Scarlet's outfit for this chapter: polyvore cgi /set ?id =13 186 4933 delete the spaces and add the www
I woulda updated earlier, but I saw TMNT, loved it!
GOTHAM CITY
DECEMBER 25, 19:45 EST
It was rare that I wore a dress. You would usually have to pin me down just to get me in a skirt. But today, today was an exception. A day that I would always wear a dress, and never smile. Never laugh.
The dress was pitch black and stopped about two inches above my knee, then had a see through fabric go down to my ankles. It was strapless and had a sweetheart neckline. I added on a thin, black jacket, and surprisingly, black heels.
"Scarlet, it's starting to rain," Charlotte whispered to me as we stood in front of my parents grave. "Everyone's gone home, we should too,"
I clenched my fist and forced my tears back. Aunt Dinah, Uncle Oli, Aunt Paula, Artemis, and Jenna had all gone home. "I don't care, go home without me,"
"Scarlet-"
I looked up at my sister "Just go, I can walk home,"
Charlotte face flashed with pity, concern, and sadness. "Okay, I'll see you at home,"
Looking over my shoulder, I watched my older sister make her way to the car and drive off. As soon as she was gone, I collapsed at the foot of my parents grave, tears freely falling from my eyes.
"This is all my fault, if I hadn't asked you to go on that stupid plane ride, you'd be here!" I sobbed "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,"
FOUR YEARS AGO, SAME DAY.
"C'mon Mama! Please~? All the other kids got to go on the plane ride!" I begged, holding onto my mom
She sighed and crouched down to my level, smiling at me "Okay, let's go find Papa and Charlotte,"
I smiled happily and ran off to them. They were in eating in the tents at the festival.
The Gotham Christmas Festival happened once a year and it was super duper fun! It also happened on my were tons of rides and delicious foods! There was also small booths where you could win prizes! This year, they had an old plane that you could go up in and see all of Gotham! All the others kids from my fifth grade class had gone on it. Now, I would too!
"If we go on this, we get to go on the Magic Carpet Ride," Charlotte said, crossing her arms over her chest
I thought for a moment and then smiled "Deal,"
The two of us rushed over to the plane, are parents close behind "Slow down, Scarlet!"
"No way! Get faster slow poke!" I yelled back to my sister, hopping in line.
We got there just in time, because the plane would be closed after we went on it.
"Step aboard, little lady," The pilot said, helping me onto the plane. I smiled up at him, and then furrowed my brow. His eyes...had they just flashed purple? I shook my head and got in my seat, nothing to worry about. Charlotte sat down next to me and we soon began playing a game of Chopsticks to pass the time "Prepare to take off!" The plane began shaking, and in a few moments, we were up in the air. "You may now take off your seat belts and walk around,"
I smiled and unbuckled my seat belt. Looking out the window, I saw all of Gotham. It looked like a big white cloud with sunlight peeking through. It was beautiful. I quickly got camera, the birthday present from my parents.
"Talk about awesome!" Charlotte said with awe
"You happy?" Papa asked from behind me
I nodded my head and smiled "Yeah! This has been the best birthday ever!"
"Good, how about when we're done we go to-" Papa was cut off by the plane jerking, throwing me into the side of it. "What the…" The plane began to shake, and next thing I knew, we were barreling towards the ground. "Cover the girls!" Papa through himself over me just as we crashed into the ground.
More tears fell from my eyes, the memory playing over and over in my head. What I thought where my parents screams, were mine. The doctors said they died on impact, they didn't burn to death.
And ya know what? It's was all my fault.
ROBIN'S POV
"Merry Christmas!" M'gann exclaimed as she brought out a large turkey.
"That's turkey looks amazing! But where's the cranberry sauce I made earlier?" Zatanna asked, looking around the food for them.
We heard loud smacking sounds and turned to see Wally eating the bowl of cranberries.
"Wally!" We all exclaimed
The Team was having a Christmas dinner together. Zatanna and and M'gann had spent the whole day cooking and baking. Everything seemed perfect. Decoration were strung, nice table set, and an amazing tree in the middle. There was only one thing missing, Scarlet.
Artemis and Jenna had arrived a little while ago, and both seemed out of it. I mean, Artemis would usually go ranting on Wally for what he did, but she seemed barely phased.
"Hey, where's Scarlet?" Conner asked
"Yeah, where is Scar?" Chris asked, leaning against the wall
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Artemis and Jenna tense up.
"Do either of you know where she is?" Kaldur asked the two girls
Both looked down at the ground, Artemis seemed close to tears.
"She's probably still there," Jenna whispered, barely audible
"Still where?" Conner asked
"Still at the grave," Artemis finally spoke
We all gave her concerned looks. Why would Scarlet be at a grave?
"Why would Scar be at a graveyard?" Wally asked
Artemis clenched her fist "Today is th anniversary that...my aunt and uncle died...Scarlets parents,"
"It's also her birthday," Jenna added
All of our eyes went wide "What?"
"Why didn't she tell us? We could have planned her a party!" M'gann exclaimed
Jenna shook her head "She wouldn't want that. She hasn't had a birthday celebrated since she was ten. She hates celebrating,"
"Why? Celebrating the day of your birthday is part of human culture, even Atlantean celebrate," Kaldur stated
"Same with us Martians," M'gann added
"You don't understand," Artemis said "Scarlet blames herself for her parents death. Celebrating to her, is like celebrating her parents death,"
"That's terrible, she must be in so much pain," Chris said
"Losing your parents, it leaves a big scar on your heart," I spoke from experience. I remembered how I felt when my parents died. I felt as if it was my fault. That's when an idea popped into my head. "Why don't...we throw her a party. I mean, we could do it. One of us could send her a text and we could surprise her,"
"I don't know…" Jenna's voice trailed off
"Scarlet may be angry," Artemis scratched the back of her neck "And we all seen what she's like when she's angry,"
"I know, but she can't go on not celebrating her birthday forever," I said "She shouldn't blame herself for something that isn't her fault,"
Artemis sighed "Okay, let's do this,"
SCARLETS POV
My Mama told me something, once. If I wanted to be strong, I shouldn't cry in front of people. I should cry bathrooms or in the rain. My Mama had a tough childhood, so that's what she did and taught me.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. Pulling it out, I read the text.
TO: SCARLET
FROM: BRITISH BOY
EMERGENCY! NEED YOU AT THE CAVE ASAP! P.S. DON'T BE IN UNIFORM!
I raised an eyebrow. Why would they need me, but not need me in my uniform. I shrugged and whipped my eyes. Don't want anyone to know I was crying.
TO: CHARLOTTE
FROM: SCARLET
Needed at the cave, don't know what for. Will txt you when Ik
I walked over to the zeta tube and quickly checked my appearance. My eyes were slightly pink and my hair a bit messy. Quickly, I straightened it and tried to blink away any wetness in my eyes.
Recognized, Red Riding Hood
"Guys, where are you?" I said, walking around the dark cave. It was pitch black and I could barely see where I was going. "I swear, I'm not in the mood for a prank," No reply "Whatever, I'm going home," I was about to go back to the Zeta Tube, but the lights suddenly turned on.
"Surprise!" I looked to see the whole team standing there, smiling wide with a large banner that read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCARLET!'
I placed a hand over my mouth and gasped. How'd they…
"Happy Birthday Scarlet!" M'gann said cheerfully
"What? How? Why?" I was at a loss for words. They threw me a birthday party...but I didn't want that.
"Artemis and Jenna told us it was your birthday," Wally said
"So, we decided to throw you a party," Conner smiled slightly
"We know you did not want one, but celebrating your day of birth is important," Kaldur told me
"Scarlet?" Artemis looked over at me
I clenched my fist slightly and felt tear threaten to come out "You guys shouldn't have. Really. I don't want this It's a big reminder of what I did,"
"Scarlet, when my dad decided to become Fate, I blamed myself. I put the helmet on, and my paid the price," Zatanna put her hand on my shoulder "It took me awhile, but it wasn't my fault. If Klarion hadn't split the world, he'd still be here,"
"The plane malfunctioned, it wasn't your fault. None of you knew that it would happen," Robin said
"I think you've gone too long without a birthday party, so let's celebrate!" Chris exclaimed
"It'd be a waste to throw away all this food," Wally said with a stupid grin
I felt tears sting in my eyes. To not show them, I burrowed my face in my hands, afraid to show my tears.
"Scarlet?" Jenna spoke softly
"Are you okay?" Artemis asked "I understand if you don't want this. It wasn't our place to-"
I cut her off by looking up at her, smiling through my tears "No, thank you," I let out a soft sob "Thank you so much. You guys really are the best,"
Robin smiled wide "So, now, let's get this party started!"
"Cover your eyes!" Robin placed his hands over my eyes
"Happy Birthday to you," Robin uncovered my eyes to reveal a large birthday cake, well, Christmas cake with my name on it and candles "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Summer, Happy Birthday to you!"
I blew out the candles and made a wish. I know it may seem childish, but it's fun. Do you wanna my wish? It was that I could be rid of the Witch Doctor.
The team clapped and M'gann began cutting the cake.
"Thanks for doing all this, guys," I said with a smile
"Don't thank us, thank Robin," Chris said with a smirk
"He put all of this together," Jenna said
"Ordered around like slaves, more like it," Wally added
I giggled and turned to Robin and pecked him on the cheek "Thanks,"
"You didn't need to help, Scar," Robin said as we washed the dishes
I chuckled lightly "I wanted to help, you guys all this for me. I need to do something for you,"
"Hey, you're part of the team, you're family. We're suppose to celebrate this stuff together,"
I smiled and wiped my hands with a dish towel. For some reason, my heart hurt when he said that we were like family. Was it because...I like...like him? RAWR!
"Something wrong?" Robin asked with worry
I blushed, realizing that I had exclaimed 'rawr' out loud. "Fine, really,"
"Hey...um," Robin scratched the back of his neck "I...I got you something, nothing big," He pulled out a small, velvet, black box.
I took it from him and opened it. I let out a soft gasp. It was really pretty, not, beautiful. It was a crescent moon clip that was studded with diamonds. (You can find a link to it on my profile). I was at a loss for words "I-I can't accept this. It's wayyy too good for me,"
"I think you're good enough," I blushed bright red as he placed the clip in my hair "It looks good on you,"
"T-thanks," I bit my bottom lip nervously. Wait...why was I nervous? Robin looked up and held his gaze over my head "Something wrong?"
He cheeks flushed slightly "Look up,"
Doing as he commanded I looked up to see…"Mistletoe,"
Robin and I locked gaze, before he crashed his lips onto mine. I was in a state of shock for a moment, before my eyes fluttered shut. My hands made their way to his hair, entangling themselves in the black mess. His mouth was so warm, the caress of his lips softer than I could have imagined. I kissed back passionately and Robin wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. He tasted tentatively with his tongue, and I opened my mouth with a low moan.
Finally, we pulled away. My face was flushed and I was out of breath.
"I-I'm sorry," Robin said, looking away
I gripped my dress "N-no, it's fine. That kiss...was just that dumb plants fault. Anyways, I should get going, Charlotte will want to see me,"
I began to walk away, but Robin caught my wrist "Scarlet, I really-"
I cut him off "That kiss didn't mean anything. I'm sorry. Please, just forget about it," And with that, I sprinted out of the cave. A single tear falling down my cheek.
I shouldn't have done that. I like Dick Grayson...but I also liked Robin. Oh why is this so complex?!