Teen Titans Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Like You ❯ Birthday Surprises ( Chapter 13 )

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Normal Like You

Chapter 13: Birthday Surprises

Gar sighed as he entered his room. It had been a long day and he was without Raven and her sarcastic commentary. He threw his bag to the ground and got ready to plop down onto his bed when he noticed something.

Raven was tangled up in his sheets.

Normally, this was a guy's fantasy. Some sort of love confession would follow, and possible making out. But she wore a blank look, as if she were staring past the world. Her hair was wild and unkempt, and her clothes were the ones she wore yesterday. There was a tear in her sweater.

Gar felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. “R-Rae?”

Her eyes snapped into focus and drifted to meet his gaze. “Gar?” she croaked? All she remembered was running. Her feet hitting sold ground and the road ahead.

He knelt down beside her. “What happened?”

She moved closer hesitantly and kissed him. No an innocent kiss either. She forced herself onto him, pouring all her pain and anger and hatred and sadness into every second of it. She needed this. More than anything she needed someone to know.

Gar pulled back. He didn't want to; he wanted to kiss her back, to understand every emotion she put into the kiss, but he knew that she needed him in a different way at the moment.

“Rae what's-”

She burst into tears and grabbed him in a hug, holding onto him. “Oh God, I didn't mean to… he just… I snapped. It was too much. I ran. I'm so sorry. Please don't tell anyone. Promise you won't…”

He let her blabber as she cried. She cried until his shirt was soaked and her breathing was shaky and rasping. He held her, cradled her, rocked her, kissing her forehead and murmuring comforts they both knew were hollow. Finally, she quieted.

“God, Gar, I'm so sorry,” she murmured, inhaling his deep scent. “I don't… I don't even know how I ended up here.”

She curled into his chest as if scared what his response might be.

“Rae,” he whispered, leaning his face in until he was talking into her hair, “You have to tell me. What happened?”

Her body tensed against his and she slowly unraveled herself from him. Wincing in pain, she pulled off her sweatshirt. Gar blinked as she pulled off her shirt underneath, revealing bruised, purple skin. She had bruises from her collarbone down to her arms, like a t-shirt had melted into her skin.

“I never told anyone,” she whispered, “I thought I'd never have o.”

Gar's eyes were wide. “Who-who did this to you?”

She gave a laugh that tasted bitter. She felt like her words were cutting her mouth. Did it hurt that much to tell a secret you couldn't share for six years? That she'd never told but her mother? “I think this would be obvious. My father. Every chance he gets I become some toy he can through around. God, it's like…” She couldn't finish. Gar grabbed her, pulling her into another hug.

“Rae,” he gave a hoarse chuckle, “You're too damn small for this. There's no way you could've held this in for so long.”

They both held on for a minute, very aware that Raven was only in a bra. She sheepishly pulled back and pulled her shirt on. She wiped her eyes and stood. “I think I need to go.”

He shot up. For some reason those words made him angry. How the hell had Raven deserved this? What had she done to get where she was? “Where are you going to go?” he asked angrily. He saw her flinch. Did she think he was angry at her? Who was he angry at? Her for not telling him? Her father for being so cruel? Or maybe himself for being so stupid?

“I dunno,” she shrugged, “Maybe Jinx'll let me hang out at the library.”

“Who the hell is Jinx?”

She cringed again. God, why couldn't he just shut up. Why did he have to be so angry?

“Someone you haven't met.”

He softened. “Rae…”

“It's Raven,” she muttered, “Stop calling me that.” Her own anger was flaring.

“Raven,” he started again.

She was already out the window.

><><><><

Jinx was surprised that Raven had not come immediately to the library, especially on such an important day. She'd even gone to class that day, but she hadn't been there. Was she sick?

Jinx leaned into the pile of books she was sorting. Her head perked up as she heard the sound of footsteps. She waited carefully and was surprised to see Raven appear from behind one of the bookshelves. She looked out of breath and worn. Without any acknowledgement to the pink-haired librarian, she curled up in one of the chairs and covered her face.

“Bad day?” Jinx switched to psychiatrist mode. “Suspension? Grounded? Just plain pissed?”

“Please go away,” her muffled voice droned.

“Can't sweets, not until five.” She settled next to the girl and grinned. “Remember when I told you I went through your files.”

“If I say yes will you shut up?”

“Do you know what day it is?”

“Ye-”

Raven shot up. “No.”

“Yes,” Jinx answered simply.

“God, I swear…” Her eyes went wide. “You know…”

“I didn't tell anyone, if that's what you're worried about. I just figured since you didn't tell anyone either I could hold it for blackmail purposes.”

“Seven…”

“Yes, Raven. You're seventeen. Happy Birthday.”

Author(ess) Notes:

Gasp!

Part one of the Long Lost Snippet. Had it for ages, lost it, and rewrote it.

Beginning was kinda random. I'm sorry. I didn't even notice until I started writing it. Hopefully you'll forgive me.

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