An Inaudible Irritation

3. Date Night

When adults say that high school practically flies by, they're not lying. Raven was so distracted by her studies that she didn't even notice the changing of seasons. Summer was slowly but surely turning into Autumn.

As soon as Raven stepped foot in the door of their apartment, Kory rushed over to her. "Quick, help me find an outfit to wear!" she pleaded and grabbed the younger girl's hand.

"Whoa, Kory, what's happening?" Raven questioned as she was dragged to Kory's closet. She wasn't even given enough time to take her shoes off.

A nervous smile made its way to Kory's face. "Dick is coming over for dinner tonight," she informed her as she rummaged through her wardrobe.

"Oh," Raven said as she started eyeing the clothes. "Just wear something casual, you look great in anything."

Kory pulled a shirt from the hanger and held it up to herself. "Is this good?" she asked.

"I like it," Raven answered and let her lips curl into a smile. "Jeans would look good with it."

"Thank you," she said and grabbed a pair of jeans before heading into the bathroom to change. "You know, he's bringing his younger brother over too. I think he said you two go to school together."

Raven's face scrunched up at the words. Great, now she had to socialize with another person.

Once Kory opened the door she continued speaking. "Maybe you can make a new friend," she innocently suggested as she looked through her selection of shoes.

"Yeah," Raven forced herself to reply.

Kory went into the kitchen and started rummaging through the cabinets as Raven went into her bedroom. This was the first time they would be having company over in at least a year.

Immediately after closing the door, she changed out of her school uniform, then let herself fall backwards onto her bed. Usually she took a nap after school, so now she had no idea what to do to pass the time.

The sound of someone knocking on the front door pulled her out of her thoughts. "Raven, can you get that, please?" Kory called from outside her room.

Raven slowly got up and made her way out of her room and towards the door.
With one swift turn, she opened the door and met Dick's gaze. "Hey."

"Hi," Raven simply responded and opened the door wider.

"Sorry, I know we're early," Dick said and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. A bouquet of neatly arranged colorful flowers was in one of his hands.

"It's okay," Raven assured him and gestured towards the kitchen opening. "Kory's in the kitchen."

"Alright," Dick replied and walked in the doorway. He looked behind him and gestured for someone to follow him. "Come on, Damian."

Raven could have sworn her heart stopped in her chest when the name had made its way to her ears. Her eyes widened the slightest as she gulped. No. Not him. Please God, not him.

Damian hesitantly stepped through the doorway and met Raven's nervous stare briefly before following his older brother into the kitchen. Raven let out a sigh as she closed the door behind the two boys. Great.

Slowly she made her way into the kitchen and took a seat at the opposite end of the table as the two boys. Kory was standing in front of the stove, a nervous expression on her face.

"I am making spaghetti," Kory informed as she placed the flowers Dick had given her in a glass vase full of water.

Dick smiled warmly at her. "That sounds great," he said. He then turned to Damian and used his hands to sign something to him. All Damian did in response was shrug before getting on his phone. Raven had no idea what Dick had told him, but she assumed he was translating for Kory.