Author's Note: Hi!

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans.

Raven closed her book, caressing its spine before she stood to return it to the bookshelf on the corner. For five continuous days, she didn't let go of the book (including the times when she had fallen asleep reading it) burying herself deeper and deeper in to the new spells that she was determined to learn. Her eyes felt weary from reading, and she felt like, instead of walking, she was dragging her feet. Her fingers were threatening to give in on carrying the thick book by one hand only. She quickly supported the book with her free hand, lifting it to reach the empty space in the bookshelf.

She pushed the two books away to make enough space for the book that was to be added to her collection, but something had stopped her from pushing it wide enough to fit the book. She let go of the heavy hardbound book, placing it on the floor right beside her. She felt around at the side of the shelf, pulling away a dusty book that faced front, and leaned on something from inside.

There, lost behind various spellbooks was a small mahogany box, covered in dust.

She quickly pulled it and inspected it on her bed.

Her eyes began to get heavy, but she shook her head to wake herself up.

She rested her head on her hand as her chest lay on the bed. She stared at the small box, unbelieving that through the years; it had still been there.

The small mahogany box was decorated with four amethyst gems that shone from the four corners of the cover of the box. It stood on four legs, which was ebony black in color. Her fingers brushed away some dust when her hand stroked the bronze lock, which had writing embedded on it with thin, curvy lettering.

She smiled when she had read what was written on the lock: My Princess.

It had been a long time since she had heard that, and she had heard it from only one person; a "friend" that she had lost along the way.

She shut out the memory, closing her eyes, though still not wanting to fall asleep in the process. She pushed a stray strand of hair away from her face when she leaned over again to unlock the box.

She blew away some dust before clicking open the bronze lock.

She lifted the lid, and it stopped when it was opened exactly perpendicular to the rim of the bottom part. Gold chains at the sides of the small box connected the bottom form the lid, and stopped the cover from opening completely.

On the cover was a wide spread mirror that stretched through the rectangle frame. She could see her reflection, and she was glad that no one could see her like this now. Her eyes were weary, and she looked even paler than she was before. Her lips looked dry and chapped, and her cheeks, drained out of color. Dark rings encircled her eyes.

Her eyes traveled to the inside of the box. It was covered with red velvet and separated into half by a divider, also covered in red velvet.

On the right, jewelry, crumpled pieces of paper, and small trinkets were placed in a somewhat messy yet organized way.

On the left, a stage-like glass rested an inch away from the rim, decorated with curves and loops in silver lining. There, stood a miniature of a girl and a boy dancing.

She felt around at the bottom of the box. She came across a small silver winder on the bottom. She turned it a few times and music played. She recognized it immediately as The Lark by Glinka.

In its high, harp-like tune, the music filled the air. The miniature of the dancers twirled and circled the stage.

She felt the tears sting her eyes when she saw how gracefully they moved around, like a royal prince and princess in a ball. Oh, how she longed for the same to happen to her.

Ever since she was a kid, her mother had given her books filled with fairy tales. Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White…princesses with their happy endings. She could still remember that moment in her life when she had thought she had finally found her prince. He was her best friend, one of the few people who she thought had really wanted to be friends with her. But that was it, wasn't it? Friends…just friends. That wasn't what she had wanted. She wanted something more…she wanted something that she really couldn't have.

000

FLASHBACK

"Merry Christmas, Princess Raven," he had often called her that, since the "end of the world" incident, wherein her father seemed to have ruled the entire world, which he did. He smirked whenever he said it, as if mocking her, but not tonight. It actually looked like he meant it. He held out a small box covered in red with a green ribbon neatly tied around it, his colors…Christmas colors.

The dark demon took her gift from under the tree, then held it out for him. The others had already opened their gifts. Beastboy was sneaking into Cyborg's room, trying to begin to play that new video game Robin had given him; Cyborg was in the garage, was installing the car accessories that Raven gave him; and Starfire was in her room, arranging the hair ornaments that everyone had given her. Only Robin and Raven were left to give their gifts.

"Merry Christmas, Robin,"

They exchanged their gifts and Robin began to open his. Same as always, he didn't want to ruin the wrapping. He knew it was something the other took time doing.

Robin smiled when he had seen what his best friend had given him. It was a hardbound book, and on the side was the title, in blue lettering. The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer, she knew him very well to know his favorite author, and the book he had wanted to buy for some time, but didn't have the time to do so.

"Thank you…"

Raven couldn't take her eyes away from the expression on his face. He looked speechless, something that rarely happened. The smile that rested on his lips was a different kind of smile. Not the smile that he would give you if you made him happy, but a devious smile that showed that he was controlling himself from hopping around and singing a song, and rejoicing for getting the book he had wanted for so long.

"I've seen you eyeing that book for some time now, since we had caught Control Freak in the mall that other time."

"Wow, Rae…thanks a lot. You really know me that well don't you?"

"You know me more than anybody, it's just right that I know as much about you as you know me."

Robin opened his mouth to speak, but could not find the words to say. The smile was still on his lips.

Raven opened her gift, also careful not to ruin the wrapping.

She could see that Robin eyed her, and observed her every move.

In her hands, she held a small music box. She opened it, and then turned the winder at the bottom.

"Robin…it's…beautiful…"

He studied her expression carefully, unknowing if she was happy or she was disappointed. She rarely showed expressions that no one could know what she was feeling or thinking.

"Thank you," she said.

Robin looked crestfallen. He didn't know if he should just walk away, or ask what she thought about the gift.

Raven could see the troubled expression on his face.

"I love it," she said monotonously, although she really did love it. It was the best gift anyone had given her. Ever.

Robin nodded, but still waited for her to say something more.

"I…um…gotta go help Star. She's probably having trouble, you know…um…doing things, again."

Raven bit her lip.

"Do you like her?"

Robin stopped in his tracks. He turned around to make sure he had heard it right.

"Do you like her? Starfire?"

He nodded. "Yeah…I like her…"

"Okay," Raven didn't show her disappointed expression.

"But…" Robin looked down. "…What about you?"

Raven's head snapped up. What about her? She deciphered the words he had said, if you listen to it, it sounded like he cared about her. Her heart beat faster, waiting for what he was going to say next. She had waited so long for the time he would come to his senses and realize that she was just standing right in front of him. The sides of her lips twitched at the thought that this may probably the night he would tell her what he really felt.

"Is it okay? I mean, me and her?"

"Oh," she stared at her feet; her pale cheeks grew hotter. How stupid of her to think that Robin, the boy wonder, would fall in love with her. "You don't need to ask me about it," She continued. "It's your choice."

"But, you're my best friend."

Raven looked up, and so did Robin.

"Robin…look…" Raven looked at him, her voice sounded impatient. The answer was simple yet so complicated. It wasn't exactly what she had wanted to say, but there was no turning back now. "I don't know if you noticed, but there's nothing I can say or do to make you not like Starfire. It doesn't really matter that I'm your best friend 'cause it's still your choice."

Robin fell silent.

"Look, I really don't want to ruin the moment here. I mean, we both got what we wanted for Christmas, so…I think you should be with the person you really want to be with. It's Christmas, Robin." She smiled…a fake one, though she hoped Robin didn't see through that, too. Since he had done it oh so often now.

"Thanks, Rae." He leaned over to hug his best friend.

She returned the hug, and for a second, got lost in the moment.

Her own words echoed in her head.

I think you should be with the person you really want to be with.

…even for just a moment.

Robin loosened his grip then walked away toward Starfire's room excitedly.

END FLASHBACK

000

She closed her eyes, and tears began to fall down her pale cheeks.

Through the years, She had hoped and prayed every night that some day, he would come back and realize that the person he could really trust, the person he could love and the person who loved him back was right in front of him all along.

It hurt that she knew that would never happen. It hurt that she knew she was praying for some sort of miracle. It hurt that she knew she could never be trusted. But most of all, it hurt because through the years, the only thing she was waiting for was the day when she would come to realize that there's actually nothing to wait for, that there really was no hope.

She felt disgusted at the sarcasm of the music box. The Lark. The joke, the silly game. That was all there is.

Her head began to rest unconsciously on her arm, and her eyes started to wear out. The tears were still streaming down her cheeks, but she was no longer sobbing, but sleeping peacefully.

The faint sound of the music box still echoed through her dark room, but she couldn't hear it anymore.

She had finally fallen asleep, the music box, being her lullaby, and her tears being her only companions.

Author's Note: Inspired and will continue to write!