Disclaimer: I don’t own Teen Titans.

Note: I’ve never been skiing/snowboarding. I don’t know the lingo. My “ski trips” consists of me hanging with friends, reading a book, drinking hot chocolate, staring at the fire, laughing at friends hurt and frozen bums, and checking out the guys.

Chapter 13:

Ski Trip Part Three

“Okay, so is everyone finally ready to go?” Rich says looking back at the lot of us.

Everyone said yes with an exasperated sigh. We had been waiting in the lobby for 45 minutes because of Terra and Kitten. Kitten just had to look perfect and Terra didn’t want to leave her behind. So we all waited in the stinkin’ lobby until the both of them showed up, which just happened to be 30 seconds ago.

“Then, let’s go,” Rich announced as he grabbed his snowboard.

I smile gleefully, grabbing my board and speeding for the door. 45 minutes is a long time to wait for some relief. Snow-covered mountain tops here I come!

About 20 minutes later, we were looking over the perfectly snow covered run. The snow glistened like a road made out of solid crystals. Absolutely untouched. Perfectly perfect.

“Sweet…” I breathe.

“Totally,” Vic nods.

I smirk at him before turning to the crowd behind us.

“Okay, so does everyone know how to ski or snowboard?” I ask. Everyone nodded at me except for one.

Charity huffs loudly before putting her goggles over her eyes, “Yada, yada, yada. Stop talkin’ and let’s get going.” She then, turns and leans forward making her go down the slope.

I smirk as I pull down my goggles and follow her example.

I like what she’s thinking!

***

I stand on the edge and watch all of my friends go down the slope, enjoying themselves. I wish I could be in such company. Pure happiness, pure joy. Carefree. Unfortunately, I could not afford such luxury for long. It’s like somebody up there was looking down on me and trying to stop my happiness.

“Hey, Raven is about to be happy! Somebody get her!” I can hear the person trying to tear me down saying.

My mind travelled to my thoughts earlier; about Malcolm.

I let out a sigh of frustration. Why? My one and only chance to be with someone who isn’t like Gar in any way, shape, and/or form will be flying out the window along with the incredibly gorgeous man who bumped into my life. And with my luck that time will be short and interrupted…frequently.

Remember when I talked about someone enjoying my pain? Yeah, well, guess what?

“Are you just going to stand there like an idiot?” said my favorite person in the world.

I roll my eyes, I say, “What I do is none of your business, blondie.”

“Ooo, blondie,” Terra teased, “Is that the best you’ve got?” She scoffs at me and flips her as if to say she was better than me.

Boy, was she wrong.

“What’s wrong, little bird? Finally, realizing that you don’t have a chance with my boyfriend,” Terra says.

Rolling my eyes, once again, I say, “Wow, you are conceited. Okay, one, why would you think that I’m interested in your boyfriend?”

There are plenty of reasons why I am interested in her boyfriend and there are plenty of reasons why I stay away from her boyfriend. Her, being one of them.

“Two, I’m not even thinking about him,” I wasn’t until she brought him up, at least.

Terra simple pressed her lips together before sucking her teeth, “You know what? You’re not even worth it. Just stay away from Gar. He’s mine. ‘Kay, little birdie?”

And with that she leans forward and goes down the mountain.

I shake my head and looked up to the sky. Why? Why me? Can’t it once be someone else?

I sigh again. Might as well get this over with. I pull down my goggles and push off down the run.

***

“Woo!” I cheer as I come to a stop once I get to the bottom, “Sweet ride dude!”

Roy smiles, “Yeah man. Yo dude, did ya check out how Charity just went down the hill?”

I shake my head and roll my eyes at him, “Dude, just talk to her already. Look, she’s all alone. Go and freakin’ talk to her. And talk to her like a human, not a piece of eye candy.”

He waited for a moment, going over it in his head before nodding. I saw his “Roy Charm” turn on before he walked over to her. Now hopefully, she won’t kill him.

I unbuckle my snowboard from off my feet and waited for the others to come down and join me.

“You might have some competition,” I hear a slightly eerie voice say from behind me.

For the second time today, I jumped in the air with a yelp.

“Jamie!” I gasp, “Stop doing that!”

“Sorry,” she says as she gets to my side, “I thought you were a man and had balls.”

I roll my eyes at her, “What do you want, Jamie?”

“I want to warn you about that Malcolm character,” she said, “I have a strong feeling that we’re going to be seeing him again. And frequently.”

I furrowed my eyebrows at her, “What?”

“You heard me,” she said.

I feel myself grow possessive and angry with jealousy by this news. I really don’t like this guy. He just can’t take a hint and go away and leave us alone.

Wait…us?

I shake my head at the thought of us or rather, the non-existent us.

“Wait a minute, why are you telling me? I’m just her friend not her boyfriend.”

She turns her head and looks at me with a disapproving look. She crosses her arms over her chest and says, “Yes, you are her friend. Not only that you’re her best friend. No matter how much time you guy have been split apart. Now there’s this guy who I think you should be concerned about and you’re just standing there saying that you’re just a friend. When you and I both know that you feel more for her just friendship.”

“Well, what do you want me to do?” I say back, “She doesn’t want me involved with her personal stuff anymore.”

“I want you to try,” Jamie said back.

“I have!”

“Then, try harder.”

“She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself. She’s said that she could so many times.”

“You’re her friend!”

“That’s right! I am her friend! Maybe her best friend but that’s it. Alright. Look, I have a girlfriend.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“I’m in a relationship. I should be concerned about that.”

“You should be concerned for her too.”

“Yeah, but why me? What about you? You’re her friend too.”

“Because she won’t listen to me!” she yells, “I wouldn’t get through to her.”

“How do you know? Have you tried?”

“No.”

“Ah-ha!”

“But that’s because I know she won’t listen to me. I haven’t been her friend that long. She doesn’t trust me as much as she trusts you. And if she’s in trouble she’ll be running to you. Not me! And the sooner you learn that the better!”

And with that, Jamie storms away from me.

I sigh, frustratingly. I have to protect Raven? I have to make sure she’s alright? Why? Why should it be me? Why should I even bother? Because every single time I do that, she drags me away, yells at me, and tells me to stay away from her personal life. Every single time.

I closed my eyes for a moment and breathe. Trying to let go. So much for a relaxing holiday.

With a deep inhale, I open my eyes and see my girlfriend in a clad of yellow and black coming towards me, skies in hand.

“Hey babe,” she greets as she gets to me.

I smile weakly at her, “Hey Terra.”

She leans up and gives me a sweet peck on the lips before saying, “So what were you and that…pink haired girl talking about?”

“Uh, it’s Jamie and it was nothing. Just stuff,” I said.

“Well, what sort of stuff?” Terra asks.

I shrug, “Just stuff.”

Why did she have to know what we were talking about? Better yet, why am I trying to hide the fact that we were talking about Raven?

“Baby,” she giggles a little, “What sort of stuff were you two talking about? I mean- it looked like you were getting pissed off for a second there.”

“Maybe I was getting pissed off but it’s nothing for you to be concerned about,” I reply.

Her smile starts to fade at this, “Then, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to tell me.”

What was it with women and arguing with me today?

“Terra, babe, we were just talking and we got a little upset at each other, that’s all. Why are you so pushy on this?”

She looks at the ground for a moment, shrugging a little, “Well, I was just wondering. I mean- why do you hang out with those girls? I mean- they’re, like, so weird and…creepy.”

Oh no, not this again...

I sigh loudly, “Terra, we’ve been through this before.”

“And I still don’t understand why do you, like, hang out with them. They’re completely and totally bizarre.”

“Oh! And I’m the epitome of normalcy!”

“That’s not what I mean, Gar!”

“Then, what is the point, Terra?”

***

I went straight back to the lodge as soon as my run was over. Not even bothering to talk to anyone. It was almost ten. I had little time. I walking in and quickly took off all of my borrowed ski gear.

“Hello Raven,” I hear a voice from behind me say. I freeze for a moment, a little shocked at the startling voice. I slowly turn around to see his icy blue eyes looking back at me.

“Hello Mal,” I say back to him, “How long have you been standing there?

He shrugs with a playful smile dangling on his lips, “I got here as soon as you walked through those doors.”

I flush a little as he gazes down at me. Gods, he’s gorgeous.

“So,” he starts, “We have about ten minutes together. Do you want to take a walk with me?”

Smiling, I nod my head and take his extended arm.

***

“Ugh! You’re not understanding me!” Terra yells.

“No, I think I am!” I yell back, “You don’t like them because they’re different!”

“If that was the case, then, I wouldn’t be dating you and hanging out with your annoying little friends!” she shot back.

I flinch a little upon hearing loud gasps around us, alerting me of their presence. It doesn’t matter. If they want to watch let them.

***

We started to talk, basically about nothing. Just the nice pleasant and casual conversation starters. By the time we reach the lobby, Malcolm turns towards me and says, “Do you think we could see each other again?”

Oh, why did he have to ask that?

“I don’t know,” I answer, “My father’s really strict.”

“If that’s the only problem, then it’s not much of one,” was his kind retort.

I chuckle a little, saying, “You don’t know my father.”

Pushing a strand of hair from out of my face and stroking my cheek, “Well, we’ll work around him.”

I sigh, “Mal, we’re most likely never going to see each other again after this.”

“Where do you live again, Raven?” he says casually.

Confused by the question, I furrow my eyebrows, “Jump City. Why?”

A smirk appears on his lips, “No reason.”

***

“Why do you insist on being a jerk?!” Terra shouts.

“You’re the one telling me to ditch my true friends!” I shot back, extending out my arm to make my point.

Terra scoffs, “Ha! you’re true friends?! Yeah right! They’re just, like, using you so they could look cool. Which sure isn’t working.”

“ Oh, like your friends! Kitten has been using you to get closer to Rich for, like, the longest time. And, believe it or not, they’re better friends than you are!”

“What?!” Terra says. The crowd gasps in response.

I continue, “Yeah, because you’re an immature, insecure, “always-have-to-go-my-way,” little spoiled brat like you!”

“Excuse me, but I thought that you asked me out. Not the other way around!”

“And regretted the decision ever since,” I said, the words coming out harsher than I thought it would be.

She paused for a moment. Stunned by my words.

“Oh,” she had nothing to say, “I guess…I guess I’ll just leave then.” And walked away, her blonde hair turning dramatically with her.

I watch her leave. Somewhat frozen in place, unsure if I would regret my words later. I look around at the shocked faces before I push my way through the crowd to the lobby.

***

He slides his hand down towards my hand, wrapping his fingers around it.

My head gets light and dizzy.

His icy blue eyes peer into mine, holding me in this spot. But his eyes don’t hold mine for long. His lips become the only thing in my line of vision and I start to imagine my lips on his. The air tightens around us, bringing us closer together. Everything in the world fades. My mind grows still. They only thing that matters is me and him and his lips. His nose lightly brushes against my forehead causing me to close my eyes and part my lips slightly. A second later his lips as press against mine in a sweet, sweet kiss.

For what felt like years, which were actually a few seconds, our lips were connected until he pulled away from me. he leaned his forehead against mine and said, “’Til I see you again, my beautiful lady bird.”

He kissed my forehead and caressed my hands before pulling away and turning.

I watched him walk away and head out the door. Walking out of my life just as he walk into mine.

“Goodbye,” I whisper after him, “Malcolm.”

***

I storm down the hall and through the threshold of the lobby only to be greeted by a disturbing sight.

There in front of me, I see Raven and that-that Malturd guy pull away from a kiss. And then, I see him kiss her forehead, whisper a sweet nothing, before walking away without looking back at her.

I sneered at the sight of them and turn sharply on my heel, stomping my way to my room.

If she wants to fall for the likes of him, fine. Let her deal with it. I just can’t deal with all this right now.

A/N: Hello everyone! I’ve updated again as you can see. I have one more chapter of their trip in the lodge, so they’ll be back in school soon, for those who are wondering. I don’t have much to say this time around. Oh, thank you for your reviews! I’m still looking for BETAs. “The Deal,” and “The Second Deal” are covered already. Everything you need to know is on my profile. And that’s all for now…please review! Peace!

Bleeding Writer