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Nova smiled softly to herself, feeling the breeze of the night hit her face as she relaxed on her boyfriend's bed. It was just another Friday. Right after school she hung out with JJ for an hour and then headed to Rafe's to stay the weekend with him. Though something felt off. And usually she'd ignore those feelings but this one felt different. Rafe's behavior was very different than it usually was. Not that it wasn't always off but it was certainly different.

She hadn't been able to see Rafe all week so she hadn't known if anything happened to cause his off behavior, but she felt the need to ask. As Rafe exit the bathroom, Nova couldn't help but notice him rub his nose. "You okay?" Nova asked, leaning up on her elbows.

"Yeah, I'm good. Why?" Rafe sat down at the edge of the bed, sniffling, he rubbed his nose again.

"Cause of that," Nova crawled towards him and placed her hand on his jaw, making him look towards her. He sighed as she wiped the white powder off his nose. "You're using again? Seriously, Rafe? We talked about this. You said you would stop," Nova dropped her hand and moved away from him.

Rafe leaned forward and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Hey, look, I'm sorry, okay, I'm sorry. But, I just hadn't seen you all week and my dad was pissed at me for taking the boat and I just needed to relax. I'll stop. I promise." Rafe moved his hands to her face, making her look at him, he held a pleading face. And of course, she'd give in, again. "You promise?"

"I promise, baby. I'll never touch it again," he said, noticing her eyes drift away from him. "Hey, hey, look at me. I promise, I'll stop," Nova nodded softly in reply. "I love you, Nov." Rafe pressed a gentle kiss against her lips, as she smiled into it. "I love you too," she mumbled against his soft lips as he laid her down, hovering over her. And unfortunately, a knock on the door forced them to pull apart.

"Who is it?!" Rafe sat up with an annoyed look. "It's Sarah! I need to borrow, Nova!" Sarah spoke, annoyed herself.

Rafe stood up and pulled open the door, crossing his arms in annoyance. "Why do you need to borrow my girlfriend?" He questioned as Nova pulled a shirt on and stood up.

"None of your business, it's girl stuff. You can have her back when I'm done," Sarah stated, taking Nova's hand and dragging her out before she could give Rafe a kiss. "This is bullshit by the way!" Rafe yelled but they were already down the hall. He groaned and shut the door, "Every fucking time."

"What exactly do you need my help with?" Nova asked, sitting down on the bed as Sarah shut the door.

"Topper planned a surprise date tonight and I need desperate help choosing an outfit. And seeing as you used to take classes to be a fashion designer, I figured you could help." Sarah smiled, clasping her hands together. "Let's see what you got in this closet then." Nova opened up the closet, immediately shaking her head as she went through the dresses on the hangers. "Girl, what even is this? Shit looks like it came from the 60s," Nova grimaced, Sarah gaping in offense.

"Rose got that for my birthday," Sarah defended. "Was she tryna embarrass you?" Nova pushed the dress to the side and sighed, not seeing anything pleasing in her wardrobe.

"I got some of my clothes in Rafe's room, I'll be right back." Nova said and Sarah nodded, watching as Nova walked out, subtly looking her up and down.

"Done, already?" Rafe asked, sitting up and looking at his girlfriend who walked towards his closet. "Nah, I just need to grab something for Sarah. She's going on a date with Topper." Nova went through her various dresses and picked out the pink satin dress she only wore once. She rarely ever wore dresses unless Rafe took her to the country club. Otherwise she liked to dress comfortable.

"You sure that's gonna fit her? You don't exactly have the same body type," Rafe said, hooking his arm around Nova's waist before she could leave. "It was tight on me so it should fit her," Nova shrugged, smiling as he laid his head against her stomach. "You gonna let me go?" She attempted to move out of his grip but he held on tighter.

"No," he mumbled against her skin, pressing a small kiss there. "It won't take long. I'll be right back. I promise." Nova looked down at him incredulously, "Fine. Hurry up. I don't like sharing you." Rafe let her go with a huff and she chuckled before walking out.

"Okay, you can have this dress, it doesn't really fit me. You should wear those pink heels I bought you too," Nova said, handing Sarah the dress. "Awe, thank you," Sarah went to hug Nova but she stepped back, obviously not a fan of hugs at all. "Sorry, I forgot," Sarah raised her fist for a fist bump instead which Nova gladly returned.

"If Topper does anything that pushes your boundaries, call me and I'll fuck him up for you. We good?" Nova said, always being very protective over Sarah. "We're good. Thanks again," Sarah smiled.

"No problem. Have fun tonight." Nova headed back to Rafe's room and spotted him opening the window. "How'd you know?" Nova squinted her eyes at him as he pulled out a small bag with two rolled joints, just for her. "You think I don't know my own girlfriend? I'm offended," Rafe pursed his lips, faking a disappointed look.

Nova chuckled and reached for the bag but he raised it above her head and she rolled her eyes at his antics. "It's too late for all that," Nova crossed her arms as she laid down on the bed.

"Oh come on, Nov, loosen up a bit. Sarah's leaving, Wheezie's at a friend's house and my dad and Rose aren't here. We have the whole place to ourselves." Rafe laid down next to her and passed her a joint. She set it between her lips and reached for the lighter in his hands, only he stopped her and leaned forward, lighting it up for her. She inhaled the weed, holding it in for a few seconds before exhaling.

"So what are you suggesting?" Nova asked as Rafe laid down between her legs, her fingers running through his soft hair.

"That we fuck, hard," Rafe bluntly stated, rubbing her thighs softly. Nova chuckled as she tapped the joint on the ashtray JJ gifted her for her birthday last year. "Is that why you've been trying to jump my bones ever since I got here?" Nova questioned, taking another inhale. She smoked often with JJ so she had a pretty good tolerance, but the stuff Rafe gets was the strongest she'd ever smoked before.

"Can you blame me? You're so fucking hot," Rafe pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh as she continued to run her fingers through his hair. Thankfully it was dried and fluffy because she absolutely hated his side part. "It's only been a week, Rafe," she pointed out. "Uh yeah, the longest week of my life," he retorted.

Nova chuckled and took another inhale, "Fine. Wait till Sarah leaves. Then you can do whatever you want." This caused Rafe to immediately perk up and turn his head to look at her with raised brows, "Whatever I want? Like anything?" He questioned, needing full confirmation and consent.

"Yep. You have my consent to do whatever you want. Of course after Sarah leaves though," Nova said, taking a another hit from the joint. Rafe ran a hand over his mouth, all the things he's always wanted to try were just flooding his thoughts. But, he couldn't do shit until Sarah was gone.

"When the fuck is she leaving?" Rafe mumbled to himself, standing up and opening the door. "Sarah, when the fuck are you leaving?!" He shouted down the hallway.

"One more hour!" Sarah shouted back.

Nova didn't even flinch as Rafe slammed the door in frustration. "You sure we can't get started early?" He laid back down how he was previously between her legs. "No chance, am I letting your sister hear us fuck. She's barely recovering from that last time," Nova replied in a duh tone.

"I still don't think it was a big deal. She's seen you naked before," Rafe shrugged. "How do you know that?" Nova questioned suspiciously.

"Cause she told me. You two took a shower together to and I quote, "save water" when you were like fourteen. Long before we were even dating," Rafe explained, looking up at the ceiling, wondering why this hour felt so slow. "Well seeing me naked is completely different than accidently walking in on her brother fucking me," Nova shot back, nudging his shoulder. Still having yet to let go the fact that he forgot to lock the fucking door.

"Oh come on, there was a blanket on top of me, she didn't even see anything," Rafe argued.

"She certainly heard it," Nova retorted. This only caused Rafe to grow a cocky smirk as looked at her, "If you knew how to be more quiet, she wouldn't have heard anything. But then again, I can't blame you. I fuck you too good." Nova rolled her eyes at his ego, "Please. You haven't fucked me that good since Valentine's Day."

Rafe's jaw dropped, taking heavy offense from the statement. "You're so lucky, Sarah's still here." Nova fake pouted, "Oh no, I'm so scared," she mocked.

Rafe grabbed his phone and dialed up Topper who answered after a few seconds. Nova chuckled but was quickly silenced by a slap to her thigh. "Yo, you think you can Sarah up early, by any chance? I'm trying to spend some alone time with my girl. Yeah, I haven't seen her all week. Alright thanks man, appreciate it."

Nova raised her brows at him as he smiled up at her, "You're gonna be mine in about six minutes."

"We'll see." Nova put out the joint as it was getting small and burning the tips of her fingers.

"I have question for you." Nova spoke up after the comforting silence. "Hmm?" Rafe hummed, turning to lay on his stomach and resting his head against her stomach. "Why is it that you're a completely different person when we're around others?" She asked quietly, not desperate for an answer but anything was better than nothing.

"Uhm, if I'm being honest, when I'm with you, everything is different. Cause you're not just anyone. You understand me for me and I don't have to pretend when I'm with you. I don't have anyone to impress." A honk of a horn interrupted Novalie before she could even get a full word out. Rafe listened quietly as Sarah ran down the stairs and out the door. Waiting another minute, he smirked to himself as he heard tires drive off.

Nova leaned up on her elbows as Rafe slowly pulled on the strings of her shorts. "Looks like we're finally by ourselves."

"Appears so." Nova bit her lip, letting Rafe tug off her shorts slowly.

"I'm gonna take my time with you."

»»────── 𓆩♡𓆪 ──────««

"Wait, you had sex with Riley?" Nova burst out laughing as JJ took the joint from her hand. "JJ, she's been passed around more than a vape in the girl's bathroom," Nova stated, shaking her at JJ's decisions. "Before you judge my decisions, go take a look at your boyfriend. He's probably fucked the whole island at this point," JJ scoffed. He and the rest of the Pogues absolutely hated when Nova and Rafe started dating. Not to mention, they rarely got to see her anymore cause she practically lived with the bastard.

"That's actually false. He was a virgin when we first got together," Nova defended before taking a second to realize what she just said. Now it was JJ's turn to burst out in laughter, "No way, Novalie Heyward took poor little Rafe's virginity." Nova nudged him in the ribs to where he almost fell off the bed, "Hey, that's our secret or I'll tell everyone who your first kiss really was."

JJ straightened up and passed the joint back to Nova, "Okay, fine, our little secret." He said, mimicking his mouth being zipped shut. Nova nodded in thanks as JJ tossed some cheeze- Itz into his mouth, already getting the munchies. "So does he know you weren't a virgin?" JJ asked, taking the joint back after she took a hit.

"Nah," she exhaled the smoke, "his ego couldn't handle that."

"His ego can barely handle the fact that you're friends with me," JJ scoffed once more. Rafe was always jealous of Nova's friendship with JJ, which is why he hated him even more.

"Isn't that every guy though? They always think the boy best friend has secret feelings for the girl," Nova shrugged, laying her head on JJ's shoulder. "I mean, that's kinda true cause I used to have a thing for you but it wasn't like it was a secret. And you would never date me anyways. You're way out of my league." JJ passed her the donuts as he finished off the joint.

"See now that's not true cause you're definitely my type but it's the fact that you're my brother's best friend that throws me off," she countered, making a good point. What kind of sister would she be if she went out with her brother's best friend? Not a good sister, is exactly what.

"I agree, that is definitely a deal breaker," JJ agreed.

"You wanna come with me to get some beer at the Cameron's dock house? Rafe gave me a key," Nova held up the key, tossing it to him as she stood up and grabbed a cardigan. "Maybe rich boys aren't so bad," JJ flipped the key before shoving it into his pocket and pulling on his shoes.

"Gotta be quiet or we'll wake up the parents," Nova whispered whilst slowly opening up the door to her bedroom. "Don't see why we can't go out the window," JJ mumbled as followed down the steps behind Nova. "And break my ankle like last time? No thank you." Nova hopped onto her motorcycle and JJ climbed onto his bike before they both drove off to the Cameron's.

Nova parked her motorcycle and hopped off, readjusting her shorts that rode up her thighs. JJ tossed Nova the keys and she caught them, grabbing his hand and pulling him along. She let go of his hand to unlock the door quietly, not wanting to attract any attention. As the two walked in, JJ's arm around her shoulder, she noticed the lights were clearly on in the living. "Thought you said nobody's home," JJ whispered.

Nova turned around the corner, her mouth practically fell open, witnessing Rafe literally snort up a line of cocaine. Topper and Kelce hit his shoulder simultaneously and he looked up, his eyes immediately finding Nova's. "Nov, let me explain," Rafe stood up, wiping his nose. Topper and Kelce pursed their lips awkwardly at the situation.

"Both of you get the fuck out, right now! Hurry up!" Novalie angrily shouted. Topper and Kelce quickly grabbed their stuff, "Sorry man. We'll catch up tomorrow. Good luck." Topper patted Rafe's shoulder before he and Kelce both rushed out.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" JJ rubbed her shoulder in attempts to calm her down but she just brushed it off. "Nov-" Rafe tried to speak only for her to shout again, "You promised me, Rafe! You promised me!"

"Can we do this without him here, please?" Rafe said, gesturing to JJ. "I'm the last person you should be worried about man," JJ added, pursing his lips awkwardly.

"Room now. I'll be right back, J," Nova said, grabbing Rafe's arm and pulling him upstairs.

Nova stood in the room with her arms crossed firmly over her chest, the look of betrayal in her eyes. Rafe couldn't even look at her, only angering her more. "You ain't even gonna look me in the face?" Rafe stayed silent, thinking of what to say that would calm her down. "How long have you been using?" Nova asked in a calm and concerned tone.

"A while now," Rafe mumbled, his eyes directed at his shaky hands.

Nova kneeled down in front of him and took his hands in hers. She wanted to understand him, rather than be angry at him for something he probably couldn't control. The question was, did he want her help? "I don't wanna be mad at you, Rafe. I just wanna understand you. I wanna help you." Nova said, getting Rafe to finally look at her, tears in his eyes that threatened to fall at any moment given.

"I don't know what to do, Nov. I can't- I can't stop. I need you, Nov. I really need you. Please don't leave me," Rafe begged. Nova had never seen Rafe so...lost. "Okay, and I will do everything I can to help you. We put you in rehab, I'll talk to your dad for you, we can tell him together," Nova said with a more hopeful attitude.

Rafe shook his head, knitting his brows as he looked down at her, "What? No, no, we can't tell my dad. I don't need rehab, Nov. I just need you, that's it. You can help me, right?" He asked. Nova looked at him in confusion, curious as to why he didn't want rehab when he's said he wanted help. "Rafe, rehab is the best option for you. I can't help you by myself. You need to go to rehab if you're serious about getting clean, Rafe," Nova said.

Rafe shook his head in frustration and pulled his hands from her grip. Nova stood up, confused by his sudden behavior, "Why are you being so difficult?" Rafe asked, standing up from the bed.

"I'm bein' difficult? I'm trying to help you, Rafe! You need rehab!" She argued.

"Well I don't want your help anymore, Novalie!" Rafe shouted, catching her off guard. He hardly ever raised his voice at her and if he did, he would immediately break out into sorrys. And this was the first time she actually heard him say her full name.

"I'm gonna give you one last chance, Rafe," Nova spoke, stepping towards him. "You either go to rehab and get clean, or I leave, and we're done. For good," as she spoke, she couldn't help but  let a tear fall. She didn't want to do this. She loved Rafe. Probably with everything in her. The last thing she wanted was to break up with him, especially when he was at his worst. But, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Then I guess, we're done."

Nova nodded slowly and wiped her tears, "Just remember, you did this." She stated, "Goodbye, Rafe."

Nova stormed out, jogging down the stairs with tears streaming down her face. "Hey, you good, Nova?" JJ asked in concern, quickly hopping off the kitchen counter.

"Just grab the beers, let's go." She said, opening the cabinet and grabbing a bottle of Don Julio. JJ quickly grabbed a case of beers and a case of wine coolers in the fridge as Nova took the house key off her keys and set it on the table.

"Did y'all break up or something?" JJ asked as the exit the house and walked towards their bikes.

"What does it matter? You guys said he was a piece of shit anyways," Nova shrugged, hopping onto her motorcycle as JJ put the beers in the compartment on her bike.

"Good point. Let's go celebrate."

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a/n: first chapter done! this was just a flash into what happened a few weeks before (before s1) nova moved to nassau and her relationship with rafe and friendship with jj 🌚

next chapter starts officially with season two! i hope everything is enjoying it so far! i can't wait to introduce alora 😻

btw, each chapter is titled after a specific song ;)

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