Authors Note: I never have much to put here, so… Yeah, read on! Also – I was listening to 'Just say so – by Brian McFadden ft. Kevin Rudolf' and 'Which to bury, us or the hatchet – by Relient K' through this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titan's or Twilight.
"You sure you don't want to come with? They are all looking forward to officially meeting you." Bella practically pleaded; her eyes were wide and her bottom lip was on the verge of pouting.
Jinx flashed her cousin an apologetic look, "Nah, Bells. I just want to get acquainted with the forest and stuff around here. It's my cat side… It makes me antsy if I don't." it wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either; she did get antsy if she didn't thoroughly check out new places she moved to, but that could have waited at least a few more weeks. But she didn't want to go to the Cullen's – something about them made her hackles rise, literally – like she was in presence of a dangerous predator.
Bella looked down heartened but let it drop, "Well, if you're sure…"
Jinx nodded firmly, "Yep. I'll see you when you get back though – so don't worry about me okay?"
"Sure, sure." Bella mumbled, "I'll be back in a few hours. Don't get into too much trouble, please?"
Jinx rolled her eyes, but gave her cousin a grin. "I'm making no promises."
Bella grinned back, but then glanced down at her watch. "Oh, shit. I'm late. I've really got to go." Grabbing her keys Bella jogged out of the door, barely catching herself as she tripped. Jinx giggled at her cousin's terminal gracelessness, but quickly set off to her room. Bella had lent her some old hiking gear – they were roughly the same size, so there was no point in wasting money.
Once Jinx had changed into some jeans, a Parker and some sturdy hiking boots, she began to put together a back pack full of supplies in case she managed to get herself lost. Soon enough she found herself walking at a steady pace through the dense thicket surrounding the Swan residence.
She couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful flora in the area; it truly was a sight to behold. Jinx had spent most of her life in Arizona and then Jump City – so she had limited experience with the great outdoors.
Jinx had just fought her way through a particularly clingy bush when she heard chanting coming from somewhere off to the left. Making her footsteps silent like any half-decent thief would she then proceeded to sneak to where the sound was coming from. She had to swallow her gasp of surprise when she saw Raven hovering several feet above the ground next to a running stream; chanting her usual mantra.
"Arazath Metrion Zinthos…" was the melodic combination of words. Jinx; herself an amateur witch – could feel the magic those words contained. Still silent, she then started scaling a nearby tree; then settling in to watch the pretty superhero do her meditation. Jinx had never actually seen the half-demon without her hood up and was pleasantly surprised to see how beautiful the girl was.
Only around two minutes had past when Jinx felt the tree branch give way from beneath her; sending the startled ex-thief hurtling to the ground.
"AHH!" she shrieked, before her feline nature kicked in and she miraculously landed on her feet.
"So the saying is true then," Raven said, looking over at Jinx from where she was still hovering, "Cat's do always land on their feet. Pity," she sighed, as though the fact Jinx caught herself was something to mourn. "It would have been far more amusing to see you sprawled on the ground."
"Hmpf," Jinx grunted, straightening out her clothes; while trying to keep some semblance of pride.
"So you were the one to make it snap?"
Raven smirked, "Yes, serves you right for spying, though."
Jinx spluttered, a soft blush rising to her cheeks. "I wasn't spying..."
"Oh?" Raven raised a skeptical eyebrow, "And what would you call it then?"
She thought for a moment, "Observing!" she finally provided, smiling smugly.
Raven sneered at her, "I'm not some insect to be observed." She snapped, glowering.
Jinx smirked, "No, not an insect – a bird more like it."
Rolling her eyes, Raven posed a question. "What are you doing wandering the forest? Trying to get lost?"
Jinx gave her a scowl from where she was leaning casually against a tree. "No, I just didn't want to go with my cousin to her boyfriend's house. His family gives me the creeps. Plus, my cat nature naturally makes me want to explore my surroundings. You're the most likely to get lost out of the two of us."
Raven had her eyes closed once again, and didn't open them when she replied. "No, I can just use my 'scary blackness' to get back to my apartment, no chance of me ever getting lost."
Jinx blushed again, 'scary blackness' sounded so silly now. "Shut up, it is scary and black – you make it sound so childish."
Raven, against her better judgment allowed a chuckle to escape. "That's because it is childish. Who says something like that anyway?"
"I do," Jinx retorted defensively, "It's not childish; I just don't dress things up."
Raven blinked her eyes open and stared at Jinx intensely. It made the fuchsia-haired teenager almost uncomfortable, but underneath that she felt a draw to Raven's unusual violet eyes – well she felt a draw to Raven – all of her. She always had, actually – even when they were enemies. Raven was an enigma, mysterious – and curiosity had always been a very strong trait in Jinx.
"You have always been rather unique," and her intense, violet gaze was once again hidden behind soft lavender eyelids.
Jinx found herself blushing once again at what she assumed was a compliment, "Um," she looked at her feet, even though Raven wasn't looking at her anymore. "Thanks."
Jinx could almost feel the superhero's smirk. "You're welcome."
The fuchsia-haired witch couldn't stop the next words that rushed from her mouth, "You look really pretty." She choked slightly when she realized what she had said, "I mean, without your hood up to hide your face and everything." She was blushing furiously and couldn't meet the other girl's eyes.
Raven was looking at again now, a faint blush running across her cheek bones as well. "Uh… You do too, I mean –" she stumbled slightly, for once not knowing how to phrase her words, "I mean – you were always pretty and everything but – um.."
Jinx gave a small giggle at the way the usually composed and stoic Titan was stumbling over her words, blushing and all. She could hardly believe what was happening was real.
"I get what you mean," she looked up to meet Raven's eyes, "It's strange to see that you're actually able to get nervous and awkward as well – like any other teenager."
Raven's expression turned abruptly cold, "I can feel you know." she scowled; now not looking at Jinx. "I'm not made of stone. I am a teenager; everyone seems unable to comprehend that."
Jinx hastened to try and salvage their comfortable conversation again. "No, I didn't mean it that way. I just meant you're usually so calm and composed. To see you blushing and stuttering is just so out of the norm for you, well…" Jinx grimaced, "Well, what I've been privileged to see of you anyway. It's," Jinx paused another blush rising, "Cute."
There was silence for a few long moments before Raven once again spoke.
"Kid Flash misses you," she stared at a suddenly uncomfortable Jinx. "He's – " she hesitated, "He's been depressed, ever since you left. He hardly uses his powers anymore…"
Jinx swallowed and felt tears suddenly welling up in her eyes, "I couldn't be what he wanted me to be," her voice was gritty from emotion. "I do love him," she explained, looking at Raven with pitiful eyes, "Just not in the same way as he loved me."
"Why?" Raven asked, now standing in front of Jinx – her hand reaching out towards her cheek, before she pulled it away, to hang limply at her side.
"I – " she couldn't say it, "I've got to go." She looked up at Raven briefly, the tears spilling over. "I'll see you Monday."
Without waiting Jinx took off doubling back the way she came. Tears were blurring her vision and she could hear Raven calling her name from back at the stream. She couldn't tell her she was gay – she couldn't risk their already rocky – quasi friendship on the fact that maybe Raven wouldn't be prejudice towards her.
She slammed to door shut as she stumbled without her usual grace through it. She dropped her back packed and allowed the tears and sobs to rip through her chest as she relived her parting words to Kid Flash – as she thought back to his heartbroken expression – his hopeless eyes. She had felt like the worst kind of monster that day – she still did.
"I'll do anything, Jinx." He had pleaded, his brilliant blue eyes filled with tears, "Just – " his voice broke, as did his heart. "Please don't leave me…"
"I'm sorry," she sobbed to the empty room, falling to her knees and hugging herself desperately, "I am so sorry…"
"Jinx?" called Bella's worried voice, as she walked into the foyer, "Shit! Jinx are you okay?" she rushed over to her hysterical cousin.
"Me?" she laughed; sounding half insane, "I'm fine." She chuckled hoarsely, "It's the people around me that have to watch out – or they'll end up heartbroken and bleeding and I'll just run away – run away like I always do when things get tough. Like the fucking coward I am."
"Jinx… you're not making sense," Bella said gently pulling her up from the ground and taking her into the lounge room. "Whatever you upset about I'm sure it's not that bad."
"No it's not – not for me anyway." Her face twisted into a snarl of self-loathing, "I don't even deserve to cry about it. Who am I to be upset when I cause someone who loves me so much pain? Who am I to get comfort from you, or anyone?" she ripped herself away from Bella's embrace, "I make myself sick." She spat.
Jinx ran from her cousin and up the stairs, slamming her door behind her. She was panting as her eyes darted around the room, finally stopping to rest on her sketch pad. She walked over to it, picking it up she flicked through it until she stopped on a drawing of Kid Flash; it was one where he was holding a thorn less rose – signifying love at first sight; his hopeful face and handsome smile only increased her disgust at herself. She ripped the drawing harshly from the pad and then tore it into tiny pieces. Tears running silently down her cheeks all the while.
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Raven felt completely helpless as she watched Jinx run from her. She ran after her; calling her name for a while, but it was like the witch had disappeared from thin air. Resigning herself to fact that she wasn't going to catch up with her, Raven enveloped herself with her black energy and soon was standing in the middle of her apartment.
"God you're an idiot," she cursed herself out loud, uncaring that she seemed like a crazy person; talking to herself. "You had a perfect, lighthearted conversation and you turn it into something else and go make her cry! What the fuck is wrong with you?"
She hit her head lightly against the dry wall, almost willing tears to spring to her eyes. But she knew they wouldn't; it was very rare that she would cry, and she could count on one hand how many times she had in the course of her lifetime.
Raven walked into her kitchen and flicked on the kettle, grabbing a cup from her cupboard and some tea she sat down and waited for the water to boil; desperate to calm herself down. She then wondered why seeing the ex-thief in tears made her feel so; so horrible? What was it about the girl that made her actually care?
She shook her head in bewilderment, like with her crying – there were very few people she actually gave a damn about, and Jinx was just added to that list; believe it or not. Raven poured her tea and stared into the inky depths as she sat contemplating.
The biggest question she was asking herself was; what was Jinx to her now?
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Raven stepped slowly out of her car, ignoring all the stares she was receiving from the majority of the populace. She looked around briefly, hoping to get a glimpse of fuchsia hair and pale skin. She found herself feeling disappointed when she didn't; immediately repressing the emotion she strolled towards what she assumed was the administration office.
When she walked through the doors though, she almost let a smile cross her face when she caught sight of Jinx; who seemed to be in better spirits today – grinning at the plump red-headed receptionist.
Raven walked up to the counter, shooting a brief, tiny smile at Jinx; who smiled back with her trademark Cheshire grin.
"Hey…" she paused, "Rachel."
Raven's eyes flickered to hers, and she smirked. "Jennifer."
Jinx's smiled widened, white teeth gleaming. "Call me Jen, Rae."
Raven clenched her teeth to keep her smile from widening, too. "It's Rachel."
"Whatever you say, Rae." With a wink, Jinx danced from the office with her fluid grace.
Turning back to the receptionist, Ravens tone became emotionless once again; and she didn't bother to analyze why it wasn't for Jinx.
"Hello," she smiled blandly; politely. "I'm Rachel Roth."
"Oh! The other new girl. Two all in the same week!" the woman; Mrs. Cope said with obvious surprise. Raven fought back the urge to make a sarcastic remark.
"Yes," her smile was more forced. "May I have my schedule? And a map, please?"
The woman's eyes widened, and she clumsily rummaged through a stack of papers. A few moments later she rolled her office chair back over to Raven and handed the documents to her sloppily.
"There you go, dear." Her smile was warm, like that of a grandmother. "I hope you have a lovely day."
Raven nodded back, "You too."
Walking out of the office doors she was surprised to see Jinx waiting for her.
"Hey," Jinx said, just before she snatched Raven's schedule out of her hands.
Raven glared at her, "Some common courtesy would be nice. You could have asked."
Jinx licked her bottom lip and gave Raven a sly smirk when she noticed her eyes dart down to her them at the action. "I'm an ex-thief, remember? I guess old habits die hard."
Raven chuckled dryly, her eyes moving from Jinx's lips. "Obviously. Have we got any classes together?"
"Three or four depending if you count homeroom as a class," Jinx handed the piece of paper back, counting the classes off her fingers, "AP English, Gym and Art."
Raven covered her mouth with her hand and faked a yawn to hide her smile. "I'm not going to be able to get rid of you, am I? What happened to staying out of each others way?" she teased; eyes unknowingly showing that it wasn't such a bad thing.
Jinx's smile was positively mischievous and she shook her head vehemently. "No way! I found out I actually like your biting sarcasm and dry wit."
Raven's eyes fell to her feet. "Good." She whispered to herself.
Jinx was facing away, and her smile was unimaginably soft on her sharp features. She had heard what Raven whispered to herself. Turning back around, she grabbed the teen superhero's hand and dragged her across the car park to where Bella and her boyfriend were, his sister; Alice was there too.
"Come on," Jinx said; excited. "I want you to meet my cousin."
Raven looked at her in surprise, "You have a cousin? I mean," she scowled at how stupid she was sounding – Jinx had said something about her cousin yesterday. "Cool."
Jinx giggled and rolled her eyes at the Titan, "Smooth, Rae."
To Raven's horror she felt heat rush to her cheeks. She didn't answer back as she fought down the blush. She looked up when she felt herself walk into Jinx's back.
"Ow," she rubbed her shoulder. "You could have warned me you were stopping Jinx. I'm going to have a brui-"
"Who's this, Jinx?" Raven heard a familiar voice, and her head snapped up. Her heart felt like it had fallen into her stomach and her usually stoic face blanched. Jinx's cousin was Bella? The vampire Bella? Did Jinx know? Then Raven remembered her saying something yesterday in the woods about how she got the creeps around her cousin's boyfriend's family – but that didn't confirm anything.
She suddenly found herself agreeing with whoever came up with the seeing that it really is a small world.
She gave a halfhearted smile to Bella. "I'm Ra-" her eyes flickered to the vampire holding the brunette. "-chel."
"Hi Rachel," Bella held out her hand to shake. Raven took it. "I'm Bella Swan, Jen's cousin. May I ask how you know her?"
Raven bit her tongue behind her smile. "We were friends, back in Jump." She assumed Jinx hadn't lied to her about her life before Forks. "We went to the same," she coughed, "School."
She shot a discreet wink to Jinx, and just as she suspected – Bella's face flooded with understanding.
"Oh, well that's good then." The brunette offered awkwardly, then gesturing to Edward and Alice she introduced them. "This is my boyfriend, Edward Cullen and his sister Alice."
"Nice to meet you." She ignored the penetrating looks Edward was shooting her. Obviously he was unable to bypass her mental shields into her mind. She hoped that he didn't make the connection between her and her appearance at Volterra – she was almost positive that he and Alice didn't give her a second thought that day, too worried about the outcome of the meeting.
"So what-" Bella was cut off by the morning bell ringing shrilly. With an annoyed huff she spoke again, "Are you going to be sitting with us today?" she directed the question at Raven.
Raven grimaced at being so close to them when she was meant to be observing, it would really be giving a new meaning to 'hiding in plain sight'. But she sucked it up and gave Bella another small smile.
"Sure."
"Okay, you've got homeroom with me, Rae – let's go." Jinx started dragging her away, throwing goodbyes over her shoulder at Bella and the Cullen's. Raven did the same.
Once they got to their lockers, which where ironically next to each other right near the end, Jinx gave a shudder. "God, that family seriously send shivers up my spine. I don't know what it is about them, but it's definitely not normal." Well that answered Raven's question. Jinx obviously didn't know.
"Hmm, yeah." Raven agreed, "I wonder why he was staring at me like that though? I almost thought he would burn a hole through my skull." She shuddered like Jinx did for effect; she already knew exactly what he was trying to do.
Jinx looked contemplative for a moment and then she shook her head. "I don't know. But there is definitely something up with that family."
Raven pushed herself off from where she was leaning against her locker, "Let's go. We don't want to be late on our first day now do we? First impressions and everything."
Suddenly Jinx's passive face lit up with a mischievous grin again. "Hmm? Well let's go make a lasting impression shall we?"
Before Raven had a chance to protest, Jinx had linked her arm with hers and was once again dragging her along. Once they reached their homeroom, they saw that they were in fact last to arrive. Jinx unlinked her arm from Raven's and rubbed her hands together sinisterly.
"What should I do?" Jinx mused to herself; turning to Raven she posed a question. "Back flip into the room?"
Raven shook her head 'no' furiously, "Jinx I really think – "
But Jinx cut her off with another question, "Or should it be a front flip? Nah a back flip is cooler…"
Nodding to herself Jinx turned back to the door and before Raven could even attempt to stop her Jinx had threw it open and back flipped into the room. Raven ran a hand down her face, but couldn't stop a large, amused smile to spread across her face.
Walking in after the quirky witch she glanced around briefly and chuckled slightly at the completely stunned looks on her fellow student's faces along with the teacher's livid one.
"Young lady, what do you think you're –" the teacher stood up from behind her desk angrily, but before she could finish her seething, Jinx was speaking.
"Hi," she chirped to the class. "I'm Jennifer Diaz; but call me Jen." She gave them all a serious look; suggesting that it would be a bad idea not to comply with her wishes. "I'm Bella Swan's cousin, and the girl standing next to me is Rachel Roth. Don't mind her if she ignores you – she does it to everyone. We are both from Jump City; more commonly known as San Francisco."
Raven merely smiled and gave everyone a wave. "What she said."
Without waiting for the teacher to tell them to go to their seats Jinx pulled Raven towards two empty desks close to the back; while whispering quietly in her ear.
"I've never been one for authority figures." Raven shivered when Jinx's hot breath hit her ear and whispered back; just as conspiratorially. "I know."
End Note: Haha, I love the ending; personally. I know I said I would be holding my updates hostage, but I couldn't do it lol. Hope you enjoyed it.
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