Remembering Me

Chapter 11: My Friend Thinks She's Cupid

The morning went by so fast today. It was almost a blur. I worked diligently on all the projects assigned in my first two classes. Raven and I skipped lunch in the cafeteria to eat outside and plan out what research we were still required to finish at the library after school. Willow joined us so that she could finish reading The Giver in peace under the tree while we worked quietly to avoid disturbing her. By the time our lunch period ended, Raven and I had a solid outline of what still needed to be completed, and Willow was ready to start the rough draft of her essay. Willow agreed to meet us at the library to work on that while Raven and I finished our geography project. After working in the library, we'd planned to stop by the local Café, The Meeting Grounds, to grab some caffeine and a yummy treat together. I'd promised my mom I'd be home early enough to do the laundry I needed and finish my assigned readings for Drama and the accompanying journal entry required as part of our assignment. This would be due on Monday, and I wanted to promise my parents that my chores and schoolwork would be finished before I left to go to Raven's.

Working with Vince, Tristan, and Claire was fantastic! Not only did we finish the assignment today, but Claire went over everything carefully to ensure all of our efforts were reflected and adhered to the success criteria provided by the teacher. Only when she was satisfied was it turned in. I laughed that girl was nerd-fierce, even more so than I was. Claire was a fantastic group leader. She tamed Tristan's mischievous spirit, got Vince to proofread everything (the dude had a bad boy vibe going, but he was crazy smart), and got me more out of my shell by giving thoughtful suggestions about what to include in our community garden design after hearing about the little herb garden my dad and I tended at our home.

The drama was tons of fun again with Jason & Emily. We worked in a small group, with a few other classmates joining us this time to engage in role-playing activities. Thoughts of River never came to mind; I was so focused on my group work. Emily noticed my bracelet when we watched the other group members do their version of the role-play we had just finished.

"Sage, that bracelet is breathtaking!" she whispered.

"It is, isn't it?" I smiled. "It's an early birthday gift from my parents. And they finally got me a cell phone, too!" I gushed, smiling brightly.

"No way! Gimme!" she shouted, earning a glare from our teacher, who quickly wrote something on her clipboard before moving on to the next group to observe.

"Emily!" I groaned.

Emily looked sheepishly at me and apologized. "I'm sorry, Sage," she whispered. It's just that your strict parents said yes to a bonfire, staying over at a new friend's house, and you got a cell phone in the same week!"

Emily looked at me with puppy dog eyes, and I laughed, which earned me another glare from the teacher and a note on her clipboard. I sank slowly down into my seat, bright red with embarrassment.

"Sorry?" she croaked, and I nodded, not trusting myself to look up and start laughing again.

The class finished, and I gathered my things to wait for Raven and Willow to meet me after their class. I saw both girls come in and walk over to River. Raven dug in her bag to give her twin brother a set of keys, and they had a quick conversation. For the first time all day, River looked in my direction with his trademark smirk. My heart melted instantly, and I felt myself blush furiously. "Damn hormones," I muttered, earning a loud cackle from Emily, who I'd forgotten was still standing near me. Oh, gawd.

"Don't worry about it, babe," Emily whispered, giggling in my ear. "He is a FINE-looking boy, but he's a player, so listen to Jason, OK? We care about you and don't want to see you get hurt," she said.

Jason looked at me and nodded solemnly. "Trust us, sweetie, he's a good idea now, but that's it. Let me ask Raven if I can bring a few friends from the football team to the bonfire. Maybe we can give you a much-needed distraction there, tiger," he said.

I looked again in River's direction; thankfully, he had already left. Willow and Raven walked up to Jason, Emily, and I smiling.

"Ready to go, Sage?" Willow asked.

"Wait a sec, Wilz, I've got to ask Raven something," Jason said.

"What's up, buttercup?" Raven sang.

"Would your mom be OK with a few more people at the bonfire? I was thinking of asking a few of the guys from the football team to come with Emily & me. Maybe bring 3 of them for you, Wilz, and Sage to meet?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"No problem, Jason, bring them with you and Em. But, you've got to bring them home. Mom says everyone has to clear out by midnight at the latest," Raven said.

Emily rubbed her hands together in glee. "Let the matchmaking begin!!!" she rang out joyfully.

"Oh, no....." Raven, Willow, and I said simultaneously, causing everyone to laugh in our small group.

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Raven's Point of View…

Drama class always ran late, so Willow and I walked to room 333 to meet Sage. I had to give River the keys to the car anyway so he could get home. The vehicle belonged to both of us, and we took turns driving it to school each morning. I walked up to him and dug in my bag to give him the keys. I went this morning.

"I'm staying with Willow and Sage after school to work at the library. We're also going to The Meeting Grounds, so I'll be home later. Wilz is going to drive me home," I said to River.

He looked over at Sage and smirked. She blushed furiously and muttered something to herself.

I gave River a stern look and reminded him of his promise. He shrugged and sauntered off to meet up with his friends. He had better keep his promise, or I will be seriously pissed at him. The more I got to know Sage, the more I liked her. I wasn't going to let my brother break her heart. Maybe I needed to warn her myself about him.