Enigma

Sixteen

Sixteen

I went home eventually after sending Raven back at her apartment. Once I stepped in to the house, my mother came running from the kitchen; crushing me into a hug. My father wasn't home surprisingly, and my mother said that he was away for a case in another town.

My mother didn't asked question however about where I went, instead she asked me what my plans were after graduation and I told her about the offers I have gotten about football.

She told me that she'll help me talk to my father about it and that she understands because her mother used to force her to become a nurse and even though she fell in love with the job, it still didn't felt right when someone forces you to do something you don't want to do.

I kissed my mother goodnight as I felt so grateful that she understands how I felt. I walked up to my room and removed the clothes that Raven gave me. She told me to keep it as it fitted me perfectly.

Next Tuesday would be our last project session and I was hoping that Raven would still sit next to me.

After I took a shower, I put on my pajama pants and lay down on the bed. I reached for my phone on my bedside table and send Raven a text message.

Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it.

I stared at the ceiling with my phone on my chest as I waited for her reply. Today was a great day and I wanted nothing more but to relive every moment of it. My phone vibrates on my chest and I immediately rushed to open it.

No problem.

She said simply. I wanted to continue our conversation even though it was past midnight.

What are doing this late of night?

I replied. It was pretty late and with teenagers, I was pretty sure it wasn't a big deal.

I have some stuff to do.

She replied a few seconds later. What would she be doing at this hour?

What kind of stuff?

I replied, bluntly. I waited for her to reply but 5 minutes past and she didn't reply back. I sighed. This girl was so secretive and her not being an open person was making it harder for me to know her. My phone buzzed a second later.

Stuff. Hby?

She replied. Great, she doesn't want to tell me but whatever, I'll let it slide. I sighed again before replying.

Just lying in bed.

My eyes were getting a bit heavy as I waited for her reply.

It's getting late. I'll see you on Monday. Good night, Trevor.

She said. I also notice how she never say goodbye. Is that weird? Maybe it's not. Maybe I was just over analyzing it.

Good Night, Raven.

~_~_~_~_~

It was now Monday and I was walking towards Raven's locker.

As I was approaching her locker, I saw someone standing beside it with Raven by them, exchanging her books.

I know that brown hair anywhere and sure enough, it was Alex.

Raven was laughing at something he said and my heart beat a bit faster at the sight of it. Raven was wearing a loose knitted blue sweater with skinny jeans and this time, a pair of black and white converse. Her hair was up in a messy ponytail with some strands out loose around her face.

As I approached them closer, her laugh got louder and now, I could see how close Alex was standing next to Raven.

I slapped a hand on Alex shoulder which surprised him and pulled him back a bit before greeting both of them.

Raven greeted me back with a wide smile on her face. Alex however, pushed me back.

"Dude, don't scare me like that." He exclaimed, placing a hand on his heart. I simple glared at him as a response.

Raven tucked a hair behind her ear as she placed a book in her bag, ignoring the both of us.

Alex waggled his eyebrows at me and nodded towards Raven with a cheeky grin on his face.

I glared even harder at him, not wanting him to do anything stupid.

"Hey Raven, how about I walk you to class?"

Before Raven could even reply, I answered for her.

"I'll walk her to class, like every other morning." I said.

"But surely, Raven's getting bored of you. So, why not try something different?" Alex replied.

"No one gets bored of me." I scoffed.

"I did." Alex said. "And I'm sure Raven is too, so she'll walk with me this morning."

"No she's not. I'll walk her to class." I argued back to Alex.

"I think it's time for a change." Alex stated with a smug look on his face.

We continued to argue on that topic till the sound of locker shutting close very loudly was heard, stopping both Alex and I from arguing.

Raven stood in front of us with an amused smile on her lips as she looked back and forth at Alex and me.

"I'll walk myself to class and I'll leave both of you to sort out whatever it is the problem between you two. So, see you guys later." With that, she turned around and walked away, disappearing in the crowd without giving us a chance to reply.

I turned to look at Alex and found him staring at me with a knowing look on his face. I narrowed my eyes at him as I pushed him into the lockers.

"What game you're playing!?" I said, not so slowly. He regained his posture and leaned back against the locker.

"To get you jealous of course." He said, crossing his arms.

"Dude, this is not cool okay? This situation is much more complicated that you think." I said to him. Anger rushed through me as a teasing smile crept on his face.

"Wow, never seen you so whipped, man." He exclaimed, letting out a laugh.

"I'm not whipped." I declined. "I'm just stressed okay?" I rubbed my temple as I felt a headache growing.

"Yeah, sure." He said, sarcastically. "When are going to ask her out?" he asked.

"I don't know yet." I answered. I ran a hand through my hair and notice how some students were staring at us as they walked past us.

"Mind if I ask her out then?" Alex asked, leaning forward a bit.

"Yes, I do mind. Back off okay?" I growled at him. He laughed and put his hand up in surrender.

"Just playing with you, dude." He said, still laughing.

"Fuck you." I spat out before walking to class.

"I love you too!" I heard Alex shouted in the crowd. I chuckled; there was no way I could stay mad at Alex.