"Chelsea, why don't you just tell Raven how you feel?" Eddie asked as he and his other best friend walked to the dining hall to meet Raven for lunch.

"Because Eddie, Raven doesn't look at me like that. I couldn't handle it if she just did something like go out with me just to spare my feelings. I know Raven loves me, just not in that way." Chelsea said her face downtrodden.

"Raven wouldn't do something like that." Eddie reassured her.

"I don't know. She's done some pretty far out things to protect my feelings." Chelsea said. "Remember what happened with Sam?" She said smiling at the memory. Raven had told her that no one messed with her girl. Chelsea wished with all her heart that she had even a chance of being Raven's girl.

"Hey ya'll," Raven said coming up behind them and wrapped her arms around their shoulders.

Chelsea closed her eyes as the scent of Raven's perfume, Donna Karen, surrounded her, filling her senses. She knew she had to step away from her best friend before she did something stupid like, kiss her neck. So she stepped to the side, only to have Raven link arms with her. Her arm tingled where Raven touched her, and she lost herself in the sensation the innocent touch was offering to her. That is until they arrived at the dining hall and Crystal was sitting on the stairs, waiting for them to make their way to the door.

"Hey baby," Raven said dropping Chelsea's arm and running over to the older girl. Chelsea hated Crystal. She hated that she was tall. She hated that, not only was she a star athlete, but she also was studying one of the hardest majors at the school, and acing every one of her classes. She hated the almost possessive way she constantly touched Raven whenever they were together. She hated her dark curly hair. She hated beautiful honey colored skin and green eyes. But most of all she hated that the girl had the only thing that Chelsea really wanted and needed, but could never have. Raven. She had to turn her head when the two locked lips.

"Oh would you two get a room?" Eddie said clearing his voice and patting Chelsea on the shoulder.

Chelsea picked at her food as she sat at the table watching Raven and Crystal gush over one another.

"Chels, are you okay?" Raven asked looking over at her with concern.

So nice of you to finally notice, Chelsea thought bitterly. "Yeah, I just have my lab test on my mind."

"Oh it's not that hard. You're really good in lab Chelsea. I'm sure you'll pass" Crystal chimed in.

Well who asked you, Miss Know-it-all? Chelsea's mind seethed. "Thanks Crystal." She said plastering on her phony smile. "I think I'm going to get to class early." She said standing up and grabbing her tray before heading out of the building.

Raven caught up to her half way to her class. "Chels, Chels, slow down." She called grabbing the redhead's shoulder. "You want to tell me what's wrong?" She asked, her light brown eyes searching Chelsea's.

Chelsea felt some of her hurt and anger dissipate as she saw the concern in Raven's eyes. "I'm sorry, Rae. I..I just have a lot on my mind, and I'm stressed about the two tests I have today. I didn't mean to snap like that."

"It's okay. You just had me worried." Raven said wrapping her arms around Chelsea, and pulling her into a tight hug.

Chelsea returned the hug, inhaling Raven's scent, and memorizing the feeling of Raven's body pressed against her. They had hugged a thousand times before, but ever since Chelsea had discovered her feelings ran deeper than friendship, every embrace had felt like the very first time.

"Thanks, Rae, I needed that." Chelsea said reluctantly pulling away from Raven.

"Anytime. That's what I'm here for."

If only that were true.