In the safety of her room, Raven took a few steadying breaths. She needed to calm down, to regain control. She was standing with her back against the wall, and slowly slid down to sit on the cool floor. It gave her something else to think about, the cold. As she sat there in silence, 'normal' thoughts and common sense seemed to regain control. Ususally her control was concrete, but it flew apart back there. What happened? He touched me, she thought. He made physical contact, that's what happened.
It used to be that everyone left her alone, for the most part. Well, with the exception of Beast Boy, but he never left anyone alone. Starfire would just hang off of Robin and enjoy the normal girlie-type aspects of life, Cyborg would just go tinker in the shop and Robin... Robin just never really noticed her. The best conclusion she could draw from the experience was that is was a joke. That had to be it. Some sort of sick experiment to see who could make Raven blow a fuse first. Well, Robin won that round, she mused, but it was never going to happen again.
The next morning, Raven put on a brave face and went to the kitchen. She was just going to get a cup of tea and then scurry to the safety of the roof and read, while watching the sunrise. As she took a few tentative steps down the hallway and peeked around the corner into the kitchen, she judged that it was safe to enter. So far so good. She shouldn't be so paranoid, she thought, nobody ever gets up this early anyways. As she set the teabag into the boiling water, she grabbed her book and set off up the stairs.
This was just what she needed. The atmosphere would be perfect, the book would be perfect, and the tea would be perfect. Her perfect little world of solitude lay just a few steps away as she neared the top of the stairs. She opened the door to the roof with a slight smile on her face. Oh yes, she was going to really enjoy this. Upon stepping out into the orange light of sunrise, she stopped dead in her tracks. Now she knew that she should have just stayed in her room, like she had been wanting to do before. She quietly drew in a deep breath and turned around, preparing for a quick retreat.
"Don't go."
She hesitated. Every muscle in her body tensed. "You heard me, did you?"
"Not really. Just a lucky guess, for the most part. You should come sit down, watch the sunrise with me."
"Sunrises are overrated nowadays." And with that, she lifted her chin, and stalked back towards the stairs. As soon as she got past the threshold of the door, she teleported herself to her room. She wasn't in the mood for another confrontation of any sort. She immediately cursed herself for being such a coward, and plunked down on her bed, book open.
It was late afternoon now, and Robin was just finished his training for the day, and he was headed up to the communal bathroom for a shower. Wiping his sweaty face with the towel, he stopped when he saw Starfire having a very animated conversation with a very annoyed (but hiding it rather well) Raven.
"You simply must come to the mall of shopping with me! You can help me purchase the latest earthly trends and help me get my 'fash' on!" Starfire pleaded. If worse came to worse, she would have to use the big eyes of sadness to win her way. The odds were steadily increasing.
"Starfire, you probably know more, and care more, for that matter, about 'fashion' than I do. And besides, I've seen your closet, there is no way you are in need of any new attire already." Raven's voice was cracking. She was breaking down to Starfire's unearthly charms before usual... What was happening to her?
"Oh, Raven, you should go with Starfire to the mall. You could get yourself a new book or something. While your at it, you should get yourself a nice new outfit for the formal dinner at the Jump City Hall next saturday." Robin offered. Already, the expression of loathing on Raven's face was amusing him.
"I really don't think that's necessary..." Raven started.
"Oh! That is a wonderful idea, friend Robin!" Starfire squealed. "Why do not you come with us, as well?" Her face lit with her innocent hopes.
"Hmmmm, I have nothing better to do, Starfire, I think I will. Besides, it'll be good to get out of the tower for a while." He continued on his way to the bathroom, but stopped on the edge of the hallway. "Will you girls be ready in 15 minutes?" he asked. Starfire's squeal was answer enough, but Robin was curious to see as to whether Raven would actually agree. He turned on his heel and went on without a backward glance, purposely leaving Raven without a chance to decline.
