That’s soRaven
Low
Hollow Brook isa magical place in the summertime. Not only does half this college town empty out and head for summer vacay before the fall semester begins, but the glory of the mountain is magnified under the duress of the sweet July sun. The flowers have broken out into a riot of color, the rich soil and the evergreens let out their oils and release the heavenly scent of the paradise that Hollow Brook truly becomes. I spent all day in Friar’s Corner yesterday at Sadie’s graduation while Levi stayed back at The Sloppy Pelican in an effort to protect his good name—and face it, his balls from Lisa. But it’s Friday the thirteenth, the lucky day in which Lex here is going to rave about The Sloppy Pelican’s new menu. Of course, I plan on being there tonight when she does—I for one would hate to miss the fireworks that are about to go off between her and Axeltheex.
“I hate walking.” She grunts as she bats the bugs away with each step. I’ve convinced Lex to hike the trails with me up past the Witch’s Cauldron. That steamy hole in the ground is one of Hollow Brook’s six natural springs and the easiest to get to. I’ll have to bring Levi here one day, and we’ll have to do a little coital cauldron hopping per Whitney Briggs’ tradition, seeing that it’s both of our alma maters. That ought to make things scaldingly interesting for sure—not that things haven’t been heated in the bedroom. We’ve found a whole new way to enjoy brownie batter—off each other. Who knew combining my two favorite tasty treats, brownies and Levi Masterson, could take things to a whole new orgasmiclevel?
“It’s not walking. It’shiking,” I say, trying to slow down in order for her to catch up. “And we’ve already covered a litany of things you hate this morning. You hate people, wild animals, insects, and dogs that sniff at yourcrotch.”
“Oh, shut up,” she gruffs. “That was a particularly obscene Great Dane, and you know it. Did you see the balls on that beast? Don’t you even try to tell me that boyfriend of yours is hung like a Great Dane. It was pornographic. And then that frat boy who had him on a flimsy rope purposely let him attack me. Ihadto beat him off with a stick. He was practically munchingmeout.”
“Your panache for subtlety astounds me,” I growl at the wind. Having friendsishard.
“Anyway, I happen to have a canine myself. A chubby little French bulldog named Strudel, who might I add has yet to stick his snout into a single lovecanal.”
“Strudel?” I balk at the unfortunate moniker. “Wow, youaremean.”
“I’m not mean,” she grits it through her teeth like a threat while her ponytail whips around her face as she struggles tokeepup.
I nod us over to the bench by the overlook, and we flop down as all of Jepson shines beneath us. “Beautiful.” I take a quick sip of my water. “But we gottaheadback.”
“What?” she squawks so loud you would think I just told her we needed to lie prostrate so that Great Dane can finish the job. “We just got here. Good luck getting me off my duff. Don’t forget. I’myourride.”
“Thanks for reminding me of where I went wrong. But I need to shower and dress and head to the restaurant. It’s the official grand reopening. And I need to make sure my new food critic bestie loves everysinglebite.”
She gives a maniacal laugh, which seems to be her specialty. “I do love it when you call me yourbestie.”
“Aw, is it because you’ve never had one?” As in a single femalefriendever.
“No.” She’s back to scowling at Jepson as if it took her lunch money. “It’s because I stole the title from that girl who tried to keep your vaginahostage.”
“That’s one way to put it.” I sigh hard at the thought of Raven finding out what Levi and I have done—are doing. “But rest assured, I have plenty of room for both of my besties inmylife.”
My phone burps to life, and I roll it over in my hand, only to toss it like a hot potato once I see whoitis.
“Gah! It’s her! I swear she’s got some kind of demonic radar when anyone invokes herunholyname.”
“You never saidhername.”
“Smartass.” I glance down to see what Raven has to say forherself.
Aloha! I’m doing the hula and drinking Mai Tais! How is it going back in HB? Any news on Levi and the girl that’sstalkinghim?
“Ha!” I show the message to Lex, and we share a dark laugh. I’ll admit, it’s been pretty fun to keep the Evie ruse going with Raven. “Say cheese!” I snap a quick picture of Lex who gifts me the finger. I carefully crop that little lovely detail out and shoot it to bestienumberone.
With his BAE now! Isn’t she lovely? Have fun hitting the beach! Tonight’s the big TSPreboot.
She texts right back.Wow! Cannot wait to meet her! You don’t know how bad I feel that I’m missing out. I can’t wait to see everyone again.EspeciallyYOU!
A forlorn smile comes as I read her words. I really do miss having Raven around. Even if we do text daily, it’s just not the same as a good old-fashionedhug-fest.
Don’t wait too long before your next visit. We might just have a little surprise cooking upforyou!
I show it to Lex before I hitSend. “Too muchforeshadowing?”
“Nope. You’ll still knife her where itcounts.”
As much as I’d like to roll my eyes at that one, I know she’s right. I hitSendanyway.
