Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans in any way, shape, or form.
After Kori was fully in the passenger's seat I closed the car door for her and pushed past the photographers.
"You guys can stay and take photos, but you're more than likely to end up getting run over." I said to them as I made my way to the driver's side. Once I was in my seat I noticed just how swarmed we really were. I turned the car on and slowly started to back up.
"Just ignore them; pretend you don't even see them." I told her while I smiled at her.
"Well now what are you going to do now that there's evidence that you've been in public with someone like me?" She teased me while sticking out her tongue playfully.
"Someone like you? What's wrong with you?" I asked curiously.
"You're a multi-millionaire with a higher status then the President of America. I'm a nobody who strips her clothes off just to pay the rent. Your reputation's going down once those photo's get leaked kiddo." She stated.
"I don't care about my reputation. And I'm not one to judge. You could ride on the back of a big smelly truck and collect garbage for all I care; I'd still like to be your friend. Hold up. You called me kiddo. I bet you're not even my age. How old are you anyway?" She looked like she was 17 and she threw the word kiddo at me. Unbelievable. I shook my head in amusement.
"Well then I guess I'll just have to take pleasure in my 15 minutes of fame then, won't I? I'm 19, not much younger than you!" She defended herself.
"I'm 21, that's two years older. And no talking back! Respect your elder's young lady!" I joked.
"Oh please! You don't even know where I live! Just go straight for about ten minutes and I will tell you where to turn." Right, I was taking her home. How could I forget? I guess if I ever wanted to find out more about her now was the time to ask.
"I hope you don't mind me asking. Back at the pizzeria, you said this was the only job you could get under your circumstances. What are your circumstances?" I asked, hoping not to intrude too much. I heard her sigh.
"I'm usually not so open about this Richard." She almost whispered. Clearly, it was a sensitive subject for her. She wasn't sure if she could trust me, I could sense it.
"You can trust me. I'm not going to judge you, or hold anything against you." I said while putting one of my hands on top of hers, glancing at her. She looked down at my hand, and waited a minute or so before moving her own.
"Two years ago my parents left. They just vanished, never came home from one of their many vacations. I was used to their absence, but they stopped paying the bills. Eventually the house faced foreclosure and the bank took it. I didn't have anywhere to go. I was homeless for maybe three months. Eventually I dropped out of high school so I could work to make more money for myself. I worked at a food store for a few months, but it just wasn't enough. Then the owner of Indulgence, where I work, offered me a job saying I could make more money in one night than I could here in one week. I wasn't too comfortable with the idea but what other choice did I have? So I've been working there for a year and a half, and here I am now." When she finished she turned her head towards the window and gazed outside.
"Kori. That's horrible. I don't even…I don't know what to say." I stammered. I hadn't expected her to say anything like that. Come to think of it, I don't even know what I was expecting. She turned to face me.
"Don't go feeling bad for me now okay? The last thing I want is a pity party. I'm happy, despite everything. I could have it worse." She said. How did she expect me not to feel bad? Homeless and neglected at 16, and becoming a stripper was the miraculous fix for her. Was that even legal? I don't know. We stayed silent for a few minutes.
"I've only known you for a few hours, but I know you deserve more. I want to help you." As quick as I said that she spat out a reply.
"I'm not some charity cause for you Richard Grayson. Helping some little girl out won't get you another magazine cover." I flinched at her venom filled words.
"Kori I'm not like that. You think you know me because you've read a few gossip magazines. You don't. I said I wouldn't judge you, could you give me a chance and not judge me?" I asked her. She inhaled sharply and I felt her tense up.
"I'm sorry. You're right, I don't know you. Turn left here please." I obeyed her directions and as we turned the corner I took a look at the view. This was probably one of the sketchiest neighborhoods I have ever been in. All the apartment buildings looked run down; some were even missing glass in the window frames. Trash cans were knocked onto the ground and there were even a few people outside smoking a blunt. This wasn't particularly the safest place for a girl like Kori. She wasn't that tall, I wouldn't say she was taller than five foot flat. And her weight? 95 pounds top.
"It's the house on the left corner." She said. I pointed to the house, and she nodded her head in agreement. I parked my car on the street corner. The house was four stories high and made of all brick. The stairs were pavement and covered with a maroon paint that was chipped in multiple places. The door was half way off of its hinge, making it unable to completely close.
"May I have the pleasure walking you up to your apartment Miss Anders?" I asked politely while I arched my eyebrows.
"I'd be honored, but this place is really embarrassing.." She began to say before I cut her off.
"Please. Don't be embarrassed. I'd like to get you up there safe and sound." She stared blankly at me as if she were in a deep thought. A moment later she nodded her head and unbuckled her seat belt. I quickly shot up and ran to the passenger's side. I opened the door and held out my hand for her.
"I see you're gentlemen huh?" She winked at me. My heart skipped a beat. What's happening to me? I'm supposed to be making HER feel like this, not the other way. She led me up four flights of concrete stairs painted with the same maroon color the stoop was outside. It was cold, freezing almost. She took her left shoe off and fumbled inside of it for something. She took out a key and held it up like she won a prize. She opened the door and welcomed me inside. When I entered, I was in a studio apartment. Everything was in one room and it was even colder in here. Doesn't this place have any heat? The wooden floors were worn out and the Dark blue walls were cracked and disfigured. There were few pieces of furniture and in the left corner there was a metal staircase that lead up to an opened bedroom.
"Well here we are my stunning living arrangements." Kori said embarrassed while scratching the back of her head.
"Kori please don't feel embarrassed, it's not bad at all." I told her, living about the last part. "Is it always this cold?" I finished.
"Oh no not usually but they turned the heat off, I don't know how long for though." She answered me while hugging herself. She was shivering. I took my jacket off and handed it to her.
"Here. Please, just take it. You're shivering." I told her while I helped her put my jacket on.
She thanked me and looked up at me. Her eyes so bright, but so hopeless. I haven't even known the girl for a day and I was already attached. Seeing her like this was heart wrenching. She needed to get out of here. Anywhere but here.
Thank you so much to everyone that read and reviewed and put my story on their alert and favorite lists! You are so incredible Richard finally gets to know a little more about Kori! What he doesn't know is there's a lot more he's going to find out. Send in those reviews guys! They mean so much
Peace & Love