𝘈𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦'𝘴 𝘗𝘖𝘝
"Guys, the thing that Limbrey said, I don't think she meant to let it slip" Pope announces as we sit in the Twinkie, on our way to the care home that his grandmother is in "She said the key leads to the Cross of Santo Domingo"
"Wait, can I see that?" JJ asks and Pope hands him the key.
"Are we supposed to know what that is?" Sarah questions.
"I'm guessing it's some sort of historical artefact of great importance" Pope explains.
"Well, according to the interwebs, it was a gift from New Spain to the Spanish king" Kiara read from her phone.
"New Spain? Is there an Old Spain?" JJ asks in confusion.
"Well, obviously" I scoff.
"Shit, talk about over gifting. Look at that thing" Kiara says in amusement, showing us the drawing off the cross on Wikipedia "Looks like a person standing next to it"
"That shit is fucking huge" I murmur in awe.
"So it's a giant ass cross?" JJ asks simply.
"It was widely considered at the time to be the most extravagant tribute ever from the provinces" Kiara reads again "It was lost off the coast of Bermuda in 1829"
"Did you just say Bermuda?" JJ perks up.
"Oh, no. Not the triangle" John B states.
"It always leads back to the triangle, dude" JJ argues "Like, every single time something's weird, it's Bermuda"
"Okay. What does a key you found above your mee maw's pharmacy have to do with any of this?" Kiara questions.
"Yeah" Sarah agrees.
"Where do we come in?" Kiara adds.
"I don't know. That's a good question" Pope sighs.
We approach the Shady Acres old folks home and as the van slows down to a stop, we all climb out.
"Hey, actually, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself" Pope declares.
"Are you sure?" Kiara asks him.
"Yeah, I can handle it" Pope assures us.
"I can go with you if you want" JJ offers.
"I'm okay" Pope smiles reassuringly and JJ nods understandingly.
Pope walks away towards the doors of the care home and we all get back into the van, Sarah running her fingers through my hair as I flop my head onto her lap.
"Hey, man, pick you up in a bit!" John B yells at Pope.
The Routledge boy starts up the engine and the van starts moving, a calm silence enveloping us all.
I look up at the dirty blonde haired girl and she smiles down at me warmly, causing my heart to twist guiltily for just a moment.
"What did Rafe want?" Kiara breaks the silence, tension filling the small space inside the van.
"He just wanted to talk" I shrug.
"About what?" JJ pries.
"Stuff" I answer vaguely.
"He hasn't, you know...hurt you, has he?" Sarah asks me in concern.
"Never" I state firmly, sitting up uncomfortably.
"Addy" John B speaks up and I look up at him curiously "You once told me that there's nothing you wouldn't do for me and I know you meant it"
"Where are you going with this?" I frown tiredly.
"You gotta stop seeing Rafe" He tells me.
"Booker" I sigh.
"Please, Adelaide" The brunette boy pleads "He's bad for you"
"He makes me happy" I argue.
"He makes you crazy" John B counters.
"I don't want to talk about him anymore" I declare sternly, my walls building up defensively.
"Addy, come on. Just listen-" JJ tries to reason with me.
"Just shut up, okay?" I snap at him.
"You can't just keep changing the subject" My brother huffs out.
"I can do whatever the hell I'd like" I retort.
"What's so fucking special about Rafe Cameron? He's a douchebag!" JJ scoffs.
"A murdering douchebag" Kiara adds.
"Guys" Sarah warns them but I'm already seething in anger.
"John, pull over" I demand.
"Adelaide" John B breathes out.
"Pull over, Booker!" I yell at him.
The boy pulls the van over and before it can even full stop I yank the door open, jumping out.
"Will you grow up and stop running away from your problems?!" JJ calls out after me as I storm away,
"Will you fuck off and leave me alone?!" I counter in annoyance.
"Where are you going?!" Sarah shouts worriedly.
"Away!" I answer simply.
"Tell Rafe I said 'fuck you for turning my sister into a psycho'!" JJ shouts.
"JJ!" Kiara shrieks.
"Go fuck yourself, JJ!" I scream back.
☼ ☼ ☼
I approach Barry's house with a determined stride in my steps and an angry scowl on my face.
"Well, you look happy as shit" Barry comments, exiting his house.
"Not in the fucking mood" I retort shortly.
"Country club is inside. Tell him I'll be by the boat when he's ready" Barry informs me with a mocking salute before walking off.
I salute him back and make my way inside the run down house where I find Rafe stood with a back pack in his hands.
"You going somewhere?" I ask jokingly and he spins around in fright.
"Adelaide" He breathes out in awe "You're here"
"Is your offer still on the table?" I question, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
"Always" He nods quickly and I smile softly, walking up to him.
"You didn't think I'd show up" I state in amusement due to his surprised expression.
"Not really" He confirms.
"Rafe, you asked me to choose-" I start to tell him but he cuts me off, covering my mouth with his palm.
"If you have to choose them, I understand. I don't care as long as I don't lose you" He stresses.
I gently take a hold of his wrist and pull it away from my face, looking up at him as my heart swells with love and adoration.
"I choose you" I declare.
"You what?" Rafe breathes out in shock.
"I don't want to live without you" I explain with a warm smile on my lips "Even if that means I lose my life on the cut"
"What about your brother?" He questions.
"JJ is a big boy now, and he has the Pogues. His friends mean more to him than I ever will and I've accepted that now. I can't take care of him forever. It's finally time that I live my own life" I answer.
Rafe takes a hold of the back of my neck and presses his lips down on my own, a smile tugging at my lips. My stomach flutters like it always does and I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back deeply.
"We have to go" He mumbles against my lips.
"I don't have clothes or anything" I gasp, pulling away from him.
"I'll buy you new clothes" He assures me, kissing me again.
"But..." I drawl off, wondering if maybe I should tell someone I'm leaving or leave a note.
"What?" Rafe asks in concern.
"Nothing" I shake my head, expelling all the thoughts "Let's go"
He smiles widely and grabs my hand in his, tugging me out of the house with him and down to the banking.
Barry is sat waiting for us at the boat and he raises a brow at me in surprise.
"Ain't you got a brother and co to raise, Nanny McPhee?" Barry teases.
"Not anymore" I answer, feeling oddly relieved.
"Look at you go" He chuckles in amusement and I smile happily.