Austin’s POV

I was lying in bed, restless and unable to sleep. Echo rolled over with a snore next to me. I scratched behind her ears and stared at the clock. It was one in the morning. There was only one thing keeping me awake at night and man did it have the most beautiful smile.

Oh yes, that was Raven Skarsson.

It was hard to lay in bed and drift off into a land with dreams and beautiful pictures when I had a wonderful reality. This girl-ugh! I couldn’t get her off of my mind. She was beautiful, shy, and so adorable. R always said the nicest things and was always so caring. Her grin was dazzling and I always had to do a double take.

But the way she was so independent! Raven almost never asked for help and always strived to be the best. That girl almost never took no for an answer. Besides that fact, the new addition was determined to not be known as the “newbie” and didn’t want to be the weakest link on the chain. Oh, she never wanted to be the one that everyone gawked at because she was so different. She wanted to be admired and dove head first for her dreams of making it on stage.

I was just glad we got to help her there.

Oh man, now I felt like a love sick puppy! Echo must’ve agreed in her dreams because she rolled over and her tail twitched. I peeked at the clock again. Only two minutes had passed by. My mind wandered through the memories of the road trip.

Back at Lake Powell in that Canyon, I remember finding her out in the middle of the lake. I had seen her swim further out and so I waited a little for her to come back. I remember swimming out to see if she was okay. Raven told us she was a strong swimmer and no need to worry about her, but this moment gave me an excuse to talk to her. When I came closer and she looked like she was struggling to stay afloat, R-Girl refused any offers of help I gave her. She was determined to not look weak. But man did my heart race when I finally towed her back to the boat. She trembled and shook like a leaf in the wind. Oh and how I loved to brush out her hair and she nearly fell asleep sitting up. Well, now I knew her weakness!

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Of course, it had to be from Alan Ashby. He was the only one who would text me at night. I flopped around in bed again in an attempt to get more comfortable as I picked up my phone. I pressed the touch screen and the phone lit up.

It wasn’t a text from Alan, but rather, Raven.

Raven: I can hear you downstairs. What are you doing, having a pillow fight with Echo?? XD

I giggled a little at that and went completely still. I had almost completely forgotten that Raven was in the room right over my head!

Me: I couldn’t sleep! Why are you still awake?

Raven: Because it sounds like someone is moshing downstairs.

Me: Sorry! I didn’t realize I was that loud. >->

Raven: So are you, or are you not, having a pillow fight downstairs?

I laughed a little and poked Echo in the side. No, she wasn’t up for a pillow fight right now. The darkness was all encompassing in the bed as I forced my mind to calm down.

“Echoooo, Echoooo….” I whispered to my dog, who was softly snoring. She didn’t even flinch. My phone lit up again as the girl sent a message.

Raven: If you’re not having a pillow fight, I’m stealing Echo.

Me: Hey! She’s fast asleep anyways. Echo won’t hear you.

I laughed at the thought of Raven trying to get Echo to wake up. I swore, it was impossible to make that dog move once she was asleep!

Raven: What?! I’m lonely and Jake always used to sleep on my bed.

It took me a good minute to think of what to say. A million thoughts raced through my head. It ranged from, well come down here then! To other thoughts like, well I’m lonely to!

Me: Aww! Jake is cute.

Raven: He is, but he’ll push you off the bed. I’m stealing Echo if you’re not going to have a pillow fight.

Me: Ha, you can try.

I whispered Echo’s name a couple of times as the message was sending. She still didn’t move a muscle. The whole house held its breath as we waited for what would happen next.

“Echo….” A voice drifted faintly from the top steps. My smirk was cut in half. As soon as I thought Echo was dead asleep, the pit bull leapt up and off the bed. Her footsteps were heard as she trotted up the steps to the guest bed room.

I flipped over in my bed and rolled my eyes. I think that dog had selective hearing. My phone lit up one last time.

Me: Echo and I are pillow fighting and YOU CAN’T HANG!!! XD

Notes