Chapter One: "Drowning Lessons"
It was a rich community, the one I lived in. To say my city was perfect would be ridiculous but it was nothing I had against the community for the danger didn't lie with the city itself, it fell more upon the people in it. Large buildings scattered any view within our town, the perfect execution of a system so bent on money, but like all the famous quotes state... with money comes greed, and greed is bringing this city, alone, to its weakest. Not so much that my city was failing economically because that just isn't true. We are spearheaded by the largest company in the entire state. Some would even argue it was the most successful in the entire hemisphere... but I digress. Two words : ... Wayne Industries, lead by the one and only Bruce Wayne.
Bruce, while intimidating in reality, was not the same person around me. I was one of the few privileged to see a side of this stern, strictly professional man that brought a lighter side to all that meant Bruce Wayne. Why... do you ask... am I held at a closer light when in relation to Bruce? That's easy... he was the most powerful man around but it was his ward son who brought me to know him on a personal level. His ward son was picture perfect, the ideal successor in Bruce's eyes. Of course that's not why their stories intertwine for Bruce was an honest man. From the years I've known him, regardless of his standoff-ish behavior,... there was nothing more important to him then his son. In some odd way they were a lot alike... sometimes far too much alike for my taking.
In any event, I was explaining about his ward son in more detail. So,... Bruce's son was definitely one for the books. His looks; unruly ebony hair that fell into a matted gel mess of spikes, adding a slight edgy side to him, dashing blue eyes that tore at the hearts of all us women, and his charm which could win anyone over. Now, this charming, undeniably wanted man was known for three things. One,... obviously being the heir to the Wayne fortune and eventual successor to Wayne Industries. Two,... a face that his public found so lovable and trusting. His face, both father and son, were on the newspapers and magazines almost everyday, all week, all year. Although I can't blame the media... the Wayne's family was quite a story in itself. Trust me, there was never a dull moment in Wayne's Manor. Which, actually I should clear up real quick... this boy, the one I've explained in all his glory, goes by the name of Dick John Grayson. The story behind the different last names is a personal one on Dick's part so I wont explain but now Im getting off the subject. Now, back to his life, and I would know I'm apart of it most of the time. Which is where number three comes in,... he was best friends with the second largest company's daughter,... Kori Star Anders.
Obviously I'm Kori Anders, and sure, I know what most of you are thinking... just another rich family tale of other rich families coexisting along side one another, their egos and money causing problems... I don't think so. Because yea we had money, there were egos that clashed, but for the rest of us... the sons and daughters of these media gods, layered beneath the shallow fame, ... we were all submerged in the same teenage adolescence... the fame only causing more problems.
To be clear, I am not friends with Dick because of who he is to the public or to the media. Which of course there are two sides to every story, especially in the media. One being, in relation to the public eye, is that Dick and I are sworn enemies since birth. I'm not sure how this rumor began but its very much alive. Apparently he and I cannot stand to be around each other but in the event of our wealthy parents intervening we had no choice but to spend our time with one another, especially to keep up appearances. That was once stated to be our golden phrase. I cant remember which magazine this was but either way their concept of our lives was entirely skewed. The other angle of the story, one in which most of the public gravitates toward, is that Dick and I were friends because we are one of those epic loves. Now, let me just point out, its hard being a teenager all on its own, so why the public feels the need to add more stress and complication to our lives... I will never understand. Dick and I have spent countless occasions sparking laughter at the odd photographs the media would capture of us, an entirely misleading story to go along with each picture. Each new magazine would have latest news covering our lives and most of it was all lies. It didn't matter to either of us though because we were far closer then to be separated by embarrassment from false media.
Either way, here's the story,... Dick and I were both young,... I mean really young when we first met. It was a situation where we got along but weren't all that close. That is of course until I lost my father to a tragic accident,... pardon if I don't go into detail about that. At the end of the day, when I was feeling lost, alone, helpless ... Dick was there. In my darkest hours he was there, endlessly and unconditionally. Then, with each day with him at my side, everything seemed to get a little better. Now, here I am, about to be sixteen and I'm whole.
I'm going to pause for a moment because I feel as though maybe this situation, this bond between Dick and I, is being unjustified. I mean, I've been friends with him since I can remember and we've been through so much it would be ridiculous to explain everything... but trust me I could. My memories... they all begin with Dick Grayson and they always will. Although, that's not to say that we were perfect, nothing is perfect. There was a time in elementary school when Dick and I sort of began to drift, not because of each other but the peer pressure I think that surrounded us. It was a few months in which we had barely talked and then... suddenly, one day I called him out of the blue. I had this strange feeling I needed to see him. You see, when my father passed, it would be a few years before Dick's parents, both of them, would be pass too. I remember the day, the very place Dick and I stood when we got the call.
A man approached both Dick and I with a look of pain in his eyes. This man was Bruce Wayne and I just remember Dick being taken away. He was gone ... for hours... an entire day even... just nothing. I called him, went to his house... everything I could think of to be certain he was alright. When I found him... he wasn't. Alfred, Bruce's butler, continued to persuade me to give Dick his space but the moment his eyes, those electrifyingly blue eyes saw me, we were never apart from that day. So, when I say Dick and I are close,... I really mean it. There's one person I would do anything for, trust anything with ... and it was him, and in a world of cruel media and teenage angst... that was all I needed.
So here I am. Standing in front of my mirror the night before my first day of my junior year. No matter how long I stared at myself, no matter which angle or face I made, I could not bring myself to force a believable smile. Why? Because tomorrow was the first day of my junior year. A year that was different then any other for one very specific... excruciating detail... I was in love with my best friend.
That's right... my best friend, who of course was not just anyone, he was... thee Dick Grayson. He had spent his first two years of high school swimming in womely affection and down right labeling himself as a playboy to this city. He was the epitome of every girls thoughts, desires, hopes, and even dreams. Which I know may sound like an overly dramatization of him, but as of right now... I cant help but agree it was true. Now of course the type of women that Dick naturally levitates toward are the loose girls, which is fine, I'm his best friend right? Why do I care? ... right?
Wrong! The fact is... I did care, more then I would like to even admit,... which I'm still, myself, trying to accept. Lets face it, I'll be honest, I always loved Dick Grayson for who he was, regardless of the Chanel perfumes his female visitors would sport, and he would reek of even hours later, and I accepted the change of when we arrived in high school and he was no longer Dick, Kori's best friend, and stopped being referred to, at least by our piers, as Dick Grayson son of Bruce Wayne, and became Dick Grayson high school playboy. And as a result I was no longer Kori, Dick Grayson's best friend and became, that whore who steals Dick Grayson from their attempts at flirting or guys trying to get in good with his friends. No, I was Dick Grayson's friend because I see through all the fake media image, the careless, loveless, emotionless front that consumes him when in public, and I could see him for who he really was, and it was simply because he let me see him. When we were together nothing ever seemed so bad. Nothing could stop us from doing anything, and that's truly what we believed.
In any event, here I was trying to recover from the summer vacation that literally ruined my life. This summer Bruce had a few business meetings in Miami, Florida, so naturally Dick invited me. Everything was as it should have been, nothing out of beat or unexpected until our last night there. We were all packed and ready to return home, just waiting for Bruce to return from his last meeting.
I sat alone in my hotel room in silence. The television was on but my mind was focused on racing through my thoughts to ensure I had not forgotten to pack anything. Dick and I had spent most of the day on the beach. The weather was warm, the sun kissed at our cheeks sweetly, and the view was nothing short of amazing. So... here I was, sunburned from my epic day of fun with Dick. Dick, might I add left me asleep on the beach to commence with one last night of flirting with the beautiful women that thrive in Miami. He came back, remembering I was alone and asleep but by then... sunburned. I remember waking to the sound of a heated fight happening beside me. I turned to find Dick cleanly knock out a man who had apparently been hovering over me. He filed his apologies quickly then delved into great detail about the 'interesting' women he had the pleasure of meeting.
So again, here I sat, sunburned and frustrated with my own body, the scent of aloe vera stifling my senses. I flipped through the channels on the flat screen but my thoughts, as I said, were elsewhere. It would only be the sound of a familiar voice as it entered my room that would break my concentration.
"Hey, Richard." I said quite monotone, openly displaying my lack of patience with him. Referring to him as Richard alone was a clear sign he was not in my good graces.
He looked to me through his signature black shades. "Don't look at me that way." He said with a laugh as he lowered himself onto the bed beside me. "I know your upset but I really just lost track of time." His mouth receded into a small whimper. "Don't be mad."
I rolled my eyes knowing perfectly well time was of no concern to him, he was merely more focused upon the beautiful women around him. I inhaled deeply giving him a quick nod then turning back to the tv.
"What are you doing?" I snapped, Richard having snatched the remote from me.
"Relax, you and I both know your not even watching it." He paused looking around my room. "And no, ... you didn't forget to pack anything."
I sighed to myself, frustrated that he could tell what I was thinking. He was right though, it didn't bother me that he had taken the remote just that ... wait, this was it... this was the moment where it all changed. I found myself angry at Dick for... well being Dick. Something that had never bothered me until this exact moment. I paused looking to him as the realization set over me. The situation only getting worse as I did so.
He sat, leaned back on his left arm as he scanned through the channels. His hair was gelled up in his signature mess of spikes. I paused, staring at him a moment, his own eyes focused upon the television. I could hear him mention something about the show he was now watching but it was all muffled sounds to me. My eyes froze as he laughed motioning to the television. And just then, as he looked to me for confirmation in the hilarity of the family guy scene, my eyes grew wide.
"What?" he said casually. His laughter slowly came to a halt.
My mind was racing now, I... I was attracted to Dick Grayson. I looked to him again my mind overlooking his every feature. Features which had always been present but I had never truly taken notice of. My breathing became stressed now and I looked away from him to the mirror which angled toward me beside the television.
"What?" he repeated. He removed his sunglasses, his piercing blue eyes capturing me.
"Oh come on," I snapped, immediately standing and going into the bathroom. I tried to shut the door but was stopped by a black converse shoe which now blocked my way. I paused looking up at a confused Richard. "Just... I need a minute." He stepped back, hands at his sides in defeat and allowed me to shut the door.
I looked to the mirror now and shook my head in frustration. My mind was entertaining an insane amount of thoughts and memories of this past summer away with Dick. With each passing memory I cringed, unable to believe I hadn't noticed my attraction to Dick sooner. The holding hands on the beach, the unspoken anger I felt each time he left me alone to entertain a random passing woman, and now, how his mere laugh awoke a feeling in me I was unfamiliar with.
I splashed water on my face leaving my head in my hands. I released a muffled scream of frustration then collected myself.
"Are you alright in there?" I heard him call.
I shoved the door open and looked to him with as much composure as I could force into myself. "You realize we start school in a few days and because of you I'm going to be burned to a crisp on the first day."
I could feel my heart pound faster now as he released a small chuckle. "Look, I said I was sorry." He paused stepping to me and throwing an arm around my shoulder. "Don't worry Kor, you'll look great when school starts... you look great now."
I felt myself scream in silence. There was only one solution to surviving this catastrophe,... and her name was Rachel. I would be sitting in front of Rachel, my closest friend, aside from Dick of course, by morning so for now I had to grin and bear it.
I cleared my throat looking to Dick now. "Richard..." I removed his arm from me and lay back upon the bed with a sigh. I wasn't even entirely sure how to act around him at this moment. I felt ridiculous, my face red as can be and him smiling at me as if nothing was out of place. I closed my eyes and released another drawn out sigh. "...Richard... I'm in no mood for you to be nice to me. Just... just go wait in your room until Bruce comes back." I swallowed hard as I felt him lay upon the bed beside me.
"Come on," he said, his voice never more convincing to me. He placed a hand upon my arm and removed it from my eyes. "Its our last night... there's nothing you want to do before we leave?"
I tried my hardest to seem uninterested but the half smile that graced his expression took a hold of me. I swallowed hard. "I'm assuming you have an idea of what you want to do?"
He stood and paused, extending a hand down to me.
"Is this your way of saying yes?" I asked, hesitant to accept his hand. "Because if it is,... I'm serious... I... I would love to go with you but..." I laughed. "I'm too sunburned for public eye, trust me."
He laughed and leaned forward forcing me to take his hand. He pulled me to my feet now and smile down at me. "Don't worry about anything other then you and me." He planted a kiss gently upon my cheek immediately returning those eyes to mine. "You look amazing."
"Alright," I could feel my eyes grow wide at his compliment. "... but I'll need time to get ready." I paused before the mirror and gasped at how bad I really looked. Unbrushed hair piled up into a high messy bun, and I wore a sweatshirt that belonged to Dick from when he went to private school, and not to forget the red tint of my crying skin. Before I could speak again I felt him pull at my hand.
"You look fine. Come on lets go."
"Wait..." I pulled my hand back. "I have to get ready first." For some reason my appearance was of high priority around him now.
"Kori..." he said in a warning tone.
"Richard..." I antagonized.
I turned away toward the bathroom when I felt him lunge toward me. Before I knew it Dick had lifted me over his shoulder and carried me out of the hotel room. We stepped into the hallway, him finally returning me to the floor. I paused as I caught a smirk upon his face. My eyes narrowed as I saw my room key, which had been in my back pocket, within his hands. He smiled and placed it in his jeans pocket then took my hand.
"Where... Where are we going?" I asked. He had lead me in the opposite direction of the hotel. "If we keep going this way, we'll find ourselves on the roof."
He raised a brow at me. "I know."
When we reached the roof I stood near the edge staring out across the beautiful scenery. Miami was beautiful during the day, but it held no light to the night. The sunset spawned rays of soft pinks, purples and blues that stretched out across the horizon. I inhaled deeply, soaking all of it in.
Silence...
I jumped slightly, my nerves setting fire as Dick stepped to me. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Its beautiful isn't it?" He said.
I looked to him briefly, the wind had carried his scent to me. My eyes shut and I placed my hands upon his with a simple nod. We were quiet in this moment for a long time... until I felt him pull away.
"Dammit," He said, his attention was now on his phone.
"Answer it." I knew the routine by now. Each time Dick and I had a moment to ourselves, even just as friends, one of his female admirers would interrupt. I didn't actually want him to answer, and a part of me always thought he would have rather not answered it either,... but he always did. "Go ahead." I repeated with a pleasant smile. It was this moment which was about to happen that made my situation even harder for myself.
"No, its alright."
My gaze was focused upon his now in a dreamy daze. 'He was choosing me over one of his girls?'
It didn't happen often and right now... it was the last thing I needed, no matter how much I enjoyed it. I watched with a keen eye as he turned his phone off and returned it to his pocket. He looked to me with narrowed eyes. "Whats wrong?"
"Nothing." I said quickly. His question had thrown me off, snapping me out of my consistent thoughts of him. I laughed again, brushing away a side bang. "I'm fine I just... you always answer your phone."
Fear struck me now as he laughed and took me into his arms again. I was so sure he would notice the rapidness of my heart beating for him, but he didn't. My eyes fluttered shut as he kissed me twice upon my cheek. "I know I always answer it but its not everyday its just me and my Star."
My chest almost erupted in emotion. 'Did he just call me his Star?'
I stifled my embarrassment and for the first time was thankful for my sunburn. My blushing was not even noticeable in my condition. It wasn't the first time he had called me by my middle name but I knew from experience that if he was using it, it meant that he was undeniably happy.
In the end, we shared our emotional moment together and flew back home. The flight was one spent sleeping and the last time I saw Dick was when he and Bruce dropped me off at home two days ago. So again,... I'm in front of my mirror and its 12:30. My mind is focused on tomorrow and the excruciating pain I will endure once Dick decides upon a new girl friend for the week.
(A/N) I had been reading a lot of Robstar fan fiction since the new show started, and it made me really miss the original teen titans so I figured I'd give myself a shot at a story... let me know what you guys think (R/R)
