Raven (Nolan Rayburn fanfic)

Fourteen.

Today was the last day of school and Nolan and Raven had plans to go to Gus's 'start of summer' party. Nolan was getting ready while Raven laid on his bed, taking a nap. She seemed to be really tired recently, but he didn't want to worry her by mentioning it. He looked over and watched her chest rise and fall as she peacefully slept. He walked over and sat next to her, kissing her forehead. He rubbed her back softly and watched as the girls eyes fluttered open.

Raven groaned, "I didn't mean to fall asleep, sorry baby."
Nolan laid next to her and Raven snuggled into him.

Nolan smiled, "You know we could just skip the party and hang here. We can watch a movie, eat popcorn, and fall asleep."

Raven shook her head, "No, I want to go. I'm in serious need of alcohol." She joked.

Nolan didn't like the idea that Raven wanted to get drunk. He didn't want her using drinking as a way to escape. "You sure?" He asked, hoping she would change her mind.

Raven looked up at him, "I'm sure, it'll be fun, Rayburn. I just need to loosen up a little bit and I'm sure you could use a little bit of fun too." Nolan nodded and the two were on their way.

***

Raven and Nolan stepped inside Gus's already packed house and looked around. There were already a few kids blacked out on the couches and a few girls throwing up in the lawn. Nolan shook his head. I really don't think this is a good place for Raven to be.

"Nolan let's take shots with Gus, he's over there." Raven said, pulling on his arm. Nolan agreed reluctantly and the pair made their way to Gus.

"Y'all came!!! Oh my god let's take shots you too! Raven you look fuckin stunning girl!" Gus exclaimed, clearly already pretty intoxicated.

Nolan watched Gus pour three shots and then handed them to him and Raven. "Okay you guys! One, two, three!" Nolan watched as Raven slammed the shot and was quite impressed at how well she took it. He realized he still hadn't taken his. Just take the shot, don't be a buzz kill.

"Nolan, take yours!" Gus yelled, though he walked away and started talking to some other people about two seconds after saying it.

Raven smiled, "I'll take it, b." She grabbed it from him and before he could object she had already swallowed the clear liquid in the shot glass.

"Maybe you should slow down, we just got here." He said, his voiced slightly raised because of loudness of the growing crowd.

Raven shook her head, "whatever I just wanna have fun tonight." She looked around and spotted a friend from one of her classes, "I'm gonna go talk to that girl for a sec, loosen up though, everything is gonna be fine." She walked off and Nolan sighed. I hope she doesn't get too wasted.

***

About half an hour had passed and Nolan could already tell Raven was getting pretty tipsy. He decided not to drink so he could make sure to keep Raven safe. He watched as she talked to everyone, how everyone seemed to gravitate towards her. It was an easy conclusion to say that she had become the most popular girl in our grade. He would have to calm down his jealousy whenever a guy would get too close to her, but he trusted Raven so he didn't let it bother him too much.

Raven looked over at Nolan, he was drinking a coke and talking to Gus. She smiled to herself, she wanted him to have a good time and he seemed way too worried about everything all the time. She walked over and leaned her forehead into his chest, sighing.

Nolan smiled and wrapped his arms around the girl, "How are you feeling, baby?" He ran a hand through her hair.

She looked up, "I'm feeling great, I just wish you would come have fun with me." She said, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.

He could smell the alcohol on her breath and felt his chest tighten. "Maybe we should go, though?" He asked, praying she would agree with him.

She shook her head and stepped back, ending their embrace. "God Nolan, can't you ever lighten up?" She didn't mean to sound so angry, she was just frustrated that her couldn't let her have fun.

"I'm just being responsible, okay." Nolan said, his feelings slightly hurt due to her tone of voice.

"I am responsible, but I'm also capable of having a good time, something you're not too good at." She couldn't tell if she was mad because she had too much to drink or if her anger was justified.

Nolan shook his head and looked away. "Whatever."

Raven scoffed, "Yeah. Whatever." She walked off, grabbing a bottle of vodka on the way out of the kitchen.

***

Nolan had searched the house twice now and he still couldn't find Raven. He hadn't seen her since their argument and he was getting worried. He was just about to ask Gus if he had seen her when he spotted her on the couch. She was sitting by a bunch of guys, all of them laughing and taking shots.

He made his way over and put his hand on her shoulder, "Raven, we have to go." He said, his voice strained.

She looked up, "B! Take a shot with us!!!" She was clearly very drunk.

"Yeah come on man, don't take her away from us so soon." Some random jock said, taking a swig from a random bottle.

"Naw, Raven, lets get out of here." He persisted.

She looked up at him and he could tell she understood he was right.

"Dude she's having a good time, leave her be." Another guy mumbled.

Nolan could feel his anger building, not at Raven, but at the guys who got her wasted. He grabbed her hand and helped her stand up. He led her away from the group of guys and helped her out of the crowd. "Nolan, why are you mad at me?" She said, her voice sounding distraught.

They made it out the door and Nolan took a deep breath, "Baby I'm not mad at you." He whispered, kissing her forehead. She stumbled a bit and he grabbed her hand, "Let's go."