Starting Something New (Teen Titans)

Chapter 5 - The Mall

Rachel Roth -

We were all on the couch. I was reading the last few chapters of my book from yesterday, as I was a very fast reader. The boys were playing some racing game. Kori was trying to have a conversation but no one was listening. It was peaceful, the boys were a little loud but I did my best to focus on my book. Well that was the case until 'she' entered the room. She sat beside Garfield, putting her legs on top of his left leg.

"Booyah, I win again!" Screamed the robot man.

"Come on! I was so close!" Dick yelled in response to another one of Victor's wins. Garfield opened his mouth to talk back when a phone was put in his face. Tara showed Garfield something that made him laugh. I looked back at my book but was too frustrated to continue. Everything she does makes me angry for some reason, even if she doesn't say anything.

Fuck this, I just can't with her near him. Maybe some herbal tea will calm my nerves. I put down my almost finished book on the coffee table and headed to the kitchen. I waited for the water to heat up to make my tea till I heard a voice call me.

"Friend Rachel, would you care to join me to the mall of shopping? I am in need of the fall clothing before the weather gets the chilly." I look past her head and see Garfield laughing with Tara as she put her hand on his thigh. I need a distraction from all that.

"Fine but don't get used to it." I say looking back at the very hyper Kori.

"Oh joy, I will ask the others!" She smiled before leaving.

"Wait Kori!" She was already gone. Shit, this isn't what I wanted.

Richard Grayson -

"Friend Richard, would you like to join me to the mall of the shopping?" She smiled a beautiful grin, I can't say no to that.

"Sure, sounds fun." I tried to sound calm, ignoring my beating heart.

"Wonderful! What about you Tara, would you like to join?" She said with the same smile.

"Who's going?" She asked dryly.

"It will be me, friend Dick, and friend Rach-"

"Pass." Tara cut her off when Rachel was listed. I don't understand why she's like that to her. Yeah she keeps to herself and she is quiet, but there's nothing wrong with that.

"What about you friend Garfield." She shifts her view to the green man beside Tara.

"Yeah sounds fun, better than staying home." He answered with a bright smile back at Kori. I heard Tara huff at his answer, probably wishing she said yes.

"Wonderful, and you friend Victor?"

"Sorry Kori, I'd love to but I need to unpack and set up my room. You guys go on and have fun."

"Ok friends, I will now go and get ready for the leaving." She then left and headed for the kitchen to talk to Rachel.

"We should get ready also." I looked at Gar and stood up. He did the same and we headed to our rooms.

Garfield Logan -

I changed into beige shorts with a purple v neck shirt. I grab my phone, keys and wallet. I left my room and at the same time so did Rachel. She was wearing jeans and a black crop top. She looked hot, like always.

"Are you ready to go?" She said bringing me out of my trance.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Um...are you?" She nodded and left the hallway. Something seemed different with Rachel. She wasn't the same as last night. Maybe because people are around. It doesn't matter I'll be with her all day at the mall.

Kori and Dick were already at the door. I made my way over behind Rachel.

"Garfield, I need help with something. Can you stay home and help me?" Tara asked from the couch the second she saw me.

"Why?" What would she need right now when I'm about to leave. She got off the couch and walked up to me. She put her hand on my chest and leaned into my ear.

"I need help with something in my room." She said in my ear but everyone clearly heard it. Rachel looked at her in disgust and left out the door. I don't want to make the same mistake again trying to be nice.

"I'm leaving right now so you can do it yourself." I moved her hand off my chest and moved away from her. She looked pissed and left to her room slamming the door. We left the house and as I was locking the door Dick stood beside me.

"Good choice man." He patted my back then left to the car.

I thought so too. I mean Rachel and I aren't anything but friends right now but if there might be a us, I don't want to mess up that chance.

Rachel was driving simply because she was in the car first. I called shotgun even though I didn't really need to. Kori doesn't know what that is and Dick wanted to sit in the back with her anyway so whatever. I got in the car in the seat beside Rachel. She looked at me shocked but then wiped the look of her face. Trying to show she doesn't care, but I think she's secretly happy I came along. She started the car and drove wherever the GPS told her to go. We shortly arrived at the mall. Kori wanted to go shopping for clothes but an arcade caught my eye. Rachel noticed me looking at that arcade and sighed.

"Do you guys want to split up? While we look at clothes you guys can go to the arcade or whatever." She looked at me with a small smile. I blushed at the thought of her knowing exactly what I want.

"I'm ok with that if that's what you guys want to do." Dick responded, also looking at the arcade.

"We can meet back at the food court at uh..." Rachel pulled out her phone to look at the time. "It's 11:27 right now so what about we meet back at 2:00 to eat."

"Sounds like a plan, see you guys later." I waved at them and left for the arcade with Dick.

(1:48)

"Oh yeah, the green man wins again!" I cheer at my victory. Dick rolls his eyes and pulls out his phone.

"We should probably leave now. The food court is on the other side of the mall, plus I'm hungry."

"Yeah, me too. Let's go." We leave the arcade and walk to the food court.

On the way to the food court, I noticed people moving away from me. I might look like a freak but I'm a good guy. I should have brought a jacket to cover myself. I mean it's my fault thinking this place was different. I'm a monster no matter where I go. I came hoping this place was different, more accepting.

"You ok, Gar?" Dick asked. He looked around and noticed everyone looking. He put his arm on my back trying to comfort me. "Don't worry about them, you're a kind guy Garfield. Don't think of yourself any less, you're amazing the way you are. Green and all!" He messed with my hair, forcing me to smile.

"Thanks, but you wouldn't want to be me. I'm not that great." Thinking back on the shit that's happened to me. I hold back the sad feeling, and try to smile. I look ahead and I see the food court up ahead. We stand at the arranged meeting spot. I pull out my phone as it reads 2:01. They should be here soon.

(2:17)

"Ok I'm worried now." I pull out my phone and call Rachel. No answer. I called her again. No answer. "She's not answering. I'm going to send her a text."

Text:

Hey Rachel, me and Dick are waiting for you guys at the spot.

(2:40)

"Something's up. I'm going to look for them." I don't know why I'm panicking so much but they're more than half an hour late. I started to walk off until a hand grabbed me. "Dick don't hold me back, I'm worried about the girls, there not here." I look at the hand on my arm, but the person holding me isn't Dick. I look up to see a different face looking at me. I swing my arms around them. I sigh in relief.