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Tall.

Brown.

Rustic.

It showed the time as what Willow’s car said.

Below it, it read TWO HOURS AND 45 MINS LEFT.

Counting, I realize that it was counting down to it being eight. My interest was peaked like no other.

I’m zoned out looking at what I could when a knock rings out, startling me and causing me to let out a scream.

A man stands next to my door looking down with a wolfish smile on his face.

“Charlie, you fucking ass.” Willow says as she gets out of the vehicle.

The Charlie dude started laughing and holding his stomach.

“Come on Raven, get out and watch as I beat his ass.” Willow says to me as she comes around the car.

My heart rate slowed a little as I opened the car door and stepped out.

Charlie whistled as I stepped all the way out.

“Damn Willow, where did she come from?”

She hits his shoulder. “Don’t be a pig. We just met today.”

He rubs it as if she really hurt him. “Ouch. Fine, I can keep away.”

What?

I get a second to look at him fully now that i was no longer frightened. He was taller than me, with brown curly hair and a boyish grin that I’ve seen a thousand times at my school.

He was wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt. Even though it was still summer, it seemed like everybody here had Halloween engraved in their souls.

Willow turned to me. “He’s harmless. Like a little chihuahua with no bark.”

I laughed at the analogy.

He rolls his eyes before pushing out his hand for me to grab. “I’m Charlie.”

“Raven.” I say, putting my hand in his.

“What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”

I couldn’t stop the blush that rushed to my cheeks.

“Thank you.” I say, trying to be polite.

He looks at me as he continues to hold my hand.

“Okay, that’s enough Fabio.” Willow says as she grabs my hand out of his.

I laughed again.

“Where is everybody else at?” she asks.