Different

Chapter Fourteen: Get Your Girl Part I

Notes: Everyone will love Gar some more in this chapter. Also, I know I promised the DCC more appearances, but since none of you got back to me, you lose. And in addition, I am so incredibly sorry this took too long.

Many, many, many people stared back at me with eager looks on their faces.

"SURPRIIIISE!" They shouted.

I shrieked.

And Gar laughed.

"Are you surprised?" Gar laughed, holding on to me, as if I was going to slide to the floor in shock.

"Nooo," I answered him sarcastically, "I'm not surprised one bit!"

"C'mon, Rae, get in the mood, it's a party!" He nudged me slightly before wrapping a commanding arm around my waist, "Now we're going to go greet people."

"Joy," I grumbled, but I had to admit that I did not mind being held onto by Gar.

As I glanced around I noticed a few familiar faces from Jo's dance she had held last month. Drake waved at me from across the room as he talked excitedly with someone from my Algebra class.

Gar steered me to where Vic and Rich were standing.

"Tonight's the night," Vic announced.

"The night for what?" I asked, confused.

"You mean you don't remember?" Vic asked, scandalized, "Tonight's the night that we help Rich get his girl!"

"Oh, that's right. Are things going according to plan?" I asked.

"You bet they are," Gar said, "I just saw Kori two seconds ago. She looks nervous. You should go talk to her, Rich."

Rich looked like he wanted to throw up. "Do I have to?"

"Yes, you have to," My eyes glittered dangerously. "We did not go through all of this hell last Sunday for it all to amount to this. You, Mr. Richard Grayson, are going to get your girl."

Rich looked absolutely terrified. "I'm a little afraid to."

"What is there to be afraid of?" I seriously began to consider hitting him with something, "She digs you. I know this- I know how Kori functions. Just get over your fear and ask her, damn it! Do as I say!"

"Yes ma'am." Rich answered, now scared of me.

"Daaaamn," Vic remarked, staring at me with newfound respect. He turned to Gar, "You have yourself one helluva girl, Logan."

Gar colored red while I screeched, "What's that supposed to mean, Stone?"

Vic winked at me. "You'll see."

"VIC! Get back here-" I started to stride after Vic, but didn't get very far once Gar caught my arm.

"C'mon, Rae, let's dance."

I looked back at him, "But I-"

Gar's grip on my arm traveled down to my hand. "Rae, you've put up with enough today. Just let me help you enjoy yourself. You are never going back to your house, do you hear me? I won't let you go back."

A warm feeling washed through me. Gar would do all that for me?

I opened my mouth. "Gar, I-"

"Hello everyone!" Jo's voice came from the loudspeakers.

I dropped my gaze quickly.

"Thanks for everyone for coming. I hope you're well acquainted with the rules by now, so obey them or Vic will throw you out. Now, as you all know, Raven Roth turns sixteen tonight! Anyway, we begin this night of music now…"

Familiar strains of an Avril Lavigne song floated through the speakers. I looked at Gar questioningly.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "I'm not leaving your side tonight. I feel like I've got to stay with you or you'll disappear."

He led me out into the dance floor as the chorus started.

If I could say what I wanna say…

Oh, tell me about it, Avril. If I could tell him how I felt, I would.

He caught my gaze, "You know, just because you opened up about your messed up life doesn't mean you can't smile. You're allowed to be happy."

A smile spread across my lips before I could control it. "I just haven't been happy in so long, you know."

He motioned for me to move closer. "You know, Rae, that's not a good excuse. Now, it's become my personal mission for me to make you enjoy yourself tonight. I promise you that you will smile so hard tonight that your face will ache in the morning."

Guess I'm wishing my life away with these things I'll never say

I grinned despite myself.

"Friend Raven!" Kori rushed up beside me.

"Kori? Are you okay?" I asked, suddenly concerned by her depressed demeanor.

"Well, Raven, I cannot find Rich anywhere!" Kori lamented, "Do you have any idea where he is?"

"That lying, scheming-"

"Gar, be quiet. Kori, I'm sure he's around somewhere. Check the food tables."

Kori nodded. "Would you accompany me, friends Raven and Gar?"

"Sure, we'd be glad to, Kori."

Kori lead the way into the food room.

"Is this supposed to be part of the plan?" I whispered.

"Maybe Rich is improvising," He whispered back, "We can never really tell with this kid."

"I know," I said back, nodding.

Rich was inside the food room. Once he met Kori's eyes he did try to run, but Gar and I stopped him.

"We've been looking all over for you, dude!" Gar announced, "Come dance with us. The party's really picking up."

Kori nodded in agreement. "It has been most lonely without you, Rich."

Something inside Rich seemed to soften at Kori's comment. "I'll come, Kori."

Kori beamed.

Gar and I sent eyebrow messages to Rich, who scowled in reply.

I'll do it when the time is right, he mouthed.

We nodded, exchanging glances.

"I think it's time to bring in the big guns." Gar stated, motioning for me to walk back with him.

We were hit full in the face with the opening chords for a Trapt song. Gar grinned and then decided it would be a good time to drag me into the dance floor. "Let's dance, Raven!"

I shrugged. "Why not? I mean, it can't hurt, can it?"

His hand shot out to grasp my waist. "No, it can't."

He started to draw me in closer, looking at me intently.

I'm sure I was turning an interesting shade of red by then. Gar's gaze was making me breathless, and I was pretty sure that he wanted to kiss me.

Wait, I'm flattering myself. Gar? Kiss me? Ha.

As I opened my mouth to make some completely ridiculous comment to deter him from making an action he'd surely later regret, Vic decided to come and interrupt our little "moment".

"Gar! Raven! Stop playing your stupid flirty games and come quick! We have a situation!"

"What kind of situation?" I asked, too concerned to get Vic back for the "flirty games" comment.

"Nothing's happening!"

"What?" Gar looked totally confused, and he wasn't the only one.

"Nothing's happening with our little couple! They're just standing there! They're too shy to even ask the other to dance, let alone ask the other out! We've got a real situation."

"It's time to call in the big guns," I said with my most serious voice.

"What's that?" Both boys turned to look at me.

"It's song request time."

"Jo!" I called, waving to get her attention, "We need your help."

"I am pleased to make myself useful. What do you need?"

"We need your most romantic song you've got, stat." Vic began, "And make sure you dedicate it like so: To two people who are utterly clueless how they feel about each other."

Jo looked questioningly at Vic. "Is this towards one couple or two?"

Vic shot a quick glance at me and Gar. "Two couples."

"What?" I asked, feeling out of the loop.

"Excuse me?" Gar evidently felt the same way.

"My point exactly," Vic muttered under his breath.

"Romantic song coming your way. I know just the thing…" Jo trailed off as she rummaged through CD cases.

"Aha, I found it!" Jo rushed to get it into the CD changer. "Go have fun so you don't look suspicious."

"Thanks, Jo. Now give us a song to have us convince Rich and Kori to dance."

Jo nodded. "I can do that. Happy Birthday Rae."

"Thanks," I replied, a little taken aback.

We practically ran over to where Rich and Kori were.

"Kori! I need to talk to you!" I said, shaking her arm.

"Friend Raven, are you harmed?" Kori asked, concern showing in her eyes.

"No, not at all. Gar, I know what you said earlier, but right now I need to talk to her alone."

Gar nodded, "I understand. I'll see you in a few."

As I lead Kori away, I could see Vic and Gar start in on Rich.

"Kori, I…" I began to think of a good excuse to tear her away from Rich. I could not tell here how I felt about Gar. That's the last thing I needed- to be laughed at. I couldn't take it tonight.

Kori was looking at me expectantly. "Yes, friend Raven?"

"I think I'm in love with Gar," I blurted.

Oops. Here it comes…

Kori screamed. "YOU ARE!" She practically launched herself on me, squeezing the life out of me with her death-hugs.

"Kori, can't breathe," I choked.

"Oh, apologies, Raven." Kori looked like she was going to spontaneously combust, "I am just so excited for you! You and Gar would make the cutest couple!"

"What?" I asked incredulously.

"I shall reiterate, Raven. You and Gar would be absolutely adorable. I give my blessing."

Totally shocked, but not so much to forget the plan, I countered, "But what about you and Rich?"

The light seemed to go out of Kori. "Oh, friend Raven, I haven't the slightest clue what to do."

"Here's my clue. We'll keep this our little secret, but I think you should ask him to dance." Kori raised an eyebrow at me, and I elaborated, "If you ask Rich I'll ask Gar. We'll do it together. The two of us."

Kori's eyes seemed to well with grateful tears. "Oh, thank you many times, best friend Raven."

"Who knows, Kori? You just might get your guy." I shrugged nonchalantly at her.

"And, same for you. You might get yours."

I colored slightly. "Yeah? Well…"

I heard the music stop. "C'mon Kori," I dragged her across the dance floor, "We've got to go back."

We placed Kori and Rich in front of each other just as Jo came over the microphone.

"This next song is dedicated to people who are totally clueless as to how they feel about each other. You are about to have a lesson in enlightenment."

Then, a very familiar song started.

"Kori…"

"Rich…"

Another day is goin' by

I'm thinking about you all the time

"Just go dance," We screamed.

Vic lifted his eyebrows at me and Gar. "Same goes for you two losers. Go enjoy yourself."

"What about you?" I asked Vic.

Vic shrugged. "Next song I'll come dance with you guys. This is your moment; enjoy it."

I'd do anything just to hold you in my arms

Gar dipped me low and raised his eyebrows goofily at me. "Do you admire my dancin' skillz?"

I rolled my eyes and smiled. I continued to dance with him on and on, as Kori and Rich only tapped their feet to the beat and glanced at each other occasionally.

"It's kind of sad. She totally digs him, and he's totally clueless."

"That would make a good song, you know."

"You write songs?" I asked.

"I play guitar. I also write songs. This was gonna be a surprise-" Here was where Gar turned red "I was gonna sing Happy Birthday to you."

I groaned, "Oh Gar, you shouldn't have."

But Gar only grinned wider, "Yeah, but I did. I can't go home without Missy going unplayed."

"You named your guitar?"

Gar shrugged, thoroughly embarrassed. "So shoot me. All musicians name their instruments. Just ask Jo. She plays sax and she's named her instrument, too."

"Jo plays sax?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

"It's just that that instrument seems to fit her so well. Jazzy, loud, a little obnoxious, works well in all settings…"

"And if you blow really hard into the mouthpiece it sounds like a duck call."

I laughed. "There's that, too."

I'd do anything just to hold you in my arms

To try to make you laugh

"I think it's time for plan C," Gar commented, looking at the lack of progress between Rich and Kori.

"You mean our last resort?"

"Yeah, I mean our last last resort."

The song had ended, and we felt like we were running out of time.

"Vic, we're getting nowhere fast. Something has to be done, and it has to happen now."

So she said what's the problem, baby?

I looked up at him, clearly distressed. "I have this horrible feeling that if nothing happens tonight, nothing ever will."

Vic looked at me quite seriously and bent down to whisper in my ear while Gar wasn't looking. "I have the same feeling about you, too, you know."

I glanced up at him and sighed, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Vic just looked at me, looked at Gar, looked back at me, then wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, please." I attempted sarcasm. The heart hammering in my throat was making it kind of difficult to accomplish.

Gar chose that moment to nudge me. "Let's go, Raven. We've gotta make Richie keep his word."

I nodded seriously. "Otherwise there will be hell to pay."

I surrender to the strawberry ice cream

We walked up to Rich and Kori, encircling them.

"What's this about, guys?" Rich looked a little panicked.

"Yes, friends, I agree. What is the cause of this confrontation?" Kori furrowed her brow at us.

"It has to do with you two," Gar began, "And about how clueless you two are."

"About what?" Rich asked, a little defensively.

"Oh, nothin'," Vic whistled nonchalantly as he made his way next to Rich, "But don't you have something to ask of our dear Kori?"

"Who, me?" Rich feigned innocence.

"And, poor Kori, you are too shy, too." I added, looking at her in the face. "There's no need for you to be so shy, Kori."

Kori looked up, equally as confused as Rich was, "What on earth are you talking about, friends?"

"Rich has a question to ask you, Kori." Vic sent a knowing look to Rich.

Rich opened his mouth.

"Uh, Kori, um, nice weather we're having…"

I rolled my eyes. It was just like last time we did this.

"So, anyway, about today, tonight's been fun, hasn't it? Heh…"

I sent an exasperated look to Vic.

Vic crept up beside rich and grinned devilishly.

"So, Kori, I, um-" Vic nudged him in the ribs- "KORI WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?"

Vic and Gar hooted with laughter.

I struggled to keep a straight face.

Rich looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

But Kori's face lit up. She then launched herself on Rich, "Oh yes, friend Rich, I will! I will "date" you, as you Americans put it!"

A ridiculous grin spread across Rich's face as his arm snaked around her waist. "And I, Kori, will be happy to date you, too."

So come on, come on, turn a little fas-

The song ended abruptly.

"Aww, isn't that sweet?" A voice came floating from the other side of Rich's basement.

Kori gasped and Rich held her tighter.

Amanda was standing here, smirking at us. Behind her was Terra and Kitten with evil smiles.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, "This is my party! You can't come- you weren't invited because you're not welcome!"

"It doesn't matter whether I'm welcome or not, bitch," All conversation had stopped and so had the music, "All that matters is that you're a boyfriend stealer."

"Boyfriend stealer?" I snorted, shoving Vic and Gar's restraining hands off me. I strode towards Amanda, getting in her face, "I wouldn't do that, seen as you egged my house!"

"And you stole my boyfriend!" Terra shrieked.

"I stole your boyfriend?" I screamed, "Are you fucking kidding me? If my memory serves me correctly, you were the one that tried to beat him up! I saved him from that fate! Well, not that you could cause any damage, you twig."

"TWIG?" Terra screeched, "I'm not anorexic! You're the one who slits her wrists!"

"I don't slit my wrists, you deluded bitch," I snarled, my hands curling into angry fists.

Amanda and Kitten circled around me. "Raven, we're not very happy with you. And if you don't come with us quietly, we have some football players who will be glad to knock you out in front of all these people and drag you away."

"What is this about?" I asked, close to screaming again.

"This is about you getting me into trouble! The whole school thinks I'm a psycho druggie!" Amanda screamed.

"Well, you are!" I screamed back. I could feel the energy crackling through me.

Gar must have seen it coming, because he bounded across the floor and wrapped me in a restraining bear hug before I could launch myself into those girls.

"Easy, Rae," Gar whispered in my ear.

"No, Gar, I will not take it easy!" I said, straining to get loose, "I have a score to settle here!"

"Now is not the time, Rae. We can settle this in court," He whispered in my ear.

He looked at the girls, and in he most commanding voice I've ever heard from him, he said, "You girls better leave right now, because I am seriously thinking about letting her go and attack you guys."

Amanda snarled, "Don't think this is over, bitch! You'll be dead before you know it!"

They stalked upstairs and slammed the door behind them.

Gar let me go and I ran as far as I could.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Teen Titans or any characters mentioned. I do not own the songs included in chapters 14-15.

Be sure to check out part II!