Chapter 17
Raven
The final bell rang. As everyone rushed out, I grabbed Leo's arm and dragged him toward Maya's desk at the front of the classroom.
"Hey, Maya," I called, approaching her with what I hoped was a casual smile.
She didn't respond. Instead, she slowly placed her books on a nearby bench and began... circling me? Yes, she was actually walking around me in a deliberate pattern, her eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Um, what is happening right now?" I asked, turning to follow her movement.
Leo leaned in, whispering, "She thinks you're possessed or something. You know she's Mexican, right? They believe in that stuff."
I raised an eyebrow as Maya completed her third circle around me, muttering something under her breath that sounded like a prayer—or an exorcism.
Finally, she stopped directly in front of me, reached into her pocket, and pulled out what appeared to be a small pouch on a cord.
"Here," she said, thrusting it toward me. "Take this. Don't thank me. With this, the evil spirits possessing you should weaken their hold."
I stared at the homemade charm dangling from her fingers, feeling a mixture of amusement and unexpected warmth spreading through my chest. The mighty Phantom, feared by governments and criminal organizations alike, being given a protection charm against evil spirits by a high school girl.
"Do you really think I'm possessed?" I asked, taking the charm and examining it. The small cloth pouch smelled of herbs and was stitched with symbols I didn't recognize.
Maya's serious expression broke into a grin. "You did like a hundred things in three days that you would never have done before! You stood up to Tyler, you jumped out a window, you changed your entire look, and Nancy ran crying from class because of you." She counted each item on her fingers. "If that's not possession, what is it?"
I laughed, slipping the charm around my neck alongside Satan's Heart. "Makes sense when you put it that way."
My smile faded slightly as I looked at her, a strange vulnerability creeping into my voice. "So... are we still friends?"
It was meant to sound casual, even joking, but I felt an unexpected tightness in my chest as I waited for her answer. In my former life, "friend" wasn't a word in my vocabulary. Associates, assets, targets—those were my categories for human interaction. Now, I found myself genuinely hoping this girl would accept me.
Maya's expression softened. "Of course we're still friends! Even if you're cursed, possessed, or turn into some kind of monster, I'm not abandoning you." She punched my arm lightly. "I won't forget all the times you've helped me out. Besides..." She gestured to my new look. "I kind of like this new you. Confident. Expressive. Not caring what others think. It's badass."
Something warm unfurled in my chest—a feeling so foreign I almost didn't recognize it. Gratitude. Acceptance. The original Raven must have been quite the Good Samaritan to inspire such loyalty. Not a terrible legacy to inherit.
"Well then," I said, throwing my arms around both Maya and Leo's shoulders. "I'm taking my friends out for dinner."
Leo instinctively tried to squirm away, but I held him firmly. "Relax, Leo. I'm not interested in you." I paused dramatically. "Actually, I'm not interested in high school boys at all."
Leo grumbled, "What, you're into older guys now or something?"
Maya laughed but looked concerned. "Do you even have money? I heard your dad's business went bankrupt again... If you're broke, I can pay."
I smiled, thinking of the millions in cryptocurrency I'd transferred yesterday. "Money... is literally my smallest concern right now. Come on, my dear friends."
---
Twenty minutes later, we were standing outside a run-down outdoor barbecue joint in a part of town that made Leo visibly uncomfortable.
"There are gang members who hang out here," he whispered, eyeing a group of tattooed men at a corner table. "I don't think this is a good spot."
Maya looked equally hesitant but sniffed the air appreciatively. "The smell reminds me of my uncle's carne asada back in Guadalajara. My mouth is actually watering."
"Maya's right," I said confidently. "Street food survives because it's good. Places like this don't last unless they deliver quality." I gestured toward the entrance. "Come on, I promise you'll love it."
They reluctantly followed me inside. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, illuminating plastic tables and metal folding chairs. A bored-looking server approached, but before he could speak, the owner—a heavy-set man with greasy hair and calculating eyes—rushed over.
"Well, well! Young students from the fancy school, eh?" His smile didn't reach his eyes as he snatched the menus from his employee. "Let me personally take care of you. What would you like to order?"
I recognized the predatory gleam in his eyes immediately. In my former life, I'd dealt with hustlers in markets from Marrakech to Manila. This man saw three teenagers as easy marks to overcharge.
But I didn't care. Nobody could take advantage of me anyway.
"Don't bother with the menu," I said casually, meeting his gaze directly. "Just bring us your best. Your absolute best barbecue, all the specialties, whatever the chef is most proud of."
The owner's smile widened, clearly calculating how much he could charge us. He nodded eagerly and retreated to the kitchen.
Maya looked horrified. "Raven! Are you crazy? You didn't even ask about prices! You can't afford this! I thought your family was broke."
Leo shook his head but smiled. "Don't worry, I've got this round."
Soon our table was loaded with sizzling platters of marinated meats, grilled vegetables, and fresh tortillas. The smell was intoxicating. As we dug in, I reached for a beer from a passing server.
"Raven!" Maya hissed. "You can't drink! We're underage!"
I cracked open the bottle with practiced ease. "Nobody's stopping me. I haven't had a decent drink in... well, longer than you'd believe."
They exchanged confused looks as I took a long, satisfying sip. The beer was cheap but cold, and it complemented the spicy meat perfectly.
As we ate, I found myself genuinely relaxing for the first time since awakening in Raven's body. The food was excellent—proving my theory about street vendors—and the conversation flowed naturally.
"So," I said, wiping sauce from my lips, "did I really have a pathetic crush on that trash Tyler for a long time? Was I never in an actual relationship?"
Maya snorted mid-drink, nearly choking on her soda. "What? A little beer and you've forgotten your own life?" She shook her head. "Of course that's not true! You actually dated—"
"Whoa, stop right there, Maya!" Leo interrupted suddenly, his voice tight with alarm. His eyes darted nervously between us, and he gave Maya a sharp look that seemed loaded with meaning.