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Chapter Two: Little Bird

Raven woke up the next morning staring at the ceiling as if it was her only solace in the world, trying to ignore the heavy sinking feeling in her chest. She couldn't exactly remember what her dreams had been about, but there was the definite memory of those glacial blue eyes, and that thin smirk that she had once considered charming and mysterious, but now seemed nothing more than cruel and sinister - like a snake lying in wait. She must have dreamt of him. Raven threw a hand over her eyes, letting go of a sigh so heavy that it threatened to shake the walls of her apartment.

She had never considered him the perfect boyfriend, but he was intelligent and reserved, and they had always had very good, deep conversations about subjects and topics they both liked. There was never a time when Raven couldn't see herself with him, and she had always imagined that he did too, but this break up had come rolling out of her blind spot. It felt a bit like she'd been chewed up and spit out.

She needed to get up and do something with herself, or she would be tempted to lay here and brood all morning. Sighing again, she swung her legs over the edge of her bed and walked from her bedroom into the kitchen, setting the kettle on to boil as she chose the perfect tea from the cupboard. Her fingers hovered over the little green tin of expensive loose tea he had given her, and with an annoyed curse, Raven threw it into the garbage and chose something far more sensible. Whatever she could do to keep him from her as far away from her thoughts as possible.

Looking out the window, she could see across the courtyard and into-

Oh, god.

There, standing in front of his window, was her new neighbor…completely naked again. The morning sun entered their courtyard and seemed to bounce off his entire body, lighting him up in a strange, heavenly glow. He looked positively… gorgeous. Raven licked her lips and watched as he sipped his coffee and stared at a folded newspaper in his hand.

And then his eyes flicked up to see her watching him shamelessly.

Raven's cheeks flushed brightly and she felt herself jerk back, as he fully turned to look at her. His lips tugged up into a teasing smile and he offered her a small wave. Unable to think of a reason not to, Raven's hand moved of its own accord and she waved back. He laughed and reached out of the edge of his window to grab something next to him. A few seconds passed and Raven watched as he held up a sketch pad in front of him.

Morning, Princess.

Raven's eyes widened and she looked from the note to his face and back again. Was he really doing this? Was he actually writing her notes from the window?

He grinned up at her before scribbling something down again.

So, about that coffee?

Her cheeks flushed and she continued to stare, trying to think of something - anything - that she might be able to say that wouldn't make her look like a complete idiot. When she didn't respond, he cocked his head to the side and watched her confused expression with a strange curious interest. A few more minutes ticked by and he scribbled something down again.

OK, no coffee this morning. How about a number?

Raven heard her kettle starting to scream in the kitchen, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from his little notes filling the white page pressed against his window. Her fingers itched to reach for her phone, but instead she just stood here and watched his cocky smile fall a little as he waited for a response. When all he seemed to get was Raven staring at him, he pursed his lips and pulled the sketch pad down before writing something else on it.

How about MY number?

Raven stared at the phone number following the question, and she managed to pull herself out of the shock, turning away from the window to stumble for her phone. Glancing over her shoulder, she entered in his phone number, fingers shaking as he continued to smile at her from his place in front of the window.

Put on some clothes.

She hit send and quickly pulled the kettle off the stove, trying to push him out of her mind. But her phone buzzed and she jumped, looking over at her phone lying on the counter. She nearly dropped her mug, and she felt her heart jump into her throat. Oh no, what did she just do…? Preparing herself mentally, she swiped her phone open and looked at her text messages.

Never.

There was a quick pause before another text message came through.

I don't suppose there's a name that goes along with those demands though? I can't be calling you 'Princess' forever.

Her face darkened and she texted him back.

Raven.

She edged to the window again, poking her head around the frame just a little to watch him fidget with his phone. Her eyes followed the long line of his shoulder down his arms to his large hands, practically engulfing the phone as he tapped the screen with careful hands. Her eyes trailed down his chest to his abs, his hips, and then-

Raven's face flushed brightly as her phone buzzed again ripping her from her shameless staring at all of him. She pulled her head from around the edge of the window and back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling as she silently cursed herself. She had been eyeing him again, and that was quite possibly the last thing she needed right now. Groaning, she glanced down at her phone as his next text message flashed across the screen.

So, you're not a Princess? Good to know, Little Bird.

Her mouth fell open in shock and she stared at her phone before turning around to look at him standing in the window, grinning at her as he waved again. It was like he was taunting her, and enjoying every second of it. Raven just groaned and lifted her eyes to the ceiling, hoping that maybe this would all be over soon.

Jason leaned back on his heels and watched her with an infuriating smirk.

Raven just set her phone down and walked back into her room, as if she could hear his teasing laughter follow her. What in the world did she just get herself into?

Her phone buzzed again.

I'll be seeing you around, Little Bird.

And how was she going to get herself out of it?