Kiss Before Midnight

"Listen to me, I know it seems impossible for me to do it, but I need your help." Raven starts the conversation.

"I know my father too well, and he is the type of man who plans his actions precisely. I will make my father believe that I will take Lacey Miles as my date in the Ball Night. I will talk to Ken and Lexus, and we will plan everything about this." Raven seriously says

"What will you gain, Raven, for going against your father? You will only make him angry and put yourself in trouble." Faye voice out of concern.

"I worry about you more." Raven holds her hand.

"Why? What to worry about me? I'm fine." Faye tries not to look at Raven's eyes.

"Your lying. You're not. You admit you don't want to deal with David Grayson, and it's obvious that you don't like to be around that man either, and I don't want you to be associated with him. He is vicious. I know him since we are a kid." Raven's tone is emphasizing.

"Why do you have to care?" Faye asks out of frustration; the man holds her hand as she tries to pull it away.

"Isn't obvious, Faye," he sighs. "It's hard for me to express myself like this. I'm not good at this, honestly." Raven is anxious, still holding Faye's hand. He is looking down.

"Raven, it's already near midnight. I need to go; I message Czerene and Leigh that I will be home by midnight.

Raven closes her eyes; he knows well how Faye tries much to push him away and ignore him. He knows she is doing it again.

He knows they couldn't live this way, escaping in each shadow when he has hope within him that she feels the same.

He has been pushing his luck, and he is willing to do it even more. He looked at Faye, catching her eyes.

Faye feels the intense stare of Raven towards her. She is nervous, and she doesn't know why.

Faye's hands that Raven hold, he put it in his chest, Faye feels the beat of his heart, and she can't help but gaze into his eyes.

They are both looking at each other, and Raven cups her face with his right hand. Slowly, closing the gap between the two of them. He feels her lips into his.

Raven doesn't know what he is doing, his body has a mind on its own, but he felt good. He likes the feeling of Faye's lip into him.

Faye opens her mouth to get some air, and that gives Raven access to kiss her passionately.

Raven deepened the kiss. He felt he is drunk in sweet flavor.

Raven is intoxicated; he let his feelings take him away as he held Faye by her waist and closes the space between them.

Raven felt Faye's hand on his chest as she slowly envelopes both her arms in his shoulder as Raven kissing her passionately.

Faye gasp for air as they break apart, Raven blushing furiously; he doesn't let go of Faye. He still held her in his arms. He looks at Faye dearly; he somehow knows all the answers in his inhibitions.

Faye lowers his hand on his chest catches her breath. She can hear their both gasping for air; it seems she can listen to her heartbeats more. She is aware of Raven's presence, touches, and pulses too.

Faye doesn't want to look at him, she bows her head low, clears her throat, and trying to think of what to say, but before she does, Raven speaks and looks at her intently.

"I like you ever since I was young. I've seen you before at the banquet when we are seven years old. You're together with your parents, and so am I. I have a big crush on you, I like seeing you, and you're as beautiful as the flower you're holding by that time. I happen to know your name and remember it in my heart as time pass by, and I see your profile is in the Racing Club. I get so excited knowing you're in the same club as me. I love racing, and going to the club every day to have a glimpse of you makes me happy. You become my inspiration that I fall harder every day. I get to know you more. How can I command my heart to stop beating fast when I see you? You're the only one I notice in the crowd; you can make me smile out of nowhere. I'm in love with you for years; I wanted to protect you." Raven whisper to her.

Faye closes her eyes as Raven's voice is like music to her ears; she never felt that kind of importance and love anymore. It has been very long when she lost her father, and all she has is her best friend, Czerene and Leigh. In Faye's mind, she can go on in her life with her real friends by her side are all she needs.

Hearing Raven's confessions touch her heart profoundly, and she has to admit it she is fond of Raven's attention and love for her. Faye wanted that, she maybe is selfish, but she wanted it badly. She embraces Raven and feels his warmth. She breathes in his scent.

"I'm scared of what will happen," Faye whispers, nudging in his neck,

Raven hold her dearly, "Can you trust me?" he asks, seriously.

Raven looks at her and holds her face; he is figuring out Faye's puzzle mind.

"Trust is a strong word." Faye looks at him bewildered; she is terrified, she doesn't know to who and what,

"I promise I will only believe what you say, Faye. I may be a Hamilton, but what my father has been doing. I don't want that. I promise to my mother to marry the woman I love or not marry at all. I' am here to show you my bare self and to pledge to you my loyalty. I love you, and you will always be the woman I choose." Raven convinces her to trust him.

"Don't you think things are going way too fast?" Faye still hesitant

"My feeling doesn't happen overnight; I like you since, were seven years old, adores you more when you're seventeen, on the first day of College. In each passing day as we are now twenty-one, I'm sure I'm in love with you and, No, that's is not going too fast. My feelings develop so much in time." Raven expresses himself.

Faye can't deny she is touch by Raven's confessions; she can't help but stare at him.

Raven holds him once again, "it's okay, and I understand that you are baffled now. I think you need to rest. I will take you home." Raven held her hand as they walk towards the car.

Faye looks at the moon once again; she remembers when her mother is still well, and she is still talking to her.

She told her about the moon dust fairies that whenever the "power of the moon" does its magic, beautiful things happen.

She smiles, maybe, it is indeed a magical night for her, and she will dream of this dream once more when she has the chance.

She looks at their clasp hand once more and smiles; she likes the feelings it brought to her.

Raven is driving fast, but his other hand. Still, holding Faye's hand.

Faye knew she is acting unusual, but she wants to savor the moment as long as she has it.

Faye takes a deep breath as they reach her house. She lives together with her best friends Leigh and Czerene.

Faye is surprised that both of her best friends are out of the house. Leigh and Czerene, waiting for her at the front door.

Both of their frowned faces welcome her. Leigh is crossing her arms.

Raven let go of her hand and help her in the seatbelt and open the door for her.

Czerene quickly hugs her, "you're back, atlas."

"Why you're both awake?" Faye asks curiously

"Why would we not? We wait for you. We read your text but still wanted to make sure." Leigh strictly said.

"Touch down," Faye says as to show her watch it's midnight.

"It's time Cinderella should be home." Czerene teases her,

"I'm better than her; she leaves the party at twelve. I'm home at twelve." Faye's teases back, giggling.

Both of her best friend's eyes pass her as their attention is on the man she with. Raven clears his throats ", I'll better go. Goodnight." he quickly runs back to his car and drives.

"Raven is with you. Why?" Leigh asks curiously

"We just bumped in the road." Faye excuses.

"He kindly offers me a ride," Faye added.

"Liar, let's go inside and tell us everything. I got my chips ready." Leigh quickly cut her off.

Faye knew she couldn't lie to her best friends; they know her so well that they quickly catch if she is making excuses and stories.

They gather around as Faye tells her best friends what happened. They have lost it after hearing Faye's story.

They are giggling and keep on screeching now and then to show their enthusiasm in Faye's story. It excites them and makes them blush for hearing the story.

The next day, after class: Raven, Lexus, and Ken gather in their condo and talk. Lexus acting unusual he seems not to pay attention to what Raven saying;

"Lexus, are you hearing me?" Raven is concern

"Huh?" Lexus appears out of his trance

"I'm talking for hours here about our plan in the University Ball Night," Raven complains.

"You are going to date, Lacey Miles?" Lexus seems to ask.

"I suppose to make it seems that way but not in real events, the Ball Night we will steal the show. We don't want outsiders to ruin it." Raven explains

"Lacey is from our University," Ken stated

"Yes. I know, but it's doesn't matter. I have plans for Lacey." Raven quickly answers.

"You're not dating Gillians's daughter? Aren't you, Lexus?" Raven confirms

"You are head over heels in love with Leigh." Raven reminds him

Lexus looks at him, "We are in a different situation, Raven." Lexus answer.

"You're not going to let me down, Lexus. I know our brotherhood is much important than your father's request." Raven pleads to him.

Lexus look at him ", I am down on your plan. I'm saying that your father on the look at everything you're doing. We can't be careless." Lexus anxiously says

"I know my father is capable of everything. I have plans to deceive his men; we have to work on it." Raven states seriously,

"The problem is that my family doesn't want to deal with your families. I need to put my borderline. I'm in, but we can't do anything that can be known by my parents that I'm helping you both. I will be in trouble." Ken warns them.

"I envy you, Ken, compare to both of us, you are much free to decide what you want, and your parents don't order you. It is good to be the second son. Lexus and I face a dilemma for being the one and only heir." Raven complains.

"We face different scenarios Raven; even if I'm not the first child, it doesn't mean that my life is less hard than both of you. You know better than my older brother always has his eyes on me." Ken replied

Raven pauses for a while and agrees.

"Yeah, you're right, we have a different battle, but I hope we are in each other's back and always on each other's side as we promise in each other. We don't want to end up like our parents." Raven reminds both of his best friends.

Lexus snaps out of it ", Raven, do you doubt our loyalty?" Lexus is irritated.

Raven is surprised that Lexus takes his statement that way ", No, I would never. Why would you say that?" Raven quickly answers

Lexus remains silent; Raven starts to voice out his worries.

"You're not in your usual self Lexus." Raven can't help but notice.

"I know you are excited about planning things like this, but you act the opposite. Is there something wrong?" Raven is curious

Lexus sighs ", Nothing, don't mind me. I didn't get much sleep. I'm sorry."

"You can take your rest Lexus; it seems you're not in a good mood. We will discuss this later." Ken suggest

"Did you meet your father, Lexus?" Raven asks

"Yes, he calls me to meet him." Lexus casually answer

"I see that is the reason you are acting strange; you act that way whenever you meet him." Raven can't help but comment.

"Why you're acting like you know everything, Raven." Lexus scoffs

"What?" Raven asks bewildered

Ken decides to stand up and goes to Lexus. "Cmon' Lexus; you go to your room; you need to rest."

Ken's voice is authoritative; he looks at Raven with a piercing look and a signal warning to cut it out.

Raven decides to shut up and swallow everything. He doesn't understand what is happening to Lexus, but he doesn't like what he acts.

Raven sighs. He knows something is up, he flopped down on the sofa, close his eyes to mend his mind for too much thinking.

He hears a cellphone ringing. Raven checks his phone; it is not his.

He looks at the table. Raven sees it is Lexus's phone, the caller id. He knows very well who it is.