Page 101 of Wicked

Raven glances over, and our eyes meet and hold.

For some reason, we’ve been doing it more, and I’m embarrassingly new to relationships. My rule has always been: Do. Not. Have. Them.

That was so I can build the company, and it’s my oldest personal rule. My second rule is no sleep overs. My third, no spooning.

As I realize I’m slipping, I tell myself to look into it one day. Meanwhile, I have to prioritize; one thing at a time.

My first priority is round the wagons and save the castle. My second priority is to educate Raven. My third priority is to workout how to stop others claiming her while not letting myself fall for her. Not that I am.

“What are you thinking about?” Raven asks, feeding me an orange slice.

“Nothing,” I lie as I swing us into the driveway. “Mind your business.”

The orange explodes in my mouth, and it feels good to be home, for some reason, with Raven and Tito.

Tito looks at me in the mirror, and there is no way he can know I’m falling. “It’s not happening,” I tell Tito. Tito barks, and I shake my head at the universe.

“What’s not?”

“Change,” I say, driving the Ferrari up to the castle. “Change.”

As we pull up, Raven, Tito and I exit. “You do know the only constant in life is change.”

I don’t like it or the universe. “You should focus more on your studies,” I say coldly.

“Or what?” my playful student says. “I’ll be disciplined?”

We unpack,and it feels a little like high-end camping. That’s because we are holed up in one corner of the castle, and we’re not set up in a normal home or apartment.

Tito explores the castle more, but for some reason, he must like where we’ve based ourselves in the large room over the cliff. I get the feeling he enjoys our company, and it feels good to have him close.

I’ve never owned a pet, and one day I’d like a dog as a companion. Likely because I consider myself a lone wolf. A lone wolf with no one.

After we place our shopping in the main, massive kitchen, we drink expresso coffees.

Even if I want to take Raven now and teach her how to come another way, I have other responsibilities.

After agreeing on the day ahead, I prepare to check things around the property. As I dig deeper into the possible theme park, I make notes on one of the legal pads I keep around my laptop.

As Raven prepares to write fireside, I pause, curious. “So, tell me, what’s it really about?”

I already know her novel’s basic theme, but I’m keen to know more than the concept. I’m becoming more interested in Raven’s mind and not just penetrating the inner spaces of it to send her over the edge. Or her perfect body.

I know she does not write fast, disposable garbage, and I respect her for that.

For someone so young, she has an incredibly sharp mind, and whether I like it or not, she keeps me on my toes.

I’ve dated far too many vacuous pop stars, actresses, and heiresses who seem to only care for material goods, vacations, and social media.

Raven is unique and in a class of her own.

As Raven plays with Tito’s ear, she contemplates her reply. “As I’ve said, it’s about life. But also, synchronicities, coincidences, and energy. At the same time, it’s about several people meeting and, well… living life. Loving. Exploring, and traveling. It’s basically high concept, entertaining, I hope, and a fresh observation of life… I guess.”

I nod deep in thought, and I’m still unsure who the main characters are. I read a chapter, several days ago, and it was surprisingly good.

“Interesting,” I say as I think on. I try to imagine it more fully, when I realize Raven is likely the most cerebral woman I’ve spent any real time with. That I like.

“I’ll let you read it all soon. You can be the first.”

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