Raven was nervous as she stood back stage watching her two models, Rosario and Blanca, get ready. She peeked from behind the curtain to see who was in the audience. She saw her parents and Cory, Eddie and Magdalena, Jaime and his boyfriend, Brandon, and even Ronnie was there. Only one person was missing. Chelsea had told her she wouldn't be able to make it. She'd had a meeting with some professor in the Science Department, and she hadn't been able to get out of it. Even though Raven understood, she'd still held out hope the maybe she'd show up.
They'd made up over the past two weeks. It was still a sore subject for Raven. She knew Chelsea completely forgave her, but she still couldn't believe she had hurt her best friend because she was being selfish. Her mind flashed back to Chelsea sitting on her bed sobbing. She vowed for as long as she lived she would never cause Chelsea that much pain ever again.
"Oh Raven there you are, someone dropped this off for you." Desman said handing her a lily and a note.
"Oh ok, thanks Desman." She called after him. Before opening the note. She recognized Chelsea's handwriting immediately.
Raven,
I'm so sorry that I'm not there right now. I never would have imagined that I'd have to miss your big night, but I hope the flower will remind you to keep me close to you tonight. I know you're on my mind. Congratulations, you deserve it girl.
Love always,
Chelsea
P.S. Do you have a date to the dance tonight? I think I know someone who would really like to go with you.
Raven folded the letter and brought the flower to her nose. She tried not to let the fact that Chelsea was trying to set her up with someone dampen her good mood. She didn't have a lot of time to dwell. The show was starting.
When the show had come to an end, she felt like she was floating on air. Everyone congratulated her and she got to meet a few designers that had encouraging words. They told her to build up her portfolio over the summer, and they looked forward to seeing her next year. Eddie handed her a bouquet of flowers, and she hugged him and thanked him for coming. They stood talking for a minute about the show. Then she felt hands cover her eyes.
"Guess who…" Said a voice that sent a shiver down her spine. She'd know that voice anywhere.
"Hey Crystal, I didn't know you were coming." Raven said hugging her.
"How could I miss your big night?" Crystal said, smiling at her. Though she'd seen Crystal around campus since they broke up, they hadn't spoken since the night of their last date.
"Awww, thank you." Raven replied giving her ex a hug.
"Oh and here, a beautiful rose for a beautiful lady." Crystal said pulling out a white rose. It was the same type of rose she'd given Raven on their first date.
Raven accepted the rose with a blush. She wasn't sure what to do or say, but Crystal was being really sweet.
"So, I was wondering if you have a date to the dance tonight." Crystal said eyeing Raven slowly.
Something in Raven wanted to tell her that she was already spoken for, but she also didn't think she could handle being set up by the girl she wished was going with. So instead she said to Crystal, "No, I don't have a date."
