Read Online Raven Saga 01 - Raven by Suzy Turner - Free Book Online Page B

doing here?” I asked, hoping that I could make a better impression this time.
    “Well... I was kind of in the area and thought I'd pop by and say hello... so hello,” he laughed as he fidgeted with a pair of gloves in his hands.
    “He..llo.” God I felt stupid. Why couldn't I utter more than a few syllables to this boy?
    He stood and looked around awkwardly.
    “Er... why don't you sit down.” He sat.
    And then silence again.
    “Can I get you a drink?” I asked.
    “Sure. A Coke would be great. Thanks.”
    I rushed into the kitchen, via my bedroom where I brushed my hair and put on a little lip gloss (another gift donated by Jo), picked up two cans of coke and walked back into the living room. He stood as I entered the room and sat when I sat.
    “So... Lilly. How are you settling in?”
    “Okay I guess. Pretty well under the circumstances,” I said without even thinking.
    “I'm so sorry about your parents.”
    “I'm sorry about yours too.”
    “Kindred spirits,” he said.
    “Sorry?”
    “I guess we're like kindred spirits. You and me,” he said with a sad smile.
    I warmed to him even more than before and all I could think was that I just wanted to know everything about him.
    “I'm sorry about the other day at your party. I didn't mean to be rude.”
    “I didn't think you were rude at all. I thought you were... kind of cute, actually. Okay maybe a bit weird too,” he laughed.
    He thought I was cute!
    “I was disappointed that you left so abruptly though. It would have been a great party... if you'd stayed.”
    “Sorry,” I managed to mumble.
    “That's okay. I understand that being thrown into a party after everything you've been through was probably a little tough. All those people and stuff. I was very tempted to come after you but I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable.”
    “Are you always this quiet?” he asked as he turned to look me in the eyes.
    I looked at him and shook my head, “No... not really. It must just be you.”
    “Oh.” He looked disappointed.
    “No... I don't mean that in a bad sense. I mean, it's like at the party. I just couldn't talk. I wanted to say so many things. I just couldn't. And now, I don't know where to start.”
    “So it's not because you don't like me, then,” he asked, smiling.
    “Oh no! Absolutely not. You're great. I guess I just get a little shy around you.”
    He laughed.
    “Why don't we start like this: I'll ask you some questions about yourself and you answer?”
    I agreed. “So, do you miss England?”
    “That's a difficult one because if I say no, that's almost like saying I don't miss my parents. But I honestly really don't miss England. I never felt particularly alive there, if you know what I mean. Here it's so different. I feel like I belong here. I never felt that over there.”
    “I don't think it means you don't miss your parents. Of course you miss them. I still miss mine and they died a long time ago.”
    I smiled sadly, “Ask me another.”
    After a few moments he asked, “What do you think of the Canadian hospitality?”
    I laughed, “That's a funny question! But now that you ask, I never realised people could be so nice. I haven't met a single person here who has been unfriendly or rude. Everyone I've met – even just briefly – has been wonderful. That's probably another reason why I'm falling for Canada.”
    He smiled again and was silent for a few moments while he came up with another question.
    “How are you enjoying school here?”
    “Honestly? I love it. I always liked school because it was so good to get out of our flat... I mean apartment. I didn't feel as restricted there, and here... well it's a whole new ball game. For the first time in my life, I have more than one friend at school. Respect from everybody, if you know what I mean,” I said as I looked at Oliver's confused expression.
    “You don't really understand what I'm talking about, do you?” He shook his head.
    “Let's just say I lived a very lonely life