"Raven?" I prompt softly as he stares at me silently.

Then he rubs the back of his neck, looking embarrassed and lifts a hand towards me "You may want to cover up" he tells me carefully and I look down....

Ahh!" I slam the door in his face as I realise I am in my shortie pyjamas and he can clearly see... me.

Knock Knock

"Go away" I call moving to grab my dressing gown from the bathroom, tying the belt tightly as I stare at the door.

"Open the door Viridian...Please" he asks and I hesitate, should I, shouldn't I?

I open the door.

Raven's gaze slides across me and I clutch the door in one hand nervously, he notices and takes a small step back, his hands coming up "I promise not to come any closer" he says looking at me, his voice soft. "I was worried... you didn't come to the library tonight" he states without asking but I still hear the question.

"I studied here" I tell him, watching as he frowns.

"Why?"

The sounds of approaching students makes me panic and I reach for his hoodie and pull him inside, shutting the door as the students enter the corridor, I don't think anyone saw him.

"Whats going on?" he questions, his hand coming up to cover mine, my hand that is still gripping his hoodie from where I dragged him inside. His fingers wrap around my wrist stopping my sudden retreat. "Viri?"

"I am here to study" I say and almost want to laugh at the confusion on his face. "I am not interested in dating or socialising, I just want to study and..." his gaze pins mine, "and you and who I now know are your brothers are making me a talking point with other students" I finish, looking away.

"Who said something to you, who upset you!" he growled and I quickly shook my head.

"No-one said anything to me, but I overheard them talking about me... I didn't like it, I need to stay away" I whisper out, realising just how silly it sounds but to me it matters.

"Thats why you didn't come to the library?" he pushes softly and I nod, looking down, not wanting to see his expression.

"I was worried when you didn't show up" he took a step closer, still holding my wrist, gently in his grip as he closes in, his other arm circling me and he slowly pulls me into the warmth of his embrace.

"I'm sorry" I murmur into his chest, feeling surprisingly safe and warm and he holds me to him. His scent surrounding me and I finally allow my body to relax, leaning against him.

We stand like that for a while before he pulls back and looks down at me, his hand lifting my chin, so I cannot escape his gaze. "Are you okay?" he asks and I nod, knowing that at that moment I was. I knew the doubts and worries would return but here and now... I was good.

"What do I do?" I ask almost silently

But he hears me and I feel the tension in his body, his eyes narrowing as he looks at me. "I am the wrong person to ask, I will be selfish in my response, are you sure you want to hear it"

I nod and wait.

"You are desk partners with my brothers in their classes, getting the Professors to change seating arrangements would draw more attention to you, and them. People are talking because as a rule we keep ourselves to ourselves" he pauses, "I can make it better, but I can't make it go away", his gaze searches mine and I bite my lip and nod, knowing he's waiting for my confirmation to continue. "Be my girlfriend" he says.

"What!" his arms come up to stop me moving back

"Just, I think if people think you are going out with me, it will stop the talk, they will think my brothers are looking after you... for me"

I shake my head, he's mad, there is no way anyone would believe I would be going out with him.

"What are you thinking?" he questions looking at me.

"You're mad, it wouldn't work, I mean look at me... and you" I shake my head and he looks confused.

"What, why not, what's wrong with me?"

"No, No, its not you, Its me Raven! You're tall, good looking" I feel myself blush, "Obviously well regarded, you and your brothers are known on campus and I'm just a simple student from nowhere and anyway why would you do that, what if you find a girl you want to date"

"I have a girl I want to date" he replies with a grin and I silently groan, of course he does.

"Then doing this would only upset her, she wouldn't understand, hell even I don't understand" I try to step away but he moves closer.

"Viri, The girl I want to date is you, it wouldn't be fake, when I said be my girlfriend, I meant it in every way"

"What! Why?" it's my turn to question and he grins.

"I like you, you are smart, interesting and beautiful and you care about studying and you're not scared of me"

"Why would I be scared of you?" I respond shocked, choosing to ignore his other words until I can process them more, he likes me!

Raven laughs, his whole face lightening as he does "Baby, most people think I am a scary bastard, they may want to get to know me because of who I am but most run at the first scowl. My brothers are the approachable ones"

"You do scowl a lot" I agree with him "but I don't think you are scary" I take a deep breath, hating the words I am able to say but knowing I need to. "but Raven I can't, I'm here to study, nothing else"

His gaze searches mine and he smiles, shocking me, he leans in and softly kisses my forehead before taking a step back "Don't stay that yet. Look, It's the weekend, promise me you'll think about it before saying no...Please"

I nod and he smiles again before backing away completely, stopping by the door "Wait, let me give you my number, in case you need me"

"I don't have a phone" I tell him and smile at the shocked look on his face.

"What at all, you're kidding, everyone has a phone!"

"Nope, not me, I've never needed one" I say, reaching past him and opening the door, relieved to see the corridor is empty.

He steps out shaking his head, still reeling that I don't have a phone and I use his shock to my advantage "Bye Raven" I tell him softly before shutting the door and leaning against it, my ear pressed to the wood, trying to hear him leave, finally the faint sound of the fire-door by the stairwell sounds and I let my body relax.

My mind racing with what had just happened, all my energy now focused internally as my brain tried to work through everything.

Thank god it was the weekend, I had so much to think about and trying to study with the way my mind was racing would be a challenge.