The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 8

Raine.

That's his name. It suits him, and although I can barely breathe in this situation, I can't help but stare at him. His hair, his eyes, his scar, and then his lips. The sight makes me flinch, reminding me of how I kissed him so passionately merely three days ago, reminding me of my foolishness.

"Rose?" Eliza says, snapping me out of it. I almost immediately feel embarrassed when I look up at them, knowing that I had been caught staring. "His tattoo is cool, isn't it?"

I find myself unconsciously nodding, feeling as though I am stuck in a daze. He appears to find my response amusing, because something in between a chuckle and a laugh escapes his lips.

"Thank you. I got it on Saturday." he says, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. His voice...he has only used it to say my name before, as well as to utter some other sinful words I wish I can forget, but know that will stay with me until I die.

My gaze meets his, and I can help but wonder. Does he remember me? Is that why he's smiling like at me like this? Is he trying to tease me right now?

"Well, do you want to come with us, seeing as you are here right now?" Eliza asks, pulling me out of my thoughts and snapping me back to reality.

"Uh..." I trail off, not knowing what to do or say. My eyes immediately find Raine's large form and suddenly, that night comes flashing before my eyes. I really shouldn't go with. He's too dangerous for me to be around.

"Don't think about it. Let's just go," Eliza says, pulling me up from the bench and hooking her arm around mine. "Hm?"

I sigh. There's no way I'm going to win here. So I begrudgingly nod, despite my urge to run away right now. She smiles and pulls me with her. The entire way to the restaurant, I feel a stare on me, an intense stare that makes me swallow uncomfortably. I can't help but think that it's Raine. I mean, why would Flynn or Alyssa stare at me so intently?

It must be him. But why? Is he recalling Friday night? Is he recalling how eager and weak I was? The mere thought makes me wince, as if I am in pain. It would be lucky thinking that he doesn't remember me.

"And here we are, by your favourite kind of restaurant, a sushi place." Eliza announces, pulling me out of my thoughts and its only now that I realize we have stopped in front of a restaurant. The mention of sushi brings a smile to my face, and despite my inner turmoil, I tug Eliza into the restaurant, excited my eat my favourite food.

"Hi girls." the owner greets as we walk in and to a table, recognizing us from all the other times we have come here to eat before. This is my favourite restaurant and so the owner has become familiar with us and vice versa.

"What will it be today?" he asks, standing before us with his little notepad in hand. I tell him what we want, instantly knowing what I want to order. The others who haven't been here with me before just have to trust my judgement.

"You must really like sushi, huh?" Raine suddenly says, leaning back into the leather of the booth. He's sitting opposite me, his eyes set on me.

"Uh...well yes." I awkwardly say, shifting in my seat.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Eliza whispers, nudging me subtly. "Are you perhaps...shy?"

The moment those last words leave her mouth, she bursts into a fit of laughs, causing my eyes to widen.

"I'm right aren't I?" she says in between laughs and I couldn't feel more uncomfortable. Am I really making it so obvious? Oh no, what if Raine can see it too? I'm screwed if he can.

"I need to go to the bathroom." I say, standing up and sliding out of the booth. I immediately rush into the bathroom, my cheeks flushing with heat in embarrassment.

"Dammit. Why am I so obvious?" I groan, sliding my hand into my hair. I've put myself in a very difficult position right now. Eliza will definitely tease me about this for a while after this. I can't blame her though. I've never reacted to someone of the opposite sex like this before, and so of course she will find it strange.

I want to leave.

Maybe I can slip out of here without anyone noticing. Nope, that's not possible, especially with Eliza probably watching for me to return with hawk eyes. I walk over to the sink and splash my face with water.

I need to snap out of whatever trance I am in right now. Raine is obviously not as affected by my presence as I am of his. It's unfair, but it's true. So, I need to snap back to reality and be myself again.

The last thing I need is the others asking me questions about Raine and how I feel about him. I hate that it's obvious to the others how affected I am by Raine. I need to compose myself.

Brushing my hair to the back, I dab the paper towel on my face, allowing the material to soak up most of the water off my face. I take a deep breath, readying myself for what I'm going to have to deal with.

You can do this. Who is Raine? He's nothing.

I keep repeating those words in my head as I leave the bathroom and return to the booth, sliding back into my seat. Eliza nudges me, winking not so subtly at me. I roll my eyes in response, nerves fluttering in my chest.

The owner brings our food and the moment he's gone, I dig in, placing an entire piece of sushi into my mouth. It's only once I have swallowed that I realize how they are all looking at me.

"What?" I ask, staring at them with daring eyes.

"That wasn't very ladylike of you," Alyssa says. "Why did you put the entire thing in your mouth?"

"That's how sushi should be eaten. Didn't you know?" I ask, staring incredulously at her.

"Still," she trails off, shifting awkwardly in her seat. "How do you expect to get a man if you eat like one?"

The moment those last words leave her mouth, my eyes instinctively move to Raine. He merely stares at me with blank eyes, his face expressionless. Swallowing, I look back at Alyssa.

"I'm not trying to get a man." I say, placing another entire piece of sushi into my mouth as if to prove my point.

"Fine. Eat the way you want. I'll be a lady." she says, disgust flashing in her eyes before she places a piece of sushi onto her plate and slices it into half using a knife. Eating one piece in more than one bite defeats the purpose, but she won't give in no matter what I say.

I'll just eat the way I want to then, just as she says.

"You're messing." Eliza scolds, wiping the side of my mouth with a napkin. I merely smile sheepishly, my mouth full of food. She shakes her head at me, although she can't keep the small smile off her face.

"But Rose and Raine, what happened between you two Friday night? When we left you two, you were dancing." Alyssa suddenly says and I choke.

I burst into a fit of coughs, taking three long gulps of water to swallow the food. Eliza pats my back until I finally calm down, although, she looks quite amused by my reaction to the question.

I look at Raine, wondering whether or not he is going to say something. He seems to sense my eyes on him because his gaze quickly meets mine and he seems to get my message for him to speak, his eyes flashing in understanding.

"Oh, I don't know what you are talking about. I did dance with someone on Friday night, but it wasn't her." he says, gesturing to me.

What?

"What? But we saw...was that not you then?" Alyssa says, confusion painting her features.

My eyebrows furrow in confusion as I stare at Raine. What does he mean it wasn't me? That's impossible. I definitely danced with him on Friday night.

No way...

Does he not remember me?