Raven Saga 01 - Raven

same. It was just a shame I couldn't share the joke with Oliver.
    I opted for Twilight, at least there was a little romance in with the vampires – it seemed more appropriate than the others and at least it had a bit of action for Oliver too.
    He stood up to put the film on and then sat back down so we could finish dinner together. Although the film played on in the background, there was too much to say to each other to really take any notice of it. We had a lifetime of experiences to share with each other. Well, Oliver had a lifetime of experience to tell me about. I, on the other hand, was a little embarrassed that I didn't have an awful lot to tell him about me.
    He told me about his parents' death but that he was too young to really understand what had happened and he admitted to not being able to remember them, sadly. He still liked to look at their photos but the memories just weren't there. “But I still miss them, if that makes sense?” he asked and I nodded with a mouthful of pasta.
    He talked a little about his brother, whom he was clearly incredibly proud of. “To become a vet because of what happened to our parents is just awesome,” he said and to which I wholeheartedly agreed, “and I think it's fantastic that you're going to be working with him,” he added happily.
    I raised my eyebrows and he laughed, “Ben told me when he phoned me earlier... he's really thrilled and wanted to share it with me.”
    “Do you realise that you still haven't told me what you do for a living?” I asked, eager to know everything about him.
    He looked surprised and I felt a momentary stab of guilt for not asking anybody else. Ben could have told me. I felt a bit silly but still, I guess it had just never come up in conversation.
    Oliver explained that when he had left high school he hadn't got a clue what to do with his life. He wasn't like Ben who had known from a young age what he wanted to do.
    “All I did know was that I didn't really want to go to college. I was never very academic; I was more of a hands-on sort of guy. Gabriel had always said I was good with my hands and I ought to do something creative instead, so I ended up working for a construction company where I am currently learning the tricks of the trade. My favourite part of it so far is building log homes like this one. So my long term plan is to start my own wooden home building company,” he said energetically as if it meant the world to him. It was exciting to see him so enthusiastic about his career, especially since he wasn't interested in college like so many other kids these days.
    I told him I was impressed. He was even cuter when he blushed.
    Having grown up in this house and raised by Gabriel since he was just a boy, I wondered why he no longer lived here.
    “There is no real reason except for the fact that I like my independence and so I rent a small lodge on John and Meredith's land. It's like a separate little house, an annexe, I guess,” he answered. “It's a great little place. Great for my life at the moment anyway. Eventually I'd like to build my own place. A log home, of course,” he grinned.
    For some reason his words took me back to earlier in the day when I had accidentally found myself underneath a very heavy log. The memory had an instant effect on my stomach and I felt a strong urge to throw up.
    Oliver immediately stood up and helped me sit upright as I fought the urge.
    “Are you okay? You looked a bit pale for a second there,” he whispered.
    I shook my head and he rushed into the kitchen to get me a glass of cold water. As he returned and stood above me, his movement triggered another memory and I heard that voice again: 'don't worry, Lilly. You're going to be all right. I'll make sure of that' and then I felt as though I was flying.
    Unfortunately, the whole thing caused me to vomit suddenly with little warning.
    Again, Oliver rushed to the kitchen to get some kitchen paper, a bowl and a damp flannel.
    When he returned he handed me a few sheets of the paper for me to clean myself with, he swiftly cleaned up the mess and then sat by my side as he very gently mopped my forehead with the flannel.
    I felt very sorry for myself and stupid at the same time.
    “I'm so sorry Oliver,” I said, feeling like such a child.
    “Don't be silly... it's only natural that this would happen. You had quite a day today. You're on some heavy duty painkillers and here I am keeping you awake and talking when you should be