SMILE

14. Fifteen minutes

Raven's P.O.V:

Th rest of the ride is full of silence. I am thinking about ways of dying because it was clear as day on my face that I wanted him to kiss me or rephrasing that more accurately that I was expecting him to kiss me. And by the look of his face, he completely enjoyed that fact. He didn't tease me about it because I think he knows that it makes me uncomfortable. He is always being so considerate about me. That makes him much nicer than he is.

The sun is still out and shinning. I look of the window and see the ever-green trees lined up at the sides of the highway. I close my eyes for a moment and feel the gush of cold air against my skin. I smile slightly. Its been ages since I have ever felt this fresh. Being with Elijah makes me notice the small things I used to notice but left that habit because it brought me no good.

Why look at the trees if they can't protect you from the demons that live inside of you?

Why feel the sun's heat on your skin if you can't even feel safe outside?

It feels like everything was dark around me and Elijah came with a big flashlight. Held my hand and directed me towards the light. Being in that thought process, I realize something. I didn't get bullied by Lauren today. I didn't saw her anywhere around me. I wonder why? Did she get a new pet? is she torturing someone else?

I keep my eyes close through out the way, but I feel like there's something I'm forgetting about. Because all the thought before Elijah's leaning in vanished from my head like a soft mist. I sense the car stopping, I open my eyes and look towards Elijah. he looks back at me and for a minute, we just keep looking at each. The way I feel towards Elijah is completely new to me I don't know what to call this feeling. Maybe its because he saved me. I can't put my finger on it. I don't know what people call "getting the butterflies when you look at some." I wish I knew so I can stop dwelling on it.

"when do you want to leave for shopping?" he asks, undoing his seatbelt. God, seatbelt is a bad memory for me. I answer while looking away "um, whenever you want too"

"let's get fresh and leave for the mall in fifteen minutes, we can eat something there okay?" he asks assuring that I'm okay with the plan he just proposed. I shake my head in response and get out of the car. I hear his side of the door opening and shutting. So, I speed walk into the house, because I don't want to face him for a few minutes and throw away my embarrassment.

As soon as I enter the house, the butler comes and greets me like I am a family member. "good evening to you too, ........" I pause, waiting for the elderly man to tell me his name. "ah you can call me Albatross, Miss Raven" he says with a stern voice. "that's a pretty name" I answer back with a smile.

Albatross is an old man with wrinkles covering his face but they don't look bad on him, there is a hint of a handsomeness visible on his face, showing that he was a handsome young man in his youth,, it seems like he's been serving this family for years. "well what can I say a pretty lady will find the things around her pretty, just like my old name." Upon hearing that, I smile and start to walk away. "oh, there you are Al" Elijah comes in a hurry. "good evening" albatross greets him, just like he greeted me. "you too, al, we will be leaving in fifteen minutes so no need to set the table, thank you" Elijah tells him about our plans with a soft nice voice, inferring that he respects him. Albatross nods.

I make my way to my room and Elijah shouts from behind "FIFTEEN MINUTES, TIGER" his voice startles me and I walk into my room without responding him. Why is he calling me a tiger? I'm not an animal. I'm not a baby tiger. My anger is no joke. Its been a while since I have been angry on someone but let me remind you, it is not a joke.

I lay on the bed in the guest room and think about the day I just spent in school. Everything feels a little bit different now. I don't know how my life transformed so rapidly but let's see where this goes. Because my putting my faith in Elijah.

*AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES*

Still wearing the same white hoodie, I come out of my room and start walking towards the stairs. I stop at Elijah's door, deciding if I should knock or not. I should just go down and wait for him to come. I wont mind waiting for him. I say bye to albatross before leaving the house.

As I am walking towards the car, I spot Elijah already standing next to it, waiting for me. Well there goes my plan where I was going to wait for him. I walk towards the other side of the car and look at him. He's still wearing the same velvety jacket which makes him look so utterly stunning.

"let's go shopping, shall we" he says with a wink, before entering the car."

*REACHING THE MALL*

"That's big, wow" I say while looking at big building before my eyes. "yeah, you haven't been here?" he questions me. "no, I haven't" I simply answer. I was never a mall person and I never will be. Malls are overrated. And I hate crowded places. But I didn't tell Elijah all of that because he is already being so kind too me. If I start putting condition on that that just means I'm being a classical bitch and using him.

We enter the mall and start roaming around. I notice girls talking and giggling, holding a lot of shopping back. The mall is brightly lit and has a lot of floor. I was busy taking in the big surrounding when Elijah's voice brought me back to earth. "so, where do you want to go shop?" he looks at me and waits for an answer.

"I don't know"

"you don't know"

"I don't shop that much, Elijah, its been a while"

I kind of regret saying it but it is the truth. I don't own many outfits. I just wore the same jacket to the school every day. Which was kind of sucky and it gave more reasons to Lauren to bully me. But I don't have a dad, or even a mother who will take care of my needs or have time to listen to them.

"it's okay, ill shop for you. You just tell me if you like what I pick for you okay?" he bents down a little and puts his hands on my shoulders, tilting his head. Good god, he looks like a pumpkin when he does that.

"okay"

The shopping spree begins, and I have no idea what lies ahead.

* author's note *

hey you, are you guys happy that i'm uploading regularly, well enjoy it while it lasts lol.

and if you are reading this, I hope you smile today. You can always DM me if you ever need someone to talk too.

xoxo loves.

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