CHAPTER TWO
FORGIVENESS

Its been two months since that note. Its been two months since i asked Richard for his help. Its been two months since i admitted i need protection. Two months since i admitted i want Richard to protect me. I walk into my room one day after practice after school and discovered a bouquet of purple roses and a note card next to it. I eyed them and cautiously made my way over there picked up the card and read it.

Dear, Kori
I just wanted to apologize for everything i have ever done to you. I was depressed when you went away and regretted never having a chance with you. I was foolish and stupid for not being with you and for letting you taking the blame for my actions. I loved you since the moment i saw you and i still do. I hope that we can have a chance to be together or not then at least be friends because out breaks my heart to see such hatred and hurt in your eyes. Remember i love you and will always do.

Yours truly,
Richard Grayson

I smiled and put the card down softly. I grabbed the roses and placed them where i can always see them. I got back into bed and grabbed my phone. I quickly called Rachael for her opinion.

"Hello?" she said

"Hey Rachael its Kori do you have a sec?" i said twisting my hair with my fingers.

"Sure so what's up?" she said

"Okay well Richard sent a letter explaining how sorry he is and that he loved me and he asked for my forgiveness but im not sure what to do because he hurt me and he hurt me bad, not even after all of that i still do love him" i sighed plopping down.

"Well do you think he should be forgiven?" she said

"I think so he sounded sorry and he has been trying to say sorry" i said

"Well i think you should forgive him...he has uhm changed ever since you left... We all have...you were our spirit and when you left we went into a great depression especially Richard. He was lost without you and he still is. When you came back our spirits got higher and even though that school was suppose to change you into a lady. You are the same Kori that we need and love. So give Richard another chance, he needs to see the light in his dark place of his" Rachael had me in tears

"Thank you Rachael...thank you for everything" i hang up and decided to give a quick call to Donna to get Richard's number and after half an hour of questioning she finally gave me his number. I punched in his number and hesitantly press the call button...i put it up to my ear and waited to hear a familiar voice but it went to voice mail. 'thank god'.

"Hey you have tried to call thee Dick Grayson...if i didn't answer then it's either i dont want to talk to you, i am sleeping, or i am Very busy...so leaving the message after the beep...DUECES! *BEEP*" i sighed and smiled.

"Hey Richard it is Kori...uhm i just want to call and say that i ... I forgive you...i forgive you for everything and after all of these years i still love you. So if you get this message,which you will I don't know why i said that i mean just to clarify but i mean yeah I'm making a fool of myself over a voice mail but yeah i guess I'll see you in school... Bye!" i hanged up and faceplamed myself. 'great i made a fool of myself self'. I got up and went to my balcony and sat down on the railing.

I sat there looking up at the stars until my phone buzzed in my hand. It was a text from Rachael asking how things went.

'I embarrassed myself over voicemail...so yea'

'he didnt answer?"

'no just voicemail'

'oh well either way or i hope u guys will be ok'

'thx Rach'

'yw Kor well gn see u at school tmrow'

'night see u tomorrow'

I went back into my room, lock my balcony doors, go into my bed and put my phone on my charger. I laid in bed until sleep pulled me in and made my dreams about a special blue eyed boy.

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"Hey Kori" Donna yelled as i stepped out our my car. I waved, grabbed my cello and back pack and made my way towards my group of friends and noticed Richard wasn't there while locking my car.

"Hey guys" i held my cello in one and and my music in the other

"So whats with that thingy kori?" Gar said gesturing to my cello

"Well i have my CELLO because i am performing for the sponsors for the school today after school" i said repositioning my cello "which reminds me that i have to go so i will talk to you guys later" i waved goodbye and made my way to the orchestra room. Once i got there i was rushed by Mrs. Smith to practice until my hands bleed. And that's exactly what i did, i practiced from the time i got into class to the time i got to go to my third period (an hour and thirty minutes) which i so happened to share with Richard, Gar, and Rachael. My hands are as red as a tomato by the time i entered my third and i saw him. I saw him sitting in the back of the class by himself with Rachael sitting next to Gar. He noticed me standing there and we held our gaze. His eyes went from hurt and dull to happy and full of life. He posture went from I don't care to I might actually care. A small smile crept up on his face and instead of smiling small also i smiled so big i probably looked like an idiot.

"Ms. Little do you have Kori Anders?" the intercom lady interrupted what was going on.

"Yes i do" the art teacher replied looking at me

"She needs to report back to the orchestra room" she replied

"She's on her way" she gave me a nod and wrote me a pass. I looked back at Richard and gave a small shrug and a wave. He pointed top his phone and u nodded understanding what he meant. I walked to the orchestra room grabbed what i needed and went to the practice room.

'hey'

'hey i got ur voicemail last night'

'Oh gosh I'm srry i was being an idiot last night'

'No it's cool i thought it was cute'

'no it wasn't i was embarrassed!'

'I thought it was sexy;)'

'ur a creep lol'

'just for u bby:3'

'bby?'

'yea bcuz ure my girl'

'nice try Grayson u have to do better than that'

'ugh so much work'

'to bad big baby'

'how about I'll take u to dinner or something tonight?'

'can't i have stuff to do'

'like wat?'

'well i am performing for the sponsors for the school and Mrs. Smith wants me to be practicing 24/7 making sure my hands bleed'

'aww poor bby...want me to give ur boo boo a kiss?'

'yes please'

'well then you have another boo boo on your lips ;)'

'what are u talking about?...my lips feel fine'

'-_- think Kori'

'... Ohhhhhhhh i get it now'

'-_- buzz kill'

'lol whoops'

At that point the bell rang signalling everybody for lunch which i was allowed to go to but i stopped by the nurse office to grab two bags of ice for my poor hands. I was walking towards the cafeteria when i was joined by someone.

"Aren't you Koma's sister' the guy talking to me was taller than me (obviously) but and inch or two shorter then Richard. He had red hair, good features, and a built body but not as good as Richard's.

"Yes i am" i replied looking forward with my bags of ice

"Wow you are much more prettier than her" he then pinned me to the lockers close to the cafeteria. He sniffed my hair like a creep.

"Let me go" i struggled against him but couldn't break his grip

"Come on cutie lets have some fun" his hands roamed my body so i did what i thought of. I kneed him where i know it'll hurt and he fell to the floor. I then ran to the cafeteria and sat at the table my friend and i always sat on.

"Kori are you alright?!" Donna said hugging me

"Fine why? I said still ice bag in hand

"Don't play stupid we all saw that Xavier Redd harassed you" Donna said

"Don't worry about it I'm fine" i said

"Don't worry about what?" Richard joined the group and sat next to me

"My hands" i showed him the bags of ice "my hands will be fine"

"Really i thought w-" i kicked Gar in the shin before he said anything else

"Ohhkay?" Richard said confused

We talked for the rest of lunch and it came to where i was summoned back to the orchestra room.

"I'll walk you Kori" Richard caught up with me

"Thanks but i am a big girl i can walk" i said looking up at him and smiled. At that time Redd passed by and winked at me. Richard put his hands around my waist and pulled me towards him.

"Do me a favor and stay away from him" he said once we passed him but his hand still lingered and i let it

"Why? Whats wrong with him" i said throwing away my bags of ice once we passed a garbage can

"We had a rough passed and he'll sure like to take me down and he will use you" he said as i turned towards him outside of the orchestra door

"Why will he use me?" i said subconsciously getting closer to him

"Because you're everything i want" he said getting closer

"I'm just a some normal girl" i said

"You are not some girl... You're kori" he used his left hand to caress my left cheek and that is when Mrs. Smith decided to ruin a very... VERY good moment and pulled me inside to practice.

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I was halfway through one of my pieces when my phone rang. I check the i.d. and Richard's name came up.

"Hi"

"Hey there hot stuff"

I giggled "What do you want Richard"

"Well i just wanted to let my favorite girl know that school has been let out for at least about 50 minutes now and your car is still here"

"Are you serious" I got up and looked out of the room and it was quiet. "Wow well thanks for letting me know" i put my phone between my shoulder and my ear and start packing up all of my stuff.

"You're welcome hot stuff" i rolled my eyes

"You know you're a real creep" i smiled, put on my backpack, grabbed my piles of music in one arm and grabbed my cello with my other unoccupied hand.

"Only for you baby" i heard a voice behind me and it was Richard. I Walked towards him

"Can you help me?" he smiled and grabbed my phone from my ear "thanks" i smiled and we walked to my car

"Anything for you" he winked at me and i rolled my eyes

"Why are you still here anyways" i said

"Well i had gotten a detention but the teacher bailed so i did to" he shrugged his shoulders

"Why did you get detention" i said as i unlocked my car once we got there

"Talking back to a teacher...you know the boring stuff"i looked at him, smiled and shook my head

"Shame Richard" i then noticed my car was the only car here "where's your car?"

"Oh didn't i tell you? Well I'm going home with you" he smiled, opened my trunk put all of his stuff and got into the passenger seat

"When did i agree to this?" i put my stuff carefully in and closed it

"Never i said so" he shouted

"Careful Grayson i can still beat you up" i got into the driver seat and started my car

"In your dreams Anders" he flexed for me and wiggled his eye brows

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"Even after all of these years you're still obsessed with purple" Richard looked around my room and plopped down on the bed

"It's a lovely color" i said opening my closet and getting black leggings and a fitted black t-shirt that goes to my middle thigh and took off my sneakers

"So is blue" he sat up

"So is purple"i walked into the bathroom and closed it. After changing i put my hair up into my signature messy bun and walked out. When i walked out i saw a half naked Richard from the waist up, much to my disappointment. He noticed me noticing him and winked, he walked over to me and stood still close to me i can feel his breath.

"Do you like what you see?" he grinned at me and i felt the heat crawling up to my face and i knew i was as red as a tomato

"Uhm ca-can you put on a shirt?" i stuttered and tried to look away but his eyes held me there

"You're no fun" he smiled and put on whatever left he had too put on while i walk back into the bathroom to calm myself. I looked at myself and decided to put on makeup. "Why are you putting on make up" he leaned against the door frame with a frown looking at me

"I like to make a good first impression" he walked up to me and caressed my left cheek

"You look beautiful without makeup" i smiled at him and kissed his cheek

"Thanks Richard" i walked passed him and grabbed my black flats

"You can tease me like that" he yelled from the closed bathroom

"Oh yes i can" i put on my flats and sat on my bed waiting got him to come out

"Its not fair" he said

"To me it is" i got up and walked to my balcony, opened the door and leaned on the railing

I heard a low whistle behind me and when i turned around Richard was leaning against my bed post looking at me up and down. He was wearing a black suit with a white button down shirt and his hair slick back. Honestly he looks hot but i kept that in my mind. Then he frowned and started to look through my closet.

"What are you doing?" i said giggling

"Your clothes are too revealing so I'm picking out something better" he said picking out black sweatpants and a black hoodie while i laugh

"I think my clothes are fine" i looked at myself in the mirror and noticed that they hug my body perfectly and i look good

"No they are not... They are too tight...put these on they look better than those anyways" he handed me the clothes he picked out and i crossed my arms and looked at him

"Im not putting those on" i said and he raised a brow

"Really?" he gave a devilish grin

"Yes really" I stood still while he got closer

"0Kay guess I have to teach you a lesson" he chased me around my room and soon pinned me to the floor. "Are you going to listen now?" he said his nose touching mine

"What happens if i don't?" i said smiling

"Wait and watch what would happen" he grinned and got closer. Just when i thought we were going to kiss my alarm went off signalling me to get back to the school. Richard and myself groaned, he got up and helped me. "Why do you have a alarm on your phone?"

"Mrs. Smith suggested it and so i did just to shut her up" we went down the stairs into the main room

"She is a buzz kill... Maybe you two are related" he opened the door for me and i locked it once we got out and headed for the car

"Ha ha you are so funny" i looked at him and the sunset complimented his features

He smiled and looked at me " when aren't i?"

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"You're always practicing" Richard grabbed a chair and put it right next to me

"Tell that to Mrs. Smith" i said keeping my eyes on my music

"Shuu Mr. Grayson" Mrs. Smith ushered Richard away and he did "okay Kori remember focus on your music and don't pay attention to anyone" i looked up and nodded

She left and i got my phone out and put on my tuner. I started to tune when i felt someone sit next to me.

"You're such a rebel Richard" i smiled and looked over and my smiled dropped "you're not Richard" it was Xavier Redd

"You don't seem to happy with that" he said

"Not after you harassed me...no not really" i kept on tuning not even acknowledging him

"About that i want to apologize" he scratched the back of his head while i stopped tuning

"I don't want your apology" i said continuing to tune

"Yea but-" i interrupted him

"Just go...i don't want to hear anything" i continued to tune while he sighed and left

I finished tuning and at the point all of the sponsors including Richard and his father who happens to be Bruce freaking WAYNE! But keeping my cool i play a soft soothing song as the mingled and chat and sat at a long rectangular table and ate. Piece after piece went by and soon in front of me was my favorite piece of all inspired from my favorite broadway of all. Defying Gravity by Wicked, playing it i noticed that they quieted down and listened to me but it didn't bothered me very much. I was so into my music i didn't even notice all of the eyes. I didn't noticed how all of the attention was on me. All i noticed was how i was so into the music, how the music was pulsing through my veins like i was one with it. I finished that piece and i immediately gotten an applause. I quickly went into my next piece and soon it was over and everybody started to leave while i was still playing. I kept on playing because i got lost in the music and Mrs. Smith had to stop me.

"Kori that was amazing! You have a real talent and everybody enjoyed hearing you play! Especially that one piece the you seem to loose yourself! You did a very good job and i couldn't be any prouder!" she hugged me as i smiled

"Thanks you Mrs. Smith" she let go and went towards her husband as i was packing up

"You did amazing!" Richard walled up to me picked me up and twirled me around as i giggled

"I was having a blast!" Richard grabbed all of my stuff and we started to walk back to my car when Redd got in front of me

"Kori just let me explain! I just want to apologize for earlier i thou-" i interrupted him once again

"Redd i don't want your sorry ass apology just leave me alone!" i stomped passed him dragging Richard along with me

"What was that about?!" Richard said but i ignored him continuing my way "Kori"

'he really thinks i will forgive him after he touched me?!' i thought to myself

"Kori!"

'i don't even know him and he is gonna do something like that! Who does he think he is?!' i thought to myself as i was being turned around

"KORI!" Richard yelled

"WHAT?" i yelled back

"WHAT DID HE MEANT BACK THERE ABOUT APOLOGIZING FOR EARLIER?!" Richard said

"HE HARASSED ME BEFORE LUNCH EARLIER TODAY OKAY!" i said as we are yelling in the parking lot back and forth

"WHY IN THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!" He yelled

"BECAUSE I CAN TAKE CARE OF MY GODDAMN SELF!" i yelled grabbing my stuff from him and power walk to my car

"KORI DON'T WALK AWAY FROM THIS!" he came after me

"Watch me" i said after i turned around to him and turned back around to put my stuff in my trunk. Richard grabbed my cello and put it behind him. "Give me my stuff!" i yelled trying to grab my Cello

"Kori listen to me" Richard said but in a soft voice and i couldn't help but to look up at him and stay calm. "Let me help you, let me be your protector and you'll be mine. Let me love you and you'll love me. Kori let me be there for you forever" he stepped towards me setting my cello against my car and before i could answer he kissed me.

That kiss, the one kiss was all i wanted since the first day i met him. I felt everything all at once happiness, joy, excitement, and love. As my hand made their way around the back of his neck, his hand made their way to my waist and pulled me closer to him. All of these feelings we had towards each other poured into this kiss. We finally broke away gasping for air and smiled at each other.

"So does this mean you'll be girlfriend?" he said raising his eyebrow

"Duh" i smiled him and he smiled back

"FINALLY!" he picked me up and spin me around as i giggled