Reunions: Chapter Six – It's Not Okay

"Hurry up, Terra, I can't suspend this in midair for much longer," Raven grumbled. Terra and Raven were moving Terra's bed into her room. Rather, Terra was bossing Raven around and Raven was levitating the bed.

"Well, it wouldn't be so long if you hadn't insisted on taking the long way," Terra snapped.

"Whatever." I stood there watching as Raven and Terra went at each other like bratty kids. I had noticed a change in Raven since Terra had gotten back. I felt like under the surface, there was something Raven had to let out, but now wasn't the time.

"Well, that's everything." Terra smiled at me. "Looks like I'm all moved in. Thanks again, guys."

"Hey, Terra?"

"Yeah, BB?"

"Well," I took a deep breath. "It's been a long time, and I was wondering if you might want to go to the movies with me. You know, to get reacquainted and all."

"That sounds awesome," Terra replied, smiling.

Behind us, Terra's bed turned black, then shattered into a million pieces. Raven left the room abruptly, without so much as a word.

"What's eating her?" Terra wondered aloud.

"I'm going to go see what's wrong." I headed towards the door, but Terra cut me off.

"What about our date?" Well, this was awkward.

"I didn't really think of it as a date," I managed to say, "and I mean, I'm like, nineteen. You're still fourteen."

"Oh," Terra sighed.

"Nothing personal, but things have happened. And I'm not sure how I feel about anyone right now."

"That's okay, I understand." Terra grinned. "I know what's going on. Now, go talk to your little girlfriend." Terra left the room.

"She's not my girlfriend!" I told Terra's back.

"Raven?" I followed her down the dark corridor to her room. "You okay?"

"What do you think?" She still didn't turn around.

"Well, you seemed kinda upset."

"You ditch me for Terra, completely crush me, and act like I'm the one who has something wrong with them. And you want to know if I'm upset."

"Look, I don't like her, if that's what you think. She's just my friend."

"Whatever." Raven entered her room and slammed the door. A piece of paper fluttered down to the ground from under her cloak. I bent over to pick it up. There was writing on it. I began to read.

It was a poem. She had written it in her beautiful, graceful handwriting, which so closely matched her personality. The poem itself was heartbreaking. It made me want to run to her room and throw open the door, begging for her forgiveness. She really had a way with words.

It read:

Now that she's back

It isn't the same

You act like it is

But you know things have changed

She smiles, you smile

My confidence quivers

I'm beginning to feel

A lot like chopped liver

And it's not okay

Leaving me here

Depressed and drowning

In my ocean of tears

It's not okay

To treat me like dirt

To rip out my heart

And not get why it hurts

It's not okay

But I want things to be

Like before she came

When it was just you and me

When I discovered emotions

Could make the heart glad

When all that I lost

Was all that we had

When I didn't get

The way that I felt

When the hard shell around

My heart first did melt

I felt it back then

I feel it now too

Inside my heart

A place saved for you

Feel free to whack me on the head and call me an idiot. I totally deserve it.

"Raven?" I knock on her door. "Raven? You there?"

"What do you want?"

"I'm sorry."

"So? You still hurt me."

"Raven," I pleaded, "please give me a chance. See, I even read your poem."

"Yes, but do you understand it?"

"Is it about Terra?"

"You're only half right," she stated, "it's about me, you, and Terra. And about how you broke my heart."

"Raven, I'm really sorry. I didn't know you liked me."

"Well," Raven snapped, "now you know."

I stood outside her door for a little while, thinking about what she had said. Just as I was leaving, a small sound broke the silence. It was a low, whimpering sound, like a dog begging for food. It broke my heart. I still didn't know what it was. But then it hit me, and I was overcome with a wave of pity.

It was the sound of Raven's sobbing.