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Raven, a 17-year-old girl, walked through the bustling high school hallway, her gaze fixated on couples holding hands and sharing affectionate moments.
She couldn't help but feel puzzled and contemplative as she observed the love and relationships around her. Raven's inner voice spoke out "Why do people bother with relationships? It seems like they only lead to heartache and disappointment."
As lunchtime approached, Raven and her group of friends, including Damian, Amanda, Bailey, Kyle, Zara, Parker, Sabrina, and Mae, gathered at their usual spot in the school campus. The sun shone down on the beautiful outdoor area where they had set up their lunch spot.
To Raven's amazement, Damian had gone all out to create a stunning atmosphere. The lunch area was adorned with fairy lights, comfortable seating cushions, and a rustic wooden table decorated with fresh flowers. Damian's impeccable taste had transformed the space into a serene and inviting oasis.
Raven couldn't contain her awe. "Wow, Damian! This looks absolutely stunning! You've outdone yourself this time," she exclaimed.
Damian grinned, pleased with her reaction. "Thanks, Raven! I wanted to create a special ambiance for today's lunch. I'm glad you like it."
Amanda chimed in, sitting down and remarking, "It feels like we're in our own little oasis. I love how you always pay attention to the details, Damian."
Bailey nudged Damian playfully. "You sure know how to make us feel special, buddy. This is incredible."
Kyle raised his soda can and proposed a toast, "A toast to Damian, the master of creating magical moments!"
The group raised their drinks and clinked them together, smiling at one another. Zara settled onto a cushion, expressing her gratitude. "This is exactly what we needed after a hectic morning of classes. Thank you, Damian."
Parker added appreciatively, "I can't believe you transformed this lunch spot into something straight out of a fairytale. You have a true talent, my friend."
Savoring her sandwich, Sabrina interjected, "I feel like we're in our own little paradise here. It's so serene and peaceful."
Mae gazed around, taking in the beauty of the setting. "Damian, you've created a beautiful atmosphere that brings us all together. Thank you for making this lunch extra special."
Damian blushed modestly, clearly touched by their appreciation. "You guys are amazing, and you deserve nothing but the best. It's a pleasure to share this space with all of you."
With their lunch spread out before them, the group settled down, enjoying the food, laughter, and the beautiful ambiance that Damian had created. Conversations buzzed throughout the group as they shared stories and engaged in lively discussions.
Raven effortlessly moved between the different mini-groups, participating in conversations and listening intently. As laughter filled the air, the topic of romance inevitably emerged.
Damian, known for his curiosity about everyone's romantic inclinations, raised an eyebrow and suggested, "Alright, everyone. Let's dive into the topic of love once again. Who's got a love interest they're secretly crushing on?"
Amanda giggled and turned to Raven. "Oh, Damian, always curious about everyone's romantic inclinations! Alright, spill it, Raven. Any special someone catching your attention?"
Raven chuckled, fully aware of this recurring question. "You know me, Amanda. I've made it clear that I don't fancy love. But, hey, I'm open to surprises."
Bailey grinned mischievously. "Ah, Raven, don't you want to experience the magic of falling head over heels for someone? It's like a rollercoaster ride!"
Raven playfully rolled her eyes. "Well, Bailey, I prefer keeping my feet firmly on the ground. Love just seems like a rollercoaster I'd rather not ride."
Damian chimed in slyly, "Come on, Raven, we've all spilled our thoughts on love."
Raven found herself at the center of the discussion as Damian and Bailey posed questions to the group. She smiled and replied, "Well, if I had an opinion on love or a love interest, then maybe I could provide a more insightful answer. But for now, I'll just observe from the sidelines."
Mae playfully added her own commentary, and the group chuckled. "Oh, we all know Raven's type. She'll probably go weak at the knees for any guy with muscles who spends hours at the gym," Mae teased.
Parker joined in the playful banter. "That's so true! She's got a soft spot for fitness enthusiasts."
Amanda added her thoughts with a touch of jest. "Oh, absolutely! But it's funny how Raven has been to the gym countless times and hasn't stumbled upon her sole mate yet."
The group burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained by the friendly teasing. As Raven prepared to respond, Sabrina's voice seamlessly overlapped her sentences.
"I go to the gym to actually work out and do cardio..." Raven began.
"...unlike all of you who go there to look at guys," Sabrina teased, perfectly timed.
Bailey looked at Sabrina, surprised by the impeccable timing of her comment. "Did you just read Raven's mind, Sabrina? That was too perfect!"
The group erupted in laughter, thoroughly amused by the playful exchange. Amanda raised an eyebrow and added, "Well, whether it's for fitness or admiring the view, the gym is still a great place to meet people. Who knows? Maybe Raven will find her fitness-loving soulmate there someday."
Raven grinned, her curiosity piqued. "Ahh, let's see, shall we?"
Bailey, ever observant, couldn't resist adding one last playful remark. "You know, Raven, often the people who claim they 'don't fancy love' are the first ones to fall head over heels."
The group chuckled, well aware of the truth behind Bailey's words. Raven, however, responded with conviction, laughter filling her voice. "Well, Bailey, I assure you, I'm not one of those people. Love and I have an understanding. We appreciate each other from a distance."
As the lunch bell rang, signalling the end of their lunch break, Raven and her group of friends gathered their belongings and made their way back to their classroom. The group of friends was fortunate enough to be in the same class, which meant they could spend more time together during school hours.
Once they reached their classroom, they found their seats, which were conveniently arranged close to one another. Raven's seat was not close to the rest of the group. She was seated in the middle row while the others were sitting at the back, all in the same row.
Raven's seat was next to Grace, a very silent girl who always wore her mask, both figuratively and literally...That's what everyone thought..
Grace was known for being reserved and introverted, often keeping to herself and rarely speaking unless spoken to. She was friendly but seemed more comfortable observing and listening rather than actively engaging in conversations.
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