The Girl with the Violet Hair||A BBRae Fanfiction

Thoughts||8

Raven POV

I can't believe I keep running into him. It's happening way too often to be a coincidence. Every time I think I've finally found some peace, there he is-green eyes, that dorky smile, and enough energy to fuel a small city. It's unnerving.

If this keeps happening, I'm afraid of what might come next. Feelings. I don't want them. They complicate things. They make life messy, confusing, and vulnerable. The thought of it makes my stomach turn.

But why do we keep bumping into each other? Is this the universe's idea of a joke? Out of all the people in this place, why him? I could dismiss it as random, but... it doesn't feel random. There's something else, something that pulls me toward him no matter how hard I try to avoid it.

No. I have to stop thinking like that. There's no deeper meaning here. If we keep running into each other, it's only going to lead to distractions. And I can't afford to be distracted. I've worked too hard to stay in control of my emotions, to keep them in check, and I'm not about to let some overly enthusiastic guy with terrible hair ruin all of that.

I need to clear my head.

My feet lead me toward a familiar refuge, a quiet little tea shop tucked away just off campus. It's one of the few places that I can go to relax, where I won't be bombarded by noise and chaos. The soft lighting, the gentle hum of music, the warm smell of brewing tea-it's exactly what I need right now.

Inside, I order my usual cup of white tea and find a seat by the window. I let the warmth of the tea cup seep into my hands, the steam curling up like a calming fog. Outside, the weather mirrors my mood: gray skies and a soft drizzle of rain. Everything looks muted and distant, like the world is caught in a quiet pause.

I take a slow sip of tea, letting the flavor calm my nerves. It's light, delicate, just like it always is, and slowly, I can feel the tension ease out of my shoulders. This is the reset I need, a break from thinking about everything... about him.

The bell above the door chimes, and I glance up, not really paying attention-until I see them. A couple walks in, clearly new to the place. The girl catches my eye first, her bright pink hair and vibrant energy making her stand out against the subdued tones of the tea shop. The guy beside her, with dark hair and sharp features, is the opposite-quiet, focused, scanning the menu like he's studying for an exam.

They hover by the counter, looking a little lost. The girl leans over, whispering something to the guy, and it's obvious they're trying to figure out what to order. I can't help but feel a small smirk tug at the corner of my mouth. They're clearly not regulars here.

"White tea," I say, loud enough for them to hear but without raising my voice.

The guy looks over first, then the girl follows, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Oh, thank you! I wasn't sure what to get," she says, her voice soft but with a distinct accent. Not overly pronounced, but enough to suggest she's not from here. Maybe European?

"You're welcome," I say, feeling awkward for even speaking up. "White tea is light, but not too bitter. You might like it."

The girl nods enthusiastically. "That sounds perfect, actually." She turns to the guy beside her. "What do you think?"

He shrugs, looking back at the menu. "I'm down. Let's try it."

They place their order, and for a moment, I think that's the end of it. But then the girl turns back to me, that bright smile still on her face. "I'm Kory, by the way," she says. "And this is Richard."

I blink, caught off guard by how friendly she is. "Raven," I reply, a little stiffly. I'm not used to people introducing themselves like that, especially in places like this.

Kory's eyes light up even more. "It's nice to meet you, Raven! Do you mind if we join you? It's kind of crowded, and we don't know many people here yet."

I glance around. The shop isn't that crowded, but for some reason, I don't say no. "Sure. I guess."

They sit down across from me, and I feel a little out of place, but not entirely uncomfortable. I don't usually invite strangers to sit with me, but... maybe it's an opportunity to practice my social skills, like I've been telling myself I need to.

"So, are you a student here too?" Kory asks, sipping her tea.

"Yeah," I say, nodding. "First year. Literature major."

"Same!" Kory beams. "Well, sort of. I'm studying international relations, but I love literature."

Richard, who's been quiet until now, finally chimes in. "I'm in criminology," he says, giving me a small nod. "Kory dragged me here to try new places."

I can't help but smirk a little. "Well, this place is good if you like quiet."

Richard glances around, nodding in approval. "Yeah, I can see that."

The conversation flows surprisingly easily after that. Kory talks about her experiences as an exchange student, sharing funny stories about cultural differences, and Richard adds his dry commentary, keeping things grounded. I mostly listen, but for once, it's... kind of nice. I don't feel pressured to say much, and they don't seem to mind.

As the tea shop starts to empty out, I realize I've been here longer than I intended. I finish my tea, feeling more relaxed than I've been all day. Maybe this whole "being social" thing isn't as terrible as I thought.

Eventually, we say our goodbyes, and I step outside, the cool evening air refreshing against my skin. The rain has stopped completely now, leaving the streets damp and shimmering under the fading gray light.

But as I walk back to my apartment, my thoughts drift again-to him. Garfield. I don't want them to, but they do. It's like I can't stop thinking about him, no matter how hard I try. Our encounters keep piling up, and with every one, I feel like I'm losing more and more of the control I've worked so hard to maintain.

What happens if this keeps going? What if I actually start... liking him?

The thought sends a chill down my spine. I shake my head, trying to push it away, but it lingers, heavy and unsettling.

As I near my apartment, I glance up at the sky. The clouds are finally starting to break apart, the faintest hints of light shining through. Maybe it's just the weather clearing, or maybe it's a warning of something else-a change I'm not ready for.

Either way, it's just the beginning. And that scares me more than I'm willing to admit.