Chapter Thirty-Nine
Raven
Girlfriend. Girlfriend.
I’m someone’s girlfriend.
And not just anyone—the guy who meant the world to me for the last year and a half. The guy I thought I lost. The guy who turned out to be even more wonderful than I had originally thought.
We haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other for the past few days. Even though we had to finish our project, we were too distracted. It wasn’t until Beck reminded us that this counts for thirty percent of our grade that we decided to buckle down and concentrate.
And I’m proud to say our project is ready for that A.
We have to get through our morning classes first, but they pass quickly.
After every bell, Kylen and I hold hands in the hallway before we’re forced to separate to our classrooms. Wow.
To be so connected to someone, to never want to let him out of my sight, to want to touch him as often as I want—it’s incredible.
I really think I’m in love with this guy. Actually, I never stopped loving him. I’m just not sure I’m brave enough to tell him. We all know what happened the last time, and I don’t want to pressure him to say it back if he’s not ready.
Now it’s time for history class. Kylen meets me outside and, holding hands, we walk into the classroom together.
Some kids notice, most don’t care. Kylen is semi famous at school because of the band, but because he’s not wealthy, many kids don’t pay attention to him.
There are some stray ones who ask for selfies and autographs.
The band performed the love song a few days ago and posted it online.
It got quite a few hits. They haven’t gotten more gigs, but hopefully that will change soon.
The guys aren’t so worried because none of them really want to make a career out of it.
Maybe it’ll be a side job or something they do for fun.
Mr. Lewis enters the classroom and calls on the first group to present their project to the class.
I’m a little nervous, even though I know we did a good job. It’s the public speaking thing. Kylen looks pretty confident, which makes sense because he’s so calm and collected when he performs. I hope some of that confidence will drip into me.
As if he can read my mind, he slips his hand into mine. “We’ve got this.” Quickly, making sure the teacher isn’t looking, he brings my hand to his and kisses the back of it.
It does calm me somewhat, but I’m still a little nervous. Kylen told me he’ll do most of the presenting, but I need to contribute or else I won’t receive credit.
Everyone claps after the team is done.
“Next, we have Kylen Barrett and Raven Mitchell.”
Darn it. I was so not ready to be called second.
Kylen gives me a reassuring smile and nod before taking the box that holds the Globe Theatre and carrying it to the front of the room. I grab the notes we summarized and printed that we pass to the class.
We’re both dressed in our Romeo and Juliet costumes, and I have to say my Romeo looks pretty striking. That time period does suit him.
Once everyone has their papers, we face the students and Kylen begins. “Hello, good people of Verona,” he says in his terrible British accent. “The person we decided to do our report on is none other than William Shakespeare.”
Most kids look bored while some seem intrigued.
“And the play we chose is Romeo and Juliet,” I say. “It’s a play that has inspired romance stories for generations.”
We talk more about the play and the impact it has on our world today. Then we show them the Globe Theatre and talk about its history and facts about it.
Finally, it’s time to present the music video. This is pretty exciting and I can’t wait to see how everyone, including Mr. Lewis, reacts to it.
Once everything is set up, Kylen starts the music video.
As it plays, I watch everyone’s reaction. Most of the students are smiling and they look like they’re really enjoying it. I catch some laughs as well.
Mr. Lewis has his arms crossed and an indifferent look on his face, but his eyes tell me he’s enjoying it, too.
Kylen bends close to whisper, “Totally have this in the bag.”
When the music video is over, the class erupts in cheers. Kylen and I bow in exaggeration, huge smiles on our faces. Kylen even spouts some lines from the balcony scene in his terrible British accent. And I, being confident for the first time today, join him with my lines from Juliet’s parts.
Mr. Lewis claps. We’re only the second team to present, but he didn’t clap for the first team. Does that mean we got an A? From Kylen’s crooked smile, I know he believes so.
“That was very entertaining, Mr. Barrett and Miss Mitchell. Well done.”
Kylen and I beam at each other.
“And I’m impressed with the details you added to the Globe Theatre. Do you mind if it remains in the classroom for others to appreciate?”
Kylen and I nod. “Of course,” I tell him.
We return to our seats, our hands so close I wish I could take hold of his and never let go. But I’m pretty sure we’ll get detention.
As the next group goes, Kylen bends close and says softly, “You did amazing.”
“So did you.”
He shakes his head. “The whole thing was your idea. So all the praise goes to you, my wonderfully amazing girlfriend.”
My cheeks grow warm. “You should get some of the praise, too. It was you who made sure to get the details of the theater right.”
“Hmm, maybe, but I’d rather praise you.”
“I’d rather kiss you, but I can’t.”
He chuckles. “Believe me, if I was able to, you’d be in my arms and I’d be hugging the juice out of you and kissing you like crazy.”
“If you’re juicing me, there won’t be any of me left.”
“Of course there will be. You’ll never run out of amazing Raven juice.”
I laugh. “Dork.”
He just beams.
We decide to keep quiet because we don’t want Mr. Lewis to yell at us and because it’s rude to the other team. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until class is over.
The bell finally rings and we get to hold hands again as we walk through the halls. My friends, their boyfriends, and Kylen’s friends keep smiling every time they see us hand in hand.
We finish the rest of the school day, I watch the band practice the new song, and then Kylen and I walk around campus. It’s warmer today, so it’s actually nice outside. Many other couples or friends are strolling around, too.
We talk about everything on our minds. Sometimes we’re quiet and take in the world around us. After a short while, I stop walking and tug his hand, causing him to stop, too. “Can I show you something?”
“Of course you can.”
“It’s in my room.”
Sophie told me she’s hanging out with Damian after school, so we should have the room to ourselves for at least an hour or two.
Kylen seems excited and curious. He swings our interlocked hands, giving me sweet smiles that make butterflies flap around in my stomach.
It feels like forever until we make it to my room and enter. I gesture for Kylen to sit on Sophie’s bed while I grab my guitar and settle down on my bed.
“This is something I wrote at the lodge,” I tell him. “I hope you like it.”
“I definitely will.”
I thought I would be nervous, but the truth is I’m totally and completely one hundred percent calm and comfortable as I strum the chords.
And when I start singing the lyrics, I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience.
The music and my voice touch every part of me.
I shut my eyes for a bit, and when I open them, I notice he has this calm look on his face, like my music touches every part of him as well.
When I’m done, Kylen gapes at me.
“It’s how I feel about you,” I say, pushing some hair over my face because I suddenly feel self-conscious.
Shooting to his feet, he envelops me in his arms and spins around. “That was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life. I love it.” He sets me down, burying his face in my hair. “I really love it, Raven.”
I smile shyly. “You do?”
“More than you can ever imagine.” He gives me a deep, powerful kiss that makes me feel deliriously good for a second. “Can you teach it to me? Can we play it together?”
I nod. “It’s just for you and me. Our special song.”
He smiles and gives me another kiss that makes my knees go weak. “Our special song. I love the sound of that. Let me fetch my guitar.” He dashes out the door and returns so quickly it’s like he’s The Flash.
He sits down on Sophie’s bed, facing me so he can follow the chords I play.
He catches on very quickly and soon we’re playing and singing together.
We sound amazing together. It’s more than magic.
It’s fate. I love sharing this special moment with him.
His loving smile tells me he feels the exact same way.