Chapter 7
1054 Words
RAVEN
What did I just do!!!
The people of Blackwater City knew who I was.
They knew how to greet me, short nods, careful smiles. They knew how to step aside without being told, they know not to ask questions they won’t like the answers too.
I kept my distance and my reputation sharp. It made things simple that way.
They knew also that I don't like men, the only man I could barely tolerate is Eli. That's just because he's my cousin.
At festivals like this, I don't linger, I don't mingle with anyone. I made my appearances, fulfill any obligations that dragged me out of my house and disappear before anyone got too comfortable to talk to me.
People usually left me alone.
And here I stand, in the middle of people that have known me too well to stand the sight of a man…….
Asking one to paint my face.
Fuck!
Fuck!
Fuck!
Have I lost my mind?
No, I have lost my damn freaking mind!
What was I thinking?
Why did I say that?
What should I do?
I can't walk away at this point, it'll make things more awkward, all eyes are on me……God!!!
Rave!
Say something!
Anything at all!
Fuck!…. I'm so stupid, I shouldn't have come here.
“Join the queue,” his voice cut through my thoughts, forcing my eyes to look at him. They were stern and mocking, not deliberately but maybe I am just reading too much meaning into it.
I didn't move. My eyes settled on him like I was hypnotized.
“Wait for your turn,” his voice dropped low, almost like a whisper, and his eyes didn't leave mine, sharp and unwavering.
My throat bobbed. My lips parted to say something but it was though the words got stuck in my throat.
What’s with the stern look? Why was he talking and looking at me like that?
It’s not supposed to be intimidating or scary for someone like me, I mean it’s me Raven but why does it have this effect on me?
What!
I should move, right?
This is my chance to actually knock some sense into my head and move but instead I stood, because for some stupid reason, the thought of him sitting and giggling with all this other girls was annoying and I didn't like being annoyed.
I cleared my throat, “I can’t, so paint my face first.” I blurted, sliding into the chair, gazing back at him, waiting.
His brows arched, head tilted, his eyes scanned me but I didn't move, I didn't flinch.
“Oh….um. It’s fine,” A voice from behind cut through the tension between us. I didn't need to turn to know who held that soft voice. It was Ms Sandra. “I can… I can wait” she said quickly as she stepped away awkwardly.
He smiled at her, his finger running through his hair awkwardly. “I’m sorry.” he mouthed and she smiled back at him, her cheeks flushed.
What the hell was that?
Since when were they so close?
And why does that even bother me so much?
Why am I pissed?
God!………..I feel like cutting off her tongue!
Get yourself together, Raven.
Why do I even care?
I barely know him!
I don’t even give a f**k about him!
God!!!! I feel so miserable and pathetic!
What am I even doing here!
Arghhhh!!!!
“Sit.” His deep voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and stern.
My body responded before my brain could.
I hate that!
I sat down immediately without a second thought.
He looks……so different up close, his face is so clear, the slope of his nose, the line between his brows when he’s concentrated.
How nice!
And his cologne…..God!!! he smells so nice despite that he’s covered with paint.
Wait……what?!
What the f**k is wrong with me?
Raven!
Stop it!
You don’t find him attractive!
Men are scum!
I kept reminding myself how much I hate men.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“Surprise me.”
Then the brush moved.
Every stroke of the brush landed softly, light and intentional.
His fingers brushed my jaw as he steadied my face. He knew exactly how much pressure would make me hold still.
I like the way his knuckles brushed my skin.
It did something to me!…… Ugh!!!!!
I hate that I liked it.
“Birdy,” he murmured.
He fixed his gaze on me, I didn’t know what to think or process what his looks meant.
He said to me quietly, “We need to talk.”
“About what?” I muttered.
“My garage,”…………the way you left,” he replied.
I scoffed. “You chased me out.”
“No,” he said softly .“I asked you to leave.”
“Same thing,” I frowned at him.
He sighed, “That’s not the point.”
“Those men who came in after you”, he said calmly. “The way they looked at me”, “the way they spoke.”
“Came with me?”
This jerk.
I don’t even know them!
“But they didn’t even touch you,” I blurted out.
He whispered, “They were sizing me up, deciding how far they could go”.
“So?”
“So I don’t let people do that in my space”. He said.
“You’re scared of them?” I blurted out.
“They weren’t there for the bike, they were there because they saw you there and I don’t want to be part of anything that involves blood”.
That landed harder than I expected.
I folded my arms, “you overreacted”.
He ignored me and didn't say a single word till he was done.
Did I say something wrong?
“I’m done,” he said.
He turned the mirror toward me. I met my own eyes.
A raven.
Black wings spread across my face, starting from the bridge of my nose, the feathers were bold and pretty, the wings framed my eyes making my eyes look more heavier.
I love this!
“You see me,” I said.
“I always have,” he replied.
“Dance with me Birdy.”
- Writer
