Chapter 19

Raven

*l*l*l*l*l

“Pit pat pip pat,” the rhythmic sound of rain faded away as I glanced out the window, lost in my thoughts.

Time seems to be moving faster at this point in my life. It's been weeks since the party, and I must say that the experience was enjoyable. I'd give up a week's worth of my favourite dessert for another chance to "sneak into a party," but this isn't about the cocktails. It's more about it making me feel like I belong here and wanting to meet more new people.

For some reason, Bianca has returned to being unpleasant. I shouldn't be so surprised but it does leave a bitter taste in my mouth to feel as if I have been fooled.

On the other hand, Flo seemed less bothersome, possibly because we’ve not been partnered up for a while.

Adrian has been so cool and surprisingly more friendly. The fitness class has been much more lively with him around.

Somehow, I feel like I've settled in. It feels nice, but that might be coming to an end soon as exams are fast approaching.

Still, I feel warm on the inside.

I smiled at the thought of the new friends I had made. James’ contagious laughter, Owen’s entire personality and Rowann, there’s just something about him.

“Whatchu smiling at?” a cheerful voice sounded.

"Oh, hi Damien," I answered, my smile widening at the prospect of having a friend around.

"Oh, hello Raven," he responded, mimicking me in a humorous tone.

"Tsk, you're such a bully," I managed to say while laughing.

"Am I? The view is beautiful from up here, but you make it even better." He said calmly as he sat on the floor near me.

"How did you find me? I thought I had finally discovered a secret spot," I asked with a flushed face.

It's hardly a secret if you can be seen from the outside, right? "It's especially visible from the pitch," he said, smirking.

"Really? But the last time I checked, I couldn't see what was happening inside,” I asked with a raised brow.

"Up there," he pointed after pulling me a bit further from where we were sitting.

"Ohhhh, the blinds," I muttered, wondering how I hadn’t noticed them in the first place.

"It's been forever since we last had a chat." He squinted at the sun rays that hit him as he sat.

"We had quite the lengthy chat last time we met though." I fiddled with my bag strap, remembering how the day ended.

“I’m sorry.” He suddenly apologized.

“I ought to have checked on you to be sure you were fully recovered but couldn't bring myself to come up in front of you after causing you to relapse. I owe you an apology; please forgive me." He continued despondently.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, a bit confused.

"After your relapse, I only took you to the infirmary, I didn't come back to check on you." He mumbled with guilt.

"Relapse? I only passed out as a stress reaction." I laughed.

"Well, I am pissed and I'm not accepting your apology." I continued, feigning a frown.

"I knew it wasn't going to be easy to be forgiven so I'll keep apologising each time I see you till you forgive me." He said gently while looking down.

"Tch, I was only kidding. We have forthcoming exams, and you have plenty of extracurricular activities. "It's understandable that you forgot because you were busy." I said, offering him an out.

To be honest, I'd forgiven him already. I wasn't pleased with it, but at least he took me to the infirmary.

Since he was apologising, I see no reason not to forgive him; in fact, I should be thanking him.

"So…you forgive me?" he asked, turning to me.

"Yes, on the condition that you don't do it again," I stated firmly.

"Yes, yes." I wouldn't," he quickly agreed.

“Thanks for bringing me to the infirmary too” I smiled genuinely.

“Nah, it's fine.” He quietly said.

"Aren't you on the playing squad today? The match will start soon." I remarked as I tied my shoelaces and got ready to leave.

"I am. We were warming up before I noticed you." He got up to lend me a hand.

"Thanks." I grinned as I took his hand.

Damien came to the pitch and bid me farewell.

It's pretty windy today; a lovely time to relax under the oak tree and clear my mind.

*l*l*l*l*l*l*l

FEW MOMENTS LATER

*ll*ll*ll*ll*ll*l

I knew we’d find you here,” Grace’s excited squeal travelled through the air.

“No, you did not. It was totally my idea to check if she was here.” Tia retorted.

“Hellooo” I drawled, hugging both of them.

“Do you know how lucky I am to have you both as my friends?” I suddenly said out of the blue.

“Awwwwwn, me too,” Tia said, hugging me tighter.

“You both are making me wanna cry right now.” Grace sniffed and made the hug even tighter.

“Come here, you big child.” Tia suddenly lifted me running toward our room block.

“Put me down.” I whisper-screamed at her.

“No, no, no. I can’t even hear you.” She whispers- screamed back at me.

“Come on, move faster girls. Raven, you have a big package waiting in the room.” Grace said jogging after us.

“Yes, we’ve been waiting for you but you were taking foreverrrrrr,” Tia added.

“So we came to fetch you.” Grace sang comically.

“Did you see anyone strange around?” I asked cautiously as Tia set me down at the door.

“The Asian-looking middle-aged man Tia said you seemed to know?” Grace squinted with a questioning look.

“Okay, you got me. Yes, that one.” I muttered, raising my hands with guilt.

“Who is he anyways?” Tia asked as she sat on a beanbag.

“He’s sort of my guardian,” I said quietly, taking in their reactions.

“I knew it, I told you it felt like he was staring daggers at Adrian on Saturday.” Grace looked at Tia with gossip in her eyes.

“Uhhhhh, what are you talking about?” I asked genuinely lost.

“I’m not sure as well but one thing I am sure of was you were as drunk as a drunkard could be.” Tia chuckled.

“Was it that bad?” I asked again.

“Seeeee? I told you. She doesn’t remember.” Grace said to Tia.

"Well, that's a relief. We assumed you did not want to tell us what happened. Tia remarked. “I don’t know which was more shocking, the thought that you might have gone missing when we couldn't find you after everyone dispersed or the incident on the dance floor or the part where you were enjoying a piggyback ride.

“WHAT?? So, what else did I do? Who was that? "When did all that happen?" I asked, perplexed.

“Mostly, on Saturday morning but….” Tia whispered.

"We can't tell. Your guardian insisted that we don’t breathe a word about the details. You have to remember that and let us know what we missed out on." Grace said interrupting Tia.

“What's going on? First, it was Damien talking about a relapse I never had. Usually, I wouldn’t feel the need to pick on a word but now that I think of it he mentioned “relapse” twice. I was told I passed out due to stress. Was he trying to tell me something indirectly? Could Sensei also have a hand in that as well? Now, it’s this? Just what the hell did I do?” I thought to myself, feeling extremely distressed.

“ Did he tell you why?” I asked casually.

“Nope.”

“Didn't tell.”

"Here, you can use the tip to open up the bag easily." Grace offered.

"Thanks, can you please help me with these?" I took out the smaller bags, thinking of how to get them to spill the beans.

"With pleasure," Grace replied, hurriedly taking the pack.

"You didn't even need to ask." Tia grinned.

"Awwwwwww, it's a box of my favourite chocolate," I muttered, suddenly missing my father.

"Dark chocolate barssss … are you crying?" Grace quietly asked, the thrill in her expression fading significantly.

"Am I?" I sniffled in astonishment, wondering what had gotten into me.

"There's a box of brown sugar," Tia quietly said.

"Oh," I said awkwardly as I remembered what week it was.

“Tch, you had me scared for a minute.” Grace heaved.

"I’m guessing it's that time of the month missy,” Tia said.