We’re at the guy’s dorm in no time, holding hands as I take her up to the third floor and unlock the door. I hesitate for a second or two before pushing it open.
Raven gasps as she takes it all in. I adorned the place with flowers and colorful streamers. And at the front of the room, attached to the wall, are the words, “Raven, you are my world, my life, my everything. You make me a better person each moment I spend time with you. I can’t imagine you not being in my life. Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
Raven stares at the words, blinking a few times like they’re not making sense in her head. Like she doesn’t believe they’re actually there.
Smiling, I slip my hand into hers. “It’s okay if you’re not ready to give me an answer. Take as much time as you need.”
“No, I don’t need time. Of course I’ll be your girlfriend, Kylen.” She throws her arms around me. “You have no idea how long I’ve yearned for this.”
Holding her close and inhaling her mesmerizing scent, I whisper, “I do, because I feel the exact same way, but…” Drawing back, I gaze into her eyes. “I promise I’ll never hurt you again.”
Shaking her head, she runs her fingers through my hair. “I know you won’t. And it wasn’t only you who hurt me. I hurt you, too.”
“Let’s not talk about the past. Let’s look forward to the future, because the way I see it, it’s a long and bright one.”
Giggling, she flings her arms around me. “It’s like you can read my mind.”
“Because we feel the same way about each other.”
Taking hold of her hand, I lead her to my bed, where we sit across from each other. I can’t help but smile and it seems she can’t help it, either. I reach for a flower that I pasted on the wall and hand it to her.
She breathes it in. “Wow, Romeo. You’re quite the romantic. How did you get Beck to leave?”
I wave my hand. “He and Jasper are hitting the games. He actually helped me decorate the room.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he’s rooting for us and will do everything in his power to make sure we’re together. He feels really bad about what he did, and I guess it’s his life mission to make it up to us or something.” I shrug. “I told him not to, but he won’t listen.”
She presses the flower to her nose. “He’s a good friend. He just made a mistake.”
I nod. “A real good friend. So are the others. We’re lucky we have amazing friends.”
“Which is why the song means so much to us.”
Getting up, I walk to her side of the bed, scoop her up in my arms, sit down, and place her on my lap. She laughs as she holds onto me.
“Sorry, is this okay?” I ask.
She closes her arms around me. “Of course it is.”
I bury my face in the side of her head. “That wasn’t the only thing I wanted to ask you,” I say in a soft voice.
She turns around in my lap, giving me a confused face. “What do you mean?”
I play with her hair. “Truth is, I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t be. You know I won’t make fun of you.”
“No, I know that. I don’t know why I’m nervous.” I glance at the floor and sigh. “I guess I don’t want to mess this up.”
“Kylen.” She places her fingers on my chin, forcing my head up so I look into her eyes. “You need to stop beating yourself up over that. You’re not going to mess this up. Maybe I’ll mess it up—”
“Never.”
“But we need to be open and honest with each other.” She bends close and kisses my cheek. “Now tell me what you want to ask me because I’m losing my mind here.”
That gets a chuckle out of me. “Okay.” I take her hands, giving them a loving squeeze. “Raven Mitchell, will you go to the dance with me?”
