Chapter 6

A/N: Here's a quick update. Don't know why I'm writing this when I should be studying for our exams tomorrow.

Raven's paintbrush softly grazed the half full canvas perched on her easel, her eyebrows knit together at the center in concentration. She had been painting for over an hour now, and her attention was completely immersed in her work that she tuned everything else out. She dipped her paintbrush slightly on the blue hue on her palette and delicately smoothed out the strokes on her work. While her body concentrated on making the perfect picture, her mind was elsewhere.

It had been a month since school started she had been busy with school work. The dark bird had assumed Robin, Victor and Karen were too since she had hardly heard from them for two weeks now. Mixing two contrasting colors together on her palette then, trying it out, Raven painted over an empty space on her easel. I wonder what the Boy Wonder is up to. The random thought popped into her head before she could stop it. She knew that partly the reason why her best friend had not bothered to call was because he was still sore from the whole Jason scene at the party, and the fact that he let such a small thing stop him from calling was enough to tick Raven off. And it was pointless, since both could be equally stubborn when they were determined enough. Raven rolled her eyes but grinned despite herself. Typical us.

At the thought of the party, her mind wandered off to Jason, who since then had called a few times, leaving messages addressed directly to her on their phone and some relayed to her by Jinx who had once answered his call when she was lounging on the sofa, painting her toenails. She immediately proceeded to bombard Raven with questions as soon as she stepped in their room. Raven dipped her brush on a different color, blending it with the blue on her work.

Raven popped on the helmet Jason gave her and hopped on behind him, feeling anxious. His motorcycle looked lean and quick and if he drove as crazy as Robin did on his motorcycle, then Raven was definitely not going to enjoy the ride, but the thought of a cold shower and her comfy bed at home was enough to convince her to endure it. Both the ride home, and the cocky Jason who was smirking down at her.

"Excited, little bird?"

"Yeah. Can hardly contain it."

Jason's mirthless laugh rang in the empty parking lot. He smiled down on her then revved up the engine.

"Hold on tight."

The ride home was bumpy and fast, Jason maneuvering through blocks, stop signs and small alleyways. His driving was sloppy, compared to Robin's who drove smoothly, going 90 miles an hour through traffic but Raven dismissed it as the alcohol and the late hour. 'He's probably just as beat as I am.'

Once they got to the parking lot behind Raven's dormitory building, she stood wobbly on her feet, handing him back his helmet.

"Thanks for the ride."

"No problem, little bird."

"Don't call me that." Raven snapped, annoyed at his pet name for her. They had just met after all, and she did not think that just because he drove her home, does not mean they were by any means friends. Jason snorted childishly, crossing his arms across his chest and stepped toward her. His tall frame towered over her and he would have looked intimidating, but his playful eyes gave him away.

"And why not?"

"That's not my name. It's Raven."

She stressed, also crossing her arms across her chest, glaring up at him. She inwardly cursed her small frame. Jason met her glare with his smiling green eyes. He leaned towards her, the tips of their noses a mere inch apart. They were close enough that Raven could see the miniscule mole just below his left eye and smell the musk of his aftershave on his chin, yet the thought of pulling away had not occurred to her, despite how uncomfortable the situation was getting. He leaned even closer and just when she was sure he was going to kiss her, he sidetracked, opting to just ever so lightly, brush his lips on her ear. His breath was hot and his voice, an octave lower.

"If that's what you prefer, Raven.

She felt his hot breath trail down halfway down her neck, and she knew he was smirking even though she could not see his face.

I prefer little bird though. Suits you."

And before she could register what was happening, he stood up to his full height, smiling. His disposition light and innocent, his eyes losing the malicious gleam that was once there.

"I'll see you around, Raven."

He then took her hand and planted a soft kiss, put on his helmet and drove off so quickly that it appeared to be one swift movement to Raven instead of a succession. She stood there stupidly, light headed and feeling confused.

'Now what the hell was that?'

Raven placed her brush in a small cup of murky water, satisfied with her work. She sighed, taking off her smock and started to gather her things. The embarrassment and unease she felt at the whole situation made her uncomfortable and out of her element; so much so that she found it reason enough to avoid Jason completely.

"Oh my, Miss Roth! Excellent work! What a unique combination of colors and patterns!"

"Thank you, Missus Lane."

Raven's professor nodded in dismissal before letting her know she could leave the class now if she wanted to go.

"Rae-ven! You got a phone call a while ago."

Jinx's sing-song voice called out before Raven could even get through the door. She closed it behind her and dropped her things on the small dining table in the kitchen area.

"I told you, just tell him he's got the wrong number."

Jinx rolled her eyes, then twisted from her position on the sofa to face the dark girl. Grinning like a cat, she tutted at her.

"I already tried that Rae-rae. He didn't buy that lame excuse, and besides it was some other guy."

Raven raised her eyebrow. She was starting to get annoyed with her room mate.

"I told you already Lucky, call me Raven and Raven only. Tell me, who exactly called and what did they want?"

"Hot-headed today, huh.

She frowned a bit, turning back around to face the television.

It was that Robin dude. Said something about being busy and all and said to tell you to call him back when you get in."

"Oh."

Raven replied lamely. She had not expected Robin to cave in today or anytime this week. She grabbed her tea cup from one of the cupboards and prepared to make her tea. Tapping her fingers to an unmeasured beat on the kitchen counter.

"Hey Rae?"

"What?"

She ignored Jinx's use of the nickname and poured the hot water in her cup, submerging the small tea bag in. The water turned into a light color of brown before gradually growing darker.

"I'll be going out with Wally later… Don't wait up."

"Alright."

Raven gathered her things in one hand, her tea cup in the other and entered her room. She set her things on the desk and plopped on her bed, tired. Her classes started early on Fridays and it was now late in the afternoon. She rolled on her back and stretched, thankful it was a weekend tomorrow. Raven's eyelids drooped heavily and she fell asleep.

When she awoke, it was to the sound of her cell phone ringing on the bed by her foot. Grunting, she snatched it up and was about to answer when Robin's clear voice cut through the static.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"Hello to you too, Richard."

"Uh… Sorry."

"Impatient, aren't we?"

Raven sighed and sat up. No chance of falling asleep again.

"It's ok. I fell asleep when I got back and your call woke me up. Did you have something important to tell me?"

She could hear the boy wonder fuzz on the other line, not knowing how to respond to her question. Good. She heard him sigh audibly then clear his throat.

"Listen, I'm sorry for the way I acted at the party Rae. It's just… I didn't know you guys had met beforehand and I guess… I don't know, I thought I was helping you out. And then it turned out you guys had indeed met and he was Garth's cousin and I… I was just caught off guard, that's all."

She heard him sigh again and she knew he just subconsciously brushed his hair up again with his hand. She thought back to all those times before when a guy would approach her and Robin would arrive and ward them off with the natural air of intimidation he seemed to have with other guys and how she was indeed thankful of his over protectiveness or she would have come close to punching some guy who acted in a perverted manner towards her ages ago.

"It's ok, Rob. I'm not mad."

"Okay, Rae."

She could feel his smile and she knew that he could tell she was grinning as well.

"So, we haven't hung out in a while. Wanna go out for some pizza?"

"Sure. I haven't eaten anything today and I'm starving."

"Alright, I'll pick you up in 20."

The call ended just like that, and Raven felt light. It felt good to be talking to the boy wonder again. He was the only one that understood her, her best friend. Her confidant. She stood up and stretched. The sight of her tea cup reminded her she had forgotten her tea.

Well… I can't drink this now.

She threw the cold liquid on the bathroom sink and proceeded to take the shower she had intended to do once she got back. After toweling herself dry and dressing in a fresh pair of clothes, she made herself a new cup and sipped peacefully on the dining chair. She heard a familiar car honk and peered down at the window to see Robin wave from his car. She went down to meet him, but not before making sure to lock the door.

Robin grinned boyishly at her before driving off. They didn't speak until they arrived at the Pizza Parlor and ordered and settled down on one of the tables outside on the small balcony.

"So… How have you been, Rae?"

Raven shrugged.

"I'm fine. School is tiring, but I like doing the work at the same time. What about you?"

Robin shrugged.

"Same. Haven't really been out much since classes started. Can't even be bothered to cook. And all Garth ever cooks are those nasty instant noodles and raw fish he loves so much."

Robin made a disgusted face and Raven laughed. It feels good to laugh. Haven't laughed in awhile.

"What about your room mate? How are you fairing up?"

"Jinx? She's fine. Can be a little immature and annoying at times but we get along O.K. She does her share of the chores but her cooking skills are sadly limited to canned soup and microwave meals."

Robin laughed, letting himself go with the act. I hadn't realized how much I missed her.

The two continued to make light conversation until their orders came. When they were through, Robin insisted on paying the bill and the two got up to leave.

"Do you wanna stop by somewhere before I take you back?"

Raven shrugged.

"Fine by me."

Robin drove them to a park where a night market was being held. Numerous stalls were perched up in random places, each with different things to sell. Used books, small trinkets & knick knacks and food stalls. The two walked about aimlessly for a few minutes before they found a secluded spot below an old tree by the pond. The full moon provided enough light, and a handful of fireflies were floating about carelessly by the flower bushes. Raven interrupted their comfortable silence first.

"Where do you think they go?"

"Huh?"

"The fireflies. Where do they go when morning comes? Do they look like ordinary flies in the light? Or can you tell they're different?"

Robin was once again taken off guard by Raven's question. He was too immersed in his own observations.

"I don't know. I've never noticed them before when it's daytime."

His eyes wandered to a young couple in their early teens, holding hands, waiting in line to a Ferris wheel on the far right corner of the park, illuminated by bright red, green and orange lights lined up on the steel bars and seats.

"Hello? Roth to Grayson."

"What?"

He turned around only to be greeted with the sight of Raven's boots. He didn't even notice her getting up from the damp grass.

"I said, do you want to get on the ride?"

"Which ride?"

"The Ferris wheel, of course. You've been staring at it for the past ten minutes now."

"Oh."

Robin's ears changed color to a light red hue. Raven stared at him expectantly.

"Sure."

The line to the Ferris wheel was longer than both of them had expected and after waiting half an hour in line and only moving forward a few feet forward, Raven started to regret she had suggested riding. As if on cue, light rain started pouring from the night sky. The young adults jogged to the nearest tent, hand in hand.

"Damn. I didn't expect that."

"Really? I thought maybe all that observing gave you a clue."

Robin roller his eyes, shaking off some water from his messy hair.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

Robin pulled up on Raven's building and both ran out and walked her to her floor. Halfway through the ride, the rain poured even harder, the news of an unexpected storm hitting the city tonight rang through all the radio stations. As they got closer to their destination, it got harder and harder to see through the car's windows. Huge drops of water pounding harshly on the car's roof.

Raven put in her key and stepped inside, removing her wet boots and jacket. She started toward the kitchen when she realized Robin had not followed behind her.

"Uh, I guess I better get going."

Robin stood awkwardly on the welcome mat, his normally spiked hair matted down on his forehead, his shirt clung to his wet body like a second layer of skin.

"Don't be silly, Robin. You're fucking soaked and it's raining too hard out there, it felt like rocks were pouring down on the car roof."

Robin smirked and slowly dragged his feet in the door. He started to take off his shoes while Raven turned on the heater and prepared some tea for herself.

"Want some tea?"

"Nah. Coffee's good, though."

After changing into fresh clothes and handing Robin one of her oversized shirts that fit him snugly, both cuddled up together on the sofa, sipping on their drinks. Robin was thankful his jeans weren't soaked through or he would have to squeeze through Raven's small clothes rather than his boxers, which were embarrassingly enough for him, in bold, black & yellow Batman print.

"There's nothing good on TV."

Robin commented, holding up the remote. Raven continued reading her book beside him, only half listening. Another few minutes of tension-filled silence ensued until Robin broke the silence again.

"I guess I'll just turn it off…"

"…"

"So… uhm. What're you reading there, Rae?"

Raven snapped her book shut in annoyance. Robin inched away in surprise at the sudden movement. She looked at him questioningly.

"If you have something to say, Robin. Then just say it."

"What do you mean?"

Raven continued to stare at him, her eyes boring into his. Robin looked away first. Nothing gets past her. She went back to reading her book.

"Fine. I just wanted to ask you how you knew him."

"Who?"

"You know. Him."

Robin snapped, annoyed at Raven still not answering his question.

"You mean, Jason?"

"Yes, him. Jason."

If Raven had any clue on Robin's decreasing patience and escalating frustration, she paid no mind to it and went on nonchalantly reading and sipping on her warm tea. The boy wonder cleared his throat loudly, attempting to get her attention once more.

"Well?"

Raven closer her book, set it on her lap, took a sip of tea and placed it on the book and turned her head sideways to face him.

"Well, if you really have to know, I saw him once at the café I usually go to back in town."

"The one with the open mic poetry nights?"

Robin asked quizzically, not quite getting the whole picture and wishing Raven would stop beating around the bush and just tell him straightforwardly what he wanted to know. Raven stopped her grin from showing, it was amusing to see the usually cool and calm Robin look flustered.

"Yeah."

"How did you guys meet? Did Terra introduce you?"

Ah. Back on detective mode again, I see.

"Nope. Well we didn't actually meet, per se. He stared at me enough for me to notice and he got up, recited this extremely corny poem on stage then walked off. That's it."

Robin stayed silent, pondering over the pale girl's answer. It was missing details and he knew it. Without prodding, Raven continued.

"…and he happened to dedicate the stupid poem to me."

A light bulb lit in Robin's head, and sensing his understanding, Raven returned to her book. They were silent once more. Robin having turned on the television and setting on some spy movie.

Dedicated some sappy poem to her, huh. Too cliché for Raven's taste, I'm sure. I don't even know why I'm suddenly so bothered by all this. It's not the first time some guy showed interest in her… I mean who could blame them?

Robin's gaze moved towards Raven calmly sipping her tea. Her attention completely on her book, unaware of Robin's gaze.

I guess maybe because Raven didn't look quite as annoyed as she usually does when someone approaches her. Maybe she is ready to start dating again. I don't ever want her to get hurt like that again but still, it has been a while… But then again, seriously? Why the hell, Jason? I don't see what she would see in that arrogant jerk.

When the movie was done, he was about to get up when he realized Raven had fallen asleep sitting up. Her head hung slightly to the left, her hair splayed on the sofa behind her. Robin's eyes softened and he carefully unclasped Raven's hold on the book and set it on the coffee table. Outside, the rain continued to pound, making knocking noises on the windows.

Robin carefully took the small girl in his arms and without difficulty, carried her down the hallway to what he assumed was her room. He set her down on her bed and pulled the blanket over her, her face remained peaceful. Robin smiled and brushed away a stray lock of hair that fell between Raven's eyebrows.

He was walking out to the living room and turning up the heater when the telephone rang. While debating on whether or not he should answer it, the answering machine picked up and a dark voice spoke after the tiny beep.

"Hey Raven, it's me again."

Jason.

Robin's eyebrows knit together before stomping towards the telephone and picking up the phone.

A/N: Aaand a slight cliff hanger ~_~ What do you guys think will happen?