Red Love

Chapter 15

Stephanie's POV
(Change up)

I jam a pair of pants into the dresser and slam the drawer shut.

"Woah, calm down over there before you break something." Cassandra calls from the doorway.

"I'm not in the mood." I sigh.

"Is it because of the new girl?" Cass ask.

I stay silent, grabbing another shirt. I fold it and drop it in the drawer.

"Come on, Steph, you can't blame the girl. How was she supposed to know you like him, or that you even exist?" I remain silent and put clothes away. "Plus, it's not like she just chose him, he also chose her." That's where I lose it.

I slam the skirt I was holding on the top of the dresser. "Don't you get it, Cass, I wanted him to choose me!" I scream at her. "I've had a crush on Jason since we were kids, and I thought he felt the same way. I thought he liked me, but then this new girl appears and it's like he doesn't even care about me." I choke on a sob.

"God, Steph." Cassandra groans. "Don't be so dramatic. You act like he totally ignored you. He said hi, He hugged you, and he held you for a minute. And, yeah, maybe he did like you, but we've been gone for months. He's moved on. Plus, you should never trust a childhood crush, they almost never work out. I hate to be this cold with you, but you're in a dream world. You need to get out of that world and realize that this is reality, things don't work out the way we want them to. But they do work out the way we need them to, so if reality ends with you and Jason together, then so be it, but if not, you need to learn to get over it." Cass turns away from me and stalks out the door.

'Just great. Now, Cassandra thinks I'm a baby who can't handle herself.' I think. I just don't understand why Jason would want to go out with someone like her. A Quinn. Harley Quinn and Joker's daughter, especially after all that's happened to him. This girl has to be dangerous in some way, right? No, she seems nice, it's just my anger talking. I sigh quietly. Cass is right, I need to move on, but I can't. I've always liked Jason, since the beginning. And always thought he felt the same way.

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Happy Birthday dear Stephanie, happy birthday to you!!!" I smile as everyone sings to me.

"Make a wish, Steph." Barbara says.

I smile, nod, then blow out the fire on the big '6' candle. Everyone cheers again.

"Now, for cake." Alfred takes the cake away to cut it, and we all line up.

"First piece goes to the birthday girl." Alfred smiles as he places the plate in my little hands. "Happy Birthday, Miss Stephanie."
I giggle and run off towards the table, where I stuff my face with cake.

"Woah, slow down there, quickster." Dick laughs, a babbling, two-year-old, Damian in his arms. I giggle and slow my bites.

"Oh, give her a break. It's her birthday." Barbara says as she takes Damian. "Hey, Dami, you want some cake?" she ask in her baby voice.

"I'll get it for him." Tim says. He grabs a small piece of cake and takes it Barbara.

"Look, Dami, cake." Barbara holds the plate in front of him. He looks confused. Then, he reaches out, and his small fingers wrap around a chunk. Damian takes the chunk he grabbed and throws it at Tim's face. Everyone laughs except Tim and Cassandra.

"Awww, come on, Dami. That wasn't cool." Jason laughs. Jason's so cute.

"Yeah, it wasn't." Tim mumbles as Bruce cleans the cake off him.

I smile at my family, then look over to Cassandra.

"Cass, wasn't that funny, kind of cute?" Dick ask. Cassandra nods. She usually didn't speak much. That's how she was raised before she came to Bruce. Or so I heard. Dick smiles.

"Alright, alright, everyone finish your cake, so the birthday girl can open presents." Bruce instructs. We all nod and finish our cake.

"Ok, now time for presents?!" I ask excitedly.

Bruce laughs. "Yes, Stephanie, time for presents." I smile.

Cassandra and Barbara come over and grab my hands. Together we walk to the family room. When we get there, I spot the pile of presents reserved for me and squeal.

"Alright, Steph, you'll sit here." Barbara hoists me onto a tall stool.

Everyone walks over to the pile and grabs their present while I sit, patiently.

"Ok, who wants to go first?" Bruce ask.

"I'll go." Jason volunteers. My smile broadens.

Jason walks forward, holding a small box wrapped in blue paper. He hands it to me carefully then sits back down. I carelessly tear the paper away to reveal a black velvet box. I open to the box and gasp at the sight. Sitting inside the box is a shining, silver locket. It looks exactly like the one I lost months ago and cried over. I open it to see a picture of the entire family inside. I smile. That's when something black catches my eye. I look up at the roof of the box and see black writing.

'We need to talk.'

"Do you like it?" Jason ask, shyly.

"It's awesome. Thanks Jasey." I say.

I move on, opening all the presents until there are no more. Barbara gave me nail polish, Dick got me coloring supplies, Cassandra gave me earrings, Tim gave me hair bows, Alfred got me books, Bruce gave me new clothes, and Damian gave me a drawing of a flower.

"Thank you guys for the gifts." I say.

"You're welcome and happy birthday, Stephanie." Bruce gives me a quick hug, then, he, Barbara, Tim, Alfred, Dick and Damian walk out, leaving me and Jason alone.

"You wanted to talk?" I ask.

He nods. "Yeah, I just wanted say," He takes a deep, shakey breathe, "I like you, Steph. I like you, like you." He admits.

I squeal with happiness and jump down from the stool. I can not believe what I'm hearing. Jason likes me. Jason Todd likes me. I've liked him since forever.

"I like you, too, Jason." I giggle. He smiles, then turns and leaves.

"Best birthday ever!" I squeal.
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"Dinner time!" Someone screams up the stairs.

I sigh and stand. I should just let Jason go. As the old saying says: 'if you love someone, let them go.' Besides, he looks happy with her, and she looks happy with him. I should go ahead and just make friends with her. That's how Jason would like it. Do it for Jason.

I put on a fake smile, nodding. "Do it for Jason."

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Awwww poor, Steph!! Ok, don't worry guys this isn't going to turn into girl tries to steal other girl's boyfriend plot so don't worry. And again, I know I'm probably getting on your nerves, I encourage you guys to leave comments telling me what you think of things. I really want to hear your opinions and thoughts. Alright, I'm done.

Toodles for now