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But, instead of seeing the open road before me, I see one of the guards and a girl my age with jet black hair. Charlie, the gate guard, is a big fella and a little intimidating if you don't know him personally.
Side note, if you know him personally, you would know that he owns a teacup-sized dog, loves cooking, and has two daughters who regularly dress him up for tea time. He's also got a son my age, but Carmine doesn't participate in tea time (which is a shame, because I have, and it's a blast).
But, I digress. Seeing him in person for the first time certainly makes people think strongly about turning around. He is holding onto the girl's elbow, and I can see from here that she's distraught. She's rubbing her hands together and keeps looking from side to side, as if she's nervous someone is going to come out of the bushes.
As soon as I get close enough, I can tell who it is.
It's Raven.
Constantino's girlfriend.
I pull up to the scene and slow the car.
"Yo, Charlie boy," I call out to him.
He turns to look at me but doesn't take his hand off the girl.
"What's up, Teddy? You're out early."
"Oh, you know," I shrug. "Too tired to sleep." I nod to Raven. "Everything okay?"
"She said she's looking for Constantino, but I told her that he's out of town at the moment."
Father had taken Consty to some meeting in New York. They'd left together late last night.
I look around but don't see her car.
"Did you walk here?" I ask her.
She looks at me, and I can see from her eyes that she recognizes me. She really does have the prettiest black hair and the most gorgeous hazel eyes. Even from this distance, I can tell that something is wrong. Worry, self-doubt, and something else are swimming in those hazel pools.
She does something between a nod and a shake of her head, which doesn't really answer the question.
I reach over and open the passenger door to my car.
"Come on," I say. "Hop in."
"I can get her a cab back," Charlie says.
Those hazel eyes widen in fear at Charlie's words. Yeah, something is obviously wrong. Maybe Charlie can't see it, but it's as clear as day to me. She doesn't want to go back to where she's just been. The very thought of it is obviously terrifying to her.
"No need," I reply quickly. "Come on," I say, gesturing to Raven.
Charlie lets go of her elbow, and it's when she walks up close to the car that I can see that she isn't even wearing any shoes. Her feet are all dirty and cut up from the pavement. As she climbs into the passenger seat, I take full stock of her.
Messy hair, bloodshot eyes, and dirty clothes are just the start. This Raven is nothing like the prim and perfect straight-A student Raven I see at school.
I wave to Charlie as I pull through the gate and drive off.
She doesn't say anything to me as we drive. She just stares out the window at the fall colors on the trees. I use her distraction as an opportunity to steal glances at her.
Something is seriously wrong, but I know she isn't just going to tell me. Her and I have barely ever interacted. I am just the brother to her borderline abusive boyfriend. As far as she knows, I'm just as bad, possibly worse.
"So, anywhere you're just dying to go?" I pipe up.
She turns to look at me, her eyes wide, as if something I've said is triggering.
I try to give her a reassuring smile.
