Finding Raven

27

Jongin and I have been seeing each other for a few months now, I've been on complete bliss. A great relationship with even better sex. Cloud nine has been my destination. Someone taps on my office door and I look up to see Ten.

Me: Doctor Lee, to what do I owe the pleasure?

He chuckles while walking further in the room.

Ten: Don't be so formal Raven.

He holds up a bag of starbursts making me smile. Every week he buys us our favorite snack, he hasn't skipped a beat yet.

Me: Thank you! I just finished the other bag yesterday.
Ten: I know how tense you all get without your snacks. A lot of paperwork today?

I cringe at the huge stack on my desk.

Me: Yeah, you know people have a ton of questions before they receive treatment. They think I'm going to accidentally snap their neck or something.
Ten: I don't blame them.
Me: Hey!

We both laugh. Someone clears their throat, I look at the doorway and Jongin stands their with a bouquet of flowers.

Me: Baby, hi!

I get up going to give him a hug.

Me: What're you doing here?
Jongin: I wanted to surprise you before heading to the gym. And you are?

Ten raises an eyebrow.

Ten: Doctor Lee, nice to meet you.
Jongin: I'm Raven's boyfriend.

They share the most unfriendliest handshake I've ever seen. Ten's pager goes off and he excuses himself.

Jongin: Do all your male coworkers spend time in your office?

I roll my eyes playfully.

Me: Don't be jealous, Ten is a friend from college.

I place the bouquet on the windowsill next to my desk. The sun reflecting on them makes it a thousand times more beautiful.

Jongin: Right. So do you have any plans this weekend?
Me: Did you forget? We got invited to Santana's barbecue.
Jongin: Oh yeah, did we have to go to that?

I scratch my head.

Me: We've been together for a while, it would be nice if you could meet my friends. They're like a second family.
Jongin: Including your ex-husband?
Me: Do you have a problem with me?

He sighs kissing my forehead.

Jongin: I'm sorry. I didn't get enough sleep last night, but yes I'm looking forward to meeting them all this time.

He squeezes me in a tight hug.

___

Jongin has been acting weird all day but regardless I'm going to try and have a good time at this barbecue. We walk into the backyard and Char instantly greets me.

Me: Char you remember Jongin right?
Char: Yes! It's so nice to see you again.
Jongin: Hey, you too.
Char: Cina is making strawberry daiquiris if you guys want one.

Cina's daiquiris are always way stronger than they should be. Ten percent juice, ninety percent liquor.

"Hey Raven!"

Me: San, hey.
San: How are you?
Me: Good, you?
San: Good. Whose your friend?
Me: He's my boyfriend Jongin.

San's eyes widen. He reaches for Jongin's hand but he refused to shake it.

Jongin: What's up.

Deciding to brush it aside he puts his hand down.

San: How long have you two been together?
Me: A few months now.
San: Oh yeah, you came to the wedding right?
Jongin: Yeah and what a spectacle it was.
San: Thanks, I think?

"Choi bring your ass! I need help with the burgers."

Yuta: Oh, what's up Raven?

He looks Jongin up and down.

Yuta: Who are you?
Jongin: Her boyfriend.
Yuta: Nice to meet you.
San: Don't waste your time he doesn't shake hands.

Oh God.

I had a few daiquiris and shots after that to ease the tension I felt between them. Jongin went off to have a conversation with Wonho while I stayed with Giselle.

Me: It's like they were having a pissing contest.
Giselle: I mean it is understandable, this group can be intimidating to meet.
Me: It's not that. It's just he hates San and I's friendships, he doesn't believe our friendship.
Giselle: Why not?
Me: Who knows. I assured him if I was still in love with San I'd still have him.
Giselle: And Yuta?

I smile.

Me: It took a while but I got over that too. Plus Elena is sweet, how's Val?

She blushes.

Giselle: She's awesome man. I thought after Jandi I'd never find anyone I could truly show my true self too but she makes me feel so accepted.
Me: That's so cute!

Jongin walks over smiling, but I can tell it's fake.

Jongin: Hey Giselle can I borrow Raven for a sec?
Giselle: Yeah!

He pulls me away.

Me: What's wrong?
Jongin: Can we leave?
Me: Sure but why?
Jongin: I just don't feel like being around people right now. My head hurts.
Me: Oh okay. I'm going to go say bye to everyone first.

He kisses my cheek.

I do my rounds but once I get to San he eyes me weirdly.

San: Ray, how much do you know about him?
Me: Uhh I'd say enough, I guess. We're still learning about each other. Why?
San: It's nothing. Just be careful okay?

San is rarely serious so when he is it's kind of concerning.

Me: Okay.

I walk back to Jongin and he hangs up the phone.

Me: Everything okay?
Jongin: Yeah baby.

But it wasn't, it was far from okay.

___