Chapter 10
Tuesday December 11
Logan and Raven are working on homework and helping each other when needed. Logan closes his pre-calc books as he finishes his assignment.
"Thanks for helping me, Rae," Logan says. "I'd be failing without you."
"My name is Raven, not Rae," Raven says, looking up. "And you're helping me with anatomy so I'm just returning the favor."
"I pretty much only help you study. You help me all the time."
"It's not a big deal."
"Well thanks anyway."
"You're welcome." Raven puts down her pencil. "I'm sorry for what I said about Terra when you asked me for my first impression of her. I shouldn't have said what I did. I'm also sorry for not apologizing before now."
"I overreacted. I asked for your first impression and you gave it to me. I shouldn't have gotten so upset."
"You had a right to be upset over what I said."
"Why don't we just forget it ever happened?"
"Works for me."
"So we're good?"
"Yeah, although we might not be in a minute."
"Why not?"
"I wish it wasn't right before your birthday but I need to tell you. Terra is cheating on you."
"What?"
"I saw her kissing another guy at school yesterday."
"Who?"
"I couldn't see who but I know it wasn't you."
"She would never do that."
"She did."
"I don't believe you."
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Maybe so I will break up with her. You already said you don't like her."
"I don't but I wouldn't lie to get you to break up with her."
"Maybe you feel left out since I don't spend time with you as much anymore so you don't have someone to tell your secrets to and talk about your tragic life."
"My tragic life? Do you think I lied about my past?" Logan shrugs. "Why would I do that?"
"Maybe you wanted me to feel sorry for you."
"I can't believe you would think I would do that." Raven slams her book shuts and gathers up all of her things. "This is why I don't trust people anymore." She storms out of the room, leaving Logan on his own.
Thursday December 13 (Logan's birthday)
Raven is walking in the hall to her locker after her 5th period class. When she gets to her locker and puts her books in it, she is grabbed by someone who pins her arms behind her back and covers her mouth. She is then forced to turn toward another person who pulls her shirt up.
"Dude," Adam (the person who pulled up her shirt) says. "You were right. She does have a nice rack. She just hides it all the time."
"Told you," replies the person holding Raven, whose voice she recognizes as Malcolm. "They feel nice too. See for yourself." Before Adam can touch her, the third member of their group, Ryder, speaks up.
"Teacher coming," he says. Malcolm releases Raven and Adam lets go of her shirt. The three guys then leave. Raven puts her hood up, grabs her books then goes to her 6th period class, which she has with Adam. After the class ends, Raven walks out with Adam following several feet behind her. She walks into the bathroom. Adam looks around to make sure no one sees him then follows her inside. Raven is the only person in there. Adam grabs her and pushes her against the wall.
"Hey Baby," Adam says. "We didn't get to finish what we started earlier."
"Get off of me," Raven says, struggling to get away.
"Let's do it," he says. "I know you've had sex with Malcolm and probably with that dweeb Garfield too."
"I haven't had sex with either of them. Let me go."
"You know you want me."
"No I don't."
"Let's just do it already." The bathroom door opens and two cheerleaders, Stacey and Kendra, walk in. Raven and Adam look at who walked in.
"Oh look," Stacey says. "It's the school whore with another guy." With Adam distracted, Raven finally gets away from him.
"How can I be a whore if I've never had sex?" Raven says.
"A whore and a liar," Kendra says. "Malcolm told us that you two had sex multiple times."
"Well he's lying but you won't believe me." Raven moves toward the door but Kendra blocks her. "Get out of my way so I can go to class."
"Why don't you make me?" Kendra says, shoving Raven. Raven retaliates by shoving Kendra back. The two start fighting then Stacey joins in as well. Adam then grabs Raven and pins her arms back, leaving her defenseless to the two cheerleaders' hits. A minute later, a teacher walks in.
"What is going on in here?" Mrs. Gardner says. The girls stop fighting and Adam releases Raven. "And why are you in here?" she asks Adam.
"Raven dragged me in here to try to get me to have sex with her," Adam says.
"No I didn't. He followed me in here and tried to force me to have sex with him," Raven says.
"Raven was forcing herself on Adam when we walked in," Stacey says. "Then she started fighting us when we said something."
"I had to hold her back so she would stop hitting them," Adam chips in.
"Principal's office now," Mrs. Gardner says. "All of you." They all walk to the principal's office. After 10 minutes, they all leave his office. Raven calls Victor.
"Hello," Vic says when he answers his phone.
"Victor, can you pick me up from school?"
"Raven? Are you okay? Why can't you drive yourself?"
"Logan is going to need a way to get home so I'm going to leave my keys for him to drive my car."
"Why do you need me to pick you up?"
"Victor will you please just come pick me up?"
"Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes. You need to tell me why when I get there though."
"Thanks Vic." Raven hangs up. She then goes to her locker and puts her books in her bookbag. She writes a note to Logan, grabs her keys, and closes her locker. She then goes to Logan's locker and opens it. She puts her keys and the note on the shelf then closes the locker. She goes to the front of the school and after a few minutes, Vic arrives. Raven exits the school and gets in Vic's car. Vic starts driving. After they drive for several minutes in silence, Vic breaks it.
"You wanna tell me what's going on?" Vic asks. "And why it looks like you were in a fight?" Raven has bruises on her face and a busted lip.
"I'm suspended," Raven says, looking out the window.
"Why?"
"Fighting."
"You don't fight. What happened?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"Raven—"
"Vic, please. Just let it go."
"Fine. But you're like my little sister Raven. I want to know what's going on."
"Maybe another time Vic. Just not now."
"Okay. You can always talk to me."
Raven turns to him and gives him a small smile. "I know." The rest of the drive back to the Tower is silent. After Vic parks in the garage and turns the car off, Raven gets out and takes the elevator up to her room. Several hours later, Logan pulls Raven's car into the garage. He goes up to the living room where he sees Vic.
"Why are you home?" Logan asks. "Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I got called away by Raven," Vic replies.
"Is she okay? I saw her note about leaving early and leaving her car for me to drive back. Why'd she leave early?"
"Go ask her."
Logan looks down at the floor. "I don't think we're exactly on speaking terms right now."
"What'd you do?"
"Said something I shouldn't have."
"That's what always happens. What was it this time?"
"I accused her of lying."
"Do you really think that Raven would lie to you, or anyone for that matter?"
"No. I was just angry. I didn't think about what I was saying. I'm an idiot."
"Yes you are. Go apologize to her. Now." Logan goes up to the floor with all of the bedrooms. He knocks on Raven's door.
"Raven?" he says. "Will you come out please?" He gets no reply. "I'm sorry for what I said to you the other day. About you lying and making up your past. I was angry and not thinking straight. I know you would never lie, especially about that. I'm really sorry Raven." He doesn't hear anything for a little bit. Just as he's about to walk away, Raven speaks.
"I accept your apology," she says softly.
"Will you come out here please?" Logan asks. After a few moments, Raven's door opens a few inches. She has her hood up and her face is mostly hidden in shadow.
"What?" she says.
"Why did you leave school early? I was worried when you weren't in anatomy."
"Not feeling well."
"You seem okay to me. You don't have any symptoms of illness."
"You're right. I don't have a cold or the flu. I guess not feeling well isn't the reason why I left school. It's what I'm feeling right now."
"Why don't you feel good? Does it have to do with why you left early?"
"It does."
"What happened then?"
"I'm suspended."
"What? Why? For how long?"
"A week. I'll be back to school the day before Christmas break."
"Why are you suspended?"
"Tell me something first."
"What?"
"I don't want to talk about why I was suspended, making it a secret. Therefore, according to our deal, you have to tell me a secret if I tell you this."
"Fine. Anything in particular you want to know?"
"Where are your parents buried?"
Logan looks at her shocked. "Why do you want to know that?"
"Because I do."
"Astoria, Oregon. My dad was from there and I was born there. We moved shortly after I was born though so I never lived there. I've only been back there a few times."
"Do you have family there?"
"I don't have any family. My dad was an only child and his parents are both dead. My mom's family didn't approve of her career choices or my dad so after my parents got married, my mom's family cut all ties with her. I've never me any of them. I don't even know if they know about me."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Logan shrugs. "If they cut ties with my mom because of a few of her decisions, then I don't know if I want to know them. And that was two secrets."
"I guess it was."
"So why are you suspended?"
"Fighting."
"Why were you fighting? And with who?"
"Stacey and Kendra."
"What happened?"
"It doesn't matter. It's not like people believe me anyway."
"I'll believe you."
"You don't believe me when I tell you other things. Why would you believe me now?"
"I told you I'm sorry about accusing you of lying about your past."
"I know. And I accepted your apology."
"So why won't you tell me what happened?"
"Because it won't make a difference. People always believe the side that will cause the least amount of problems. People don't believe me because I'm a nobody and the other side is composed of sports team captains."
"Raven—"
"Look Logan. It's not a big deal. I'll be back to school in a week. Until then, I will work on homework and study for finals. End of story."
Logan sighs. "Okay. If you need help with anatomy, let me know." He turns to leave but turns back before she shuts her door. "Hey Raven?"
"What?"
"Do you still trust me?"
Raven is silent for a bit, just looking at him. She then turns away. "I don't know."
Logan's shoulders drop upon hearing this. "I'm sorry to make you question that. I will do anything I can to regain your trust. I promise you that." Logan turns and starts walking down the hall. When he gets to the corner, he hears Raven softly say, "Happy birthday, Logan." He turns back to face her but sees that her door is already shut. He sighs and goes down to the living room where the others are, waiting to celebrate his birthday.