I figured out what I'm going to do with this story! Short, inconsistent updates. This is more of a side project. Chapters in this story will be pretty short, sweet, and... experimental. I'm going to test a new style of writing here that may seem a bit more contemporary. Hopefully, you guys find it more impacting than weird.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Elsword(엘소드) is owned by KoG Corp., Nexon Korea, Kill3rCombo, Giant Network, Gamania, Gameforge, and LevelUp!Games respective to their own regions. Only this story is owned by me.

Maybe he'd have been too hard on her before. It wasn't like Raven to burst out at another person like that. Ah, he didn't know. He didn't care… Not one bit…

Yes, he did.

Rena was different. Rena was the only reason why he even went to school.
"Ha." He let out a little laugh. It was cheesy, sure. He knew that. He knew that a thug like him would never have a chance with someone like Rena. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe he only cared about Rena because she reminded him so much of-

Raven shook off the thought, and reached into his pocket to take out his box of cigarettes. Opening it revealed a sole cigarette, lonely, and almost… somber.

"You're alone, too, huh?" Raven said to the little reefer of nicotine. "Don't worry, we can spend your last moments together. I'm alone, too. I guess this is fine."

Nothing is ever fine. Remember that.

Putting the butt in his mouth, he reached into his right pocket and reached for a lighter. He shielded the flame lighting the cigarette with his metal prosthetic. He suckered on it for a little bit, blowing out the smoke. The cloud was nice and full. He leaned against the wall and sat down for a bit. They should be coming soon.

He heard hurried footsteps.

"Huh, they're earlier today." Raven took his left hand and sifted his hair through his fingers, slicking it back, revealing his signature white streak. Grunting, he got up, finished off his cigarette, and flicked it. He closed his eyes for a bit and when he opened them again, he was surrounded by a group of teenage boys, all looking at him with contempt and spite.

"Back for some more?" He mocked.

"None of your shit, Raven! We're here for our turf back!" One of the boys yelled at him. He seemed to be the leader.

"I actually commend you for trying so hard," he breathed in deeply. "Now," In a flash, it looked like he stepped towards the boy who shouted at him, standing right in front of him, almost pressing against his nose with his own.

He put on a sadistic grin,

"… Don't blink."

*Wham!*

The hallway was eerily quiet that next Monday. Rena, knowing what was going on, boisterously made her way to her class. She opened the door.

"Second straight day of coming to school. A new record for you, don't you think?" Rena sat down and casually started getting ready for her day.

Raven remained silent.

"You know, I really like having you here. The teacher gets too scared to talk and people don't bug me and-"

"I'm sorry," Raven said, his face still turned away from her.

Now Rena was the one who remained silent. Wasn't this supposed to be flipped? Rena should be the one apologizing, not him!

Not him.

Definitely not him.

He continued, however. "I shouldn't have said those things to you yesterday."

What things?

There was no things! This was her fault.

Raven wasn't really helping with the guilt she felt yesterday.

Keeping up her stone face, she said, "I would like it if you looked at me when you apologize."

She finally looked over to him.

He looked hurt.

The side of his lip was slightly ripped open and his nose had a bandage on it. There was slight bruising around his right eye. Should she ask what was wrong?

He looked hurt.

His eyes were down, and it wasn't his usual scowl. It was a somber emotion that resided on his face. The eyebrows looked heavy on his face. Should she ask what was wrong?

He looked hurt.

"Raven, I-"

*Ding dong, ding dong*

Ah damn it. There's the bell. Rena didn't get to say what she had to. The teacher headed in and their day began.
Math.

English.

History.

Physics.

*Ding dong, ding dong*

Nice. Lunch time. Raven got up to go to his signature location, the roof. Rena silently followed after him. When he noticed, he remained quiet as well. Nothing was to be said. They got to the roof without any hassle.

"Hey," greeted Rena.

"Hey," replied Raven

"Are-, are you okay?" She had big eyes of concern looking towards him. It only seemed right. He apologized; she should ask him if he was okay.

"What? Oh, this? It was just a tiny scuffle," Raven said, while picking at his nose bandage.

"Not… that. Is everything else okay?" Rena clarified.

"It's fine,"

NOTHING IS EVER FINE. REMEMBER THAT.

"-How about you?"

"Me? Uh. I'm okay, too."

"Really? You're alright with lying to everyone?"

Rena perked up. What did he say?

"Ex-…Excuse me?" Lying?

"Are you okay," he lit a cigarette. "-With lying to everyone?" He restated.

He lit a cigarette.

Rena backed up to a wall. A drop of sweat fell down her forehead. Raven smashed his mechanical left arm right next to her face, pinning her against a wall.

"You have yellowing around right index and middle fingers, and a perfect, circular burn on your wrist. The chemical dye from the filter of a cigarette. The intentional snuff of a cigarette on your skin."

His analysis left her speechless. He continued.

"You're a smoker. Good news, you tried to quit. I can tell by the burn on your arm. Bad news, it didn't work."

"I-" Rena tried to interject.

"But, people can't know that. You're a role model. An honor student. You have people looking up to you. Tobacco is a drug, you know. What would happen if the student body found that out? You'd probably be ruined-"

"Stop!" She exclaimed. Raven blatantly ignored.

"- Now, I'm going to ask again," His face got closer.

"Are you okay with lying to everyone?"

He lit a cigarette.

She smoked it.

"I'm fine." Rena gave her answer.

Nothing is ever fine.

Remember that.

Well, there's that. I hope you stick around for Rena's and Raven's crazy spiral!

Edit: Idiot me deleted the chapter instead of replacing. This is a reupload.