They Say Opposites Attract

XXI. Why?

[Claire]

"You really need to stop doing this," I say as I fall on my back. I stared up at the part of the ceiling that hung over the bed I lay in.

Raven, who sat beside me, shook her head. I really hated when she got into fights like this. I was glad when she stopped a few months ago. Especially since everyday, she come to me covered in bruises.

And this meant she got hurt. It goes without saying that I hated when she did. Though, that's not the only problem that was present here. What I was worried about was her being here.

"You know I hated that time of peace," was all she said in response to my command / statement. "Things were gonna go back to how it was and you know it," she added.

"No changing your mind, huh," I say with a disappointed sigh. Raven nodded once, twirling a few strands of her hair around one finger. "You know Ai-"

A knock at the front door interrupted my speech, startling both of us. Immediately dismissing what I was saying, Raven bit her lip. "Didn't know you'd have visitors."

I rolled my eyes at that as I got to my feet, heading straight to the front door. Having already known who was there, I opened the door to greet my visitor.

[Sumiko]

Back in this type of situation, huh.

Both me and Raven were once again in a room together, both of us glaring at each other in some sort of discomfort.

Lana, whose name I found to actually be Claire, had apologized saying that she couldn't do anything about Raven. I wore a hateful expression I had never shown before, my arms crossed.

The way I saw it, there's absolutely no way I can hate her any less now. My fists clenched tightly. Thankfully, it wasn't long before the silence was interrupted.

"So, uh," Claire started, looking at me, "I wasn't aware you were dating," she says, catching me off guard. I knew immediately what she was talking about. I couldn't help but let my face burn brightly.

She saw?

I bit my lip slightly before shaking my head, looking at the floor. Claire seemed to take the hint, seeing as she shifted in her spot. I couldn't help but notice at the edge of my vision.

"Ah, I'm sorry if I said something wr-"

"Lemme guess," Raven started, "you were caught kissing some slut? You know, the same types of people attract each other." She gave me a grin. And that was all it took.

I leaped out of my spot and pushed Raven to the floor. She looked as if she was caught off guard but I didn't care. I swung my fist at her quickly, but she was faster, raising her arm to block my attack.

I kept swinging at her until I was pulled off of Raven, who could only stare wide-eyed at me. I was held onto tightly, despite me not attempting to escape.

I bit my lip and couldn’t help but let my eyes water, letting out a sob as I covered my face with my hands. I could feel Claire's soft arms holding me close to her.

I could hear her whispering a few words in my ear, but I couldn't discern them. Either way, it was all it took to calm me.

"Raven," Claire started. "Have you no heart?" I couldn't help but turn into Claire, burying my face in the base of her neck.

"Look, I told you already," Raven near yells in response, "I don't care what happens to that girl! She is not my concern." Despite the stern tone she took on, I could tell her voice was shaking.

"Have you ever tried to understand her situation?" She asked Raven, running a hand along my back as if to comfort me. I could feel her cold, soft touch through the fabric of my shirt. "She has no one but her mom, Raven. Her dad abuses her." She adds.

Raven didn't respond to that. The room grew deathly silent at that. After a moment, I could hear a whisper of a voice. "Like Aimi." From who, I didn't know.

Claire held me closer, as if to protect me from the outside world. My only comfort.

I closed my eyes as Claire slowly explained to Raven how exactly I became speechless, only knowing what I told her.

And then, there was that silence again.

It seems, I had dozed off.

(Sorry for the late - and certainly rushed - chapter. But it looks like after today, the upload schedule will be quite off)