Part 1

I admit. I was different. I never really blended in with other people. I stood out like a sore thumb. I never really minded though. I was doing fine being alone, escaping reality through books in our school library. They were my comfort zone, my shell, my shield, and my source of protection from the horrible thing called social life.

I was in the library like every normal day. I hid at the deserted area of the library where you can find the most old and dusty book from not being touched for decades. Aside from being dirty, the silence was comforting. It was better than the silence I experience at home.

My parents were always working. Always out of town, out of the country, out of the continent. And since I was an only child, I was always alone at our big house. My parents bought a large house as if to tell the whole world how much their jobs paid them.

As I said before, I didn't like the silence there. It was too quiet. It was as if I felt like I was deaf. It wasn't like the silence in the library. Sometimes I could hear a few conversations here and there. The library was the school's hotspot for private conversation. Gossips about who's dating who. Who's the next victim for a prank. Bets made for scoring with a girl.

Nobody even come here to read anymore. The librarian, Mrs. Greene, says that ever since the Internet has been invented, people have been drifting away from books. When I first came here to the library, she grew rather fond of me when she learned I was here to read.

I was reading a classic book given by our Literature teacher, Mr. Walker. Romeo and Juliet. I read this book about ten times ever since I was in middle school. Unfortunately, I was too engrossed in my book to notice someone approaching my hiding spot.

"Excuse me," a voice pulled me out of my reading state. I looked up and panicked at the sight of a person talking to me. Out of habit, I quickly looked away and hugged my knees to my face. "Whoa~ you don't need to looked so scared," the teen-age boy smiled at me, showing off a perfect set of white teeth. "Last time I checked, I don't bite."

I frowned at his aura. It was too, I don't know how to say this, friendly? "Are you lost?" I asked, and my frown only deepened when he laughed.

"No," he replied, "I came here to get a book, and you're leaning against the shelf where I can get it."

I felt my pale cheeks redden. I didn't like him. I wasn't comfortable around him. I shoved my book into my backpack and quickly made my way out of the library. I didn't get that far though. I only took three steps before a hand gripped my wrist.

"Hey, I only asked you to move so I can get my book, not leave," he chuckled. "Go on and get back to what you were reading. I've got my book."

I nodded and sat back to where my butt had been. I pulled out my book and continued reading to where I left off. Then I heard a rustle right across me. I peered from the top of my book to see the guy sitting on the floor and leaning back on the shelf across from me. Just like what I was doing.

He was still reading, so I took my time to analyze him. From his legs, I think he was about six feet or higher. His black hair was styled up like those models in magazines and in television. His eyes were a wonderful shade of ocean-blue that shone with mischievousness and gentleness at the same time, and his lips were formed in a natural pout. His wardrobe was consisted of slightly faded-out jeans and a simple black t-shirt. Even with his clothing, it was apparent that he did sports because of his body build.

Before I knew it, his blue eyes looked up from his reading material and locked with my silver ones. Once again, I turned red and looked back to my book. I heard him chuckle but didn't speak a word. I fidgeted everytime he stole a glance at me, but I choose to ignore him.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Not really," I shook my head, "I'm just not used being around with people."

"No wonder I never seen you around," he said, mostly to himself. "You hang out here often?" I nodded. "You got any friends here?" I shook my head. "You like to be alone then?" I nodded again.

I didn't feel like talking to him. I never liked talking to anyone. They gave me a weird feeling in my gut. But somehow, I relaxed a bit the longer this guy talked to me.

"What's your name?" he asked. "Mine's Raven, like the bird. I think my parents were drunk when they named me."

I understood why his parents named him that though. They must've noticed his raven-black hair. It almost looked so soft to touch. I wonder how it would feel to touch his hair.

"Don't you have a name?" his voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Um~ Bree," I said in a whisper, but he still heard it.

"Bree," Raven tested it on his lips. "I'm guessing that short for Brianna?" I nodded timidly. He chuckled again, "You're shy. It's adorable." I looked at him sharply. I just told him my name, now he's mocking me. He raised his hands up in surrender. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm saying that it's something I like."

A frown appeared on my cheeks and so did a blush. This was bad. He was destroying my comfort zone, my shield! I've got to stay away from him as possible. I shoved my book in my bag for the second time and left, taking a turns in different shelves since I heard his footsteps around the library, probably looking for me.

The next day, I headed for the library again and though against it when I was at the door. He might come looking for me again. I was exaggerating. Nobody has ever noticed him. This was different from my usual routine.

I decided to head for the rooftop. Nobody like hanging out there. People say it's too windy, and it'll mess up their hair and other non-important things. It was chilly up there, but it had a comforting touch to it. Just like the library. I love being isolated because it was comforting.

But Raven.

Raven was nowhere near comforting. He made me giddy and different. Like he was pulling me away from my shell, my comfort zone. I didn't like it. I didn't like him.

I opened the door to the rooftop and was relieved to find it empty. I stepped out in the cold and shivered at the wind that blew-more like slapped-across my face. My cheeks and nose turned red at the quick change of temperature. It was already the middle of autumn, so it was no doubt that the weather was starting to be cold.

"You should've brought a sweater or something warm to wear," a voice said.

I yelped, startled and dropped the book I was holding. I quickly turned to my side and saw Raven leaning against the railing of the rooftop. Just my luck.

"I see you found my hiding place," he smirked. "Now, we're even." He walked up to me and picked up the book I didn't bother to pick up yet. He placed it back in my hands. "Why'd you leave in such a hurry yesterday?" he asked curiously.

When I didn't amswer him, Raven sighed, his breath coming out in a puffy cloud. "Am I really that much of a bad company?" he pouted at me.

I bit my lip nervously. I didn't want him to think that at all. He just made me feel different than I used to feel. "Not really," I said quietly. "I told you, I'm not used being around people."

"Time to change that, shall we?" Raven grinned as he slung his arm around my shoulder. "I can be your first friend. Well, if you count Mrs. Greene your friend, then I can handle being second."

I squirmed in his arms, trying to pry his arms off of me. When he realized my movements, he withdrew his hand from my shoulders. I sighed, "I don't want any friends. I just want to be alone."

A long silence dragged on between us. I can only hear the harsh cold wind blowing my hair in ridiculous places on my face. Finally, Raven spoke, "Do you want me to leave you alone? All you have to do is say it, and I'll do it. Go on, say it."

I searched for any emotions in his face. Was he angry, sad, disappointed, or even confused? I found nothing in his face. Just a clear, blank expression. I opened my mouth to say those words that I always wanted to tell since yesterday. But for some reason, I just can't.

Was it because of the way he was looking at me? Or was it because deep down inside, I liked his company? Maybe I just can't tell him those words because I wasn't sure how I see him. An acquaintance? A threat to my comfort shield? A friend?

I definitely hoped it wasn't the last one.

"You can't say it, can you?" Raven said, a smile tugging on his lips. "Because you know deep inside you that you need a friend, and that's me for the job."

I lowered my head, not letting him see my embarassed face. "Why are you so keen on befriending me? I'm not that much of a nice company," I muttered. I was really onto the fact that this boy had brain damage.

"Why wouldn't I be friends with you? Tell me a good reason," Raven smirked at me with a challenging look on his face.

"I told you, I'm not a good company," I said. "You'll just get bored of me."

Raven laughed at me, "Sorry, Bree, but you're stuck with me, until you can say that you don't want me around, which is highly unlikely." When I sighed again, he slung his arm over my shoulder again, and his smile even widened when I didn't make any protests. "So, where'd you wanna go today?"

"Huh?"

"We're going to hang out. Celebrate me being your first friend," he grinned.

"Um~ it would be nice to have some hot noodles," I mumbled, unconciously leaning towards him for warmth.

"Great! There's a Japanese diner nearby," Raven said, walking beside me as we started to leave the school. "You're okay with ramen, right?" I nodded.