A/N: Yeah, I know, I let you wait far too long for this chapter… bad, Alena, but… yeah, I really don't have any excuses…
Btw, some scenes of this story are based on Kal Ho Naa Ho. It's a wonderful Bollywood movie and you should definitely watch it, but keep in mind that this story isn't exactly like the movie…
Thanks and kudos and much love to my dear Cherrie-chan for beta-ing this chapter and being so great and cool!
Anyway,
here is the next chapter…
Dedicated to Raven of the Night676, And FOREVER Mol, Tecna, Cherry Jade
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Enjoy!
Chapter Three:
1, 2, 3 … Smile!
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"Ok, I'll answer you one question and then you will shut up!" she said.
She turned her face to his, waiting for his question. To her surprise he didn't smile. No smile, no arrogant grin adorned his face.
It was strangely pensive and … soft. His stormy blue orbs were locked in her amethyst as they were searching for something. She felt a shiver creeping through her spine and she wanted to tell him that she couldn't wait all night long as he opened his mouth.
With the softest gentlest voice she had ever heard, he asked her the one question she wasn't able to answer.
"Why don't you ever smile?"
Raven glared at Richard. She was shocked, unable to answer. She wanted to answer. She wanted to scream, to yell. She wanted to tell him that he was wrong. She wanted him to shut up. But, she didn't have an answer. She just didn't know.
So, she just glared at him, incapable of placating both of them.
"What's your problem?" he asked and never looked away from her.
"Problem?"
"Yes, why do you feel like you have to carry all the problems of the world on your shoulders? Why must that be?" he questioned.
"I-"
"Ssshh! Don't interrupt me! It's impolite," he scolded playfully. "Why do you care so much about your siblings? Why do you try to do everything to make your mother, your friends, happy when you hate your life, Raven?" he asked, the playfulness was gone from his face.
Raven's eyes and her body winced. How did he know so much about her? Where could he have found out?
"Mind your own business. You know nothing about this!" she spat out.
"Not much," he admitted. "But when you look closely at your life, you'll see that you have much to be thankful for. Believe me, there are people with a much worse fate and they're still happy. So why can't you just be happy?
Raven shook her head. "I don't need to hear this crap," she said and took some steps away from him but Richard took her arm and held her back.
"Wait! Don't run away. Just listen to me. You know, you should smile. Live and don't think about tomorrow. You never know what could happen. Just enjoy your life." His eyes seemed to look into her soul and Raven found herself drowning in his deep blue eyes. Becoming drunk, she was unable to look away.
Richard released her arm and smiled mischievously at her. "I'll show you how to smile: Ready? Ok, 1, 2, 3…" with that a lopsided smile appeared on his lips. "You see, it's not that difficult. Ok, now it's your turn. Try it. 1, 2, 3 …" he counted again and stared at her intensively. Raven just crossed her arms and just glared at him.
"You have to try," he insisted and leaned closer to her. Raven leaned back to avoid him, maintaining her staring. "Ok, one more time: 1, 2, 3 … smile!" He said, watching her. Raven continued glaring at him.
Richard leaned back again. "Ok, I give up! You have somehow erased your ability to smile. I think you just can't smile," he threw his hands in the air. Then he leaned his head close to hers, again. Raven could feel his hot breath tickling her sensitive, ivory skin. "But don't worry, with some practice I will teach you to smile again."
Once again Raven backed away, wishing to distance the gap between them… needing to distance the gap between them. She waved her index finger in front of him. "Do you know what your problem is? You think that you're-"
Richard took her hand with one swift motion in his strong hands flashing her, a sexy smile. "I know, I am sexy and irresistible," he predatorily whispered in her ear and then suddenly let go of her hands.
"I think I should leave now. Tell your mother that it was a really … nice dinner." He walked towards the door. As he walked out of the kitchen he turned around and said. "Oh, and don't forget to practice your smiling!" he winked at her and closed the door behind him.
Raven just starred at the door. Her mind was in a mess. She wanted to ignore his words, just forget everything about him. He didn't know her. He knew nothing about her life. She could smile. She could have fun if she wanted to, couldn't she?
Why was she thinking about this all? Why did she get so angry, so uncontrolled when this guy was around her? Why wasn't she able to ignore him like she did with every other people entering her life? Why did she care what he said and thought about her? Why…?
Did she really forget how to smile? This one thought invaded her mind. She could think of nothing else the whole night.
"He's so cute! Look at his hazel eyes and his hair. He has red hair – just like me. He- HEY!" Kori finally yelled and poked Raven in the shoulder. "You aren't listening. This whole time you didn't listen to me." Kori fumed and looked slightly angrily at Raven. Raven, on the other hand, jerked out of her thoughts by Kori's high shriek. For an instant guilt washed over her face which was soon covered by her usual expressionless mask.
"Kori, I don't need to listen to you. It's always the same. Who's the guy today you fell in love with?" Raven asked sarcastically.
"It's not everyday I fall in love. He-"
"He's something special. The man of your dreams. And you never had met someone this wonderful, handsome … bla, bla, bla." Raven mimicked and rolled her eyes. "Just show me the special guy," she added softly as she saw that Kori looked upset.
Kori extended her hand and her index finger pointed to a red-haired young man with hazel eyes. He was leaning against a wall at the campus, headphones on his ears listening to music, his head softly nodding.
"That's the one?" Raven asked unbelievingly.
"What do you have against him? You never like anyone," she defended herself.
"Kori, I don't need to-"
"Would you please speak a little louder? I can't hear anything!" a voice behind them informed them frustrated.
Shocked, Raven and Kori wrenched their heads around.
"No, not you again." Raven growled and glared openly at the man behind her.
"It's sure nice to see how much you missed me," Richard smiled and walked around the bench on which Raven and Kori were sitting and squeezed himself between the two girls.
Raven poked her index finger into his chest. "You overheard our conversation." Raven accused him angrily.
Calm Raven! Don't let this guy get to you. Don't show him your change. Focus! She tried to sooth herself but it didn't really work. She was still angry.
"I couldn't hear you really. You spoke too quietly," he told her and then turned his head towards Kori and flashed her, a dazzling smile.
"I didn't really introduce myself to you yesterday. So, hey, I am Richard and Miss I-can't-smile's new neighbor," he said and took Kori's hand and kissed the back of her hand. Kori giggled lightly.
"Hey, I am Kori! Miss I-can't smile's friend!" she introduced herself smiling brightly, she like this guy. He seemed really nice.
"That's not funny," Raven hissed and couldn't stop herself from glaring at Richard. But Richard ignored her completely.
"So, I heard you like someone. Who is it?" he asked openly.
Kori didn't know why, but something at Richard made her trust him. It was as if she would know him her whole life. His smiled disarmed her; he seemed nice and so trustworthy.
So, she once again pointed at the red-haired man who was still leaning at a tree and listening to his music.
Richard smiled and nodded. "Ok, wait a minute." He said and stood up from the bench to jog towards the red-haired man.
"Richard, wait! Don't do this!" Kori yelled after him.
"That's what you get when you talk and trust this jerk!" Raven hissed and together they watched Richard's moves.
They saw how he approached the young man and how they talk with each other. Richard pointed in Raven's and Kori's direction and then the two men began to walk to the bench.
"He's coming, he's coming!" Kori whispered clutching Raven's arm.
"I can see that," Raven said and wriggled her arm out of Kori's death grip. She was becoming incredibly annoyed as the day went on, and it was really hard for to hide this fact.
"He is here," Kori once again whispered and then looked up at the two men who were now standing in front of them.
"So ladies, I want you to meet a good friend of mine," Richard said pointing at the red head next to him. "This is Roy Harper." He introduced. "And these are my new friends: Raven," he pointed at Raven who had a slightly pissed expression. "You don't have to be afraid. She might look sour. She may look pissed, but you know barking dogs do not bite." This intensified the death glare. "And next to Miss Sour is her lovely friend Kori." Richard said, winking at Kori, who just kept smiling at Roy.
"It's really nice to meet you guys," Roy said and stared at Kori for a while. "Really nice," he cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, I have to go to my lesson," he said his eyes never leaving Kori's. "But tonight I'll work as DJ at the club Foxy and I would be more than happy to see you there." He said, never taking his eyes off of Kori, they smiled at each other.
"Don't worry," Richard assured him. "We'll come."
Roy smiled one last time at Kori and then walked away from them.
Richard grinned wildly and took his seat between the two girls. "So, how was I?" he asked and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Fantastic!" Kori smiled and hugged him. "I owe you something. He invited me to his club. That's so-"
"That's so stupid!" Raven deadpanned and rolled her eyes.
Kori shot her an insulted glare.
"Don't listen to her," Richard said. "She's just jealous that you have a boyfriend now and she doesn't." he smirked and looked at Raven to see her reaction.
Raven's eyes winded in fury and before she knew what she was saying, the words flew out of her mouth. "I have a boyfriend!"
Kori looked at her surprised and puzzled and Richard's smirk just grew wider.
"You do?" he asked bemused.
"Yes, I do," she confirmed and shot Kori a glance which told her to shut up and not to say a thing.
"So, do you mind telling me his name?" Richard asked.
For moment Raven thought she would die. A name? He wanted to hear a name. Her mind wheeled and wheeled. But the only male name her mind could come up with was …
"Garfield. His name is Garfield… Garfield Logan." Raven answered cussing herself for her stupidity. She saw that Kori's eyes winded and she gasped silently.
"Oh," Richard said and for an instant Raven could swear that she could see something more than playfulness in his face … disappointment? No, she had to be seeing things.
"Ok, but I guess you and your boyfriend won't come to the club tonight, will you?" he questioned, clearing issuing a dare. He dared her to come. In her mind, it was clear that she couldn't say no. To not show up would admit defeat. She was not going to lose to him.
So, she said confidently, more confidently than she really felt.
"I will come and so will Garfield!"
A/N: So, what do you think? Bad? Good? Medicore? Review and tell me!
Btw, thanks and much to everyone who had reviewed last time and for all the other chapters. It's great to know that you still read this story and actually like it! So, thank you very, very, very much!
And reviewer responses will come next chapter!
Oh, before I forget: YamiTai: Your definitely didn´t sound foolish... I´m actually glad you asked. Btw, I read in your profile that you are from Germany and since I´m from Germany aswell: Hey! Ich finde es echt cool, dass jemand aus Deutschland meine Geschichte liest! Also, vielen dank für deine review and ich hoffe dass meine story dir immer noch gefällt!
I think, that's it from me…
Until next chapter…
Alena
