Disclaimer: I don't own anything…

Summary: I miss one big thing about him… he is dancing with her… he is in love with her. Raven finds it very difficult to handle her feelings for her long-time friend Richard. Who would help her? Raven x Flash, some RobStar and eventually RobRaeFlash .

Chapter 3: Change of Views In Wally's P.O.V.

Wanna know a secret?

I've been watching Raven since the last semester of our sophomore year.

Hehe.

Hey, but don't get me wrong! I'm not her stalker or anything… I just started to watch her out of dislike, well at first at least. I mean, for the past six years of being her acquaintance, her words, actions and daily activities haven't changed. Routine… routine… routine, who could be that boring! Another reason for my added dislike is that she has always been Richard Grayson's friend and I never EVER liked Richard Grayson a.k.a. Mr. Sore Loser…

It wasn't till December of our junior year when I started to change my views on her. My friends actually dared me to join the charity club and they were holding some kind of art exhibit for the poor or something like that. Feh. Anyway, I saw Raven there, playing the piano for the guests and when I looked around, I saw that most of the paintings hanging on the wall were actually hers. My thoughts exactly were, 'How can someone so dull be able to create something so passionate?' I decided to observe her then… I started seeing that there's something hidden in her usually dull acts, like how she becomes moody or snappy most of the time and how she tries to show it as subtle as possible. And even though she doesn't talk much, I know she likes doing so… it's as if there's something dying to burst out is being held in inside her… that something mostly shows in her art and music.

I really like Raven… I really, really do …

Is it a sin to want to be closer to her?

No.

But most people act as if it is… and I see them as obstacles. Those people and Raven Roth herself are one, and two is Richard 'sore loser' Grayson.

I'm currently getting past obstacle number one.

Just two more weeks before the finals, then another two months more to go to finish up all of our requirements and we're off to graduation. I don't know why, but I just can't wait to graduate and get high school done and over with. Some people think the same as me, that's for sure… everyone just wants to pass our finals; take Victor and Gar for example, those two spend most of their time getting tutored in the library these days, before, they were seen in the high school grounds pranking freshmen everyday.

Anyway, I tutor with them every lunch break. I find them very fun to be with, Victor is very cool and Gar is nice and funny. Their chemistry is amazing, they're hilarious. Kori, the president of the tutoring committee, is our tutor. She's really patient with us. I don't know how she keeps smiling with our annoying antics. She also smiles and laughs along Gar's corny jokes and all… she's really sweet; now I know why my friend Roy likes her so much.

I don't know how that loser, Richard, found such nice friends.

Richard often sits alone at the back of the library. He often grumbles and leaves his group every time I'm with them… he also glares at me at every chance he gets. Hey, I might be his rival in sports and also the friend of the guy who keeps hitting on his girlfriend, but I don't deserve the treatment I'm getting from him. Is he mad because Roy keeps flirting with Kori? Well that's Roy, not me… I am hitting on Raven, not Kori.

Hah! Another secret for you! ...Heh.

As for Raven, she's getting more and more comfortable with me since 'the ball' two months ago. I like how she makes me feel deep or something. I'm usually shallow when I interact with people, and that's the way people see me. It's different when I'm with her though; she makes it seem like I'm more than 'Wally West' the annoying hyper-active athlete. I know she considers me as a friend now. She even studies in the library to help me get along with her friends, of course she doesn't admit that… but I know it's true… Because I'm Wally! I know everything! Heh… And once I asked her if I could join her in buying her art materials, she answered, "Sure, why not…"

Of course she said that in a disliking way, but I know there was a hint of smile in her voice.

And I really like it… Most of my friends like it…

Only Richard doesn't like it…

… But who cares about him, anyway?

What I like about my friends the most is that they don't care about who each other hangs out with and they don't have this pretension thing going on. And unlike Richard, they feel comfortable with me talking about Raven.

"I thought you were supposed to go with Raven to the art store," Garth brings it up as we change clothes in the boys' locker room.

"Yeah, I'm gonna meet her on the field." I smile as I shove my track and field shoes into my locker.

"Hey! What about Kori Anders' number! I've been asking you to get it for me for a month now!" Roy tosses me a shirt and I put it on.

"I doubt that she'll give it to me…" I answer, sighing.

"Ask Raven," Roy suggests in a commanding manner but I know that he's just kidding.

I snort, "That I know she'll never give to me," I say as I lock my locker, "It's pretty hard to get to her."

"Man, you're no use!" Roy smiles jokingly, "That Richard is so lucky… Kori is all smiles and sweetness… plus a major hottie! I can't see why she picks someone like Richard."

"Because Richard is 'Mr. Perfect'," Garth shrugs and sits down on the bench; I sit down too as I put my shoes on, "He's an athlete, an honor student and the president of the student committee…"

"Doesn't really help him have more friends, does it?" Roy asks seriously but I don't really notice as Garth's words still hang in my head.

"I think it's shallow… how the 'princess'-type girls always goes with the 'prince'-type boys and vice versa. I think it would be nice if they search for something deeper or something," I mumble absentmindedly, thinking of the school's lovely couple… thinking about Raven.

The next thing I know, silence is already filling the room.

…

"Dude…" Garth wrinkles his nose, "What have you been smoking?"

"And can I have some?" Roy smirks and grabs his duffel bag.

I blush, feeling extremely awkward, "Yeah… uh… so why Kori? I mean she has 'Richard's' essence!" I say without thinking, in desperation on changing the subject.

"Richard's essence?" Garth snorts, now amused.

I blush again and don't answer, afraid that I might say something dumber. Good thing Roy is quite defensive of his feelings, because he takes the spotlight off me as he speaks.

"What about you? As far as I know, Raven has feelings for Richard, you're like a rebound boy…" he says, his attitude changing.

Oh…ouch.

"Are the rumors true anyway?" Garth asks with a smile as he is now amused with Roy's defensiveness.

"Huh? Yeah, confirmed that two months ago…" I suddenly find it hard to fake a smile as I feel an unfamiliar unpleasant feeling rise up in me.

"But I like it… gives me a challenge!" I cover quickly as I see their sympathetic gaze… I know I don't get past them.

Silence.

"Oh… I didn't know you guys were still here."

I turn around quickly and I see Richard entering the room. We don't answer him… not that he minds. He just takes off his shirt and prepares to shower, hardly staring at me through the awkward silence.

I decide to leave it.

"Anyway, gotta go, Raven's waiting for me…" I clear my throat and sling my backpack to my shoulder. Richard fully faces me now but I pretend not to notice, "See ya!" I head to the door.

…

Raven surprises me as I go outside, "Raven? I thought we were supposed to meet at the school grounds?"

"Oh… yeah…" she answers, unusually baffled, "Richard… Richard talked to me when I was heading out… so I decided to wait for you here…"

I notice that something is bothering her, but I don't press on it… not now.

"Is that so?" I put on my trademark grin, "Well then… let's go!"

Flashback

"Raven!" Richard grabbed the girl's arm as she walked past the boy's locker room, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Raven looked at him, "Since when have I not given you my time?" she gave him a sad smile.

Richard ignored it, "It's about Wally… I don't like him… I mean, I don't trust him…"

Raven rolled her eyes, "This again? What's your problem now?"

"Wally is not the nicest person, you know… and… and I don't know… I think he's up to something bad…" he fumbled for words as his hands gestured wildly.

"That's what you think, Richard."

"And… and Roy's getting more connections to Kori now!"

Her heart froze, 'Should've guessed this is about her…'

"Is that what your problem is?" she maintained a calm voice despite the ill feelings threatening to spill out.

"No!" he said immediately, "I mean… it's one of the main reasons… Raven, you know how much I love Kori… c'mon," he said awkwardly, and for the first time, Raven didn't find it cute.

"Wally is my friend… he makes me feel comfortable about myself."

She just had to try… just had to…

"For me, Raven? Just consider what I'm saying…" Richard took her hands in between his and held them tight, Raven, as if disgusted with the contact, pulled them back immediately.

'I'm sick of this…'

"Richard," she started, "I know your world will fall apart without Kori… and I know you love her so much that you're willing to disregard my happiness… I understand that."

Richard winced, her words were gentle, though slightly dramatic… But he didn't miss the tone she was using and the smile she was using, it was calm and straight, but shadowed with such despair and passion.

Never had she shown this to him…

… Or rather, never had he noticed her showing it to him…

"But I just can't bring myself to disregard myself and my feelings for you and Kori anymore… I'm sorry."

Immaculate silence.

She didn't flinch when he looked at her in such a painful manner, how his look asked her, 'what's your deal?' , how he questioningly frowned… but she did give one sad sigh when he turned his back on her and walked away.

End Flashback

"He's such an asshole…" I whisper to myself as Raven told me her story… well, all she said was that Richard didn't like Roy flirting with Kori, but it's still annoying! And I'm sure Raven purposely missed some facts and details there.

"What?" Raven asked as she made her way inside the store, I followed her.

"Nothing…" I say as I brush invisible specks of dirt on my shirt, "So Raven, what are you planning to buy?"

I know the question is lame… but I really care.

"Hmm?" Raven tilts her head a little, "Just some canvas and watercolor… I noticed that I haven't painted in months…"

I smile brightly, "I really like your paintings. What are you planning to paint?"

Some people might think that I'm just pretending to care, but I'm not. I really like her paintings.

I really like her.

"I have no idea… you're the one who told me to do what I want to do… I want to paint, even though it's near the finals," she answers as she checks those watercolor thingies.

"Hey, paint something pleasant! And abstract!" I suggest, absentmindedly waving my arms around. I stop immediately though, when my antics draw most of the buyers' attentions.

Raven blushes in embarrassment, but I see that she's considering my suggestion, "Something nice and pleasant? That's definitely something I haven't done before…"

"So?"

She smiles, "I think I'll give it a try…"

I grin, feeling happy. I don't know why but I am…

She makes me feel happy.

And we stay silent for a while, enjoying each other's company. I suddenly take interest in the art materials, finding them cool and interesting. I pick one thick paintbrush from its container, it looks like any normal paintbrush… but I inspect it anyway.

Maybe I should try and paint.

I turn around to ask Raven the question, but she suddenly speaks, "Pleasant and abstract… I should paint someone as how I see them."

"That's a great idea!" I watch her turn her head away from me and to the brands of watercolors. She whispers something to herself. I hear it. It catches me off guard.

"Maybe Richard…"

I drop the paintbrush… a sudden pang of pain hit my heart.

I like Raven, she makes me think of deeper thoughts and feel deeper emotions.

Author's notes: Oh my God… I am getting so fond of Wally… HELP ME! My rabid RaeRob fanatic-ness is in danger! Need to read good fics… need to read good fics… EHEM. Anyway, thank you EVILWHITERAVEN for beta-ing!

To the reviewers:

that little voice in your head: Thank you so much for reviewing! I don't think all Goths are pretentious… just some mall-Goths are. Thank you so much for accepting the RaeFlash pairing! None of my classmates liked the pairing… well, the only pairing they like is StarRob…

DITZY: I know… I know, it is sweet… and I'm getting really fond of Wally… err… or how I write Wally… I should cut back some of the Wally action… must fight temptation…

RoBiNxStAr FAN: Wow… Thank you so much! Wow! Thank you for reading this fanfiction despite the pairing!

otakualways: Oh man… now I'm making Robin look bad… oh well. Thank you so much for reviewing!

HermioneGranger22491Thank you! Oh, my grammar? LOL! I really have to thank EvilWhiteRaven for that… Raven being artsy, hehe, I have a deeper purpose for making her so… again, thank you so much!

EvilWhiteRaven: I'll hit Robin! There came a time in my life where I hated Robin so much that I even made a story just to bash his whole being, it's called "Robin: The Uberly Dramatic Crayola Endorser". Not a thing to be really proud about, I know.Anyway… YAY WALLY! Ehem. Again, anyway… I'm not your first follower? Sniff… sniff…

mysti-eyed: Hi! Yeah… there are more crappy RobRae moments in the next chapters… I know, it's not a thing to be excited about. But look on the bright side, RAEFLASH! RAEFLASH! Errr… sorry about that… I will be sending you the chapters of "Honey I Know" very soon, hehe.

InuyashasLucky13: Again, I'LL HIT ROBIN! Errr… of course at some point, there will be sweet RobRae moments here too… but I'm not sure what pairing I'll end this with. But for a sure RobRae story, you can read my new story "Honey I Know". Though it's more sexual… definitely more sexual than this one.

Mad Mauser: Thank you again! Raven just thinks that Robin feels that it's forbidden to be with her because of Star. Mostly because of how Robin is treating her… you didn't miss anything, hehe.

Cherry Jade: Thank you Cherry Jade! I agree, Robin is really abusing Raven… but look on the bright side… YAY WALLY! Raven won't be that sad in the next chapters, I promise! Well… no, I take that back…

Moon Alchemist: I still love your fanfic! I'm sorry about the crappy review though… I just couldn't find the right words to show how much I appreciate the story. Thank you for reviewing!

Chica De Los Ojos Café: I LOVE YOUR REVIEWS! YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO WARM AND HAPPY INSIDE! LOL! Raven and Wally are perfect? You really think so? (is freaking giddy).. Oh man… I love RobRae… I love RobRae…

autumn in bloom: Thank you for reviewing! I'm so inspired… Thank you ever so much!

andromeda90: I'll hit Robin for you! Oh… you didn't want to hit him… man… are you experiencing the same heartbreak Raven is feeling? Oh man, if you are then I am so sorry… I never felt heartbreak before, mainly because my love for people never got past the platonic or sisterly level. Which is great… NO PAIN!

Raven of Dark Dreams: Thank you for reviewing! That's nice idea! Thank you for suggesting it! Though Raven might not be using her friends as models… maybe she would use someone else?

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED! YOU ALL MAKE ME SO HAPPY!

Watch out for the next chapter: Richard Knows…