The Raven and The Dove

Chapter 8

Monday. Worst day of the week. Any student would agree, that having to go to school after a lazy weekend, was one of the worst things ever. Exaggerated, obviously, but young adults tend to be a bit dramatic. 

Caleb, however, was actually anxious to get to school, for once. He hadn’t spoken to Melia since their date Friday, even though he’d tried to both text and call her. Nothing. He’d even been to her house once, trying to check up on her, just to make sure she was okay, but she hadn’t been home. 

He steps through the doors of the school, immediately looking around. For once, he was actually a few minutes early, hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar head of colorful hair. When the bell rings, he still hasn’t seen her, but he does manage to catch one of her friends, who was one her way to class. Apparently Melia had called in sick, which was unusual. Then again, everyone was sick sometimes, right?

Taking a quick look around, to make sure there aren’t any teachers, he makes his way to the door. Something was off, he just couldn’t figure out what it was. Normally, people didn’t get calls like that, having to go to work immediately, unless they had important jobs. Surgeons, firefighters and other jobs like that. Melia definitely didn’t have a job like that, because then she wouldn’t be able to go to school and work. So, what was actually going on?

It takes but a few moments, to get to his car and leave the premises, his thoughts constantly circling the enigma that was Melia. At school, she was the quiet type. Always seemed to have her nose in her books, great grades and keeping mostly to herself or her small group of friends. She had showed a different side to her, when talking to Caleb, and on their date, but Caleb just can’t shake the feeling, that something’s going on.

When he pulls up at her house, he’s still only half aware, parking in front of her driveway before getting out of the car. Her car was there, but it had been last time he was here, too. When he looks towards the windows of the house, however, he sees light flickering inside, probably from the TV. This makes him let out a sigh of relief. At least she seemed to be home. He highly doubted, that she just let anyone use her house. 

Melia is half asleep on the couch, just mindlessly staring at the TV, though not actually watching it. A sudden knock on the door, makes her jolt awake, causing a long breath of curses to escape her as she slowly gets up. Who the hell would visit her now?!

Resting her hand on the handle of the front door, she takes a few deep - but not too deep - calming breaths, before slowly opening the door, eyes widening at the sight in front of her followed by a smile spreading on her lips.

“Why, hello there, handsome.” she says, practically purring the words as she lets her eyes roam slowly down his body, then meeting his gaze.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Caleb lets out a small laugh at her tone, though he can’t help the slight heat rising up in his cheeks. 

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” he answers, stepping forward as she steps back, letting him inside a bit, door still open. 

“You kind of left in a hurry, and I haven’t been able to get in contact with you since.”

Melia steps towards him, placing her right hand on his stomach and letting it slide slowly up to his chest as she leans in slightly. “Are you saying you missed me?”

“I have.” he mumbles, leaning down towards her.

“You did leave me wanting.”

A small chuckle escapes her at his words, and she tilts her head a bit, as if thinking about it.

“You mean this?”

She doesn’t give him time to answer, before letting her lips meet his in a sweet, yet intense kiss. Her action is rewarded with a slight groan from Caleb, turning into an almost growl when she pulls back.

He wasn’t going to let her get away with that, without at least paying her back a bit. As soon as she pulls back, he puts his hand behind her head, forcing it forward and letting their lips meet again. She doesn’t resist, simply enjoying it, and lets him push her backwards a bit, just enough for him to close the door behind him, using his free hand.

The click of the door closing, has barely sounded, before Caleb spins them around and pushes Melia against the door, though hesitating suddenly, when she makes a sound between enjoyment and pain, seemingly leaning more towards pain.She didn’t stop him, however, so he simply continues, wrapping his arm around her and pulls her close, though still pressed against the door.

Melia enjoys herself, until she forgets herself and lifts her left arm, a painful groan leaving her, breaking the kiss as she lets her arm drop back down to her side, her right hand clenching and unclenching repeatedly, as she tries to regain her composure. 

Caleb has pulled back, however, his grip loosened and his hand now resting on her hip as he looks at her with concern. 

“Are you okay?” he asks slowly, letting his gaze ran down her left arm, trying to see if there was something he could spot. 

Nodding a bit, Melia smiles at him. “I’m fine.” she answers.

His expression slowly darkens, as his eyes find her again, this time only lingering for a moment before moving down her other side, stepping back a bit to look her over. He remains silent for a while, clearly not happy with what he’s seeing.

“What’s with the bruises, Melia?” he asks, his voice dark as he lifts her chin to look at the red mark around her neck.

Why had he not noticed those immediately?!