Page 155 of Isolation
Infact, this was a terrible idea.
I am standing in this Airbnb and in front of me isRaven, in all her glory.
I haven’t said that name in years. I don’t even let myself think of that name. I have blanked all thoughts of her from my mind.
Yet here she is, standing in front of me with none of our friends are in sight to provide me with the much-needed buffer.
I came straight to the Airbnb after getting off my flight. I met with the owner of the luxurious accommodation that overlooks the ocean. As soon as he left, the door flew open with Raven standing at the door frame.
Janeen booked me an earlier flight than everyone else. I found it suspicious but she assured me it’d be better if I arrived early to see my birthday surprise.
I don’t know why I ever trusted our friends.
They are all liars.
They obviously had both Raven and I arrive early to “talk it out”. They have no idea what happened between us, and we both refused to air out each other’s dirty laundryto our friends.
Now we have no choice but to deal with each other.
I momentarily forget to hate her as I take her in.
She doesn’t seem real. She is different. She was always stylish but now she has added a Parisian influence to her look.
Her hair seems darker than before. It’s flying all over due to the wind from the open door. She is wearing a beach hat and the sundress is revealing a torturous amount of skin. Her legs are tanned but her face is still pale against her perfectly rosy lips.
She is unbelieveably gorgeous.
I swallow.
My mouth is dry.
I keep reminding myself to hate her. To remind myself of what she did to me. All the lies. All the deceits. She is nothing but a pretty face. A face that ruined me.
Raven rolls in her carry-on and shuts the door behind her. We are face to face after almost two and a half years apart.
I never wanted to see her again. The last time I spoke to her, I said as much.
“Reid,” Raven finally addresses me.
I almost gasp at the sound of her voice. I haven’t heard it for so long. It squeezes my chest so tight that I don’t even think I can breathe or move.
One word and her voice is already melting the ice I have layered my heart with.
I missed her so fucking much.
“How have you been?” I asknonchalantly.
Raven tucks her hair behind her ear. “Good. How about you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Happy birthday.”
“To you as well.”
We both stand around awkwardly after that. Neither of us have any clue on what to say in a situation like this.
Ever since her move, Raven has only kept in touch with Mia, my parents, and our select group of friends.
