Kylen: Okay.
Since Beck is hogging the TV, I get comfortable on my bed with my laptop. I browse through the many movie options until I find one that looks so sappy it might be exactly what we need.
When I text Raven the title, she responds with.
Raven: That’s got to be the worst movie ever made.
Kylen: Which is why we’re going to watch it. And then we’ll make fun of it.
Raven: That’s cruel.
Kylen: Maybe, but it’ll be fun. You in?
Raven: Okay. Let’s start.
I think I fall asleep halfway through the movie because I find myself on my bed with my laptop on my stomach and my phone near my ear. It’s open to the text app with Raven and she sent a few messages making fun of the movie.
Raven: Kylen?
Kylen: Sorry, I fell asleep.
Raven: I dozed off, too. I guess we should probably go to bed.
Kylen: Sorry I ruined movie night.
Raven: It’s okay. Have a good night and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Kylen: Good night, Raven. And I’m sending you a hug.
Raven: Hugging you back.
I picture myself hugging her for real, loving the way she feels in my arms, and not wanting to let go. Ever.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Raven
Something smacks me in the face.
“Ow,” I mutter as my eyes flutter open. I turn to my right and find someone lying next to me. It takes me a second to realize that it’s Carly. And it takes me another second to remember where I am. At Wolff Ski Lodge.
Carly is blissfully sleeping with her left arm now resting on my pillow. I guess she’s not such a calm sleeper after all. Glancing at the time, I realize that it’s 9 AM. My friends and I decided to sleep in today—I’m sure the rest of the students planned the same—but I don’t think I’ll be able to fall back asleep. I’m wide awake now, and I can’t stop thinking about the fun I had yesterday with Kylen.
Carefully pulling back the blanket and sliding out of the bed so I don’t wake up Carly, I tiptoe toward the window and gaze outside. The view is so mesmerizing with the snowy mountains. There’s something peaceful about looking out at nature and appreciating the world for its natural beauty. It makes me itch to work on my lyrics.
Continuing to tiptoe so I don’t wake my friends, I grab my lyrics notebook and a pen from my night table and settle down at the small table on the side of the room. Not only is the peace and quiet of this place and its beauty inspiring me to write, but it’s also my relationship with Kylen. Growing closer to him with each passing day liberates whatever fears and insecurities have held me back all these months. It’s like all my walls have been shattered and my heart is raw and open and ready to embrace the world.
My pen scratches over my notebook so fast that my hand hurts. I don’t think I’ve ever had the words flow out of me sofreely before. This song is a love one as well, but this time I dive very deeply into what it means to grow closer to another person. How much of an effect that special person in your life can have on you. How he or she makes you want to strive to do better, be better, fill the world with only positive things. As long as you have that feeling inside you, nothing can hold you back or bring you down. You really do feel like you’re conquering the world.
I don’t realize that an hour has passed until I hear footsteps and voices in the hallway. It seems many students are starting to wake up now. I’m pulled out of the bubble I was encased in and lean back in my seat, reading the words I put on the paper. A large smile tickles my lips. I need to do some tweaks, but this song is solid. I’m not sure if I want to offer it to Next Level Dudes. Actually, I think I might want to compose my own music and sing it. For now, I’d like to keep it to myself.
“Why are they so noisy?” Sophie groans as she rolls over on her bed and squishes her pillow over her face. “Make them shut up.”
Her complaints cause Addie to stir and she sits up, blinking at me. “Raven? How long have you been awake?”
“About an hour.”
Carly moves as well, but she falls back asleep in a second.
