Chapter 9: Always and Forever

Raven's POV

It has been two weeks since my brother found out that I went back to harming myself. I plan on going back to school on Monday, which is tomorrow. As of now, I feel better than I did two weeks ago. A tiny problem I have now is:

1. I haven't been in class for two weeks.

2. I've been ignoring Sin and Scarlett for two weeks.

3. Lastly, I've locked myself in my room for said two weeks.

The school had called my brother and home about my absence. Sean explained to Ms. Robinsons that I was "sick''. My teachers had emailed me asking if I was ok because I had a minor case of measles. I told them I was doing fine but was worried about how much work I would need to do to catch up due to my absence. Luckily, they had emailed me all the assignments and homework that I had to do for their class. Now I won't have to worry about being behind in class.

Looking over at my study table, I realize I haven't touched my phone at all. I didn't bother looking at my phone because Scarlett and Sin wouldn't stop contacting me. They've dropped by the house every day after school to check up on me. I hated myself for those two weeks because Scarlett had just started classes at Redwood High. I told her that I'd be the one to show her around. The day she started, she came by and sat at my door to tell me how her first day had gone. Sin and Atlas introduced themselves to Scarlett and showed her around Redwood High Campus.

"Raven?" a soft knock came from my door. "Are you ready to go back to school tomorrow?"

I got up off the floor of my room and opened my door.

"Hey, Sean..."

"Hey, Little Bird. How are you feeling?"

"Better than I did two weeks ago."

"As long as you let me know what's going on in that brain of yours." Sean gave me a small smile and patted my head. "I'm always going to be here for you."

"Always and forever?" I enter his embrace, knowing damn well I needed one of his hugs right now.

"Always and forever, my little bird."

"I love your hugs, Kuya." holding onto him for a little longer before letting go.

"And you need to shower," he says while laughing.

"Funny..." I do need to shower.

After taking a shower, my brother and I agreed on this new Indonesian place that does take-out. While I waited for the food, Sean went out to buy ice cream for dessert. Mint Chocolate Chip for me, and a Cookies and Cream for himself. He doesn't understand my love for mint-choco, but that's ok. At least I won't have to worry about anyone eating my ice cream.

There's a knock on the door. I hope it's the food cause I am hungry-hungry. I ask the delivery guy to wait for a moment, so I can get the money needed.

"Here's 50 bucks." I don't bother looking up at the guy, but something about him gave me the feeling that I shouldn't.

"Thank you." His voice sounded so familiar that it gave me chills.

"Keep the change. Thank you. Drive safe." I say in a rush, closing and locking the door the moment he stepped off our porch. That guy gave off such a creepy vibe.

Sean came home 10 minutes after the food. We ate while we had a Marvel marathon. We only finished phase one before bed. We plan on watching all the current Marvel phases during the weekends since that's our only free time.

Before I went to bed, I decided to text Sin and Scarlett that I was coming back to school tomorrow. Also, apologize for my absence for the last two weeks. Scarlett said she was happy that I was feeling better, knowing that I have days where I would relapse and let my negative emotions control me. I thanked her for coming by every day and catching me up on all sorts of drama that's happened in school. Sin, well, he was happy I was coming back but then started saying that he's at my beck and call for God knows how long because he wanted to make sure I was ok. I told him no because it would make me uncomfortable. I did promise to tell him what was going on with me when I was ready. He understood. I am surprised but thankful.

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Sin's POV

Raven had texted me, for the first time in two weeks, last night. Man, you have no idea how relieved and happy I was. I would come over every day after practice to check up on her, but she never opened her bedroom door. I knew she was listening whenever I would talk to her about my day. Some days I couldn't go because I had basketball practice, so Scarlett would go ahead and then tell me how it was going when she was at Raven's house. Every day it was the same result, no response from Raven or even noise coming from her side.

Scarlett, Atlas, and I would text her throughout the day to update her on everything that happened while she was away. Still, nothing. Our texts would be delivered but never read. Calls would go straight to voicemail. I had asked Scarlett if she knew what was going on. She said I'd have to talk to Raven because she didn't have the right to tell anyone unless Raven said she could. I tried asking Sean, same response as Scarlett. Whatever Raven is going through, I'm hoping I can help her get through it. But I have to ask her, and if she doesn't want to tell me, I will be patient and wait for the day she decides to talk about it.

Raven said she'd tell me a little about what she's going through when she sees me tomorrow. I responded with, "Whatever it is you need, let me know right away. I will be at your beck and call." She said no and that it'd make her uncomfortable. I apologized but reassured her that if she did ever need anything, I would always be there for her. After thanking me, she said good night.

Right now, I am currently outside of her house, waiting for her. I texted her this morning, telling her that'd I'd drive us to school. I sent the text at 4 am. It is 5:30 right now. I got excited to see her, ok? I'm not "simping," I swear. I want her to know that I meant what I said to her last night. Besides, I'm not the type to push my feelings onto someone. That's just wrong and incredibly creepy.

Today's going to be a good day. Not just for me, but Raven. Especially Raven.

I hear the front door close. Turning my head, I see Raven coming down the porch. I get out of my car to open her door.

"Good morning," she smiles at me. Damn, that's a smile I'd love to see every morning.

"Good morning to you too," she says thank you while she gets inside my car. Closing the door, I walk back to the driver's side and get in.

"Did you eat?" I start up the car and wait for a couple of minutes until it's warm.

"Nope. Not yet."

"What? Why?" Why didn't she eat breakfast? We have plenty of time before our classes start.

"Because I saw that you were waiting outside before 5 am. So, I'm guessing you didn't eat either." Oh, right.

Seeing how it was my fault she was in a hurry, I stopped by "Reddy's Cafe" to get us breakfast. I got us dark hot chocolate, black coffee, and pastries to go. I didn't know which drink she wanted, so I got two different kinds from the breakfast menu. She chose the dark hot chocolate. I told Raven she didn't have to pay me back, but she was stubborn, so I let it go. For now.

We arrived at Redwood high an hour and thirty minutes early. Since there was some time to spare, I thought that it'd be a great time to ask Raven about what she wanted to tell me.

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Raven's POV

The clock on Sin's car said 6:00 am. Our first period didn't start until 7:30 am. I told him that I'd fill him in on what was going on with me and why I was absent for two weeks. But I didn't think that it would be now. I was thinking, maybe after school, or at the end of the school year? I'm guessing this is the universe's way of helping. At least give me a heads up.