hadn’t been there before. When I realised just how fucking much this girl meant to me, and she’d not only chosen me for comfort, but trusted me to take care of her… I guess it was true when people claimed traumatic experiences were bonding.
The urge to go to her was stronger than I’d expected, but she’d told me that she wanted to carry on as normally as possible. I got it, but I couldn’t deny that it had been beyond difficult to let her go when we’d arrived at school.
Pulling my phone out from my pocket, I sent her a simple text.
Me: You OK?
I didn’t have to wait long for a reply.
Raine: All good.
Raine: Thanks for checking up on me.
I smiled.
Me: See you at lunch. Text if you need anything
She responded with a string of emojis that alternated between a kissing face and a grinning face, and my smile widened as I pocketed my phone.
“You’re looking suspiciously happy there, mate.” Xavier eyed me with a teasing grin on his face. “You too.” He swung his gaze to Kian, who was smiling as Preston jogged up the steps towards us.
Kian shrugged, then gave him a sly look. “Sorted things out with Immy, yet? Huh?”
“Working on it,” Xavier muttered, the smile slipping off his face. The bell rang before I had a chance to get in a dig, and we headed to our classes.
All morning I was on edge, waiting to see Raine. It was a weird feeling—I’d never been that invested in someone else before. But I needed to see for myself if she was doing okay after all the shit that had happened.
Finally. There she was, standing alone in the doorway of the cafeteria. I couldn’t stop the grin from appearing when I took her in. She stood, taking in the table where I sat with my friends, her gaze unsure, like she didn’t know if she should join us.
Fuck that.
Pushing away from the table, I stood. Come here, I mouthed, holding out my hand to her.
A huge smile spread across her beautiful face, and she took a step towards me. Not quick enough, as far as I was concerned. I stalked towards her, and we clashed together in the middle of the crowded cafeteria. I lifted her into my arms, sliding my mouth against hers. Because I could. Because she was mine.
“You’re going to give me a reputation,” she murmured when I released her. Her cheeks were flushed, but she was smiling.
“I know you don’t like the attention. I’m just…fuck, I don’t know. Happy to see you.”
“Yeah. I know.” Understanding crossed her features, and she took my hand in hers. “I’m okay. I promise I’ll tell you if I’m not.”
“Good.” Keeping a hold of her hand, I led her to our table, but I paused before we got there. “Are you okay sitting here, or would you prefer us to sit alone?”
She stared up at me, an unreadable expression on her face, before she shook her head with a small laugh. “I’m not used to this sweet and considerate side of you, yet. But I have to say, I really like it.”
Laughing, I tugged her over to the table and pulled out a chair for her. I watched a shy smile curve over her lips as our friends greeted her. It was surprising how easily she’d been accepted into our group, but then, all our closest friends were aware of what had happened to her, and I doubted there was anyone that didn’t feel horror and even guilt for the part we’d all played in driving Raine away.
It went without saying that Tina was no longer a part of our group, after the news that she’d been the one behind defacing Raine’s locker.
“I guess I’ll sit here.” Lena threw herself into the seat next to Raine. Everyone stared at her, and finally she let out the world’s most long-suffering sigh. “Raine’s my friend. I’m eating with her.” She turned her attention to her food, and that was the end of the discussion.
“Is this real?” Raine’s voice was soft and only for me.
Shifting in my seat, I turned to face her. “It’s real. I can’t promise I’ll get it right all the time—in fact, it’s guaranteed I’ll fuck up more than once—but you’re worth it. I’m…changing for you. You know, working on being the man you deserve. For you.”
She smiled. “Okay.” Her voice lowered, and she slid her hand into mine. “I don’t want you to change, though. I mean,