Chapter 4!
Second part to Prom Night, I hope you guys like how it ends. Also, there is a special guest appearance! (Lyrics to the song are translated in the parentheses next to them)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and a few characters - I don't even own the song or the person singing it...unfortunately.
Raven pulled Anthony to the middle of the dance floor before turning to face him. She recognized the music playing to be salsa. After looking around to see how the dance is done, they decided to give it a shot. It seemed pretty simple; one step forward, middle, back, middle, and repeat. Doing the steps, Raven couldn't help but think that they might look robotic. Sure, there were those couples that were doing complex moves and spins, but hey, they were just beginners anyway. Raven inwardly smiled whenever she saw Anthony looking down at his feet.
Anthony was definitely a sweet boy, cute and full of life. It wasn't fair that he had to go through something life-threatening. Thinking back to the nightmare she had the night before, Raven tried not to shudder. She does not want to believe that Anthony will have a painful death. Though she knew, with a harsh pain in her heart, that Anthony will not make it through the summer, Raven still wished for him to go peacefully. In the mean time, she wanted to make sure that he will enjoy any amount of time he had left. And it was safe to say that she wasn't the only one feeling that way.
All around her, Raven could feel the differing emotions coming from the adults and children. While all the kids were filled with happiness and joy for being able to enjoy such an event, all the adults were trying to be strong by putting on a smile while in reality, their hearts were being torn by the thought that this might be the last prom for some of the children, but at the same time, wanting them to have the best night. Being an empath, Raven felt herself being consumed by the emotions, but it was hard to tell which was more dominant. So instead, she decided to just focus on the little boy dancing in front of her, who at that moment had looked up at her and beamed.
"Look Miss Raven!" exclaimed Anthony. "We're dancing!" Raven smiled and spun him in a circle, earning a giggle from him. After one more song of salsa, the DJ started playing a different kind of music that had a faster rhythm. All around them, the couples were swinging back and forth, laughing and spinning. Anthony looked up at Raven, silently asking what to do, but instead of answering, the sorceress grabbed both his hands and gestured him to follow her lead. Anthony grinned, joining her with random dance moves. That was definitely a sight to see; the half-demon of the Teen Titans, in a party dress, dancing with a little six-year-old boy, and was actually smiling and laughing with joy. Who would've ever thought it possible? Before either of them knew it, two hours passed with the pair still on the dance floor. The music was still going, and the entire dance floor was filled without the hint of anyone wanting to step out. However, Anthony and Raven decided to take a break and went to sit at their table. They sat in a comfortable silence, one hand holding on to the other as they watched the couples dancing around them.
It was like that for a few minutes when Anthony recognized someone dancing not too far from them. Pointing excitedly, he said, "Look Raven – that's my brother dancing over there!"
Raven focused her attention to where he pointed and felt her breath get caught in her throat. Not only was it the waiter she had tried to glance at earlier, but it was also the same guy from the park that had almost hit her with the football. He was dancing with a girl around their same age, with dirty blonde hair tied into a ponytail and light skin. She was a very pretty girl, and based on the wardrobe, she was also a server at the event. They seemed to be having a lot of fun with the fast music, spinning and moving all over the place. Letting out a breath she didn't know she was still holding, Raven forced a smile and turned back to her date.
"So that's your brother," she said. "Wow, he and his girlfriend are really good dancers."
"Oh no," said Anthony, shaking his head, "that's not his girlfriend. She used to be, but not anymore. Now they're just friends." Raven raised a skeptical brow, but made no comment and let the boy continue. "They met a little after Jason was transferred to the same home I was in." Raven's eyes widened in surprise, 'Home?'
Wanting to make sure she understood his meaning, Raven asked, "Anthony, how did you and your brother meet?"
"Jason got transferred to my foster home and we started sharing a room."
At the new revelation, Raven turned to stare at the handsome young man on the dance floor. How could she not have seen it before? Now that she was actually paying attention, she noticed there was no physical resemblance between him and the little boy next to her. While Anthony had blue eyes, blonde lashes, light skin and round cheeks, the other had green eyes, black hair, golden tan skin, and a more refined face structure. Raven sighed. 'Poor Anthony. No parents, no place to actually call home, and yet he smiles as though nothing is wrong with the world.' The music then stopped, and all the people on the dance floor started walking back to their seats.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen," announced the DJ, "we'll be taking a short five minute break. At this moment, I would like to ask all the kids to join me out at the entrance hall, where we will prepare for our presentation. In the mean time, let's slow things down a bit." As all the kids, whispering excitedly to each other, were walking out through the main entrance, the DJ placed a disk on the table, and a slow rhythm flowed out through the speakers. Raven felt Anthony gently pull his hand away from hers.
"I'll be right back Miss Raven," promised Anthony. He smiled brightly before running off behind his friends. With him gone, Raven sat in silence while the other two women at the table chatted between themselves. She toyed with her napkin, trying not to focus on the waves of emotions that began to overflow. With the kids gone, the only emotions left were of the adults who, though not as strong as before, were still solemn about the overall meaning of the event. The feeling wasn't as overwhelming as it could have been, but it was still a bit heavy. In fact, Raven tried so hard to distance herself from it all that she didn't even notice when a familiar presence take a seat next to her.
"Are you having fun?" Turning her head, Raven found herself staring into the most amazing green eyes she had ever seen in her life.
"Surprisingly yes," replied Raven with a nod. "Your brother is great company."
"So you did talk about me if you know we're brothers," said the guy. "Hopefully nothing too embarrassing."
"Did you send a football to the tower?" asked Raven, deciding to just cut to the chase.
Smirking slightly, the guy said, "What would you say if I did?"
"I'd say that you hacked into a private system," was the monotone reply. "Getting into a system as protected as that would mean that you used illegal methods to get information that was not open to anyone other than Cyborg."
"Or," he suggested, "it could be I graduated from three of the highest ranking computer engineering institutions, followed by getting multiple degrees in criminal justice and legal studies, which all led me to secretly receive a career as a computer programmer and hacker for the government…Then again, I could just be lucky." He smiled playfully as Raven simply rolled her eyes. Leaning back on his chair, he stared at her face for a few seconds before outstretching his hand. "Jason, at your service Miss Raven." Eyeing him for a moment, Raven took his hand. 'He's Anthony's brother. Surely he can't be that bad.'
"There you are." Both turned their heads to find a slender, pretty-looking girl standing behind their chairs.
"Hey V," said Jason, releasing his hold on Raven's hand. "What's up?"
"You're lucky your table is empty," said the blonde, "but that doesn't mean you're off the hook for the night. You still have to go around and ask people –"
"Yeah, yeah," interrupted Jason, shrugging with indifference. "You know better than I do that they overstaffed us tonight."
"Jay-"
"Besides, I already told Bryan I quit, so why would I keep working?"
"You quit!?"
"Yes, yes I did," he declared proudly. He smiled over at Raven. "Why would I want to work on a night like this? I'd much rather watch my little brother have fun with his gorgeous date." Raven blushed as she looked down at her lap, trying not to focus on those green emeralds he called eyes. It was then that the girl acknowledged the half-demon's presence.
"Sorry," she wasn't sorry, "I didn't realized I was interrupting something. Hi, I'm Vanessa."
"Raven," said the sorceress, nodding in greeting.
"So Jason," Vanessa turned to him completely, "I was wondering if, maybe after prom, you'd like to get something to eat? Maybe hang out afterwards?"
Jason sighed as he glanced at the dance floor. "No thanks V. I promised Tony I'd stay with him tonight."
Pouting, Vanessa knew she wouldn't win that argument. "Fine. But if there's ever an opening in your schedule, you know my number."
"Like the back of my hand," he murmured as she walked away. Turning his attention to the girl sitting next to him, he whispered, "That's how I know what number not to call."
"Trouble in paradise?" asked Raven, raising a brow in slight amusement.
"Nah," he replied. "She's just one of those old flames that is just meant to be put out." Frowning slightly, Jason added, "I don't like the way she talks in front of Tony. Stuff comes out of her mouth that a six year old is just not meant to hear."
"So I have two questions," stated Raven, looking at him straight on. "First, if you are so well educated in computer programming as you boasted about a few minutes ago, why are you here tonight as a server?"
Jason let out a laugh. "I was wondering when you would ask that. Well, to answer your question, I volunteered tonight to help out with this event. I tend to do that a lot. Volunteer. Especially when I know I'd have the chance to meet the most beautiful woman in Jump City." Raven gave him a deadpan expression, making him laugh again. "Okay, okay, fine. Tony asked me to. I can't seem to say no when he begs me with those puppy-dog eyes." Raven narrowed her eyes at him and nodded.
"Alright. Then my next question is…how is Anthony doing? Is he okay?"
"You're his date, how could he not be?" Raven made a face at him and he sighed. Jason's face then became serious as he considered how to answer. "It's been a while since we found out he had cancer, and we haven't been receiving a lot of good news since. The doctors say that we just have to keep fighting, but so far, nothing's changed. Chances of him getting better are starting to look bleak."
Raven felt her heart squeeze at his words. "I'm sorry."
"Anthony knows that things aren't looking good," Jason continued, "but he says he'll keep trying. And if he's willing to keep fighting, then I am wiling to stand by him every second of the way."
As Jason got lost in thought, Raven took the chance to stare at him wonderingly. Here was a guy who openly admitted that his brother had little to no chance of making it through his sickness, and yet he still hoped, above all else, that things would take a turn for the better. In a way, he almost reminded the half-demon of her leader; he goes against all odds and pushes through, never faltering in his beliefs. Then she thought of sweet little Anthony, the poor child. He was just beginning his life, and already he had to fight in order to keep it. Raven wished so badly for there to be something she could do, but to her knowledge, there was no spell or incantation that could cure any human sickness completely, not even for a stupid cold. It broke her heart knowing there was nothing she could do to make things better.
Both teens were deep in their own thoughts when the DJ came back on stage and brought them back to reality. Speaking into the microphone, he announced, "Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your patience, but I assure you, the presentation will be worth the wait. As you all probably know, each year we try to invite a special guest to come to this event, someone who the kids would love to see. Well, thanks to the generous donations from Jump City's own crime fighting team, the Teen Titans –," everyone applauded, their eyes now on Raven who tried, but failed to hide her blush, "we were able to invite someone very special. Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Tito El Bambino!" Everyone shot up from their seats as the Puerto Rican singer walked out on stage. He smiled handsomely to his audience, raising his hands to the loud applause. Raven stood next to Jason, shaking her head with a side smile on her face. 'I bet Beast Boy and Starfire would kill to be here right now.'
"Gracias," said the singer into the microphone. "Gracias, thank you. Thank you all for inviting me to this special event. I'm glad I can be here tonight and help make this night just a little more memorable. I'd like to give a special shout out to the Children's Hospital, all of you who made this night so special, and all the kids that made me feel so loved when I met them. This goes for all of you!" Immediately, fast music started to play behind him and he sang into the mic.
"La lluvia ya no pasa por mi casa (The rain no longer passes by my home)
Todo es incierto a mi alrededor (All is uncertain in my surroundings)
Y la rosa que adorraba la mañana (And the rose that adorned the morning)
Poco a poco se marchito (Little by little, it wilted)
Cupido vuelve apuntar con su flecha (Cupid returns to point his arrow)
Esta vez en el corazón (This time in the heart)
Ya la rosa que alumbraba la mañana (And the rose that lit the morning)
Poco a poco florece hoy (Little by little, it flourishes today)
At this point, many people were on the dance floor, moving their hips and feet to the rhythm of the music. Raven made sure to keep her gaze on her hands as she felt Jason's eyes on her.
"Hoy llueve el amor (Today it rains love)
Las rosas no faltan (Roses are not lacking)
Y si quieres voy port ti (And if you want, I'll go for you)
Que viva el amor (Long live love)
De enero a diciembre (From January to December)
Hoy tú serás para mi (Today you will be mine)
Hoy llueve el amor (Today it rains love)
Las rosas no faltan (Roses are not lacking)
Y si quieres voy port ti (And if you want, I'll go for you)
Que viva el amor (Long live love)
De enero a diciembre (From January to December)
Hoy tú serás para mi" (Today you will be mine)
Without a word, Jason stood up from his chair and held out his hand to Raven. "Miss Raven, would you like to dance?" Raven glanced at the people dancing before shaking her head.
"I don't know how to dance that."
Shrugging, Jason took hold of her hand. "I do. And when you have the right person in your arms, nothing can go wrong." Remembering those as the exact same words she had spoken to Anthony a few hours ago to convince him to dance, Raven sighed as she let him pull her off her chair and onto the middle of the dance floor.
"A veces creémos perderlo todo (Sometimes we think we've lost it all)
Y se nos viene el mundo encima (And the world comes down on us)
Pero es vital por simplemente – (But it's vital to simply -)
Darle paso a la agonia (Let the agony pass)
Hay que olvidar las penas (We must forget the penalties)
Y recorder que el tiempo pasa (And remember that time passes)
Hay que disfrutar hasta – (We must enjoy down to-)
El minimo segundo de alegria (The very last second of happiness)
Hoy cambia mi vida (Today, my life changes)
Hoy vuelvo a respirar (Today, I begin to breathe again)
A reir (To laugh)
A soñar (To dream)
Hoy vuelvo amar" (Today, I love again)
With one had cupped in Jason's larger one, and the other placed on his shoulder, Raven felt her face warm up as she felt their bodies make contact. Sure enough, as soon as they started dancing, Jason proved the whole 'if you have the right partner' thing to be true. Raven has never danced to this kind of music, but as soon as he took charge, she felt them move flawlessly with each other. Jason grinned at Raven's surprised expression as they danced, and then he held her more firmly with the hand placed on the young woman's lower back as the music started to speed up.
"Hoy llueve el amor (Today it rains love)
Las rosas no faltan (Roses are not lacking)
Y si quieres voy port ti (And if you want, I'll go for you)
Que viva el amor (Long live love)
De enero a diciembre (From January to December)
Hoy tú serás para mi (Today you will be mine)
Hoy llueve el amor (Today it rains love)
Las rosas no faltan (Roses are not lacking)
Y si quieres voy port ti (And if you want, I'll go for you)
Que viva el amor (Long live love)
De enero a diciembre (From January to December)
Hoy tú serás para mi" (Today you will be mine)
Hoy vuelvo a ver – (Today I see again -)
La bonita que es la vida (How beautiful life is)
Vuelvo a encontrar – (I find again -)
La fe y la esperanza que estaba perdida (The faith and hope that was lost)
Hoy el resplandor del sol – (Today, the radiance of the sun -)
Entra por mi ventana (Enters through my window)
Y le da luz a mi enterior (And it lights up my interior)
Que, por un descuido, oscuro estaba (That, from carelessness, was dark)
A veces creémos perderlo todo (Sometimes we think we've lost it all)
Y se nos viene el mundo encima (And the world comes down on us)
Pero es vital por simplemente – (But it's vital to simply -)
Darle paso a la agonia (Let the agony pass)
Hay que olvidar las penas (We must forget the penalties)
Y recorder que el tiempo pasa (And remember that time passes)
Hay que disfrutar hasta – (We must enjoy down to-)
El minimo segundo de alegria (The very last second of happiness)
Hoy cambia mi vida (Today, my life changes)
Hoy vuelvo a respirar (Today, I begin to breathe again)
A reir (To laugh)
A soñar (To dream)
Hoy vuelvo amar" (Today, I love again)
Raven felt herself smiling as her partner spun her out and pulled her back to him. It was hard to keep an indifferent expression the more she danced with this guy, especially from the vibe she was getting from him. He was so carefree and relaxed, and each time he would see her smile, he overflowed with contentment, almost as if he made the biggest accomplishment ever. Raven felt a small sense of lust when he pulled her closer, and she couldn't help but notice the temperature getting warmer the more they danced, but when she looked in his eyes, there was a different form of desire.
Jason spun her to hold her back to his chest, and for a brief moment, Raven felt his lips near the edge of her jaw line. She turned her head to look at him, but Jason motioned for her to look at the stage, still holding her against him. Raven's eyes trailed to the stage where all the kids were now standing behind the singer. The Puerto Rican singer moved to the side so everyone could get a good view of the children as they began to sing.
"Hoy llueve el amor (Today it rains love)
Las rosas no faltan (Roses are not lacking)
Y si quieres voy port ti (And if you want, I'll go for you)
Que viva el amor (Long live love)
De enero a diciembre (From January to December)
Hoy tú serás para mi (Today you will be mine)
El Bambino raised up his mic and joined the kids in the final chorus.
"Hoy llueve el amor (Today it rains love)
Las rosas no faltan (Roses are not lacking)
Y si quieres voy port ti (And if you want, I'll go for you)
Que viva el amore (Long live love)
De enero a diciembre (From January to December)
Hoy tú serás para mi (Today you will be mine)
Hoy llueve el Amor" (Today, it rains Love)
The music stopped and everyone applauded as El Bambino and the kids took a bow. Raven stood there with everyone, clapping her hands, smiling as Anthony found her and waved enthusiastically in her direction. Becoming aware of a hand on her lower back, Raven gazed up at Jason, who was beaming proudly at his little brother. As the excitement calmed down, Jason led the Titan to the table, where little Anthony soon joined them.
"Did you see me?" he exclaimed. "I was singing with Tito El Bambino!"
"You were great Tony," said Jason, putting an arm around him.
"You were," agreed Raven. "You didn't tell me you were doing a presentation."
Jason raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? That's all he's been talking about for the past four days. That, and having a date with the most beautiful woman in the city." Seeing the disbelief on the woman's face, he smiled playfully. "Too much?" Raven simply rolled her eyes, a ghost of a smile on her lips.
Tito El Bambino sang a few more songs until the prom was coming to an end. The parents were escorting out their kids after saying goodbye to the singer. Raven and both brothers stayed and talked for a bit with the singer, but soon left as the time was starting to get late. As they left the stadium, Raven joined the boys as they drove to the hospital where Anthony would be staying at for a while.
"Did you have a good time Miss Raven?" asked Anthony when they arrived to the sliding doors at the entrance of the hospital. Raven smiled softly at him.
"I had an amazing time," she replied sincerely. She leaned down to give him a kiss on his forehead. "Thank you for inviting me tonight Anthony."
Grinning, Anthony turned to his brother and said, "You're staying right? You said you would."
"Of course," said Jason lightly. "I'm just gonna drop off Miss Raven, but I promise I'll be right back. In the mean time, go upstairs and brush your teeth. I saw you devouring that steak earlier. Make sure that you scrub 'em good." Anthony stuck out his tongue at his brother, who returned the gesture, before waving goodbye to Raven and taking the elevator up.
When it was just the two of them, Raven said to Jason, "I don't really need a ride. I can get home on my own."
"I know," was the reply, "but it would be rude of me to let you go home alone after what you did for my brother." Walking out to the car, Raven paused as he opened the passenger door for her.
"And what exactly did I do?"
"You gave him a night to remember," answered Jason. "You gave him a chance to enjoy being a kid. The least I can do is give you a ride home."
Biting her lip, Raven gave in to his reasoning and stepped into the car. Jason closed the door behind her before sliding in to the driver's seat. They took off from the hospital and drove smoothly through the nearly empty streets.
"There is no direct way for you to drop me off at the tower," said Raven. "The closest you can get is the pier. From there I can just teleport to the island."
"If there isn't a road that goes straight to the tower, " said Jason, "how do you guys get Cyborg's car out, or Robin's motorcycle?"
"Cyborg has the code implanted in his arm to be able to make an opening in one of the city's tunnels that connects to the tower's garage. He and Robin are the only ones with authorization."
"Too bad that I don't have my computer." Raven raised a brow at him, causing the young man to laugh. "I'm just joking. Geez, just because I hacked into the Titan's main system once, it doesn't mean I'll make a habit of it."
Raven decided not to satisfy him with a reply. Instead, they went the rest of the way in a teasing silence. As they got near the pier, Raven couldn't help but notice the swirls of emotion coming from the guy next to her. She could sense he was nervous, confused, cautious, curious, worried – most had to do with Anthony, but she could see herself being a reason for some of those emotions as well. But what stood out the most at the moment was content. For some reason, he was glad she was there, even if they didn't speak a word to the other. It was weird, and Raven couldn't help but smile a little. When they arrived at the pier, Jason parked the car and leaned back on his seat, letting out a breath, like one does after finishing a big meal.
"Thanks for the ride," said Raven, unbuckling her seat belt.
"Anytime." As Raven stepped out of the car, Jason called out to her. "Hey, Miss Raven?"
"Just 'Raven' is fine," she said, ducking down to look at him.
"Raven," said Jason. "I was wondering if, maybe you aren't too busy next Saturday –"
"Listen," interrupted the sorceress, "I am flattered that you would be interested in me, don't get me wrong, and you seem like a nice guy and all, but I'm just not really interested in dating right now."
Jason stared at her as if trying to find an answer to a riddle. Once he had his fill of her image, he smirked. "Is that what you tell all the guys that try to ask you out on a date."
Raven returned the smirk. "I'm usually not this nice."
"Oh?"
"A threat to a different dimension might have been given to a few in the past."
"Am I going to be added to that list?"
"Would you like to be?"
"You know, I've gotten pretty fond of this dimension," stated the handsome young man.
"They usually are," said Raven. Jason laughed, earning a soft giggle from the sorceress.
"Okay, okay," said Jason, getting out of the car to stand by the Titan. "So answer me this – is it because you think I wouldn't be able to handle it?"
"Excuse me?"
"You being a Titan," he explained. "You think that I would feel emasculated because you will have to go save the world from a creature ten times your size while I'm off screaming like a girl from a horror movie – "
"Um, no?" said Raven, unsure of how he got to that conclusion, but fairly amused at the mental image. "It actually has nothing to do with my Titan status –"
"Then?"
"There's a lot of baggage with me," Raven tried to explain in the simplest way she could. "My powers aren't exactly the safest thing in the world to be around. I just don't think it would be a good idea –"
"But you have to admit it's a nice idea."
"I don't think you understand –"
"Maybe not entirely," he admitted, "but I would still like to give it a shot, if you were to give me a chance."
Raven sighed before looking him in the eyes. "Why?"
"Because," he said with a shrug, "I think you're one of the most interesting beings I have ever met, and I would like to get to know more of the person you are."
He meant it. Raven could tell that he meant what he said. He was also hopeful. She could tell that Jason was being mostly sincere, but she still couldn't help but hesitate. Raven clenched her jaw before answering, "No."
"No?"
"I'm sorry." Raven turned away, but before she could take two steps, was stopped by a hand grabbing on to her own.
"I'll make you a deal." Taking a deep breath, the half-demon turned back around to look him straight on. Jason had an amused twinkle in his eyes as he made his proposition. "A few of my friends and I are playing a basketball game next Thursday around five. If my team wins, you let me take you out to dinner. If we lose, then I'll accept your 'no' as an answer – for now. But I should probably warn you, I don't give up that easily."
Narrowing her eyes, Raven let herself think it over for a few seconds before replying, "What if I decide not to show up at all?"
Giving a one-shoulder shrug, he answered, "Then I'll know you're not interested in the least, and I won't bother you again." They stood there for what seemed forever, both trying to make out what the other was thinking. It wasn't until Raven faced the tower and back that time seemed to start again.
"Thanks for the ride," she said, pulling her hand away. "I hope everything goes well for your brother tomorrow."
As she started walking away, Jason called out, "So I'll see you on Thursday?"
Raven glanced back at him, a mischievous smirk on her lips. "Tell Anthony I had a great time," and then she was gone.
The young man shook his head in amusement, getting back into the driver's seat and turning the engine on. That girl really knows how to leave a guy guessing. Jason couldn't say that she would for sure show up at the game, but he did know she was considering it. If she weren't, she would have just said so. After so many years of living in Jump City and studying the Titans, he knew that she was not the kind of person to play with someone's emotions. Taking out his phone, Jason's smirk slowly turned into a genuine smile at the photo that was pulled up. The Titans had taken a few photos before Raven left to the prom, and they were automatically saved into the private files that Cyborg had installed in their main system. The photo of Raven in her prom dress, smiling, was beautiful to say the least, and Jason knew he had to have it as soon as he saw it.
Next Time:
A basketball game gets Raven intrigued
"Like what you see?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
But will she be going on a date after all?
"You have less than six minutes to make 15 points, just to tie with the other team..."
"Don't you worry about that sweetheart...I'll get it done."
Lets just see if he'll be able to back up that statement shall we?
Until next time!