author's note: this is a double update! read chapter five first!

Attending a kook party felt like a good idea when I was drunk on expensive red wine at Sarah's house, but now that I stand here at the beginning of the driveway up to the expansive house that's almost as big as Sarah's, I'm not sure that it was a good idea.

I hated lying to my friends, but if they knew I was here they'd hate it, and I don't want them thinking I'm a wannabe kook, I'm just prepared to give them a chance. That's what I did with Sarah and that couldn't have gone any better. I know the kooks will never be the people I call my closest friends, but surely it's better to try and tolerate them, especially now we're neighbours.

I'm also very conscious of my outfit, having opted for an outfit I'd wear to a party on the cut, with no desire to conform to the Abercrombie & Fitch typecast that exists on Figure Eight. I decided on a crochet mini skirt and a denim halter top, preferring a seventies esque style. If it were cooler I'd wear boots but instead I've kept it simple with a pair of white converse.

The blonde hair suits my style way more too, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. My parents were surprised and slightly shocked, but when I proceeded to tell them that Sarah Cameron did it they were over the moon. I hope they're not expecting us to be invited to the Cameron residence for dinner, because that won't be happening anytime soon.

"Hey Sidney, what are you doing out here?" I look to my left to see Sarah accompanied by Topper, who I have nothing to say to until he apologises for what happened at the kegger.

"I was just plucking up the courage to go inside." I try to laugh off the awkwardness.

"Well we're here now so just come in with us, I'll introduce you to some friends," She insists, taking my hand and leading me up the driveway, "Your outfit is incredible by the way."

"Oh thank you, I just figured it was best to go with what I feel most comfortable in," I explain, taking more of a look at her outfit, a summer dress with the straps of her pink bikini poking through, "Yours is gorgeous too."

"Thank you, it's Topper's favourite." She gestures to her boyfriend as he walks beside us.

"Hi Topper." I nod tentatively.

"Hi Sidney," He smiles apathetically.

"Tops said he's very sorry about hitting you at the point." Sarah whispers to me, clearly not wanting to revisit the topic with Topper present.

"I'm glad." I nod, knowing it's best not to revisit the situation, as Topper will no doubt stubbornly object to being in the wrong. As we reach the house, the front door is closed, but the sound of music loud enough to suggest the party is very much alive.

"I think Kelce said to go round the back way." Topper tells us, leading the way around the side of the house, bringing a large pool and various crowds of people into view.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to the girls." She assures me, weaving us through the groups of people, Don't Stop The Music by Rihanna playing out of the large speakers on the balcony.

We get to a group of girls all wearing various mini dresses in similar pastel shades. They've all got that clean skin while wearing makeup, thing going on, and before any of them have spoken a word I already feel judged.

"Girls, this is Sidney," Sarah introduces me, "She's just moved to Figure Eight."

I appreciate that she didn't mention that I previously lived on the cut, because that's not a conversation I want to have right now, especially with strangers.

"Nice to meet you," One of them says, and I can tell she lacks sincerity, "You want a drink?"

"I'll have a beer if you've got it?" I tell her before quickly realising that on Figure Eight the girls probably don't drink beer.

"Sure," she nods, grabbing a bottle from the basket behind her, handing it to me, "Sorry, I can't see a bottle opener."

"Not a problem," I smile, approaching the outdoor table and quickly dragging the neck of the wheel down the edge of the table, pinging the cap off in one swift move.

"Okay, that was pretty cool." One of the other girls grins.

"You can take a girl out of the cut," I whisper to Sarah as she smiles with pride.

"I told you they'd warm to you." She grins, taking a cup of something from one of the girls.

"You're friends with the pogues aren't you?" The girl who gave me the drink asks.

"Yep." I nod, seeing no point in bending the truth.

"What's that like?" She asks, "I bet you've got those boys wrapped around your little finger."

"I suppose if I told them to jump they'd ask how high," I tell her, taking a swig of beer, "But if you mean they're all in love with me, you couldn't be further from the truth."

"And you've never been with any of them?" She asks, and I know exactly what she's implying.

"No," I shake my head, "No pogue on pogue macking."

"But now that you're living on Figure Eight you're obviously not a pogue, so who would you choose?" The same girl continues to pester me, and I can tell she's just in search of some cheap gossip.

"None of them," I smile satirically, downing some more beer, "I know where they've all been."

"So there's no one on this island that you've got your eyes on?" She continues, evidently obsessed with other people's relationships because she hasn't got any of her own to talk about.

"If there was, do you really think I'd announce it to you at a party where I hardly know anyone?" I ask, and she instantly looks taken aback, "Think smarter, not harder."

The rest of the girls look almost shocked and the look on Sarah's face says she doing her best not to laugh.

"Hey Sid, you wanna dance?" Sarah asks me, probably hoping we can both escape this conversation quickly.

"I'd love to." I grin as she grabs my hand, weaving back through the crowd where various kooks are dancing, closer to the speakers. The song changes to Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne as Sarah remains holding onto my hand, spinning me before jumping along to the music as we scream the lyrics at each other, subconsciously avoiding the kook two stepping style of 'dance'.

I take another swig of my drink, finishing it and placing it on the table beside us before continuing to dance along with Sarah as she wraps her arm around my shoulder, bopping along to the music before it changes to Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani (ironic, I know).

The two of us sway our hips to the music, gaining the attention of several kook boys who are already on the dance floor. Most of them are smart enough to stay at a distance, probably because Sarah is dating Topper and her brother is Rafe Cameron.

But that's not a problem I seem to have.

I feel a hand brush over my hip as the song changes to Rude Boy by Rihanna, and I know it's not Sarah because she's opposite me and I can see both her hands right in front of me.

Quickly, I look up and realise the face isn't one I recognise, but thanks to the two shots of my parents' whiskey I had before leaving and the beer I quickly drank minutes ago, I'm not really bothered by this.

We sway to the music, his hands guiding my hips but he seems decent enough that he's not pulled me closer in the hope that I'll grind against his hips.

"I'm going to find Topper," Sarah shouts at me over the amplified music with a grin on her face.

"Okay." I smile, continuing to rock to music.

"What's your relationship with Rafe Cameron?" The mystery man whispers in my ear, his cool breath chilling my skin.

"Strictly professional," I giggle, turning to face him and actually getting a proper look at his face, "Why?"

"Because if looks could kill I'd be a dead man," He tells me, keeping his gaze on me.

"What?" I reply, and of course, never one for subtly I look over my shoulder to see Rafe Cameron.

He's got a cup of something in his hand, taking a sip as he focuses his gaze on me, as if we are the only people at this party.

"Just give me a minute." I turn back to the man I've been dancing with before pushing through the crowd towards Rafe, watching as his straight face grows into a smirk.

"So are you just spectating tonight?" I ask as I land in front of him.

"I don't dance." He tells me bluntly with a smirk.

"So you just like to watch, do you?" I tease with a coy smile.

"Not so much," He shakes his head.

"Well how about you tell me what you do like while you fix me a drink?" I suggest.

"I can do that." He nods as I turn in the direction of the bar over in the corner, weaving through the groups of people around us.

Rafe tentatively places his hands on my waist, guiding me through to the bar, and I know that it's him, because when I glance down I see his gold signet ring, catching the light every now and then. His hands are warm against my bare midriff, yet I'm trying my best to hide the goosebumps erupting across my skin at his touch.

I feel like everyone's eyes are on me, and not for the right reasons, but because Rafe Cameron currently has his hands on me.

"What are you drinking?" He asks, pouring some vodka and mixer into a cup and taking a sip of it.

"I'll have what you're having," I tell him, grabbing his cup from his hand and taking a sip, keeping my eyes on him.

"So who was that guy you were dancing with?" He asks, fiddling with his signet ring.

"No clue," I smile, taking another sip before handing the cup back to him, "But he thought you were about to kill him."

"Did he?" Rafe asks, with a grin.

"You weren't jealous, were you?" I tease, stepping closer to him.

"I don't get jealous." He tells me firmly, having another gulp of his drink.

I stand up on my toes, my mouth millimetres from his ear as I whisper, "Tell your face that."

He grabs my wrist, his touch gentle as he pulls me closer, our lips just a couple of inches apart, "I dont know what game you're playing, but I like it," He whispers, "You're like an enigma my head can't quite solve."

"Topper's on the roof!" Someone shouts, tearing my gaze from Rafe as I look up to see Topper wearing just his board shorts, standing on the roof, holding his hand out as Sarah climbs through the window.

"Your sister's up there." I mutter, glancing at Topper.

"That's Sarah, can't stand anyone else being the centre of attention." Rafe sighs with resentment as we watch Topper pick Sarah up.

"We're gonna do it!" Topper exclaims.

"They're gonna jump in the pool aren't they?" I whisper.

"He's so whipped on my sister, it's ridiculous." Rafe mutters as Trooper jumps off the roof and into the pool, clinging onto Sarah, the entire party erupting in cheers.

"That was crazy." I sigh.

"That's one word for it," Rafe replies as Topper and Sarah climb out of the pool, Sarah approaching me with a giant grin on her face, followed by her lovesick puppy of a boyfriend, Topper.

"That was fucking crazy, Sid!" She exclaims, rushing towards me.

"That's one word for it," I remark, noticing that I've copied Rafe, looking up at him the grin on his face tells me he noticed it too.

"Rafe, you're not pestering my friend are you?" Sarah asks her brother.

"He was just keeping me company." I assure her before Rafe can utter an answer.

"Can't have a pogue feeling uncomfortable at a party on Figure Eight, can we?" Rafe says to her as he trails a hand up my back, grazing his fingertips over the bottom of my spine, just out of view of Sarah and Topper, yet covering me in goosebumps again, and at this point I'm convinced he's doing it because he knows how it'll affect me.

"I'll be back in a bit, we're heading upstairs," She tells me with a small smile, "Rafe, play nice."

"Always." Rafe smirks as his sister and Topper head back inside the house.

"What were you saying about me playing a game?" I quip, turning to face Rafe.

"Oh, I wasn't playing a game," He tells me with a smirk, "I just like seeing the way your body reacts when I touch you."

"I need something stronger than this." I gesture to the drinks on offer beside us before weaving my way back into the house, my heart feeling like it could burst out of my chest at any moment.

I quickly find the kitchen which is littered with various bottles and there are a few people in here, but it's quieter than it was outside. I grab a bottle of vodka and pour more than a double into a cup, searching the counter for something to mix it with before ultimately deciding to drink it neat.

I can't be flirting with a kook like this, especially not Rafe fucking Cameron. If my friends found out about this they'd never let me live it down, and they'd all think I'm insane.

Kiara would hate that he's Sarah's brother, Pope and John B would hate that he's a kook, and deep down I think JJ would hate that he's Rafe Cameron and not him.

I spend the next ten minutes hiding out in the kitchen, well I suppose you can hardly call it hiding out when you're sitting on the counter in a kitchen busy with people coming and going, but I've not returned to the garden to find Rafe and he's not come in here to find me.

"Sidney," I look up from my drink to see Sarah in front of me, a blank yet anxious look on her face. 

"Hey, you okay?" I ask, hopping off the counter.

"Can we go?" She whispers.

"Is everything okay?" I question, noticing her smudged eye makeup and lack of lipstick.

"Not here," She says, "I don't want to talk about it here."

"That's okay," I assure her, "Do you want to come back to mine, or do you want me to take you home?"

"I should probably go home, but you can stay the night if you don't want to walk home in the dark." She tells me tentatively as I lead her out of the kitchen and through the front of the house, deducing that it'll probably be quieter than going through the garden.

Thankfully this house is on the same street as Sarah's, so after walking to the end of the street we arrive outside her house. She types a code into the keypad on the side of the gate which quickly opens and we head up the driveway. She barely spoke on the walk home so I respected that, and avoided small talk.

"Dad and Rose are probably asleep so we'll need to be quiet." She tells me as she slowly opens the front door, letting me in first and then closing it behind her.

We tiptoe upstairs, reaching Sarah's bedroom and closing the door softly as she heads to the dresser, grabbing a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt, "I'm just going to get changed and take my makeup off." She assures me before heading into her en suite.

While she's in there I notice the various photo frames on the wall above her dresser. There's some photos of her with friends from school, as well as a couple of family photos. One is a picture of Sarah and Rafe when they were younger with a pregnant woman who I assume is their mum. Another picture shows a younger Rafe cradling a newborn baby, who must be Wheezie, with Sarah sat beside him, both of them with the biggest smiles on their faces.

The door opens and Sarah reappears with a fresher face and her hair tied up in a loose bun, "Hey," she smiles as she perches on the edge of her bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask, sitting beside her.

"I told Topper that I was ready," She explains, "And I thought that I was, but clearly I wasn't."

"He didn't force you to do anything, did he?" I look at her with a concerned face.

"No, not at all," She says, "He told me he loves me, and I didn't say it back."

"That's okay, you don't have to say it if you don't feel ready, just because he did." I assure her, squeezing her hand.

"And what if I don't feel it at all?" She questions, looking at me with worry, "What if I don't even love him?"

"Then you shouldn't be with him if you're just doing it for the sake of convenience," I tell her firmly, realising she probably hasn't had definitive advice in a long time, "It's not fair on you or Topper to try and keep something afloat for the sake of it."

"I know," She whispers, wiping her damp eyes.

"You'll be okay though, you're a strong lady Sarah Cameron." I assure her, gently squeezing her hand.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The smell of fresh pancakes stirs me from my sleep as I roll over to see Sarah still fast asleep. We both fell asleep pretty quickly last night, and Sarah seemed like she definitely needed the company so I decided to stay. She gave me a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to wear in bed, rather than my party clothes.

I check my phone to see loads of messages from JJ, Kie, John B and Pope, reminding me that I've barely been in touch with them since before the party.

I click on JJ's contact to call him, hearing it ring once before his familiar voice answers, "Sid, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, sorry I had an early night last night, I've only just seen the messages, is everything alright?" I whisper, not wanting to disturb Sarah.

"Yeah, we're going to use the drone today, do you want me to pick you up?" He asks and my heart quickly plummets to my stomach.

"No," I insist, "I'll get ready and meet you at the chateau, I'll be as quick as I can."

"Okay, well we'll see you soon." He replies.

"See you in a bit." I reply, ending the call. 

"Everything okay?" I hear Sarah mutter from beside me.

"Yeah, JJ was just worried because I didn't answer his calls," I explain, "I'm probably going to head over there now, unless you need me to stay."

"No, it's fine, and I really appreciate you being here last night." She insists.

"It's okay," I smile, "Do you mind if I borrow some clothes? I'd wear my outfit from last night but I don't really want the entirety of the male population of Figure Eight gawping at me as I walk home."

"Of course," She smiles, "Help yourself to anything in the dresser."

I open one of the drawers and pull out a cropped white vest and a pair of blue denim shorts. I quickly get changed and comb my fingers through my hair before putting my shoes on.

"I'll see you soon," I tell Sarah as she remains in her bed, "Please call me if you need to talk."

"I will," She smiles softly, "Thank you, again."

I slip out of Sarah's room and head down the hallway, the sound of a door opening startles me before I look over my shoulder to see Rafe coming out of his bedroom, wearing gym shorts and a vest.

"Twice in one week, people will start talking." He smirks when he notices me.

"Funny." I purse my lips, before turning on my heel and making my way towards the stairs.

"Where did you get to last night?" He asks me, following me down the stairs.

"Sarah needed me." I tell him.

"Did she?" He asks as we reach the bottom of the stairs, "And I didn't get a goodbye?"

"You can have one now, because I've got to go," I explain, "So goodbye."

"I meant a proper goodbye," He smirks, stepping closer to me.

"I'm not sure you've earnt one of those." I reply, folding my arms across my chest as I notice Ward Cameron appear from behind Rafe.

"Son, are you going to introduce me to your friend?" He asks, causing Rafe to turn and glance at him.

"Oh, I'm not, I was here with Sarah." I answer before Rafe can.

"I didn't know Sarah had any friends here last night," Ward replies, "Wheezie said she wasn't feeling well."

"That's right," I nod, quickly catching up with the lie, "She texted to say she wasn't feeling great, so I stopped by to see her last night and then we ended up falling asleep."

"That's very good of you," Ward smiles, "I don't think we've met before, what's your name?"

"Sidney, Sidney Monroe," I tell him, "Actually, last time I was here I left my bike behind, you wouldn't know where it is would you?"

"Yea, it's in the garage to the side of the house," He tells me, "Rafe, go and help Miss Monroe here with her bike."

"Thanks." I smile awkwardly.

"Not a problem at all," He smiles as I follow Rafe outside, "It was a pleasure meeting you."

"You too." I nod, closing the door behind me and hurrying to catch up with Rafe

"Lying to my dad? We're more alike than I thought." He smirks as he opens the garage door.

"I prefer to call it spinning the truth." I smirk as he wheels my bike out from the garage.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sidney." He sighs as I take my bike from him.

"I'll see you around," He replies as I climb onto my bike and begin pedalling down the driveway.

"I'm sure you will." I call out.

After a frantic cycle across Figure Eight and some of the cut I make it to the chateau, dumping my bike against one of the trees before I run down to the deck where my friends are waiting for me, Kiara and John B in the water with the drone

"Morning campers." I call out to get their attention.

"Hey Sid," JJ smiles, "How's things in Kooksville?"

"Kooky," I answer simply, "Are we going out to the wreck today?"

"It doesn't look like it." JJ sighs, "See over there," He points to a group of dark grey clouds, "That's one heck of a storm brewing."

"So what's happening now then?" I ask the group.

"We're playing the waiting game." John B sighs.

authors note: hope you loved this chapter - sidney's first (and definitely not last) kook party!

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