The Orlando sun blindly beamed as it was the last period of the day while Lance stared in
annoyance and slight curiosity at the back of Raven's head as their history teacher, Mrs.
Holster frantically scribbled note after note on the Civil War on the dry erase board, her
dry erase marker making an irritating squeak every few seconds.
His mind replayed the scene at lunch like a bad movie. He couldn't believe how she had
majority embarrassed him in front of practically the whole school! This wasn't supposed to
happen to him; he was Lance Bass for Pete's sake, the most popular guy in the entire
school! Why did that commonly known fact seem not escape everyone but her?
But then again, Raven wasn't like most girls. She hated name brand clothing, wouldn't be
caught dead or alive in a cheerleadering skirt and preferred curling up on the couch for a
date with Mr. Darcy, a character from the ratty, paperback copy of 'Pride and Prejudice'
she always seemed to carry around than go out on an actual date.
When he had told her he'd wanted to get to know her better, at the time it was a simple
excuse for a conversation starter but as he began to think more deeply about it, the
statement was true. He had no romantic feelings towards her but it intrigued him to hang
around someone so..unique from the crowd he usually found himself with.
He blinked in little surprise as a folded up piece of notebook paper was thrown onto his
desk. He checked to make sure Mrs. Holster wasn't glancing towards the back of the
room and then quickly opened the note.
Yo, Lance, how's the bet going so far?
-JC
Lance picked up his pen and wrote a brief response, then tossed it over his shoulder to JC,
who sat behind him. A few seconds later, the note landed back onto his desk.
Ah, not so great. Let's just say that as of right now, Justin's winning. I'm guessing you
weren't at lunch?
-L
Oh ya, how could anyone forget? Haha, she really told you off, didn't she? Look, let me
give you some advice. Girls like that are different from the ones we're with. You gotta be
all honest n shit or else the only thing you'll be getting is attitude.
-J
Lance thought for minute. Maybe JC was right. Raven didn't seem the type that liked
playing games; she wanted the truth and nothing but the truth. But that was the exact
problem. The truth was the only reason why he had spoken to her at lunch and the truth
would be the thing that would destroy whatever connection they built.
<Dude, what are you talking about?! Connection? There's nothing between you two>,
Lance thought to himself.
The bell screeched, signaling the end of the day and all twenty-three kids jumped up and
shoved their way to the door, praying they would all get out before the teacher suddenly
remembered that night's homework.
Lance stuffed the note in his backpack and then headed to his locker to get his things for
football practice.
<Maybe that's what I've being doing..I've been acting like she's Amber or something. And
maybe that's the exact thing that's helping Justin win the bet and me lose my car.>
*********************************************************
Raven paced back and forth in the school's parking lot, later that day, after school.
She had decided to stay after for art club and then catch the late bus to get home.
Unfortunately, she had lingered a little too long and just as she headed to the back of the
school, outside the field house, the bus peeled away, leaving her in a cloud of dust.
Now she was stuck at school, with no way home. She had taken the bus to school today,
so she couldn't drive home. None of her friends had stayed after, so the possibility of
hitching a ride with them was out. She had missed the late bus, so that also wasn't an
option. She could walk but it took a little more than fifteen minutes to get to her house by
car so it would be nearly dusk by the time she reached home.
She took a quick glance at the football field on her right, resting at the bottom of the hill.
From the distance, she could vaguely see the football team finishing up drills and the
cheerleading squad trying out a couple of stunts.
And then she remembered, Lance was on the football team. She stopped pacing, her gaze
on the students but lost in thought.
<Maybe he could give me a ride home....what a second? What the hell am I thinking? He'd
probably laugh then get all his friends and laugh some more! But he doesn't seem like the
type..ah what am I saying? I guess I'm going to have to walk....>
She let out a disappointed sigh and began slowly starting towards the road. A few minutes
later, she heard the shrill sound a whistle as the coach summoned the guys in for a huddle.
Then, the pound of cleats on pavement could be heard as the team began heading to their
cars, the practice ended for the day.
She kept walking, not even bothering to blink when she heard cleats catch up next to her,
walking at her exact pace.
"Hey Raven", Lance greeted. He had on a white T-shirt, a little damp from sweat, his
cleats and his football pants. He carried his shoulder and chest pads by the string, slung
over his shoulder. On his other shoulder was an unzipped blue duffel bag, the top of his
jersey sticking out. She shot him a quick gaze, trying to figure out what he wanted.
"Are you stalking me? Was that little incident at lunch not enough?" she curiously
questioned. Lance laughed, adjusting the weight of the bulky pads.
"Actually, I wanted to apologize about that", he honestly replied. She skitted to a halt,
staring at him in disbelief. He copied her action, staring back at her, his green eyes
sparkling with silent laughter.
"What? You're looking at me like I have six heads", Lance answered.
"No..it's just that I wouldn't expect those words coming from your mouth", she truthfully
explained, her eyes wide.
"Ah, so it's not just the preps, as you and your friends like to call us, that have false
stereotypes", Lance triumphantly pointed out. Raven shook her head, starting to walk to
her destination again.
Lance began to walk again too.
"No, that's not what I meant."
"Then what DID you mean?" Lance challenged back. She looked back at him out of the
corner of her eye and then focused straight in front of her again.
"What I meant was that-oh nevermind", Raven replied with an exasperated sigh. She really
didn't feel like explaining the reasons behind her hostility towards the popular kids and
especially to him, being one of them.
"Fine", Lance calmly answered with a shrug.
"Fine", Raven answered in a monotone voice.
They kept walking, side by side, each in step with one another, silence suddenly forced
between them for a few minutes.
"So, uh where are you headed?" Lance questioned. Raven rolled her eyes.
"Why do you care? Shouldn't you be rushing off to your Princess of Silicon?" Raven
sneered.
"Fine, I actually don't give a shit. But don't give me attitude for just making friendly
conversation", Lance snapped back. He started to pick up speed, hurrying to get away
from her. Raven rolled her eyes.
"Typical stuck up brat...jump all over you for breathing", she muttered under her breath.
But even though her words were full of venom, she felt a little guilty. Ok, maybe a lot
guilty. She sighed, regretting the words she was going to say but hadn't said yet.
"LANCE! LANCE WAIT!" Raven shouted.
She rushed after him, trying to reach his jet black, Mercedes Benz before he zoomed
away. He stopped, in the middle of opening the driver's door. He threw his pads and bag
into the back seats and leaned up against the car, eyeing her icily.
She finally stopped, a few inches in front of him. As his usually friendly eyes bored down
upon her like laser beams, she suddenly felt nervous. It was kinda funny that just a few
hours ago, she would have given him the same, maybe even chillier gaze back and thrown
out her best witty comeback. But now, she was more nervous than a student awaiting
their SAT scores.
"What? Have you forgotten something you'd like to say?" Lance growled. She gulped and
without immediately realizing, started to tightly twirl a lock of hair around her index
finger.
<Damn, this boy has gotten to me..I only twirl my hair when I am really nervous...more
like scared shitless in other terms>, she thought.
"No...I'm sorry."
His eyes narrowed. She sighed.
"I'm sorry for what I said back there. It was rude and uncalled for. Forgive me?" she
eagerly asked. He thought for a moment, then the stormy expression had vanished, a
crooked grin now on his face. He laughed.
"Yeah, I forgive you. So, are you heading home?" Lance asked. Raven nodded, the
thought of walking already starting to make her feet ache.
"Yeah. I missed the late bus and no one will drive me home so I'm gonna walk", she
answered.
"Where do you live?" he asked with concern.
"Um... on Sunset Boulevard...it's about fifteen minutes away", Raven answered, suddenly
feeling uncomfortable with his concern.
"Fifteen minutes? It'll take you at the least thirty to get home if you're walking", Lance
replied. She nodded.
"I know. But oh well", she replied with a shrug. Lance shook his head, went around to the
other side and opened the passenger door.
"No, get in", he ordered.
"What?" Raven asked in disbelief.
"You heard me, get in the car", Lance replied. Raven vigorously shook her head, backing
away a little.
"Noooo, I don't think so. Besides, I don't want to be a burden." Lance let out a frustrated
sigh.
"You live about three minutes away from my house, I think I can handle taking an extra
two minutes to get home. Now get in the damn car!"
Raven laughed, slipping off her backpack and then shoving it in the back seats.
"Oh what the hell. Ok." She slid into the passenger's seat and shut the door while Lance
jogged around and slid into the driver's seat. Raven carefully observed the Mercedes Benz,
with its crisp, cream colored, leather interior and very expensive stereo/CD system.
<Well at least one of my theories about the popular kids is right...they certainly aren't on
welfare>, she sarcastically thought to herself.
"You have a nice car", Raven replied. Lance gave her a grin as he put the car in reverse,
turned left, then began peeling out of the parking lot.
"Thanks. I got it for my seventeenth birthday", Lance informed.
"You're lucky. All I got for my birthday was a bunch of clothes I'll never wear, a couple of
CD's and a handful of gift certificates. Apparently, my parents have had no idea on what to
buy me ever since I turned thirteen and stopped liking Barbies", Raven replied with a light
laugh.
"Oh? Really? Well what type of car do you want?" Lance asked as he fiddled with the
radio. Raven thought for a minute.
"Umm..ever since I was young, I've wanted a Mustang with one of those convertible tops.
I really have no exact reason why but I've just always felt need to get one", she explained
with a half smile.
He gave her a knowing grin and then jutted his head towards the glove compartment.
"Hey, can you open that and get out my Silverchair CD?" he questioned. Raven stared in
shock at him for the second time that day.
"Oh God, what now?" he asked good naturally.
"It's just that I wouldn't expect-"
"Me to like Silverchair?" Lance questioned, his eyebrows raised. Raven blushed and
looked away for a few minutes, trying to cool down her burning cheeks.
"Yeah, I guess." He laughed.
"There's a lot you wouldn't expect about me, Raven. And you've only touched upon one."
Back To Chapter Index
Back To Long Fiction