Dawn's Embrace

Chapter - 11

Lia Raven

We went out of the restroom. I could see Raiden standing with crossed hands, leaning on the wall.

HE LOOKED SO GOOD. LIKE THOSE FICTIONAL MEN. UGHH…

“So, girls. Now let’s roam around the mall to pass more time.” Adrian noted. We all nodded and then we started walking. “Do you guys want to eat anything?” I asked. “Yeah, Lili. We’re very hungry right now.” Skylar nagged. “Ok. It’s on me, then. What do you want to eat?” I asked. “Why are you so lost, Raiden?” Kai asked. Hearing this, we all had our eyes on him. “Huh. Yes?” Raiden asked. “What happened?” He added in annoyance. “You seem to be lost in someone’s smile.” Adrian said.
We all started smiling at him after hearing Adrian. “NO, I WASN’T. I’ll eat sandwich. Thanks.” He said. I chuckled a bit. “Okay, then let’s go to eat at Subway?” I asked. They all agreed and we started walking towards Subway.

Reaching there, I ordered our usual ones. They were siting on a 6 chaired table. I brought our food to the table after paying and everyone took one each. We started eating and chatting…
“Did it take much?” Kai asked. “No, it’s in my budget.” I replied. “She insisted on buying them for us so just eat quietly.” Adrian added. “You won’t change, Adrian.” Skylar stated. “It’s okay haha.” I reassured. “Why are you so quiet?” Kai asked Raiden. “I grew up eating silently, so…” Raiden answered.

We finished eating and leave. We still had much time until 7 so we started roaming around the mall again.

“I’ll see some hats for us. Adrian, Kai let’s go!” Skylar exclaimed and dragged them in the store leaving me and Raiden alone. “Sky-” I couldn’t finish my sentence.

That was so awkward. The silence was more awkward.

Who’s gonna break the silence?

“Uhm, so-” we both proceeded together. “You go first.” again, we both proceeded the same sentence together. I gestured him to go on first.

- My lips are quite dry if you see. Let’s go around and see some Vaseline? If no, you can go where you want.

- No, no. It’s okay. I’ll see some lip-balm too.

I needed to. My favorite tint was on stock so I didn’t wanna lose the opportunity.

We walked to the skincare store.

- What do you need?

- I’ll just go over there to buy a tint.

- What’s that?

- Uhm, how should I put it… it’s colorful while Vaseline might be colorless…

- Oh, let’s go there first.

- You don’t need to.

- Let’s go!

He grabbed my hand and started walking.

TF are you doing, Raiden?

- Check out what you wanted. Then, we’ll see mine.

- Uh okay…

I saw the tint I wanted. My mind brightened up and I took it. Then, we went to buy some Vaseline for his "dry" lips.

They weren't dry, to be honest.

After that, we paid for our things.
“I want to check the tint. You can go ahead.” I told him. “It’s okay. Just check it. I’ll wait.” He replied. “You don’t need to-” he cut me off, “Ms. Raven, just do it now. It’ll waste more time.” I replied with a sigh, “Fine.”

I applied my tint and checked on me. I couldn’t control myself and asked him, “How does it look?”

Oh no… what did you do… why did you just ask him- GET A GRIP, LIA!

“It looks stunning on you.” He replied. “Uh… thanks… sorry for that sudden quest-” I tried to say. “You were always stunning.” He said looking into my eyes.

What was he even saying? He must be dreaming of someone. Why is he looking at me like that? Raiden-

We had the unbreakable contact and silence.

Meanwhile, Skylar, Kai and Adrian came back with 5 matching hats and one separate for herself.

“Something’s happening, huh?” Skylar said with a smirk. We broke the contact. “Huh? No, we were just talking.” I said, hesitantly. Raiden scratched his head and started walking towards Kai and Adrian.

Skylar stopped them, “Yo, guys. Wait! Take this. We have matching hats to mark this day.” “We don't need to ha-" Raiden stated. Skylar cut him off and handed him the hat. Kai and Adrian were already wearing it. We started walking too.

- Lili, for you.

- Haha, ok.

I wore the hat and Skylar whispered to me.

- I bought a bit different for you and Raiden.

- What do you mean?

- There’s a sewed little heart on the back of yours and his hat while we have a sewed carrot tsk.

- LMAO. Carrot is wild. But why man? What if he notices?

- It’s ok.

We went to the garage to leave.

“We’ll be parting ways from here.” Kai said. Kai and Adrian lived close to each other so they left together while me, Skylar and Raiden’s house were on the same direction. We were about to leave together.

We saw them off and then started walking to our direction. With no convo. We just kept walking. Skylar’s house was before mine and Raiden’s. And mine was the last to reach. We saw Skylar off.

Now, again that awkward silence. Within minutes we reached Raiden’s house. I gave a sigh of relief and walked towards my house on my own.

“I’m back. Ehh? Why are the lights off?” I walked in to witness such a weird stuff. A fuckin note.

Lia, dear. We are in a hurry and we need to leave in an emergency flight. We don’t want to disturb you so we left on our own and Ryan’s helping with the luggage. Stay safe sweetie. Mom-dad loves you. Call us if anything’s wrong.

“Huh? Are you serious? You guys should’ve at least called me once. You guys didn’t even let me see you off. You guys aren’t leaving for some days but a whole fuckin month.” I said loudly in a verge to cry.