Free Raven by Suzy Turner

than one friend at
school. Respect from everybody, if you know what I mean,” I said as
I looked at Oliver's confused expression.
    “ You
don't really understand what I'm talking about, do you?” He shook
his head.
    “ Let's
just say I lived a very lonely life in England. I was naïve. I
didn't know anything about life. Yes I learned a lot in school, but
school doesn't necessarily teach you about life, it just teaches
you facts about life. I'm sorry, I'm rambling now.”
    “ Don't
be sorry, Lilly. I think I understand what you mean. I'm just sorry
that you had such a lonely upbringing. If you had grown up here, it
wouldn't have been like that at all. I would have made sure of
that,” he added shyly, “I would have liked to have known you before
now,” he said, colour creeping up to his cheeks.
    “ I'd
better go,” he said suddenly as he stood up. “Thanks for the Coke.
Maybe we can see each other again soon?”
    I nodded
and smiled and before I knew it, he was gone.
    As I
went to sleep that night, I still had butterflies. Oliver liked me.
And he thought I was cute!
     

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    The
following evening, Oliver unexpectedly turned up again. It was
almost a re-enactment of the previous night. I was sitting on the
couch comfortably reading a book, full from eating a hearty dinner,
when in walked Oliver wearing a shy grin.
    “ Hey
Lilly. I hope you don't mind be popping in to say hi
again.”
    “ Of
course not,” I answered, as I made a mental note to make more of an
effort with myself in future.
    I
offered him a Coke and he said yes. I ran into the kitchen, via the
bedroom again, brushed my hair and put on some lip gloss before
rushing back in.
    But this
time, as I handed him the can and we both sat down, he said, “You
know what. Why don't we take a walk instead?” Standing up he placed
the can on the coffee table almost as soon as he'd sat
down.
    Relieved
to have something else to do, I jumped up and grabbed my coat,
gloves, hat and scarf.
    He
laughed at me as I wrapped myself up and we stepped outdoors after
I yelled to Meredith that we were going for a walk. She appeared
briefly with a cheeky smile and winked at me before closing the
front door.
    “ So...” I said.
    “ So...”
    “ Here
we are again.”
    “ Yup,”
he answered as we walked slowly down the road.
    I waited
for him to say something to break the ice. We walked for a few
minutes until he finally said, “Lilly?”
    “ Yes?”
I answered hopefully.
    “ Last
night when we spoke, you mentioned that you were falling for
Canada... well, I wanted to ask you if... if it is just Canada that
you're falling for? Or whether there might be something, or
someone, that you're falling for too,” he asked. But before I could
answer, he blushed and added, “Sorry, you don't have to answer that
if you don't want to.”
    I wanted
to answer his question; after all, I knew the answer. I was falling
for him, without a doubt. I felt like we had a
connection.
    “ Can I
ask you a question?” I asked hesitantly.
    “ Shoot.”
    “ Why
did you really come to see me tonight?” I asked bravely.
    This
time, his face turned pink before he replied.
    “ Honestly... I was hooked the second I laid eyes on you,
Lilly. It's weird really, because I've always hung out with girls
my age, but I almost feel like you've put a spell on me. Not that
I'm calling you a witch or anything,” he laughed, “but I've never
been bewitched before.”
    During
the silence that followed, I swear I could hear his, and my own,
hearts beating.
    I was so
glad that I'd wrapped my scarf around my face... because I was
blushing so much and grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
    “ And
even though I barely even know you, I feel like I've always known
you,” he laughed, breaking the silence, “and I can't believe I'm
actually saying all this. Out loud. To you.”
    “ Well,
I'm kind of glad that you are saying it out loud. To me. I know how
you feel, Oliver. I like being around you. It just