[[ NOTE: I'm slowly editing through this story. In case you come across something that has change, that is why. :) Depending on the direction, the story line in previous chapters may change some, as well! ]]
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"Annual milkshakes!" Raina sang excitedly. Yasmin laughed, joining on the excitement. The girls slipped into their usual booth and began browsing the menu. "Should we try something new?" Yasmin asked, skimming the menu. One particular shake stood out to her. Yasmin pointed at a new dessert that's big enough for two people. Raina basically drooled while looking at the menu, nodding her head eagerly. "Yes, let's share!" Yasmin nodded excitedly. "Yay! I'm so excited to try."
"You were thinking of Adriel, huh?" Raina whispered in her ear. Yasmin blushed nudging Raina on her side. Raina laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "He's so dense." It was true, when it came to romance and relationships, Adriel is clueless as a dodo bird. Which Raina always wondered if he was truly clueless or could he just be avoiding in acknowledging Yasmin's feelings, as to not hurt her.
She doesn't understand how he doesn't see it when it's definitely so obvious with everyone else but him. Raina also wondered, her thoughts going over to Skylar, Yasmin's twin brother, in what he thought of his sister's feelings. Does he know? She wondered. Deep in thought, Raina was completely unaware of her friends trying to gain her attention. "Rae?" Skylar, Adriel, and Yasmin looked at her with concern. Meanwhile, Niko was sitting next to Raina, basically stealing her iced coffee with a smile on his face.
"Huh?" She hummed, looking at her friends clueless. Everyone, aside from Niko, sighed heavily, shaking their heads simultaneously. "Sorry. Did I space out again?" Raina giggled, her cheeks stained red from embarrassment. "Can I have a bite of that?" Niko asked looking over to Raina's and Yasmin's banana split milkshake. Raina's eyebrows furrowed, realizing he'd already helped himself to her iced coffee. "Get your own!" She grabbed her drink, staring him down with narrowed eyes.
Niko groaned, poking her side repeatedly. "Please? Just one bite," he insisted. Yasmin giggled with amusement. Yasmin shrugged her shoulders when Raina looked at her for help. With Niko being persister, Raina groaned, giving in. She scooped a spoonful of the shake to give him a bite but before he could eat it, she took the spoon back and ate it herself. Niko looked at her, wide-eyed. Raina giggled, taking another scoop, to which Niko tried to steal. "Get your own Nikolas!" His eyes narrowed, then a smirk slowly appeared on his face. He dipped his finger into the whip cream and smeared it all over her nose. Raina froze, completely shocked that he would try something like that.
"Nikolas Michael Jameson!"
"Dude, you're screwed," Adriel pointed out, snickering along with Skylar. Raina wiped the cream off of her nose and pulled out her phone. Curious, Niko tried to peak over her shoulder to see what she could possibly doing. His eyes widened when he saw the picture on her phone. "Where did you get that?" He asked while pouting like a child. A smirk formed on her face, shaking her head from side to side. "Secret," she said in a sing-song voice. "Now, the question is…" Niko narrowed his eyes at the mischievous expression on her face. "Should we send this to the whole school Nikolas?" His eyes widened, his cheeks beginning to feel warm from embarrassment.
"Nope. That should be deleted forever," he growled. He quickly grabbed her phone to delete the picture but he noticed she was too calm. "Go ahead," she said calmly, an innocent smiled adorned on her face. He found it suspicious that she didn't seem phased—which means, this was a copy.
"Where is the original Raina?" He asked, keeping his voice calm as to not provoke her any further. The picture was definitely embarrassing and would rather forget about it. Damn his older sisters for doing that to him. "What do you mean? That is the original," she replied, keeping her demeanor coy. Raina quite enjoyed being the one teasing Niko, instead of the other way around. Niko groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, then giving her phone back with defeat. "You win this round, Rae," he muttered while continuing to pout. Raina giggled, eating her shake happily.
"What is it?" Adriel asked, curiosity getting the best of him. Even Skylar was very intrigued by this threatening picture. Yasmin had peaked earlier and tried to stifle a laugh, but failed when a giggle escaped her mouth. "YOU SAW?" Niko asked his voice trembled with embarrassment, he then covered his face. "You looked very cute in that picture Niko. There's nothing to be embarrassed about," she assured him, still trying to control her giggles. "Like hell!" He groaned, rubbing his face with his hand.
"I don't know why you're so worked up about it. I think you look cute in the dress," Raina said cheerily, bringing a spoonful of bananas up to her mouth. Adriel and Skylar's eyes widened, looking at each other, before bursting into a fit of laughter. "Now, we have to see this picture! Come on Rae!" Adriel exclaimed, excitedly. Raina pursed her lips, hoping Niko wasn't upset with her little slip up. She slowly turned to look at Niko, whom looked calm—until his eyes met hers. If looks could kill, Raina thought to herself.
Raina chuckled nervously, "Want some?" she asked, offering a scoop of the shake. Niko stared at her silently for a long time, making her nervous with anticipation. "Feed me," he muttered, opening his mouth. "Really?" Raina asked exasperated. "Yep, to make it up to me," he told her. "Fine!" With a sigh, she brought her spoon up to his mouth, waiting for him to take it. "Why, thank you Rainy Bear!" Niko exclaimed with a smile on his face. Raina rolled her eyes, taking another spoonful to keep feeding him.
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Raina shut the door, making sure the locks were secure. It's only half past nine but she felt absolutely exhausted. "Maybe, that second shake wasn't such a good idea," Raina muttered to herself. Slipping her shoes off lazily, she made her way up the stairs then entered her room. She dropped her bag on the floor then went into the bathroom to start the bath. When the tub filled halfway, she tossed in a bath bomb as a little treat for herself. She stripped out of her school uniform while waiting for the tub to finish filling up. As it finished, she slowly dipped her toes in, sighing as the hot water began to soothe her aching body.
Raina closed her eyes shut to enjoy a nice, relaxing bath. Her eyes quickly opened back up at the sound of a door shutting loudly. Did Maria come home early from work? Raina wondered to herself. She waited and listened to hear her sister announce that she was home but she heard nothing. "I swear, I heard the door shut," she muttered to herself. Raina sighed heavily, getting out of the tub to check what that was all about. Securing the tie around her waist, she left the bathroom.
"Maria? Is that you?" Raina stepped out of her room, looking over the railing, which overlooked the living room. She saw the kitchen lights were on but Raina swore it was off before she went up to her room. An eerie feeling loomed over her, making her chest tighten with anxiety—just to be safe she grabbed her cell and a heavy object to protect herself with. "Maria?" She whispered nervously. A shadow shifted from the hall then into the hallway, sending Raina's heart to beat faster.
"Whoever you are, I'm calling the police!" She warned, her voice trembled with fear. Raina reached the first floor, shuffling quietly towards the kitchen. Raina took a deep breath and held the object, firmly, in her hands.
"Gotcha!" Raina shouted jumping through the doorway while holding the object in front of her. "What?" She stood in her spot, confused. Suddenly, the temperature seem to have dropped, significantly. Raina hugged her body, rubbing her hands on her arms for warmth. Unable to stop shaking, Raina turned to check on the thermostat, only to be met by piercing, blue eyes.
"Hello Enchantress," Raina's eyes widened, her body continued to tremble. "Stay away! Who are you?" She asked, holding the object in front of her, once more. A chilling smile etched on the stranger's face, his hand reaching towards her. "No! Stay away from me!" she threw the object towards the man and ran out of the kitchen door and out into the backyard. Raina glanced back but the man was no longer there. Pulling out her phone, Raina clicked on the first person on her recent contact list.
"Niko. Please, please pick up," Raina begged, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. Raina found herself in the forest behind her house, completely lost and disoriented. Stricken with panic, she suddenly felt the man's presence swirling around her, unsure of where he was. "Hello? You there, Raina" Raina tried to call out for help but felt suddenly mute, frozen with fear, as the man appeared before her.
The stranger with icy, blue eyes stared at her with a piercing glare, shaking her very core with fear. "Help," she whispered, feeling desperate in that moment. A stream of tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Hello? Raina! Hey, what the hell is going on?" She couldn't say anything more, once again her body wasn't listening anymore. The man continued to walk towards her but despite how much she tried to fight the pull he has on her, it was no use.
What is going on? Tears continued to run down her face. She's never felt this much fear in her life. "Raina! Shit," Niko's voice began to fade just before the line cut off.
The man stood inches away from her. He lifted his hand and caressed her pale face. "Even riddled with fear, you are still as beautiful as ever," he said softly, a look of turmoil flashed in his eyes before it had disappeared. "I've longed for this moment, Enchantress," He spoke softly, almost in a hypnotizing way. Raina's eyebrows furrowed with confusion, her mind was too shambled to comprehend what he was saying to her. Raina desperately tried to move her body, once again, but failed. Raina flinched, as the man moved his hand up to her face, caressing her cheeks gently. "Don't touch me! Who the hell do you think you are?" She spat angrily. The stranger laughed, his deep voice resonating all around them, making her shiver.
"Soon my Princess. We will meet again," she heard him say.
Why does he keep referring to her as this Enchantress?
He moved his hand to her forehead then a light began to glow. What is that? What is he doing? Raina wondered to herself, a sudden wave of exhaustion overwhelmed her. His voice sounded miles away and her vision began to fade. Not soon after, Raina faded into the darkness…
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