you’re standing on the beach, talking with a friend you’d run into from school. the two of you are laughing, lost in conversation, when you feel a sharp, unmistakable gaze land on you from a few yards away.

rafe’s there, half hidden behind a group of his kook friends, but his expression isn’t subtle at all. he’s glaring, jaw tight, eyes flicking between you and the guy you’re talking to. you sense him watching and try to ignore it, but it’s impossible to focus with rafe’s presence hovering in the background like a storm cloud.

moments later, you hear footsteps on the sand behind you, and suddenly, rafe’s beside you, giving your friend a look so intense it could cut glass. your friend picks up on it immediately, mumbling a quick goodbye before walking off, leaving you and Rafe standing alone.

“was that necessary?” you say, crossing your arms as you turn to face him. “i was just talking to him.”

rafe scoffs, shifting his weight as he shoves his hands into his pockets. “right. you looked real friendly,” he mutters, his voice low and dripping with irritation.

you roll your eyes, trying to brush off his attitude. “why do you even care, rafe? it’s not like you and i—”

but he cuts you off, stepping in closer. “i just don’t want to see you with some random guy, okay?” his voice is sharper than usual, like he’s teetering on the edge of anger and something more vulnerable.