"Raven, wait up!" Becky called, her long brown hair flopping and swishing as she bounced into a sprint towards me.
"Becky, I got to get home! Trevor said that he'd come get me in exactly ten minutes! No way in hell am I letting him pull a prank on me when I know about it!" I said frantically diving into Becky's old truck. "Hurry!" I squeaked as she fumbled with her keys, making Becky jump and drop them under the dashboard.
"What's this?" She asked, pulling up her keys and a small golden box with a black and red lace ribbon around it. There was a small tag tied to the ribbon with my name on it and a note on the back. Becky turned it over and read it out loud. "This is a gift. And I hope you understand its meaning- Trevor. Well, that's interesting."
I snatched the box from Becky's hand and untied the ribbon as careful as I could with my hands shaking. When my fingernails touched the corner of the lid, I tossed it into Becky's lap. "You open it! If it's from Trevor, it's got to be bad! Like something," I gagged, "pink."
Becky pulled off the lid to reveal a small black box with a golden band around it, showing that it opened too. She pushed the lid back to show a very large- and very much real- onyx on a silver band, rose vines engraved into the shiny silver. She read the engraved words on the inside of the band, her eyes bugging out in surprise.
"What is it?" I asked, snatching back the gift Trevor gave me and stared at the engraved letters. The words were clear.
Raven and Trevor- forever always.
I had to admit, this was one hell of a gift. And the gem was bigger than I have ever seen them in museums or on jewelry shows my mom watched late at night. Oh, shit! What would my parents say if a walked in with this big honker on my finger? "You take it! I can't take it! It has Trevor germs!" I said, pushing it her way.
"Come on, just put it on. I want to see it on you, regardless of who gave it to you." Becky said, holding in her excitement as best she could while I just wanted to bend out of the truck's rusty door and puke up everything I've ever ate.
But, as sick to my stomach as I was, it was a gift and it's not like I could return it anyway. I slipped it on my right ring finger, watching it twinkle in the sunlight when I noticed something in the large gem. I looked closely, seeing a small white rose in the glittering black gem. It was perfect, I'll admit, but was it really necessary for him to do all this as an apology? Or was it all a trick? I had to find out and find out as soon as I could. I jumped out of the truck and sprinted to the soccer field where I could clearly see Trevor and his soccer snob friends talking on a low bleacher bench, waiting for the coach to call them in for practice. I had to admit, Trevor was gorgeous. His blonde hair, his bright emerald eyes, and that wonderful smile almost melted me right there. Almost. I stomped towards him and held out the ring to his face, right in front of all his snob friends.
"What is this and why did you give it to me? It was in Becky's truck and no other girl here has the name Raven so I know it's for me, so don't try to lie your way out of it. What the hell are you playing at?" I interrogated, my blue eyes turning him to ice. And he blushed. Trevor Mitchell blushed! Right in front of me, Trevor Mitchell, my nemesis since kindergarten, blushed right in front of me and his rich, popular friends. Was I wrong? Was this all true? Did Trevor Mitchell really like me in that way?
"I was hoping you'd know that already and we'd talk about it later tonight." Trevor said, rubbing the back of his head with a cheesy grin. His minions mouths dropped to the finely cut grass, and their eyes bugged out to center field.
"What's tonight?" I asked. Now I was undeniably curious.
"I'll let your mother tell you about that. I'm sure she'll be very excited to tell you and is probably anxiously pacing the living room waiting for you already."
When I finally got home, the scene Trevor described was in full force. Mother walked around the living room, biting on her knuckle with a huge grin on her face, giggling every once in a while when she spotted me and practically threw herself in my direction, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. I stood there, blinking in confusion, my hands staying at my sides as she pushes me away, holding my shoulders. "What's going on?" I asked, feeling as though she just gave me whiplash.
"We're having dinner at the Mitchell's tonight!" She exclaimed, pushing me towards the stairs. "Now get upstairs and put on something nice! Quickly! We've only got two hours!"
"Two hours is plenty of time!" I yelled downstairs from my room, but she had already run into her room to rummage through her nice dresses and jewelry.
Dad walked out of the bathroom, a pair of grey dress pants and a white dress shirt on as he fiddled with his tie nervously. "Honey, have you seen my dress shoes? I can't find them anywhere!"
"They're right here, sweetheart. You always keep them on the highest shelf in the closet, remember?" My mom laughed, pulling them down and setting them gently on the floor for him to put on.
I opened my closet and ran my fingers through the dresses mom had bought me for special occasions only. I pulled out a small black dress that barely touched my thighs let alone covered my butt. It had a beautiful red lace belt around the waist and gorgeous knee-high leather boots that matched it. I brushed my hair and curled it, running my fingers around the soft black banana curls running onto my shoulders. I pulled out the ring Trevor gave me and put it on my ring finger, sighing softly to myself. I pulled on my bat choker that Becky bought me for my sixteenth birthday, sitting in front of my mirror, fixing my black lipstick and dark eyeliner. I picked up my black shoulder bag and walked out of my bedroom and into the living room where everyone was gathered. I have to say, Billy Boy looked interesting in a dress suit and his hair slicked back a little. I had to stifle my laugh when my dad gave me a disapproving look at my choice of clothing.
"You look beautiful, Raven." Mom breathed, trying to relax herself as we all walked out to the family car to drive over to the Mitchell's large white mansion.
The place was bigger than I thought; its large fountain in the center of the front yard with lighting all around, the grass was cleanly cut and very green even as we walked onto the beautiful stone porch. The large marble pillars sparkled in the lovely moonlight as my mom rang the door bell and we heard it chime softly throughout the house. I rolled my eyes when Mr. Mitchell opened the door to let us in with a very big grin on his face until he saw me. All in black, he glanced at my ring that, surprisingly, no one had noticed until now. Trevor walked into the parlor where my family and I now stood staring in amazement at the beautiful things surrounding us.
"Natalie, how nice to see you." My mom grinned, shaking the hand of the richest woman in Dullsville. This, ladies and gentleman, is Trevor's mother. She was a former Prada Bee and still, in her own little way, is. She grinned at my mother and when she turned toward me, she scowled a little but grinned nonetheless to hide her distaste. I smiled sourly back at her pink makeup and her expensive jewelry and the long, white silk dress she wore that clearly was custom made, which could range from three thousand to six thousand dollars. Trevor's father, Jonathan, talked with my family and his wife, Natalie while Trevor and I stayed over by the wall in a same little corner. Well, he was safe. I, however, was on his territory. I was at his house to eat his food, sit in his furniture, and worst of all- I'll have to spend time with him and his parents tonight.
I was yanked from my thoughts when Trevor pulled me into him, his black suit and silk red tie blending in with my red and black ensemble. How would he know what dress I would choose? I found it odd enough that he was hugging me tight enough I could smell his Drakor cologne and feel his neat blond hair brush against my cheek. His left hand held my head on his shoulder while his right hand traced the small of my back lightly, sending chills up my spine. I didn't understand this, didn't understand when he let go of me to rub his thumb on my ring finger, just above the glittering onyx. I remembered the small, perfect white rose hidden in the dark onyx and wondered why he even used hundreds of dollars just to get me a ring, just for a forever frozen white rose to stay in the dark gem for all eternity. Then it hit me. Could Trevor Mitchell be in love with me? No, he couldn't. Why ask myself that? I'm a tiny black speck on his perfect white wall he called his life, aren't I? We've been enemies for years and now all of a sudden he wants me close to him? I don't understand it. I don't understand any of this. I don't understand why my heart is quickening or my breath is laboring or my heart is bursting with hope. But hope for what? Hope that I'm right and that he likes me? I couldn't ask, I couldn't. And then, as if he read my mind, Trevor Mitchell, the boy I once hated cupped my cheek in his hand and kissed me passionately on the mouth. My eyes widened in surprise and my shoulders tensed, but I relaxed slowly, shutting my eyes and diving into the kiss. We didn't even notice when our parents glanced over and seen us. I imagine it was quite a sight, their mouths gaping open and their eyes bugging out of their heads. And then I heard Billy Boy's voice break the silence that now filled this large mansion.
"Hey, make out with my sister later! I'm hungry!"
I began to blush a feverish red and when we were far enough apart from each other, I had noticed Trevor was doing the same thing. We were enemies that have been caught making out. And by who? Our parents. The people who very well know how much we hate- or rather hated- each other.
Dinner went by quietly until I was almost finished and my mom put her fork down and asked, "Raven, where on earth did you get that ring?"
I choked on my forkful of lasagna and the fork slipped from my lips and through my fingertips, clattering onto the white table cloth. Trevor gave me an apologetic look as he panted my back softly and rubbing it after I stopped choking on the delicious food that just betrayed my throat.
"I gave it to Raven, Mrs. Madison." Trevor smiled brightly at everyone. I've never seen him this happy. That smile was so genuine, so lovely. I couldn't help but smile in admiration.
"For what purpose did you give," Trevor's father paused, choking down his disgust at having to say my name. I gripped my fork in restrained hostility. "Raven this ring that cost you thousands of your savings just to get it custom made such as that?"
My mom's face went from surprise to confused to happiness in the radius of five seconds and my father seemed to be holding in his own anger, as if he thought that Trevor and I—oh, no! He did think Trevor and I did that! Trevor's mother looked disgusted that her son would even associate with the likes of me and she glared at me as if her eyes would make me burn to death where I sat. Billy gave a soft snicker at the blood red blush covering my now burning cheeks. I could hardly bear all this! I had to get out of here.
"May I be excused?" I asked and rushed to the restroom, not waiting for an answer. I couldn't help it, all this tension made me sick. All these stranger feelings made me ill. Why did I feel this way for my enemy? I stooped over the trash can and puked all the delicious lasagna into a disgusting array of colors into the expensive stone trash bin. When I was done, I walked over to the gorgeously shining porcelain and gold sink and found a cup on the shelf Trevor might use every night when he brushes his beautiful sparkly whites. I didn't care at this point. I took the cup, filled it with water and swished the clear liquid in my mouth, spitting it out quickly to get the horrible taste out. It was then that I slowly lifted my head at the horrible sight that was my reflection. Tears burned my eyes, smudging my mascara, my eye shadow was surrounding my eyes in uneven waves and crumbles, and my lipstick smeared across my cheek a little and was lost in spots. I couldn't go back out there like this. I had left my purse in the dining hall. I sat on the floor in a maze of depression, leaning against the very large golden tub. It was as big as a city pool, possibly larger. I wanted to hide in it and drown in my tears. All of this was all so confusing.
Just then, a knock softly rasped on the other side of the door and I heard someone enter. I could hear heels clacking against the cold tile floors not far behind the heavy but slow steps of a man with expensive shoes.
"Raven, honey, are you okay?" My mother asked quietly, sitting down on her knees in her lovely red dress. She touched the top of my head and smoothed down my messy jet black hair. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't cry here. Not in this house. It'd be all over school and there would probably be pictures that people would be gossiping and laughing about.
I was silent for what seemed like hours after she stood up and left. The sobs broke into a horrid frenzy until I felt a strong hand cup my cheek. I knew this hand, this warmth. Trevor had come in with my mother. I couldn't cry in front of him, I couldn't be weak and vulnerable. But I couldn't help but to lean into his strong arms and cry into his hundreds of dollars of a suit. I gripped his shirt, trying to keep a hold of him as if he'd disappear. I wanted the warmth to stay. I didn't want to be cold. I didn't want to die in the cold, tears caking my pale face. If I was to die right now, I'd want to be in the warmth of his body. I wanted to cry into him forever.
"It's okay, Raven. I'll always be here for you. No matter what, I'll stay by your side." He whispered and kissed my head.
I heard the door open and another set of heavy steps walk in. "Raven, are you okay?" My dad asked. I turned to him and his look became apologetic and sad, seeing the mascara running down my cheeks and my black lipstick running in many directions. He looked at Trevor with even more of an apology on his face, probably due to the stains on his suit.
Trevor smiled softly and held me tight. I felt sleepy, so sleepy. The last thing I remember was Trevor's green eyes twinkling in happiness at me and then everything went dark.
When I awoke, the sun glared in my sore and swollen eyes. My throat burned and I tasted blood in my mouth. My hair was tangled in large clumps, and my face was washed of all traces off my make-up. I wore a large black tee shirt and my black lace panties. But the weird thing was that I didn't recognize this shirt. Wait. Were those white sheets? And white walls with soccer posters, photos. And a shelf with soccer trophies and a Dracula action figure hidden behind the shiny metal. I was in Trevor's room. And then I noticed something on the other side of the wall. Was that a portrait of…me? That auction was years ago and the painting didn't look faded, didn't look damaged in any way. It was if it was painted yesterday. And then I remembered the very person who painted it and my blood began to stir to a boil. I let the feeling go. He was out of my life now and I didn't have to worry about it. He left me, it was no big deal. I was over it now. Alexander Sterling, my ex Gothic Prince, my ex vampire boyfriend, with lonely chocolate brown eyes and his silky black hair and his gothic attire was out of the mansion on Benson Hill and far out of my life. It had been two years since we broke up and I had burned the first letter he wrote me in the bonfire Becky and I made behind her barn. He wrote more letters every couple of months and I burned each and every one of them. Today would be another day I got a letter and with me not at home, my mom would read it.
A soft scent broke me of my frantic thoughts. It smelled like Trevor's cologne. I laid back down and pretended I was still asleep when footsteps came softly into the room.
"Raven, I hope you're knocked out cold for what I'm about to tell you. Truth be told, I'm a little scared of what your reaction would be if you woke up in my bedroom let alone to me saying that I…" He cleared his throat nervously and I had to use all my strength not to giggle. "I love you, Raven Madison. I've loved you since I met you, and I still love you now. I just wish that you could feel the same."
I was in shock. Trevor Mitchell really did love me! I opened my eyes and sat up to look at him, ignoring his choked back laughter seeing my bed head in which he was no pretending he was just coughing.
"You've always loved me?" I asked softly, staring at him with bright hope in my eyes.
"Oh. You heard that? I guess the cat is out of the bag then. Yes, Raven. I love you more than anything or anyone and if it's not too much trouble, I want you to be my girlfriend. For all eternity, I will love you. Even after death." He vowed, kissing my forehead and then looking into my eyes, waiting for my answer.
My nemesis just asked me to be his girlfriend. The richest, hottest guy in school was asking out the freak of the town, the one person circus. What should I do?