Ch. 1
My hands trembled as they gripped the black silk bow, tied around a matching box. Alexander Sterling, my oh-so-hot boyfriend stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were nervous about opening it," he whispered in my ear.
"But I am nervous about opening it." I murmured half-heartedly. He chuckled in my hair and kissed it softly. The ribbon fell to the floor gently. My hands finally calmed down, allowing me to rip open the gift. My heart was ready to explode, melt or whatever. Alexander made it do that whenever he looked at me.
Only that it didn't.
I groaned in frustration as yet another box appeared. "Come on, are you serious?" I asked impatiently.
"Anxious now are we?"
"No, duh."
I completed the same routine until finally-thank heaven-a small satin box appeared. In gold letters, Raven, was sewed on.
No freaking way.
"What's the occasion," I asked all breathy after a few moments of getting teary-eyed...literally.
I felt him shrug casually. "I don't know, I just thought you'd like it or something."
I bit my lip to stop from screaming like a moron and held the box in the palm of my hand. Geez, I was going to pass out any minute now. The lid popped open and I gasped.
Embedded in the middle of the soft cushion was a transparent black heart. I pulled it out, holding it in front of the light to see better. The heart shaped Onyx was framed by a thin silver band, and connected onto a solid silver chain.
Now normally, I would've refused putting on any stupid, pearly, princess jewellery, but seeing the glow come to his pale face, I could've melted into a pool right then and there. I beamed and he gave me one of those sexy smiles I loved.
"Here," he murmured while fastening the necklace around my neck for me. I looked down at it and thought, 'This would look so hot with my black corset!' Shallow I know.
I pushed the thought away and rolled my eyes. Alexander twirled me in his arms and I wrapped my arms around his neck. The mansion was quite cold this time of night. Jameson, his butler, had left for some groceries and with the speed that he drives in, well, let's just say Alexander and I will be able to do some...stuff.
I pressed my lips to him s, earning a low moan from him. My hands tangled into his hair, using them to pull him closer to me. After more moments of sweet bliss, I pulled away and looked into his eyes. "I have to go," I whispered sadly.
He gave me a small smile and took my hands into his. "You know now that I can't survive my life without you in it. You can play with my heart all you want, do anything with it, but I'll always love you. This," he touched the necklace. "Is to show that you will always have my heart with you. Whatever happens, you'll know." He paused again. "Okay, that was pretty cheesy but, do you get my point?"
I laughed and nodded my head. His face suddenly turned extremely sad and I was about to ask what was wrong when he went all cheery on me again. I let it ponder in my mind, not wanting to forget about it. Alexander kissed me once more before letting go of just one hand and lacing his fingers through mine with the other. Once we got outside, the gentleman he is, Alexander opened the car door and helped me inside. The ride was unusually silent, the both of us making a bit of small talk.
As we walked up to my door, I caught myself staring at Alexander, who had his head tilted towards the night sky. Bright dots peeked at us, creating a beautiful scene.
"What are you thinking?" I asked, brushing my fingers along his cheekbone.
"Hmm," he started. "Nothing really, just stargazing I guess."
His soulful eyes caught mine; just before he leaned down to kiss me. When he pulled away, a sad feeling came over me and I didn't even know the reason why. Once again, Alexander's face turned grim a moment before I had turned towards my door. I turned back, wanting to ask if something was up, only to find empty space. I shook my head and sighed.
Tomorrow, I'd ask.
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Once in my room, I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. Raven Madison, I'm loving this outfit. Black, lacy tank top, mini black skirt with fishnet stockings-It was a killer. When I finished my nightly routine, I climbed into my bed and held Nightmare in my arms. She started meowing after a while and I knew exactly the reason why.
"Billy Boy! Shut that computer up! I will not hold this cat back if she decides to rip your eyeballs out of your sockets!"
And just like that, his computer sounds dimmed so low, I could finally hear myself think. I smiled and waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I looked up at the ceiling and with a grim expression, realized: Shit, my project's due tomorrow
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Becky's horn honked about the billionth time, when I skittered into the kitchen. The smell of eggs and bacon brought my senses to life. I pushed past nerd boy and earned a good shove from him. I hit my mom, who was just coming through the doorway, piping a yelp of surprise from her.
"Billy!" She exclaimed. He gaped at my mother, surprise obviously written all over his face. I gave him a devilish smile and went to get my eggs and bacon. I tried my best to tune out my brother's whining to my mom.
"Gotta go, mom." I said through a mouthful of pork. I pretended not to notice my mom's frantic waves to call me back as I shut the front door. I got into Becky's car and gave her the most apologetic look I could do.
"You're incredible," she murmured and started the truck. I smiled and fixed my attention on her radio.
"So, you look cheery today," I noted as a matter-of-factly. Becky instantly perked up and launched into her date with Matt last night. Being the polite (as if) person I am, I resisted the urge to just well, doze off.
"Oh, my, god," I exclaimed.
"I know! Can you believe he did that?"I looked at her stupidly, forgetting that she was still ranting about Matt. "Are you even listening?" She asked with a grin, but clearly annoyed.
"Yeah, totally. I just remembered, they're selling tacos at the cafeteria today."
Yeah, nice save Raven.
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I slammed my locker door shut and was about to go to my next class when I almost smacked into Trevor Mitchell. I stepped back, wanting to put some space between us. Unfortunately, he obviously knew I wouldn't want anyone to invade my dark, personal bubble, so he grabbed both my wrists and yanked them towards him. My body, obviously wasn't ready for that and flew into him. I growled and pushed against his chest. "I swear Trevor, don't let me go and you're going to have practice on one leg." I instantly froze as his lips came down to my ear, leaving me paralyzed.
"Hate is passion, passion is good." His arms circled my waist, pulling me even closer to him. I looked around, in search of anyone-but of course, no one else is here but...us. Great.
I still tried pushing him away (even though nothing would happen) hoping he would get the message. I gave a dramatic sigh and stopped my feeble attempts at trying to escape. "What do you want Trevor? I'm gonna be late for class." I apparently surprised the both of us, because honestly, who gave a damn about education...well I don't for sure. Geez.
"Don't worry Monster Girl, I just thought you might need some comforting." He whispered in my ear.
"Comforting for what?" I asked, still trying to see if anyone was down the hall. Trevor let go of me and shot his eyebrows to the ceiling. He burst out laughing, "God, you don't know do you?"
I whipped my head back to him and gave him the scariest snarl I could produce, "know what?!"
"Give me a kiss and I'll tell you."
"Trevor, I honestly swear I'll..."
"I saw Gothic Guy packing his things and leaving this morning."
Before he saw what I was doing, before I knew what I was doing, I was outside the school and running towards the mansion. My lungs burned with fire and my legs protested for me to stop-but I kept on going.
The mansion gate was open, so I didn't have t climb over it this time. I sprinted up the stairs and burst through the double doors, which was fortunately unlocked. I looked around and froze.
Nothing was there.
Aside from the year-round spider webs, the mansion looked as if it had been abandoned for years. The paintings and curtains were gone, leaving the walls and windows bare. My knees fell from beneath me, sending me sliding slowly to the floor. Tears leaked from my eyes, probably ruining my eye liner. My eyes scanned to see if this was a David Copperfield trick that Alexander and Jameson played on me.
But this was no magic. They were gone.
He was gone.
Just then, I caught sight of a black envelope on the first step of the polished staircase. I crawled over to it and looked.
Raven-it said on the front, written in Alexander's perfect writing with red ink. Last night, Alexander's present had sent me in awe, but today, I wasn't sure what I would make of it. My fingers ripped open the paper, pulling out a letter saying:
'Raven,
I knew sooner or later that you'd come here.
Last night is something I will never forget. I'll always love you…in a way. But there's something I also need to confess…
Being with you everyday was amazing. We shared so many things in common, me knowing that I could spend my time awake with someone who cares about me.
But that was only half of the truth.
I'm going back to Romania, to marry Luna.
The past days proved that I was able to maintain my control. In many ways-too many to mention right now. I feel terrible for leading you on…but a lie seemed better than giving you a painful truth at the time.
For that I'm sorry…
I wish you the best. Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Alexander S.'
I read the letter again and again, not believing a word. I was nothing but a freak. I was nothing but a ploy, just a practice girl. My hands went slack and the letter fell from my fingers, floating gently to the floor. I tried swallowing the gigantic lump in my throat, but failed to do so. I let out a shaky breath as the tears I've been holding back exploded from my eyes. I felt my cheek touch the floor as sobs and heartbreaking wails racked my body.
If this wasn't the end of the world, then I didn't know what was.
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I watched the day go by, turning from blue to orange, then from purple to black. Sighing, I looked up at the bare ceiling. I still had what? Four hours of curfew? My face felt like it would disintegrate if I moved it too much. I don't think I've cried as much as I just did. Ever.
Moments later, I heard a car drive up, onto the driveway. Two doors closed shut after the engine went dead. I'm sorry, I don't want any visitors right now. Come on, I couldn't say that-maybe…I don't know. I pulled myself off the floor, feeling like a complete rag doll. I got myself to the first step before the double doors opened. Matt and Becky appeared in the front opening.
"God, Matt- where the hell is she? I mean, I saw her be- Raven!"
I looked up at the sound of my name, hoping that it would've been Alexander instead of Becky. Sadly, my assumption was, obviously…wrong. Matt trailed behind her, seeming a bit creeped out at this unknown place. Becky reached me quickly and instantly pulled me into her arms.
He left, he left he left, he left, he le-
"It's okay, Raven," Becky murmured. I hadn't realized that I'd been saying the words out loud until Becky spoke. And for the second time today, my eyes spilled with uncontrollable tears, leaving me to wonder, where did I go wrong?
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The car ride remained silent, both Matt and Becky looking back at me often. Was last night his goodbye to me? He seemed like he loved me so much though.
Just a ploy, a practice girl
"Raven, Becky and I think you should stay home tomorrow and-" Matt mumbled while looking at me. The expression on my face probably cut him short. I laid my head back on the headrest. Staying home from school seemed really good for to-
No.
Actually, scratch that. I will not be more of a freak, geez, I was gonna prove to the stupid, royal suck-ups at school that I could survive without…him. I instantly perked up and piped, "Are you guys kidding? I am so not missing tomorrow."
As much as I'd kill to do so, I had my reputation- or what's left of it –at stake here. Becky and Matt looked at each other, completely confused.
Crazy, I read on their faces. Who knows, maybe I am. I wonder whose fault it is though. Mine, or…his.
