Disclaimer – I don't own any of the characters. So yeah.

Warning – Nothing in this chapter.

Other – I do love reviews. Any comment, save flames, are accepted and appreciated.

Summary – It was supposed to be my secret. But I guess that's a problem when your best friend is a psychic. ChRave.


I can't keep staring at the clouds wishing life was all better. Even though I'd love nothing more than that. There's only so much thought I can put into this without making myself physically ill.

I haven't seen or spoken to Raven in three days now and it's killing me. I didn't think I'd miss seeing the mischief in her eyes, the gentle curve of her smile, but I stand corrected. Every one of her small personality quirks and every one of her physical gestures is so necessary to me.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I sound like some sort of love sick puppy. I feel so stupid. For some reason, at some point in the future, I tell her that I like her. Why would I do that? It's been my goal not to tell her for as long as humanly possible. She can go on being happy and dating boys, and I can go on being around her without her disgust and distaste.

But I guess nothing lasts forever.

What I find the most stressful about this situation is the not knowing. What is Raven thinking about? Who has she told? Will she hate me? Will she want us to pretend it never happened?

I don't know if I can just let it go now that she knows. It would make it too hard for me to bear. For me, it's looking like all or nothing. Either she wants to pursue something with me, or we take some time apart. It's too difficult to be around her knowing that she turned me down.

My attention returns to the fluffy clouds hanging over my head. I'm lying in the park, relaxing on a picnic blanket. This is something I'd normally do with her. My smile, which had gone into hibernation after what I now call the "Rae Confrontation", blooms onto my face and I feel relief filtering through my body. Smiling helps ease the trouble. If I can smile now, then maybe there's still hope for Raven and me.

"That one could totally be a King Charles Spaniel." I decide, tucking an arm behind my head for easier viewing.

"Really? Looks more like a pair of Pradas, to me." A familiar voice washes over me. "How're you doing?"

I grin wildly, silently berating myself for acting so stupid in Raven's presence yet again, "I'm fine."

I take a moment to look her over, and I find that I've really missed seeing her. She's decked out in a pair of form-fitting blue jeans and a solid blue t-shirt. A pair of jeweled sunglasses perch atop her nose.

She reaches her hand towards me, "Need a lift?"

Part of me wonders if she's decided that she doesn't want anything to change between us. Cautiously I take her hand and ignore the sparks the touch ignites. "Thanks, Rae."

She tugs her arm, and I sit up. As soon as I'm upright, she drops my hand in favor of sitting next to me. I smile hesitantly at her. Has she decided?

"Look, Chels, I've been thinking," She starts and then pauses. I nearly bite my nails off with dread, "And I've come to some sort of conclusion."

I eye her nervously, searching her face for a hint of what was to come, "And?"

"I can't not see you." She admits slowly, "I can't decide how I feel about you if I don't see you."

I blink silently for a few moments, processing. What exactly did that mean? Do I have a chance?

"I don't know what you mean."

"I thought pretty hard about this." She continues on, but I'm not sure I'll ever understand it. "How do you feel when you're around me?"

It takes me a second to consider my answer, mostly due to the fact I'm terrified of embarrassing myself once again, "Well, seeing you makes me happy."

"Yeah?"

"And when you touch me I get little happy shocks." I mumble this part. It's hard to admit all this.

She gets quiet and I'm near panicking. Maybe I said too much? Maybe I haven't said enough? All my thoughts are bubbling up now, crowding the space between my ears and I can feel tears watering in my eyes.

"And I can't stand the thought of losing you."

Raven finally meets my eyes and she smiles, "I can't tell you I feel the same way, not yet."

My heart fizzles out and I struggle to keep my face emotionless. I know, however, that my lip is quivering.

"Just give me some time, Chelsea." She asks quietly, gazing at me with her large eyes that I can't resist. "I want to try."

"You want me?" I sputter out, voice cracking slightly.

"I want us to stay friends, but see if we can't…" she trails out.

I nod slightly, "Hug?"

She smiles broadly at me and wraps her arms around me. I immediately perk up, spirits brightening. If only this could be more.

As we part, she smiles at me, "I think I'm startin' to feel that spark."

My eyes sparkle back at her, "So what's next?"

"I was thinking we could just finish up here." She gestures to the blanket, "Why ruin a perfectly good picnic?"

I lean back down, "Remember when we were kids?"

She lies beside me, "Yeah. We were cute back then."

"You still are." I whisper, blushing slightly.

Laughing lightly, she scoots a little closer on the blanket, "What're you thinking about?"

I shrug and point up at one of the clouds, "I was just thinking about that time in first grade when you got into that fight with that boy."

"He was bothering you."

"I really appreciated it." I'm still pointing at the cloud, "That cloud reminded me of the shape of his head."

She laughs; my cloud is bulbous and bean shaped. My chest flutters – it's great being the cause of her happiness.

"I think that one looks like cloud." Rae jokes and I giggle softly.

"I always wanted to be there for you like you were there for me." I murmur into her ear. We are close enough on the blanket that it's only a few inches between my mouth and her ear.

Raven turns her gaze from the sky to my face, "You always have been."

Silence descends between us, but this time it's comfortable and companionable. I sigh softly, enjoying myself. I'm indescribably glad that she's noticed how much I watch out for her.

The clouds overhead darken and spatters of rain catapult down onto our faces. The sudden burst of rain sends us both jumping to our feet. I gather the blanket as quickly as I can and Raven glances around, looking for shelter. She taps my arm and points to a small gazebo about one hundred feet away. We make a made dash for it, already soaked through.

We collapse inside, laughing happily. I can't believe how much I've missed hanging with Raven. We're both dripping and soggy, but neither of us can stop laughing. The park around us is deserted.

I catch my breath and find myself unable to drag my eyes from Raven as she enjoys her moment. She calms, eventually and our eyes lock together. I can suddenly feel a tension hanging between us.

"Chels…" Her voice can barely be heard over the pounding rain, but I tilt my head slightly in response. She steps closer to me. I remain motionless, not wanting to scare her away.

For a moment, I can hear nothing more than the thudding of my heart and the short breaths Raven is taking. My own breath is caught in my throat. She closes the distance between us and presses a chaste kiss on my lips.