The bright lights and loud noises of the carnival made you smile, reminding you of more innocent days. When you were a kid and everything had felt possible. Before you knew what it was like to live with a broken heart.

You gave your date, Topper, a grateful grin when he handed you cotton candy. Topper was a good guy, you should be having more fun than you were. But you were foolish to think a date with him would make you forget about Rafe. Especially not here. The carnival was where you and Rafe had had your first kiss, just a year ago. How had so much changed in such a short time?

You looked up from your cotton candy when you thought you heard Rafe’s voice. You’d been doing that a lot tonight, like the ghost of your relationship was haunting you. This time, you weren’t hearing things. Rafe was striding towards you and Topper and he looked furious to see you with him.

“Hey bro” Topper greeted Rafe, completely oblivious to Rafe’s thunderous expression.

Rafe ignored Topper, focusing only on you. Now that he was in front of you, you could see that he was drunk. Could smell the scent of whiskey coming off of him.

“Aoife” he says your name loudly, more loudly than necessary. “I’m in love with you!” In his drunken state, he’s half slurring, half yelling the words.

You run your hand through your hair, sighing. You should have known that Rafe would cause a scene. He was too volatile, too unpredictable to let tonight go without incident.

“What do you want from me, Cameron?” You ask, your tone resigned.

“You. I just want you”

“No! You don’t. You had me last year. Had me chasing after you, and you chose Sofia. You only want me when you can’t have me. You’re addicted to the chase. Not me”

Rafe steps back from you like you had slapped him. Your words were biting, almost harsh enough to sober him up.

“Baby. That’s not-“ he trails off, running his hand through his hair, frustrated and at a loss for the right thing to say. What words can possibly encompass how sorry he is, how desperate he is for you?