AsheronAddiction
Chapter I
"So, uh…call me when you get this, k Will? We'll have to do something for your winter break if I can get time off. You know what it's like; everyone else gets in first. Anyway, see ya sweety." Raven grimaced at the lengthy dialogue she was leaving her cousin a message on her answering machine. It was the second time she'd called this month and her red-headed cousin had yet to call her back. Sighing, she put down the phone and looked at the clock. 8.30pm. Great; she only had half an hour to get ready! Raven dashed upstairs to speed change and fix her make up. She was just putting the finishing touches on her dark hair when the doorbell rang. Picking out a long black leather duster to keep the New York chill of fall at bay. She raced down stairs as fast as her new Manalo Blahnik 4 inch stilettos would let her. The shoes were her mother's graduation present and Raven had not taken them off all day. True, they were beginning to hurt her feet, but she was damn sure her mother's three thousand dollar investment was well spent. She was going to wear these shoes if it killed her. Her outfit consisted of a tight black lace up corset over a feminine button up business shirt and long black pants. Her eye make up was dark, her lips scarlet, her hair; a masterpiece of upswept curls all held in place with a red rose bud.
She opened the front door on her best friend's grinning face. Cassie posed. "Well? What d'ya think?" She wore a tiny metallic gold mini dress with a neckline which showed her pierced navel and a low back. Her killer gold heels were 4 inches too, showing her long bronzed legs to perfection and making her 2 inches taller than Raven. "Wow Cass! I feel like a nun now. Her best bud laughed. "Never you Ren. Never you. All the priests would break their vows and follow you around panting like lost puppies." Laughing, Raven locked the door and they walked two blocks to their favorite nightclub; The Court. It was already packed, the music pumping. The high school grads got in on their fake ids and made their way to the bar waving to familiar faces along the way. Waiting at the bar were their boyfriends, Mark and Johnny. Cassie threw herself into Johnny's arms. Raven was more sedate and she planted a chaste kiss on Mark's cheek and gave him a quick hug. The four weaved through the crowd, dancing and yelling conversations to each other. After four fast songs, Raven grabbed Mark and towed him to the bar. She waved over a barman. "Water please," he nodded and returned quickly with two bottles of water. He smiled sympathetically as he slid them over.
As she drank, Mark threw his arm over her shoulder and grabbed her corset clad breast. Nearly choking on her water, she slapped his hand away and glared at him. "Mark, how many times? Two months isn't long enough for me to trust you with that sort of thing. Give me some time okay?" Mark's face darkened. "Why do you dress like that then? I don't like the way that guy over there is looking at you. You're my girlfriend and I don't want other guys looking at you. Ever." Whoa. Possessive much, darling? This was just bloody perfect. He was turning into a control freak. A scary control freak. "Look, Mark, I think maybe you're overreacting…" she stopped at the furious look on his face and hurried on, "But I'm not like other girls, ya know? If I have a man, he's the only one for me." Mark looked pacified and turned to thump Johnny on the arm. "Come on man, quit neckin' and dance!"
By 1am, Raven's feet were on fire and she waved goodbye to Cassie and Johnny on the dance floor, kissed Mark on the cheek, and turned to leave. He was already pretty toasted and his sour breath on her cheek made her want to gag. "I'll walk you home, honey," he slurred drunkenly as he staggered upright, swaying. "I think you should go home yourself, Mark," she held onto his arm as his swaying continued. He growled. "I'm fine, woman. I just…" he trailed off and collapsed, sliding down the bar. Raven waved over a barman and yelled to be heard over the music. "Call a cab!" he nodded and left. Raven left him sitting on the floor, propped up by the bar and went to find Cassie and Johnny. Their blonde hair shining in the disco lights. "I need a hand getting Mark outside, Johnny; can you give me a hand?" Johnny looked questioningly at his blonde girlfriend, who nodded affirmation. "We're ready to go, we'll share the cab." The pair followed her back to the bar and the jock threw Mike's arm around his shoulder and hoisted him up. The taxi pulled up just as they left the club. The two jocks got in and Cassie hugged her goodbye. "I'll see ya Sunday, Raven. Movies at 4?" Raven nodded and started walking home.