Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you find familiar.

Near Future: Raven POV

I sat on the edge of the skyscraper overlooking Gotham City. Two months ago I was a normal college girl and now, I run around at night, connecting the dots to find my mother's killer and the one who made me like this… a freak! Most times I feel as if I'm wasting my life. The only thing tha's keeping me relatively sane is Richard. Richard is my newfound love and my greatest support. But now, as I sit here on top of the tallest Wayne Enterprises building, I think to myself "Is it really worth it to ruin my relationship with Richard by being Raven?" I have been asking myself that question ever since we became friends. At the start of college was the first time I truly talked to him and the last time I saw my mother…

Raquel POV

I stepped out of the car to see my future school. Gotham University was supposed to be one of the top 5 schools in the country, being that it had nationally ranked professors and courses. But when I looked at it, all I could say was…

"Wow."

It had a Victorian look to it with plants climbing up the walls of the residence halls. Then, there was a huge willow tree off to the left with students laying under it reading, and an immense fountain in front of the hall also with some students sitting on the rim where one guy was playing guitar with loads of girls sitting in front of him. When I saw the guy playing guitar my hope sparked.

I have a passion for guitar, which was triggered10 years ago. My father, who I was especially close to, loved to play guitar. He said it was how he serenaded my mother into marrying him. He tried to teach me but I always put it off for something else. When he was murdered 6 years ago by a family friend, I was devastated. I decided that, in honor of my father, I would learn how to play. I took lessons from the best of best (seeing that we were relatively wealthy) and I advanced quickly. Now, at the age of 18, I could play any genre of music with ease (but, right now, I prefer classical.) Lately I've never really had the time to play being so busy with college applications and studying for finals. But now seeing this -really hot, yet familiar- guy playing guitar just lit up my hopes of playing again like the fourth of July.

"Raquel, do you want to check in?" my mom, Arella Roth said, ignoring the wolf-whistles that were directed towards her. She gets that a lot, being such a beautiful woman, with long, black hair that falls just below her shoulder blades, soft features molded into a heart shaped face, and a body that any woman would kill to have. But what got to everyone, was her eyes. She has deep-blue eyes that would stare into your soul, that I luckily inherited. Everybody says that I am the spitting image of her… except my hair. It's black like hers, but when the light shines on it the right way it turns a deep purple. Some say it's weird, but I like it.

"Sure, mom. Do you want to leave the stuff here?" I asked her.

"Well unless you know where the dorm is, than we don't really have a choice." she said.

"Alright. Just stay here I'll be right back," I told her running off to the office.

3 hours later…

"Finally! Were done!" My mom said in exasperation, falling onto my bed. After I went to the office to get my dorm number, I ran back to the car to get all of my things and took them up to the room (which I was able to get without a roommate). Ever since, we've been organizing it so that it's functional for me and my work style.

"I know, I thought it would take forever." I replied, plopping down right next to her. We sat there in a comfortable silence, just relaxing in each others company.

"I can't believe you're going to college." She uttered hoarsely. I looked at her and realized she was crying.

"I remember you on your first day of kindergarten. You were so scared," she chuckled," you held on to my leg as if the ground was lava and you couldn't go anywhere."

"That day was so hard for me. I cried the whole day wondering if you were ok. When I arrived after school, you ran straight to me and almost tackled me. You looked so happy to see me. You went on for the rest of the night about how great it was and how you wanted to go back so badly, and how it was the best day ever. Yet all I could think about was how fast you were growing up." I felt moisture on my cheeks and became aware of the fact that I was crying. She finally sat up and looked at me with tear-filled eyes.

"I just want you to know how proud I am of you. 18 years ago I never even thought that I would have a child that would be as amazing as you, but now that I do I could never be more happy. I love you with all of my heart and remember 'a daughter may outgrow your lap –"

"—but she will never outgrow your heart." I finished.

"That's my girl." She hugged me with all of her might, tears streaming down both of our faces. I hugged her back with just as much force showing her how much I was going to miss her.

We separated after a hugging for what felt like a lifetime. She rested her hands on my shoulders while I laid my hands on hers. After calming my tears I finally spoke.

"You know, the last time I heard that was when I was starting my first day of High School." I stated.

"Well, it is our quote. Nobody else can use it, or else I'll hurt them." She said, trying to be serious, but failing miserably. I started to laugh.

"You always know how to brighten the mood." I said after calming down to chuckles.

"Who said this was a sad moment? You're starting college! This is the happiest moment of my life! It should be a happy moment for you too."

"But it doesn't feel like it. I mean, I've always been so close to you. This is going to be my longest time away from you." I could feel the tears start to burn at my eyes as we stood up.

"I won't be far. Physically, I will be. But that's only about 1,000 miles." I chuckled.

"Mom. You're across the country in Jump City. That's far." I stated, like a dumbass.

"Don't you listen to Vanessa Carlton? If you were in trouble, you know I would run a thousand miles just to see you. But, being serious here. Emotionally I'll always be right here," she pointed to my heart, "and right here," she pointed to my head. "I'll always be with you and don't you ever forget that, my beautiful raven." I couldn't help but feel tears escape my eyes and run down my face. I pulled her into another hug. That was what she called me whenever I was sad or depressed. She told me it was what her mother called her when she was younger.

"I love you, mom. I'm going to miss you so much." I mumbled into her shoulder. We stood there for about another 5 minutes before we finally let go of each other.

"Alright. I have to go. My flight leaves in two hours and I don't want to get caught in traffic." She said looking into her phone.

"Wait- what about the label? And the Fashion line? I was always there to help, but since I'm leaving how are you going to handle it?" My father was the founder of the record label Branded and the world renowned Fear Itself fashion line. When he died my mother and I inherited it. She taught me everything I needed to know when I was to gain control of the company.

"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. I'll take care of it."

"Ok."

"Wow. We were talking to each other for an hour and a half." I said a little out of breath, but a giant smile on my face.

"I think that's our record." We laughed, sorrow-filled laughs.

"Bye, my beautiful Raven. I love you." She said walking towards the door.

"I love you, too, mom." I said right when she walked out of the room.

I finally realized for the first time in my life, that I was truly alone. I became aware of the silence that invaded my room. I've never been a dependent person, so me being conscious of the fact of being alone scared me. To take my mind of the idea, I decided to take my guitar down to the fountain and play a little bit.

I picked up my classical guitar, put it into the case, and head downstairs. As I was walking, I finally appreciated how much time I had spent with my mom in the last couple of hours. That was the perfect goodbye for this new beginning.