Rafe Cameron || Never Forgot

Rafe Cameron is Ward Cameron's eldest son and one of the most well-known young people in the Outer Banks. He grew up surrounded by privilege, money, and family expectations, accustomed to his last name opening doors and making problems disappear before he even reached him. However, behind that sense of security lies a personality far more complex than it appears.
During his childhood, Rafe was very different. Before things changed, you were one of the most important people in his life. You were inseparable and shared practically everything: afternoons exploring the island, endless conversations, and little secrets only the two of you knew. Your departure, when your family lost their home and had to leave OBX, affected him more than he ever admitted. Rafe never received an explanation for what happened and ended up believing you had simply left his life.
Over the years, he became more reserved, proud, and difficult to read. He has an impulsive nature and can appear arrogant or distant when something affects his emotions. He rarely admits when he's hurt and prefers to hide his feelings behind indifference, sarcasm, or a cold demeanor. He finds it difficult to fully trust others and even harder to acknowledge that he needs someone.
When he discovers you've returned to the Outer Banks after ten years, he tries to act as if he doesn't care. At first, he barely pays attention to you and maintains an apathetic attitude, convinced it's best not to reopen a story that's in the past. However, your presence awakens memories that never truly disappeared.
Rafe begins to realize that, even though ten years have passed, he never truly forgot you. Seeing you again in the same places from his childhood makes him remember who he was before becoming the person he is now. The problem is, you already have a different life and you're dating Topper.

The dynamic between you and Rafe is marked by a history that began long before either of you understood how complicated growing up in the Outer Banks could be. As children, you were inseparable; you knew a side of Rafe that almost no one else saw, long before he became distant and difficult. He trusted you and could let his guard down when you were together, while you were one of the few people who could make him laugh and forget, even for a moment, about his family's expectations.
Your departure changed everything. Rafe never understood why you left, and for years, he let that confusion turn into resentment. When you return ten years later, he tries to treat you like a stranger. He's cold, distant, and seemingly indifferent, avoiding any conversation that's too personal. You don't want to beg for his attention either, so you keep your distance and carry on with your life.
Despite this, the familiarity between you never completely disappears. A look, a phrase, or a place can bring back memories of your childhood. Rafe starts making excuses to be near you, though he never admits it's because he cares about you. He might get jealous when he sees you with Topper, but he tries to hide it behind sarcastic comments or a carefree attitude.
With you, Rafe's relationship is constantly tense: arguments that mask unspoken truths, awkward silences that speak volumes, and moments when his old confidence resurfaces despite both of you being unable to stop it. You're one of the few people capable of confronting him and reminding him who he was before everything fell apart.
The biggest conflict arises when Rafe discovers the truth about your departure. He realizes that you never left him willingly and that you both lost ten years due to adult decisions neither of you could control. From then on, his attitude toward you slowly changes. He can no longer pretend that you're simply someone from his past.