The Quiet Beginning
Original Story:
- A Hidden Spark / A Summer Romance: Raven and Yasmin’s Journey
Chapter 1:
2014
Blackpool, England
The July was practically humming with restless energy – for many, the season brought excitement and impatience; the schools were now only a week away from the summer term which carried the promise of freedom.
Even the air had felt different; warm and heavy, the scent of seawater drifting across the promenade.
Raven felt this same energy too, but for her; she did not feel the same as everyone else – while most of her fellow classmates buzzed about their plans, ranging from holidays abroad,, to trips to the beach – perhaps even the unsupervised ‘party’ at a local park or at a field, or even simply late night wanderings; Raven was distant, her mind was on none of that.
As she walked; she felt the gentle bounce of her raven-dark hair as it tapped at her shoulder from its usual position; her typical side-ways ponytail; walking beside her was Yasmin, they’d spent a considerable amount of time walking, since leaving the school grounds; her steps matched naturally in falling rhythm, internally Raven was a tangle of thoughts – thoughts she couldn’t name, her silvery-grey eyes staring at the ground, she didn’t realise it, but Yasmin had been subtly redirecting her movement whenever she was near to bumping into things, often using her taller frame to keep track of Raven’s smaller stature.
Despite the attention split between their walk and redirecting of Raven’s movement; Yasmin was entirely at ease, her lips gently curved in a usual warming smile – her dark hair was tied back with a few strands escaping to frame her face, her blue eyes sparkling with the usual mischief, subtle green flecks shining against the warm sun.
Moving behind, she gently put her arms around her shoulders to redirect Raven again to skirt around a group of students from a different school coming their way, the new position and embrace brought Raven’s attention back to reality “So you are still alive in there then?” she teased “You’ve been starin’ off into space since we left the school; is it end-of-term jitters or something?”
Raven blinked, turning her head a little to look back to Yasmin, her cheeks warming “I…, I was just…thinking”
“Dangerous habit that” Yasmin smirked
Cutting through Stanley Park as the sun beat down across the large central pond – the water shimmering like glass, families wandering the paths with kids shrieking from the playground and a very noticeable queue stretching from the café to the hallway point towards the mini-golf course, the afternoon had begun to feel too bright, too loud – at least, that for Raven that how it was until she looked at Yasmin.
When Raven looked to Yasmin, everything seemed to soften.
As they made a brief stop, they made a purchase of a single ice-cream to share, it was something that was simply common for them since they were little, and they began to wander beneath the tree’s, weaving between the patches of shade; purposely walking close together, their arms brushing which would send a flutter through Raven’s stomach.
Yasmin hadn’t seemed to notice…, and if she did, she didn’t mind; Raven was not sure which possibility terrified her most.
“So…” Yasmin said as she licked a drip of ice cream from her thumb “What’s tha’ plan for summer then?, You, Me and Lauren?, joining everyone else on the beach, or maybe late-night walks…, or, if ya want, we could go to sneak into the arcade after ‘ours?”
Raven offered a rather fragile smile and slow nod “Yeah…, that sounds nice…”
Deliberately slowing her pace, Yasmin studied Raven carefully “You’re quieter than usual today”
“I’m fine” Raven lied, her voice barely above that of a whispers – Yasmin though, she didn’t push, she never did, simply offered a soft smile, if Raven wanted to speak, Yasmin knew she would when she was ready
Still, she stepped closer, shoulder brushing together, a silent reassurance that simply said to Raven ‘I am here, and I will wait until your ready’
Eventually finding their usual spot beneath an old oak tree; the subtle carved markings from previous years; a mark that each represented something important, they simply settled together, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and the warmth of the summer air; as Yasmin leaned backwards, Raven couldn’t help but watch her; watching at the little laugh Yasmin made at something in the distance – she really paid attention though, something tightening inside her.
She’d been noticing it more and more, she would spot the way Yasmin’s eyes would light up with excitement, the way her voice always softened when they spoke, how Yasmin would position herself between her and anything that could hurt her, tracing her memory back for a brief moment to the day at the canteen when Yasmin from Daniels advance and even then, she didn’t immediately let go until they had to move.
It all felt overwhelming, terrifying – but there was something else.
Noticing Raven staring, Yasmin gently nudged her knee “You’re doing it again” she said softly, a melodic sound to her voice
There was a slight widening of her eyes before blinking “Doing what?”
“Thinking too hard” Yasmin grinned
Raven swallowed, her heart thudding against her chest “I am…, just a bit distracted”
Yasmin gave a slow tilt of her head, her expression softening “You can talk to me, you know that right?”
Raven gave a nod; but her words caught – Not yet, not here; but soon – Yasmin didn’t press, she offered another warm smile before leaning backwards again, her face turned upwards towards the sun, though she could sense the stirring bubbling beneath the surface, she had known Raven too long not to see it, the way Raven’s eyes continued to lock onto her and really watch; she sensed the shift.
Chapter 2:
As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in streaks of fiery orange, the heat continued to linger; warm and heavy – at the Wright’s household, the back garden now glowed within the last light of the early evening, flowers gently swaying, muted colours against the dusk with the distant hum of the traffic on the occasional ‘buzz’ of bee’s.
Raven and Yasmin found themselves laying sprawled across a large towel on the grass – purposely having wandered from Stanley Park; they hadn’t really thought about it, but now as the world was beginning to quieten around them, there was a subtle shift – charged, expectant.
Raven had been resting her head against Yasmin’s arm, staring upwards at the fiery sky; her mind wandering back to their childhood; her fingers played absently with the loose string from her top, she felt her heart beginning to thump against her ribs again, the same fluttering panic she’d been experiencing not just that afternoon, but whenever she had physical contact with Yasmin, but she didn’t move, if anything; she tried to move closer – Yasmin had been paying attention to everything.
Feeling the subtle movement, Yasmin’s lips tugged up, moving her right arm across, she gently traced Raven’s hair a moment “You okay there?” she asked softly
With a slow nod, Raven twisted a little, her gaze finding Yasmin’s face “Yeah…, I just…”
Yasmin gently traced her finger along Raven’s face, her expression gentle “Raven you’ve been very distant all day…, like you’ve been somewhere else entirely; talk to me”
Raven swallowed hard, moving her hand to twist strands of hair around her finger; a nervous habit that Yasmin had seen previously over the years; the weight in Raven’s chest felt as though it was getting heavier, taking a breath in “Yasmin….” She hesitated, her voice was a little above a whisper “Have you ever thought about how things are…, between us…?”
Yasmin’s eyes widened barely a fraction, it wasn’t from shock, but recognition – her expression softening into something warm, a look Raven had never quite understood until now.
“I have” Yasmin said slowly…, carefully but warm
“As friends…, or…, maybe something…” Raven hesitated, blinking once…, twice , she struggled to find the words
“As more than friends” Yasmin said – Raven’s eyes seemed to widen, she wasn’t sure if Yasmin was finishing her sentence, or if admitting; it made her breath catch
Raven gave a slow nod – her cheeks were burning “I…, I just feel like there is something more…, something I can’t push back, or hide anymore; but I don’t want to ruin what we have…”
For a moment Yasmin said nothing; she just looked at Raven – really looked, Raven felt her stomach twisting; terrified she had said too much, then Yasmin’s lips tugged up; small, trembling but a relieved smile “I’ve felt that too Raven” she admitted; her voice soft “For a long time.., I just didn’t want to push you…, I didn’t want to scare you away”
Raven kept her eyes locked on Yasmin’s; her expression softening “You have?” she felt her voice tremble
Yasmin gave a slow nod; her fringe gently swaying as the wind seemed to change – to pick up, she kept her eyes locked on Raven, even when she felt a sudden droplet hit her face, it was a small shock, but not enough to bring her attention away from Raven; she gave a slow nod, gently shifting she deliberately eased Raven closer “Yeah” she gave a slow nod “I have been waiting for you to figure out what you wanted, I knew you’d get there in your own time”
Raven’s vision went a little blurry; the air seemingly shifting – she could feel her chest tighten; not from fear, but something warm, something bright, her eyes were beginning to sting “What…, what do we do?” she whispered “Do we…, try?, just to see where it goes?”
Yasmin maintained her warm smile – lighting her whole face; she felt the falling of light drops against her face again, but still kept her eyes on Raven, the subtle tears shimmering at Raven’s eyes “I’d like that; more than anything”
While the world around them remained warm – the light falling of rain began as if to match the struggle of relief Raven felt; the efforts she made to stop the tears falling as she sniffled before quickly wiping her face.
Repositioning themselves, Raven hesitated a heartbeat of a moment before leaning towards Yasmin – Yasmin meeting her halfway; their forehead touching, a gentle press, a shared breath; Raven felt her body fall in place – almost like an instinct as they closed the small distance slowly – the kiss between them was soft; tentative and warm.
When they gently pulled apart, Raven felt lighter than she had in months she felt a hiccup jerk her suddenly as she felt her lips tug wide into a smile – Yasmin letting out an amused giggle causing Raven to giggle in turn – Yasmin rested her hand over Raven’s, offering a gentle squeeze.
“No matter what happens next” Yasmin murmured softly “I’m here and we’ll figure this out together”
Raven smiled; a real, unguarded smile as she purposely leaned into her; for the first time she didn’t feel frightened.
From the kitchen window; Jenna had observed the moment alongside her eldest; Eliza, she was a little surprised, but said nothing, simply smiled before exchanging a look with her eldest; the two smiling knowingly.
Chapter 3:
For the weekend –Raven realising that Yasmin had always treated in in some way or another like a partner before the Friday evening discussion, now, it came in equal and tender exploration from shared glances and laughter that simply felt richer than before, feeling joy while spending a night beneath stars speaking about everything and nothing – the thrill that came from holding hands.
But, every budding romance eventually faces challenges.
The last week of the school term should have felt light – it should have been buzzing with the anticipation of the end; the breakup for summer, instead; it seemed as though tension had grown thick for Raven; heavy that it felt suffocating.
The moment she and Yasmin had stepped in through the doors she felt the shift – the glances and heard the subtle whispers, it hadn’t taken long at all for the rumours to already spread.
They’d been seen over the weekend – the closeness, the picture of a new couple, someone else had seen them in the garden, and someone else had ‘heard things’ and by that Monday morning, everything had been twisted into something sharp and ugly.
Raven felt it all before she heard any of it – the way conversations dipped whenever she passed on her way to class; the way eyes sometimes lingered too long when she walked through the corridors; her stomach tightened, her palms felt sweaty, she purposely started waiting for Yasmin to walk with her rather than meet outside of the next class, but even then the prickle of unease crawled up her spine.
The usual circle of friends also noticed; Lauran would catch them outside of the English class alongside Jamie; her fiery red hair pulled up, her expression tight with concern “What’s goin’ on ‘ere?” she asked; her eyes flicking between them
Yasmin gave a shrug “People bein’ gobshites that’s what”
Jamie raised an eyebrow, looking at Lauren – Lauren blinked a moment before tilting her head “About what?” she asked, her eyes flicking from Yasmin to Raven – Raven didn’t answer; she couldn’t, her throat felt too tight
“About us” Yasmin gently pulled Raven to her; her arms wrapping around her softly – Raven’s body relaxing within the embrace, but she still kept her eyes low
Lauren’s expression softened “Bloody ‘ell, people are right shits at times” she looked at Raven carefully “Don’t you think on it Raven; people will talk, they always do, it don’t mean shit” Raven brought her gaze up a moment to meet Lauren’s eyes – her eyes a little wider than usual, slowly, she gave a nod in response
Initially that would serve to ease Raven’s nerves and tension, her focus remaining fixed entirely on her relationship with Yasmin, by mid-week though, new rumours had been spread, but these rumours came specifically from one who had once made them a trio until recently, Daniel.
During the Wednesday lunch things escalated; as the dining hall buzzed with the typical chaotic energy; the sounds of clattering trays, scraping chairs and the shouting of students; Raven sat beside Yasmin simply picking at her food, she paid little attention to the conversation, her focus was the morning fight that Yasmin had gotten into defending her from a derogatory comment.
Yasmin was well aware of Raven’s typical aversion for confrontation, and she knew it unsettled her that fighting was happening over their relationship; but she was going to defend Raven regardless.
Lauren also noticed; worry present in her expression as she leaned forwards “Raven; you’ve been quiet all day”
Raven brought her gaze up and forced a smile “I’m just a bit tired today…”
Lauren gave a frown in response; she saw through the lie easily, though Daniel’s arrival interrupted any push.
As Daniel swaggered over, planting himself down with the usual arrogant confidence he always carried, he gave a wide grin; there was something dark present; jealousy, a sense of entitlement “Aight there” he leaned a little too close to Raven causing her to shift back instinctively towards Yasmin “Lot a rumours goin’ round about you two”
“Yeah; you started some” Yasmin narrowed her eyes, her left arm positioning around Raven’s waist tugging her closer “Piss of Danny”
Daniel ignored her; his eyes fixed on Raven “Shame.., I thought we could ‘ave had somethin’, guess not, guess you ain’t normal then”
Raven’s eyes narrowed a moment – though her breath caught, but she didn’t move from the safety of Yasmin’s hold; Lauren’s chair then scraped back as she stood up; her hands hitting the table “Back off!” Lauren snapped, it wasn’t loud, but it was sharp enough that it cut through the noise
Jamie watched carefully, he was ready to add if needed, but for now; he simply observed, his gaze fixed on Daniel, his eyes narrowed as he watched – Danie’s eyes drifted to Lauren “What; are you now her bodyguard an’all now?”
“Gladly lad” she snapped “Get up and piss off, you weren’t invited to join us, we didn’t call you over, piss off”
Yasmin purposely twisted, so her body fully faced Raven, purposely bringing her closer to the edge of the seat Raven was sat on and nearer to her own; her arm still firmly around her waist.
“You heard Danny; girls want ya to piss off” Jamie finally chimed drawing eyes towards him, despite the tension at that table, he couldn’t have looked anymore calm if he had tried; leaning against his chair, one foot propped against the table leg, while the other was stretched beneath the table, his arms crossed over his chest “Hop it”
Daniel looked at Jamie carefully, his brow raised – then, his eyes met with Yasmin’s; he could see the simmering rage in her expression, and he knew from experience she was more than willing to get into a fight, but to add a more than just Yasmin, he wasn’t willing to risk a full confrontation, he simply raised his hands and backed off, sliding the chair backwards with a scrape before walking away
As Lauren sat back down, she looked at Raven; watching her carefully “I’m getting you hurt” Raven whispered, her head low
Yasmin recognised the tone, she knew Raven’s sensitive nature; gently pulling Raven from her seat and into her lap, she held her by the waist, leaning her chin against Raven’s shoulder “Raven, it isn’t your fault, I am getting into fights because people can’t keep their gobs shut, or their noses from our business, it ain’t you that’s the problem, too often people just want to ruin things for others because they have shitty lives themselves and want to feel better-than-thou” she smiled “It isn’t you”
Raven looked at her carefully, slowly nodding, gently leaning her forehead towards Yasmin’s; though her cheeks began to feel rather warm realising that they were in full view of a dining hall full of students – Yasmin, she simply grinned at her.
Chapter 4:
During the later evening, the weather had begun to shift – rain now clattering against the window of the Wright household, the afternoon warmth settling into a cool evening air; Raven sat curled up on the couch, her chin resting against her arms as she stared towards the television, normally her preferred programs would be soothing – cartoons from the 1980’s particularly kept her distracted, that evening though, even a cartoon dog couldn’t reach her – her thoughts were still looping heavily about what had happened at school.
Her gaze was fixed forwards – staring right through the screen, she barely even registered the knock at the door until Jenna called from the kitchen “Raven love; can you get that for me please?”
Blinking, she lifted her head and looked towards the doorway and called back “Okay”, rising to her feet she slipped from the couch and into the corridor glancing to her left in the direction of the kitchen, spotting her mum currently struggling with various boxes; then made for the front door to her right, pulling the door to reveal Yasmin.
Yasmin stood there, damp from the rain, her hair clinging to her cheeks, her brought blue eyes searching “Hi” she said softly
Raven immediately moved “Come in, you’re soaked”
Hearing the words ‘soaked’; Jenna seemed to just suddenly appear with a towel just as the front door closed behind Yasmin – a towel being held directly in front of her “Here you are sweetheart; go get yourself dry”
“Thanks” Yasmin smiled; her eyes flicking briefly to Jenna before fixing firmly back onto Raven
Jenna gave a knowing smile before quietly withdrawing leaving the two as she disappeared back into the kitchen; Raven and Yasmin “You didn’t need to come all this way in the rain”
“I know” Yasmin said stepping closer “But I wanted too” there was no tension, no worry – just that steady warmth that Raven had come to rely on
Raven smiled shyly and gestured “Do…, do you want to sit down?”
Yasmin gave a slow nod, following Raven to the living room, purposely putting her jacket onto the hallway hook they pass by; when they sat down, they sat close, adopting the usual sitting position they’d always had, Raven gently leaning back into Yasmin’s embrace, despite the partial damp of Yasmin’s top, she comfortably settled against her.
For a long moment neither of them spoke; they simply watched the television, gently though, Yasmin brought her hand upwards, brushing Raven’s hair back behind her ear “You okay?” she murmured softly
Raven’s lips tugged as she instinctively moved closer, her hands gently raising to hold onto Yasmin’s as she settled fully into the embrace “I am now”
Yasmin smiled – soft, relieved and familiar as she rested her chin against the top of Raven’s head; the rain softening outside turning into a gentle drizzle; Raven’s eyes closed “I like this” she whispered “Just being with you”
Yasmin tilted her head a little; her lips pressing against the top of Raven’s head; a light, sift kiss before lifting her face a little “Me too” she added in a whisper – they stayed like that, quiet, warm and wrapped within an embrace while the outside world faded into the soft clatter of rain against glass.
From the doorway, Eliza rested sideways against the doorframe – she had purposely paused upon spotting them, watching them with a small, proud smile – after a moment she stepped back, giving them privacy, she knew that Raven was no longer confused, no longer overwhelmed – she was exactly what she wanted to be
Written By: Westley H.
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