Ravens in the Sky

Chapter 6: Is there really a way out?

I was never good at making decisions. I have always wanted to keep my options, and not let go of anything that could be important. Now I had no choice. The more I thought about my predicament, the slimmer my options became. Whether I admitted it or not I was apart of this already, and I was almost positive I was in too deep to dig myself out. When I emerged from my room, I didn't say a word to the boys sitting at the table watching me with wide eyes. I just rummaged around the cabinets for a cup, and poured myself a glass of water. They looked at me like I was a ticking time bomb. Like the slightest comment or movement would set me off. Which may or may not have been true. I sat down at the table. I was the first to break the silence. "What?" I said sharply.

"Nothing." They mumbled back.

"You can stop looking at me like that. I'm staying even though I would rather not. The way I see it there isn't really choice in the matter. But this does not mean I forgive any of you. You must earn back my trust if you want it." I said, got up and walked outside the cottage, and sat under the large tree that faced the lake. I didn't have any siblings to miss, and my mom would worry but I knew she would get over it. It was my friend Veronica I was worried about. Her caramel colored hair and soft green eyes. She was the only friend I'd made in the last fifteen years of my life, but she was the only friend I needed. She needed me and I needed her. Where I got bullied at home, she got bullied at school. We kept each other safe. What would she do now that I was gone. The more I thought about Veronica the more the tears began to fall.

"Why are you crying?" I turned around to see Eric. I quickly wiped my face.

"I'm not." I snapped back.

"Okay...what are you doing?" He was trying to make conversation, but I really wasn't in the mood.

"That's none of your concern."

"Come on Ivy. I'm trying here!" He pleaded. I sighed.

"I know. It's just a lot to take in." He went to put his hand on my shoulder but I flinched at the sudden movement. "Sorry." I quickly apologized.

"It's okay. Sometimes I forgot that I'm different. I mean, it only happened a year ago. Poor Johnny just turned this year. Be grateful that your normal." He said sadly.

"Being normal isn't all its cracked up to be. To be accepted, you have to be perfect all the time. I'm just a clumsy nerd girl who has a passion for reading and one friend." I'd never told anyone anything like that before. I don't know what came over me. He was just so easy to talk to.

"And what's wrong with that?" He asked.

"Everything in teenage world! You have to be pretty and blonde and happy all the time!" I yelled. He face got very serious.

"You are beautiful." I was so stunned I couldn't find my words.

"That's easy for you to say...you are all gorgeous. Girls fawn over you." I mumbled.

"There's only one girls opinion that really matters to me." He began to lean in. He was going to kiss me. I was about to close the space between us when Jonathan ran out and yelled...

"Lunch is ready!" Eric got up.

"Come on let's go eat." He said. I sighed. I thought I was finally gonna get my first kiss.