「✦ BOUNDARIES BLURRED ✦ 」

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THE MORNING LIGHT WAS barely creeping through the curtains as MJ and JJ sat on the couch, the dull hum of the TV the only sound in the otherwise quiet house. MJ's mind was still buzzing with the tension from the night before, her thoughts a swirl of unanswered questions and looming danger. She absentmindedly flipped through the channels, eyes scanning the room but not seeing anything.

Sitting beside her, JJ let out a low sigh, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his knee. "We need a plan," he muttered more to himself than to her.

Before MJ could respond, the screen flickered, and the local news channel came into focus, drawing both of their attention. The anchor's voice cut through the stillness, and MJ froze, a sinking feeling crawling up her spine.

"In breaking news, the investigation into the tragic death of local teen Zarah 'Zaza' Moreno has taken a new turn," the anchor reported, his tone grim. "Originally, authorities had two teenage suspects, but after further investigation, both have been cleared. With the release of new information from forensic reports, police are now looking into the possibility of gang-related violence as a factor in her death."

The camera cut to a shot of Zaza's face, a young smile frozen in time, and MJ's chest tightened. The anchor's words hung in the air as her mind raced, all the pieces clicking together—Kenyon, the suspicious flowers, the strange behaviour. This was bigger than she had thought.

The news anchor continued, "Authorities are investigating ties to known local gangs, with a particular focus on a group rumoured to be operating in the area. While no arrests have been made, investigators believe this new lead may shed light on Zaza's final moments. Anyone with information is urged to come forward."

MJ swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Gang violence?" she whispered, her voice shaky.

JJ's eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened. He reached over and turned the volume down, his hand steady. "It's connected, MJ. This is what Kenyon's been hiding."

She nodded, her mind still grappling with the implications of what they had just heard. The weight of the news hung heavy between them, more questions bubbling up—what exactly did Kenyon know? How far was he involved?

"Do you think the flowers were a message?" MJ asked, her voice barely audible. "You know, the lotus flowers from last night? The ones Barry dropped off at Zaza's grave? It's too much of a coincidence. Maybe they knew Zaza had found something."

JJ didn't respond immediately, and his expression was hard and unreadable. His mind was processing everything from the flowers to the news broadcast. "Maybe," he said, his voice dark, "but if it's gang-related, you must stay out of it. This isn't just about Zaza anymore. It's bigger."

As the newscast went to a commercial break, the silence in the room felt suffocating. The sense of impending danger only grew stronger, and it was clear that whatever they did next would push them further into a world of secrets, lies, and people willing to kill to keep them buried. 

────

MJ was sitting on the couch, her legs crossed beneath her, still trying to process everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. The TV droned on in the background, but her mind kept drifting back to Zaza's death, the news report, and the disturbing new forensic findings. She hadn't said much since returning from the graveyard, too caught up in her thoughts.

The front door opened with a creak, followed by soft footsteps. Sarah Cameron appeared in the doorway, her face mixed with curiosity and concern.

"Hey," she said softly, pushing her hair behind her ear. "JJ told me about... everything. I hope it's okay, but I wanted to see if we could have some girl time."

MJ raised an eyebrow but didn't immediately respond. It wasn't that she didn't like Sarah, but everything felt so strange lately, and the tension between them hadn't gone unnoticed. There had been the awkwardness with Rafe and the lingering unease that seemed to hover whenever Sarah was around. But right now, MJ could feel the exhaustion from everything—Zaza, the dealers, the police—and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of girl time could help clear her head.

"Girl time?" MJ echoed, still processing her words. She gave Sarah a small nod. "Yeah, I could use that."

Sarah smiled, her posture softening as she walked over and sat beside MJ, a few feet of space between them at first. There was a moment of awkward silence, as if both girls were waiting for the other to speak.

"I know things have been... weird," Sarah started, glancing at MJ out of the corner of her eye. "With Rafe, with everything going on." She paused, her voice quieter. "But I'm here. You don't have to carry all this by yourself."

MJ didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to dismiss it all, to just act like everything was fine, but something about Sarah's sincerity made her pause. Maybe it was the weight of everything catching up with her. She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

"I... appreciate that," MJ said slowly, eyes meeting Sarah's. "I guess it just feels like I'm caught between a bunch of things I don't know how to handle. And it's hard to talk about it with anyone." She let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I don't exactly make it easy, do I?"

Sarah shook her head, her smile gentle. "No, you don't," she agreed with a chuckle. "But that's okay. You don't have to be perfect."

"None of us are," MJ muttered, her gaze drifting to the TV again, though she wasn't watching it. The quiet stillness between them was comfortable now, almost like a small haven from everything else outside.

Sarah shifted closer, her voice lowering a little. "You know, I've been thinking. I don't think this whole thing with Zaza is just a coincidence. Something's not right about it, and I think we're all being pulled into something much bigger than we realize."

MJ looked at her, her expression unreadable. "You think so?"

Sarah nodded. "I do. And I think we need to be careful who we trust, especially now with all the lies people are spreading. But we can't let fear stop us from finding out the truth. We have to stick together."

MJ studied her for a moment, trying to make sense of everything. The truth was, she didn't know if she could trust anyone anymore. She knew the stakes were rising and getting tangled in the wrong game could mean life or death. But right now, Sarah's words felt like an anchor in a sea of uncertainty.

"Yeah," MJ said, her voice softer now. "We do. And if you're really in this with me, then we'll figure it out. Together."

Sarah nodded, her expression serious but comforting. "Together," she agreed.

Sarah leaned back against the couch, a playful glint in her eyes as she glanced at MJ. "So, Kie's parents are having their 15th anniversary party at The Wreck tonight," she said, her voice light. "All of the island's showing up. Kie's parents invited everyone—like, everyone. It's gonna be chaotic, but you should come with me."

MJ raised an eyebrow. "The Wreck?" she echoed, the idea of a big party at one of the island's more notorious spots feeling strange, given the tension and chaos of the past few days.

"Yeah, it's their place," Sarah said with a shrug, her voice betraying a sense of fondness for the place. "It's where Kie and the rest of the crew grew up. It's got that laid-back vibe, but tonight's gonna be all about the celebration." She shot MJ a teasing look. "And I promise, it's not gonna be like one of those stuffy, boring parties."

MJ hesitated, running a hand through her hair, still uncertain. The last thing she needed was more drama and Kie... well, their relationship had been strained since that little confrontation earlier. Still, the idea of escaping the constant pressure of everything else sounded tempting. Plus, it might give her a chance to clear her head.

"Look, I know things are a little weird right now," Sarah added, her voice softening as she picked up on MJ's hesitation. "But I think it could be good for you. And honestly, I don't want to go without you. It'll be fun—like, no pressure."

MJ bit her lip, feeling the weight of the decision. It would be nice to just have a break, even if it meant navigating some awkwardness with Kie. The island's annual party at The Wreck was a tradition, a celebration of local life. She could just blend in, get a drink, and try to forget about the mess of everything else.

"Alright, fine," MJ said after a beat, shrugging with a little smile. "I'll go. But only because you promised it's not gonna be boring." She stood up, her muscles aching a little from the previous night, but she pushed through. "And if anyone gives me trouble, I'm holding you personally responsible."

Sarah laughed, clearly relieved. "Deal."

As they stood to head out, Sarah glanced at her, her face softening. "Thanks for coming. I think you need this tonight."

MJ gave her a small nod, her thoughts still swirling with everything that had happened and what she was about to face. The Wreck was about to become the stage for a new set of distractions and drama, but for the first time in a while, she wasn't sure if that was a good thing—or exactly what she needed. Still, she didn't feel like backing down from it.

Maybe it was time for a night where she didn't have to think about Zaza, Rafe, or anything else. Maybe tonight, she could just be—even if just for a little while.

────

When they arrived at The Wreck, the familiar low hum of island music and the smell of grilled food filled the air. The place was packed, people laughing and talking, the dim lighting giving everything a laid-back, almost secretive vibe. The ocean breeze carried the sound of distant waves crashing, mixing with the chatter and the faint beat of a reggae track in the background. Sarah and MJ stood for a moment, taking it all in.

"This place is... alive," MJ murmured, a little in awe of the energy around them.

Sarah grinned, nudging her. "Told you. The Wreck is the heart of this place. You can feel it, right?"

Before MJ could reply, a voice broke through the noise.

"Sarah! MJ!" Kie's voice rang out, sharp and cutting through the crowd.

MJ stiffened at the sound of her name, her eyes darting around the crowd. Kie was standing a few feet away, talking to a couple of people, but as soon as she spotted them, her gaze locked on MJ with an intensity that made MJ's chest tighten. There was a coldness there—a tension that still hadn't cleared.

"Great," MJ muttered under her breath, but Sarah was already making her way over, pulling MJ with her.

As they got closer, Kie didn't move to greet them right away. Instead, she stood, arms crossed, watching MJ with an almost unreadable expression.

"You actually came," Kie said flatly, her eyes flickering to Sarah before returning to MJ.

Sarah, sensing the undercurrent of tension, cleared her throat. "Come on, let's not start this again." She turned to MJ with a soft, apologetic smile, then back to Kie. "Look, I know things got weird, but tonight's about having fun, okay?"

Kie's gaze softened slightly but only marginally. "Yeah, whatever." She gave MJ a sharp look. "But don't think I forgot what you said earlier."

MJ's throat tightened, and she held her ground. "I didn't come here to fight, Kie. But I'm not going to pretend everything's fine just because we're at a party." She paused, then added with a slight edge to her voice, "And for the record, you didn't have to call me out like that."

Kie's lips pressed into a thin line, her jaw tightening. "I don't know, MJ. Maybe I wouldn't have if you actually showed up for the group sometimes instead of just when it's convenient for you." Her voice was low, but the bite was there. "You think you're some kind of saint, but all you've done is leave everyone else to pick up your pieces."

MJ's eyes flashed, her anger rising to the surface. She knew what Kie was trying to do, but she wasn't going to let her get away with it.

"No, Kie. You don't get to act like I owe you something," MJ said, her voice cutting through the tension. "I'm here now, okay? And yeah, maybe I've been distant. But I don't owe anyone an apology for that. If you want to talk about 'leaving people behind,' you might want to look in the mirror. You're the one who always plays the victim. But the truth is, you push people away before they can get close."

Kie's eyes widened, her face flickering with emotion—anger, hurt, frustration—all mixing. The words hit harder than MJ intended, but it was too late to take them back now.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Kie shot back, her voice trembling just slightly.

"Maybe not," MJ replied, her voice quieter now, but still firm. "But I know what it's like to be alone, Kie. And I'm not the only one who feels it."

Kie didn't respond right away. Her eyes were searching MJ's face as if trying to figure out if she was being truthful or just being defensive. Finally, after a beat of silence, she exhaled sharply.

"Whatever," Kie muttered. "I don't have time for this right now. I'm here for my parents, not this bullshit."

"Okay, changing the topic, Wards back," Sarah said.

"Are you kidding me, Sarah? That doesn't even make sense. Ward's on the island? Like, the same island we're on?" MJ questioned, her tone sharp with disbelief.

"Yeah, he's back," Sarah confirmed, her voice tinged with frustration, looking down as if she could avoid the inevitable by not meeting anyone's eyes.

MJ couldn't help but scoff. "You've got to be kidding me." She ran a hand through her messy hair, already dreading the trouble Ward could bring. "You're telling me he's gonna pop back up like nothing ever happened?"

"Seems like it." Sarah sighed, glancing around nervously.

MJ's eyes narrowed. Ward had always been trouble, and now he was back to stir things up. She didn't know what his game was this time, but she wasn't about to let him get away with it—especially not now.

"Well, that's just fantastic," MJ muttered under her breath, her mind racing with the possibilities of how this would unfold. She wasn't going to let him ruin things, not again. The last thing she needed was to deal with Ward's chaos right now, especially with everything she had going on with Rafe.

"Keep your head down," Sarah advised. "If he's here, he's probably just looking for trouble."

MJ nodded, her jaw clenched. "You know that's exactly what he does best." She sighed, looking around the area as if trying to keep her focus on anything other than what was happening in her head. Ward's return only complicated everything—especially where Rafe was concerned.

She wasn't about to let Ward mess things up, but she also wasn't ready to tell Sarah—or anyone else—the real truth about what was happening with Rafe. That was a mess she couldn't untangle yet. Not with everything else on the line.

"I'll keep an eye out," MJ finally said, forcing a smile. "But if he shows up looking for trouble, I'm not going to make it easy for him."

Sarah raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further. She could sense MJ's underlying tension, but she didn't push it. For now, they had to focus on what was directly in front of them.

But MJ knew one thing for sure: keeping her secret about Rafe was getting harder by the day.

"How are we supposed to keep him away?" MJ murmured, glancing at Sarah, her mind racing with the mess Ward's presence could bring. Sarah just shrugged, looking almost defeated, the tension between them palpable.

The conversation lingered, but MJ wasn't paying attention anymore. She felt the weight of the situation—Ward's return was just the latest complication in a string of things she was desperately trying to keep under wraps. As much as she wanted to avoid it, she knew she'd eventually have to deal with the fallout from Rafe and everything that came with being secretly back together with him. She wasn't ready for that.

"Ugh, he's really gonna show up now?" MJ muttered under her breath, pushing away any thoughts of Rafe, not wanting Sarah to notice the direction her thoughts were going in. She knew Sarah was worried about Ward, but MJ had her mess to untangle.

Suddenly, Sarah leaned in, speaking quietly. "I think it's best if we just stay here and avoid him for now. Don't let him drag us into anything."

MJ nodded, though she wasn't sure how well that would work. Ward wasn't the type to let things go easily, and he was bound to cause trouble. She wasn't sure she could keep everything under control, especially with her secret about Rafe still hanging in the balance.

Then, she heard someone approach from behind. "Hey, MJ," a familiar voice said.

MJ turned to see Topper standing there, a forced smile on his face.

"Topper," MJ greeted, her tone neutral. She tried to hide her discomfort, but she wasn't sure how well she was succeeding. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering," Topper said, gesturing vaguely to the party around them, "do you like the decorations?"

MJ glanced around, trying to keep her mind focused. "Yeah, they're great. Party City special," she said, shrugging slightly. It felt like a useless conversation, but she wasn't in the mood for anything deeper.

Topper nodded, still lingering awkwardly. "Well, you look... nice tonight."

"Thanks, Topper," MJ replied, her voice flat, as she scanned the crowd. It felt like an eternity before she could turn her attention away from him, her mind only half-focused. She wondered where Rafe was—what he was doing. Was he even here yet? And how would she handle him if Ward was around too?

Topper's voice brought her back to the present. "Do you... want to talk for a bit?" he asked, clearly trying to make an effort, but MJ just wanted him to go away. She forced a smile, taking a sip of her drink.

"I'm kind of busy right now. Maybe later," she said, her eyes darting nervously around the room as she stepped away, silently making her way back to Sarah.

She could feel her heart racing, not just from the awkward interaction with Topper, but because she was starting to realize just how much was slipping out of her control.

MJ's eyes darted across the room, her gaze briefly catching Sarah's as she shifted uncomfortably, talking to a few people nearby. But MJ wasn't paying attention to her anymore. Instead, her focus narrowed on the side door to the back patio. There, standing just beyond the threshold, were John B and JJ, both looking like they were waiting for someone to slip away unnoticed.

The sight of them sent a ripple of relief through MJ's chest. It was like a momentary escape from the tension of the party, from the ever-present weight of her secret relationship with Rafe. Without thinking, MJ took a small, careful step toward the door, her gaze flicking back to make sure no one was watching her slip away.

"MJ?" Sarah called out, but MJ didn't pause, already halfway to the exit. She didn't have time to explain. Not tonight. Not when her twin brother was out there, and neither he nor John B had any idea about the storm brewing inside her heart.

The door creaked slightly as she pushed it open, slipping outside into the cool night air. The sound of music and laughter from the party felt distant now, as the night sky wrapped around her like a cloak of quiet. She turned her eyes to the two figures ahead of her.

"Thought you might need an escape," John B said with his usual grin, leaning against the rail of the deck.

MJ gave him a half-smile, though her thoughts were preoccupied with the fact that she hadn't been able to breathe properly since the moment she'd seen Rafe tonight. "You two always lurking around in the shadows, huh?"

JJ chuckled, stepping away from the edge of the deck and walking toward her. His usual carefree demeanour softened slightly as he looked at her, noticing something was off. "What's going on, MJ? You look... like you're about to jump out of your skin."

MJ forced a breath, shaking her head. "It's nothing," she said, voice quieter than she intended. "Just needed a moment away from everything."

John B raised an eyebrow, pushing himself off the rail to stand beside JJ. "Everything alright? You don't usually run off like this, especially at a party where your twin's supposed to keep you in check."

The mention of her twin hit MJ harder than she expected. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. "Just needed some space," she repeated, though it didn't sound as convincing as she wanted it to. She was suddenly acutely aware of how much she'd been holding back lately. Rafe. Her secret. The lie she was living.

JJ wasn't buying it. His eyes narrowed, sensing that something deeper was troubling her. "You know you can tell us, right? We've got your back."

MJ looked between the two of them, feeling an overwhelming rush of emotions she had yet to sort through. For a moment, she just stood there, feeling the cold air brush against her skin. Finally, she shook her head, knowing she couldn't bring herself to share everything.

"I'm fine, really," MJ lied again, her smile forced.

But JJ didn't seem convinced. He studied her face for a long moment, then sighed heavily. "If you say so," he muttered, but his voice held concern.

John B nudged JJ with his shoulder, not wanting to push too hard. "Well, we're here if you need us," he added with a reassuring tone. "You know that, right?"

"Are you two okay?" she called out softly, her voice catching in the quiet night.

JJ turned around quickly, surprised by her presence. "No," he said, pointing at her with an intensity that made her raise an eyebrow. "Long story short, we're mounting a full search and rescue mission right now. Big John got nabbed. Like, actually nabbed."

She blinked, confused. "Wait, what do you mean, 'got nabbed'?"

"Snatched. Kidnapped. Abducted. To South America by Singh," he explained quickly, running a hand through his hair. "We've gotta get down there as soon as we can."

"South America? Are you serious? Right now?" she asked, not quite able to wrap her mind around it.

"Yeah, I know," JJ responded, his tone a mix of frustration and determination. "It's a long shot, but we're making a plan right now."

MJ could feel the tension building between them. She wasn't sure what to say—what could she say? She had her problems, but now wasn't the time to bring that up. "Hold on," she said, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "This doesn't make any sense."

JJ raised an eyebrow. "What doesn't make sense? I just explained it all to you." JJ looked away, not wanting to revisit that particular topic. 

The urgency in his words snapped MJ into action. Big John wasn't just some adult—they were family. He was a part of their world, and she couldn't just sit back while he was in danger. "I want to help," she said, stepping forward, her voice steady with resolve. "I'm going with you. I don't care what the plan is—I need to be there."

JJ blinked, clearly taken aback by her sudden decision. "MJ, you don't have to do this. You—"

"I do," she interrupted, her voice firm. "I'm not sitting around here while Big John is out there, in danger. He's not just some guy; he's part of this family, and I'm not letting him down."

She could see the hesitation in his eyes. He wasn't sure whether to let her come along or keep her safe at home. He knew how much danger they were about to walk into, but the urgency of the situation pushed him to nod reluctantly. "Okay," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "You want to help? Then let's move fast."

MJ felt the relief rush over her, but her heart was still heavy. She didn't know what they would find when they got to South America or what they were up against, but she wasn't going to let Big John—or JJ—face this alone. As much as she wanted to fix the things between her and JJ, this wasn't about them. It was about Big John, and she would do whatever it took to get him back.

"I'm in," MJ said again, her tone final, as she looked up at JJ. "Let's go get him."

MJ followed JJ back inside, her mind racing with the plan forming in her head. The weight of the situation made everything else seem distant, almost irrelevant. She needed to focus on getting Big John back, and she wasn't about to let anyone stop her, not even JJ.

As they stepped through the door, the sound of voices and laughter from the party inside seemed too loud, too carefree for the gravity of what they were about to do. MJ glanced around, her eyes landing on Kiara and Pope, who were deep in conversation near the kitchen, clearly unaware of what was going on outside.

"What's the plan?" MJ asked, her voice low, but urgent as she approached JJ, who had already started to walk toward the back of the house where he knew the others would be gathering.

JJ paused and turned back to her, glancing at her before nodding. "We need to meet up with the group. They're putting together the details now. We can't waste time."

She nodded, following him down the hallway, her pulse quickening. She was ready for whatever came next, even if she had no idea what they'd be walking into.

MJ stood off to the side, her eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. Her heart raced as she saw John B march over to Topper, the tension thick in the air. This wasn't the kind of party she wanted to be at, not with everything going down with Big John and the group's plans.

But as she took in the scene, she couldn't help the frustration building inside her. She saw Sarah trying to stop John B, but the words weren't enough to calm him down. It felt like everything was spiralling out of control. MJ didn't care about the stupid drama between her friends and Topper; all she could think about was the fact that Big John was out there, in danger, and they were wasting time on this.

"Not right here, bro. Not right here," Topper said, trying to keep some distance between himself and John B.

MJ felt a pang of worry. She knew it wasn't the time for this, but she couldn't just stand back and watch it escalate either. Her hand gripped the edge of the doorframe as her twin, JJ, tried to step in but hesitated, clearly conflicted.

"John B, stop," MJ murmured to herself under her breath, but it was already too late. The tension snapped when John B shoved Topper. The sound of their collision echoed in the party, and her stomach twisted.

"Stop!" Sarah screamed, her voice raw.

But it didn't work. John B was far beyond reason now. He shoved Topper again, pushing him back, and before MJ could think, John B was swinging. She could feel her heart beating faster in her chest as she saw him land a punch, then another. The band stopped playing, and the room fell silent except for the chaotic shouts and the sickening thud of fists.

"John B! Stop!" Kiara's voice cut through the noise, but MJ stayed still, rooted in place. She was in no position to break up this fight—she wasn't even sure if she could stop herself from getting involved, considering what had been brewing between her and Rafe.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Mike yelled, trying to pull John B off of Topper. But John B shoved him away. That was when MJ saw JJ spring into action, stepping in between them.

"Get off of him!" JJ barked at Mike, his voice filled with the kind of anger MJ rarely heard from her twin.

At that moment, MJ stepped forward, her eyes scanning the group. She could see the panic in Sarah's eyes, the anger in John B's face, and the confusion in Topper's. Her breath caught as she realized it was all spiralling too quickly—there was no way to undo what was happening.

"Please, just stop," MJ called out, her voice firm as she pushed past Kiara, moving to stand beside JJ. "This isn't going to solve anything."

JJ turned to her, his face tense, but when he saw her expression, he relented, stepping back slightly.

"You happy, Sarah?!" John B sneered, still breathing heavily, his fists clenched at his sides.

Sarah was standing in between John B and Topper, her face pale and horrified, looking between the two men with tears in her eyes. She didn't know what to do, and neither did MJ.

Her eyes flickered briefly to Rafe, standing in the corner of the room with his usual calm demeanour as if he was watching the entire thing unfold without being bothered by it. He didn't flinch when John B shouted or when the tension in the room nearly reached its peak.

JJ was still looking at her with an unreadable expression, but she could see the concern in his eyes. Despite everything that was happening, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her choices. 

The chaos around them began to settle as Mike finally forced John B back, the fight diffused but the tension was far from gone.

"You alright?" JJ asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned to face her.

MJ nodded. "Yeah. But we need to go. Now."

JJ seemed to understand. He glanced back at the group, giving a small nod before walking toward the door.

────

Later that night, as the chaos of the party started to settle, MJ found herself sitting on the edge of the couch, staring at her phone. Her thoughts were a mess—caught between the adrenaline from earlier, her worries about Big John, and the pull she felt toward Rafe. She couldn't shake the feeling that things between them were more complicated than ever. But at the same time, there was no denying that she wanted to see him again, to feel that spark, even if it was dangerous.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, breaking her from her thoughts. She looked at the screen, her heart skipping when she saw Rafe's name flashing across the display.

She hesitated for a second before answering, her breath catching as she pressed the phone to her ear. "Rafe," she said softly, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

"Hey, MJ," Rafe's voice came through, smooth and calm as always. "So, there's a party over at Topper's place. I was thinking maybe you'd wanna come with me. It's gonna be... well, a lot, but I could use your company."

Her stomach flipped at the sound of his voice. She hadn't seen him in hours, and though she knew there was a part of her that shouldn't want to, she could feel her resolve slipping. "A party?" she repeated, her tone cautious. She could almost hear the slight smirk in Rafe's voice, the one he always wore when he was trying to pull her into something risky.

"Yeah. Topper's throwing it. It's gonna be a bit wild, but I thought, you know, we could make an entrance," he teased, the playfulness in his voice making her heart race.

She sighed, trying to keep her cool. "You know I'm not exactly a fan of the crowds at those things. Especially after the whole mess earlier." The fight with John B, the chaos—she didn't need to be a part of that drama again. She'd had enough for one night.

Rafe's voice softened, turning serious. "I get it. But I'd still like you to come. Just us. We can lay low, have a drink, and maybe—just maybe—avoid all the drama this time." He paused for a moment. "It's been a crazy night, and I just want to see you. I miss you."

MJ bit her lip, feeling a mix of longing and guilt. The temptation to go was overwhelming. She could already picture the way he'd look at her when she walked into the party, the way his presence made everything else fade into the background. But there was still the risk. The secret. The fact that no one could know they were back together.

But she also knew something else deep down: she was tired of pretending. She wanted this—wanted him.

After a beat of silence, she gave in. "Alright. I'll come. But we keep it low-key. No crazy drama."

Rafe's chuckle came through the phone, warm and reassuring. "You got it, princess. I'll pick you up in fifteen."

"See you then." MJ hung up, her heart pounding as she stood from the couch. She glanced toward the door, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous energy. She was about to step back into a world she'd been keeping at arm's length—into a world where Rafe was the center of everything, and where every choice felt like a risk.

But she couldn't stop herself. She had already made her decision.

Fifteen minutes later, Rafe was pulling up in his sleek car, the headlights cutting through the darkness. MJ took a deep breath, smoothing out her clothes as she stepped out onto the porch. The night felt still like everything was holding its breath.

She climbed into the passenger seat, and Rafe didn't waste any time, glancing over at her with a smile. "You look beautiful, as always."

MJ smiled back, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Don't make me regret this."

Rafe's grin only widened. "You won't. Trust me."

The drive to Topper's house was filled with tension, but it wasn't the kind that came from an argument or a fight—it was the kind of tension that hung in the air when you were about to step into the unknown. MJ couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would change everything. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing yet, but she was about to find out.

As they pulled up to the party, MJ could already hear the music thumping from inside, the laughter, and the clinking of glasses. She could feel the pull of it—the chaos, the fun, the recklessness that made her heart race. But more than that, she could feel Rafe beside her, and that was the one thing she couldn't ignore.

"Ready?" Rafe asked, his eyes flicking to hers, full of a quiet intensity.

MJ nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah. Let's see what this night holds."

The loud music from inside Topper's house only grew louder as Rafe and MJ stepped out of the car, the bass vibrating through the floorboards. They exchanged a quick glance before heading up the driveway, their footsteps crunching on the gravel. The party was already in full swing—laughter, shouting, and clinking bottles could be heard from the open windows. The energy in the air was thick like the night was on the edge of something dangerous, but MJ couldn't help but feel drawn to it.

Rafe didn't say much as they entered the house. His presence, as always, was magnetic, and MJ felt the familiar weight of his gaze on her every step of the way. She tried to keep her cool, but it was hard when every part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and lose herself in the chaos, in him. The tension between them was palpable, and she could feel it growing with each passing second.

Inside, the room was hazy with smoke, the lights dim but pulsing with color. People were scattered around the room, dancing, talking, laughing—some lost in their own little worlds, others too loud for their own good. The smell of alcohol and weed lingered in the air, but MJ's focus was on Rafe, his hand lightly grazing the small of her back as they made their way toward the kitchen.

Rafe leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke. "You good?" he asked, his voice low and smooth, almost too soft to hear over the music.

MJ nodded, trying to steady her nerves. "Yeah. Just... not really used to this kind of party," she admitted. She could feel the weight of her own words, knowing they weren't entirely true. She'd been to parties like this before, but it felt different with Rafe. The stakes were higher, and the risk of everything falling apart felt more real.

Rafe chuckled softly, his fingers lightly trailing across her wrist. "Well, don't worry about that. You don't have to fit in here. Just stick with me."

She managed a small smile, though the back of her mind screamed at her to be careful, to not lose herself again in something she couldn't control. But, as always with Rafe, the temptation was too strong.

They continued through the house, weaving through groups of people until they found themselves at a small, dimly lit corner of the house, away from the crowd. Rafe turned to her, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and something darker. "You wanna have some fun?" he asked, pulling out a small baggie from his pocket.

MJ's stomach tightened. She knew exactly what was in that bag. It was a mix of the kind of reckless thrill that had both scared and excited her in the past, and she knew that tonight, it was all too easy to give in.

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Rafe... you know I—"

"Hey, relax," he interrupted, flashing her a grin that made her heart race. "It's just a little bump. We're here to have a good time, right?"

She hesitated for only a moment before she nodded, feeling the pull of his gaze and the weight of everything that had happened between them. She couldn't deny it—the urge to feel something, to forget about everything for just a second, was overwhelming. And with Rafe, the boundaries are always blurred.

He handed her a small mirror and a rolled-up bill, both of them looking at each other as they prepared to take the coke. It was a dangerous game they were playing, but in that moment, it felt like the only option.

MJ pressed the tip of the rolled bill to her nose and took a quick inhale, feeling the burn as the powder hit her system. It wasn't her first time, but each time felt just as intense as the last—like a rush that made everything else fade away. Her head spun for a second, and then, the familiar high hit her, washing over her like a wave. Her heartbeat quickened, and she could feel her senses sharpening, the music louder, the air thicker.

Rafe watched her with a knowing smile, his own turn coming quickly after. His eyes never left hers as he did the same, his focus on her like he was daring her to get lost in it all, just like he was.

When it was over, the world felt different. More vivid. The music was no longer just noise; it was a soundtrack to the chaos that had taken over her mind. The people around her, the flickering lights, the haze of smoke—they all blurred into the background. It was just her and Rafe.

She leaned in closer to him, the high making everything feel more electric, more alive. Her breath came a little faster, her hands suddenly more eager to touch him. His eyes darkened with an intensity that matched her own, the unspoken tension between them building to a breaking point.

"You're different tonight," Rafe murmured, his lips brushing against her ear as he leaned in closer. "I like it."

MJ let out a shaky breath, her heart racing even faster now. "Maybe I just needed a little something to loosen up," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Well, then," Rafe whispered back, his lips now dangerously close to hers, "let's make sure you don't stop."

The air between them was thick with desire and recklessness, both of them caught in the high, in the feeling of now. There was no turning back, not tonight. The world could wait.

And as Rafe's lips met hers in a fiery kiss, the night stretched out before them, full of dangerous promise.

────

authors note:

oooo things are getting spicy between them 

again as we get closer to season 4 !!!