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 8: She knows. Doesn't she? :In Wally's P.O.V.:
Flashback
Victor stared at Richard when he gave no answer, "I said, how are your issues with Kori?"
Richard kept his straight face, "She still isn't talking to me… God, I don't know what her problem is."
Victor scoffed, 'Yeah right…'
"You know, last time she talked to me, she said that she felt like you were hiding something from her… Maybe that's her problem," Victor cocked an eyebrow.
Silence.
Richard sighed, "Last time she talked to me, she demanded an answer for something…" he looked at Victor, his eyes hinting that he wanted to tell something.
Pregnant pause…
…
Immaculate pause…
…
"You know that I know, don't you?" Victor smirked as he read his friend's eyes. He felt relieved actually… Getting the issue out in the open would certainly release some ungodly tension.
That was if… Richard cooperated.
"I know you know something… but not everything…" Victor's ears perked as Richard spoke the truth.
"But I'm not letting you know everything… not yet," Richard replied, with this, Victor's ears went down.
Richard would probably never cooperate.
Victor poked his fork on the table, feeling uneasy. With the topic inappropriately closed, there was nothing left to discuss about… all there was left was the uneasy tension.
… Hey, since there was already the tension, Victor supposed that it wouldn't hurt to make it worse.
He was already used to it, anyway.
"Rich, my man, tell me this though… why the coldness to Raven? And what's with all the Wally-hating?" He asked boldly, feeling slightly proud of himself.
He grinned inwardly when Richard's pupils widened and when he stiffened… but it was short-lived as Richard immediately composed himself.
"Vic, my man, if I tell you that, then you would know everything," Richard smirked as he expected a disappointed silence.
There was none.
"So you admit it," Victor's eyes glowed with intensity, "You do hate Wally."
…Silence.
"May I ask why?" Victor plopped his chin on his pal as he stared directly at Richard.
There was a pause before Richard answered, "Hate is such a strong word, Vic… use dislike." He answered irrelevantly.
Victor rolled his eyes, "All right, your highness. Why do you dislike Wallace Rudolph West?"
"Because he's my rival," Richard automatically answered with a shrug; he automatically added a statement too, "… in soccer."
Victor snorted, "Rich, I know that you can sometimes be an ass… but you can never be shallow…so what's up?" He continued to stare at him.
"Because of him, my temper flared which shocked Kori… it caused tension between us. Then Kori asked something that I couldn't answer which leads to her not talking to me," although it took him seconds, even minutes, to reply, when it came, Richard's words were clear, short and calm.
Victor sensed the lie.
"You have disliked Wally way before your argument."
And with that, Richard kept quiet. He was running out of excuses.
He just had to use a defensive one.
"I dislike Wally because I'm an ass," he said out of the blue, but he knew, deep inside his heart, that what he said was true, "Now leave me alone to lament on Ko-"
"Wally just asked Raven out…"
Pause, pause, pause…
"Oh," Richard trembled, eyes wide… eyes searching.
"Yup," Victor grinned knowingly.
Oh yeah… Victor, at that time, knew everything.
End Flashback
"So… Where are we going?" Raven asks as she gets in my car.
I just smile and motion her to put her seatbelt on. I start my car again and start to drive; I look at the road before me, our destination fixed in my mind.
I feel Raven's eyes fixate themselves on me, "So… nice clothes..." she reaches out to touch my peach polo shirt, I feel warm at the touch, "So… Uhhh… Pink?"
I blush and say defensively, "It's peach…"
Raven snorts, "Looks pink to me," she teases but immediately takes it back when she sees me cringing, "You look good, Wally…"
Silence.
I take a look at Raven, "You look good too…" I look at her knee-length skirt and white sweater; she manages to look so amazing while being so simple… I suddenly feel overdressed for the occasion.
C'mon Wally… this is a special day and all you can think about is clothes.
I frown as I scold myself; Raven notices, "Anything wrong, Wally?"
"Huh? Oh nothing…" I lie. Not wanting to appear shallow or ditzy; I know it often turns dates off… Not that Raven knows that this is a date.
… Or an official one, at least.
I shake my head from side to side, as if trying to shake irrelevant thoughts out of my head, "So… have you ever been to Central City?" I ask, smiling.
She looks at me with intrigued eyes, "No, but I've heard of it," she keeps looking at me as she adds, "They say that 'Central University for the Arts' is an amazing school."
I grin, "Yeah it is, my uncle works there… He used to be a professor, but I believe that he holds quite a high position there now," I see that she wants to ask something, but I immediately change the subject… it may seem mean, but I don't want to talk about universities along the way. Because she'll just mention her plans of going to Azarath University… and her whatever Richard-related reason behind that plan.
"So! Central City's my hometown, there's-a-lake-there-and-I-wanna-take-you-there-let's-go-boating!" I say quickly, mainly to hide and deny the bitterness I feel for the previous thought.
When Raven doesn't answer; I become tense, thinking that she has sensed my emotions. I look at her.
"Boating is fine," she replies… and I sigh out in relief, she had just been contemplating on what I have said… errr… maybe. Or maybe she was thinking of good old Richard, again.
I sigh again… this time, to relieve myself from sudden unpleasant thought of Richard.
It slightly works… just slightly.
I don't like myself like this…
Flashback
Wally felt cold sweat run down his back as he and Richard entered the Guidance Counselor's office. Surely he would get in trouble; the school had always preferred Richard; he was the president of the student committee… He just hoped that everything he wanted to say to Richard would be said before the school punishes him.
When they were completely inside the dull room; the female Guidance Counselor motioned them to sit down. Wally looked at Richard's calm face as they both obeyed.
"The president of the student committee and the friendliest senior of this school year," the woman finally spoke with a gentle smile, "Quite a surprise finding you two here…"
Richard took a sideway glance at Wally before clearing his throat to speak, 'Ma'am, it was all a misunderstanding. Wally just misinterpreted my words, that's all."
"You said that my friends are shallow people who will never get Raven and so that makes them unworthy of her attention… there is nothing to misinterpret!" Wally said as his defense. His face grew hot as his eyes met Richard's indifferent gaze.
The woman calmly turned to Richard, "Is that true?"
Richard bowed his head to hide his reddening face, "He… he somehow rephrased it… but yes," he answered flatly before looking at the woman, "I was having a bad day and he just got on my nerves-"
"I just asked you if you'd seen Raven!" Wally's anger spilled, "And by the way, about what you said about my friends…my friends understand Raven better than you!"
Richard just snorted as he kept his gaze away, "I understand Raven better than anyo-"
"No, you don't understand her at all, liar…"
…Silence. The woman gazed at the two teenagers with amused eyes. She let them continue.
It took moments before the argument continued.
"When Raven feels ill, she prefers it if you leave her alone," Richard stated suddenly. And he continued to voice his knowledge, or what he thought was his knowledge of Raven, "Raven prefers quiet… speak to her only when she speaks to you. Don't push her for answers. Leave her alone when she is depressed, frustrated or hurt. Don't offer her help, her pride doesn't allow it. Always remind her of her responsibilities in society. Raven doesn't take flattery well. Don't express any admirations, concerns or opinions for her, it'll make her uncomfortable…" Richard stated as matter-of-factly, "Raven is not some normal person whom you can express normal acts of friendship with… I've been her friend since we were toddlers, I have observed all of her behaviors," he continued with such confidence that it had offended Wally to disgust.
"After all of those years you brag about being with her, all you have is some twisted version of what you think is her," Wally gawked exasperatedly, "THAT IS NOTHING LIKE RAVEN!"
Richard, at that time, stood up, "Who are you to say that? Do you actually think that you know her better than me?" He challenged.
"Maybe…" Wally accepted the challenge, also standing up, "And even if I don't, at least I don't make her feel bad!"
"And now you're saying that I make Raven feel bad… is that what you're saying?" Richard's mouth dried as he dreaded what Wally would answer. Maybe because he already knew it.
"Yes, that's the only thing you manage to make her feel," Wally's voice raised higher as he stepped a foot closer to Richard, who also did the same.
"It seems to me that this Raven is the cause of your entire dispute," the woman's sudden cool voice stopped the boys from lunging at each other. "What is her relation to you?" She addressed Wally.
…
Wally blushed, feeling his breath calm down, "She's my friend… I-I like her," he admitted, blushing furiously which made the counselor mentally scold herself for wanting to tease him. When she managed to restrain herself from doing so; she turned to Richard, who was staring at the boy with wide, almost terrified, eyes.
She ignored the look, "I suppose you like her too, Richard?" A fond smile played over her lips as she asked the question.
It took him an eternity to answer.
"I-Ye-No… I have… I likeKori Anders, my girlfriend."
The terrified look did not leave his face.
End Flashback
"Everyone here are lovers," Raven looks around the lake packed with boating couples. She fidgets under the sun's heat, "I feel out of place…"
Strangely enough, I pay no mind to her comments and just keep on rowing our boat. It may seem corny, but the song "Kiss the Girl" keeps playing in my mind. It plays on dreamily until it's Richard's wretched voice I hear singing,
Oh God… what's happening to me?
I just suddenly have these unpleasant thoughts of Richard and my mind gets unfocused. I have never experienced anything like this before. Sure, I have always been a little annoyed with him… but to dislike him enough to act out of my character… Never! Wally West doesn't dislike anybody! Wally West doesn't snap, talk back, get into fights or spark arguments over an eye color… But why is Wally West doing that? Why am I doing that? Why does Richard have this effect on me?
I'm not falling for Richard, am I?
"Wally, are you sure you're alright? You're turning red."
Once again, I ignore her words and ask a question of my own accord, "Say, Raven… have you ever had… unpleasant thoughts of someone?"
"Unpleasant thoughts?" Raven repeats and thinks for a while, "Sometimes. I guess it's normal… But I tend to avoid thoughts like that, it makes me feel mean. I don't know…"
"I see," I nod like a child, "You know me, Raven, I don't bear grudges. But… do you think it's normal if I… dislike someone…" I anxiously anticipate for her answer.
"Of course. You're always going to meet people you don't like," she looks intrigued, "Why? Are you being bothered by someone?" she asks sincerely.
I twitch my left eye on purpose as I tilt my head, feeling unsure, "Yeah… I think…"
Yeah… Richard, he's the one!
"I'm listening…" Raven puts her hands on her knees and listens intently.
"Well…" I feel reluctant to start, but I do so anyway, "What if you like someone who likes someone else, but the other person treats the other person like shit… but the other person still loves the other person! And she doesn't notice your efforts at all. And you don't know why you're putting so much so much effort when you just like her… does it mean that you already love her? And… then you're all bitter with the other guy! You start to dislike him so much that you do things that even appalls yourself! And you think of him as much as you think of the girl. And-you-can't-help-but-feel-bitter-in-every-single-day-of-your-life!" I take a sharp intake of breath and continue, already oblivious to what I was saying, "And-you-hear-his-wretched-voice-singing-kiss-the-girl-and-"
"Wally!" She stops me from being hysterical; she grabs my fists out of my hair and puts them on my lap, "That's just jealousy…" she says calmly with a smile.
"It's just maybe a result of your frustrations for your unnoticed ef…" she suddenly pauses as her eyes shoot up wide, as if she were a deer in headlights; she slumps in her seat, "…forts…"
I watch her actions, terrified.
Oh my God… Does she know? Does she know? Does she know!
Wally, you and your stupid big mouth… YOU CAN'T LET HER KNOW YET!
"Uh…" I frantically look for an excuse to not look at her and search my bag's pockets as I feel all of my blood rush up to my cheeks. I grab a thin pocketbook in it, "Here!" I hand it to her in such a tense matter that I almost look robotic.
It takes her quite a while to take the book from my hand; I notice that her hand is trembling, "Thinking B-better… b-by Jerry Michinton?" she stutters as she freezes.
Oh c'mon Wally… explain something.
'Yeah Raven, I think that you might like it… I was supposed to give it to you later but then I had to let my stupid, stupid, STUPID mouth blabber and you had to realize something… And I am afraid of what you have to say… So instead of confrontations, we're having a little gift-giving… now let's pretend like nothing has happened!'
Wait… I can't say that… Wally, you're so stupid!
… This is all Richard's fault!
Damn… There I go again.
"Thank you," Raven says in the middle of my panic session. I take a peek when I feel her eyes upon me; I see that her eyes are still opened wide.
"Yeah." I grin, still unable to look at her.
"Yeah."
"Hehe…"
Silence.
"So…Uhhh… There's a mall here, right?" Raven suddenly asks, "Of course there's a mall here, what a stupid question…" she answers herself quickly, her voice uncharacteristically high-pitched.
I look at her, "Um… yeah."
I hate myself right now… Damn you, Wally! Damn you!
"Do… err… I have no dress… for the dance yet…" she sighs suddenly as she covers her face with her hands, "I figured that I'd buy it here…"
"Oh… alright, I'll come with you." I have never heard of a conversation as forced as this.
"Oh…"
Perpetual silence.
"Alright…" she finally closes her mouth after a long painful while. She, then, lets the most forced smile I have ever seen creep on her face, "What were we talking about again?"
Silence.
…
…
…
"Boats and lovers," I say after ten minutes. Y'know, after I mentally stabbed my mouth over and over and over and over and over again.
It also takes Raven ten minutes to reply, "Oh yeah."
End Chapter
Author's Ranty-rantiness: Now, Wally isn't all bright and sunny now, is he? MOOCHACHACHACHACHA! I have no idea why I'm laughing, but it feels greeeaaaattt! By the way, I want more RobRae here! More RobRae in SaB!
Thank you to the lovely EvilWhiteRaven for beta-ing the chapters… lovely beta she is.
And thank you so much to the equally lovely Lost in Nevermore for reading the fic and giving me feedbacks… I owe you so much.
Thank you my beloved reviewers!
IxLovexWallyxWest: Hello! Ravest! Nice name for the pairing… Reminds me of Raveast… Hehe, please review again… and what happened to your other fics? Update them!
Chica De Los Ojos Café: :hides: Hello, well, this chapter isn't much of a surprise for you aight? Hehe… I'm about to write the first chapter of our fic; I just have to finish all of my friggin requirements… DAMN SENIOR YEAR! Oh! Thank you so much for the dedication in "I Wish"! Love yah mah man!
lunafan: Your hopes are answered! This will end as RaeFlash! I will have to be crazy for me to be able to write a RobRae ending… and I'm not always crazy… I can live a week without being crazy; I just have to stay away from coffee! But then… I need coffee so I can stay up late finishing my requirements… lol, err… I hope you liked the RaeFlash in this chapter.
DITZY: You are never online! This chapter was short:gulps: Well… the next chapter is shorter… hehe… I hope you liked this 'non-date' chapter, hehe! And sorry, I made him wear peach… :shakes heads:
Tecna: Awww… there's no fight, sorry… I hope you liked this chapter! And I hope that you also liked the preview of the next chapter, hehe! Please review again, hehe!
sailormoonrobinravengirl: :pokes: I hope the preview didn't really kill you… hehe. Here's your update! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Violetx3: VIOLET:HUGS: Oh, please do be five again, it's great! I'll be five with you! I hope you liked this chapter, the update is for you, hehe! BTW, you're an amazing author.
Neilie: Errr… There's no Roy in this chapter, please forgive me… Roy, a junkie? That's a nice idea, muahahahaha! Errr… I dunno if I'd do it though. About Donna and Linda, oooh… the other two of Wally's many loves. I'll think about it… :thinks:
You'reJustJealousCozISoundLikeARockStar: I can make Robin appear less of a jerk! Moohahaha! I just have to kill Wally! Wally will suddenly have some kind of disease! Moohahahaha! Garth gay? Oh yes…. I'm seeing it now. My sequel for SaB… SaG (Strange and Gay). Garth is a man pining for an acquaintance Garfield… If this Garfield already has a girlfriend then who will he turn to? Maybe Roy Harper. Wow! I have my summary!
finalitylife: I hope you liked Wally's P.O.V.. I really needed it to develop the character of the guy, hehe. Thanks for reviewing!
Delirium24: Here's an update! Thanks for reviewing! And also for kneeling; no one has ever kneeled before me… it makes me feel so happy. I hope you liked this chapter!
Bjorkubus: No prob on the comment. It deserved much needed praise, hehe. Thank you for reviewing! You know, I have never been aware of MARS until you mentioned it to me, and wow… they are kinda like Wally and Raven… I wanna read that manga! Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! Thank you again for reviewing and I hope that you'd write more stories.
Niol: lol! Thank you for reviewing! This is what happens next… what happens next after this? I have no idea…
HauntenWhisper714: I certainly wanna make you happy! So here goes your update! I don't think that there's a lot of drama here… but it has Wally in a pin- I mean peach shirt! YAY WALLY IN PEACH SHIRT! Love problems? Tell me about it… I hate mine too.
Miyuki-chan: Yeah, Raven's character is like that… but I like it, hehe. Wally is there to help her of course! And then about Richard; I really have to write a chapter in his P.O.V. soon to make him a less hateful character, hehe. Thank you so much for reviewing Miyuki-chan! I really appreciate it!
KFJinx+KFRaven: Yo! Yup, I'm trying to make one… thank you for liking this chapter! And Jinx will be in chapter 11… I know, I know… spoiler… but what the heck.
The Black Crow: I hope that the chapter was a nice Wally/Raven for you! Hehehe. And there's no pink shirt, but I hope that you liked peach! Thank you so much for reviewing, I really appreciate it!
lma: Thank you for reviewing! No pink shirt… hehehe. Why not make it, "HOORAY FOR WALLY IN PEACH SHIRT!" ?
Elven Dragon Rider: Here's your update… Errr… I'm out of skittles… :is teary-eyed:
Kodes: Thank you for reviewing! And thank you for the wonderful compliment! AND ALSO, thank you so much for that wonderful suggestion, I'll think about it! Errr… any other wonderful suggestions? I kinda need them, hehe.
Tears of a Demon: Thank you so much! And yes, long live RaeWally! Errr… any feedbacks on this chappie? I hope you liked it!
otakualways: Hehehehe, thank you so much for reviewing! RaeWally is adorable!
FiliaofMortis: LOL! Your review is so adorable! I'm so glad that you liked the last chapter! WOOHOO! And about Richard… his chapter is coming up, errr, quite soon, hehe! Hey, we didn't have school until Tuesday last week too! What a coincidence! We had this Coconut Festival going on hehe… what's your school's excuse? Eh, I'm so nosy, hehe, forgive me!
Teen Titans Obsessor: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and also the wonderful PMs! You are so wonderful, thank you so much!
Ayuru: Aba oo! Pinoy ako! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay si PACMAN! Moohahahaha!
Glil: Thank you so much for reviewing! There are some stories here where Wally likes Raven! Like "Kisses and Sushi", "Post Tenebras Lux" and "Mi Vida Sin Tu Amor".
Kosumi: Yay! Thank you so much for reviewing and faving this! And another yay! Thanks you so much for having faith in Robin… HE WILL GET BETTER! Wally x Jinx? If you say so, hehe. I'd incorporate Jinx in this… though not in a romantic way, hehe. :writes a chapter: THERE! I incorporated her!
pinkprincess: Hi! Here's your update! I hope this chapter will invoke your feelings to rant again! Because seriously… I loved the rant… really.
Hello! Thank you so much for the reviews! It has inspired me to write chapters (and even new stories!). Thank you.
Unbeta-d preview of Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Run
'I'm not talking to Richard again.'
Kori.
Oh God… no.
This is what I have feared most.
I have been, and still am, so frightened of people when they are upset… I am afraid of being the cause of it.
I feel and want to run away…
'Raven, you're still my date for the dance this Saturday night, right?'
Run.
Please give me feedbacks! Give me suggestions! Thank you!