Worst Case Scenario

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/53354659.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: F/M
Fandom: Outer Banks (TV)
Relationship: Rafe Cameron/Kiara "Kie" Carrera
Characters: Rafe Cameron, Kiara "Kie" Carrera, Anna Carrera
Additional Tags: Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Teen Romance, Angst and Romance, Fluff and
Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Unplanned Pregnancy, Rafe
Cameron is Bad at Feelings, Soft Rafe Cameron, Kiara "Kie" Carrera
Needs a Hug, Protective Kiara "Kie" Carrera, Angst and Feels, Alternate
Universe, Alternate Universe - High School, Angst and Fluff and Smut,
Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Kiara x Rafe, Sad Rafe Cameron,
Rafe doesn't know he loves Kie, Feelings Realization, Eventual Happy
Ending
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2024-01-28 Updated: 2024-01-30 Words: 6,174 Chapters: 2/3
 Worst Case Scenario
by recklessnesspersonified

Summary

Kiara "Kie" Carrera "the good girl of OBX" made the biggest mistake of her life when she
thought getting involved with Rafe Cameron the persona non grata could just be physical,
after all plenty of people had a no strings attached relationship. But she hadn't counted herself
for falling for him and even worse getting pregnant. How would she tell him and what would
Rafe do when she was just a passing fancy and nothing else?

Notes

Hi this is my very first outer banks fic. I am a sucker for the chemistry between Drew and
Madison in season 3 so this came out from those tingly feelings... I hope you guys enjoy.

See the end of the work for more notes

 Chapter 1

THERE always comes a time in your life where you truly fail to grasp why it is so messed
up. She wasn't naive to think that she had the worst life, with the way the world was she
knew there might be some people who may be facing worse issues but this surely did make
the list of worst case scenarios.

Kiara Carrera thought as she stared at the two pink lines on the stick she had just peed on,
with tears in her eyes. She had never thought that something like this could happen to
someone like her. Someone who was the definition of a good girl, the apple of her parents
eyes, the nerd, the mathematical wiz in her school but then again she had tempted fate when
she had gotten herself involved with him, Rafe Cameron.

Rafe, who was the polar opposite of who she was. The bad boy or more accurately the fuck
boy who only showed up to school as a penance for one of his latest rebellions at home. Rafe
who was even rumoured to have once walked on the wrong side of the tracks. And ofcourse
girls at their school threw themselves at him not only because he was hot and rode a bike but
also because he was one of the Cameron's of OBX, who practically owned half the island.

She didn't want to think how she had gotten involved with him or curse the insanity that had
led her to be with him in the first place, at the moment. Because those two pink lines kept
snuffing the oxygen out of her lungs. She was freaking pregnant and that arrogant, dangerous
fuck boy Rafe Cameron was the father. And the question of how she would tell him was
currently giving her a headache. It wasn't a walk in the park situation to begin with and the
cherry on this bitter cake was that she wasn't even sure what she was to him, to Rafe. They
had never said they were exclusive and she was pretty sure she was just his flavour of the
month, although it had been more than a month, six months to be exact.

Going from being a goody two shoes to hanging out with Rafe Cameron had been a gigantic
transition as it is for someone like her but getting pregnant was literally killing her because
she was fucking terrified of everything, of her parents finding out, of Rafe’s reaction which
may perhaps lead to his rejection, that was troubling on another level, and also of the whole
school and island finding out.

So she decided to keep it all to herself until she was sure of how she wanted to deal with it.
She wasn't even in a frame of mind to figure out if she wanted to keep the baby. Hence she
quickly wrapped the stick in the plastic bag and left the bathroom to hide it in her backpack.
Then wiping the evidence of the strain she carried from her face, she dressed for school.
Exactly ten minutes later as always her mother called out for breakfast and she headed
downstairs.

Kiara hadn't counted on the bout of emotion that hit her when she saw her mother browsing
around the kitchen. It wasn't that they couldn't afford help in fact they had a chauffeur and a
housekeeper but her mother always cooked for her family, being a woman who expressed her
love through her care, just like Kiara.

Her mother served a pecan pie that Kiara loved but today when Kie brought it to her mouth
she felt the nausea roll in.

“You okay, Kie?” Anna asked, seeing her daughter hesitate, “You love this pie.”

“I'm okay. I'll eat this in school.” Hurriedly she put the tiffin in her bag.

“Honey. You don't look so good. Are sure you're okay? I can get you checked and write a
note for your teacher. Although I don't think Ms Kimberly would say anything considering
this may be the only time you are late.”

The word late had Kiara’s hands trembling as she zipped her backpack. “I was also late last
month because of dad's conference.” She mumbled and added, “Bye mom.” As soon as she
heard a car honk.

TTTTTT

Swiftly Kie dumped the plastic bag into the trash before climbing into her friend’s car. She
often drove to school with her friends John B, Pope and JJ who were essentially the pariahs
because they were the Pogues.

Pogues who for all purposes were considered lesser than Kooks just because they weren't rich
which was such a BS, and so unfair.
“Kie my man.” JJ ruffled her already unruly hair and swatted his hand away as she sat beside
him in the backseat.

“Kie.”

“Heya Kie.” Pope and John B called out from the front.

“Hi guys.” She answered.

“So Kie listen to this, we have this trip planned and you have to come with us.” John B called
out as he began driving.

“It's our monthly treasure hunting trip. We’ll take my dad's boat and ….”

“Guys I can't go… the finals.. and my parents …”

“I told you she would say no.” JJ remarked then tried cajoling her. “Come on Kie.”

“I'm sorry you guys I can't come…” but before she could complete her sentence she couldn't
stop the tears that suddenly began falling.

“Hey… hey…shit. John B she's crying man.” JJ awkwardly began hugging her.

“Kie if you don't want to go. No pressure. Please just don't cry.” Pope muttered.

“Kie it's okay we know studies and stuff matter to you…” John B started but she intervened.
“It's not that.” She wiped her face, “It's just of course I want to go with you guys I…. don't
want to be a bad friend.” She didn't even know if it was safe to travel when she was pregnant.

John B, Pope and JJ often hunted for lost artefacts and it was always so satisfying to find
them, not only because it was valuable but also because returning something someone had
once held dear gave you a different sort of peace. Gosh she was becoming so sappy.

John B parked the car and turned back before she could get out. “Don't worry Kie. You can
accompany us on the next one.” He smiled and JJ extended his hand for their signature
handshake. She complied and smiled before getting out of the car.

“Guys I think something weird is up with her.” Pope muttered and they brushed it off saying
she was only worried about her finals because she had always been a smart one.

TTTTTT

KIE got out of John B’s and was walking towards the main hall when she saw him. Rafe
Cameron dressed in a navy blue shirt and a black jacket leaning on his bike as if he owned
the world.

Their eyes met and held. She felt the heat of lightning blue eyes even from afar. That small
arrogant smirk that she had come to admire so much gave a jolt to her heart. They had never
talked about feelings. It was an unsaid rule between them that wasn't meant to be broken.
Everything was strictly physical except when it was not. Except when he sometimes indulged
her fancies, but that she knew was most probably because he wanted to get laid. It was sad
and sordid but she was addicted.

Kiara knew he was waiting for her signal, tucking her hair behind her right ear, but today she
wasn't in the mood for a hot quickie in the janitor's closet. So she avoided his gaze and
walked away.

TTTTTTTTTT
Not only had the universe given her the gift of an ill-timed pregnancy, it was also hell bent to
get her to confront the father, otherwise why would she have crossed paths with him for like
the umpteenth time. But this time there truly was no avoiding him unless she made a run for
the bathroom.

He was staring at her with an odd expression on his face as he stood a few feet away in the
hallway, barely paying attention to whatever Topper was saying. Like all the other times he
waited a beat, for her to give him “their” sign but she chickened out and rushed towards the
bathroom.

TTTTTTTT

NO SOONER had Kiara entered the bathroom and begun washing her face when he rammed
the door open and entered. Too shell shocked to utter even a single syllable she stood rooted
where she was.

He snapped his fingers towards the other two girls, one who was putting her makeup on and
the other one who was washing her hands when he bit out, “You and you get out.”

The one who had been applying her mascara was almost drooling over him. She batted her
lashes at him and purposely playfully bumped her shoulder with him as she sauntered out.
The other quickly grasped her bag, probably thinking that Rafe was going to bully her (Kiara)
and ran out.

“What's wrong?” Did his voice become softer when he asked her?

“Are you mad? Do you want people to find out?” She almost whispered urgently talking
about their situationship.

For a moment he stood quiet as if carefully deciding what to say next.

“No.” Why did that single word hurt her? It was a mutual decision to fuck each other until
one or both of them got bored. “But I asked you what's wrong Kie. You've been avoiding
me.”

“Rafe. I…,” she ran a hand through her hair, “I..just…I am stressed about my finals. So I am
not in the mood.” She almost choked. He had never looked at her like that before, like he was
disappointed by her answer. Perhaps she was imagining his dejection. But then again if she
were to take her father at his word what else did teenage boys think about except sex.
However Rafe might get someone else to help him with that anytime and there were a dozen
other girls who would be happy to oblige him. The thought that he could easily fuck someone
else irked her and the fact that it did, irritated her even more. She wasn't supposed to feel this
gut wrenching pain, feelings weren't a part of their agreement.

“Kie.” Gingerly he came close as if she might shrink away. “I mean you don't look okay. All
day I have been watching you. It looks like you're hurting.” He caressed her arms. God why
did he have to be so tender with her when he was always so gruff with others, this maddening
contrast did weird things to her.

“Rafe. I am fine. I said I am not in the mood. So don't push it.” His tenderness made this
whole things even more frustrating hence she shrugged his arms away and moved to stand
close to the door.

Rafe lifted his arms in a gesture if surrender. Again something flashed in his eyes before he
instantly recovered. “I told you I won't touch you unless you want me to. You know I am not
like that. Although you may have heard some stupid shit but that's just…Kie… I just wanted
to ask if you were okay? I wasn't looking for a quickie.” He combed his hair away from his
forehead in a nervous gesture. It made Kiara soften up a bit.

She came closer and unknowingly fixed his jacket which was almost off from one shoulder.
“Rafe. I need to tell you something important but I… but I need to be stronger when I do that
and I don't want to lie to you so. I just need time.”

Were his eyes always this disarming? What did he see when he looked at her like that she
wondered, standing close to him.
Rafe nodded and then she kissed his cheek.
“Also we’re not exclusive so I won't mind you hanging around with Chelsea.”

He swallowed and nodded again. “Who's Chelsea?”

“The mascara girl.” Kiara walked away and then momentarily paused, turned back and
smiled once before she left.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT
 Chapter 2
Chapter Notes

Okay I am back with a new chapter .... You might hate me for this one, but spoiler alert
things will turn out fine.

Playlist for this chapter

1. Under the Influence - Chris Brown

2. Easy on me - Adele
3. Say something - Great Big World , Christina Aguilera
4. You are the Reason - Calum Scott

See the end of the chapter for more notes

He wasn't okay. Rafe Cameron knew he was fucked. The moment he had decided to have a
friends with benefits situation with OBX’s golden girl Kiara Carrera he was essentially
wrecked.

He saw her get out of John B’s car, her golden brown curls catching sunlight and her usual
timid smile absent from her face. As if she sensed him she glanced at him and their eyes met.

This invisible connection he had with her was although too overwhelming for his liking but
he hadn't been brave enough to cut it off. Let her go.

Ever since he had accidentally wandered to the music club and found her playing cello he had
been hooked. He knew she wasn't like other girls, she worried more about books and studies
than primping and the fancy make up stuff, not that he had anything against that, in fact he
liked women who dolled up and that is why he was surprised when he found himself attracted
to her.

But she wasn't the average teenage girl, Kiara Carrera was ambitious but wasn't cutthroat, she
was loyal but always stood for the right even if her friends were wrong and she was kind
without being a pushover.
For a few seconds she stared at him and he waited, not only for their usual signal but also for
that shy smile that lit up her face but he saw unease.

How easily he could read her expressions was scary in its own way because this was strictly
casual and nothing more. A passing fancy, until both or anyone of them got bored of this
intense physical attraction, which they hadn't until now.

In her usual slightly demure manner she began walking towards the main hall of the school
and he noticed she didn't look back at him which she always did.

TTTTTTTT

Something was going on with his firefly. He often called her that but the fact that he thought
that she was his was something that he didn't want to think about. Rafe made sure he crossed
paths with her all day hoping she would come to him or maybe,,, maybe on the off chance tell
him what had happened? Which as he knew was a long shot because she preferred to spill her
guts to The Three Stooges and no one else.

There had been a time when they were in middle school she used to be attached at the hip to
Sarah, his sister but those days had ended as soon as the sophomore year ended. He didn't
know what happened between them nor did he care.

They had been fucking each other for almost half a year but she had never opened up to him
except on the rare occasions when she pretended her friends were busy and she needed
someone to accompany her to a book reading or some weird art movie or for a local concert
of some Indie band.

And Rafe had been happy to oblige initially out of boredom but lately because he enjoyed her
company so much so, that he had often begun looking up things she liked and casually
sliding them into their conversations which, they, again rarely had, just so he could spend
time with her.
He saw her exit the chemistry class and stop short when she saw him. Topper was yammering
about the upcoming soccer match and Rafe had half a mind to tape his mouth shut.

Again like a besotted fool he waited for some encouraging gesture but saw her rush to the
toilet.
Anger and something else which hit him forcefully had him do the most insane thing and
follow her to the girls washroom.

She was about to wash her face and two other girls were standing in front of the mirror. He
asked them if there was anyone else and the one immediately behind Kie shook her head.

Rafe then ordered them out and they left. Standing this close to her he could see her eyes
were puffy and she was looking pale. He had never gotten this worried before for anyone else
except his sister.

“What's wrong?” He genuinely wanted to know. An unknown urgency was hammering his
insides.

Kiara angrily whispered, “Are you mad? Do you want people to find out?”

It hadn't been easy to hide their arrangement. Once or twice he had wanted to say fuck it all
and disclose it but that had been out of the frustration of sneaking around rather than wanting
to define what they were to each other.

But did he really want people to find out was something he hadn't given a serious thought to
so he said what he thought she needed to hear. And somehow even as he did, he felt an odd
lump in his throat.

“No. But I asked you what's wrong, Kie. You've been avoiding me.”

“Rafe. I…,” she ran a hand through her hair, “I..just…I am stressed about my finals. So I am
not in the mood.”
It was infuriating, insulting and wounding at the same time to hear her say that. He wanted to
know if she was alright and she was telling him she wasn't in the mood to have sex. How
difficult was it to just tell him if she was feeling well? Guess it was not worth it to share stuff
with a guy who's just a booty call. And why in the world was this hurting him?

However he couldn't and shouldn't exactly blame her. It was mutually decided that this would
be a sex thing and nothing more.

“Kie.” Slowly he came close, as if she might shrink away from him. “I mean you don't look
okay. All day I have been watching you. It looks like you're hurting.” Rafe took a chance and
caressed her arms.

“Rafe. I am fine. I said I am not in the mood. So don't push it.” Kiara was too kindhearted for
her own good and he had once told her that she should show her fury when she felt it but this
was not the time to fire up.

That weird gutting feeling returned when he heard what she truly thought of him and
shrugged his hands away. “I told you I won't touch you unless you want me to. You know I
am not like that. Although you may have heard some stupid shit but that's just…Kie… I just
wanted to ask if you were okay? I wasn't looking for a quickie.`”

Something about his statement might have convinced her because he witnessed the softness
in her hazel eyes returned.

She came closer and unknowingly began fixing his jacket. He had always found her need to
fix things that were awry, adorable.

“Rafe. I need to tell you something important but I… but I need to be stronger when I do that
and I don't want to lie to you so…. I just need time.”

He wanted to smile but the next thing she said pissed him off. “Also we’re not exclusive so I
won't mind you hanging around with Chelsea.”
He found himself swallowing his resentment and ire. “Who's Chelsea?” He bit through his
teeth.

“The mascara girl.” Kiara walked away and then momentarily paused, turned back and
smiled once before she left.

He hadn't even noticed “the mascara girl”. He had been too concerned about Kie’s swollen
eyes and pallor. He was worried about her and she was telling him to get laid, this truly was
fucked up, but at least she had looked back at him this time.

TTTTTTTTTTT

He rode his bike until he felt his pent up vexation dissipate. Kiara's parting words had
managed to expertly piss him off. But the main question was why was he enraged at her
suggestion? In fact he should have done just that, had a quick fuck with that girl maybe then
he wouldn't have felt so keyed up.

He thought of the last time he had been with someone else and he knew the answer to that
was six months ago since the day he had seen Kie play cello.

FLASHBACK

She had been practicing for the school’s music festival and had been so engrossed that she
hadn't even notice him enter the school’s music hall.

He had always seen her as a harmless little ladybug but she had turned out to be a vibrant
firefly suddenly lighting up when you least expected it.

The moment her eyes snapped open when she had stopped playing, was the moment he knew
he wanted her. Her innocence and that untouchable reticence was somehow alluring. The
emotion of the melody clouding her eyes in a dreamy way.
He kept staring at her looking for any weakness in the reserved armour she sported around
her, wanting her to give up the silent duel between their eyes. But she didn't cower, the
strength in her gaze had him admit defeat and he clapped.

“Bravo. Kie. I never pegged you for an artist.” he walked closer and pulled on a string. And
her evident outrage at his gesture made him feel as if he had struck hers.

“I shouldn't be surprised by a backhanded compliment from you.” She began putting her
cello in the case, having effectively dismissed him.

The air around them turning thick, the tension around them palpable. Something dangerous
sizzled between them and Kiara felt it tug within her body. The way his cobalt blue eyes
raked her should have appalled her but it did the opposite, she felt hypnotised.

His scent wafted around her as he closed the distance between them undoubtedly with the
intention to unnerve her.

Just because she was introverted by nature didn't mean she was a coward so she held her
ground.

The challenge in her eyes was too tempting to pass on. Something about the way her coffee
brown eyes turned darker in anger was even more fascinating, so he surprised them both by
taking her packed cello from her.

“What are you doing?” She lunged closer to take it back but he moved the arm with which he
was holding the cello away a little and that unconscious movement had her almost flush with
his body.

She felt a tingly sensation worming in the pit of her belly which paralyzed her for a few
seconds. Rafe analysed the quick lusty punch to his gut and decided that he enjoyed it, and
his signature smirk lighted his face.
Seeing that cocky smile had her step back.

“Helping a lady.” He answered and moved his arm as if testing the weight of the instrument.
“How can someone so tiny carry something like this?” It was a rhetorical question.

“Give it back. I don't need your help. You can't seduce me with these cheap theatrics.”

Her answer shouldn't have delighted him but she really was a firefly, reserved and shy one
minute and foaming at the mouth the next.

“You think I am trying to seduce you?” He took one step forward and she took one back until
her back was against the wall. He slightly tilted his head, putting one hand against the wall
and whispered, “Do you want me to?”

Yes.

“No.” She mumbled.

Why did she all of a sudden feel so hot everywhere? His proximity was doing weird things to
her. She wasn't a virgin and had had sex before but this magnetism was different, potent and
unique.

He smiled at the obvious lie. Leisurely he moved back, “If you do, just holler at me.” And
with that he carefully placed the cello, which he was still holding in the other hand, on the
stand nearby and sauntered away.

After that chance encounter he had unconsciously begun seeking her out. He began going to
the cafeteria during lunch hours just so he could see her, he would go to the music rehearsals
just so he could watch her play and every time their gazes clashed that familiar awareness
between them returned. It was like a nasty itch that begged to be scratched. He wanted her so
much that it was making him insane.

And then one fine and fortunate day they found themselves alone in the chemistry lab. He
had been threatened by his father and she, perhaps like usual, came early for study and stuff.

When she saw him leaning against the teacher's desk she inquired, “What are you doing
here?” This intense physical attraction between them wasn't fading in fact it felt like it was
engulfing the whole room.

“Waiting for Mr Chemistry. I don't know what his name is.” he shrugged.

“Mr Shoupe.” She supplied. She shouldn't find his indifference sexy.

“You?” He asked, still leaning, apparently not affected by her presence at all.

“I came early, I have to work on an assignment.” she gripped her backpack tighter, he made
her edgy, the need to just touch him was so foreign and yet too consuming.

She should move away now, Kiara thought as she stood just a few feet apart. Rafe kept
looking at her, both of them very much attuned to the sexual tension that surrounded them.

He didn't know who made a move first but he was damn grateful for it.

Had she thought he wasn’t affected?

He grasped her face gently and kissed her, as she gingerly responded at first just barely
touching and then she inched closer and her hands circled around his neck. Momentarily he
retreated just enough to mumble, “Is this you hollering at me, Firefly?”
“Yes.” She answered and hurriedly pulled him closer.

The feel of her soft body against his was a pleasure he hadn't known he craved. Damn Kiara
Carrera was a sexy little vixen in sheep's clothing. He wasn't aware that she could kiss like
this.

It was insanity, it was like playing with fire, Rafe Cameron represented everything that she
despised. He was a mean arrogant jerk but that mouth on him was something else.

She had never thrown caution to the wind before. Vaguely aware that someone might walk in
on them anytime soon she mumbled, “Wait….Wait.”

The way that he instantly stopped had her see him in a new less abhorred light.

“What?” He grasped the desk, so he wouldn't snatch her back in his arms. That said
something about his self control as she herself felt tempted beyond reason.

“We can't.” Kiara instantly bent to pick her backpack which might have fallen off when they
were groping each other.

Fury flared in his eyes, “We can. But you just won't.”

“I mean. Not here. Someone might see us, Rafe.”

“Okay.” He ran a hand through his murky blonde hair, which disobeyed and fell on his
forehead again. Her hands itched to brush them off but she restrained herself.

“Then name a place and a time, Firefly.”

“We’ll have to decide upon the logistics of this.”

“It's like you're planning a mission on Mars, Kie.” He chuckled and she was astounded that it
was such an infectious sound.

Smothering her own laugh she added, “I mean people can't know.”

She looked utterly enchanting standing there a little disheveled from his kisses planning “the
logistics” of there next meet.

“Of course I wouldn't want it any other way.”

“We never knew each other. You're just the rich jerk who plays soccer.”

“Yeah and you're just the timid little golden girl who plays cello.” She would've walked away
then but he suddenly pulled her in his arms and with a long satisfying kiss muttered,
“Consider it a deal. No feelings, no obligations, just sex.”

She was breathless when he let her go so she merely nodded.

TTTTTTTTTT

PRESENT DAY

“No feelings, no obligations, just sex.” His own words echoed in his ears and he bristled. Just
because he had said that a long time ago didn't mean it was still true for him.

An unfamiliar ache encompassed him as he rode to the hills again. Ever since Kiara had
begun acting strange he was in a turmoil. He couldn't focus on soccer and had been kicked
out of the match again this week by the coach.

Rafe took a swig of the whiskey he had stolen from his father's cabinet and then threw it
away thinking she would totally have his hide if he got drunk and drove.

He shook his head at his own thoughts. How and when she had started to matter he wasn't
sure of that but she did matter a lot.

The realisation that he felt something more than physical attraction for her didn't panic him,
instead he was more anxious about the way she was acting. Kiara was keeping him at arm's
length, always finding excuses to avoid him.

In school she acted no different, pretending to not know him. It gutted him that she could
dismiss him so easily, never once glancing at him even during today's match. And it had
peeved him so much that he had picked up a fight with one of the team mates.

Feelings and shit wasn't his style. He didn't do this deep kind of thing so the distress he had
felt had translated very well into punching Barry's face.

His thoughts circled back to her. He didn't know what he would do if she ended this
arrangement but one thing he was sure of that he won't let her go just like that.

It wasn't just about sex anymore although he'd never been so wildly attracted to anyone
before but gradually it had become more, at least for him, so he would definitely fight for her
before he set her free he contemplated ignoring the agonising fist that squeezed his heart.

TTTTTTTT

Kiara was getting ready for bed. She stared at her reflection and saw the hollowed out look
that haunted her face. Not only was this pregnancy making her sick but also the stress of
someone finding out about it before she told her parents and Rafe.
Rafe, he was such a fascinating contrast. Always rude and rough with others and so gentle
with her.

She thought about how he had punched Barry, to be fair Barry deserved it for messing Rafe's
game but Rafe's tendency for violence sometimes scared her.

Although she was sure he would never hurt her, she wished he would just face his feelings
rather than just act out like this.

She slowly rubbed the moisturiser on her face and promised herself that tomorrow was the
day when she would finally reveal her secret to her parents and Rafe so she could stop feeling
so guilty and stressed all the time. Because all this stress probably wasn't good for the baby
too.

A clinking sound on her window jostled her out of her thoughts. Kiara took a peek through
the curtain thinking it might be one of her friends but was befuddled to see Rafe standing
outside on her balcony. He must've climbed up to her room.

She instantaneously opened the window and let him in. “Are you insane? What if someone
saw you? Or worse, you could have broken your neck climbing up the exhaust pipe.”

Her concern for him spread a soothing warmth around his heart.

In her white pj shorts with watermelons printed on it she looked so endearing. On an impulse
Rafe had come to her house but now was stumped. His vexatious feelings for her had
propelled him to take such an impetuous step. He was violating their agreement just by
coming to her house.

For a few seconds Rafe nervously paced through her room. In his white shirt and khaki shorts
he was looking so dashing, Kiara observed with an inward sigh. Too bad her fantasies
regarding him would never come true.
“I know this is against our thing….” He hesitated for a minute then shook his head and
continued, “You know…but hear me out. What if we changed it, Kie.”

Her heart sank thinking he was probably ending it. She shouldn't be hurt. This was bound to
happen someday she cajoled herself and unknowingly crossed her arms over her abdomen as
if protecting her child beforehand.

“Kie … I know I am the last person you might consider this for but….. look I am bad at this
shit, okay.” He wiped his mouth with his hand in a nervous habit.

“Rafe, what are you saying?” Could she hope?

She stared at him as he took her hand and sat her down on her bed.

“We were never supposed to know each other, right? But I know that you pretend to laugh at
unfunny things other people think are hilarious just so it wouldn't hurt them and I know that
you like those boring book readings and art films. I mean I’ve suffered through them before
and I can do it in the future too because it's you. It's you, Kie. It's just that I know that you
probably hate me right now for wanting to change this but I….. it's not just sex anymore for
me. It's become more and I get this twisty feeling…” he took her palm and placed it on his
heart, “here when I think you're distancing yourself from me because you may have gotten
bored of me….”

Then he stood up and scratched the back of his head and Kiara could only stare at him
extremely befuddled.

Were her fantasies coming true?

He felt more just like she did.

He felt more and that was making him act like such a loveable moron.
“So yeah. Let's talk about stuff. Do things together.”

“Is this your weird way of asking me out on a date?”

“If you want me to. No pressure, no coercion.” He sliced his hand through the air for
emphasis.

Kiara smiled at his obvious nervousness.

“Rafe…I..”

“Oh and I got you this.” He took out one long stemmed pink rose. It was so beautiful. Kiara's
heart was a puddle on the floor.

“I was gonna get more but I felt it might be too corny.”

“Rafe.” Kiara felt tears cloud her vision. She knew she wanted the more that he felt and was
offering but she couldn't accept it when she was still hiding her pregnancy.

She took the rose from him but didn't fling herself in his arms like she had wanted to instead
held her tears at bay before uttering the words she knew would really change everything.

Two words that might destroy what fate was giving her this instant, something she had
secretly coveted for but hadn't dared to say out loud, ...Rafe.

But even before she said it she knew he would break her heart.

“I’m pregnant, Rafe.” her voice barely a whisper.

“What?” He took two steps back as if someone had pushed him.

“It’s your's.”

“Kie this is not … this…it's not funny.”

“I'm not messing with you…” Agony was brutal.

In shock he ran a defeated hand over his face and then let his hands fall, “It's impossible…
no… no…...this can't be happening…. We used protection…we were….”

“It's not always foolproof. But you don't have to worry. I'll figure something out but please
don't tell anyone yet. My parents don't know… annnd I…..”

She stood up consoling him out of habit, being kind-hearted it was second nature for her to
put others first but her voice faltered with emotion at the end, she was right, he was breaking
her heart.

Turning slightly away she wiped her tears, she felt so lonely, it was so stupid that she had
expected something different from him.

Maybe because all week he had been so attentive with his small gestures of compassion.
Showing up at the grocery store where she worked helping her restock the supplies, bringing
her books from the library, buying her a ticket to the new biography crime movie she had
been meaning to watch and now this freaking rose.

Those damned tears in those big brown eyes landed a punch to his heart but being a father? It
was just too fucked up for someone like him who was so fucking screwed up in the first
place.
 Fear and panic licked the back of his throat hence like the colossal jerk that he was he
muttered, still taken aback by this news.

“I can't Kie… I just…. I have to go..”

Through a haze of tears she nodded and looking up she twisted around as if titling her face up
would somehow will the tears back.

She waited for him to leave.

She had turned her back but he knew he was the one who had done that first figuratively. He
lifted a hand desperately wanting to hold her, touch her, take her in his arms and reassure her
but he wasn't strong enough. Thus he curled his fingers into his palm and left the way he had
come in.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Chapter End Notes

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End Notes

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