Another month, and one step closer to my goal. The only problem with which I had noticed start happening about two weeks ago. Garrison was going back into his old habits. I wasn't allowed out of his sight, if I went to go set the table for dinner, he'd start complaining that it took me too long to set the table. Then he started to also go back to the 3 minute bathroom breaks, after three minutes went by, he started banging on the bathroom door.

What was I suppose to do? What could I do? What did I do? I had never had to deal with anything like this. Everything was going great. And he just started going back to that way things were at the beginning. Thank goodness Hazel and Chris were coming over for a nice dinner tonight. I hope I can talk to Hazel again, because I'm at a complete loss.

Around 4:00 I went into the bathroom to start working on my hair. I didn't have anything really to do to it, but I could possibly do a nice ponytail. I was in there for no more than fifteen minutes when Garrison storms in.

"Raven! Why haven't you been answering me when I was calling you? I've been all over the whole house looking for you. Why didn't you come when I called you?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you calling me. I was drying my hair with a blow drier. I wouldn't have been able to hear you."

"Well you should have told me you were going to go fix your hair."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think I HAD to tell you that I was going to go fix my hair. Like I said, I'm sorry." He mumbled something that I couldn't rightly hear.

"I need to go finish dinner."

"O.K. I'll finish up here, give me like five more minutes."

Finally Hazel and Chris show up, the tension in the kitchen was almost too much for me to handle. I just sat there watching him finish up dinner. When the door bell rang I sighed deeply, Garrison went to go open the door.

Chris walked in shaking Garrison's hand and gave me a quick hug. And I could have sworn I saw Garrison giving him a deadly look. What was going on? Hazel came up next and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey sugar, how are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

Dinner went by smoothly, although when Garrison and I sat on one side of the table, with our guest on the other. Hazel kept giving me a look asking me what was going on between the two of us. I just kept shaking my head slightly no, saying I would tell her all later.

After dinner was cleared, Hazel said that she had some things she wanted to show me, makeup and some assortments of girly items. She all but pushed me into the bathroom, and shut the door.

"What the hell is going on between you two? You guys were doing so well, what happened," she whispered furiously.

"Don't blame me man, he started it." I whispered back.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. He just started acting like he did when I was first kidnapped. Always making sure I was kept in his presence. I didn't do it, trust me. I don't know what happened, I'm just as confused as you are by his behavior."

"You say he wants to keep you always near him? And is acting the way he did when you first arrived. And did you see when Chris tried to give you a hug? I thought Garrison was going to kill him with his bare hands."

"What are you saying?"

"Oh sugar, you are in way over your head. He's come to like you."

"Well I hope so…"

"No, more than you think. I've seen him like this before with one other girl. She didn't come around exactly like you did. But it didn't end well all the same."

"Wait, so he's like in love with me, but not that deep?"

"Not yet."

"And he had a previous relationship that didn't end too well before this?"

"Yes, but he tried to give her distance, but still be a good boyfriend. And she cheated on him with a friend of his. It doesn't matter. Now he will keep what he wants in his sights at all times because he doesn't want history to repeat itself."

"And I'm what he wants."

"Yes. The only way for him to loosen up is to step it up."

"The befriending."

"You're past befriending. You need to become best friends. And if you have to, with benefits. But it's completely up to you. Either you do that, or you live like this."

"Thanks Hazel. I owe you one."

"Don't worry honey." She left a bag of makeup and hair assortments on the counter and winked.

I needed to rethink the situation I had put myself into. He loved me? Or well not love, but like me more than the friend I just wanted to be. What did I get myself into? Obviously, you can count on Raven to get herself in to trouble.

So the next thing to think about was, did I pursue my goal. Or do I give up and live like this like Hazel had said? No, I can't give up. I thought I was so close. But what if he goes too far? I should try and explain to him that I'm not ready. It's the only thing I can do, I hope I know him well enough to know he wouldn't try anything. It took me a day to finally come to the agreement with myself that nothing could stand in the way of me and my freedom plan.

The next day after a nice warm shower, I realized something. I had forgotten to grab some more clothes…crap. I wrapped a robe tightly around me, and ran towards the bedroom. I shut the door behind me in relief.

I turned around to see Garrison laying on his bed, asleep, I cringed. I hope he is a heavy sleeper. I tip-toed to my closet, opened the door, and slipped in. Then I just remembered the light bulb burned out earlier that morning. Why me?

I fumbled around, five minutes later, I stumbled out with my shirt on backwards and a stubbed toe. I looked up to see his worried face, and my eyes widened.

"I'm so sorry to have woken you! Oh, I feel awful now. I just…I forgot my clothes after my shower. Then the light in my closet is out. But I didn't want to wake you up, but I did anyways. Oh I feel terrible." I puffed out my lower lip, because I did feel bad for it.

"No, it's O.K. I shouldn't have fallen asleep. It's getting late and I won't be able to sleep tonight."

"I still feel bad." I said walking beside him, but close enough to let my shoulder touch his.

"Well don't."

"O.K." I laughed lightly. "I'm hungry." I grumbled, then my stomach agreed.

"Well what do you want?"

"It's been forever since I had Chinese…"

"Chinese?"

"Oh yes, I love Chinese!"

"O.K. I'll see what I can do for your cravings." (He ended up having to order some.)

"I'll be back in 15 minutes O.K.?"

"I'll be here." I smiled as he pulled on his coat and left.