Sorry I took so long to update! I didn't have any time...

And another apology to lil love fan, whose name I somehow forgot to put in the big long list at the end of ELAHSS.

I am SO happy with the number of reviews this got! I would put you all up here, but I'm getting late, and I gotta go. But thank you!

Language warning!

Disclaimer: I don't own TT


"There should be no sounds of shuffling papers! I don't care if it is three minutes to the bell, it is I who dismiss you, not some irritating, ringing object!" Professor Chang screamed from his place atop a dangerously swaying pile of books. Their math teacher was so short, he couldn't see over his podium on his own. Kori hadn't even moved, unlike the rest of her anxious classmates who were eager for lunch. Even lunch seemed as long as a class to Kori. She barely spoke a word outside Galfore's home anymore.

"A reminder to you all! School began three weeks ago today, and, by order of Principal Wilson, the homework rule is in full effect. Therefore, you are all to do pages thirty-three through fifty-two in your calculus books. Due tomorrow! Don't finish it, and it's--" He was cut off by the bell and the sound of thirty-some students rushing out the door. "I said, the bell does not dismiss you...oh, forget it." Kori alone was left gathering her books and things, which she hadn't done while the teacher was talking. Oh no, she wasn't alone; Richard was at the other side of the room, hurrying to get out as well. Just her and him...and Professor Chang.

"Dick!" cried an annoyingly high-pitched voice outside the classoom. One of Richard's many girlfriends, no doubt, waiting for him. Kori felt a sharp pain go through what was left of her heart. "Hurry up!"

"I'm coming, Cass, hold on," Richard answered. Kori thought she detected a twinge of exasperation in his voice, but maybe it was just her hope. He stumbled over chairs and leftover books and pencils on his way out, but didn't throw Kori even one backward glance.

What did she expect? She'd turned him down over the summer. This was her fault. Sure, he'd broken up with her in the first place, and sure, he'd dated Babs and that had agonized her to no end, but he'd tried to reconcile things. And she hadn't given him a chance. If he'd moved on...with his huge entourage of preppy, Kitten-like girls...who was she to stop him? It had been like this since the beginning of the year, all the cold shouldering. Why should today have been any different?

"Did you need something, Miss Anders?" Chang hissed at her. Kori shook her head, snapping out of her reverie, and continued on to lunch.


Richard could feel Kori's eyes on the back of his head, and fought the urge to shiver. Why did she care? Wasn't she supposed to hate him? Then why couldn't she let this goddamn thing go? Didn't she know it was killing him?

"Hey Gar, Vic, Rachel. Where's Karen?" he asked upon reaching their lockers, some blonde or other batting her eyelashes off to his side. Vic suddenly became very interested in the contents of his locker, but Rachel just pointed to the girl's bathroom. "Fine then. Treat me to lunch?"

"Of course, sir. Would you like slop and cheese, or murdered animal on stale bread?" asked Gar with a sweeping bow.

"Good question, it's a tough choice. Which one is the least fatal?"

Whoever the girl was gave a shrieking laugh. "OMG, Dick, you are SO funny!"

Gar slammed his locker door. "Wow. Usually I'm the one killing it." He grabbed Rachel's arm and stalked off into the lunchroom. Richard watched them go, startled. His friends had never actually shown their dislike of the girls trailing him all the time, though Richard knew it was there. Vic's head appeared out of his locker.

"You wanna...?"

"Hold that thought," Richard growled. He turned to the girl. Cass. That was her name. He'd remembered it in math by chance. "Listen. You're annoying, and stupid, and I really don't like you. At all. So leave." Short and simple. It would take her exactly three seconds to comprehend what was going on.

3...2...1...

"Are you breaking up with me?!" she screeched. Right on time.

"Yeah."

"No one breaks up with me!"

"Probably because no one wants to date you in the first place," he sneered. She huffed, flipped her hair, and crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the floor. She waited. "What?"

"I'm waiting for you to ask me back out, because you're obviously tempi...tempa..."

"Temporarily?"

"Yeah! Tempo-rarely crazy! So do it, and maybe I'll forgive you!"

"Girl, just leave and save yourself the humiliation," Vic advised. That, and a little more firmness on Richard's part finally got her thundering away in her bright pink, six inch heels. "I know I was a part of it, but Dick, man, that was harsh." Richard just shrugged, smirking a bit at Cass's anger. Maybe that bit of fun would hold him over until he got another girl. He shuddered. Getting together was the worst part. "Let's go. Now." Karen was coming out of the bathroom.

He rushed to catch up with Vic, thinking. "You think Gar's mad?"

"Why?"

"Come on, Vic, didn't you hear him?"

"Yeah, but..." Vic trailed off, obviously very uncomfortable with their manly-girl-talk. "We just miss having Kori around, is all. See you."


Again, sorry. I really have to leave, and I know I forgot a ton, but I'll adress it next chapter. Bye!