Even though I haven't talked to mom about it, I still feel the urge to at least say thank you to Raphael. I wouldn't have expected him to react that way, but I'm honestly thankful. It's not something done easily, to stand up to people for something one believes in is hard, despite most people thinking it's the easiest thing in the world.
I can't really wrap my head around it though. He doesn't like me, nor does he know my mother, so I can't see a reason for him to do what he did.
He seemed so angry, so personally hurt, when we're nothing to him.
Maybe exactly that is the reason I'm now looking for him. Secretly, I want to ask him for his reason, but I probably won't. He rarely seems in the mood to talk to me, let alone talk to me about feelings.
For most of the day, I don't really see him and when it gets to lunch break after my last lecture, I actually decide to go look for him.
My mate arranged another date with the both of us for tonight and I want to get this out of the way beforehand.
I run around the whole university, trying to find him, but because the building is so large, I'm having a hard time.
Funnily enough, when I do find him it's in the cafeteria and I immediately wanna hit myself for not thinking about that sooner.
He sits with a few people, but strangely, it's almost as if he's not part of the group. It's not because they don't include him, but rather it seems as if he's deliberately distancing himself.
I blink a few times until someone tells me I'm in the way in a rather annoyed tone, so I quickly apologise and move out of the way and towards Raphael's table.
'Hey.' I say once I stand next to his seat.
He doesn't turn around or react at all, but the rest of the table does in his stead. They all look at me questioningly, as if not quite understanding what business I have here.
'Hey.' I repeat, moving to the side a bit for Raphael to notice I'm here.
But again, he just sits there, not reacting at all.
I frown. I don't necessarily want to touch him as it can be quite aggravating for a werewolf to be touched without warning, so I wave a hand in front of his face. Again, no reaction.
'Hey!' I almost shout this time, but that doesn't achieve anything either. So he's deliberately ignoring me.
'Dude, I think the newbie wants to talk to you.' someone whispers to Raphael. I almost laugh at the fact that he calls me a newbie. Almost as if we're back in high school. But then again, it didn't sound like an insult, but more like him not knowing what else to call me.
"Donovan. It's Donovan.. And I'd appreciate it if you could look at me while I talk to you." I say, the second part obviously aimed at Raphael.
When another girl jabs him in the ribs with her elbow, he finally sighs and stands up.
Without a word, he grabs my arm and pulls me out of the large room. I hear whispers as we walk past several tables, but I'm too surprised to even pay proper attention.
Raphael finally lets me go once we're a good ways from the cafeteria. He stares at me for a second and then just turns around and walks off.
I contemplate following him, but if he's that eager to not talk to me, I can live with that.
'Thanks for yesterday!' I call after him, wanting to at least let him know why I went up to him.
His step doesn't even falter as keeps walking as if I haven't said anything at all.
At least we're over the stage where we kill each other in our heads in a million different ways every time we meet.
I head home after that awkward encounter, hoping that this date will go down better than the previous one. There's not much I can do about me and Raphael not getting along, but I hope we can at least behave for my mate.
It's only a few hours after getting home that I head out again. I took a quick shower and got into fresh clothes, which is really all I went home for anyway.
I'm back at the university now. My mate decided to meed here since Raphael has a lecture until quite late and she'll be at work until about the same time.
When I arrive, there's no one there.
I find myself a nice spot in the grass and lie down, closing my eyes. I'm way too early anyway and my mate will wake me once she's here, so I don't worry.
Even though I kind of want to, I don't manage to fall asleep or even doze off, so I notice when there's a shadow over me. I don't open my eyes though. They'll probably walk by.
But when I can still feel someone standing there, I decide to 'wake up'. So I yawn, stretch my arms and then slowly open my eyes. Only when I do, there's no one here.
I shrug and stand up, patting my trousers to get the grass to fall off. There probably won't be much time left until Raphael and my mate arrive, so now is as good as any time to head back over to the gate.
Raphael is leaning against it when I get there and I don't hesitate to walk up to him. Today, my goal is to be civil with him, if only to make my mate happy.
I don't say anything as I lean right next to him, quite close but not yet touching. I kind of want to see how far he's willing to let me go and how close he can stand to be with me, considering we're gonna spend this evening together and probably both don't want a repeat of last time.
He doesn't greet me, but the silence is, even though not exactly comfortable, definitely not heavy or awkward.
'Hi guys!' I suddenly hear a chirpy voice, 'Sorry I'm so late. We had a sort of emergency.'
My mate stops the car a few feet away from us, considering we're literally standing right by the gates, then jumps out to give each of us a quick hug. I notice she doesn't kiss Raphael, which makes me inwardly smile a little. At least she's not giving him preferential treatment.
'Let's go. Otherwise we'll miss our movie later on.' she said and shoos us towards her car. She seems to be in a good mood today.
She gets in first, in the driver's seat as she insisted on driving this time, and both Raphael and me take longer to get there.
'You're welcome,' I suddenly hear Raphael say before he gets in.
I stand there for a second, not really fully comprehending what just happened, before I finally do get in. My eyes immediately wander to Raphael, but he doesn't show any sign of having said anything at all. Instead he looks outside gloomily.
I smile a bit at that. He seems to have that permanent scowl in his face.
We head to dinner first, to another Italian restaurant, since my mate claims one can never go wrong with Italian.
We each have a pizza and I have to admit I had a laugh bubble up from time to time. It's not exactly what I would describe as a good time, but it's a definite improvement over last time.
None of us gets dessert, since we all decide to get something at the cinema.
We head over there on foot, since it's quite close, my mate between Raphael and me.
When we reach the cinema, we stand in the lobby, staring at the screen that tells us what movies are one. My mate has the choice tonight, so she's standing there with her hands at her hips, looking unbelievably cute.
'Oh my god. She's got both of them. How lame is that?' I hear behind me.
When I turn around, I recognise only one of the 6 people. He was sitting at Raphael's table today.
'Haven't they been together for like, years? Now he's got to share her, huh? Pathetic.' said guy spits. The others laugh and it reminds me of yesterday, when these people were talking about my mom. Only yesterday I didn't know them. Today, I know at least one of them and it makes it so much worse.
Anger bubbles in my stomach as I take a step forward, trying desperately to hold myself back.
'Slut!'
The moment I hear it, I see red. I charge towards them, fist raised and before my brain can even catch up, I already hit one of them.
When two go down, I momentarily shift my focus to see Raphael next to me, just as angry, shaking his fist.
I almost grin at that.
'Repeat that.' I dare them, looking each of them straight in the eyes. When they don't say anything, Raphael growls, making them whimper.
Honestly, they are pathetic. All of them are looking at us in fear, but I guess we are no joke. In situations like this, you can recognise a werewolf instantly at the aura that seems to surround them. It's almost like a warning humans can pick up on.
Right now, they are in front of two such werewolves.
They still don't say anything, they don't even move, but that might be the smarter choice in this situation.
'Stop it you big apes!' The voice was calm and beautiful and before either of us can react, my mate grabs our arms and pulls us away from the scene and outside.
'Let's go home, okay?' she gentle suggests and heads towards where we left the car.
Raphael and I share a quick glance, then follow her.
We stop when she suddenly does. In one swing, she turns around and hugs both of us at the same time in an obvious thank you.
I relax in her hold and realise that my shoulder is touching Raphael's and neither of us is doing anything to break contact. This must mean we're making progress.
Somehow, on the whole way home, I can honestly say I'm happy. My mate looked like she had fun today even though we didn't get to see the film and I'm proud that Raphael and I get along reasonably well now.
Even that quick glance earlier wasn't awkward at all.
I feel as if, for once, this might not turn out as bad as all of us imagine.