Authors Note: Yes I know I really shouldn't be starting a new TT story but I couldn't help it. This is my first AU one and I hope you all enjoy it. I know it's kind of cliche and the plot has probably been done to death but all the same I've had fun writing it. :D

Disclaimer: Applying as usual to the whole story. I do not own Teen Titans. I never have, I never will and I will never get used to writing this.

Chapter 1: New Girl

"Love. It's an emotion we all spend time looking for…whether we admit it or not. The thing is sometimes you find it, sometimes it finds you and sometimes you don't realise it was right under your nose all along. My name is Kori Anders and this is how love found me."

The bell had rung long before Kori stumbled frantically into class tripping over the door jamb. Sweeping her bright red hair out of her face she stared embarrassed at the 30 or so students who were gazing at her curiously. The teacher too looked up and gave a huff of disappointment. Ruffling through her roll she pointed to a name and put a very determined tick next to it. "Koriand'r Anders I presume?" she asked sarcastically.

"Yes ma'am," Kori replied still not sure how to address her.

"You are 15 minutes late. Can you explain this Miss Anders?"

"I…I got lost ma'am. I'm new and I-,"

The teacher rolled her eyes and gestured to a seat. "Fine, fine. Just don't let it happen again. Let me assure you," at this she turned to face the whole class. "Tardiness is not something I excuse. Neither is unfinished homework or…" Trailing off she marched up to a boy. Picking up the nearby rubbish bin she held it near his table. "Spit."

The boy raised his eyebrows in surprise, looked as if he was about to argue and then submitted. There was the dull ping of gum hitting the metal. "Ahem. We'll have no more of that Mr. Stone. As I was saying I enforce the rules very strongly. They're here for a reason and I don't believe they should be ignored. Now if you'll copy down what I've written on the board we may begin."

There was an immediate scraping as the class hurried to pick up pencils and paper. Kori still stood near the door uncertainly, throwing timid glances at everyone else. The teacher picked up her chalk before noticing the unfortunate girl. "Well don't tarry about all day! Go on and sit next to Mr. Grayson, it's the only seat left." With a hesitant smile Kori slid into her seat. The boy next to her didn't even look up. Picking up her bag Kori realised with a sinking feeling that she had left her pencil case in her locker. With some courage she turned to her seatmate. "Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to have a pen I could borrow would you?" There was no answer. Not to be deterred Kori tried again. "I'm sorry but I seem to have misplaced my-,"

"Shut it," said Grayson coldly. "It's not my fault you're a klutz and memory impaired." Surprised and hurt Kori turned to a hooded girl behind her. "Do you have a pen I-," An impatient hand shoved the pen to her. "Here. Now don't interrupt me again." Mouthing a 'thank you' Kori began to write ignoring the stinging in her eyes and the hotness on her cheeks. Just as she was done the teacher called for silence.

"Good work everyone. I'm glad to see you can control yourself. As it is the first day you are allowed to leave 5 minutes early to find your way to new classes." She directed a steely gaze towards Kori but the smile tugging at her lips was apparent. "Also fortunately for you there is no homework. I do have to inform you however that where you sat today is your permanent place. I'm working on learning all your names and it will happen a lot quicker if you're not forever moving around. You may go now."

Mouth dropping in horror Kori whirled around to stare at her permanent seatmate…but to her surprise he was already gone.

XOXOXOX

In the cafeteria at lunch Kori clasped her modest paper bag to her chest protectively. Even if everything else went wrong she could still at least enjoy her mustard, right? Of course first she had to face the dilemma of every teenager on their first day at school. Where to sit. Sighing she looked around the crowded place until she finally spotted the pale girl from her English class. Her face lit up as she noticed that the table around her was empty and with a smile she trotted towards her. Slipping into the seat casually she beamed at the surprised Goth and immediately set up a flow of chatter. "Hi! Do you remember me? It's Kori, from English? It is so great to see you. I know barely anyone in this place and your familiar face is like the sunshine on a cloudy day so to speak. What do you have for lunch? It's hard to see because it's all packed away in that black box…" The girl pulled her hood a little higher. "It's really none of your business. And I'd prefer it if you didn't sit with me."

Kori blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You heard me. Just because I lent you a pen in English it doesn't mean we're best friends or anything. Besides I prefer to be alone."

"You like to be alone?"

"Yes actually I do," said the girl tiredly. "And I would appreciate it if people could just get that through their thick skulls and let me be happy!"

Kori immediately stood up. "I apologise. I thought…I felt…it doesn't matter anyway…I will just go…" A shriek cut the air causing Kori to jump in shock.

"Oh. My. Gosh! There she is! That girl from English class! Hey, you! Yeah, you, with the fire truck hair, come over here." Kori threw an alarmed glance at the pale girl but she refused to meet her eyes.

"Who are you sitting with? Surely not that loser Raven? Ho-ney have we got some stuff to tell you." A blonde swayed into view followed by a few giggling girlfriends.

"I am afraid I don't understand-," began Kori still confused but the blonde made a zipping motion with her hand.

"Kitten's talking darling. Now where was I?" One of her posse whispered in her ear. "Oh yes! Why in the world are you sitting over there? Don't you know your reputation will go down the drain quicker then quicksand if you sit with people like her?"

"Quicker then quicksand?"

"Mhmm. Come over here sweetie and while you're at it tell me your name."

"It's Kori Anders."

"Of course! Charming. Terra, Jinx, move! Make some room for Kori." Happier now Kori sat down next to Kitten. "There we go. Now introductions…I'm Katherine but I prefer to be called Kitten. Miaow! This is Terra," she indicated the second blonde beside her. She had a cheerful rather kind face, though Kori noticed she was dreadfully thin. "And this is Jinx." This time Kori met the gaze of a short girl dressed in black with pink highlights through her hair. Even though she couldn't help thinking it bizarre this girl somehow pulled it off along with her rather mischievous smile. Kitten waved a vague hand in the direction of her followers. "And those are the rest of our friends."

"Oh," replied Kori as the feeling of surprise died down. "I see. But what do you want with me?"

"Want with you?" Kitten gave a ridiculously high laugh. "Darling we don't want anything. It's you who'll be doing the wanting."

"I will?"

Sipping her cappuccino Kitten motioned to Terra to continue. "Everyone who comes to Bloomsbury High needs to find somewhere to belong. You know, with the jocks, the brainy kids, the clowns, the populars…You're new. You don't have a group, or friends or anything and frankly you need to find one fast. You can't just go sitting anywhere and risk having people label you something you're not."

"So how do I find my 'group'?"

Terra tugged a blonde strand thoughtfully. "That depends, what were you in your old school?"

"I do not believe we did this at my old school," said Kori thinking fondly of her old life.

Jinx raised an eyebrow but Terra didn't seem surprised. "Fine then. Where do you think you'd like to belong?"

Kori raised emerald eyes hopefully. "With you?"

There was a choke and splutter as Kitten spat her drink everywhere. "What?"

End Authors Note: There you go! The first chapter is done. How is Kitten going to react to this shocking breach of protocol you'll just have to wait and see! Hehe don't forget to review!

Crystal