Summary:
Christmas is a time for a jubilant celebration with loved ones. Starfire has been on Earth for a year now, and she has yet to discover the meaning of Christmas through a rigorous, hard working job-something she had never done before. Earning money isn't easy, and she knows it. She is aware of the danger of this job she has accepted, but is it worth sacrificing her innocence?

Link for DA: xxscarletxrosexx.

deviantart.

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(c) Tainted is MINE :D
(c) Clarisse is MINE! :D
(c) Teen Titans belongs to DC Comics

A year has passed after Starfire had remained with the Teen Titans. She had been adjusting to the Earthly life wonderfully. She had a much better grasp for the human life, yet she was still lacking in some areas.

Starfire was awake one morning when she read the calendar. It marked exactly two months before the mas of Christ. She had recalled the past year that it was a holiday in which people exchange gifts with one another.

Last year she had present presented her friends gifts from her home world, but this year she had almost little to nothing left! She needed to buy presents from the mall of shopping. Of course, her home currency will not be accepted and she also did not want to receive free items because of her title. At the same time, Starfire wanted to know what it was like to work for she had never did in her home world. Perhaps she could find a job of which Beast Boy had once done, but how will she keep this a secret from her friends?

There was a time schedule that she recalled—a shift! Starfire knew that she couldn't work in the morning for it would raise suspicion among her friends. Also, she required to do early morning surveillance just to make sure that the city was safe.

Starfire decided to stroll around the city while she was deciding on a job. She knew the most required assistance would be at the city mall!

She grinned happily and took off to the mall. She was excited to take on a normal task for once. But upon entering the mall, she recalled presents to buy for her wonderful friends.

She set off to several different stores and shopped by window. She took a glimpse of every new product and pictured them with the desired Titan.

She wanted the perfect present for each Titan; something useful but also reminded her of them.

She knew back at the tower, each Titan had a personal magazine, article or catalog with a circled item. She remembered taking a peek form several of them and decided which of the several circles to purchase for each Titan.

Starfire stopped outside a book store and noticed the new book on a poster. It was a dark red hard cover with glistening black letters that worded out The Haunting of Cheryl Stones. It was a book that Raven had been waiting impatiently for! Starfire was surprised that the book was released the day before Christmas!

With a goal in mind, Starfire marched into the store and walked straight up to the register. A young woman, around Starfire's age, worked with another customer before focusing on the teen. Clarisse was the usual cashier who checked out their purchases. Starfire was glad that she was able to see a familiar face at the local book store. She had a friendly smile as Starfire walked up to her cashier.

"Hey Starfire! Good to see ya again!" she greeted. "Here to buy another book?"

"Yes. I am quite interested of the book that was outside the shop," Starfire replied.

"You mean The Haunting of Cheryl Stones?" the girl asked. "Isn't that the kind Raven likes?"

"I believe it is, friend Clarisse," Starfire acknowledged, "but I was hoping that I would be able to purchase the book before Raven."

"You mean pre-order?"

"Yes I believe that is the term."

"So what's the occasion? Christmas?" the bubbly girl asked.

"Yes, I was hoping to purchase it as a gift."

"So you want me to cancel her pre-order and give it to ya before they sell out?" Clarisse assumed.

"And I would like it to be in secrecy please," Starfire added.

"Done and done," Clarisse smiled as she typed away. "I'll have it for ya by the 23rd."

Starfire was surprised by the simplicity of the task. "But is it not here by the date after?" she asked.

"That's what they want you to think. Actually," Clarisse signaled Starfire to come closer, then in a hushed voice she said, "We don't actually give out the book the day before it arrives, but we do receive them a couple days ahead of time. I'll be sure to give you the early bird special as well."

"You are too kind, friend Clarisse," Starfire thanked gratefully. "How shall I pay for these?"

"Take 'em for free. You saved our lives so many times that the city will cover for ya."

Starfire shook her head disapprovingly. "I prefer to actually pay for them," Starfire smiled, "I would like to have the earthly experience of purchasing such products.

Clarisse giggled. "I suppose your home world didn't do this kinda stuff?"

"Actually it was quite similar, but I did not have the option to experience such," Starfire explained.

"I see," Clarisse nodded. "But how will I receive payment?"

"That is my only dilemma," Starfire sighed, "I am quite uncertain of the proper assistance I could offer."

"What job did you have in mind?"

"Uh, I believe a certain shift as you call it. I require a job in which I must arise in the earlier morning yet finish before the fast of break."

"I'm afraid ya struck out in the mall," she muttered.

"But I do not believe I have done the missing of swings," Starfire commented.

"Not strike out as in baseball, Starfire. I meant that the mall would be closed until breakfast. So the mall is out of your list of choice," Clarisse explained.

"I see," Starfire sighed. "Now I am unsure of how I will locate the job."

"Wait, I got one," the cashier snapped. "I know a place, but I highly discourage others to take it. Most especially you, but given the situation, it may be you only job."

"And that would be…?"

"First of all, do not tell our friends about this. I'm sure they'll definitely freak about it!"

Starfire nodded patiently.

"Second, how old are ya, Starfire?"

"I believe I am seventeen in the earthly years."

Clarisse observed Starfire from head to toe and pondered with the idea. "Well, I think you can pass the age, you just gotta wear makeup when you show up to work."

"What is this job of which you speak?"

"Well, there was a recently help wanted sign outside The Nightly Watch Bar just along the outskirts of Jump City. They've been lookin' for pretty, young gals to be waitresses. I bet it's to increase their popularity," Clarisse pondered.

"Is it safe?" Starfire asked worriedly.

"That's the thing I'm worried about. I'm not sure about the safety issues, but that's all I had in mind. "Their pay is pretty good."

Starfire pondered about the idea, but decided to take the offer, despite the danger. She could take care of herself.

"I shall do it," Starfire answered.

"Are you sure about this, Starfire?"

Starfire nodded. "I am aware of the dangers I may face and I shall take full responsibility of them."

"Alright, well, my sister works at the bar on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Occasionally she works on Saturdays as well. I prefer that you work with her just to be safe."

"I am re relieved. I am glad that there will be someone I'm acquainted with," Starfire smiled.

"She'll know it's you, just make sure that you disguise yourself. I don't want your secret to spill out in public, alright?" Clarisse pulled out a piece of paper from her desk and scribbled down several notes.

"One more thing, Starfire. Your age is twenty-one. My sister's name is Anna and she'll take care of ya!" Clarisse handed the paper to Starfire.

"Thank you very much, friend Clarisse! I am eternally indebted to your kindness!" Starfire thanked excitedly as she clutched the paper to her chest.

"It's no problem. It's the least I can do for what you're doing," Clarisse smiled. "Drop by sometimes alright?"

"Thank you again!" Starfire thanked as she exited the shop.

She folded the note and placed it in her metal belt as she walked towards several other shops.

errr merrr gerd!

when was the last time I had ever posted a story?!
I'm so late with these stuff! Sorry about that guys! ;w;

I'll be posting another 2 more chapter of this story and yeah ;w;

My mind has been so overwhelmed with school and three different stories.

And yes, this is A NEW SERIES! Lol I think this was a bad idea...

Oh well, I couldn't resist :'3