My Fake Boyfriend

Bonus Chapter 19: Glistening Green

He despised himself even now as he drove to her house for the slight jump in his pulse, so subtle that he could blame it on a speed bump. He despised himself for remembering the way she looked when he had first seen her: the light of the moon touching against her obsidian-coloured hair, creating a halo around her or the way green eyes glistened like wet leaves as she cried. But, most of all, he despised himself for wanting to know what she thought of him. This disgusted him most of all.

It had been 7 whole years since the incidence of their first meeting; they were now 24 years old. That was the same amount of years wherein she had been in a relationship with Mason, one of his best friends. A long-term relationship like that, which had sustained over the turbulent test of time, meant only one thing: they loved one another.

The car jerked to a halt then as he stopped right outside her house. He dismissed the inner turmoil with ease then, getting back to reality without another thought. He was smart enough to know that thinking of the dark thoughts would only allow them a ceremonious entrance. He was content with the cards he had been dealt, for life was not always as one intended. It hadn't been since he had lost his mother, but at least he had his father; his friends to fill the gap. Likewise, he was content now, despite the dark thoughts. Life would always oddly find a way to mend itself.

His grey eyes looked back to the right when he heard the sound of footsteps and he automatically unlocked the door, just as it opened, sending a waft of sweet perfume into the car.

"Took you long enough, my stomach is growling like I'm housing a monster inside me." Raven groaned, clamouring in with a huff. Justin only tapped his index finger against the steering wheel, giving her a single side glance.

"It'll only take longer if you don't shut the door." Was his response and it was only then that Raven seemed to notice the door, huffing loudly again as she reached to shut it.

"There, now let's drive." She muttered, pulling her sundress up, so she could put her legs on the seat in a more casual manner. Justin didn't dare look at her legs as she did and nor did he respond. A few moments passed before Raven turned to him with a frown.

"You gonna drive or what?" She asked and Justin shook his head, letting his cool gaze turn to her.

"Seatbelt." He said pointedly and Raven let out a laugh, eyeing him incredulously.

"Come on, Justin, it's literally a 5 minute journey!" She reasoned to which Justin merely sat back in his seat, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm not going to drive until you're a wearing a seatbelt." He finalised dryly, leaving no room for negotiation, particularly when safety was involved. No matter how quick the journey was, no human was safe from the afflictions of tragedy.

There was a small silence as Raven let out another incredulous laugh, looking to see if Justin was serious. Indeed, she finally realised that he wasn't one to make such jokes, so she let out a relenting sigh, reaching for her seatbelt.

"Sorry, for a minute, I forgot your typical stick in the mud nature whenever you talk to anyone." She muttered sourly, her seatbelt shutting in with a small clink. Justin didn't say anything, lips quirking up slightly as he looked to to his side and rear view mirror before pulling out with ease, driving smoothly across the road.

"Well, you're probably not like that with everyone. You probably were sweeter to Savannah when you were with her." Raven teased, elbowing him slightly and Justin merely raised a dark eyebrow, taking a left onto another side road.

"Why would I need to be more sweet with her? There's no point of putting up false pretenses or manners. I spoke to her as I did with everyone else." Justin answered, confused as to why any relationship would warrant a different treatment. Surely, the person he got with had wanted him for how he was, not for something else. He briefly wondered if Raven was different in her relationship; did she treat her partner more sweetly? He thought about it for a moment before he stopped. There was no use in being curious about things that did not concern him.