Disclamer: I own nothing, only Raven
I sat under a tree at lunch with Kim at my side. It was one of the last days of sun in late October and we wanted to savior it. Kim laid on her stomach, munching on an apple while studying her math book. I sat cross-legged leaning back against the tree, eating a sandwich while people watching. My thoughts began to wander back to the last few months.
After the night of the party, Paul disappeared for a week, they said it was some kind of virus or something, but when he did come back, there was something completely different about him. He didn't look sick at all. He was taller, and his chest and arms filled out greatly. Instead of him looking like a normal 18 year old, he looked about 25.
Two weeks or so later, Jared Tomas, the guy who Kim was practically in love with, left school for a week as well with the same virus. Kim was worried all that week. When he came back, he changed as well. He was taller and bulkier. Kim took notice in this as well.
I was brought out of my thoughts as Kim shifted to sit up and she looked at me. "Are you feeling okay?" she asked in her soft voice. I nodded.
"Yeah, but I think I'm going to get a cookie or something," I answered back. I stood up and started to walk away. I noticed that Kim got up as well, gathered her stuff and began to walk next to me. I gave her a questioning stare. She shrugged.
"I don't want you to run into Paul or anyone else by yourself, especially in your condition," she mumbled, while gesturing to my stomach. I smiled at her. She was really supportive in the whole issue of me being pregnant with Paul's child. I wrapped my arms around my midsection and looked down. I couldn't believe that this had happened to me. I still had a few months until I started to really show. Then I know that I'd have to find somewhere else to live, because I know my parents won't want anything to do with me or this child. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Kim staring back at me with a reassuring smile. I then felt as though I would be okay even if I wasn't, I'd find something.
-----
Winter break came and gone, and I was beginning to show a bit. It looked as though I gained a few pounds, and I wore large shirts. School started back up and Kim and I where sitting at the bottom of the bleachers as our principle was giving his back to school speech. We waited though that, and once that was over, we were given our final semester schedules. We compared and saw that we had pretty much all the same except before our lunch class. She had an Advanced English, while I was interning in the library.
We headed to our classes, which were uneventful, and soon Kim was heading to the English building, while I was heading to the library. I spent the period learning how the library system worked, and soon the bell rang, and I headed to the lunch room. I grabbed my lunch and sat at the usual table in the corner of the lunch room. I began my lunch, but was interrupted by a loud squeal. I looked up, and noticed Kim sprinting full speed at me.
She plopped down next to me and was panting. "You'd never guess what just happened!"
"What?" I asked with my mouth full of pasta. Kim grabbed my napkin and wiped my chin, grinning so big, I thought her face was going to split in half.
"Okay, in English we were given assigned seats, and I was placed behind Jared, and about halfway though class he was asking for a pencil. No one had one, so he turns to me. He at first gets this weird look on his face," She started out, but stopped when she saw my questioning stare.
"What kind of look was it?" I asked while grabbing my bread, and taking a bite out of it. She shrugged.
"It was almost amazement, like he was seeing the sun for the first time. Anyways, after the look he asked for the pencil, and my name. I gave them both, and he asked if we could eat lunch together sometime," she said, and squeals at the end. I cover my ears, but grin at her enthusiasm.
"What'd you say?" I questioned.
"I said yes, but only if you could come as well. Will you?" She asked, while giving me the puppy dog eyes. I roll my eyes, but smile and nod. She shrieks and throws her arms around me, giving me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. I giggle and push her off, wiping my cheek.
"You're so weird," I grumble. Kim just smiles and steals a bit of my bread. I gasp at her. "How could you, I'm supposed to eat for two, and you go and still my food," I pout to her, she just shrugs. I softly punch her shoulder as we both laugh.
-----
Later that week, I look for Kim, so we can go on this group lunch date at the local diner. I spotter near her locker, and headed over to her, and leaned next to her locker. I smiled at her once she spotted me.
"So, you exited?" I asked as she shut her locker.
"Yep, but I have to tell you something," she answered, looking kind of nervous. I gave her a look to continue. She lowered her head and mumbled, "The friend of Jared that's going to come with us is Paul." She flinched, waiting for my reply. I froze.
"What? You're telling me that I have to spend time with Paul?" I growled out. Kim nodded slowly. I began to turn around to walk away, but Kim grabbed my arm.
"Please Rae, do this for me, it might not turn out so bad," she begged, looking me straight in the eye. I sigh, and looked back at her.
"They better for this lunch," I grumble. Kim stares for a minute before a smile breaks out across her face. She jumps and hugs me.
"Yeah they will, and thanks Rae," she says, while smiling at me. I break the hug, and give her a serious look.
"You so owe me," I said, while turning to head outside to the student parking lot. Kim races to catch up with my tall frame. Once she catches sight of Jared, she sprints off to him. He practically begins to glow as soon as he sees her. I pick up my pace so that they wouldn't have to wait to long. I reach them, and Kim's chatting about a project due in one of her classes, and Jared's just looking at her with an emotion written across his face. To me it looked like pure love. I blinked my eyes, and stand next to Kim. Kim notices me, and began introductions.
"Jared, this is my best friend Raven. Rae, this is Jared," She says with a smile. Jared turns and smiles at me while holding out his hand. I shake it, and almost jumped back in shock at how hot it was. He releases it, and puts his arm around Kim. I raised an eyebrow at the gesture.
"Am I the last one you guys were waiting for?" I asked. Jared shook his head.
"No, Paul had to stay after class for a minute. He's heading over right now," Jared answers, while pointing over the crowd of students. I turn my gaze over to where he was pointing. Sure enough, I caught sight of Paul's head bobbing though the crowd of students. I silently scoff and turn my back to his direction. When he finally reached us he greeted Jared and Kim. Kim introduced me as well.
"Paul, this is my friend Raven, Rae, this is Paul," she said while keeping her gaze on me, while I kept my gaze away from Paul's face. He stuck his hand out for me to shake, but I just waved instead.
Jared cleared his throat, and suggested we leave now. He opens the passenger door of his old truck, and pulls the seat forward. I began my attempt of getting into the back, but my slightly rounded belly prevented that. I growl and try again, but just as I was about to fail again, I felt a pair of warm hands grip my waist. I blush deeply, thinking that it was Jared, as I was able to finally get in. I turn to thank Jared, but instead of Jared, it was Paul. I mumble a small thanks and take a seat. Paul gets in and takes the seat beside me. Kim sits in the upright passenger seat, while Jared drives. Thank goodness that the trip was short, because I can tell it was an awkward silence.
We pile our of the car, me needing help, once again thanks to my round belly, and we all head into the diner. We get seated in a booth by the window. I got to sit next to Kim, with Jared across from her and Paul across from me. The waitress came up to us a few seconds later. She smiled brightly at us.
"Hey Paul, Jared," She said to the two boys. She turns to Kim and I, and her smile grows wider. I couldn't help but notice the three long scars that ran down her face "Is this the Kim you keep talking about?" Jared blushes and nodes. I noticed that Kim had a blush dusted across her cheeks as well. I giggle, but stop when I heard Paul snickering across from me. I huff and look down at my menu.
"Who's this?" the waitress asks while looking down at me. I blush at her gaze.
"This is Raven," Jared answers. She turns and sticks out her hand.
"Nice to meet you Raven, I'm Emily Young, I'm engaged to Jared and Paul's friend," Emily says. I smile and shake her hand. "So, I assume you two want the regular, what can I get you girls to drink?"
"Can I get a tea?" Kim asks. Emily nods and writes it down.
"Can I get a soda?" I ask, and just as Emily was about to write that down, Kim stopped her.
"No, she won't take a soda, get her a water with a lemon wedge instead," Emily nods and goes to place the orders. I turn and shoot a look at her. She gives me a cocky smile, and turns to start a conversation with Jared. Emily comes back, and sets our dinks in front of us. She then pulls out her pad again to take our food order. She begins to write down what I assume is Paul and Jared's orders. She then turns to us.
"What can I get you girls?" she asks.
"Can I get the French Dip and French Fries please?" Kim asks. Emily nodes, and turns to me.
"I'll take the Patty Melt, with no bread, and French Fries, with a side of tartar sauce," I ordered, and even though I was getting weird looks from Paul and Jared, Emily smiles and writes it down. She then turns towards the kitchen once again.
I sip my water and listen to the conversation that is going on I turn my gaze towards the window to look at the trees. There must not have been a lot of people at the diner, because Emily was already out with our food. She gives us our food, and I stare in amazement at Paul and Jared's plates. It was stacked full of food. I looked away towards mine. I picked up the tartar sauce and drenched my patty with it. I turned to Emily and asked for more tartar sauce. I cut into the patty, and took a bit, humming in appreciation. Emily placed the small bowl next to my plate. I grabbed a fry, and dipped it in the sauce. I continued to eat until I felt someone staring at me. I looked up at the two boys.
"What?" I asked with a fry dangling from my lips. I looked Jared in the eyes, and slowly turned my gaze over to Paul. My eyes met his, blue to brown, and I felt a sudden connection to him. Paul must have felt it to, because he dropped his fork and stared back, almost in amazement, like he was seeing the sun for the first time. Jared looked back and forth between the two of us muttering two words:
"Oh crap!"