CHAPTER 9

Richard had unpacked rather quickly; the thought of going back to room 316 motivated him. Plus, he didn't unpack everything since it was just for night.

He left the bedroom to find that Terra and Garfield hadn't moved from their previous positions. They both stopped talking and looked at Richard. He uncomfortably walked towards the door, grabbing a room key.

"I'm going over to Victor and Raven's…" He quietly announced. He stepped outside and closed the door. He started to walk down the hall towards room 316 when he heard the talking start up again. He pressed his ear up against the door's cold surface. The voices were a bit muffled but were clear.

"Ehck." Terra said in disgust. "Now she has all the friends, too!"

"I know." Garfield agreed.

"Well, I'm not her friend anymore…thank god!"

Richard leaned in closer to the door.

"I mean, I know I have said this repeatedly but, thank you. Thanks for opening my eyes to who Raven really is." Terra said in a squeaky voice.

Richard's jaw dropped. He had no idea that Garfield, his semi-friend, had planted those thought about Raven in her best friend's head. But now that he thought about he, it was obvious. Terra hadn't treated Raven like that until Terra started to hand out with Garfield 24/7.

"Ever since I saw her, I knew she was a creep. I bet she'll turn Richard into some screwed up goth like her." Garfield laughed.

Richard's blood started to simmer.

"She's so pathetic. She walks around school like she's some poor puppy looking for attention. Can't you just picture her carrying a sign saying 'Will cut myself for attention'?" Garfield laughed.

"You must think I am so pathetic for being her best friend." Terra complained.

"No, not at all! She's the pathetic one for thinking she was good enough for you."

Richard began to boil. It took all his will power not to barge through the door and slug them. He swiftly turned and began walking for room 316. He couldn't hear any more of the conversation.

"Hahahaha! She's just another screwed up emo who takes up our precious oxygen!"

Richard turned back around. When he did, he saw Raven. She looked completely hurt, like her heart was vigorously ripped out of her chest and left to bleed. Her eyes were blank and she just stood still.

'I'm guessing she heard them. Fuck!' Richard shouted in his head.

"You know that she is a complete mess. Her father committed suicide and I bet she'll do the same." Terra laughed.

Raven's dark secret had been a secret. She had not told anyone but Terra. Of course the police and a couple of other officials knew as well, but Terra had sworn, SWORN, not to tell. I mean the hell has the right mind to tell something like that?

Richard made a move to step closer to Raven. She only put out her hand to stop him.

"I-I'm fine…" She held back the tears. She was mainly crying because of anger. She was cursed with that. She cried when she was pissed and when she was hurt. She got out of there fast, hoping Richard wouldn't follow her. She didn't want him to see her cry again.

Richard looked after her. He was now at his personal boiling point. He threw himself at the door. It surprising swung open whit a loud BAM as it hit the wall. He probably hadn't closed it all the way. Terra and Garfield jumped at his actions. They stared at him with questioning eyes.

"What the hell?" Terra said now looking more mad than surprised.

"Are you crazy?" Garfield shrieked.

Richard shifted his glaring from Terra to Garfield. He immediately shut up. This was the guy who had brain washed Terra.

Richard rapidly walked up to Garfield. Garfield watched him intently. Richard then in one flowing motion slugged Garfield square in the jaw.

Garfield reeled backwards holding the side of his mouth.

"What the fuck?" Terra shouted rushing to Garfield.

Yes, Richard was enraged and for that fact crazed. No, he did not think about what he was doing.

"It's because of you! You convinced Terra that…" Richard couldn't finish he was so mad. He picked Garfield up by the color and threw him into the wall, pinning him.

"Dude, you're really scaring me. Let go!" Garfield pleaded.

"Why did you do that? Why did you have to make everyone's lives harder?" Richard asked.

"What do you mean, that Raven thing? Oh come on dude, you have to see it to! Don't tell me Raven's got you fooled also!" Garfield complained.

"Screw you, Garfield." Richard said narrowing his eyes.

"Dude, what the hell?!" Garfield shouted lunging at Richard.

The two boys flew to the ground with a crash. Terra carefully stepped out of their vicinity. They rolled around, punching and kicking each other.

"Get off!" Garfield yelled kicking Richard in the gut. Garfield took advantage of Richard's weak moment and grabbed him and held him against the wall.

"Stop it!" Terra screamed in frustration. When the boys didn't stop, she marched out of the hotel room.

When Terra pulled the door open, Raven had her hand held up in a fist, ready to knock on the door.

"Oh, hi." Terra said awkwardly.

Raven looked passed her into the room.

"What the hell is going on?" Raven asked calmly.

"Nothing." Terra said stepping in front of Raven to obscure her view.

Raven shoved her back and walked in.

"Hey!" Terra yelled.

Raven ignored her.

Raven was surprised to see what the two fighting boys had caused. A lamp was on the ground, two chairs were on its side, and three couch cushions were in various places of the room.

"Richard!" Raven screamed. "Stop it both of you before somebody comes in here and you get in a shit load of trouble."

"Stay out of this, Rae!" Richard said between gritted teeth as he took another hit from Garfield.

Raven heard Terra scoff. She turned around to face Terra.

"What's your problem?" Raven asked.

Terra didn't answer, she just wiped the smile off her face.

Raven turned back towards the issue at hand.

"Seriously, Garfield stop." Raven said bending down and grabbing his arm to pull him from Richard.

"Let go!" Garfield snapped. He grabbed Raven's arm and pulled down. She tumbled head first into the fight.

"Shit!" Raven screamed as Richard and Garfield fought despite the fact Raven was in between them.

"Don't touch her!" Richard warned slugging Garfield in the face.

Raven's agitation grew. She couldn't take the yelling and punching and kicking anymore. Since talking to them wasn't going to help, she decided to physically separate the two. She took a deep breath. Raven threw herself at Richard. Richard hit the ground and was lying on his back. She climbed on top of him. She restrained him by holding his arms down. Yes, he was stronger but for some reason he stopped.

"Stop it…" Raven said quietly. "Please."

Richard looked up at her. His forehead had a gash on his and his lip was bleeding.

"Fine." Richard grunted. He looked a bit guilty. Raven let go of his wrists. He sat up, wrapping his arms around her. He pulled her close to him.

"Oh, get a room." Garfield scowled. Richard flipped him off. He helped Raven to her feet and they exited the room. Terra slammed the door as soon as they stepped out.

In the hall, Raven stopped Richard to look at him. She gently touched the cut on his forehead. He winced a bit. She slightly chuckled.

"What?" He asked smiling.

"You're such a little boy." She grinned.

"Hey, I was fighting for you." Richard laughed.

Raven giggled and started to walk back to her hotel room.

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A/N: I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry for two reasons. First and for most, I'm sorry for taking like three weeks to update. Trust me I have an excuse. Second, I'm sorry its so short (like always.) I'll try…no I promise it will be longer next time. Thanx so much for the faithful reviews!!!