Page 171 of Isolation

CHAPTER 9

March 12th, 2020

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Reid

I didn't sleep at all last night.

I stayed up all night thinking about that kiss. It was a kiss that was almost twenty-two years in the making and it did not disappoint.

I just wished we could have finished it.

We wouldn’t be here if I had just told her how I felt. I should have told her when we were twelve instead of waiting for a whole decade.

Then there would have been no one else for us but each other. We could have been pure, preserved, the way our love was always meant to be.

And now some of it is tainted.

Nonetheless, it’s still pure in its own way because what I feel for her is the purest form of love anyone has ever experienced.

Raven told me that she also thought that we might end up together. But after she grew up, she lost her faith in love. Maybe I just need to re-instill that faith in her again.

I could show her what it would be like if we were to be together. I could show her the world. I’d make her my everything and she’d know that true love exists. Because it does for us. She just needs to open her eyes and see it. She needs to give us a chance because I can’t go back to how things were.

Not after that kiss.

I have been moving the remaining things back from my dorm all day. Raven has been at work. We haven’t had any interaction.

The last day of her internship is tomorrow before the office closes down. I’ll be busy tomorrow as well, tying up more loose ends on campus.

So, I have to address this with her and it has to be now. It’s ten pm but Raven is still up.

“Hey, beautiful,” I poke my head in.

Raven smiles nervously. “Hey, stud. How was the move?”

“It was exhausting. I have to go back really early tomorrow. I have a few more things to take care of. I will be gone all day again so I wanted to check in with you.”

I step into the room. Raven is sitting on the bed with her laptop out. Her floor is covered with boxes and clothes. The room looks like Tessa’s room back in the day. It’s a mess.

“Did you have a good day?” I move a couple of things around to join her on the bed.

“Mostly. I have been unpacking and changing up the room.”

“I think almost everyone is officially moving in tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

I eye her tentatively. She doesn’t sound thrilled by the news. I already know that she doesn’t want to see Milo. I don’t want to be another person she has a strained relationship with. We have to sort this out.

Raven beats me to it. “Reid, we need to talk.”

I nod in agreement. “Yes, we do.”

“Reid,” Raven starts. “I can’t lose you. You are my best—”

“I love you!” I blurt it out before I can stop myself.