THE RAVENS

three

- aliyah -

As me and Alex's eyes interlocked, I couldn't comprehend what he just told me.

"No, I refuse to help you. Ask another, pretty girl." I stated before turning around.

"There will be a benefit for you if you help me." He stated, a benefit? I slowly turned around, his smirk grew and I had a strong feeling that I should leave and not help this imbecile.

"No," I replied again. Before I could leave, Jackson held my hand.

"Please Aliyah, just hear him out," Jackson said, his eyes filled with desperation. I felt bad, I wanted to leave, get the hell out of here, but I knew that somehow that they needed me.

"Fine."

- lunch -

We surprisingly made it back in time for school before anyone could notice that we were missing. I walked with Jackson and Alex on my side, everyone stared at us, some whispering and others impressed. I walked past Rachel and Mackenzie, both having confused yet impressed looks plastered all over their faces. Mackenzie mouthing, 'Tell me what happened later!'

It was dumb, very very dumb. I mean, we were just walking in the halls of Vixton High. I mean, am I that ugly or am I just that much of a loser in this school than I already am? Or maybe, all of the students here are just stupid and brainwashed by The Ravens or whatever they're known as in the stupid school with stupid-

"Your sitting with us," Jackson said as we walked into the cafeteria. I looked at him confused. Jackson could be misleading sometimes and other times quite nice but he's probably the most normal person I've met since I attended this obnoxious school, and I can't complain. As the three of us walked towards their common table, we all took our lunch orders and sat there waiting. Soon enough our orders came and so did the rest of The Ravens.

"Guys, this is Aliyah Jones. She's gonna be helping out Alex for his studies. From now on, we'll keep on the low, we don't want any rumours spreading." Jackson stated as he took a bite from his sandwich.

"You walked with her in the halls, now she is sitting with us at lunch, and you don't expect people to make rumours and spread stuff everywhere?" Carter Matthews stated. During history yesterday, Mackenzie and Rachel told me all about who The Ravens are and who the leaders are in the group. They specified that all of them are basically the leaders except one, Xavier Smith. He's the best-looking out of them all if that's even possible and as Mackenzie and Rachel said, the more powerful leader in the group. It did sound stupid at first, but I guess they were somewhat right.

"Carter is right Jackson, we can't let this random chick suddenly join us. And why is she sitting with us anyway? She's only gonna be helping out Alex with his studies, or whatever he wants to do with her." Xavier stated. His deep hazel eyes infixed on mine. He stared at me which felt like forever, and the whole atmosphere was tense, I didn't like it. I wanted to leave; to get out.

"He's right. I should leave." I stated before standing up. I quickly grabbed my bag and left the cafeteria room, footsteps following behind me but I didn't wanna look back for I knew perhaps the whole school was watching me as I walked away from The Ravens.

Suddenly someone grabbed me by the hand. I turned around to see that it was Alex.

Alex?