A/N: Okay, firstly, I LOVE U samuraigurl! My first reviewer rocks! You have no idea. Secondly, I won't be able to update until at least the 30th, and after that, probably not for the whole summer. So I'll try and rush this one out…
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Disclaimer: What's the point? – oh, fine. I don't own the Titans, or "The Raven" for that matter, from Chapter 2.
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Vic looked up at the cruel, treacherous face projected above him, commanding the instructions. The African-American teen struggled to get out of his metaphorical "cage". But he couldn't. He was trapped. And there was nothing he could do…
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"Here we are," announced Gar after pulling the vehicle to a halt and turning off the unspeakably loud engine. Raven looked at the building before her. It was low and flat, two-story, made of polished umber wood and tawny brick. Lights were flashing and speakers blasting when the two of them stepped inside. Awed, Raven suddenly had the urge to throw her arms around Gar and thank him for inviting her; she hated places like this, and that was exactly why she loved him – no, not him! it! – so much.
A huge dance pad, sort of like a stage, with about seven disco balls above it, was the first thing to meet her eyes. There was a bar over to the side, and Raven was pleased to discover, after questioning, that Gar didn't drink. So much to observe in the Markov Nightclub, wasn't there? But Raven was distracted most of all by the next movement made, not counting the butt-shaking on the pad.
"Garfield! What's up?" Tara dropped her soda and rushed into the arms of her boyfriend. Gar smiled a bit hesitantly and quickly kissed her cheek. Although she knew she had no right or reason to, Raven suddenly felt herself flaming with envy. She shook herself. Kissing was a perfectly normal thing to do. For the fifteen billionth time, what was wrong with her today?
"Oh, hey Raven," said Tara, looking over at the dark girl. "Glad you could make it. Come on, guys, we have some brilliant songs, and I can teach you both some awesome solo moves. Oh, and Gar? there's a back room with some more…romantic songs playing. It even has a balcony, case you're interested." She gave him a funny sidelong glance.
"Yeah, uh…I'll be there, don't worry," stammered Gar. At that moment, the doorbell rang, and Tara dashed to answer it.
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Rich pulled his hand down from the plastic white button. He squeezed Kori's hand, and caught her gaze for what seemed like the twentieth time that night. Just five minutes ago, he had felt a kind of electric shock when she gripped his hand and stumbled into his chest when she stepped out of the car. Now he was falling into her entrancing green eyes. And at that moment, suddenly the rest of the world didn't matter. He had known this girl at school all year, and had begun to like her, but it suddenly hit him that it was more than that.
Despite all teen reality, he…loved her.
"Kori…" he murmured, taking her hand. It was about to all come pouring out of his mouth when the door opened.
Tara stood there. She beamed when she saw the guests. "Oh, hey Richard, Kori…uh, hey Kate!"
Kate? As in, Kate Moth?
Rich whipped around. The bratty blond stood behind him, snickering. "Hey, Richard," she practically purred, not taking any notice whatsoever of Kori.
Tara raised an eyebrow. "You know you have to come with a date to get into my party, 'Ms. Moth' – " she started.
In a sudden motion, Kate snatched Rich's arm. "Uh, he brought two dates, so he'll be spending time with both of us," she said, looking flirtatiously at the dark-haired boy.
It was too late to do anything about that brat. Tara was already pulling them inside.
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After several failed attempts by him and Tara to get Raven dancing, Gar headed over to greet his entering friends. "Rich! Gimme five, dude!" he laughed. Richard did so, looking slightly flustered. Gar rolled his eyes when he saw Kate 'Kitten' Moth clinging to his arm. He knew for a fact that Rich adored Kori, his supposed 'second date', so what the hell was the toothy, flirty blond doing here?
Suddenly, he had a plan. "Uh, Kate? Faren's here, in that back room, just so you know." Faren Wolf was Kate's on-and-off boyfriend.
"FANG!" squealed Kate, and ran faster than Wally West into the back room. Gar smirked as Rich flashed him a grateful glance.
"Thanks," he muttered, taking Kori's hand and leading her into the back room. Gar looked around for Raven and saw her sitting sadly on a red 60s chair in the corner.
He sprinted over, concerned. "What's wrong, Rae?"
"Nothing…it's just that…oh, damnit, I hate discos," she stuttered anxiously.
Gar suddenly came to realization. "Is it because you don't have a date…not really, anyway, since I was gonna go with Tara? 'Cause, Raven, I'm glad to have you as my date." When she looked up, startled, he flashed her a small smile. "Come on, let's follow them," he whispered, gesturing to Rich and Kori.
Raven rolled her eyes.
There was no sign of the couple when they reached the so-called 'romance room' – well named, in fact, for there were couples kissing and dancing closely wherever one looked. "The balcony," Raven suggested in a low whisper. Gar nodded, suddenly feeling his heart pounding in his chest for no obvious reason.
They reached the balcony. Nobody was there. Gar closed the door. It was chilly, and the wind whipped Raven's black hair around her face as it had on the motorcycle, only now he could get a full view of her face. Pale, soft, angelic – and now he wasn't shaking the feeling away. Instead, he let it fully envelop him.
"There, Raven. Now we're alone."
She looked startled. "What?"
Gar gazed at her. "Raven, listen. Ever since the poetry place, I can't…I mean, uh…you're all I think about. And…"
"Yeah?" Both of their voices were growing softer as the scene grew more intense.
He moved closer to her, and in a quick motion, touched her ashen face. "And I think I'm in love with you," he whispered, pulling her to him and kissing her.
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"So, uh, do you know how to dance?" Richard questioned awkwardly. Kori shook her head. Rich smiled. "Then you'd better take it from me," he murmured. "First, you step this way, then…"
As the romantic music hummed in the background, Kori felt her world disappear. Rich's vest tux was smudged, and he was still in his sunglasses. With a sudden unseen bolt of energy, he lifted them, and let Kori get a clear view of his face. She stared into huge, blue-grey eyes.
At that moment, they were utterly alone.
The world was gone. It was only them.
Lost in emotion.
And Kori loved the feeling, the way time froze as Richard leaned closer and closer to her, his blue eyes closing, the feeling of his lips on hers…
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A/N: Short, I know, but I'm sorry, I had to get this chapter done. Honestly enough, don't expect me to update soon, although there's always the chance that I'll get the next chapter in by tomorrow…reviews please! Thanks!