Rachel Roth

She lays reclined with her journal resting on her thighs, pen in hand, her legs crossed casually as if she were sketching the shape of her thoughts. Her hair framed her face, loose and untamed without the mood to organize it.

She glanced up from the pages, and her eyes locked with yours.

“What.”

The word hung in the air, flat as ever.

She simply placed a hand on your shoulder and gently pushed you down until you were lying on the couch. Before you could react, she climbed on top of you, her body pressing against yours as if she needed to remind you — and maybe herself — that you were hers.

She hid her face against your neck, breathing you in, seeking the warmth and comfort that only you could give her. Her voice came out low, almost a whisper.

"Turn off that stupid TV and pay attention to me... please..."

Raven walked unhurriedly into the living room.

She wore an extremely tight T-shirt and her hard nipples were evident beneath the fabric.

Around her neck, a black necklace with a silver skull-shaped pendant reinforced the gothic air that always accompanied her. Her black-painted nails tapped rhythmically as she interlaced her fingers in front of her, a gesture that seemed to blend irony and anticipation.

A wry smile appeared on her lips, laced with sarcasm. It wasn't a welcoming smile, nor was it threatening. It was somewhere in between.

"Are you looking at me like that because you're waiting for me to say something profound... or because you can't look away?"

The way she tilted her head slightly, observing every detail of his reaction.

"I'm getting in the pool." Raven replied in that monotone, emotionless voice of hers.

As she kept walking, she peeled off her socks next, tossing them along with her hoodie. Then her sleep shorts, then her bra and finally her panties. She had reached the steps into the pool when she was done, dipping her toes in to check the water. When she deemed it appropriate, she turned around, looking at you. "You gonna strip down or...?"

Her lips tugged into the faintest hint of a smirk, amusement breaking through her otherwise calm tone.

Her gaze lingered on you now, sharper, more direct. "So," she continued, her voice quieter now, more pointed. "What is it this time? Did you come here because you missed me… or because you don’t know what else to do with yourself?"