053. private plane landing

( the fifty third chapter )

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The flight back to Kildare was quiet, each mile closing the distance between Olivine and the life she had briefly escaped. Daniela had fallen asleep in the seat beside her, her head tilted awkwardly against the window. Mariah and Donna sat a few rows ahead, talking softly about dinner plans and the errands they needed to run once they landed.

Olivine stared out the window at the clouds, her thoughts swirling. Princeton had been everything she hoped it would be, maybe even more. The campus, the people, the opportunities—it all felt right, like a glimpse of the future she'd been working so hard to reach.

But now, reality loomed. And reality, as always, included Rafe Cameron.

When they landed, Daniel was waiting for them at the Rutherfeld private hangar, his smile warm and welcoming as he helped load their bags into the car.

"How was it?" he asked as they pulled out onto the main road.

"Perfect," Mariah answered. "I think Olivine's found her place."

Daniel glanced at Olivine in the rearview mirror. "That's what I like to hear. And you, Liv? Feeling good about it?"

She nodded, her smile small but genuine. "Yeah, I think so. It felt... right."

"Good," Daniel said with a nod. "We'll have to celebrate once the acceptance letter comes in. It's practically guaranteed."

Daniela snorted. "Practically? The dean was ready to roll out a red carpet for her."

The car filled with light laughter, and for a moment, Olivine felt like she could breathe again.

Back in Kildare, the familiar sights of the island greeted her as they drove home. The winding roads, the small-town charm, and the ever-present buzz of the Outer Banks' summer crowd were all as she remembered them.

But as they passed the country club, Olivine's chest tightened. The memory of Rafe's outburst replayed in her mind, vivid and sharp. She turned her head away, pretending to admire the ocean view.

Once home, she unpacked quickly, eager to distract herself. Daniela stayed for dinner, and Mariah ordered pizza, the three of them settling on the couch to watch a cheesy romantic comedy.

But even as they laughed and teased each other, Olivine couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Would Rafe try to contact her now that she was back? Would he even care?

Her phone sat silent on the coffee table, mocking her.

Later that night, as she lay in bed, her thoughts drifted again to Princeton, to the future she could have there. But with it came the weight of what she was leaving behind—the mess, the drama, the unresolved feelings she wasn't ready to face.

Her phone buzzed, and her heart jumped. She grabbed it quickly, only to see a message from Daniela.

daenaerys: U alive? Wanna do breakfast tmrw? Or are u too tired from ur princess tour?

Olivine sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips.

martinolive: You're lucky I like you. Pick me up at 9.

Setting her phone down, she rolled over and closed her eyes, willing sleep to come.

But the unease lingered, a quiet reminder that some things couldn't be left behind so easily.

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The sun beat down warmly as Olivine and Daniela strolled into the country club, fresh from their trip to Princeton. The week had been a whirlwind of campus tours, meetings, and long conversations with the dean about Olivine's promising future. Despite the excitement, she was happy to be back in Kildare, though her nerves tingled at the thought of returning to familiar territory—and familiar faces.

Daniela, wearing oversized sunglasses and a breezy summer dress, hooked her arm through Olivine's. "It's so good to be back. I missed my bed, my pool, and my tolerable friends."

Olivine rolled her eyes. "Not me, though, right?"

"Eh, you're barely tolerable," Daniela teased, bumping her hip against Olivine's.

As they approached the club's outdoor patio, the smell of fresh coffee and pastries wafted through the air. The sound of clinking glasses and soft laughter filled the space, blending seamlessly with the hum of polite conversation. It was a typical weekend morning at the club—calm, sophisticated, and utterly Kildare.

Olivine scanned the area, taking in the sight of familiar faces seated under large umbrellas or lounging by the pool. She hadn't been here since the confrontation with Rafe, and a part of her hoped to keep it that way. But fate, as always, had other plans.

"There he is," Daniela whispered, nudging Olivine.

Her stomach dropped as her gaze followed Daniela's. There, standing by the bar with a drink in hand, was Rafe. He looked the same and yet different—his usual composed confidence seemed slightly frayed at the edges. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his hair tousled as though he'd been running his hands through it all morning.

Olivine stiffened. She had hoped to avoid him, at least for a little while longer. "Let's just grab our food and go," she muttered.

Daniela raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Fine. But if he starts something, I'm calling for backup."

They made their way toward the counter to place their order. Olivine did her best to focus on the menu, ignoring the prickle of awareness that told her Rafe had spotted her.

"Liv," his voice cut through the air like a knife.

She flinched but didn't turn around. Daniela, however, spun on her heel, her arms crossed. "Not the time, Rafe," she said sharply.

He ignored her, his eyes locked on Olivine. "I need to talk to you."

Olivine took a steadying breath before finally facing him. "What is it?" she asked, her voice steady but cool.

"You went to Princeton."

"Yes," she said simply, her tone detached.

"With her," he said, nodding toward Daniela. "But not with me. You couldn't even tell me you were going?"

Daniela snorted. "Are you serious right now? Like you deserved to know?"

"Stay out of this, Daniela," Rafe snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Excuse me?" Daniela shot back, stepping closer. "You don't get to tell me what to do. Especially not when you're making my best friend's life harder than it needs to be."

Olivine sighed, placing a hand on Daniela's arm. "It's fine. I can handle it." She looked back at Rafe, her expression unreadable. "What do you want, Rafe? An apology for not running my decisions by you? Because that's not happening."

He clenched his jaw, his eyes darting between her and Daniela. "I just—" He cut himself off, raking a hand through his hair. "Forget it."

"Gladly," Daniela muttered under her breath, grabbing Olivine's arm. "Come on, Liv. Let's get out of here."

Olivine hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Rafe. There was something raw in his expression, a mix of anger, regret, and something she couldn't quite name. But she couldn't let herself get pulled back in—not after everything.

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there as Daniela muttered curses under her breath.

As they headed to the car, Daniela shook her head. "You're way too nice to him, you know that? He doesn't deserve it."

"I know," Olivine said quietly, though her heart ached all the same.

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As Olivine and Daniela reached the car, the tension from their encounter with Rafe still hung thick in the air. Daniela unlocked the doors with a sharp click, sliding into the driver's seat as Olivine silently climbed in beside her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Daniela tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, clearly trying to hold back another rant about Rafe. Olivine stared out the window, her mind replaying the look in his eyes—a mixture of frustration and something deeper, something she didn't want to admit she still cared about.

Daniela finally broke the silence. "You okay?"

Olivine nodded, though the tightness in her chest betrayed her. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Daniela shot her a skeptical glance. "You don't have to be fine, you know. He's a mess, Liv. It's not your responsibility to fix him."

"I know," Olivine said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just...complicated."

Daniela snorted as she started the engine. "Complicated? That's the understatement of the year. The guy's toxic, Liv. And let's not forget what happened at the club last time. If I were your mom, I'd have had him banned from the premises."

Olivine sighed, leaning her head against the window as the car pulled out of the lot. "I don't know why I let him get to me. I shouldn't care."

"But you do," Daniela said, softer this time. "And that's okay. Just don't let it ruin you. You've got too much going for you to get dragged down by his drama."

Olivine nodded again, though her thoughts were miles away.

As they drove through the familiar streets of Kildare, the car was filled with a heavy silence. Olivine's phone buzzed in her bag, breaking the quiet. She hesitated before pulling it out, half expecting to see Rafe's name.

But it wasn't him.

mama: Dinner tonight at 7. Don't be late. Daniela's invited too.

Olivine exhaled, relieved and disappointed at the same time. "It's my mom," she said, holding up the phone for Daniela to see.

Daniela grinned. "Perfect. I could use some of Mariah's cooking."

By the time they reached Olivine's house, the tension had eased slightly. Daniela parked the car, and they both climbed out, heading up the driveway. Mariah's sleek sedan was already in the garage, and the smell of something delicious wafted from the open kitchen window.

Inside, Mariah greeted them with a warm smile. "There you are! How was the club?"

Olivine hesitated, exchanging a glance with Daniela, who quickly stepped in. "Same old, same old. Nothing worth mentioning."

Mariah raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, get cleaned up. Dinner's almost ready."

As Olivine made her way upstairs, she couldn't shake the feeling of unfinished business. Rafe's words, his expression, the way he looked at her—it all lingered in her mind like an unresolved melody.

She dropped her bag on the floor of her bedroom and sank onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Part of her wanted to call him, to demand an explanation for his behavior, to understand why he was so intent on making her life more difficult. But another part of her—the part she was trying to listen to—knew better.

For now, she needed to focus on herself, on her future. Rafe Cameron could wait.

Downstairs, the sound of laughter and clinking dishes reminded her of the life she wanted to build—one filled with stability, love, and people who truly cared for her. She just hoped she was strong enough to keep walking away from the chaos Rafe brought into her world.

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After dinner, Olivine sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. The house was quiet now; Daniela had gone home, and Mariah was downstairs finishing up some work. The events of the day replayed in her mind—Rafe's scowl at the country club, the way he had looked at her like he was angry but also something more.

She sighed, opening her messages. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but the words formed in her head before she could stop herself.

Olivine: Meet me at the docks. Tonight. 10:30.

Her finger hovered over the send button, her heart thumping in her chest. What was she even going to say to him? Part of her wanted to yell at him, demand answers, and the other part just wanted to understand why he was the way he was. Why he always managed to pull her back in, even when she knew better.

With a deep breath, she hit send.

The reply came faster than she expected.

Rafe: Why?

Olivine bit her lip, typing back quickly.

Olivine: Because I need to talk to you.

There was a long pause before his response came through.

Rafe: Fine.

She set the phone down, her chest tightening. This was a bad idea, but it was already in motion.

By 10:15, she was out the door, her sandals crunching softly on the gravel as she made her way toward the docks. The night was quiet, the air cool and tinged with salt. The water lapped gently against the wooden beams, the moonlight casting silver ripples across its surface.

She spotted him leaning against one of the posts, his posture tense, his head turned toward the water. His boat was tied up nearby, bobbing slightly with the tide.

"Rafe," she called softly as she approached.

He turned, his expression guarded but not as hostile as earlier. "What's this about, Liv?"

She stopped a few feet away, crossing her arms. "I don't even know where to start. I just... I needed to see you."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "You sure? Last time I checked, you couldn't get away from me fast enough."

Her jaw tightened. "I wasn't the one causing a scene at the country club."

"Yeah, well, maybe if you'd stop running away every time things get tough, we wouldn't be having this conversation," he shot back, his voice laced with frustration.

"Do you even hear yourself?" she snapped. "You're the one who keeps pushing me away, who keeps acting like you're the only one with problems!"

Rafe laughed bitterly, stepping closer. "You think I'm just acting, Liv? You think I don't have real—" He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair. "You wouldn't get it."

"Then explain it to me!" she said, her voice rising. "Because I'm tired of trying to figure it out on my own. You act like you care, and then you blow up on me. You act like you want me around, and then you treat me like I'm nothing. So which is it, Rafe? What do you want from me?"

He stared at her, his jaw tight, his eyes stormy. For a moment, she thought he might actually tell her. But then he looked away, his hands clenching at his sides.

"You should go," he muttered.

Olivine felt a lump rise in her throat. "Fine," she said, her voice trembling. "If that's what you want."

She turned to leave, her heart pounding painfully in her chest.

"Wait," he said suddenly, his voice softer.

She froze, her back still to him.

"I don't... I don't want you to go," he admitted, his tone raw. "But I don't know how to... fix this. Fix me."

Olivine turned back slowly, her expression softening. "You don't have to do it alone, Rafe. But you have to let me in. You have to trust me."

He hesitated, his shoulders sagging slightly as he met her gaze. "I don't know if I can."

"Then try," she said simply.

For a long moment, they just stood there, the silence filled with the sound of the water and the distant hum of the wind. Finally, Rafe nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement.

"I'll try," he said quietly.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Rafe stepped back slightly, his shoulders tense as if he'd said too much. Olivine didn't press him. She had learned by now that with Rafe, pushing only made him retreat further. Instead, she took a cautious step closer, the sound of her sandals on the wooden dock echoing softly.

"Good," she said simply, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside her. "That's all I'm asking."

Rafe's jaw clenched, his gaze drifting to the dark water. "You make it sound easy," he muttered, almost to himself.

"It's not," Olivine replied. "But shutting everyone out hasn't exactly worked out for you either, has it?"

His eyes snapped back to hers, sharp and defensive, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he let out a breath, his shoulders slumping.

"This whole thing... it's messed up, Liv," he said, running a hand through his hair again. "Me. You. All of it. I don't even know what I'm doing half the time."

Olivine tilted her head, studying him. "Maybe stop trying to figure it out alone," she said softly. "I know you don't want to hear this, but you need help, Rafe. Real help. From someone who knows what they're doing."

He flinched at the suggestion, his defenses flaring back up. "You think I need a shrink? Is that it?"

"Yeah," she said bluntly, refusing to back down. "I think you do. And that doesn't make you weak or broken, Rafe. It makes you human. But if you don't deal with this—whatever it is—it's going to destroy you. And I... I don't want to watch that happen."

Her voice cracked slightly on the last words, and Rafe's eyes softened, guilt flickering across his face.

"You shouldn't care so much," he said, his voice low. "It'd be easier if you didn't."

"Maybe," Olivine admitted. "But I do. So what are you going to do about it?"

Rafe stared at her, his face a mixture of frustration and something deeper, something vulnerable. For a moment, she thought he might lash out again, but then he sighed, his shoulders dropping further.

"I'll think about it," he said finally, his tone begrudging but sincere.

"Good," she said, her lips quirking into a small, hopeful smile.

They stood there in silence for a few moments, the tension easing just slightly. Olivine wrapped her arms around herself, the cool night air biting at her skin.

"Do you want to sit?" she asked hesitantly, gesturing toward the edge of the dock.

Rafe hesitated, then nodded. They walked to the edge together, sitting side by side with their legs dangling over the water. For a while, neither of them spoke. The sound of the waves and the occasional creak of the dock filled the silence between them.

"Princeton, huh?" Rafe said suddenly, his voice quieter now.

Olivine glanced at him, surprised. "Yeah," she said softly. "It was... amazing. The campus, the people, everything. I think it's where I'm supposed to be."

Rafe nodded, his gaze fixed on the water. "You're gonna kill it there," he said, and despite the gruffness in his tone, there was a sincerity that caught her off guard.

"Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

They lapsed into silence again, but this time it felt less heavy, like a fragile truce had been formed.

"I should get going," Olivine said after a while, glancing at her phone. "It's late."

Rafe nodded, standing up and offering her a hand. She hesitated for a split second before taking it, his grip warm and steady as he helped her up.

"Thanks for coming," he said awkwardly, stuffing his hands into his pockets once she was standing.

"Thanks for meeting me," she replied, giving him a small smile.

As she turned to leave, she paused, glancing back at him. "Rafe... don't wait too long to figure things out, okay? Life doesn't stop for anyone."

He nodded, watching her walk away until she disappeared into the darkness.

Rafe stayed on the dock long after she was gone, staring out at the water and replaying her words in his head. Maybe she was right. Maybe he couldn't fix this on his own.

But admitting that—taking the first step—that was going to be the hardest part.

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KIKI SPEAKS ;
not edited !!

its officially 2025 and i've already spent money but it was for a good reason it was to watch Mufasa- really good and i loved seeing the SA culture in that movie it was like being home.

word count : 3.2k

ENJOY !!
xoxo kiki 💋💋