If They Only Knew...

Chapter 17- Valeria

I did end up going to the bonfire, despite my reluctance. I was a bit nervous. To be in the same place as Raven, but trying to avoid her the best I could. Which was pretty easy, it turned out.

There was a giant bonfire going in the middle of the quad near the student affairs building, & there were chairs & tables some distance away, with some people even sitting on the grass. There was no real organization to the thing, everyone was just with their own friends, including Raven. Despite my best efforts not to immediately zero in on her, I did end up doing that.

She sat at a picnic table off to the side with her friends, her smile lighting up her face in a way that left butterflies in my stomach. I quickly looked away. Not that she was noticing, surrounded by her friends.

Celestina glanced my way, a hint of a smile etched on her face. "You should go talk to her."

"Mmm..." I said very noncommittally, scratching at my arm nervously & bringing my arms up around my chest.

My sister smiled understandingly, bringing her arm up around my shoulder & resting my head on her shoulder comfortably. "It's ok. It was just a suggestion. Are you ok to hang out with my friends again?"

I beamed, breaking away from her. "Yeah!"

She giggled. "Ok." She gestured toward the grass where Aidan & Leóne were beginning to take a seat. We both waved at them & they returned the gesture. & I couldn't help feeling... Like I belonged.

Sorry this chapter was so short, guys. I've just been struggling to come up with the plot from here. I had originally written much farther than this, but ended up trashing it bc it rushed the plot too much. I'm not very good at that... Taking plot pts/romance slow in my books. Sorry for my bad writing & thanks for being so understanding... Hopefully I can improve from here & do my characters justice (they deserve *so* much :3 <3). Welp, see ya later, guys. Byeeeeeeee :'D