Mating Like No Other

Chapter Ten:Mark

"Hey Tina. Carmen." I walked up and leaned against the locker next to Tina's. Tina was wearing a yellow sun dress with matching yellow sandals. Tina recently dyed her hair platinum blond and and she wore it in a pixie style haircut.

"You look nice Tina." She glanced over at me and smiled. Carmen moved next to me, and snuggled up against my side. I put my arm around her shoulder as Raven walked up to us, she looked really tired. I took my arm off of Carmen's shoulder causing her to frown and wrapped my arms around Raven. She rested her head on my shoulders snuggling in to me. Tina locked eyes with Raven and gave her the smallest of smiles and then came and wrapped her arms around us.

"Isn't everyone affectionate today?" muttered Carmen. I turned my head slightly and gave her a heart warming smile. She blushed and looked down at her feet. I chuckled to myself then Tina broke the hug and shut her locker. Raven started to pull away from me so I released her reluctantly, her almond eyes locked with my aqua blue ones. I felt my heart skip a beat, she was so beautiful. Carmen cleared her throat and started tugging on my arm.

"Come on Mark! I want you to walk me to my locker.!" She whined tugging on me harder.

"Yea sure." I said. Giving Raven a lopsided smile I let Carmen pull me away.

I took my seat in art class waiting for Raven to join me.  Schools been in session for three months now and over that time I began to developed a crush on Raven. I know it sounds weird because, why would someone as beautiful as her want someone like me. She was pretty, smart, and fun to be around.

"Hey Mark. You look deep in thought." Raven said snapping me out of my thoughts sitting next to me at our table.

"Oh yea I was daydreaming about my this one hottie I know." I winked at her giving her my best heart stopping smile. She tugged on her blue mini dress, blushing.

'Your such a flirt." She mumbled. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in whispering in her ear,"Only for you baby....." A low growl erupted interrupting me from continuing. My eyes widen and I looked up to meet a pair of coal black eyes.

"Um do you need anything?" snapped Raven glaring at the guy standing at our table. He had black hair and was wearing a black leather jacket with a tight fitting black tee. He looked angry then, hurt and walked away to sit next to some girl across the classroom. I pulled away from Raven raising my eyebrow at her. She sighed, shaking her head signaling she didn't want to talk about it. I slipped my hand into hers and gave it a squeeze. Her eyes lite up and she smiled at me whispering,"Your a really good friend."

When class ended me and Raven walked out to be greeted by Carmen. She glanced at us then, at my arm draped around Ravens shoulder.

"You two look cozy." Carmen said icily. Raven looked confused and asked,"Carmen everything ok?''

"I'm fine." She snapped stalking away. I let go of Raven and ran after her. We watched as she stomped off and then we headed to Ravens locker.

"I hope shes OK. Maybe I should of went after her. But why was she so mad?" She pondered out loud. As we approached her locker I released her and leaned against the next locker as she continued rambling on.

Study hall was the last class of the day. Carmen, Tina, and Raven were already sitting at our table so I walked up and joined them. I took a seat next to Carmen who smiled at me,"Hey stranger." I winked at her before turning my attention to Tina,"Pixie you just keep looking better by the hour."

"I..." Tina began before Carmen interrupted her."Ha ha! Your to funny Mark! But remember she has a boyfriend who moved out here to be with her." Tina and Raven shared a quick look of confusion.

"Hey Ray would you mind giving me a lift home?" I asked. Before getting a chance to answer Carmen jumped in,"I drove here today so maybe I could give you a lift so Ray won't have to."

"Um sure thanks I guess."

"And since, when do you start calling Raven Ray and Tina Pixie." She asked raising an eyebrow.

"I just came up with them. I thought they sounded cute so yea. And plus, Tina does have a pixie cut now." I shrugged.

"Well I think its cute." Tina said and Ray nodded her head in agreement.

"OK so whats my nickname?" Demanded Carmen looking hopeful. I racked my brain for something to call her but, came up blank. I shot Ray and Tina hopeful looks begging them with my eyes to help me but they both didn't have anything either.

"Well how about Car?" I suggested. Carmen looked mortified and then pushing back her chair. She got up and stormed from the table heading for the computer lab. Tina and Raven were sharing a puzzled look with one another before, getting up and heading to another section of the library. With their heads down they discussed something most likely Carmen. I wondered what was up with her she had been acting strange today.

"Women." I muttered rolling my eyes pulling out my math homework before shooting a quick look in Ray and Tina's direction. Then I got to work on the first problem on the page.