The next day was Saturday, so Ravenna slept in. She dreamt that Ken had come in and kissed her on the forehead. It all felt so real. When she awoke, there was a envelope on her nightstand. Inside was a letter with very familiar handwriting.

I'm so sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I broke my promises and know you probably don't want to see me. But if you still want to, we can meet up in our secret spot at one. I will wait for you there for two hours. If you don't come, I will understand.

-K

Gasping softly, she looked at the clock. It was noon. Jumping out of bed, she took a shower and brushed her hair. It had gotten much longer since he had last seen her. Ravenna decided to wear a simple purple blouse with a black skirt and black sandals. After telling her mother she was leaving, she walked to the meeting place. Waiting there was a tall boy with copper hair.

"Hey!"She called to him.

He looked up and smiled softly.

"Have you seen a boy around here? Short, with brown hair and glasses?"

The stranger just chuckled and stood up, walking over. Smirking, he hugged her tightly.

"What are y-"

"I missed you so much," a familiar voice breathed in her ear.

"Ken…"

"Hello, Ravenna."

She gaped in disbelief and stepped back, covering her mouth with one hand. Sad emerald eyes accompanied the grimace on his perfect face. Ken stepped toward her, but Rave stepped back.

"What happened to you?"

"I got stronger, I got contacts, and I got taller."

"Okay, but that's not the only thing I meant."

"I know. Come, sit down by the water with me," he sighed softly.

Ravenna obeyed, following him to a grassy part.

"You see, when I first got to military school, I was really wimpy. They put me through a lot of strength and weight training. My glasses broke, so I was issued contact. Soon, I was head of my class."

"Okay, great. But what about your broken promises?"

"I was getting to that. They saw me writing to you one day and teased me about writing to my girlfriend. After that, they took away my paper privileges and I couldn't write to you anymore. I got all your letters, though. It broke my heart to read them and see just how much I was hurting you."

She nodded in understanding, relaxing a bit.

"As for coming home late, the buses were delayed. I almost considered walking home. I got your last letter and broke down in tears. The guys thought someone had died. Ravenna, love, you are the only one who can do that to me. Even when I was scrubbing toilets and being screamed at I didn't feel that awful. I am so sorry; it kills me to know what I did to you."

Ravenna looked up through foggy, tear filled eyes at the boy who claimed to be her best friend. He smiled gently, extending his arms to her. She hugged him and he returned it with the same amount of enthusiasm. His scent surrounded and calmed her greatly. For once, since he left, she could breathe.

"I love you, Rave."

"I love you too, Kenny."

"No, I mean, I really love you. I always have."

"Wait, you mean like more than friends?"

"Uh-huh. Does it freak you out?"

"No," She blushed softly.

Ken grinned and hugged her tighter. Ravenna giggled, moving closer to him.

"I'm going back to school with you soon," he said after a while.

She smiled up at him adoringly. His thumb traced her jaw.

"Now that I'm stronger, I can protect you from bullies."

"I can take care of myself," she murmured back.

"You don't need to anymore; I want to be your protector. Like you always were to me. Come on, I want to show you some things I got from military school."

Ken helped her up gently and they left. On the way to his house, they passed Amber, who gawked at Ravenna in shock. Rave smirked and stuck her tongue out. It made him to smile to see she had kept her childish charm. Another aspect he adored about her. His mother greeted them at the door and they headed up to his room.

What used to be a bright, happy room full of comics and video game posters was now a mostly empty room. Aside from a wall covered in pictured of he and Rave, Ken's room held a bed, a computer, and a weight bench. Ravenna looked around in confusion.

"What happened to all your stuff?"

"I grew out of it. Those are for little kids."

"But, I got you a lot of those things as gifts."

"I didn't throw them away, they're just in storage. Now c'mere for a minute."

Smirking, he pulled a duffel bag from beneath his bed and patted the spot beside him. Ravenna sat down to inspect the new objects. The first object was a stuffed bunny she had given him the night of their sleepover. Next was a pretty ring he had made for her during one of his classes. A few items later, he pulled out a binder labeled 'Personal'. Inside was all the letters she had sent him.

As they looked at them, she blushed and he chuckled. Or vice versa in some cases. The last three had them both in a sober silence. His hand caressed her shoulder calmly. The silence was broken by Ken's mother calling them down for dinner. Ravenna went to stand, but was pulled back down by Ken, who kissed her chastely on the lips. Smirking, he got up and left, leaving Rave astonished and dumbfounded.

Why is he acting so strange? This isn't my Kenny.