Behind the Mask
Disclaimer: I don't own That's So Raven in any form. These are really very tiresome, no?
Chapter 3
She made her way through the crowd as quickly as she could, ignoring the angry protests of couples that were trying to savor the last moments of the dance. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes but she hastily dashed them away with the heel of her hand, as she broke free of the crowd. She saw a pair of shoes disappear around the corner of the door, and she quickened her pace. She dashed out the door and turned abruptly to the left, almost losing her balance in the cumbersome heels she wore. She pulled off the restrictive shoes, allowing for easier movement. Her footsteps echoed through the empty hall and a hall shot out from a divide between the lockers. Her heart leapt into her throat. Had she found him? She looked up into the face of the senior she had danced with at the beginning of the dance.
Her brain finally registered his name, and she tentatively asked, "Dean?" He smirked and she was overpowered by the smell of alcohol on his breath.
"You look beautiful, Raven. Y'know, it really hurt when you left me and went to dance with that guy," he slurred.
"I'm sorry, Dean. But, please, I have to go…" she said as fear coiled in her stomach, trying futilely to free her hand from his grasp.
"No! Come with me!" he yelled as he tightened his grip.
"Ow! Dean, let me go!" she said, clawing desperately at his hand.
"Let her go!" a voice snarled. Raven turned around as best she could to see the mystery boy standing there, fury aflame in his eyes.
"Or you'll what?" Dean asked drunkenly as the young man approached.
"I'll be forced to make you regret ever touching her," the boy said, clenching his fists. Dean let go of Raven and pushed her out of his path before swinging wildly at the masked stranger. The mysterious hero dodged easily and drove a punch into Dean's face. The drunken boy's nose spurted blood as he lunged savagely at the smaller boy. The young man ducked under Dean's outstretched arms and tackled Dean, slamming him against the wall. Dean groaned and his eyes rolled back in his head before he slumped limply over the boy's shoulders. The boy heaved him onto the ground and frowned in disgust.
He turned to Raven, concern flooding into his face, "Are you okay?"
"I…yeah, I'm fine," Raven said numbly.
"Come on, let's get out of here. I'll walk you home," he said, taking his bloodstained jacket off and slinging it over one shoulder before slipping a supportive arm around her waist. She leaned into him and rested her head on his other shoulder as they walked.
"I was scared I wouldn't catch up with you," Raven confided.
"I…I heard you yelling, so I came back," the boy said shakily, as if the thought of her being harmed pained him greatly.
"Thank you," the psychic girl whispered.
They exited the school and walked down the street, following the soft glow of the streetlights. At they walked down the sidewalk, they passed a vacant park.
"Follow me," Raven said, taking his hand and opening the gate to the park. They strolled across the damp grass, fingers intertwined. She sat down on a swing, taking hold of the chains.
"Care to fly?" the masked stranger whispered in her ear from behind her.
"I'd love to," Raven answered, flashing a smile. The boy began to push her on the swing and she delighted in the sensation of climbing in the air then falling back to earth completely weightless. Soft hands would catch her and propel her back skywards. As her momentum wound down, her companion caught her, stilling her motion. His arms slipped around her waist and she half-turned her head to look at him. The pale moon and inky sky were reflected in his eyes and his lips were parted slightly as she leaned in. She captured his lips with hers and he gave no protest as he kissed back fervently. He tasted of cool, refreshing mint and Raven leaned back into his arms. They remained like that for several moments before a moment of hardened resolve caused the boy to pull away. Raven looked at his questioningly, hurt in her eyes, as he stumbled backwards and sat down heavily on a nearby bench.
"I…can't. I don't deserve you. You'd hate me if you found out the truth!" he exclaimed, his voice breaking with distress.
"Don't say that! Please, just trust me!" Raven pleaded, tears springing up in his eyes. His composure wavered, the urge to stay with her overpowering his senses as she stood and approached him. She was like an angel, all heavenly beauty and cascading hair and flowing silk. Her skin was caramel in the moonlight, and the light caught her eyes, throwing the tears into sharp relief. He rose from the bench and took her into his arms in one swift motion, claiming her lips in a searing kiss. They clung tightly to each other, pouring all their desperation and love and caring into that one moment. The need for oxygen drove them apart, but the boy rained feather-light kisses on Raven's lips as she caught her breath. He seemed to tense as a moment of indecision flashed in his eyes so Raven pulled him into another kiss. His hands wound in her hair as they fell back onto the bench. Raven brought her hands up to his face, running her thumbs along the edge of his mask. She slipped her fingers beneath his mask, reveling momentarily on his smooth skin, before she began to slip his mask off gently. The movement caused his top hat to topple off. The boy, wrapped up in the moment, did not notice until it was too late. A sheet of reddish-brown hair cascaded from its confines, settling around his shoulders. "
"No!" he cried in a high voice as he jerked back, causing his mask to be pulled off entirely. He flung his arm over his face before Raven got a good look at him and he leapt to his feet. He turned his face away from her, everything except his mouth covered by his arm.
"P-please, give m-me my mask," he pleaded, reaching out blindly. Raven set the mask down and stood, taking his free hand in hers.
"Let me see your face. Please…" she implored. The young man tried to pull back but she held firm. She reached out with her free hand and pulled his arm away.
Or, more accurately, her arm. Raven found herself staring into the petrified, tearful face of Chelsea Daniels.
"Ch-Chelsea…?"
"I…Oh, God. I have to go!" Chelsea cried, jerking her hand free and sprinting away.