Joker and the Queen

1: Queen Returns

Ray stepped out into Grove Street, letting the gate of the CG house fall close behind her. She just had a long and exhausting talk with Mr. K, and she felt drained. She immediately called him when she arrived back in town, wanting to get this talk over with.

She brushed her hair out of her eyes and took out her phone as she walked towards Grove Number 5, wanting to rest before doing anything. She scrolled through her messages, her eyes finding her and Chatty's message logs. Her heart skipped a beat, wanting to be with him.

Chatty has always brought her comfort, he grounded her into the present and brought her peace. Impulsively, she clicked the call button despite the late hour. Even the sound of his voicemail would be good to hear.

Rrrrriiiiiiing

Rrrrriiiiiiing

Ray was unlocking the front door when Chatty picked up, surprising her.

"Cups? Is that you? Are you back?" he asked in quick succession, not giving Ray a chance to reply.

"Hey Chatty," she laughed "yea I'm back. Did I wake you up?"

"No no! I was just settling down, but that doesn't matter. Where are you? Want me to pick you up?"

Ray hesitated, not knowing what to do. She isn't too sure if she's ready to see anyone after that talk. She only wanted to hear his voice.

But seeing him will be much better.

"You're not busy?" she worried

"No no no, I'm getting into my car right now. You in Grove Street?" She can hear his car door slamming and his engine starting.

"Yea, come pick me up then"

"Okay, okay. I'll be there in a few"

Ray dropped the call and sat on the front steps of her house, knees to her chest just to wait for Chatty. Her mind drifted to her earlier conversations with K and the boys, her heart stuttering with old wounds from the past. Invisible wounds that never seemed to heal.

Her talk with the boys... she didn't know what she expected, or if she had any expectations at all. All she knows is that she wants to forget about it for a while, to just focus on other things her mind can think of. Chatty will surely help, she loves catching up with her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend.

Ray still couldn't believe that they made it official, that he actually asked her. She knew that Chatty doesn't have much experience in the dating department, especially after Giggles. His only other experience dating was probably that time they fake dated to get Ember off his back.

Her boyfriend.

The thought still gave her butterflies, especially at the thought of Chatty patiently preparing their jet ski date. The fact that he remembered her saying that from months ago. He has always been attentive to her wants and needs, listening to the clues she's been dropping about making it official.

They had a pretty rocky start, with the stolen ID and constantly goading each other. But as time passed, they came to respect each other and become friends. They held each other's secrets, their fears, their insecurities. And they both worked on reassuring each other of their presence in the other's life. Ray didn't even know when she started falling for him, it was such an organic growth. She just started missing his presence, and started noticing how eager she was to see him. And confessing took longer as well. It took her by surprise, the confession and being made queen, but it also made her so so happy.

Hearing the rumble of a car, Ray raised her head to see Chatty arriving in a car she's never seen before but she is 100% sure is his. Who else would paint their car bright red?