Inverted Paradox

Books, books and more books

I knocked on her door gingerly. This was it. I can't turn back now.

"Yo Raven!"

The door opened a crack, revealing half of Raven's hooded figure.

"Umm..." At this point I felt really stupid. Maybe it was the way she was looking at me. Like she was staring into my soul.

"Just spit it out Beastboy. I don't have all day." Now she seemed annoyed. Better make this quick.

"Do you wanna maybe go to a bookstore with me?" She thought for a moment and looked very indecisive.

"I suppose so." She said walking out. "But don't get any ideas."

"Well of course not Raven." I responded, smiling widely.

The walk there was quiet. More like awkward. I didn't really know what to say to her. She didn't seem very keen on having a conversation anyway. Which just made it harder.

Luckily, her favorite bookstore was in sight.

"Come on. Let's go!" I told her, rushing her in. The awkwardness evaporated so fast that it was like it was never there.

I rushed over to my favorite section. Raven slowly followed, arms crossed.

"If I knew you were just gonna gawk over comic books all day I wouldn't have agreed to come." She said in her usual monotone voice.

"At least I read a little bit." I retorted.

"You call that reading?" She motioned to the row of comic books. "Most of it is pictures."

"What's your point?" She just rolled her eyes.

"I'm just gonna go over here." She pointed to the other side of the shop.

This was bad.

We were supposed to hang out together. Not be on complete other sides of the building.

"Can't you stay?"

"Can't you just let me go?" She paused for a moment, looking at me. "I thought you invited me to look at actual books. I guess I should've known better."

Her words stabbed me like a knife.

My ears drooped as she walked away. She didn't even look back.

The comics didn't seem that interesting anymore.

I wanted to follow her, but I knew that would annoy her even more.

Well today definetely isn't going to plan.

Against my better judgement, I followed her anyway.

Maybe I can find out what type of books she reads. Maybe then I won't be such a nucience to her.

I'll show her.

She stopped and started scanning books. I just wasn't sure what type they were.

I decided to "look" at the books across from her.

I copied her and pretended to be interested.

"Oh, so you read books now?" Raven asked, skeptical.

"You got a problem with that?" I wasn't going to let her see through me.

She stared at me. I met her gaze. It was hard to fight the urge to flinch. I could tell she was trying to figure me out.

She just shrugged her shoulders and looked back at the books.

"Well if you want the good books the're over here." I stared at her in shock.

"If you're going to read you might as well join me." She said with a sigh.

"Sweet!" I flung myself at her.

I guess I did it a little too quick because the next thing I knew we were both on the ground and I was on top of her.

I thought she was gonna push me off right then, but she didn't.

"What's so special about these books?" I asked after staring into her eyes for a few moments.

"I just like them." She snapped. "Now get off."

"Okay okay." I replied, getting up.

***

My stomach rumbled.

"Let me guess, you want to get some pizza."

Oh crap. She heard my stomach.

"It's okay we can go."

"Really?"

"I could use some food myself."

No way. She just agreed to spend more time with me.

This was the best day ever. But also kind of weird.

Don't get me wrong it was amazing spending time with her, but something just seemed off.

"Don't get used to this." Raven said, eyeing my suspiciously.

That's the Raven I know.

I was too happy right now to take much notice of her gaze. My heart felt light and all I wanted to do was be with her.

What could go wrong?