Aida entered her room only to find an uninvited guest sipping juice and reading'who knows what'. Aida locked the door, stood akimbo and stared at him. 'Why was he always in her space? Why did he always have to show up uninvited?' Aida thought.
"Hi" Raven greeted with a grin.
"Oh! Just shut up and leave already" Aida said as she walked towards her bed.
"Too bad. I don't plan on leaving just yet" Raven said as he moved towards where Aida laid on the bed. He felt something off about her. She wasn't her usual self. Something must have happened to irk or scare her. When she ignored him, he asked;
"Did I do anything wrong?"
"See who is asking if he did anything wrong!" Aida snapped.
"Hey, relax! I never meant to offend you" Raven said pushing himself to sit closer to her. Even though Aida seemed mad, he thought she was very cute and couldn't resist the temptation to get closer to her.
"Says the man who's done nothing but annoy people all his life" Aida retorted.
Raven burst into laughter. He's never felt this amused in a long time.
"I'd be leaving soon. You won't see me for a while. I'd be gone for who knows how long, and there'll be no one to annoy you" Raven said, sadness flashing his face, which Aida didn't miss.
"Who cares?" Aida asked. "I mean why would I care when you're away?"
"Yeah, I know you won't care. I just thought it'd be good to inform you. Just in case you miss me"
"Tsk...who'd miss you?" Aida asked
"What happened? You seem mad. Did anything happen while I was away?" Raven pried.
"Why do you care?" Aida asked, snobbishly.
Raven smiled. It's wonderful how the mate bond worked. He would have snapped the neck of whoever talked to him that way in a second, yet here he was, worried.
"I'm worried about you" Raven replied and saw the look of surprise plastered on Aida's face.
"Why are you worried about me?" Aida asked
Raven knew she felt the bond but not as much as he did because she's wasn't of age yet. Explaining the whole 'mate' thing to her would sound quite eerie in her ears.
"Because you're the only person who entertain me. You don't look down on me or look at me with disgust" he replied
"People look down on you? Why?" Aida asked suddenly concerned.
"A lot happened over the years. But they belong to the past now. I want to start all over"
'with you' he replied omitting the last part.
"I see. I won't want to know your past tho I am curious. Did you do something terrible?"
"That's what they think" he replied
"Did you do anything terrible?" Aida asked sternly this time earning a chuckle from Raven. "Did anyone ever tell you, you're annoying?"
"You just did" Raven chuckled. "Curiosity killed the cat, Ai"
"Ai...I kinda like it" Aida said smiling.
"I'm glad you like it" Raven watched her smile. "Still not going to tell what made you mad?"
"It's just Ciara doesn't seem ok. She was fine a few minutes ago but she's acting strangely. She scared me. I'm afraid she's either going crazy or hallucinating. That's what I think. I'm just bothered by what happened" she answered truthfully.
"She'll be fine" he assured
"I only hope so" she replied. "Anyway, where are you going?"
"Somewhere, far away" Raven replied. "I'd miss you. I don't expect you to miss me back"
"I'd miss my secret* roommate. After all, there'll be no one to annoy or scare me out of my wits!" Aida replied sarcastically.
Raven chuckled. "I'm not too annoying, am I? And you don't have to make it so obvious I won't be missed"
"Time's ticking..." Aida said gesturing for Raven to leave.
"You want me to leave already?"
"Yeah. Hey! About these markings" Aida said drawing his attention to the markings on her hand, "how can I make them disappear?"
"You can't" he replied honestly.
"I see. I'd have to keep wearing dresses that covers everything from my neck to calves. So depressing! I didn't ask for any of this!"
"I'm sorry. I have to leave. I'll see you later" Raven said with a hint of sadness in his eyes and moved away from her bed.
"Leaving just like that?" Aida asked and Raven looked puzzlingly at her. "Come here, come closer" Aida said standing on her bed.
Raven drew closer, not knowing whether to anticipate or run from her since he didn't know what she was up to, and stopped beside her bed. To his surprise, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace and said almost in a whisper; "Please, be safe"
Overcoming his shock, he wrapped his arms around her waist and softly said; "I'll be safe. Stay out of trouble. In case you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to Theodore"
"Mmmm" she nodded, pushed Raven back so she could see his beautiful face. Without any warning, she pressed her lips against his.
With widened eyes, Raven stood frozen. He didn't even know what to do. Not that he didn't know how to kiss, he's been with countless women, but a kiss from Aida wasn't one he was looking up to just yet. He wanted to take it slow, with Aida. Yet, his heart was beating fast and he felt warm inside.
After a few seconds, Aida pulled her lips away from his and said in a stuttering voice; " I I'm ..I'm s...so.. sorry. I.."
Raven chuckled.
"Remind me to teach you how to kiss when I return. You're so inexperienced."
"Hey! That was my first kiss" she blurted out. Realizing what she just blurted out, she bowed her head and began to blush.
"I'm honored. I think I can make it a lot more memorable" Raven said as he watched her cute reaction. "Look me in the eyes, Ai"
Aida's eyes met the most beautiful dark brown eyes she's ever seen. For a brief moment, she thought she saw a flicker of light in his eyes. She saw him move closer to her face and her heart raced, she didn't feel butterflies, but safe. That was how she felt around him. Just then his lips touched hers and she closed her eyes.