Chapter 8: Dinner!
The boys came out of the men's room and were surprised to see the girls had beaten them to the table. Sal had already put the first pizzas out for them. A couple of pitchers of soda and the table was complete.
"Hey guys," Terra said as the boys approached. "Everything come out OK?"
Beast Boy groaned as he slid over in the booth next to Terra. "That joke's so old it's not even funny to me." Terra smiled and wrapped her arm around Beast Boy's neck and pulled him towards her.
Raven slid out of the booth so Robin could sit next to Starfire. He flashed her a brief smile then reached under the table and held her hand. She smiled then placed her other hand over his.
Raven and Cyborg took the end seats on the booth. Cyborg grabbed a pitcher and was about to pour everyone a drink.
"Hey wait," Beast Boy exclaimed. "The waitress gave me something before we left." He reached down and pulled out the bottle of wine he had stashed under the chair. "She said it was a White Zinfandel," Beast Boy turned the bottle over in his had inspecting it more closely. "Funny, it looks pink."
"It's called rose," Raven unexpectantly corrected him.
"OK, rose," Beast Boy said. "Any way, I propose we crack this thing open and have a toast." Beast Boy looked around the table. No one seemed to mind. He looked down at the bottle slightly perplexed. "Um, does anyone know how to get this thing open?"
"I think you need a bottle opener," Terra replied.
"Anyone?" Beast Boy looked around the table but found only blank stares.
Raven sighed. "Here, let me try." She held out her hand and Beast Boy quickly passed the wine to her. Raven held the bottle firmly with both hands and concentrated on the cork. It slid out of the bottle then slowly flew over towards Beast Boy. He looked at it unsure what to do next. "It's customary for the person bringing the wine to inspect the cork," she instructed.
Beast Boy took the cork, "Thanks. What am I looking for?"
"First, does the cork look in good shape?"
Beast Boy inspected it. "Yea, it looks fine, I guess."
"Good," Raven coolly replied. "Now feel the end that was in the bottle and make sure it's wet."
"OK," Beast Boy said with slight curiosity. "It's wet. Is that good?"
"Yea," Raven replied. "That means it was stored properly. Now if you want you can smell it. I'll skip the tasting ritual because we don't have any wine glasses."
The others stared at Raven curious as to how she had known about this. She looked around as a small sense of paranoia passed through her. "I read a lot of books, OK?" she said trying to deflect the other's unwanted attention. She slid the bottle back to Beast Boy. "You can do the honors."
"Thanks Raven." Beast Boy said. Terra helped him pour some of the wine into the glasses and pass them around. "Does everyone have one?" The other's nodded affirmative. Beast Boy raised his cup. "To the good friends and good times; especially tonight," he paused to look around the table at the others.
"To good friends," the others replied in unison.
Robin and Raven put their cups down without taking a sip. The others raised their cups to sample the contents.
"Not bad," Cyborg said as he put his cup down. "What's up with you two?" He split his glance between Robin and Raven.
"Sorry, I'm still underage," Robin replied.
"You're not going to turn us in are you?" Cyborg said mockingly.
"Get real," Robin protested.
"What about you Raven?" Cyborg turned his attention to his partner who sat across from him.
"I don't think it would be a good idea for me," Raven replied as she directed her eyes downward.
"That's fine," Beast Boy quickly interrupted. "I don't want to force anyone to do anything they don't want to. It's just nice of you guys to join us in our toast. All right, let's eat!"
Beast Boy and Terra pulled slices of the tray and put them on the paper plates Sal had left out for them then slid them over to the others. The other Titans paused until each had gotten a piece then quickly consumed their slices before helping themselves to more.
When the others had finished Beast Boy divided his quarter stack into smaller stacks of four. "All right, who's up for a little racing? My treat."
"Count me in," Terra chimed in. "How about you Star?"
"Yes I think I would like that."
"Raven?" Beast Boy surprisingly asked.
"Um, I don't do video games," Raven stuttered with her response. "What about Robin?"
"I'll pass; I've had enough excitement for tonight. Besides, Beast Boy's a horrible driver. He's bound to cause a 50-car pile up," he chided his friend. "What about you Cyborg?"
"Still eating, pass," Cyborg helped himself to another slice.
"Come on Raven," Beast Boy pleaded. "There are four cars and it's always more fun if they're all filled." He looked over at Raven who glanced back to see if he truly wanted her to join them. "I'm buying," he looked down at his stacks of quarters to emphasize his point.
Raven slid out of the booth. "Let's go before I change my mind."
"Cool," Beast Boy said in triumph. The others slid out of the booth as Beast Boy led the girls over to the video game area.
Robin and Cyborg slid back into the booth. Cyborg continued eating while Robin began flipping through the CD selection.
"No classical music," Cyborg said between bites.
"Huh?" Robin replied in amusement.
"I had enough of that coming over here with Raven."
"Don't worry, I won't," Robin said as he turned his attention back to the CD collection.
"What's up with you?" Cyborg continued. "Since when do you pass up a chance to compete against the rest of us?"
"Not into it I guess," Robin replied. "Plus it would spoil Beast Boy's opportunity to be surrounded by girls. This will be his best chance to win a race anyway."
"Ouch!" Cyborg said with a slight smile. "Love softening your rough edges?"
Robin turned and shot him an icy stare. "Jealous?"
"Come on, I'm joshing with ya, relax," Cyborg countered. "If you like the girl, you shouldn't be so afraid to admit it."
"I'm not afraid," Robin quickly countered. "I just didn't know she felt that way about me. I mean I knew she liked me, but I just didn't know in that way. You know what I mean?"
Cyborg shook his head in disbelief. "Man, all of us knew she liked you."
"Well, why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because we got a kick out of watching you being clueless"
Robin sighed slightly disgusted that he was the last to know. "Man, you should have seen her at Blue when she came out of the bathroom. I never saw her like that, all wet and…." Robin shook his head unable to complete his thought.
Cyborg smiled as his friend drifted off into a fantasy. "Maybe you should take her to the beach."
Robin smiled, "Yea, good idea."
"Cool, when can we go?"
"I'm not taking any of you with us," Robin countered in disgust. "I don't want the rest of you checking her out!"
"You're cold," Cyborg countered. "Are you worried she'll wear a thong or something?"
Robin dropped a coin in the jukebox then turned and shot another icy stare at his friend. Cyborg laughed.
Beast Boy and the girls made their way back to the table putting an end to Cyborg and Robin's conversation. The girls all had smiles on their faces. Beast Boy looked slightly annoyed.
"OK, who won?" Cyborg inquired.
"First place," Terra replied as she pumped her fist in triumph.
"Second," Raven blandly announced.
"I won the bronze trophy," Starfire explained.
Cyborg and Robin turned and smiled at a dejected Best Boy. "What happened? " both of them asked in unison.
Beast Boy folded his arms across his chest. "They cheated; Raven took me out on the last corner then Terra and Starfire finished me off."
"There's no rule against that," Raven countered. "Next time yield to the faster cars."
"Where to now?" Terra asked the group. "The night's still young and I'm sure Sal wants to close up."
"How about Club Powder down by the wharf?" Beast Boy suggested.
"That sounds wonderful," Starfire replied enthusiastically.
"It's pretty tough getting in that place," Cyborg replied.
"Come on," Beast Boy countered. "We're the Titans."
"You're coming too Raven," Terra suddenly confronted her friend.
"Yes," Starfire chimed in. "Let's all go together."
"This is your date," Raven said slightly shocked. The idea of joining the group frightened her for some reason. "What do you think Cyborg?" she said hoping for some help.
"If they don't mind I think we can tag along," Cyborg said.
Raven sighed in defeat.
"OK it's settled," Beast Boy happily announce. "Look out Club Powder, the Titans are coming!"