Chapter 2 already! Ha! Guess you'll just have to review them both!

That night found Raven sitting on a park bench by the stream. It was hidden from view by some large oak trees. She frowned and hoped that she had chosen the right bench. This Jason person hadn't been very specific. Unknown to her, she was being watched.

From behind one of the oaks, the boy from the café was watching her. Somehow he had known that she would choose this bench, it was quiet and secluded, things he guessed that she liked from her attitude in the café. He took the moment to take in her appearance. She was wearing green converse, tight black combats and a blue tank top. Her violet hair tickled her neck and he could imagine her amethyst eyes closed in frustration. He was late, after all.

Stepping out from behind the tree, he watched as she turned towards him. She didn't have to voice her question as to why he had called her here; her eyes did the asking for her. Jason smiled softly.

Raven regarded the boy in front of her, her expression as blank as ever. She didn't like showing people how she felt, it meant they could exploit her and take advantage of her. Raven had had enough of being taken advantage of, it was the whole reason she had moved to Jump City in the first place, but she didn't like sharing the details with anyone. She didn't yet have any friends in Jump, and this boy was the nicest person she had met so far. He was dressed all in black, except from (amusingly) his green converse. It seemed he had noticed the match as well, if she could judge that by his appreciative glances at her feet.

Jason sat next to the girl, and she looked at him. He smiled at her, trying to make her more comfortable. Eventually she relaxed and graced him with her voice for the first time.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Her voice seemed flat, but Jason could hear the hidden traces of emotion. His elation was clear in his eyes, and Raven turned away, suddenly uncomfortable. Jason put his hand on her shoulder, feeling her tense at the touch.

"Hey," he said. "I never really introduced myself. I'm Jason Wyeld. Most people called my X, I have no idea why, though."

Raven turned back to him.

"I'm Raven Roth. I'm new to Jump City, just moved from Gotham. I'm going to go to Jump City High."

Jason grinned openly.

"Yeah? I go there already. It's not that great. Just stay away from Richard Grayson and his friends, they're the popular bunch. He's a big head, thinks he's all that. But he's not."

Raven raised an eyebrow, but nodded. She sensed there was more to his statement than he let on.

They passed the rest of the evening in a comfortable silence, until Raven noticed the time and began to stammer about her curfew. Jason shrugged.

"It's been nice to meet you, Raven." He said, testing out her name. "I'll see you around, yeah? At school on Monday, I can show you around if you like."

Raven nodded.

"Yeah, I would like that."

And she left.

So do you like it?

Fred