't even know we were there."

She gave him a sideways glance, shaking her head. "No way. I don't have time for your scavenger hunts right now."

A light thump came from the kitchen down the hall as their mom's voice floated in. "Pope, stop nagging your sister!"

Olivine gave him a smug little smile, folding her arms. "You heard her."

Pope's expression shifted into an exaggerated look of betrayal. "Okay, okay, fine—guess I'll tell them we can't check out the thing that literally only we could see."

"Pope, don't try that on me. I know all your tricks."

"Maybe," he said with a little sigh, "but if you help us out, you'd be the absolute best sister. And I'd owe you one... or two. Or maybe even three."

She raised an eyebrow, pretending to weigh her options, but the playful look in his eyes made her relent. "Alright, alright," she groaned, grabbing her bag. "But only because you said you'd owe me. And you're driving next time, no matter where you have to beg, borrow, or steal a car."

Pope grinned, nodding in exaggerated agreement. "You got it, Liv. You're the best!"

She let out a long-suffering sigh, mumbling as she led him toward the door. "You'd better remember that when I start collecting."

As they walked out to the car, she heard their mom call out again, "And make sure you pick her up when she's done, Pope! I don't want her walking home!"

"Yes, ma!" Pope yelled back before sliding into the passenger seat, everyone else piling into the car, with awkward smiles on their face that dropped the second they saw Olivine's glare.

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After the group dropped her off at the Cameron abode, Olivine pulled up to the Camerons' grand estate, taking a deep breath to settle her nerves as she stepped out of the car. She rang the doorbell, and after a few moments, the door swung open to reveal Ward and Rose Cameron, their smiles courteous but cool.

"Hello, Olivine," Ward said with a nod, his voice carrying that smooth but slightly distant tone that always made her feel as if he were studying her. "Good to see you back."

"Thank you, Mr. Cameron. Mrs. Cameron." She smiled politely, glancing around as she stepped inside. Rose gave her a brief nod, her eyes sharp as she looked Olivine over.

"Wheezie's upstairs waiting for you," Rose said, her voice clipped but polite. "I'm sure she's ready to start." Olivine gave a polite nod, thanked them both, and made her way up the sweeping staircase to Wheezie's room.

The door swung open almost immediately, and Wheezie practically flung herself at Olivine, wrapping her in a warm hug.

"Oli!" Wheezie's voice was bright with excitement. "Oh my gosh, it feels like forever since I've seen you! How have you been?"

Olivine returned the hug, a smile spreading across her face. "I've been good, Wheezie. I missed you too," she replied, laughing softly. "So, you ready to tackle this math review?"

Wheezie groaned, rolling her eyes, but followed Olivine up to her room, rambling about the latest gossip in the OBX as they climbed the staircase. Once they settled in, Olivine laid out her notes and a few extra practice problems, gently guiding Wheezie through each step. Despite her initial resistance, Wheezie was engaged, scribbling down notes and laughing whenever Olivine poked fun at her small mistakes.

By the end of the session, Wheezie hugged her again, looking genuinely grateful. "Thanks, Oli. You make this stuff way easier."

"Anytime," Olivine said with a grin, gathering up her notes and slipping them back into her bag. "Just keep practicing, okay?"

Wheezie nodded and gave her a quick wave as Olivine headed downstairs, where she was met by Ward, who appeared at the bottom of the staircase, his hands folded neatly in front of him.

"Everything go well with Wheezie?" he asked, his tone polite, though his gaze seemed to assess her.

"Yes, sir," Olivine replied with a polite nod. "She's really getting the hang of it."

Ward gave a nod of approval, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "Good, good." He paused before continuing, his voice casual but curious. "Do you have a ride home, Olivine?"

Olivine hesitated, glancing down at her phone. "I'm... supposed to. My brother was supposed to pick me up, but he's not answering right now, so I might just walk."

Ward raised an eyebrow, his polite smile turning into a slightly concerned frown. "Walk? No, I can't have that. It's dark out. Rafe can give you a lift. I'd feel better knowing Kildare's very own primadonna made it home safe."

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Ward called up the staircase. "Rafe! Come down here, please."

A moment later, she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs, and Rafe appeared, his expression stormy. He looked a little disheveled, his jaw tight and shoulders tense as he glanced from his father to Olivine. There was a lingering anger in his eyes, though he tried to mask it under a nonchalant expression.

"Rafe," Ward said, his voice firm but with an edge of appeasement, as if he were smoothing over a disagreement. "Olivine needs a ride home. Make sure she gets there safely, alright?"

Rafe's gaze flicked over Olivine, and he scoffed, his mouth twisting into a smirk as if this were the last thing he wanted to do. But he gave a curt nod, his tone dismissive. "Yeah, sure."

Ward glanced back at Olivine with a reassuring smile. "You'll be in good hands," he said smoothly. "Take care, Olivine."

Olivine forced a polite smile, muttering a quiet "thank you" before following Rafe out the door. The night air was cool as they walked to his car, and she could feel the tension rolling off him, a dark cloud that seemed to linger around them.

They settled into the car, and as Rafe started the engine, silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Olivine focused on looking straight ahead, but she could feel his gaze flicker toward her every so often, lingering a second too long.

Rafe's fingers drummed against the steering wheel, his eyes darting down to her legs as he shifted gears. The light from the dashboard cast a soft glow over her bare thighs, and he swallowed, jaw tightening as his gaze flicked back to the road, though she caught his eyes sliding back in her peripheral vision. Her skirt had ridden up just a bit, and she could feel the weight of his stare tracing the line of her skin.

The air was thick, an odd mix of resentment and something else—a simmering, unspoken tension that neither wanted to acknowledge but both felt.

Finally, Rafe broke the silence, his voice a low, mocking drawl. "I didn't think princesses from the Cut accepted charity rides from people like me."

She shot him a sidelong glance, her expression unimpressed. "I didn't realize arrogant jerks from Figure Eight cared about anything outside their bubble."

Rafe scoffed, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a smirk. "Careful, Liv. That Cut pride might end up keeping you stranded next time."

Her gaze hardened, and she crossed her arms, refusing to let him get under her skin. "I can take care of myself just fine. But thanks for the concern."

He chuckled, a dark sound that filled the small space between them, his gaze once again sliding down her legs before he pulled his eyes back to the road. "Right. Like you're not out here in the Camerons' mansion, tutoring Wheezie for a little extra 'help.' Just admit it—you like being around us."

Her cheeks burned, and she met his gaze with defiance. "You don't know anything about me, Rafe."

Rafe's eyes narrowed, his smirk fading as he held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, an intensity simmering just beneath the surface. "I know more than you think, Liv," he said, his voice soft but with an edge that sent a shiver down her spine.

With that, he focused back on the road, the silence settling back in, now thicker than before, both of them locked in an unspoken, unwilling battle of wills as the car sped through the darkened streets.

Rafe's fingers tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw clenching as he cast a quick, lingering look at her. "And you're still the same Pogue trying to act like something you're not," he sneered, his tone laced with a bitterness that cut through the thick silence between them.

Olivine felt her temper flare, her hand itching to snap back with something equally venomous, but she held her ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her rattle. Instead, she clenched her jaw, turning to face forward, her expression impassive as they rolled to a stop in front of her house.

Without looking back at him, she reached for the door handle, eager to leave behind the tension of the car, of him, and everything he dredged up. "Thanks for the ride," she muttered flatly, pushing the door open, already halfway out.

She strode toward her house, she stepped out, slamming the door behind her, and walked toward her house without a backward glance, though she could feel his eyes lingering on her, long after she'd disappeared into the darkness.

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KIKI SPEAKS;
Y'all this entire chatter is 3.2k WORDS
And im tired i started a 3pm and its now 6pm Berlin time, im sooo tired so im gonna go eat its half editing so if they are any mistakes or smth doesn't add up lemme know !

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