"Seein' you tonight, it's a bad idea, right?"

[POV: June]

WORKING IS THE DEFINITION OF ANXIETY. I knew it was hard, but I didn't expect it to have me crying and shaking in a bathroom. Even though I was doing good, I still feel pressured. Not from Heyward, just by myself.

It's hard to explain I guess, hopefully you get what I'm talking about. I just have a hard time socializing with people, I get nervous around them almost fearing that I'll fuck things up with them. John B's friends are all outgoing, they made me feel outgoing too, when we all hang out they just go crazy.

I stood up from the bathroom's floor, stepping in front of mirror to take a look at myself. My eyes were already puffed up, my cheeks red as a tomato and my fingers had began to hurt over how hard I had been poking them.

I took water on my hands, splashing the liquid on my face to try and clean my tears. A slight knock startled me, making me turn towards the door.

June: "There's someone in here!" -I shouted, grabbing some paper towels quickly.

Kayla: "Yeah it's just me! Are you okay?"

I sighed, trying my best to calm down to try not worrying, Kayla. I grabbed the door handle opening slightly, seeing the girl's expression filled with worried thoughts surrounding it.

June: "I'm okay, what's up?" -I asked, making her cross her arms, almost annoyed.

Kayla: "Stop lying to me, June. I've known you my entire life, I know when you're happy. And I especially know when you're sad. So, what's up?"

My hands kept trembling rapidly, only for me to place them behind my waist so Kayla, wouldn't notice.

June: "I'm fine, let's just get back to work, alright?" -I said, smiling at the girl making her sigh.

Kayla: "Alright, but you better tell me what's going on with you after."

She demanded, pointing her index finger at me in between her sentence. We walked over to the main part of the shop, seeing Topper and Sarah, inside. Almost making me instantly see Kayla's smile dropping.

Kayla: "Shit." -she mumbled, docking down quickly.

I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. But as soon as I was about to speak to Sarah, I was pulled down by, Kayla.

June: "What the hell are you doing?!" -I whispered, the girl closed her eyes shut trying to breathe.

Kayla: "I don't want to talk to neither of them, first she stops being friends with me. Then soon after, out of literally nowhere starts dating MY brother."

The girl peeked seeing the pair, speaking to another girl that worked at the shop. I stood beside her, peeking as well to see what could the two be ordering.

Kayla: "I guess the freaking beach cleanup ended already. I didn't know they were gonna come here."

June: "Wait so, you aren't on a good relationship with your own brother?" -I asked, still looking over to Sarah and Topper's direction.

Kayla: "Nope, not at all. Well, we've technically never had a good bond before. He literally became friends with my childhood boyfriend. Kelce, remember him?"

Kayla: "He's literally stolen all of my past friends from me, anything that belongs to me? He steals it. After I stopped being friends with Sarah, he decided to ask her out."

June: "Wait but didn't he and her dated like since the third grade or something?"

Kayla: "Well technically yeah, but that wasn't even a real thing! They were kids, we were kids!" -she replied, making me nod in agreement.

Heyward: "What the hell are you doing in there?"

We both turned our heads quickly, Heyward, staring at us with a confused expression.

Topper: "Yo! Look who it is! My freaking Sister."

Kayla: "Great." -she mumbled, turning around to face Topper, who had a smile on his face.

Heyward: "Kids keep getting weirder each day, I swear."

Heyward, then walked away leaving both of us alone with, Topper and Sarah. We all exchanged glances with each other, awkward silence filled the air pretty much.

Kayla: "What are you doing here, Topper?" -she asked, crossing her arms while death staring the blond haired boy.

Topper: "What? Can't come to support my little sister's work shop?"

He smiled, making the girl roll her eyes while looking over to me.

Sarah: "June, you work here now?" -she asked, placing her hand on Topper's chest.

I noticed Kayla, rolling her eyes again as she walked over to the desk to get a plate filled with seafood.

June: "I- I'm only on practice day, pretty much. I still don't know if I'm getting the job or not." -I replied, receiving nods from, Sarah.

Topper: "Is your brother also working here, now that he doesn't work at a Kook spot?"

Sarah: "Topper, stop."

June: "What is that supposed to mean?"-I asked, stepping closer to him making Sarah, stand between us.

Sarah: "June, just get back to work. Don't ruin your first day, alright?" -she suggested, making me scoff.

June: "Why are you defending him? He literally just talked shit about my brother."

Topper: "I was just wondering something, I didn't say anything wrong! I mean, this is literally a Pogue spot. Am I right or am I wrong?"

My mouth opened widely, making me hold a grip of one of the plates I had grabbed. Sarah, looked down to my hand noticing instantly, her head shook side to side.

Sarah: "June, please just calm down. Topper, let's go! Stop." -she demanded, pushing Topper, back towards the exit.

He only smiled at me, as Kayla, approached towards my way.

Topper: "Don't forget something June, tell your little Pogue friends to stop talking shit about, Sarah. You are just pieces of shit living on shit."

He began to walk out as I tried to maintain calm, still gripping onto the plate tightly.

June: "Fuck it." -I mumbled, beginning to walk outside on my way to find, Topper.

Kayla: "June, please don't. Please don't!"

I heard her rapid footsteps behind, as I arrived outside to find the blond boy. Quickly, I was able to spot him. He argued with Sarah, as she pointed at him anger filling the girl's expression.

June: "Hey Topper!" -I shouted, quickly walking towards him.

As I arrived I slapped him harshly, making the two girls gasp right after. The boy grunted, looking at me with his hand covering his cheek.

June: "Stay off the Cut! You hear me?" -I snapped, making him grab onto Sarah's wrist to get her inside his truck.

He drove off pretty quickly, leaving me and Kayla, alone at the parking lot. I turned towards the girl, seeing her shocked expression surrounding her face.

Kayla: "I'm so screwed when I get home." -she groaned, placing her hands on top of her head.

June: "I'm sorry, Kayla. It's just that my anger took the best of me, I'm really sorry." -I apologized, placing my hand in her shoulder slightly.

Heyward: "I know I did not just see that happening!"

June: "Shit."
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NOT ACCEPTED, AT ALL. EMBARRASSING? 100%. Everyone on the shop saw me getting yelled out by, Heyward. It was truly one of the most embarrassing moments of my entire life.

Kayla, almost got fired as well. I literally begged for her not to be and thankfully it worked.

Now I was currently at her house, avoiding Topper, at all cost. The sun had began to fall, not fully but it was already doing so. The girl, was putting on a dress while I took a look at some albums filled with old pictures she had of us. Many of them were blurry memories to me, some others I could remember them like they were yesterday.

It was crazy to me she still had these, I thought they had disappeared somehow. But thankfully she kept them safe, many memories in glad I shared with, her and Sarah.

Kayla: "What you think of this?" -she asked, showing me a purple jumper she had found inside her closet.

I looked over to her, taking a good look at the clothing. It was really beautiful, but I was confused about why she was trying out clothing.

June: "Is your date with Pope, today?" -I asked, making her laugh as she shook her head side to side.

Kayla: "I wish, but no. Today there's a party here at my house since Mom, is not home. So Topper, took that as an opportunity to do a Kook party."

She walked over to her closet once again, searching for another pair of clothes inside. She seemed desperate, I was slightly confused why. She's always been good at style basically, always has had the perfect clothing.

June: "Why are you acting as if this is the end of the world? You have a lot of time still to find the right outfit, don't panic." -I reassured, walking towards her.

Kayla: "Is just that Kelce, is going to be here. I want to look good also, there's so many thoughts surrounding my head and I'm so nervous."

June: "Wait don't you like, Pope?" -I asked, making her gaze turn towards me.

Kayla: "I do! But I feel like he doesn't like me back, and if this doesn't go well with him I at least want to meet someone today here."

She walked back towards the room, looking at herself on the small mirror she had on her vanity. This time with a pink dress, a smile appearing on her face.

June: "That looks really pretty, Kayla. You should wear that one." -I suggested, making her jump up and down.

Kayla: "Alright, now I gotta find the perfect one for you!"

The girl cheered, making me frown my eyebrows as she ran into her closet one more time.

June: "Wait what? I'm not staying for the party! You said it yourself, this is a Kook party." -I commented, pacing around the room nervously.

Kayla: "Oh shut up! Everything's going to be fine. You just stay beside me and ignore all of the Kooks."

Kayla: "Specifically my brother, which, if he tries to say something I'll be the one to slap him this time." -she assured, placing a baby blue dress in front of my body.

June: "Okay, can we not forget about the fact that I literally slapped your brother across the face a couple of hours ago? Also, told him to stay off the Cut."

Kayla: "Okay, and?" -she replied, making my jaw drop.

June: "That he will literally return the message to me and probably make some of his Kook girlfriends beat the shit out of me! They will tell me then, stay off Figure Eight bitch!"

The girl rolled her eyes as I ranted, placing her hands on top of my shoulders.

Kayla: "June Routledge! Stop worrying, just pretend it didn't happened alright? You'll be fine as long as you're with me. What's the worst that can happen?"

I stared at her for a while, my brain contemplating if I should do this or not. But obviously I agreed, destiny would only decide what's happening to me throughout the day.

Kayla: "Do you hear that?" -she asked, walking rapidly towards her window.

June: "Hear what?"

I walked over to her, looking outside the small window. Suddenly hearing what sounded like muffled music, people already outside throwing themselves inside the pool.

June: "Holy shit." -I mumbled, looking at the girl stunned.

Kayla: "Shit! Start getting ready, put that dress on now!"

I ran back towards her bed, grabbing the blue dress she had placed for me. Running towards her closet to change inside, as she dress on her room quickly.

June: "This is soo not gonna end well." -I mumbled, looking at the short dress she had given me.

Kayla: "Shut up, June! It's gonna be fine."

June: "This dress is really short!"

Kayla: "So?! You're gonna look like a bad bitch, June! Might as well get some stares from Kooks." -she replied, making me gag after realizing what she was trying to meant.
________________________________

We were already done getting ready, my heart kept skipping from time to time. Kayla, was finishing retouching her makeup while I in the other hand curled my hair.

Kayla: "Do you know how to use that thing?" -she asked, making me smile embarrassed over how bad the curls were turning up.

June: "Does it look like I do?"

She chuckled as she walked over to me to help me out, proceeding to grab the object and began to do my hair instead.

June: "Don't do too much of them, I don't really know if I'm gonna like it." -I stated, receiving a nod from the girl as she continued.

The sound of footsteps approaching the room, made both of us turn around. Looking over to the door to see Topper, entering Kayla's room.

Topper: "Kayla, did you stole my sur-"

He stood there awkwardly, our eyes widened by seeing the boy, again. I'm pretty sure we were both fearing for our lives at that point, he is truly scary in a very dumb way.

Topper: "What is she doing here?" -he asked, walking towards Kayla, while death staring me.

Kayla: "Topper, stop. She's my date today, you can't control me."

Topper: "I'm older than you!"

Kayla: "For literally ONE year, Topper." -she yelled, putting her finger up towards the boy.

I only stared at the pair as they argued, awkwardly trying to made my way towards Kayla's door. As I thought I was succeeding Topper and Kayla, both pulled me back towards the same spot.

Topper: "We aren't done yet." -he mentioned, looking at me.

Kayla: "Stay here, June. I need to have a serious conversation with him."

The brunette girl, pulled her brother towards her bathroom. Leaving me alone on her room, contemplating the space as the muffled shouting from them could be heard.

I continued trying to do my hair, following the steps I saw Kayla, doing before. I was practically hoping I was doing it right, which to be honest I'm not sure I was.

I ended giving up, placing the devise on top of her night stand. I waited for her to finish her argument, while using my phone to text, John B.

Topper: "You better promise that, Kayla!"

I looked to my right noticing the pair coming out of the bathroom, Kayla, pushing the blond one towards her door.

Kayla: "I promise! Just go, we aren't done getting ready!"

As she was about to close her door, I noticed Topper, placing his feet in between the gap to hold it open.

Topper: "That dress."

Kayla: "Ugh, what now?" -she asked, crossing her arms annoyed.

Topper: "That is too short! You can't wear that, Kayla."

Kayla: "Oh shut up!" -she yelled, pushing the door trying to close it but Topper, was still holding it firmly.

Kayla: "Topper! I swear stop holding the damm door!"

Topper: "If I see some boys staring at you, we are gonna have a problem." -he replied, closing the door for the girl as he walked off.

I stared at the girl, her chest raised up and down almost out of breath. She turned towards me, a bright smile appearing on her face, making me frown my eyebrows.

June: "What's that face? You look kinda creepy." -I questioned, as she started to jump filled with excitement.

Kayla: "He told me you could stay!"

I smiled, as she kept jumping coming towards me. We both continued doing each other's makeup, and after a while later we were finally done.

Making our way towards the hallway of Topper's home, a lot of people were already inside...too many. Kayla, held into my hand while dragging me around the home. She said hello to everybody, I looked around spotting Topper and Sarah, together talking with different people.

Kayla: "I'll be right back! I'm gonna go get us some drinks." - she shouted, trying to get me to hear what she was saying.

The loud music was making it hard to hear what she had to say, but I knew what she said since she headed straight to the kitchen.

As I was alone I couldn't help but feel really nervous, everyone kept staring at me weirdly. I could swear they have some sort of Pogue detector with them, they know when you're a Pogue or Kook.

I was already worrying about Kayla, it had already been a couple of minutes since I had waited for her and she hadn't come back. Many people kept stumbling towards me, as they kept making out right in front of me. I only looked at them filled with disgust.

I began to make my way towards the kitchen, inside there was no sign of Kayla, anywhere throughout the space. As I turned around I walked over to the outside, trying to see if I spotted the brunette girl, anywhere near the pool.

June: "Hi, excuse me. Have you seen my friend, Kayla?" -I asked, approaching a pair of girls who sat on the side of the pool.

They all shook their heads side to side while looking up towards the ceiling of the home, their mouths opening widely. My head spun up to take a look at what they were seeing. Instantly noticing Topper and Sarah, on the roof of the home about to jump.

June: "Great." -I mumbled, looking at the pair holding onto each other, while they were contemplating if they should jump or not.

I walked back inside behind me hearing the sound of the water splashing, everyone shouting Sarah and Topper's name behind my back.

Rafe: "June, Hi."

I looked to my right, feeling the boy's hand touching my back. He looked at me with a bright smile, but it faded quickly after he noticed I was worried.

Rafe: "Hey, what's up?" -he asked, pulling me towards the house's stares.

June: "I can't find Kayla, she said she'll be back but she never did."

Rafe: "Oh trust me, she's okay."

June: "What? What do you mean?"  -I asked, looking at him noticing his smile.

Rafe: " I saw her earlier, she was talking to, Kelce."

I nodded, crossing my arms suddenly feeling more calm after Rafe's response. I could feel his stare on me, making my shoulders raise up nervously.

June: "What?" -I questioned, making him glance down fidgeting nervously with his hands.

Rafe: "Is just that- you know the thing that happened at home? I was wondering why you left without saying goodbye or came back to talk about it."

June: "I guess I was kinda nervous to talk about it, I didn't know what you were gonna say or anything. So I left, and I'm sorry about that." -I replied, sitting down beside the boy.

Rafe: "So, what are we exactly?"

As I heard his question I could feel instantly my heart skipping, the power the guy has on me is insane. But at the same time I'm wondering that, what exactly are we?

June: "How about we continue to get to know each other better? I mean, I know you but not the you from now. So, maybe go on a date or something." -I requested, making him smile towards me.

He then stood up from the stairs, stretching his hands towards me. I frowned my eyebrows confused but still held onto his hand while he made me stand up from the stairs. He began to drag me throughout the hallway, bumping into a girl.

He placed his arm around the girl's shoulder still holding onto my hand as he whispered to her.

Rafe: "Hey, if you guys got any cash. Downstairs, all right?" -he whispered, making the girl nod as she walked off.

Kelce: "Yo, Rafe. Where you been at?"

He grabbed the boy's hand hugging each other, I then noticed how Rafe, side eyed me while whispering something to Kelce, which I wasn't able to hear.

Kelce: "Bye, June."

June: "Bye?" -I replied, slightly confused by their attitude.

Kelce, then walked off leaving me alone once again with Rafe, who placed his hand on top of his head slightly looking worried.

June: "Is everything okay?" -I asked, grabbing his hand again.

Rafe: "Uuhh yeah, just stay right here I'll come back. I need to go to the bathroom."

I nodded as he began to help me sit down on the couch, later on he walked away towards the hallway.

Everyone danced around the room, many people kept on passing by in front of me heading straight towards the way Rafe, had gone through.

My patience was running out really, really bad. I was already thinking many stuff through my head, maybe I should just leave? No. He would come back, for sure.

Unknown Boy: "Hey. have you seen, Rafe?"

I looked to my left seeing a black haired boy, holding a bag with what looked like a bunch of pills.

June: "Uuhh, he went to the bathroom. Is that way, I think." -I replied, still confused over the bag on his hands.

Unknown Boy: "Wait, What? No. That's not where the bathroom is."

June: "What?" -I asked, quickly standing up to head towards the hallway to try and find, Rafe.

As I arrived towards the end of the hallway, I spotted Topper and Kelce, laughing with a bunch of different girls beside them. They both stared at me confused but later on pointed beside them, making me turn my head towards the side of the room to see Kayla and Rafe, making out.

I felt my heart drop, my eyes quickly got teary as I saw the two of them. I walked towards Topper, grabbing the drink he had on his hand. Quickly making my way towards Rafe, once again.

Topper: "June, hold on!" -he yelled, making both Rafe and Kayla, look behind seeing me approach them.

You see, in moments like this my anger issues get really bad. I do stuff I know I would later in life regret really, really bad. But then again, I end up not caring cause we're all still dumb teenage kids, right? We do stuff without thinking somehow.

Kayla: "June?"

June: "Back off, Kayla." -I demanded, making the girl step away from, Rafe.

I pushed him back towards the desk, tears rooming down my cheeks. Later on, I threw the drink on top of his clothes.

He was shocked, staring down at his clothing almost not believing what had happened.

As he looked back up. I had slapped him, his cheek turning red instantly.

June: "Asshole." -I mumbled, later on walking towards the exit rapidly.

The muffled footsteps approaching behind me made me walk faster each time, was I going to walk back to the Cut? Yes. Even if it took me hours I would. I felt a pair of hands grabbing my wrist turning me around to see Kayla, who's eyes were filled with tears.

June: "What do you want?!" -I shouted, crossing my arms as I stared at her.

I kept trying to hold my sobs, I didn't wanted anyone to see me crying right now. Not again, specifically a Cameron or a Thornton.

Kayla: "June, I didn't know you liked him! I promise, please forgive me I never meant to make you cry."

The girl begged for forgiveness, holding onto my hands as I looked up trying to avoid crying.

June: "You knew I've always liked him, Kayla. And I'm not mad at you I'm just disappointed. The person I'm mad at is Rafe, because he used me."

June: "I should've believed, Sarah. But I didn't because I'm stupid, and I'll finally accept that. And I need a break, I can't deal with this right now." -I replied, making her nod.

She then tried to wipe the tears that had smeared all of her makeup, as she glanced at me. She practically begged for me to accept her apology, her eyes screamed guilty all around them.

June: "Goodbye, Kayla."

Kayla: "June, please don't walk alone! June!"

I heard her begging, her shouting becoming muffled as I walked faster through the dark streets.

Heartbreak, possibly one of the worst feelings ever. But you can't possibly compare that to grief, both of them hurt like hell. But thankfully you can get over heartbreak, grief? I actually don't know.

End of chapter

4123 words<3
Sofia's notes:
A sad chapter? YES. But don't worry, I'll try giving my girl happiness soon. I wanted to show y'all a little bit more about Kayla and June's friendship, it was really fun and sad to write them haha. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter, make sure to leave a vote if you did.

Love you all!! See you soon 💗

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