Chapter 8

Like I Always Do

I headed up the stairs to collect a few of my belongings from my room. I heard footsteps on the hardwood steps behind me and climbed faster. I knew it wasn't Kori; she was sitting in the living room. It had to be none other than my aunt. Without looking back I shouted, "Leave me alone!"

I ran into my room and snatched my backpack out of my closet. I grabbed a couple of shirts and stuffed them into my backpack, not caring if they got wrinkled. I took a couple pairs of jeans and put them on top of the shirts. My aunt came in the room and stood in the doorway, but I acted as if she wasn't there. She didn't deserve to be acknowledged.

"Raven, would you listen to me?" she asked. She clasped her hands together in front of her but let them hang down, almost as if she was half-pleading.

I ignored her and snatched my brush from the top of my dresser and threw it in the backpack. I went into another drawer and grabbed some underwear and bras and shoved them in the backpack. It started to overflow so I pushed everything down. Half of the bag was cleared and I continued looking around my room for other necessities to pack.

"Raven, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did. I was. . .angry at the time but I've had time to think about it. I don't want you to leave," she said. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye before turning back to my bag.

"I don't want to hear it," I said quietly. I put my mp3 player and phone in the bag before I zipped it up and hooked one of the straps on my shoulder. I pushed past my aunt and ran down the steps. I heard her chasing after me and I rushed into the living room. I didn't want to listen to her pathetic excuses or her petty apologies. I didn't need sympathy. I needed an actual family who cared.

"Raven!" she shouted.

I motioned to Kori that it was time to go and she nodded. We both headed for the door as my aunt reached the bottom step. I had opened the front door when she shouted, "Raven! Wait!"

I sighed and let go of the doorknob. "What?" I snapped.

She recoiled a little, shocked at the sharpness of my tone. My face softened a bit, feeling a little sorry for her. I mean, she did raise me when I had no where to turn to. Then again, she had kicked me out when I depended on her support the most.

"Raven, I'm really sorry about kicking you out. I acted on raw emotions and I didn't really mean it. Would you please come back so we can sort things out?" she pleaded. She took a step closer, a hopeful look shined in her eyes.

I handed my backpack to Kori and said, "Meet me out front. I'll be there in a minute." She nodded, walked outside and closed the door behind her. I turned back to my aunt, some fury obvious on my face. I saw her cringe again, but this time not a hint of remorse filled me.

"I'm not coming back," I said simply.

She sighed. "Raven, I said I was sorry. I really didn't mean it."

"Sorry? You're sorry? You think that's going to fix what you did?" I said. I put my hands on my hips and glared at her.

"I know you're upset, but if you just sit down and talk with me we can get over this," she said calmly. Exactly the opposite of what I was feeling inside. I scowled and hit the front door with my fist, creating a loud bang. My aunt jumped and her eyes widened in fright. I dropped my fist back to my side and stared heatedly at her.

"Did you ever think of sitting down and talking when you kicked me out?" I shouted. "Did you think about sitting down and talking when you put me out on the streets, nowhere to go and pregnant?"

My aunt wrung her hands together and looked down, probably feeling ashamed. Truth be told, I hope she did. I hoped she felt like crap like I had when this had all started.

When she remained silent I opened the front door and walked out onto the small porch. Kori stood on the last step, my backpack on her shoulder. "I'm leaving now and when I do, don't expect to see me again." I gave her a backwards glance and added, "Or the baby." Turning back around, I hopped the steps and landed on the paved sidewalk, the impact sending a stinging sensation through my feet and legs. I started walking towards the gate and Kori was no doubt following me. I threw open the gate and let it slam against the fence.

I stormed down the street and tried my hardest not to scream in anger and frustration. I heard Kori's footsteps quickening behind me, trying to catch up. I slowed to a stop and waited for her before I continued to walk.

Kori probably thought I was being a stuck up bitch for telling my aunt off like that. If she did, that could honestly ruin our friendship. She would probably see what she was getting herself into and want out. I was not at all good at first impressions.

I let out a long breath and turned to face Kori. She was facing forward, probably not wanting to look at me. I guess I couldn't blame her.

"Look, I'm sorry for back there. You shouldn't have had to see that. It was between me and my aunt," I said. I looked forward again.

"It is all right. I realize you have issues with your relative and she did do something very cruel to you. I understand your anger, but I do doubt that you will never see each other again. You do not mean that. I'm sure of it," she said.

I shrugged and slid my back pack off her shoulder and held it in my hand. "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. I'm just confused and I need to take some time from her. I don't want what she did to me to repeat if she gets mad again."

We walked in silence the rest of the way, something which I was thankful for. I needed to think over some things and it wouldn't help if Kori was babbling over something like pillow fights or whatever.

If I was honestly going to stay here for awhile, we were going to have to let Koman and Ryan know. Pregnancy was going to be something hard to hide. I didn't want to tell them, especially not Koman, but it had to be done eventually.

Also, what was I going to do once the baby was born? How was I going to finish school? This mishap was already preventing me from college, so how in the hell was I going to get through the rest of high school? I was already running into trouble and I was barely two months pregnant. What was I going to do once the morning sickness came? How was I going to make it through finals? My life was only getting more difficult with each passing second. I didn't know how much more I could take without going truly insane.

We arrived on her front step and she took out her house key. I was thinking about how I might need a copy when a thought struck me.

"Kori, are your parents going to be okay with this? I mean, you just moved in and now Blackfire came back. Maybe I should just stay somewhere else," I said uncertainly.

Kori smiled. "Do not worry. I am sure they will be most joyed by your stay." She opened the door and we walked inside the quiet house. Everyone must've gone to bed while we were gone, but I didn't mind that at all. I just wanted to go to sleep so everything would go away for a little while. I didn't want to think anymore. I just wanted to relax and not worry.

I yawned and followed Kori up to her room and plopped my backpack down on the floor next to the door. Kori walked out of the room while I looked around the room. It felt so natural, so homey. It was pretty weird but comforting all the same. I walked over to the still open window and let the night air brush against my face. It was cool and refreshing and it made me feel renewed. I sighed, knowing that could never really happen, but I would allow the hallucination for now.

Kori came back into the room carrying blankets and an extra pillow, she set up a mock bed with them and I automatically lay down on it. I stuffed my face into the pillow and mumbled, "Thank you." Kori laughed and I looked up at her. "Night," I yawned and turned over to my side.

"Raven! I cannot let you sleep on the floor in your condition! Please, take the bed. I will be fine on the floor." She knelt down on the blankets and I sat up.

"Kori, it's your bed. You sleep in it. I'm just glad to be sleeping somewhere tonight besides the street." I laid back down and closed my eyes. "Besides, I'm not getting up and you can't make me. Now goodnight."

I heard her sigh and get up. I barely made it two more seconds before I fell asleep and forgot all my problems, just like I always do when I sleep.


Author's Comments:

Eh. Sorry it's pretty short. But it's 4 AM and I'm extremely tired. The only reason I stayed up so late is because I don't know when I'll update again. You see, turns out, we need a new router. My parents are too lazy to get a new one at the moment, so I'll only be able to update when I come to my grandparents' house. So the updates will be coming a lot slower than before, but hey! I'm still updating! ;)

Also, another reason I will be so slow is because when I'm sitting at home, instead of writing more chapters so I can transfer them to my grandparents' computer, I'm writing something I'm planning to actually get published.

Yes, I'm actually writing my own book. So far, it's still in the brainstorming stage and I've written a little of the first chapter, but my mom knows a writer who can pass my story through to a publisher, so I'm determined to get it finished. My only problem is I'm not sure whether the publishers will approve of it since I'm not very experienced. You know, professionally. I mean, I'm only 13. I haven't even made it out of middle school yet. But I'm still going to try.

Okay, so I'll be answering reviews from chapter 7 and the ones from the author's note. Again, mainly questions or the ones I felt need to be answered.

Chapter 7 – Tuvaluan Feast

Artistic18 -

I'm loving this story! I must say, I hate when things are cliche and nothing about this so far is (well except Raven staying with Starfire but idc cuz that was to be expected). Really, as I read this I just kept saying to myself 'I feel like I should've expected this...but I didn't' and that thought makes me really want to continue reading this story. It's great!

Yeah. I love adding unexpected twists to keep readers on their seats. I am sick and tired with the dumb cliches.

Wonderless Angel -

I wonder if Ryan has a little crush on her, that would be cute~

I am also glad none of mines are strict... my mother is strict enough for all three of them. .'

To be honest, I was not thinking about Ryan having a crush on Raven. I might or might not include that, though.

CaliforniaG1rl -

When does Bb come in?

Later.

Everygirlneedshervampire -

YAY STEALING UR PASTA! ;D

W00t!

Good job "humanizing" Kori. I was looking for her formal...proper english.

Ryan's like every girl's dream lil brother. Mine (unfortun8ly) is a lil' boy version of me. (and we ALL kno thats not good)

OMG U added Blackfire the evil alien PUTA!

*dark clouds form in sky*

Yeah. You better not do that next year. =_= And Ryan is very cute, but he will have his faults.

Joan -

You are keeping us all on the edge of seats. You enjoy that don't you now;)

That's my main goal!

Kota -

A little spice of darkest and desperate angst teens. Not about happy people who have no story of their lives to be told. I like this story and how did you come up with it.

I don't really remember. I think I was reading a story about pregnancy on fanfiction one day and I was ranting inside my head how cliché the stories always were. Next thing I know, I was writing the prologue for Not Your Average Teenage Fairytale.

Elle -

You are different kind of author and you you are not the hopeless romantic type like Stephnie Meyer. Who I hate a lot, but you my friend are get up there with writers like J.K. Rowling ;)

Thank you so much!

Zoe -

Here an name for the next chapter nobody home and how did Raven's mom die just out of wonder.

That will be revealed later on.

Avril -

Raven is an survivor and not an damsel in distress thank god. As Author I applaud you for not using any stereotypes on your all of characters. You have an bright future ahead of you only being 13 and all. I'm not dissing you, but you do sound maturer beyond your years. Have an great life!

Thank you! God, these comments make me feel so special and happy! ^.^

So guys, we hit the 100 review mark! w00t! Let's get to 105!

Until next time~!