The Date
I could tell you "We belong together"
I could tell you "You belong with me"
But we've run out of things to say
And we'd be happy anyway so
"How 'bout another first kiss?" she said
"How 'bout another first kiss?" I said
How 'bout another first kiss like this
How 'bout another first kiss
Starfire was listening to her music as she prepared for her first date with Robin. She and Raven had gone to the mall yesterday, so they wouldn't have to wear their regular crime-fighting garb. She had bought a nice blue skirt that went down to just below the knees and a white top that went well with the skirt. She was pushing repeat on her CD player each time the song was over. It was one of her favorites. She was hoping that it would actually happen tonight.
Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
(Unless I try to start again)
Raven's music was just a bit darker than Starfire's, but of course, Raven wasn't bubbly and effervescent. She had bought a pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt, which she tucked into her pants. There was still another half-hour before the date started. She decided she would meditate so her emotions wouldn't get the best of her.
The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more than I do now
Neon heart Day-Glo eyes
A city lit by fireflies
They're advertising in the skies
For people like us
As Robin was listening to his music, he was standing in front of his mirror, raising and lowering his mask to his face. Mask on or off, he thought. He was wearing blue button-down shirt (tucked in) and a pair of khaki pants. He was also wearing his boots. They're comfy, he said to himself. He decided to leave the mask off for tonight. Nobody had seen him without it anyway.
I'm not the brightest crayon in the box
Everyone says I'm dumber than abag of rocks
I barely even know how to put on my own pants
But I'm a genius in France (yeah), genius in France, genius in France
Hoom chaka laka hoom chaka laka hoom chaka
Beast Boy's music just wasn't as serious as the others, but it helped him and that's all that matters. He found in his closet a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt that said on the front "The Wall." He decided to wear a jeans button shirt over it as well. This is the most I've ever dressed up, he thought to himself. But it was worth it. He was incredibly nervous though. He wanted to kiss Raven before the night was through, but the hard part was trying to get Raven in a state of being able to kiss.
Everyone was ready. Cyborg, the only one without a date, was recruited to watch the tower. "Aww man. No lovin' for Cyborg?" he moaned at Beast Boy. He shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry dude. I don't know what to tell you." Cyborg shook his head. "I'm just kidding. I don't mind. I've been saying you guys need to go out. I just didn't realize you'd all go on the same day." Beast Boy smiled.
Robin came into the room. "Hey Robin, I-" Beast Boy started. Robin wasn't wearing his mask. "What?" he asked. "I don't remember," was the response. "I didn't know you had blue eyes." Robin nodded. "I've just never taken off my mask." Cyborg looked just as surprised. "Hey Cyborg, can we take the car?" asked Robin. Cyborg nodded. "You need more than I do tonight."
The girls came into the room and the boys' jaws dropped. Beast Boy thought Raven was beautiful in her leotard and cape, but she looked even more so in regular clothes. Robin shared Beast Boy's sentiments. Starfire was absolutely radiant. "I like that you have placed your mask on your face," commented Starfire. "Nice shirt," said Raven, looking at Beast Boy. He simply grinned.
"See you later tonight guys!" called Cyborg as they left the tower. The four of them got in the car: Robin driving with Starfire in the passenger seat, and BB and Raven in the back. They started driving to the restaurant. "What movie should we go see?" asked Robin.
"Shaun of the Dead."
"Bridget Jones."
"Spongebob."
Everyone looked at Beast Boy. "What?"
Robin thought to himself, I was going to suggest Ocean's 12. We need to decide on what to see. We don't all have to see the same movie. "I'll see Bridget Jones with you Star." She grinned and tried to hug Robin. "Please Star, not while I'm driving."
"I am most sorry. But have you seen the first movie? You may not understand the sequel." "I've seen enough of it to get the basic idea." Starfire grinned again. "Thank you!"
"I'm not seeing Spongebob," Raven said simply. "Well, what's Shaun of the Dead?" asked Beast Boy. "It's a low-budget British zombie comedy," answered Raven. "Comedy, huh?" She nodded. "Okay, I'll see it." Raven let out a small smile. I thought you'd want to, she thought.
Robin pulled into a parking lot. The others looked at the sign in front. The House of Kobe. "How about some Pan-Asian cuisine?" asked Robin. They walked into the restaurant and were immediately greeted by the smells of hibachi grilled foods. The waiter showed them to their table. The four took their seats. "May I start you off with anything to drink?"
"Green tea."
"Coca-Cola."
"Warm sake."
"Mustard, please." The waiter looked at Starfire. "I mean… I would like some juice of oranges please." The waiter wrote this down and went off.
They started looking at the menu. Beast Boy found what he was looking for. Grilled vegetables. Raven had her eye on the grilled shrimp. Robin decided he wanted the filet mignon. Starfire kept looking up and down the menu.
The waiter came back with their drinks. "Have you all come to a decision?" he asked. They nodded. Beast Boy ordered first. "I'll have the grilled vegetables." The others ordered their hibachi shrimp and filet mignon. "And for you, miss?" he said as he looked at Starfire. "I will have this dish listed as… fugu." Beast Boy choked on his soda. Robin dropped his cup in mid-sip. "Star, you do know what that is, don't you?" he asked. She nodded. "And you know what it can do to you, right?" asked Raven. "No, I do not." Robin tried to compose himself as he explained. "If not prepared correctly, that dish will release a deadly toxin throughout your system." Starfire paused. "I am sure that it is safe. Otherwise, they would not put it on the menu."
The waiter left with the order written down. Everyone was looking at Starfire, hoping that the cook would know what he was doing. "Hey Star," said Beast Boy. "If something happens, can I have your stereo?" Robin dumped his Coke on top of him. "My hair!"
The cook came out to the table. "Hello. I'm Ken. I'll be your cook this evening." He looked at the order as compared to the seating arrangement. "Shrimp… grilled vegetables… filet mignon… and our master chef is personally overseeing the preparation of your fugu in the kitchen."
He turned the oven on. He started by squirting oil on the grill in swirls. Ken lit a match and the grill was ablaze. It went out just as suddenly as it had started. He poured a cup of rice on the table and performed more theatrics as he prepared the eggs and minced vegetables. After he served the rice (which Beast Boy moved the little egg pieces), he performed the Onion Volcano. Ken stacked the onion slices in a cone shape, poured a little oil on it, and lit up. A huge fireball emerged and Beast Boy cringed a bit from the heat.
Next, Ken placed the main courses on the grill. He cooked the beef to Robin's liking. "Catch!" he cried out. Robin opened his mouth and caught a piece of beef. He did the same thing with Raven's shrimp. Beast Boy was too preoccupied with the egg on his rice. "Beast Boy!" he heard Robin from somewhere. He looked up and saw a piece of broccoli. "Augh, my eye!" Everyone laughed. Even Beast Boy.
After the vegetables were served, another chef came out with a dish in his hands. The fugu. He placed it cautiously in front of Starfire. He waited for her to take a bite. She did so. When she swallowed and continued, the chef let out a sigh of relief and went back to the kitchen. "Enjoy your meal, everyone!" said Ken as everyone clapped.
As they were eating, Beast Boy noticed that Robin kept shooting nervous glances at Starfire. She didn't seem to notice at all. Beast Boy started, "Has anyone seen that episode of The Simpsons where they go to the Happy Sumo-OW!" He was kicked in both legs. Starfire looked up to see Beast Boy's eye twitching. She didn't catch what he said a moment ago.
The meal was finished and they paid for the meal, left a good tip, and walked out to the car. Robin opened the door for Starfire. "Thank you dear Robin." Beast Boy tried to open the door for Raven, but she opened it before he could. Man, he thought. This isn't working. Robin turned on the ignition, backed out, and proceeded to drive to the theater. He started to hear a heavy breathing. He glanced at Starfire and noticed she looked a bit pale. "Star, are you okay?" he asked with noticeable concern. "I do not know. All of a sudden, I feel uneasy…"
He didn't even let her finish. "I'm pulling over," Robin said. He pulled over to the side of the road. Starfire stepped out and the others could hear the sounds of retching. Robin got out and was rubbing Starfire's back. Raven was looking out the other window trying not to think about it. Beast Boy was not so lucky. It was happening on his side of the car.
A few minutes later, Robin came back to the car. "Beast Boy and Raven, you'll have to share the front seat. I want Starfire to lie down back there until we get back to the tower." The two got out and Raven sat down first, with Beast Boy squishing up against her. "Just sit on my lap. You don't weigh that much." Beast Boy stammered, "O-okay."
Robin laid Starfire in the backseat and got into the driver's seat. He started the car and drove (rather quickly) to the tower. Beast Boy looked at Raven. "So Raven…" he started, but was soon cut off. "If you want a good night kiss after this ordeal is through, it is imperative that you not finish that sentence," she said. I was just going to ask if you read anything good lately, he thought.
Please Star, thought Robin. Please be alright.