Hallow's Edge

Chapter 8 - Noah

The second Lily storms out of the cafeteria, the whole room erupts into whispers. I can feel eyes on me from every direction, curious, smug, hungry for drama. I ignore all of them and sit back down across from Raven and Emily. Emily kicks me under the table. “You’re a disaster.”

“Thanks,” I mutter.

Raven is staring at her tray like it might swallow her whole. Her shoulders are tight, her hair falling forward like she’s trying to hide behind it. I hate that Lily’s meltdown touched her at all.

I clear my throat. “So… uh… how’s your day going so far?”

Raven blinks, surprised I’m talking to her. “Um… okay. I guess.”

“What classes did you have this morning?”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Math, Spanish, and Art.”

“Nice,” I say, trying to sound normal. “What do you have this afternoon?”

“Science and English.”

“English?” I lean forward. “Let me see your schedule.”

She hesitates, then hands it over. My chest warms a little at the trust, small, but real. I scan the page. “Yeah, we’re in the same English class. You can sit with me.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “Oh. Okay.”

“I need to move tables anyway,” I add quickly. “We’re starting a book today, The Raven Boys, and we have to do a group project.”

Her lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile at the title.

“I was in a group of three,” I continue, “but now we can be a group instead. I’ll talk to Mrs. S before class.”

She nods. “Okay.”

“And we have History together too,” I add. “Different Science classes, but same teacher. So if you need help with anything, I’ve got you.”

Raven looks down, a soft blush rising in her cheeks. “Thanks.”

Emily leans across the table. “After school, meet me in the library. We’ll find you a copy of the book and wait for Noah to get done with football.” Raven glances at me, then back at Emily. “Okay. That sounds good.”

Emily beams. “Perfect.”

The bell rings, echoing through the cafeteria. Students start packing up, still whispering about Lily’s meltdown, but I don’t care. For the first time all day, Raven looks… less tense. Not relaxed, not comfortable, but not ready to bolt either. It’s a start.

We walk out into the hallway together, but Raven’s next class is upstairs and mine is on the opposite side of the building. I don’t want to leave her, not after what happened, not with Lily still somewhere in this school like a ticking bomb, but Raven gives me a small, polite smile before heading toward the stairs with Emily. The moment she disappears around the corner, the bond tugs, sharp, insistent, like it hates the distance.

I try to focus in my next class. I really do. But my mind keeps drifting back to Raven, whether she’s okay, whether people are whispering, whether Lily is hunting for round two. The period drags on painfully slow. By the time the bell rings, I’m already halfway out the door, heading straight for the English hallway.

I get there earlier than I ever have and lean against the wall beside the door. Lily is already inside, sitting at our usual table like nothing has changed. She has no idea what I’m planning. I’m not sitting with her. I’m not pretending anymore. And I’m not letting Raven walk into this room alone.

Students trickle in. Then I see her. Raven walks down the hall with Drake. He’s talking animatedly, and she’s smiling politely. When she spots me, her face brightens just a little, and she lifts her hand in a small wave. Something warm hits my chest.

Drake tells her goodbye, and I catch the look he gives her, curious, appreciative, lingering. I don’t like it. Not because he’s a threat. But because I don’t want anyone looking at her like that. Not yet. Not until she knows what she is to me.

“Hey,” she says softly when she reaches me.

“Hey.” I push off the wall. “Ready?” She nods, and I lead her inside.

Lily’s eyes snap to us the moment we walk in. Her smile disappears. Her posture stiffens. She looks like she’s about to explode. I ignore her. Instead, I guide Raven toward Mrs. S’s desk. “Mrs. S? This is Raven. She’s new.”

Mrs. S smiles warmly. “Welcome, Raven. Perfect timing, we’re starting a new book today.”

I clear my throat. “I’m in the only group of three for the project. I figured Raven and I could be partners. I’ll move tables.”

Mrs. S nods immediately. “That works perfectly. You two can take the empty table in front of Lily’s.”

Raven glances at me, uncertain. I give her a small, reassuring nod. Behind us, Lily makes a noise like a dying cat. Mrs. S continues, oblivious. “The library has all the copies. You can pick one up after class, Raven.”

“Thank you,” she says quietly.

We take the empty table, close enough to Lily that I can practically feel her glaring holes into the back of my head. Raven sits beside me, tucking her hair behind her ear, trying to make herself small. I hate that she feels like she has to. I lean toward her just a little. “You’re good. I promise.”

She looks up at me, eyes soft, uncertain. “Okay.”

The bond pulls, warm, electric, impossible to ignore. I force myself to look away before I do something stupid, like reach for her hand or stare at her like she’s the only person in the room. Because right now?

She is.