Miserably Delightful

chapter 22

The boys moving in temporarily apparently called for a sleepover. I had laughed when they informed me of that fact, thinking that they were joking, but shortly after I was made aware that they were not joking at all. I had stayed at Sean’s the night that the plan had been made, and I woke up the following morning to Sean packing suitcases. I had to push my face into the pillow to hide my giggles.

One of my boyfriend’s was moving in with me. It was such a strange idea, and I was still trying to wrap my head around it, even as I leant against the door while the boys filed in with bags. I had offered to help, but they refused. All of us were carefully avoiding looking over at Knox who stood on the other side of the entryway, his arm in a cast, his eyes watching me. I hadn’t spoken to him since coming home that day, anything I had to say going through one of the boys. I could tell it was driving him crazy, and I took a small amount of pleasure out of that.

I was drawn from my thoughts that were slowly driving me to insanity by Raven. I jolted, my eyes meeting Raven’s. His arms were on either side of me, caging me in. His dark eyes were scanning me over, concern present in them. After turning up at his apartment, he had been hovering near me as well as holding my hand and brushing his hand against my shoulder when passing. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was shaken up from the entire ordeal.

“You okay, Little One?” He asked, his voice quiet enough that none of the others would be able to hear him. I still looked around, though, paranoid as to who may be listening in our conversations. None of the others were even nearby, though. They were all in small groups, talking and laughing, lighting up the atmosphere of an otherwise dark and empty home.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” I whispered, my eyes lingering on the boys. As long as I had them, I knew I would be okay. I drew my eyes back to Raven’s face and frowned slightly. “Ray, are you okay? You’ve been off since everything happened.”

He leaned in closer and rested his head on my shoulder with a sigh. I bit my lip and kissed his head, resting a hand on his back. He didn’t need to say anything for me to understand that he was struggling, he had been struggling since he had learned of the abuse I experienced. I hated that he was feeling so conflicted and upset because of me, but I was going to do everything I could to ease his pain.

“It’s okay,” I muttered to him, wrapping an arm around him in a loose hug. “I’m okay. Brandon, Marc, Sean, and the others are going to watch over me. I’m safe now.”

He grunted in North-like fashion and I had to bite back a giggle. I patted his back softly and he took a step back, biting down on his lip ring. I gave him an attempt at a stern look and he chuckled, shaking his head at me.

“Gabriel is right,” he said. “You’re just plain trouble.”

I laughed and passed by him, heading over towards where Victor, Kota, and Silas were standing and conversing. I squeezed in between Silas and Victor, a grin on my face. “What’re we talking about?”

Silas smirked, wrapping an arm around me and drawing me close. He ducked down and brushed his lips against my own, and a blush painted my cheeks. I patted his chest, taking a step back and giving him a firm look. He laughed one of his boisterous and infectious laughs that warmed my entire body and soul.

Kota’s cheeks were tinted red slightly as he replied to me, seeming slightly flustered. “We were discussing the plans for tonight.” He paused then sent me a small smile. “Is there anything in particular you would like to do?”

I thought about it for a moment then shrugged, smiling. “I like swimming. Night swimming has always been one of my favorites. I used to do it with my siblings a lot when we were younger and closer.”