Needs
Believe it or not, even I think it isn't healthy to stay in my room too much. That's why I come out into the Main Room to read sometimes. It's my own strange form of social interaction, I guess. I know I may complain, I know I may never get any reading done when anyone's around, but...
I guess it's just one of those things that needs to be done.
And speak of the Devil, someone's just entered...
Terra.
We still haven't gotten use to each others' presence. She hesitates for a moment before realizing I'm not, as Cyborg once put it, "go all Scanners on her". She takes a seat far, far down on the other side of the couch, grabs the remote, and gives me another worried look.
"Go ahead." I mutter, not too sure or too caring if she heard me.
Regardless, she turns on the TV, flipping aimlessly through the channels.
For a moment, I wonder if I should leave the room. Things are still a little tense between us. But I decide to just ignore her. Not that she's bothering me at the moment. Things are just fine right-
"Hey, Raven? You think maybe you could, like, teach me some meditation techniques or something sometime?"
I turn a page.
"I mean, not that I have control problems any more. I just heard you and Star meditate sometimes, and...y'know, thought we could do some female bonding. Or, y'know, whatever."
I keep reading.
"Or hey! You rollerblade? It's been a while, but I'm thinking about teaching Star how to rollerblade. Uh...don't suppose you want me to teach you?"
I read.
"Yeah...didn't think so. Um...maybe...I could teach you how I..."
I read.
"N-No, nevermind. You...probably don't..."
Turn a page.
"Well, can we do something together? Maybe...I dunno..."
Read.
"Nevermind. Forget it."
Read.
Time passes.
"Heh...are you always this grouchy, or do you just hate blondes?"
Read.
"Hey, I'm not exactly the cheerleader type, y'know! I've always been more of a tomboy. Or a 'Daisy Duke', as they used to call me in this one town. See, it was this real hot summer, and...oh man..."
Read.
"I thought I looked cool, but my foster mom at the time freaked out! I was sitting out on the porch, sucking on a popsicle in these tiny shorts and this shirt that was cut off just short of my prepubescent boobs...and I was totally clueless how lolicon I looked!"
Turn a page.
"Uh, don't ask how I know that term. Just...y'know, something I picked up."
Read.
"So..."
Read.
Silence.
Silence?
"I don't get it."
No more silence.
"You're not the first person to hate me...just like that. I've moved around a lot, and there are always those kids who don't give me a chance. They...they just get on my case for no reason!"
...A pause.
"It's not fair."
Read.
"Even before I mess everything up, they hate me."
Another pause.
"I just want to be friends, but...what? Am I not good enough?! What stupid standards to I have to live up to?! Sometimes, I really gotta wonder if I should bother!"
"Even the people who give me a chance turn their backs on me if I make one dumb mistake."
"So, why do you hate me, Raven?"
"What's your problem with me? Would you like me if I dyed my hair black and moped around? Or...should I not bother at all? I wasn't around at the beginning, so I can just go to Hell? Is that it?"
"What? Am I not good enough to talk to, now?!"
"Raven! Quit ignoring me!"
"SAY SOMETHING!"
...Terra covers her mouth and quickly turns away.
"S-Sorry..."
From the short time I've known her, I've concluded Terra is an emotional, tempermental girl. I thought if I just let her be, she would be fine. I really don't want hurt her feelings, but...
It's difficult...
Wait, is she crying?
She's trying to keep it quiet, but...
Why is she crying? Azur above, I didn't say anything! I completely left her alone! What in the world does she have to cry about? I try not to hurt her, but I still end up...
I shut my book and get up.
Terra gives a startled gasp. I think this is an unfamiliar feeling for the both of us.
Terra, with someone else's arms around her...
And me, with my arms around someone...
"Tell anyone about this and I will absolutely go all 'Scanners' on you."
She just sits there in silent shock as I walk away.
Yes, maybe it was out of character, but she needed that.