𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒

CHAPTER FOURsupply & demand

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MY BACK CONTINUED aching as I rolled around on my hard mattress, the sun beaming through my open window. No matter how badly I tried to go back to sleep, my back simply wouldn't let me.

Rubbing my eyes, I reached for the small analog clock on my bedside table. It occurred to me that, even though it was bright outside, I had no idea what time it was. The clatter of falling objects shocked me wide awake, allowing me to see the time clearly.

2:37pm.

Fuck, how long did I sleep for?

However inconsiderate it was for my back, I sprung out of bed in a rush to get myself ready. I had to stop by Dave's Liquors today, which was on the other side of The Cut. It was the only place that wouldn't ID me, despite the fact that Dave had known my mother and was well aware of my age. Business over morals, I guess.

Stepping over the vast pile of clothes on my floor, I managed to get to my wardrobe. I didn't have many clothes, partly because half of them were on the floor, but I also wasn't the girl who had endless piles of cash to spend on cute little outfits. Any cash I made from waitressing went to either the gas bill, water bill, electricity bill, or my mom's cigarette fund.

After diving through the entirety of the clothes I had, I pulled out my go-to pair of black jean shorts and an orange bikini. Remembering the party that me and the other Pogues agreed to crash later tonight, I scrambled to find my black flannel, knowing I'd be cold by the end of the night.

I glanced in the mirror, a look of pride on my face as I admired the outfit I had pulled together. The tangerine coloured swimsuit accentuated my soft tan, whilst being toned down by the accompanying clothes. I wasn't one for a showy dress sense, but the closeted girly-girl in me couldn't help but squeal at how good I looked.

Hearing my stomach grumble, I made my way into the kitchen for some breakfast. I didn't see my mom on the couch, so the next best guess was that she was in the bathroom. I pulled together a half-empty bowl of cereal, since the rest of the box had run out. I was sick of eating cereal every morning, but it's not like we could afford anything else other than store-brand Raisin Bran.

"Mornin' sugar. How'd you sleep?" I heard my mother's thick accent sound from across the room.

"Bad. Glad to see you're up today."

"Yeah, me too. I took what you said yesterday to heart and decided to act like a mom for once."

"I'm sorry for shouting yesterday." I smiled softly.

"It's okay, baby. You were right." she took a strand of hair from behind my ear and twirled it around her finger.

"I'm still going out for a few days, do you need me to leave you some money for food?"

"If you can, I'll pay you back."

"Don't, it's food. I'd rather be a few dollars short than have you hungry." I reached to the back pocket of my shorts, feeling the same set of 50$ bills Rafe gave me.

I pulled a single bill out and placed it in her palm, making sure she didn't notice the other cash. I closed her fingers around the paper and brought it to my lips, kissing her knuckles.

"Camille, baby, I can't take this." she objected.

"Yes you can, and you will. I'll be gone for a hot minute, you need it."

"You're too good to me."

"Shh." I whispered, trying to avoid crying again. "I'll be in the bathroom, shout if you need me."

Carefully, I placed the empty cereal bowl into the sink, taking a deep breath before walking to the bathroom. Seeing my mother actually try to get herself together made me feel bad for my outburst yesterday, but I knew full well that without it she'd still be the same drunken mess as everyday. Her being productive was not something I was used to, but now that might change.

The next few minutes were focused on just getting ready; brushing my teeth, hair, and other day-to-day activities. Before leaving the bathroom, my eyes met the mirror one last time. Although I looked better than average as it was, if I really wanted to spite Rafe and the other Kooks I needed to look my best.

I opened the bathroom cupboard to where I kept my small amount of makeup, taking out concealer, eyeliner, and some mascara. With working almost every day of the week, I never had time to properly spoil myself and doll up.

I finished my last blink of mascara and headed out of the house, making sure to buy myself enough time to get to Dave's without any rush. With my back still killing me, I grabbed my longboard and decided to skate there instead of walking, buying me more time and slightly less pain.

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The journey was much shorter than expected, mainly as I was used to walking everywhere. I rested my longboard against the counter of the liquor store as the smell of dust and beer filled my nose.

"Slow service today?" I flashed a polite grin at the owner, who had the same unimpressed expression on his face as always.

"Love talking to ya too, Dave."

I strolled through the aisles of the petite store, grabbing any glass bottle in my sight. With Rafe's hefty paycheck yesterday, I had the budget for just about anything in the store. I wasn't particularly picky with what I brought for the Kooks, but there was one drink I needed to get for myself if I was still to crash that party later.

After some time of gathering as many bottles as my arms could carry, I went straight for the fruit liqueur section for my little treat.

Peach Schnapps; the drink you could chug 4 bottles of, thinking it was juice, but could get you paralytic by the end of the night.

Something I definitely needed to survive being in the company of multiple Kooks tonight.

Reaching the cashier counter, I placed all 8 alcohol bottles down and flashed another grin at Dave, who seemed to be even more unimpressed than usual.

"What shit are you getting yourself into now?" he sighed.

"This is not the time to care about morals, Big Guy. Just be happy I'm such a loyal customer."

"You're just like your mother. That'll be 26.89$."

"Oh, and a pack of Marlboro Red's, please." I added.

"32.09$"

After placing the 50 dollars on the counter, I watched Dave's eyes widen as he took the note. Surprisingly, not a lot of Pogues on this island had seen a 50$ bill- me included, until last night.

My eyes darted up to the clock hung above me, seeing that it was already nearing 5pm, meaning I had about an hour and a half before I had to face Rafe.

"Keep the change, Dave. You got a bag I could carry these in?"

As per my request, he packed all the bottles into a brown paper bag and placed it back onto the counter. His expression had eased due to my large payment, and he looked as if he was about to smile for the first time in his life.

"Enjoy whatever shit you're getting up to tonight, tell Margaret I said hi."

"You know it."

I carried the bag onto the picnic bench outside the store, with my longboard in my other arm, using my Kook-free time to my full advantage. I took the pack of cigarettes out from amongst the bottles and placed one of the white sticks in between my lips. With the lighter that I always kept in the front pocket of my shorts, I lit the cigarette and let the warm smoke float down to my lungs.

The feeling of nicotine rushing to my brain was addictive, making it clear to me why May smoked so much. Inhaling another long drag of the cigarette, I let my eyes wander along the views of The Cut. Even though it wasn't the most picture perfect place to live in, I still managed to find beauty in it. I guess I did that with a lot of things, but why hyperfocus on the bad parts of life when you can learn to enjoy them?

Soon enough, I was back on my longboard, heading for The Boneyard. The roads were flocked with Range Rovers and pick-up trucks, meaning that the party must've started. Remembering Rafe's words, I turned for the Eastside of the beach, moving farther and farther away from the migration of Kooks.

No wonder he asked to meet me on this side.

From a distance, I caught sight of a red motorcycle perched on the side of the dirt road, guessing I had reached the trade point. I let my foot trail along the ground, bringing me to an eventual halt. With the paper bag still firmly in my grip, I picked up the board and walked towards the motorcycle.

"Camille?" I heard the sound of a deep, knowing I had reached the right place.

"Rafe."

I looked at the tall frame up and down, noticing his usual cargo shorts being replaced by black jeans, accompanied by a grey polo shirt. His hair was slicked back as it usually was, replacing the scruffy middle-part he had yesterday.

"You clean up well. Sober, I'm guessing?" I snarked, attempting to wind him up.

"Got the booze?"

"No, just carrying a heavy ass bag for the fun of it."

"Pass it." he rushed, reaching out for the bag.

"Patience is a virtue. Let me take out what's mine first." I said, taking out the cigarettes and liqueur bottle.

"You done?"

"You want the drinks or not? If you do, I suggest you wait like a good little boy until I'm done with the bag."

As a matter of fact, I could've handed the bottles over at that moment. There was just something about making Rafe Cameron suffer that pleased me a bit too much.

After watching him suffer for a hot second, I passed over the paper bag, having it snatched from my grip almost instantly.

"You're not gonna tell anyone about this, right?" he asked.

"I got my side of the deal and you got yours, what's there to tell?"

"Good."

I watched as he placed the bottles into his under-seat compartment and swiftly drove off, clearly not wanting to be seen in the company of a Pogue. Laughing to myself, I couldn't wait to see his face when the group and I turned up at the party.

It was a sight I couldn't wait to see.