Raven (Nolan Rayburn fanfic)

Four.

Nolan sat in his truck, lighting a cigarette. He was waiting for Gus, and considered driving away and forgetting about the party completely. Part of Nolan felt the need to stay, he wasn't sure why.

He heard a tapping on his window, "Come on Nolan let's fucking party!!" Gus screamed, opening Nolan's door for him. Gus walked forward towards the party confidently, he was always confident. Letting his cigarette sit in his mouth, Nolan stared at the house full of teens, took a deep breath, and walked in.
The sound of blaring rap music overwhelmed Nolan right away. Great, Im at a stupid party AND the music sucks. Gus immediately began talking to a group of people that Nolan wasn't interested in being around. Nolan awkwardly wandered around the house, he was never the type to chit chat. Drunk girls were already passed out and couples were making out in every corner of each room. Nolan shook his head. I don't fucking belong here. I'd rather be at home smoking weed alone. He opened a random door hoping to find somewhere quite to hang out, but ended up walking on two kids having sex. Nolan apologized awkwardly and shut the door, blushing for a few seconds.
Completely bored and out of place, Nolan decided to go upstairs, hoping less people would be there. Lighting a new cigarette, he opened the door to a room on the second level. It appeared to be empty so he walked in and laid on the bed in the middle of the room. The room was quite nice, it had a hotel vibe to it. Nolan never really had the luxury of living somewhere nice when he was younger. He even spent some time in a youth center when neither of his parents would take him in. A few minutes past and Nolan was fighting the urge to fall asleep.

Right as Nolan lit a new cigarette the door of the bedroom he was in flew open. Raven walked in and immediately shut the door, resting her head and hands on the door she had just slammed closed. She was breathing heavily, almost like she was having a panic attack, Nolan had gotten those the year before, back when his dad died. Nolan watched her, she hadn't seemed to notice him. He gazed at the girl with sad eyes, she looked exhausted. Her shoulders were slumped and her fists were clenched tight. Nolan decided he should say something.

He sat up quietly, "uh, hey." He said quietly, trying not to startle her.

Raven flinched and turned around abruptly, then realizing the voice belonged to Nolan. Her eyes widened and her face turned bright pink. "Fuck sorry, I thought nobody was in here. Shit, uh, I'll just go." She said, frantically reaching for the door knob.

"Wait." Nolan said, he found himself genuinely wanting to know if she was okay.

She stood there for a few seconds and then turned around, a sudden smile on her face. "So how are you?" She asked, a cheery tone in her voice. Nolan could see right through her act. He knew he was about to break his one rule about not getting too close to people.

"Are you okay, Raven?" He said quietly, looking into her eyes.
She refused to meet his gaze, "You know you shouldn't be smoking up here." She said pointing at the cigarette in between Nolan's lips.

Nolan frowned, she had dodged his question. "So I'm guessing your first day was shit?" He asked, hoping for a genuine answer from the girl.

She sat on the bed next to Nolan, facing him. Nolan's breathing hitched momentarily at the unexpected closeness.
"Absolute shit." She murmured, looking out the window in the room the two were in. Nolan studied Ravens face, the moon light dancing across her skin through the window. He felt the need to hold her, but he didn't, he needed to stop whatever he was feeling. He hated feeling vulnerable. He hated feelings in general.

"I saw you with your friends in the courtyard after school today, I didn't think prep kids were your kind of crowd." She states, staring at Nolan.

Nolan looked at Raven, surprised by the sudden question. "They aren't really my crowd, I'm just friends with one of them, Gus, and he enjoys hanging out with them. I moved here last year, in a really bad place mentally, um, and Gus was the first person to be somewhat decent to me." He explained, realizing he just shared some semi personal information to Raven. He didn't know how he felt about opening up like that.

She smiled and nodded, grateful for the genuine answer he gave her. Refusing to break eye contact with him she asked, "So you know what it's like to be the new kid, then?" She looked back out the window.

"Yeah, it sucks, but things will calm down in a few days." Nolan explained, hoping this would give her some comfort.

Raven looked down at her hands, "Everyone here thinks they already know me, so.. so they," She met my gaze and continued, "people don't even bother to actually fucking know me." She said, her voice and sounding defeated. Raven looked away, she didn't mean to share that.

Nolan looked at her, this was the first time seeing her without her fake happy front on. Though she looked full of sorrow, he enjoyed knowing that she felt comfortable showing that side of herself in front of him.

"Kids are stupid, they come up with rumors, they.."
Nolan began, but Raven cut him off.

"I should go." She said, standing up.

Nolan stood up with her, he was much taller than her, the thought of her leaving because of something he said was unbearable to him, "Wait.. Raven, I'm sorry what did I say?" He said, worry and pain evident in his voice.

"Um, I, you didn't do anything, I'm sorry." Raven left without giving Nolan another glance. Nolan felt the need to run after her, but talked himself out of it.

Nolan sat back down, angry at himself and confused at why she just left. This is why you don't try and get through to people, you just end up hurting them.

***

After he finished off his cigarette and cooled down, Nolan headed downstairs. He spotted Gus and walked over. He was clearly drunk and Nolan groaned, realizing he was going to have to deal with getting him home.

"Nolan! Hey everyone!" Gus yelled, getting everyone's attention, "I got my best buddy Nolan to actually show up to a party! I'm a fucked miracle worker bitches!" The whole crowd applauded and cheered, slapping Nolan on the back.

Nolan wasn't in the mood for celebrating with a bunch of drunk teens. "Gus, lets get you home." Nolan said, grabbing his arm and steadying Gus. They made it out to Nolan's truck, but Gus broke free of Nolan's grip and walked over to the nearby dock overlooking the lake. Jesus how rich are these people?
"Gus! Come on buddy let's go!" Nolan called, jogging over to the dock. A girl sat at the edge of it and Gus was headed right for her. Nolan rolled his eyes, he didn't want to deal with some pissy prep girl. Gus sat next to the girl and started talking to her, but Nolan was to far away to hear anything. Nolan made his way over. He recognized the jacket the girl was wearing, it was Raven. He could make out their words now.

"My best buddy Nolan is always so damn serious, and I finally get him to a party, and now the man wants to leave!" Gus says, slurring a few of his words. Raven laughed, a genuine laugh. Nolan smirked, he liked her real laugh.

Nolan sat next to Raven, making her jump. "Jesus you fucking scared me!" She said, looking at Nolan. He looked more handsome than ever in the moonlight. He smirked and apologized, chuckling.

"So your friend Gus, he's had a much to drink, huh?" She whispered gesturing to the boy next to them.

Nolan nodded, "Now I've gotta try and get him home." He looked at Gus, who was laying on his back, muttering something about the stars.

"Do you need help?" Raven asked abruptly.

Nolan glanced back at Raven, her eyes staring into his, he was completely surprised she had offered to help.

"That would be great, thank you."