Chapter 9

Nobody's Home

"Raven! It is time to wake up for school!"

I groaned and opened my eyes slowly, the morning light a deep, painful contrast from the darkness behind my eyelids. I sat up and stretched my arms out in front of me, getting out the tightness in my muscles from sleeping on the floor. I looked up sleepily at Kori who was already dressed and groomed. She had put her hair up in a messy bun and a few strands hung in front of her face. She was clad in jeans and a pink floral t-shirt and hot pink bangles were wrapped around her left wrist.

I attempted to rub the sleep out of my eyes and yawned. Usually I was a morning person, just like Kori was now, but for some reason I was exhausted. Nausea tickled my stomach and I took a deep breath. Not now. Not when it was this early in the morning.

"Come on, Raven. You must get dressed for a day at school," insisted Kori. She grabbed my backpack off the floor and put it on her bed and unzipped it. I sat there, watching her as she sifted through the contents, looking for something for me to wear.

I stood up and walked over to where she was standing, my legs a little wobbly from fatigue. Even though I fell asleep so quickly last night and woke up so late this morning, I felt like I hadn't slept at all. Pregnancy was not my thing.

The nausea overcame my stomach and the need to puke deepened. I flopped face first on Kori's bed, my arms wrapped around my stomach. Kori put her hand on my back; I suppose she was comforting me.

"Raven. Are you all right?" she asked me. I shook my head, my face still buried in her comforter. I turned my head to the side and took a gulp of fresh air. "I feel sick," I mumbled.

Kori removed her hand from my back and said, "Then you shall stay home today. You are in no condition to attend school." She walked over to her closet and slipped on white flat shoes. "I'll bring your homework and class notes to you."

"I'm still going to school. I just need a minute or two," I protested. I continued to lay there, my upper torso face down on the bed and my knees on the hardwood floor. My arms were still wrapped around my stomach as if doing so would numb the pain there.

She walked over to me, her face stern. "You are not going to school. End of discussion," she said flatly. I resisted rolling my eyes. Just what I needed. To be scolded by my peppy best friend.

I turned around and sat down on the floor and let my legs stretch out. My knees felt scrunched up and sore when I did that, but it did a wonder for my calves. "Honestly, Kori. It's just the morning sickness. I'll be up and ready to go in a few minutes." Maybe I could take a few pills just in case it came back. Then again, I wasn't really supposed to be taking unprescripted medicine because of the baby. Dammit.

I rubbed my head before shakily standing up and walking over to my backpack and unzipping it. I pulled out some wrinkled clothes and plopped them down on the bed. Yawning, I turned to Kori who was making sure she was packed for the day. "Hey, do you mind ironing these for me while I take a shower and freshen up?"

She sighed and looked up at me. "There is no convincing you of staying here and getting rest?" I smiled and shook my head while she zipped up her bag. "Very well. Hand them here." She held out her hand, waiting for me to place the clothes there. I handed them to her and she walked out of the room. I screamed "Thanks" after her before searching my bag for shampoo and shower essentials when I realized I never packed any. I cursed under my breath and zipped up my bag angrily. I would ask to use Kori's, but that was just a bit too much. I haven't even been here for twenty-four hours and I was already having her iron my clothes and in need of shampoo and body wash.

I grabbed my brush and headed for the bathroom, which was down the hall. On the way there, I ran into a sleepy, bedheaded Blackfire who had her arms stretched up in the air. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that went to her knees and hopefully shorts underneath. I realize that it's her house, but still. It's not right.

She spotted me walking towards her and smirked. I cocked one of my eyebrows, a little suspicious and just plain confused. What was that about?

I mentally shook it off before continuing down the hall. I passed her as if she were part of the wall so that maybe she would ignore me as well. Lately though, that's been impossible.

"Morning sickness already? So soon?" she said. I whipped my head around to see her leaning casually against her door frame. Her arms were crossed and her eyes were closed. The smirk was still in place on her face, taunting and all knowing.

Crap. She didn't find out, did she? Is that why she smirked last night at dinner? Did she know then? That's why she just smirked now, too. She knows. She knows. Oh God. She knows.

Okay, Raven. Play it cool. Act innocent. She's not a human pregnancy detector. She can't confirm it. Lie. Just lie.

But what good would that do? Wouldn't she find out later this summer? She was coming back for summer vacation and I was going to be showing around that time.

Who said I was staying that long, though? I might move by then. I could find somewhere else to live. She never has to know. As long as Kori never spills, my "secret" is safe.

I tilt my head innocently and ask in a confused tone, "What? Did I miss something?"

She gave a short bitchy laugh but stayed in her current position. "Your period, perhaps?"

Damn. Dammit! No doubt she knew now, but that didn't mean I had to confirm it. For all she knows, she hallucinating. Maybe she just wants to freak me out. It's not like she was fond of me in the beginning.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said. My voice was a little strained, but hopefully she didn't notice. I was praying she didn't notice. All I wanted was to go to the bathroom to brush my hair and go to school. Her taunts were not how I wanted to start my day.

She finally opened her eyes and flashed me a smile that said something along the lines of "Playing dumb won't work. I know everything, so there's no sense in lying." She pushed off her door frame and turned her back on me and went to head in her room. She stood in the door way with one hand gripping the side of the frame with the hinges. "Then maybe it's time you got checked out if you're so confused, hm?" With that she walked in her room and shut her door, leaving me in the hallway gripping my brush like it was the only thing keeping my head above the surface.

Why was the universe after me? What did I ever do to it? Why was I being picked on?

Would anything good come into my life again?

Kori and I were heading home after school. Nothing really special had happened today except for the usual taunting and sexual harassment. That's something I've gotten used to. It bothered me still, but at least I've gotten used to it. It's just something that happens, nothing I can do about it. I mean, it's not like I can deny being pregnant when they heard it from the father.

Goddamn that bastard to hell.

I fingered my necklace. I wonder what my perspective would be if my mom were here. Maybe then I would actually have a home instead of being forced to stay at a friend's house. She would know exactly what I was going through. She wouldn't approve of it one hundred percent, but she would at least understand. She wouldn't judge me like my aunt or anyone else for that matter.

If only she were here, she'd help me get through this. She'd give me pointers and advice. She would chase away the clouds of confusion and depression in my mind. My mom would make me feel better about everything and tell me everything was going to work out.

I missed her so. Freaking. Much.

Kori was humming along beside me, practically skipping down the sidewalk. I was lucky to make a great friend like her. I had known her for less than a week and already she was the best friend I could ever have. She has a family that's so kind with the exception of her older sister. She's the best thing that's happened to me these past two weeks.

But she could never replace my mother.

No one could.

I turn to Kori. She's still humming that same tune with a smile on her face. "Kori."

She stops humming and faced me. "Yes?"

"Do you mind if we make a quick stop somewhere? I need to go to my house for something," I said.

She furrowed her brow in confusion. "I thought you were kicked out of your home."

I flinched at the way she said that so easily and she immediately apologized. I shook my head. "It's all right. But no, that's my aunt's house. I need to go to my house."

She tilted her head and furrowed her brow again and I almost laughed at her confusion. I don't why, but it was just funny that way. "I do not understand," she said.

I smiled at her before facing forward. We were walking down a very familiar neighborhood, one that was so old to me it was almost new. Not much had changed, but it looked different in so many ways. Maybe it's because I was older now and my perspective had changed over the years. Maybe it's because the last time I was here was one of the worst days of my life. I sighed.

"We're going to my house. The one that I own." I turn back to her and smile again. "The one my mother gave me."

We arrived at the house shortly after that. It was left exactly as I remembered it, except now everything was a bit dusty. Kori and I walked up the sidewalk and onto the porch. It was one of those large porches that went all the way around the house. Nothing like the small ass three person porch my aunt had. The kind that's only as wide as the door.

We walked up the porch steps and I was surprised that they didn't creak with our weight. No one has been here to take care of this house in years. They should've had the boards on the steps rotting or something. It was amazing. I unlocked the door with the key that I brought, something I took with me just about anywhere. We stepped inside, our feet actually making footprints in all the dust that coated the floor.

"Looks like I'm going to have a lot of cleaning to do," I sighed. I dropped my backpack by the door and walked around, examining for any damage. Nothing was broken or damaged in any way, just dusty.

Kori was looking around too, an expression of awe on her face. "This is your house?" she asked. When I had nodded she smiled. "It is most wonderful and. . .big."

I only nodded again, staying silent. This house held memories. Good and bad. The one that stood out the most was the last time I saw her.

I was about six years old at the time. I was playing in my room while my aunt was downstairs in the kitchen fixing lunch. My aunt didn't fly out from Colorado to just visit us, she only came out for important things. My mom was leaving for Africa that day and my aunt came to watch me while my mom was gone.

You see, my mom had won a free trip to Africa. She's a hardcore animal lover and found all animals interesting. Her favorite type of animal were birds (which explains my name), but she still loved all animals. So going on safaris in Africa was a dream come true. She was ecstatic and began packing as soon as she found out.

I was playing in my room, waiting for lunch to be ready. My aunt was a great cook and I always loved flying out to Colorado for the holidays and having those big family dinners with her. They were some of the best times ever in my young age.

My mom stepped in my room and sat down beside me. She was smiling, excited as ever. I was still upset with her because of a fight we had earlier in the week. So I didn't look at her, I just kept brushing my doll's hair like she wasn't even in the room.

"Hey, darlin'," she said to me. I glanced out of the corner of my eye at her before I turned back to my doll.

"I'm leaving today," she said.

"Yeah. I know," I said coldly. Even then I was pretty cruel.

Her face faltered a bit, which made me smile inside. Good, she should've felt guilty. She should've hated herself for being so mean to me. She deserved it.

"I just came in here to tell you to be good for your aunt and that I'll miss you," she said.

I turned to glare at her. "I bet you will."

She flinched and this time I really did smile. She was so hurt and I felt a little better about her leaving me behind. She stood up and walked to the door while I returned to what I was doing before she had come in. But before she left, she turned around and said, "I know you're still upset, Raven. But you have to understand, I can't take you. Just remember that I love you and I'll miss you the whole time I'm gone."

It was her way of apologizing to me. For the fight, leaving me here while she went off and had fun, everything that had happened the past week. I know I should've said something as heartfelt as she just did, but I was still angry at her.

And all I said was, "See ya."

Her face fell as she walked out of my room muttering a feeble "Goodbye" before she left for her safari.

It was the last time I ever saw her.

"Raven?"

I snapped out of my flashback and turned to Kori who was looking at me worriedly. I wonder how long I was zoned out for.

"Raven? Are you all right? You're crying," she said.

I put my hand to my face and sure enough, tears were falling down my face, leaving wet trails on my cheeks. I wiped my eyes and smiled. "Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure? We can leave and go home if you would like," she said sympathetically.

I shook my head. "There's something I have to get first," I said before walking upstairs. As I made my way up the steps (which surprisingly didn't creak either) I thought about the last time I saw her before she died. I was so. . .cruel. All because I was upset over a fight we had a week before. I was being selfish and now she was dead. More tears slipped down my cheeks and I'm glad Kori couldn't see my face right now.

The last memory my mom had of me before she died and I was so cruel to her. She apologized and told me she loved me and all I could say was "See ya." My bottom lip trembled and I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn't believe I was such a bitch to my own mom!

I slammed my fist on the banister before I ran down the hallway to what used to be my room. The place where I had last seen her. I heard Kori's running footsteps behind me and it comforted me sort of that she didn't just stay downstairs to assumingly let me cry it out.

I walked into my room and froze. The memory was so strong in here even though the only thing that was the same about this room was the painted blue walls. It hurt so much and all I wanted then was to go back and fix everything and tell my mom how much I loved her.

God, I sound sappy.

I saw Kori step into the small room and look around. She looked at me for an explanation and I gave her a half smile. "This used to be my room."

"Oh." She walked farther into the room and looked at the walls. "That's a pretty color," she said.

"Thanks." I knelt down on the ground and searched for the one floorboard that wasn't all the way down. When I had found it, I lifted it up with ease and took out a small, antique box with floral designs painted onto it. It didn't have a lock, I never bothered putting one on. I never thought it was necessary.

Kori came over and knelt beside me, her eyes glued to the box. "What is that?" she asked.

I ran my hand over it, collecting some dust on my hand. "It's a box that holds something very special to me." I opened it and there, in the middle of the red velvet lining the inside of the box, was a brooch. It was red with a yellow-ish gold circling it. Painted on the red inside was a black raven. I took it out of the box and cradled it in my hands, more memories coming back.

It was the night before the day my mom left and I was laying in my bed, drifting off to sleep. I was still pretty upset with her. I thought she loved me. But if she did, she would've taken me with her on the safari. All I wanted was to go with my mom and have fun. But she refused to take me, saying things like how school was important and that I would be better off at home. It made me so mad that I had told her I hated her before I stormed off to my room. But that had been a week ago.

Just as I was about to slip into unconsciousness, my door cracked open, revealing a small beam of light from the hallway. I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleepiness out of my eyes. Out of grogginess and instinct, forgetting I was ever mad at her, I feebly called out, "Mommy?"

The door opened all of the way, showing my mom clad in her pajamas. She walked over to my bed and sat down. She was holding something in her hand, but I couldn't make out what. I still had that burry vision caused from waking up suddenly from sleep.

"Hey baby," she said, smiling. She held out her arms and I crawled into her lap and curled up in her embrace, not giving a care about safaris or that I was mad. I was in my mother's arms and that was the only thing important at the moment.

"I have something for you," she spoke up, breaking the silence. I open my eyes and look up at her face. It's calm and happy. I was thinking about how beautiful my mom was when she held out something circular to me. I stared at it a few seconds before picking it up in my hand and studying it. It was a pin or something.

"It's a brooch," my mom said, answering my unspoken question. "You know, the one Mommy uses to keep her cloaks pinned together?" I nodded and she went on. "I know that you really want to go on the safari with me and I wish you could too."

"So why won't you let me come?" I asked.

She sighed. "Because, you're simply not old enough. Maybe once you're a little older, we can go on a safari together. Does that sound good?"

I nodded and curled up in her arms again and closed my eyes.

"Anyways," she said, continuing whatever she was saying, "I know you wanted to go on the safari, so to make it up to you, I'm giving you my brooch. So the whole time I'm gone, you'll have a little piece of me with you. So if you're feeling lonely at all, you can just hold this brooch and think of me. I'll be back before you know it."

I nodded and said, "Okay." She laid me back down in my bed and tucked me in before kissing my forehead. "Goodnight, Raven. I love you so much." She brushed some of my hair out of my face and smiled.

"I love you too, Mommy." I closed my eyes and heard her footsteps walking out of my room and the click of the shutting door.

"Raven! You are crying again!" Kori's voice said.

I blinked and I felt more tears spill over. I turned to face Kori, but her face was blurred because of all the tears clogged up in my eyes. I blinked again and they cleared, making everything clear again.

"I miss her, Kori," I said, my voice strained and shaky. "I miss my mom."

She frowned and gathered me in a hug while I sat there, crying. Even though I was a pregnant teenager on the outside, on the inside I was still a little girl, crying and holding her mom's brooch, wanting her mom to come back home.

Author's Comments:

Whoa! Tons of sadness! At least I think so. This is gonna sound weird, but this is the only chapter I've written where I made myself cry (then again, I've been really emotional lately). For this chapter, I tried to put myself in Raven's place, ya know? I kept imagining how her mom was dead and I wanted to bring her back badly but knew I couldn't and I actually started to cry. GAH! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?

Eh. I think it's because I had just finished reading Goth Girl Rising (Great book) and the ending with the whole writing a letter to her dead mom thing kinda inspired the ending to this chapter. I had a whole different plan for this chap, but I think I like this version better.

Aha! Now I've revealed part of Raven's mother's death. It obviously involves her free trip to Africa. So now I want you to guess what happened to her. Her death will be revealed in the next chapter. ;)

So, quick question before I answer my reviews: Would you guys honestly stop reading this if I don't bring in BB soon? I hope not. I promise you, that if you wait long enough, it will be EPIC! (I hope so at least.) But seriously would you? Add that in if you review.

So speaking of reviews, I had 19 last time. And you know what? Since I didn't update for so long, I'm answering all of the them (well, except for the ones about the author's note).

Reviews from last chapter:

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!

Many thanks

maria: Wow she had some never asking Raven to stay with her. They say Woman are driven crazy by their hormones when they are with child, but I think woman know they have an baby growing inside of the. They are scared,anxious on the inside, but they put on a brave face hiding their fear. Yeah the hormones are pretty much an myth. Cause how you feel knowing your live will change forever and I think Raven was right for telling her aunt I don't want to stay here with you. If she stay there she would put with shit at home and school.

The reason her aunt REALLY kicked her out will be revealed later on. As well as the reason why she asked for her to come back.

Piper: "Did you ever think of sitting down and talking when you kicked me out?""Did you think about sitting down and talking when you put me out on the streets, nowhere to go and pregnant?" These words were written and I have an feeling we see more of Aunt Bitch in the future chapters. What month will the baby be born in? Just really curious about 's life right now remind me of Christina Aguilera's song Fighter for some werid reason. Lol I Christina Aguilera's music and good luck with that novel you are writing.

Yes, yes you will see her later on. And I never really thought about it with the song Fighter. I was thinking more of Damaged by Plummet.

Pagie: When Aunt Bitch threw Raven out it remind me of Glee Episode tiltled Ballad and do you watch Glee. If you do'nt you should watch it cause it's awesome!

When did Aunt Leah get the title Aunt Bitch? I'm not angry, just curious. Was it really that bad?

Jay: You got Blackfire's character pat down right to every flaw and her attitude that that bigger than her ego. Are you trying to make her the same from the cartoon or base her off an older sibling who acts like I'm better than you and other shit

I'm glad you think so. I'm making it mainly on the cartoon but I will admit that I'm kind of basing her off of me. I can be very cruel to my younger sisters at times, so I get the whole "I'm-smarter-cooler-and-prettier-than-you" feeling. It doesn't mean I don't love 'em, but sometimes I can't help but feel that way.

Laurie: I think you are pretty experienced cause Fanfiction is the steping stone to help writers who have an dream to be published come true. Never discourage someone from pursuing a dream. Follow that advice it will serve you well. I'm sure what you are writing will turn out great for all bloody work you done. Look at all goals you have achievement "Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people" That qutoe is from Nido Qubein. You set your sight on an goal and will not stop until it's done and over with. No matter how it turn out do not never give up and keep looking foward. "Your destiny is set only into our hands and the end will be rewarding if you make it be that way"

You know a lot of quotes. I mainly look up ones that make me laugh.

Kellie:

Hang in there Raven and I honestly I think got Raven just right cause she not too OCC. Kori sounds like the perfect BFF ever to live. Raven I feel suffers from an damaged Self-esteem with people saying to her she the daughter of Satan all because she does not know who her deadbeate dad who may as well be an sperm donor. Raven's nickname should be Queen Of The Shadows since every fan of Raven made an Angel of Darkness viedo on youtube for her. The song pretty much describes her and she did destroy her ultimate enemy ... her so call dad. What do you have plan for the future chapters? How did you pick Anita for Jinx's name and are Argent and Jinx going to make appearance soon? I think Jinx feel bad for dissing Raven and she will try to apologize, but raven being the not trusting after someone who broken it. Will not take Jinx back to be her friend. Also we have not heard from Malchior and you said you put him throught hell, but I growing impatience with it. So do it before I die of waiting. Patience is not of my virtue.

I like that song. But I feel Ravenheart by Xandria suits her a lot more. While I was researching and found out that Jinx was Indian, I looked up some Indian names for her alter ego. Argent and Jinx will make another appearance, but it won't be so nice. But they will eventually make up, although things won't be the same. I never said Malchior was going to suffer, but I am going to have Raven kick his ass if that makes you feel better. :)

Taylor:

This definally better than Teen Mom!

After I read your review, I actually went to go watch it. I only watched a few minutes of it. That's not my thing.

Lea:

Teenage pregnancy is something that the media should not praise upon. They make these ads with Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin to promote it which makes me sick. Teenage pregnancy is an disease and that really sends an good message out to young girls. When did society become so fucked up. If you ever listen to Pink's song Stupid Girl they are foolowing the cons instead of the how far we go for an boy and giving people an imperssion that we are cheerlosers, bimbos. sluts, hoes, shanks, bulimia. What happen to all american girl?

I know. I don't get it. Are they trying to increase the population or something? And All American Girl the brand? I used to be into that, but I kinda grew out of it.

Quinn:

If you written 16 stories then you are experienced and do not copycat work cause it's feels like Ashleigh's orignal. It will be the publisher's loss if he or she does not take you on.

Thanks! Much appreciated!

Jenna:

Finally somebody who is not dissing Lady Gaga. We little monster have to stick together. Did you see Glee's episode Theatricality where they honor Lady Gaga. It was flipping amazing! What do you think of Emma and Spinner getting married? Uh only have few weeks of freedom left before school starts. I hate the end of summer and the start of jail for 8 hours Monday-Friday!

Thanks for the non-story related review. Glad ya sent it.

Tara:

I think this is my favorite chapter out of this whole story .Even I thought know you are not done yet , but it is still my favorite!

Really? I thought it was kind of choppy.

Jane:

Raven is my role model!

I hope you won't be getting pregnant any time soon though. Unless, you know, you're married. Then go right ahead.

Payson:

Blackfire is creeping me out alot and I think she knows raven's secret from the smirk she gave her.

Awwwww! How'd ya know? D:

carrie:

Hate the bitch of aunt Raven has and glad Raven disown her

Everyone hates the latives!

Wonderless Angel:

Sorry this is coming late hon. ^^

I am so glad to finally get this update I have been so busy with my life .

Great chapter ^^ I wonder on a scale of 1-10 how bitchy are you going to make BlackFire?

7 or 8

Jemi:

Blackfire is such an cool nickname ... Not they should call her Bitchfire instead

Can you imagine if that was actually someone's nickname?

jamie:

Update it's been forever since there was an new chapter to read.

I'm sorry! I've been trying! Remember, no internet access at my house anymore. Just my grandma's. Wait, I'm guessing you didn't know that.

Auggie:

Please write more chapters cause I'm dying to see what happens next!

I'm sorry for the wait!

Andy:

You are an genius for writing this. Well I don't tell most people they are geniuses. Cause they look at me weridly. Christopher Nolan is also an genisu for making Inception, but sadly I do not know him so I can not tell him that. Write soon and Da svidanya. FYI which is Russian for goodbye.

People look at you weird for calling them geniuses?

Dumbasses.

I, for one, appreciate that wonderful compliment and thank you.

Also, I now know some Russian.

Review please! I don't have a minimum limit this time, but I hope I get a lot! :D

Until next time~!