Number 55

Crowds weren't Raven's thing. She preferred the quiet of the tower, when she could find it, and the coziness of her room. She didn't like screaming children, hyped up on sugar, or the supposed lack of manners. But it was Starfire's turn to pick the team activity and the carnival was in town. Beast Boy had dragged her out, refusing to leave her door until she came, and he had been carted off by Cyborg to go ride the roller coasters. Raven had wandered around some of the small booths, but found herself sitting on a bench. She looked at her watch wondering when she could go home.

"You know the whole point of these things is to have fun," Beast Boy said as he dropped himself on the bench. Raven shrugged.

"Not my kind of thing," Raven replied. She noticed the absence of a certain metal teen. "Where's Cyborg?"

"Trying to impress someone at the ring toss. Last I checked he was failing," Beast Boy laughed. Raven rolled her eyes. Several parents came by, carting three screaming children between them, and Raven shook her head.

"I don't understand how people could like a place like this. It's doesn't seem like fun," Raven wondered out loud. Beast Boy stretched his legs out.

"It is fun. Carnivals have something for everyone," Beast Boy said. Raven shook her head.

"Not me. Places like this aren't my thing."

Beast Boy frowned and Raven looked away. The expression seemed wrong on her teammates face. Beast Boy had few instances where he looked troubled. The feeling bugged her and she searched for a reason to get some alone time.

"Don't you have some rides to go on? Or consume massive amounts of sugar?" Raven questioned.

"I've ridden all the ones I wanted too and no, it isn't a good idea for me to eat a ton of sugar. Trust me, I found out the hard way," Beast Boy responded. Raven crossed her arms and looked at her friend.

"Do I even want to know?" Raven asked. Beast Boy laughed.

"Well, let's just say not even Cy knows that story," he said. The carefree smile he directed at her made the knot in her stomach relax a bit. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, watching the people go back and observing the kids as they ran from one attraction to the next.

"You know what, I think I have perfect ride for you," Beast Boy said out of the blue. Raven frowned and began to protest when her green skinned teammate pulled her from her bench and began dragging her through the crowds. Her argument didn't seem to faze him, since Beast Boy didn't listen to her, and pulled her steadily across the fairground. Soon, they came to one of the less crowded areas where a carousel was placed. It was painted royal blue with hints of yellow. There were dozens of hand carved animals placed on the rotating platform. Beast Boy led her into the line, which was empty except for a few smaller children and an elderly couple.

When Raven got to the front of the line, Beast Boy let her go first.

"So, now what do we do?" Raven asked. Beast Boy hopped up on to the platform. Raven followed him.

"Well, pick an animal and then the ride starts. It goes around and around, then it's over. No crazy spins or loops," Beast Boy said as he leaned against one of the giraffes. Raven looked. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, and hearing the bell meaning the ride would start soon, Raven hopped up on the one closest to her. It was a cheetah, lean and in a running pose. Beast Boy sat beside her on the giraffe, and the ride began. Like Beast Boy said, it just went around in circles, and the music from a large music box in the center was nice, and neither of them felt the need to talk.

The ride was over much quicker than Raven had expected. Beast Boy helped her down off her animal and the platform, and they exited the ride. The park seemed less crowded now.

"Everyone went to the fireworks I guess," Beast Boy pointed out. Raven brushed back her hair and started walking in the opposite direction of the crowd.

"Come on, let's go find a place to watch," Raven said. Beast Boy looked surprised, but quickly followed her. They found a patch of grass next to the ring toss booth. The fireworks wouldn't start for another fifteen minutes and they were debating calling to find out where the others were.

"Thanks, for doing to the ride," Beast Boy said. Raven turned her head.

"Um, you're welcome, I guess," Raven asked. Beast Boy pulled some grass out and began to fiddle with it.

"You don't usually do stuff like that. I just think it's nice to see you enjoying something for a chance rather than being all solemn about it."

Raven almost snipped back about how she did enjoy stuff, but her powers were unstable at the best of times, but the sincerity on Beast Boy's face stopped her. It wasn't long before Cyborg found them and plopped himself down next to Beast Boy.

"So, what have you two been up to?"

Raven smiled lightly beneath her hood.

"Oh, nothing much, just rode some rides," Raven told him. The small smile on Beast Boy's face was almost enough to go on the carousel again.


Author's Note: Well, we're over the hump. Halfway done with this collection. Also, send in your ideas for #66 :) Read and Review guys!