The rain pitter-pattered against the windows of the third story apartment as the glow of the television filled the dark room. Raven sat in her satin deep purple pajamas and matching color slippers, surfing the channels at two in the morning. All that was on were sappy love stories with goopy endings that made a woman's heart melt. Raven usually wasn't up for an over-romantic flick, but ever since Jeff stepped into her life, her mood towards the genre changed.
'Oh, James…we can not follow through with this,' the woman on the television cried, standing in front of a dangerously handsome man in bra and underwear.
'Why not? Why should our social status keep us apart? Look at how close we are now! Savor this with me Rebecca!' he said, pulling a strap off her shoulder.
"Ah, just strip her of her clothes already. We all know something bitter is going to happen and keep them apart. Blah blah blah…," Raven said changing the channel. As another movie came up in front of her eyes, she couldn't help but think how lonely she was. And she missed the unfamiliar but enjoyable male company. Feeling the need to mock her own life, by acting out a possible scene like one with the characters James and Rebecca, she jumped up from the couch and began to rehearse.
"Oh Jeff! I do not love you the way you love me, how can I go on?" she said in a high-pitched voice.
"You can go on with me and give me butterflies in my stomach," she answered herself in a low pitched voice.
"Raven? Is…that you?" a hushed voice said.
"Star!" Raven squealed.
"Why are you up so late at night? I heard the television and movement within the house."
"I can't sleep. At least not tonight."
"What is troubling you, friend?" Star asked innocently.
"Jeff."
"Oh, well Raven he—"
"I mean, here is this guy who is interested in me, and I'm pushing him away when I really mean to bring him closer…I think…" Raven explained while flailing her arms.
"How joyous! Then will you go on a proper date with him? I am very sure he yearns for that."
"Star, I don't know if I'm rea—"
"Just do it!" Starfire blurted. Raven looked at her friend with wide eyes. A sinking feeling in her stomach mad her conclude that Star was right, and that she should give him a chance. Maybe once he would get to know her he would drift away, and that would be the end of it.
"Right, I'll call him this weekend," Raven said softly. She turned off the T.V. and walked out of the room to finally go to sleep.
-xXx
"Honestly, Raven, I didn't think you would have called," Jeff said pulling out the chair for Raven to sit down in.
"Well, I did," Raven said with a quick smirk and a forced laugh. She sat in the chair and he pushed her in.
"I'm flattered," he said sitting down, "so what have you been up to since we last met?"
"I've decided to take up fencing. I pass a club everyday and it seems rather appealing. I'm signing up tomorrow," Raven said with a smile.
"What a great sport. I hear it's great exercise."
"It looks it."
"Good evening folks, I'm Will, and I'll be talking your orders tonight. May I start the two of you off with a drink?" the waiter named Will asked.
"What wines do you prefer? Or, at your age do you recommend?" Jeff asked. Will smiled.
"I hear wonders about our red wines, now which ones I'm not so sure of," Will answered honestly.
"Well then just bring out two glasses of the most expensive one on the list, okay?" Jeff asked.
"Yes, sir," Will said walking away.
"I'm not much of a drinker, Jeff. I've really never had a need for it," Raven said quietly.
"A glass a day is good for you though. If you don't want it--"
"There's a first time for everything," Raven said with a smile.
"First?" Jeff coughed, "really?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm glad I could share this experience with you," Jeff said with a smile followed by an innocent laugh.
"You find it funny?" Raven asked flirtatiously.
"If you don't mind my answer, I'll answer the question."
"I don't mind your answer."
"No, it's not fu--"
"Good," Raven said with a triumphant smile.
"--it's absolutely hilarious! What did you do for your twenty first birthday? Hide in a hole and drink water?" Jeff asked laughing at his posh comment.
"So what if I did?"
"You amaze me Raven, you really do," Jeff stated with a twinkle of passion in his eyes. Will placed the two glasses filled to the brim with wine on the table, and Raven looked into Jeff's eyes with laughter.
"So, have you decided on what you are going to order, or do you still need some time?" Will asked.
"Um, I think we need a few more minutes. Thanks."
"Okay, I'll be back soon." As soon as Will left, Raven lifted her glass.
"To my first sip of wine, on my first date," she said, bringing the glass to her lips and taking a small sip. She retreated the glass from her lips, and looked at it with a look of wonder. She then brought the glass back to her lips and started taking large gulps until a swig of it was left. "Delicious." Jeff stared at her as she put the glass down delightedly, and he took a small sip and put his glass down too.
"So are you going to drink any more water?" Jeff asked.
"Of course. After I have a glass of wine," Raven said with a smile.
"Of course."
-xXx
"Dinner was exquisite, Jeff. For a first date, that was grand. Thank you so much for the night," Raven said stopping in front of the apartment building steps.
"Thank you for sharing it with me Raven. It was an amazing night. I'd like to do it again sometime," he offered.
"How about coffee tomorrow morning?" Raven said with a smirk.
"You mean, you'll go back to the coffee shop, for me? Once again I am flattered," Jeff said matter-of-factly.
"Of course. Especially after a night like tonight. Well, goodnight," she said, turning her head to walk away. Jeff snuck a peck on her cheek, and she blushed and smiled. Her heart raced inside her chest and she hadn't been this happy in years. "You think you're going to get away with something like that?" He looked at her in confusion. He thought she liked the sign of affection when her face lit up like a red light. "I was expecting something like this…." She slowly rose to the balls of her feet and brought her face closer to his. He took the hint and closed the gap by gently kissing her lips. She broke away before it would get any more passionate.
"Good night, Jeff." He kissed the bridge of her nose and caught another cab to take him home. Once he was in the cab and around the corner Raven did a little dance and yelped for joy. She decided that she couldn't sleep on this much excitement so she went across the street to the park and sat down on a bench. She looked around with a smile plastered on her face, inside her heart was racing and the night was replaying in her mind over and over. Suddenly a gust of wind went through the park, and a neatly folded letter fell on the bench. She looked around to see if anyone was there, but no one was. She picked up the note and unfolded it. It read:
Dear,
To force love should be considered a crime. Do not pretend you love him, for your own true one and only will come in time.
Raven blinked a few times after she finished reading it, and one more time looked around for any signs of anybody, and no one was there. She stared at it in disbelief. She knew this was not any coincidence, and it really put a damper on her night.
A/N: Yah! Another update! Please, enjoy!
