I got this idea at school one day, on November 30,2007 and I couldn't wait to post it but I didn't want to start a new story until I finished The Ex-Girlfriend's club so I've been typing it on my computer.

Summary: Dick is the newbie at an ultra prestigious performing arts school.s He meets the alluring, but troubled Kory Anders. Will their love cause them both to unravel.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans


Act one Scene one: Quelque chose de Spectaculaire (Something Spectacular)

Dick stared out the frosty window, on a very cold September day. His emotions ran hot and cold, and couldn't wait to get out of the overheated limousine to escape anymore awkward silence between him and Bruce. It's not that he didn't admire, and respect Bruce for all he done for him over the years, but who were they kidding, they weren't getting along lately, and it became so tense, they could barely stay in the same room with each other for two minutes.

He did most of his avoiding after school, hiding out in the band room alone to compose the music he loved so deeply. Dick could play every instrument on God's green earth, the violin, the cello, the alto saxophone, the tenor saxophone, the clarinet, French horn acoustic and electric guitar, Dick played all these with passion, but musically his heart belonged to the piano. He could spend his whole life, with a grand piano. He'd escape the pressures of the world of Bruce Wayne, into the light and spiriting world of classical music.

He went to private school his whole life, but he desperately wanted to go to Julian's Academy of Performing Arts(1), outside of Bruce wouldn't hear it, he tuned out his wishes. Dick went behind Bruce and conducted many, many of the musicals for the every so elite plays at his school, he even wrote the music for several of them, so when a correspondent for Julian's approached him, one night after his performance in which he did a piano solo, and offered him a spot at the very, very, very exclusive school, Dick knew he had to go.

Bruce again wouldn't hear anything about it, which would lead to many future arguments between the two. Dick did all that he could to get Bruce to let him go, but the breaking point was when Dick would sneak out late at night and not return for hours, eventually it became too much for Bruce to handle.

Dick remained silent the hour long drove. He knew this is what he wanted but, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
He didn't want to hurt Bruce, in any way, but the space would be good for them. So instead of telling this to Bruce ,he just watched the trees pass him.

"This school is near the woods." Bruce said softly "Wouldn't you prefer somewhere in the city, a little closer to home"

He was doing it again, playing his mind games of guilt. He was trying to make Dick feel more worse than he already did,
to try and convince him to stay, but his mind was made up.

The school campus came into view. Eight buildings came into view, Four of them were arranged in a circle with two buildings on each side, to the right. On the far left were two buildings, assumed to be the dormitories, and finally in the center was a smaller buildings, with a large sign that read "Administration".

"I'm sure." Dick said. It was too late to turn back now.

The limo pulled in front of the administration office. Dick shuffled his foot, and Bruce pretended to be interested in an odd statue that sat in the court yard. "SO-" Bruce said

"So."

"Look, Dick, I know that we haven't been the best of friends lately but- I am proud of you." he said. Dick didn't know what to say. Bruce cleared his throat "I'd better get going. Traffic is going to be murder." Bruce turned back to the car.

"Hey Bruce." Dick said. Bruce stopped and turned around. "Thanks." with that he nodded and drove away leaving Dick to briefly ponder their relationship.

He sighed deeply and pulled his luggage up to the administration office. Inside it was a petite woman sat behind a neatly organized went through the standard procedure. The whole I'm new, and lost, and in need of adult guidance. How lame.

While Dick endured his mildly humiliating tour of campus. He began to notice an odd pattern, something was seriously missing, were nowhere to be found. He had been walking up and down three floors of three different buildings and was yet to see head or high of anyone within his age range. "Excuse me, but where is everyone, exactly?"

The woman, paused in her rehearsed history of Julian's. Well, orientations are tomorrow, so you're a day earlier than most people. If you look around you can find a few early students." Dick nodded in understanding. When his tour was finished. he retired to his dorm room. It was small, like a dorm room and had two empty beds, abandoned in the far corner.

"The early bird catches the worm." he said dumping his designer suit case on the bed closet to the door. Ah, the joy of being first, meant the joy of getting first jibs on the best bed. Dick carefully placed his folded clothes in the top drawer, and taped a few posters on his side of the room. This was home for the next three years, mine as well make it homey.

He hesitated before placing the framed picture of him and Bruce in happier days. They went on a camping trip the weekend, Dick turned thirteen. It was a fun experience considering neither of them had any prior camping knowledge, and could not fish to save their lives. Dick sighed and placed the picture on his night stand.

He glanced out the the blinded window, it was getting late. According to the the digital clock, it was 6:57. Boredom was beginning to take over. Curfew was at 9:00, not that he'd be needing it. Dick sighed again, he pulled Janet (2) out of her case, and wiped the edges down, before strumming a few chords. Janet, was his baby, his first electric guitar. The lone blue stripe raced up the sides, like ribbon.

Dick was beginning to hate this dark, freezing room. He couldn't Wait for some room mates. He looked out the window again,one of the building across from him he could see a light on somewhere on the third floor, the blinds where closed but he was just glad he wasn't the only one there. Gently placing Janet into her case, he snapped the case shut and went to investigate.

Dick was a curious young man, but all the building where student privileges. If he ran into trouble, he'd just lie and say he came to practice his guitar. He quickly sprinted across the court yard, wrapping his scarf tightly around his neck. It felt like the temperature had dropped at least twenty degrees in the hour and a half he'd been there. He whipped the glass window doors, opened and dropped his guitar case on the ground. He harshly rubbed his fingers together hoping the friction would warm him up.

He looked around. To his right side was a staircase, and to his left an eerily silent corridor. Before he could make the Hardy Boy decision of investigating the first floor corridor, he heard the faint but very infamous sound of piano keys. The music started out very faint, a light twinkle upon the keys. Dick at once knew the player was a girl. An observation he'd made during his years of private schools education was, female musicians tended to play very mellow, often times melancholy tunes, or at least from him experience.

He slowly made his way up the stairs, stopping only to adjust his grip on the guitar case. After two flights of stairs, he was taken to another level, almost identical to the one downstairs, with the exception of exit doors. He sleek, leather shoes clapped down on the tile floor. He pushed through a pair of double doors, staring ahead at the two long rows of doors, assumable class rooms. On the right side of the a door was open, and a light was shining through.

Dick top toed to the door, and peeked inside. It was a music room, inspired by a lecture hall. In front of the rows of seat, where cases of instruments, covered by sheets. On the far side was a grand piano. Not facing Dick, was a girl playing the piano. He couldn't see her face, but her long auburn hair was tied into a messy ponytail.

She didn't seem to notice Dick so she continued on. He knew the song she was playing, from somewhere he couldn't quiet place. She sang for perhaps a minute and a half, but her velvety smooth tones, and angelic voice made the moment last for what seemed like hours. It was instantly clear, that her mesmerizing voice was the reason she as here. He didn't even see her face, and her felt her hypnotize him/ He brashly stood up and knocked on the door.

The girl gasped, and jumped so high, her knuckled cursed the keys, releasing the low mash of sound. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."he quickly apologize.

The girl smiled and blushed deeply. She spun around, and quickly gathered up her music. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked more embarrassed than she had been in awhile.

"I came in just a second ago." he said setting his guitar case down, and taking a seat in the front seat. He watched her curiously as, her embarrassment slowly subsided. "You have a beautiful voice, by the way."

Kory dropped her music folder, and pages of symphonies slid all over the floor. "I thought you said you were only there for a second." Dick shrugged sliding out of his seat, to assist her in picking up her music. They were a few pieces of piano music, but to his surprise, most of them were voice range pieces.

"So I guess you are not here for a composing scholar?" he asked. She gave a small laugh, tucking the folder under her arm. She lifted a messenger bag over her shoulder.

"No, I'm here on an opera performance scholar." she said coily.

Dick nodded. He hadn't realized it before, but the girl was beautiful. Her wide emerald eyes, sparkled when she laughed, and her sleek hair looked soft to touch . "I'm Kory by the way." she said sticking out her hand.

Dick gladly accepted the gesture. "Dick-" he said stopping on the last name. he was always skeptical when telling people who he was. He had sort of an irrational fear of judgment. Kory pulled on a heavy sweater, and stuffed her folder into her bag.

"Well Dick, are you staying here or will you escort a lady to dinner." Kory said playfully. Dick smiled on flipped off the light. as the darkness captured the previously lit class room. He was not so bored any more, and he was looking forward to school life at Julian's, as well as getting to know the students.

"I'll catch up with you later, I want to get in a few notes before I head to bed." Kory nodded. She of course, knew what it meant to have intimate, quality time with just the musician and the music. It was deep, and personal. Besides she's get to know him a little later.

When Dick woke up the next, it was like students had flooded in over night. Coach buses full, of high spirited teens rolled into the square dropping off hundreds of luggage bags. The court yards was filled with the loud chatter of summer reunions. cases of various instruments littered the hallways. Most of the students were pushing their way to their dorms.

Although he was hungry, all he had for dinner was a roast beef sandwich, but he was excited to see who is room mates were going to be. He arched his feet up on the wall, and hung on his bed upside down, while scaling Janet. That was is morning ritual. As the morning wore on Dick began to develop cabin fever.

Growing restless, he decided he'd meet his room mates eventually. The dining hall was bustling with the twittering of the student body. Kids began to appear everywhere, and the noise was kind of driving Dick insane. Last night there where four people in the dining hall, and campus as dead silent. In a matter of hours, Julian was looking like the last civilization.

Irritable Dick disposed of his half eaten bowl of oatmeal,and began in search of quiet. That seemed impossible. Dick explored the grounds a bit more. He regretted not doing it last night, when he could actually get around. He knew he wasn't getting anywhere anytime soon, so he returned to his dorm just forty minutes after leaving.

To his slight surprise duffel bags were piled outside his room, and the door was open. Dick knocked on the door, before entering. A tall, dark boy, who was easily six feet tall spun around to meet him. "Hey," he said "You must our new room mate. I'm Victor Stone."

"Dick Grayson." Dick said sitting at the edge of his bed. "So, who's our other room mate?" he said motioning to the last vacant bed.

"Garfield Logan, you'll be meeting him shortly." Vic said tossing the empty duffel bag under the bed. He finished unpacking, and rested a saxophone, and clarinet case against the side of his night stand. "So, you're new here?"

Dick nodded kicking a lone sock under his bed. "Classical composing scholar."

Victor nodded in understanding. "I was new last year. Your first year can be intimidating especially if you don't know the rules."

"Like what?" Dick asked curious of how the system worked.

"Well," Victor started wondering what part he should start at. There was just so much to be learned. "Well, first everyone id required to prepare and audition for spots for the Christmas pageant. In December we have a week long gallery for every section. Like the ballet scholars put on a ballet, and the jazz and classical composers put on a concert etc."

Dick nodded, he hadn't heard of that. Before he could ask any more question the intercom, blasted from the ugly woodedn speaker boxes outside of the dorm room. The voice on the intercom, Dick recognized as the secretary that gave him the tour yesterday. All student please report to the main theatre for orientations. This is mandatory, and not optional. Thank you.

"C'mon, I'll show you the way." Victor said opening the door. On the way across to the largest building Victor told Dick almost everything he needed to know, including how to get to classes on time, who to suck up, and which teacher spit the most when they talked. He even offered to introduce Dick to some of his friends, a motion Dick was more than obliged to accept. "Where I Gar?" he said to no one in particular, when they trotted up the crowded carpeted steps in front the theatre.

The theatre itself was a lot more formal than Dick had expected. The high ceiling was dazzling ode to the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, just not as legendary. The dark mahogany seat were padded with the loveliest shade of deep red. The student rushed to find seat, which was not hard considering there was easily three thousand available seats, and only two hundred students.

Dick followed Victor down the row, and was so awed by the spectacular sight, he didn't realize Victor had stopped and bumped into him. A small, blond, and apparently highly caffeinated young girl wrapped her arms around Vic's neck. "Tara, nice to see you too." he said through his surprise. "How was vacation?"

"Great, my parents and I spent the entire time in Thailand, it was beautiful." Vic delicately pulled the girl off of him.

"Tara Markov, this is Dick Grayson."

Tara grabbed Dick's hand and began to shake it violently. "Nice to meet you."

"Like wise." Dick said not sure if he meant it, or not. The three of them took seat near the front, in the third row. Dick listened patiently as Tara and Victor caught up. They laughed at a few jokes Dick didn't understand, inside jokes, and discussed events that took place last year, somehow they got back to the subject of Dick.

Tara eye balled Dick for a second. "So Vic, says you're a jazz scholar, way cool. I'm a ballet scholar myself." So that's why she was so tiny. When Dick first saw her he was afraid Victor's hug was going to snap her in half. "So where's Logan?"

Victor chuckled. "You know him, always the last one to show up." As irony is in most of life, the heavy mahogany doors forced opened, revealing a frazzled and disheveled and silencing half the auditorium. He was flushed from running, embarassed or a combination of the two. He collected himself to the best of his ability, and jogged down the isle.

He received a few snickers as he passed. He spotted Tara, and quickly slid into his seat, hoping to draw attention away from himself. "Sup." he panted.

"Garfield, this is our new room mate Dick Grayson." Victor introduced. Dick was getting the feeling, Vic was the friendliest of the group.

"So you're our new roomie, I don't suppose the big guy gave you the 4-1-1, on Julian." Victor coughed offended,

"Actually, I told him everything he needed to know."Vic boasted proudly. Tara scoffed, and chuckled. So began the three way arguement. Dick decided it was time to tune them out, it wasn't like he understood a word they were saying. He was way to new to be in on it. Luckily for him, before the argument got too serious, a tall, man with slicked back gray hair walked onto the stage.

The theatre became instantly silent. "First off I'd like to welcome all returning students back to Julian's, and to all new students welcome." The students and faculty broke out into dull applause. He continued as soon as the noise calmed down. "For those of you who don't know I'm Head master Sullivan, and I will be in temporary placement for Head master Roads, who will be out for the majority of the semester-"

"I heard he's in Romania, trying to win back is ex wife whose like twenty-two." Gar whispered to Dick, ejecting a few small laughs. They sat back and listened to Head Master Sullivan droned on and on for at least twenty minutes. Dick wasn't even half listening, he drifted in and out the entire time. When he snapped out of his day dreaming,he had seen a few students had even fallen asleep. Sullivan cleared his throat.

"You will want to listen to this it is very important, and involves the Winter pageant." at the words pageant the students, seemed much more awake. "As you all know you must prepare a rehearsal piece and audition for your the head of your department. They will then choose your part in the Winter pageant, which I'm sure you all know attracts scouts from the mpost elite schools in the world, which of course means if they offer you a spot into one of their spring or summer programs, not only will you be added major credits, which you need to graduate, but also a major bonus points on your resume."

This deeply interested Dick. Julian's was the best arts academy in America, next to it's sister school Julliard's, but to go to a music academy in a different country, would be a dream come true. He had always wanted to go to Franz Liszt Academy of Music, in Hungary.

Sullivan went on. "Whoever due to scheduling problems, audition which are usually November thirteenth had been pushed up to October thirteenth. This of course mean, anyone who wants to be in the Winter production must audition an entry peice by Wednesday." In average schools, would have broken into fits and groaning and cursing, but going to Julian's was an enormous privilege, and they were lucky just to be sitting there. They were not allowed to complain about anything.

The Head master, finished up and the student began to disband, most chattered to themselves about how much practice it was going to take. "Just imagine, an entire piece in just four days, plus the start of classes on Monday, this weekend is going to be killer." Gar said pulling out Shakespeare manuscripts out of his back pack. "Dude, do you know how much practice it'll take to prepare an entire Shakespearean monologue by Wednesday!"

"You think you have it rough, not only do have to brush up on my jazz history, but compose a piece just to have it compared to the likes of Duke Ellington. I'm heading off the library." he said as he stepped into the frigid air. He waved goobye before heading to the admission building, towards the library.

"I should get to work too." Garfield said flipping through a Spark notes version of The Comedy of Errors. Tara clutched onto his arm.

"C'mon you just got here, let's go for a late lunch." Gar looked hesitant. "Are you really going to let poor Dick wander around campus, like a lost puppy? I can see it now curfew rolls around and still now sign of him. You toss and turn all night, and when you wake up the next morning, all you find is his made bed and guitar case. You don't see him for weeks, and then suddenly you hear that his disembodied head was found in the river by hikers. Now we can prevent Dick from being raped and murdered by cult members, if you just prolong practicing for a couple of hours."

"Thanks." Dick replied. Gar agreed and followed Tara back to the cafeteria. Dick declined a second lunch, and sat back. "What is your scholar Tara?"

"I'm a ballet scholar, can't say I'm the best in my class though." Tara said nibbling on a bun. Before she could continue, a flurry of red slammed down into the seat next to Dick. It was Kory, except a panicked ,panting version of the vision he'd met last night. It was some what refreshing seeing her in this condition, Dick was afraid she was one of the generic girls who were naturally perfect, he'd tried the robot thing before, and it wasn't for him.

"Tara-Oh hello Dick, have you seen Raven she's suppose to be helping me with my french." she wheezed. Tara shook her head. Kory rested her head on the table and groaned. "I have four days to perfect La Habenera and my french is insulting."

Tara shrugged. "Sorry." Kory pathetically pulled herself up.

"It was nice seeing you again." she directed to Dick, with a smile. Dick couldn't help but smile back,as she strutted away. The glances between Gar and Tara went unnoticed by the pair. After a stellar moment, Dick turned his attention back to them. Tara pushed her not even half eaten plate away.

"Uh, I've lost my appetite." she explained with a sneer.

Gar scoffed. "You had half a bun and a piece of lettuce(4)."

Tara sighed. "You know the very mention of that name turns my stomach, she said the name of that dream crushing bitch." Gar rolled his eyes, and told she was really exaggerating. Sensing the tension rising, Dick thought it was best to change the subject.

"Did either of you get of scholarship for any programs last year?" he asked making conversation. Tara and Garfield exchanged looks of shame.

"No." they answered in unison.

"Only two people got scholarships last year." Dick must've had a look of horror registered on his face, because, Tara countered quickly. "But, everyone has a fair chance, I mean if your dedicated and practice religiously you have a really good shot of being approached by a scout."

Dick brushed the back of his head. "Who got them?" Tara groaned.

"Some kid from Wisconsin, and Raven Roth." Vic said.

"Who is Raven Roth?"

"The devil." Tara grumbled.

"She's a ballet scholar like Tara, except she's really, really, really, really, really good. She's been here for-three years which is way longer than anyone else. She's gotten a scholarship every year since she was thirteen. And she always gets the lead to the Winter and spring productions."

Vic couldn't help but laugh at Tara's jealous rage. "They say was born into some famous Russian embassy, secretly breeded between two of the world's best ballerinas, to create the world's perfect prima. But that's just a rumor." Dick laughed.

"Who cares about rumors? She going to wipe the floor with me again."

"Oh, come on your being mellow dramatic, she didn't get the lead in Princess Tutu." Vic countered.

Tara rolled her eyes, she talked to Dick this time. "Last year we managed to work the anime into a ballet, so imagine my joy when I heard Roth hadn't gotten the lead. So when I asked her about she told me she didn't even try out for the lead. She said and I quote 'Why would I want to role of a character called Duck'. So she tried out for the role of Princess Kraehe, and got it."

Tara continued her jealousy fueled tyrade until the lunch bell rang. Dick began to feel himself get tired so he went back to his dorm. When he opened the door all of Gar's stuff was dumped onto his bed, which had no sheets. Dick plopped down on his bed, and using a remote to turn on his mp3 speakers, letting the gentle waves of Tchaikovsky soothe him to sleep.

When Dick woke up, it was late in the afternoon. The sun was setting so deeply, it was already dark outside. Dick glanced at his clock. 6:00! He'd been asleep that long. It was dark and quiet in his room, so he knew Gar and Vic hadn't arrived back yet. Running his tongue over his teeth, he glanced out the window. He could see masses of students either heading to the movie room for the Friday Night film, or the cafeteria to study.

Dick saw this as his opportunity to get some serious practice in, before tomorrow when privacy became nonexistent. He assumed everyone would be start practice the next day. He burrowed through his trunk at the end of his bed, and pulled out a thick folder of sheet music. Right before his nap, he decided to do a piece by Bach. He stuffed his hands in his pocket, and ran across the court yard, barely glancing at the couple making out on the stone bench. That's one way to stay warm.

Dick saw most of the lights on, on the first floor. He'd never get any practice raced up the stairs to the third floor where only one room was occupied. He near Kory was there, but instead of playing the piano, she was singing, opera this time. She stopped several times unable to pronounce a few french voice was even more amazing than before, she was doing fantastic until the E sharp. "Damn it." he heard her swear.

Dick knocked before he entered. This time Kory was more prepared. "Hey," she said sweetly, her voice cracked slightly froming singing. She cleared her throat before continuing. "How did you like your first day of Julian's?"

Dick shrugged, he was surprised at the school's enthusiasm for hard work. He ran his fingers over the keys, and let the notes run from low to high. "I thought maybe I'd do Bach for my presentation. I get to compose with the school orchestra, but I don't know how good they are."

Before Dick could turn around, he felt Kory's warm hand on his back. He could feel her smile radiating behind him. He moved so fast it was almost startling, he spun around and gently grabbed Kory's hand. He caught sight of her forest green orbs, not swayed by shock but by an odd sense of humor. He let go of Kory's hand.

"Uh-" she said awkwardly "I have to get-t-to get back to practice." she said. Dick cleared his throat. "Hey, you want to do us both a favor?"

Dick sat at the edge of desk, and stroked his chin. "That depends, it's nothing parasitic , is it?" Kory gave small laugh.

"No, why don't you compose they music for my performance, kill two birds with one stone."

"Are we allowed to do that?"

Kory laughed again. "You really are new here."

Dick couldn't help but agree. He had been there for a day, but Kory was the closet thing he had to a friend. At his old school, he was told his maturity level was far beyond his years. He even hated having classes with the spoiled, pampered, pot heads at his old school, so he surrounded himself with his music. Every chance he got at lunch, during study classes, he'd sneak to the music room even for a few chords. Music was his only friend until now.

That was another reason he strived to go to Julian's, to be with other emulous artist rivaled in their own hopes and ambitions. Besides he was looking forward to getting to know Kory.


1) I got the name from Julliard the actual music school
2) I hear almost everyone names their guitar, his guitar's name is Janet
3) This song is Breath Me by Sia, yes i did get the title from the song, I just think the song is so beautiful
4) not literally, it was a hyperbole