A.N. Thanks for all your reviews. None of you called me a pervert. I think you guys were trying to spare my feelings. I just got back from summer gym. So I'm kinda tired. So forgive me if I'm a little off my writing skills. But tell me what you think of this chapter.
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe I've ever heard that song."
Speedy gave her an amused look. "I think it fits you. Or at least very similar."
"AWWW! I didn't think you liked me that much," Artemis said with a smirk at the other archer who gave a shrug.
"You're not as bad I originally thought. You're still rude, ignorant, and annoying though," he said in a bored kind of tone. Artemis grinned.
"Why does this song remind you of me anyways?" she asked.
"People seem to think that this song describes you and I agree. Basically, it's how you have certain standard for guys in a particular. They have to be tough and strong and all of that good stuff. Also, how you know how you can affect guys and you use that as your advantage," he said dryly. (Sorry if this doesn't make sense. I really can't explain it. Hopefully the song explains it more then I can. Plus, my brain isn't working, so forgive me.)
Artemis gave a haughty shrug and flipped her hair. Kid Flash and Robin just grinned. Miss Martian looked bemused. Speedy and Superboy gave each other an amused look. Aqualad looked exasperated.
"Just go on stage Artemis," Aqualad said, sounding irritated. She shot him a look and then headed off stage. Robin frowned at the leader.
"You don't have to be so mean. You've been acting kind of cold to her since she's done the Katy Perry song. You're not homophobic are you?" Robin asked, looking like he might possibly rip him apart if he was.
No, No I'm not," Aqualad replied hurriedly when he saw Robin's expression. "It was just unprofessional what she did, kissing members of the audience like that." Robin gave him a disbelieving look and he felt a twinge of doubt inside himself. He had accepted the excuse at the time even though it didn't feel right. But he'd shoved the thought to the back of his skull, thinking he was getting false messages from the song she sang for him to make him feel better. But maybe he wasn't ….
Anyways, Artemis was on the stage. Everyone was cheering, and she smiled at them. She didn't have to even look at the DJ for him to start the music. She waited then started to sing;
Baby only the strong will survive
All the mysteries of life
Only fantasy keeps you away
In the lonely fields of those broken shields
She was singing in a rough voice and everyone was catching in on this song. She sang it powerfully, but there was a sense of hurt she was pushing away from the song. Aqualad felt guilty. He hadn't thought he was being disrespectful. But still, he must have hurt her feelings.
So keep on kicking
The bomb is ticking
Don't stop, don't be a runaway
Go for the fire
Baby are you tough enough
Just keep on living
And don't start giving
The devil good reason
To get you in the seasons of heartbreak
Baby are you tough enough
Artemis was now getting into the song, nodding her head and shaking her hips. There was no more hurt that surrounded her and Aqualad felt relieved. But he had a feeling that they would return in full force after the song was over.
Baby are you tough enough
Aqualad tried to just listen to the song, but those words stuck with him. Before he could block the thought, he wondered if he was tough enough for Artemis.
Yeah my skin is a dangerous place Never trust my smiling face With a touch I can change all your dreams And my kiss can wake Feelings you can't take
He internally yelled at himself at the thought. Girls like Tula and Artemis didn't like guys like him. A tiny part of him wondered if Artemis liked him. She did flirt with him occasionally. The larger, more logical part of him crushed that hope. Artemis flirted with everyone. Not as in a slutty way, but to joke or tease around.
Baby are you tough enough Baby are you tough enough
No, he thought, I'm not tough enough. She deserves someone whole. Not someone still hung over a girl who dumped your worthless but for your best friend. And I don't even like her in that way, he quickly thought. He was just thinking of how she was dancing and singing in that incredibly sexy way…. Wait! When did he ever put sexy with Artemis! He was going to make himself forget he had ever had this conversation with himself.
I will meet you there Coz I need you there Oh tonight
He watched as she swayed back and forth and smiled. She looked happy. But she would most likely be upset at him after the performance. He made up his mind to apologize.
Baby are you tough enough Baby are you tough enough
Artemis finished her song amazingly and left the stage to loud applause. Everyone was waiting in the back for her. She walked in the area to clapping. She smiled at all of them, but her smile faltered a little when it landed on Aqualad.
Aqualad flinched a little when he saw the hesitation in her gaze, "Artemis, I'm sorry for being rude to you. It was wrong and disrespectful and I will never be like that to you ever again." His eyes and voice rang with sincerity. Artemis sent a gleaming smile at him and said in a cheerful voice," Its fine."
"No it's not. I don't know what came over me," he said. Artemis smirked.
"I'll forgive you if you let me pick the next slip," Artemis said. After she secured a yes, she added a second comment. "I think you were doing it to hide your real feelings about me." And she batted her eyes at him in a flirty fashion. He just shook his head, missing the serious note in her voice. 'Maybe I am….' He thought quietly as he watched Artemis pick up a sheet and read off it.
"Next up is Speedy doing Man in the Mirror by Michel Jackson," she said in a surprised voice.
A.N. I know this chapter was super short. I am feeling brain dead because I did athletic stuff all day. It killed my brain cells. I think ya'll are gonna like the next chapter. I know I'm liking what I have in my head. Speaking of heads, was I the only one enjoying that Aqualad was having a conversation with himself? Anyways, please review even though this chapter was really short.