Hostage to you

15 What a tease

When Raven knocks on the door, I can feel my heart do this little flip that's been happening more often around her. I open it, and there she is, looking casual but effortlessly put together, like she didn't even try and still managed to leave me breathless.

"Hey," she says, giving me a small, knowing smile.

"Hey," I reply, stepping aside to let her in. She walks past me, and I close the door, trying not to overthink every little thing. It's just Raven, just hanging out—but tonight feels different.

We settle on the couch, chatting and laughing like we always do. There's this comfortable rhythm to our conversation, but under it, there's something unspoken, like we're both waiting for something. Every time her hand brushes against mine, I feel this tiny jolt, like I'm more alive somehow.

The conversation drifts into silence, and I find myself just... looking at her. Her gaze meets mine, and there's a softness there, something that makes my breath catch. Without even realizing it, I lean in, and before I know it, our lips are touching.

The kiss is soft at first, like we're both testing the waters. But then it deepens, and suddenly, it's like everything else fades away. Her hand slides up to the back of my neck, pulling me closer, and I lose myself in the warmth of her touch.

And then, of course, my phone buzzes on the table, breaking the moment. I pull back, breathless, glancing at the screen to see Finneas's name flashing. I roll my eyes, but I answer it, putting it on speaker without thinking.

"Hey, Finn," I say, trying to sound casual.

"Hey," he says, his voice light. "Just wanted to check in. So... you finally made a move, or are you still overthinking it?"

I freeze for a second, glancing at Raven, who's now watching me with a smirk. Finneas knows. He's known about my crush on her this whole time, and now he's just calling me out.

"Oh, I don't know," I reply, keeping my voice casual. "What makes you think I'd overthink it?"

Finneas laughs. "Please, you've been obvious for weeks. Raven's probably the only one who didn't know."

I glance at her, biting back a grin. She raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms, clearly amused by this revelation.

"Thanks, Finn," I say, trying to keep the sarcasm in check. "Real subtle."

He just laughs again. "Just don't mess it up, alright? She seems like the real deal."

"Bye, Finn," I say, rolling my eyes as I hang up.

As soon as the call ends, I look back at Raven, who's giving me this look—half amused, half smug.

"So," she says, leaning back, arms crossed. "Obvious, huh?"

I shrug, trying to play it cool, even though my cheeks are probably flushed. "Maybe a little."

She smirks, leaning in closer. "Could've just told me, you know."

"Yeah, well," I say, my voice soft, "guess I didn't have to."

She smiles, her hand finding mine, and just like that, she pulls me back in. Our lips meet again, and this time, there's no hesitation. Just us, finally giving in to what's been there all along.

<><><><><><><><>

The drive to my mom's house is familiar, but tonight feels different. I'm bringing along Marc and Zoey, who've known her forever, and Jade—someone new to our circle. The whole car is buzzing with chatter, mostly from Marc and Zoey, who are just as excited as I am to see her.

As we pull up, I spot her through the kitchen window, bustling around, probably preparing way more food than we'll need. That's just her—always going above and beyond, and somehow, she's never slowed down a day in her life. I don't think I've ever seen her sick, not once. It's like she's made of steel, just like her name.

When I open the door, she's already at the entrance, pulling me into a tight hug. Then she moves to greet Zoey and Marc, her smile as warm as ever.

"Zoey, Marc! It's been too long," she says, giving each of them a hug.

Zoey laughs, squeezing her back. "We missed you, Mrs. Steele!"

Marc grins, nodding. "Feels like coming home."

Mom finally turns to Jade, her eyes bright. "And you must be Jade. It's so nice to meet you—I've heard about you!"

Jade relaxes, shaking her hand. "It's great to meet you too, Mrs. Steele. Thanks for having me."

"Oh, please, no need for formalities," she says with a wink. "Any friend of Raven's is family here."

Dinner, as expected, is a spread fit for a holiday. There's pasta, roasted veggies, and fresh bread—all the classics. We dig in, and the room quickly fills with laughter and conversation, everyone feeling right at home.

"So, Jade," Mom says, turning to her with a curious smile. "You're a stylist? That must be fascinating."

Jade nods, explaining her job, mentioning Billie briefly, and even sharing a couple of funny stories. Mom listens intently, nodding along with genuine interest.

"Sounds like you've got quite the eye for style," she says warmly. "Raven could use that. She's been wearing the same jacket for years, I swear."

Everyone laughs, and I shake my head, smirking. "Thanks, Mom. Way to keep my confidence high."

She just winks, turning to Zoey and Marc, who catch her up on their lives with enthusiasm. I sit back, watching the people closest to me enjoy each other's company, feeling that rare contentment settle over me.

Later, while we're clearing the table, my mom pulls me aside, squeezing my shoulder. "You've got a good group here, Raven," she says softly. "You're lucky to have friends like these."

I nod, smiling. "Yeah, I know."

She gives my shoulder a gentle pat. "And don't be a stranger. Bring them around more often. And you, too."

I chuckle, nodding. "I will, Mom."

As we finish up, I catch my friends' laughter from the other room, their voices filling the house with warmth. It feels like everything is right where it should be.

A/N ... any predictions?

💋

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