WickedWitch: thanks for compliments, when are we going to see more of your writing though?

Teleportal: thanks, glad you liked the cuteness

RAEXROB4EVER: Thanks, I wouldn't worry about your user name 

Lady Pyrefly: yeah I definitely want BB to be a little more mature than he is usually written because people have to change a little over time right?

Draco Blade: Here's more, thanks.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, DC does. The 'How Soon is Now' belongs to The Smiths and some band does a bad cover of it as the opening song to that show Charmed in case you were wondering. I realize some of you may not like this story because it Raven doesn't wind up with Beast Boy at the end. I said when I started this that I wanted to explore all aspects part of the relationship between Raven and Beast Boy and I believe that friendship is one of them. I think Raven and BB are a little more mature now so BB isn't going to be as much of spaz in this story.

------- indicates passage of time

HOW SOON IS NOW?
I am the son
and the heir
of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human and I need to be loved
just like everybody else does

There's a club if you'd like to go
you could meet somebody who really loves you
so you go, and you stand on your own
and you leave on your own
and you go home, and you cry
and you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen "now"
well, when exactly do you mean?
see I've already waited too long
and all my hope is gone

"Going out again?"

"Yeah, the girl's can't get enough of me."

"Funny that these girls never call here nor have I ever seen you call them."

"One just called."

"Really? I don't recall hearing the phone ring. Perhaps I was too engrossed in my reading."

"Yeah, maybe. So what're you doing?"

"I thought I'd enjoy the silence and read. Its been quite lately."

"Yeah…well anyways I'm going, have a good night."

"Garfield."

"What's up?"

"Why do you go out night after night?"

"I told you the chi-"

"No, Garfield, really, why do you go out?"

"…"

"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer."

"Well its kind of boring here. Vic's been hanging out with Titans East a lot. Dick and Kory are always around each other now. Me and you have never really had anything in common so why spend time in the Tower."

"You're not just going out, though, you're searching for a girlfriend. Why do that with all of your time?"

"It's what people do Raven. I mean I can't just sit around and think about Terra all the time. That was two years ago, so I have to try and meet some new people. What about you though? Why do you always stay in?"

"I like quiet places."

"No, really, why do you stay in?"

"If you think mocking me is going to get me to say-"

"Wrong answer, try again."

"…"

"Oh come on Rae I told you the truth, why can't you do the same."

"Fine, I like staying here because it's safer."

"Oh come off it Raven. You had to have gained some control over your powers in the last few years, I know for a fact you have, so you can't use that excuse anymore."

"I just prefer not to go out."

"Is it because of the dragon guy?"

"This conversation is over."

"Hey. Hey! Raven you can't just fly away from your problems! See you're making fun of me because I go out and fail at meeting people, but at least I try! You just sit in your room and meditate and read and avoid people! You may be brave when you're fighting people, but socially you're a coward! What? You think can make your eyes glow black and I'm going to stop? Please, I'm not fourteen anymore Raven. You don't scare me."

"…"

"Go ahead throw me in the ocean. You know you want to and I'm not going to stop you. You always talk about how I should be more open and honest, but you're a hypocrite."

"That's a big word Garfield. Are you sure you're using it correctly?"

"…Yeah, can you put me down now?"

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Have a good night."

"You're going with me."

"Excuse me?"

"I said you're going with me."

"When did I agree to this?"

"You didn't, but you're coming anyways. You gotta get out Raven, try again. Come on we'll go wherever you want to go, even one of those creepy tea places you like going."

"…OK, but just this once."

"Totally. You never know, maybe we'll see that goth kid you hang out with sometimes."

"Be still my beating heart."

----------------------------------------------------

"See that wasn't so bad."

"Define bad."

"Raven don't start. I saw you flirting with the waiter and you even took his number."

"…"

"C'mon Raven you know you did."

"Doesn't mean I'm going to call him."

"Well not right away, no, you're supposed to wait at least three days so as not to seem desperate. What was his name? Was it Billy or Bobby? Didn't he act or paint or something…"

"His name is William and he has acted in several plays. He has two brothers and…"

"Yeah you're not interested in him one bit are we?"

"…At least I got a number."

"Low blow Raven."

"Goodnight Garfield and thanks for the night out."

"Night Raven."