19 advice in a bar bathroom (2/2)

”Come on, it's not that bad.Besides, it's dark and we are already here.” Russ looked back at Raven, ”Please tell her it's not that noticeable.” He spun Joslyn around to face Raven.

Raven scanned Joslyn, thoughtfully. There were faint marks around both of her ankles nearly hidden by the straps of her shoes, faint bite marks and love marks on her thighs, three long shallow scratches peeking out from the back side of her skirt, marks matching the ones around her ankles also marred her wrists, there was love marks mixed with bites across both shoulders and up her neck, and the messy braid pushed over one shoulder. Raven noticed when her eyes fell on the bottom of the braid Joslyn's face got redder.Beneath the braid, barely visible through the material of the shirt, there was a huge, deep bite mark.Raven's eyes widened in shock before she quickly covered up her shock and said, ”Like he said it's dark.”Joslyn's eye opened and met Raven's, worry clearly written in them. ”Come on let's step into the bathroom for a minute, I'll see if I can't help a little.” Joslyn shook her head yes as a relieved smile came over her face.

As Raven turned to head back inside, Russ twirled Joslyn back around to face him. He looked deep into her eyes, ”I think you look beautiful, and I want everyone to know you are mine.” His eyes heated as he bent down to kiss her deeply. He looked down at her, the smile leaving his face, and said in a strong, domineering voice instructed her, ”Don't cover them.” He clasped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a deeper kiss before letting her go and guided her toward the bathroom.

Joslyn stepped into the bathroom and automatically fell back against the door. She was too dazed to even acknowledge Raven, who was watching her through the mirror as she wetted a paper towel.

Raven chuckled, ”Girl you look like a hot mess, no lie.” She rang out the paper towel and walked over to Joslyn and pulled back the neckline of Joslyn's shirt. ”Here, there's a little bit of blood still there.” Raven watched Joslyn's face from the corner of her eyes. ”You know what these marks mean, right?”

Joslyn shook her head yes as she hoarsely responded, ”Mostly, I remember women on the island with them.” She idly ran her hand over the mark. ”I assume it has something to do with marking a mate.”

Raven turned away from Joslyn and headed back over to the sink where there was a small first aid kit.She opened it and took out a large bandage. She stared down at the bandage as she said, ”You wouldn't be wrong about that.” She turned back to Joslyn with troubled eyes, ”Do you know why they bite them?” Raven continued as Joslyn shook her head 'no'.”It's to turn a non-werewolf partner into a werewolf…” Raven met Joslyn's shocked eyes, ”I'll see what I can find out, but I know it's more complicated than just one or two bites.I doubt he even realizes the reasons behind the impulse.”

Raven moved the sleeve out of her way again to place the bandage on it, but Joslyn grabbed her hand, ”No…” She met Raven's confused gaze, ”It's ok, don't cover it.” Joslyn let go of Raven's wrist and walked over to the sink.She stared at her own reflection as she turned on the water.

Raven walked over to lean against the stall wall beside the sinks, ”Jos, are you ok?” She crossed her arms and grinned, ”I mean….” Raven went quite as Joslyn turned toward her with troubled eyes.

”I don't know…” She hung her head, ”I love him, but I can't quit thinking that this is just wrong.” She glanced up at Raven, fighting back tears. ”I just don't think I'm ready for a relationship let alone to make our 'new' relationship public yet and to make it worse just…. just…” Joslyn turned blood red as she looked down at the floor. ”You wouldn't believe the things I've let him do.”

Raven gently guided Joslyn's face back up toward hers, ”Jos, look at me. Is your only problem with all this, your age difference?” Raven held tighter as Joslyn tried to look away. ”Joslyn, you don't look your age at all and neither does he. Unless you two wear matching shirts stating your ages, no one would ever guess there's such a gap.” Raven let go before continuing, ”Answer me this one thing… Are you happy right now?”

”Yes,” Joslyn answered immediately, then blushed again as her answer sank in. [I'm happy, very happy]

A mischievous smile crept across Raven's face, ”Come on girl, don't hold back. Tell me all the details!” Her smile widened as she openly looked Joslyn over from head to toe, causing Joslyn to blush.”I mean last night I sent him in there to apologize... must have been a hell of a good one!”

Joslyn let out a long sigh then began to summarize the past several hours leaving out very little in the process.

”So yeah, It's been a pretty intense day.” Joslyn ran her hands through her hair, ”But Raven, It has only been A DAY! And WTF am I supposed to do about the surfer guy? He texted me first thing this morning!” She blew out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, ”I love him in more than a family kind of way, there's no denying it. And the way he his as a lover, I can't help but see him as an adult on equal grounds.” Without realizing it Joslyn had begun to wrap her arms around herself and smile deeply.

Raven smiled, ”Joslyn, look into the mirror.” Raven smiled at Joslyn's reflection as she continued, ”How long have I known you? I've never seen you this happy, not even when you were with that ass hat from back home.” She turned toward Joslyn and placed her hand on her shoulder, ”Just let go of all the worries and doubts, it's a relationship there will be enough problems along the way.Just enjoy what you have now.”

Joslyn leaped forward and gave Raven a tight hug, ”Thanks, you're the best.”

Raven pushed away awkwardly, ”Yeah, Yeah… I know…” She held Joslyn at arms-length, ”Besides if you were really that embarrassed by your relationship with him, you would have let me put the bandage on.” A wicked smile curved Raven's lips upwards into a catlike grin, then she walked past Joslyn and opened the door to the bathroom. Holding it wide she asked, ”Coming?”

Joslyn snapped herself out of shock and shook her head, ”touché, touché….” She continued shaking her head as she walked past Raven out of the bathroom.

When Joslyn entered the bar area Russ was laughing and carrying on with the others from the swim team as the girls from the bachelorette party surrounded them.Her steps slowed as she neared them. {What should I do? Wait by the bar or go over to him… Every person over there is in my class.} Joslyn had come to a standstill in the entryway when Raven pumped her shoulder gently as she walked by.

”Go on over there.” Raven nudged her again then made her way behind the bar.