"Kornelia!", screams my mother from downstairs.

I finish placing on my pajamas, which consists of green and white plaid shorts and a beige tank top. I fix my braid and look into the mirror. I undo my braid and let my waves fall through. Hmm defiantly more cuter.

I walk down the stairs and I'm greeted by mother. She hands me pillows and blankets. "Take these to the living room." She winks at me. I roll my eyes at my mother and walk into the living room.

The boys were sprawled on the floor and couches. "I got you guys some blankets and pillows", I tell them. I toss a blanket to each of them and hand them pillows.

"Thanks little lady", Vic says.

"Its no biggie", I say.

"Your folks are pretty cool by the way", he tells me. "And your momma's pie!" He rolls his eyes in delight.

I laugh at him. "Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully they didn't embarrass me too much."

"Just your socks", Richard teases. He is laying on the couch.

I give him a scowl. "Are you going to tease me about that forever?"

"Yes", he tells me. "Guess we need to give you a new nickname. Stinky Anders isn't gonna cut it anymore."

Really. Did he have to bring that up. I look down.

"I...I didn't mean for you to get sad", he tells me. I look over at him and see the concern in his face.

"Its not a big problem", I tell him. I sit on the armchair. "It just gets annoying."

"Who came up with that anyways?", asks Wally.

I raise my eyebrow. "Kitten."

Wally and Vic both groan. "That girl gets more nose jobs than Michael Jackson."

"She's not that bad", says Richard.

"Thats cuz she'll let you bang her anytime", says Wally.

I'm gonna throw up. I roll my eyes and get up. "Well goodnight."

I walk out and head into the kitchen. My mother had already made her way upstairs. I turn on the kitchen light and head over to the fridge. I take out the fresh milk and pour some in a small pot. Milk tastes much better when its warm. A flash of lightening cracks and I hear thunder. Before I know it there's a hand on my shoulder.

"Ah!", I scream.

"Its only me."

I look behind me and see Richard. He looks cute with his hair sticking out of places.

"Sorry", he says. He clears his throat and leans against the counter. "Um...milk?"

I nod. "Do you want a glass? Its almost finished."

He shakes his head and smiles at me. God, your so delicious when you do that. "No thanks. I just wanted to apologize for back there. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or upset."

"I'm not upset", I tell. I really wasn't upset. I mean, I know that he is a playboy and he gets a lot of girls. I was confused. "I am just confused." I turn off the stove and pour the milk in a glass. I take a sip and love the feel of warmness against my throat.

"Confused about what?"

I roll my eyes at him. "You know Kitten is a mean girl and yet you still 'hang out' with her. I mean, you saw what she did to my notebook and still went with her."

"She's just a little fun", he tells me. I stare up at him in shock. "No, that came out wrong."

"You know, if you didn't use women like that, you would be perfect", I say. I take the last sip of milk and place the glass in the sink. "Good night." I walk past him but her grabs my arm. He's actually touching me.

"Night", he tells me.

I get up at the sound of the roaster. I'm actually energized this morning. Only because I really want to check on Starlight. I use the bathroom, change for the day, and head back out. Before I head out, I peek my head into the living room and make sure the boys are sleeping. You know Richard may be good looking but he has a bad personality.

"Hey baby", I say sitting on my knees.

I run my fingers through Starlight's hair and hum a lullaby. I kiss her on the snout and get up. I walk over to the stack of bags and lift one over my shoulder. As I walk outside I see the sun is more than halfway up. I open the gate and step into the pen. The animals are still in their sheds so I wasn't attacked yet. I place the food into their slots and head back out for the water.

"Hey Ry", I say as I see my brother using the hose.

I looks up at me from where he was watering the soil. "Hey sis."

"I need to use the hose", I tell him.

"Well get your own", he says. "I'm using it."

I roll my eyes and walk to get two big buckets. Ryan fills my buckets up.

"Did those guys leave yet?", he asks me.

"Not when I checked", I replied. "Why?"

Ryan shrugs. "I don't like that Grayson kid."

"Why not?",I ask.

Ryan shrugs again. "He likes you."

Now that really got my attention. "Yea right. Thats some kind of sick joke."

"He looks at you funny", he tells me. "Like how every guy looks at a girl when he feels something for her. And I don't like it."

I shake my head and punch his arm. "Your overprotective. Get over it, Ry."

I walk away carrying the two buckets and think. Does he really have the hots for me? No way. That can't be true. We talked like twice this year. He doesn't even know me.

"And she's strong too."

I turn around and see the jocks coming my way.

"Whacha doing little lady?", asks Vic.

"Chores", I say lifting up the buckets.

"Need any help?",asks Wally.

I raise an eyebrow. This will be good. "Really?"

They nodded. I laugh and make my way into the pen. "Sure. Why don't you stand near the sheds. When I say open, open the doors." I place the water in the slots. I make my way out of the pen and lock the gate. I look over to see Richard at the pig shed, Vic at the goats and sheep shed, and Wally at the chicken shed. "Okay. Open!"

I see them all open the doors and the animals are wild! Oh my god! Its so funny!

"Wheres the exit?", exclaimed Wally. Running towards me.

I laugh my butt off by the time they get out over the gate. They trip over the gate and end up on the floor.

"Dick, get your skinny ass off my face!", exclaims Vic.

They get up and stare at me, unhappy.

"Are you mad?", I ask. Maybe I took it too far.

Vic laughs. "Nah, good prank."

I shrug acting cool. "I'm a pro." I point towards the horse shed. "Wanna see the horses?"

"You got horses?", asks Wally. I give him a nod. "Can we ride them?"

I really didn't mind. "Sure, do you know how to ride a horse?"

"Me and Dick do", says Wally. "Dick's father owns horses."

Maybe Richard and I could ride them sometime. Together. On one horse. With my arm around his muscular chest. "Really?"

Richard nods. "He only owns six of them."

I cough. Wish we had that many horses. "Yea, only six", I say sarcastically. I laugh and walk over to the horse shed. I immediately go over to Starlight and open her gate. I kiss her snout and caress it.

I hear a whistle behind me. "He's a beauty", says Vic.

I turn my head to him. "She's a girl and her name is Starlight." Starlight moves away from me and lets out a whine. She lifted her snout in the air and moved so that she lay on the ground.

"Whats wrong with her?",asks Richard.

I sigh and get out of her pen. "I don't know. I think she's sick."

"Maybe you should call a vet", says Wally.

"I wish, but we can't afford one", I say. I lock the gate and turn to them. "So you guys wanna ride some horses?"

"Um, no offense", says Vic. "But I can't ride a horse and there's only two horses."

I giggle. "So, someone rides behind Wally and someone rides behind me."

"Cool!", exclaims Wally. He walks over to Onyx. Onyx let out a growl and Wally quickly runs over to Fire. "Maybe I should take this one."

Maybe he should. Couldn't afford any accidents with Onyx. "Okay. The saddles are on the shelf behind me. Pick your size and make sure its really tight around Fire. He knocks them off of himself if they're too loose."

Wally nods. He walks over to the saddles. I open Fire's gate and quickly instruct him to stand outside. I walk over to Onyx, place my palm against his nose and run it down, and have him walk out. For some reason when I place my palm against his nose and run it down, he seems more relaxed. I walk over to get a saddle and secure it on Onyx.

"Okay", I say turning around. Oh boy. Wally and Vic on the same horse. This is too priceless. "Wow. You guys make the cutest couple."

Vic scowls. "Not funny Kori. Whoa!", he says almost falling off. He quickly secures his hands around Wally.

"Dude off the merchandise", says Wally.

Vic smacks him on the head. "Don't get any ideas, chicken legs."

"You know you want me", teases Wally. Fire starts to walk outside.

"I worry about those two", says Richard. I look over at him and he smiles. "Guess its just you and me."

I raise an eyebrow. Oh God, I'm falling for him more. "Guess so." I place my foot in the stirrup and lift myself up. I feel hands around my waist that pushes me up and I swing my leg over to the other side. I look down at Richard and offer my hand. "C'mon playboy."

He takes my hand and I lift him up. Onyx moved back a bit and with a little trouble, he eventually ended up behind me. He placed his hands on my waist. Oh the butterflies are sure happy in there. "Go easy on me. I haven't been on a horse since I was eleven", he tells me.

"Don't worry I won't", I tell him. "Onyx likes to take control sometimes, so you might want to hang on tight." Please touch me, please.

"Are you sure its not an excuse to touch you?", he asks. Oh your good.

I turn red and shake my head. "Mind out of gutter."

He laughs at me. And he has the cutest laugh. "Sure thing princess."

I kick my legs and Onyx moves. Not too fast but he moved. Moved fast enough so that Richards tightened his hands around me. Compose yourself, Kornelia.

I took the walk through the woods. I've been in there so many times, that I know there's a wide open field. Richard and I didn't speak for a while. We both kept our mouthes shut for what seemed like forever. Wally and Vic caught up to us. They're riding behind us and all that was heard was their bickering.

"So this must be cool, huh?", he asks.

I move my head to the side a little. "What must be cool?"

"You know, living on a farm", he tells me.

It has its perks but its tiring. "Its fine."

Richard laughs. "Fine? I wish I lived on a farm. You seem so free?" I didn't say anything. "How come you don't like it?"

"I rather not talk about it", I tell him. We stop at a log and I move the rope to tell Onyx to jump. Just like a pro, he made it. We wait for Wally and Vic. I get worried about Fire sometimes. After making sure we made it safely, we continued the trail.

"I have all the time in the world", he whispers.

I think he's being flirty. "I don't hate it. I love it, but." I shake my head.

"But?",asks Richard making a continuing rotation with his hand.

Why am I opening to you? "Its not supporting us well, financially. My dad and my family work so hard. We've been working so hard our lives and we always end up with so little. Since markets don't buy from us we created our own market. We get a few customers every now and then but its just not helping as much as we thought it would."

"Everyone has a tough life", he tells me. "But life's not about the money."

"Easy for you to say", I tell him. "You grew up with everything. You have everything you could ever want. Fame, money, and you're a playboy." I say the last part bitterly. I really don't like the thought of him being a playboy.

"You know I grew up just like you", he tells me. We make it to the field and the two horses head in different directions. "You know I'm adopted right?"

"Yes", I say. I know all about you.

"I was part of a circus act with my family." Maybe not that part. Guess I didn't do all my research. "We lived with the circus. We used to travel all around the county. It didn't pay much but we were provided a trailer and food. I loved it. Just the atmosphere. I'd choose that life over this one, any day." He paused for a moment. "I do thank Bruce for taking me in. He's given me this life and as I grew older, I learned to love it. Besides, if it wasn't for me being a playboy, I wouldn't have gotten kicked out of all the private schools, and wouldn't have went to Gotham High. I wouldn't have met you."

I look back so that I was staring at his face. He works fast. Which reminds me why we could never be together. "You think being a playboy is a good thing?" I turn my head away.

"Actually, its getting boring", he tells me. "My longest relationship was a week. And that was with Kitten. I guess that's why she can't leave me alone." He tightens his arms around my waist. "I've been thinking. I've noticed this girl lately. She's pretty and funny and has the most beautiful eyes. I really want to be in a relationship with her. Maybe being a playboy isn't all that I am."

Great. I think I just died. Who is this chick? I roll my eyes and put on a fake smile. "Then maybe you should go for it. Any girl is stupid if she doesn't like you." Jesus! Did I say that! Now he's gonna think I'm jealous.

"You're right", he tells me. "I guess I'll think about it."

It wasn't long enough before we headed back to the shed. By the time we got the horses out, let out a few laughs, and cleaned up, there was a man waiting outside with my father. He had on a suite, his black hair slicked back, and dark blue eyes. He looked like a million dollars. And he was handsome too.

"Here are the kids", my father says.

The man looks at us and smiles. "You boys having fun?"

"Sure thing Mr. Wayne",says Vic.

Oh crap! That's Bruce Wayne! Richard's father! Gotham's King! Oh jeez, I really should have went with a sundress and sandals.

"Did you bring the battery?",asks Richard.

Bruce nods. "Mr. Anders already replaced it. I really should pay you", he says turning to my father.

My father lifts his hands. "Oh its no problem. Really?"

"Please", says Mr. Wayne. "You let the boys spend the night at your place and the least I could do is pay you for your kindness."

My father shakes his head. He never accepts money that he didn't work for. "I volunteered. But thank you."

"Hey Bruce", says Richard. "You know they have extra room for horses. You know since you're reconstructing the ranch, maybe they should stay here."

Mr. Wayne rubs his chin. "Thats actually a good idea." He turned to my father. "If you don't mind. I'll even pay you."

My father sighs. "I would love to but, we don't have a vet. One of our horses isn't feeling well and we still haven't taken care of her."

"Why don't you kids give us some room to talk?",asks Mr. Wayne.

We walk back down to the house. What the hell does Richard think he's doing? God, I tell him one thing and decides to act on it. I walk over to him and push him. "What the hell was that?"

"What?", he asks.

I grab him by the arm and pull us away from Wally and Vic.

"Going to make out huh?", calls out Vic. "Ow ow!"

I ignore him and push Richard against a tree trunk.

"You know you're pretty strong for a small fry", he laughs.

I shake my head at him and cross my eyes. "This isn't funny."

He rubs his arm. "I know. I think you gave me a bruise."

"Focus!", I yell. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Telling your father that we had room for your horses just so he could pay us? We don't accept charity!"

"Its not charity", he tells me. "His ranch is really going under construction and we do need a place to put our horses. Since you had room I thought it was a good idea."

"Well its not!", I say crossing my arms and turning my back at him.

"Why not?",asks Richard. He touches my arm. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to help."

"I did not ask for it", I tell him.

He spins me around so that I am looking at him. "I know that. I didn't do it because you asked me to, I did it because I wanted to. You're my friend, Kori. I help my friends when they need it, even when they're stubborn and don't accept it."

Friends huh? Well its better than what we were before. I place a hand on my waist and shake it from side to side. "I am not stubborn", I tell him.

He laughs and taps my chin. "Course not, but you're cute when you try to hide it. Forgive me?" He gives out a little pout.

I roll my eyes and nod. I can't resist the face. "Yes, but please do not do that until you talk to me first."

Next thing I knew, his arms were around me. Around me. Twenty four hours ago I was known as stinky Anders. And he is hugging stinky Anders. Before I knew it, my arms were around him too.

"Now let's watch as the female wraps her arms around the male. Will the male get any tonight?" Really, a documentary.

I look over to see Wally and Vic on the floor laughing. "Boys."

Read and Review