Hey guys! Well here's chapter 4, I actually got this sooner than I thought. Let me know what you think and as always you guys are awesome for reviewing, putting it on your favorites and following me. It's great! Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or anything relating to them just the plot :)
Chapter 4
Kori walked out of the glass front doors relieved that school was over for the day and now the weekend was starting. It was still overcast and the low rumbling of the storm was heard not far off but the rain stopped a bit before everyone went to their last period. Students were bustling about laughing, making plans, talking, flirting, catching rides and Kori couldn't be more excited that she could finally ride her new bike again. Karen was walking next to her as they exited the school talking about going to the mall to look for dresses the following morning with Rachel. Kori agreeing to the date gave Karen a hug telling her that they will meet tomorrow and started walking in the direction of her parked motorcycle when strong arms wrapped around her waist, picked her up and spun her around swiftly. Hearing the light chuckle he gave at her surprised squeal she knew instantly who it was. Letting herself relax she giggled and hung onto his hands for support, liking that he was bringing out her true fun side more. When he put her down she turned around and gave him a bone crushing hug but afterwards smacking his arm playfully.
"Must you hug me like that and scare me!" Kori halfheartedly feigned being angry although she couldn't hold it with the cute boyish smile playing on his lips.
"Oh come on Kor, you weren't scared. You knew it was me." Wally said waving his hand in the air dismissing her comment letting the smile grow wider on his face. After lunch they both realized their next couple of classes were together and so they talked when they could or wrote notes asking questions about one another. Figuring out that they had similar personalities and they could carry a conversation about the smallest things for the longest time they instantly became comfortable with each other quickly.
"Well, still!" Was Kori's response knowing that he had caught her giving her no reason to argue back, she stuck her tongue out at him making a face.
"You're too cute to be doing that face. So when should I pick up my hot date for the dance?" Wally said smoothly putting his arm around her shoulder leading her to the direction of her bike. Kori blushed a little at his comment but quickly recovered turning her lips up into a sly grin she brushed off his shoulder and bumped her hip against his making a gap between the them, giving him a wink she started jogging off towards her bike starting a little game. Genuinely laughing when she heard his chuckle and fast footsteps behind her she picked up the pace a little knowing that he was one of the fastest runners on the track team and no doubt would catch her.
They could easily be mistaken for a long time couple with the way they were acting but Kori wasn't caring about what people thought. Just that she was finally having fun with someone who didn't make fun of her, didn't want anything from her and made her laugh more than she had in the past few months in one day. When she reached her bike and slapped her hand on the gas tank she was surprised that he hadn't caught her earlier. Looking back in the direction they were once running from she saw that Wally had stopped and was talking to someone.
Richard was acting weird all day being very quiet and stoic. Kori didn't remember seeing him smile or give away any sort of emotion and it concerned her but with Wally around she didn't think anything of it. Now he was standing in front of Wally arms crossed over his chest like he was lecturing a little kid. Kori wondered if she should go and save her soon to be date or if she should stay out of it. Making her decision she slowly started walking over and in coming closer she could tell that by the tone of Richard's voice he wasn't happy about something. Taking a few more steps walking up behind Richard she could now hear exactly what their conversation was about and she wasn't sure if she wanted to hear it.
"Dude, what's your problem? I like her and we're just getting to know each other." Wally said defensively shoving his hands in his pockets narrowing his eyes slightly at his best friend standing in front of him.
"You're acting like a bunch of love birds. Not just getting to know each other, she just broke up with Xavier this morning." Richard responded with an edge of authority in his voice. Kori now knew they were talking about her and wondered why Richard even started this conversation, well argument. It wasn't his job to protect her and Wally was his best friend why was he getting mad at him. Why did he care?
"What does it matter to you? I know she just broke up with Xavier. I'm not here to start a serious relationship with her Dick. She's nice, funny, cute, smart and unbelievably beautiful and if it just so happens that we end up dating then I'll be the luckiest guy. As of right now it's just nice to be around a girl that doesn't want attention or to get into my pants. We get along great and I think she needs someone like me in her life just like I need someone like her. Why do you care? Are you jealous? You have a girl every other week man. You've flirted with Kori countless times but never once told me of any interest in her. So why do you care?" Wally's voice raised slightly a little annoyed at his best friend acting this way. Kori smiled at his kind words wanting to give Wally a hug and defend him just like he did her. What he said was true because now that Wally was in her life she didn't want to think of not having someone who brought so much fun to just leave and it angered her that Richard was getting mad about it.
"I just do alright." Richard answered his voice becoming quiet and resigned almost like he was trying to hide something. Kori thought he was being a stubborn and nosey child though.
"Why?" Wally raised his voice losing his patience with the now conflicted looking blued eyed man standing in front of him. "Why!" He asked again when no answer was given getting fed up with this pointless argument.
"Because I love her! Alright!" Richard yelled throwing his hands in the air in defeat seeing his best friends eyebrows raise in surprise at his confessional outburst. He ran a hand through his raven colored hair feeling embarrassed that he just shouted one of his close kept secrets to the whole school. Hearing a loud noise behind him he slightly jumped as it broke the two men out of their own little world. Turning his head Richard couldn't believe who his eyes laid upon.
"Kori" He barely breathed out completely surprised and now a full shade of red at his realization that she heard everything. She fell to the ground sitting with her legs underneath her with her black backpack that she grabbed before leaving her locker beside her on the ground.
It was like time had stopped for the three friends. No one moved, said anything or even dared breathing fearing that they would break this dream like feeling and deal with the reality of what just happened.
No…I must have heard him wrong! Richard Grayson playboy did NOT just say he liked me. He was mistaken, Wally was just pressuring him and he didn't mean it. Kori's mind was on overtime trying to reason out why he said that. Her eyes were wide and she was staring at a leaf being threatened to blow away by the wind.
Wally couldn't do anything but shift his gaze from his best friend standing in front of him to his new red-haired beauty sitting on the ground. He should've known Kori would come back to look for him but he was so caught up with Dick that he didn't even see her walk up to them. He wanted to go to Kori and pick her up of the ground and try to snap her out of the shock but he was planted where he stood. It was like his feet were made of lead, heavy and hard to move.
What is she thinking? Why did she fall to ground like that? She's in shock; she can't speak and is just staring at that leaf! What's going on? Why can't I say or do anything, I'm just standing here like an idiot! Richard's thoughts were flying through his head so fast it was like they clashing and running into each other causing a mental breakdown. He was slightly breathing heavier thinking he might too just fall to the ground on his knees. His breath hitched when Kori finally stood up pulling her back pack along with her.
Kori looked at Richard for a long moment gathering her thoughts and feelings reining them trying to calm everything down. Not saying anything she turned around and started walking off leaving the two still stunned men behind. Her emotions were all over the place and she had to get away to figure out what was going on. She needed to clear her head of what just happened. Richard was the biggest playboy at school, he had a new girl on his arm all the time she was not going to be one of them. She wasn't going to take his openly admittance of his feelings fool her, he was still the same guy she always knew.
She heard fast footsteps coming behind her and she automatically stiffened thinking Richard was coming to explain or try to renounce it altogether. Still walking towards her bike but highly aware as the footsteps got closer and slowed down as they neared. She felt the familiar strong arms go around her neck as they brought her to a halt. Knowing Richard would never do anything like this especially after what just happened she leaned into Wally's warm presence instantly calming her.
I bet this would be better with Richard….the little thought popped into the back of her head without warning. She shook her head fiercely trying to rid the now steady flow of thoughts involving Richard. Wally turned her around to face him still keeping his arms around her neck trying to keep everything calm and in place.
"You okay?" He asked looking her in the eyes seeing the confusion written on her face. Not really knowing what else to say he waited for her answer keeping her close with his arms still around her neck for comfort. Wally was also a wreck with emotions at the moment and he didn't like the fact that Richard admitted his feelings for Kori. Even though they only talked and were together for one day he felt an instant connection to her. She was fun and bright and brought life to his otherwise boring life. She wasn't like most girls and that's all there was at this school, the same girls that want something from you and need attention. Kori didn't need to get attention she just needed people in this school that really cared for her and Wally wanted to give that to her no matter what.
"I just need to clear my head. I am going to go back in the school for a bit. I will call you tomorrow after the mall date with Karen and Rachel to talk about the dance." Kori gave him a small smile not really sure what to process at the moment but grateful that Wally could keep her anchored. He returned the smile and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead before saying goodbye. Kori watched him walk off towards the student parking lot. She couldn't help but smile at him because of how he defended her against Richard. Then her smile became smaller as Richard now became the center of her thoughts. She needed to work through this and figure out how she was going to deal with it.
Making sure her bike was secure and nothing was going to be stolen she looked over to Richard's bike still parked next to hers. Wondering where he was made her feel worse somehow. She was worried about him. The wind picked up and almost knocked her off-balance, staggering a bit she started walking and looking up at the now darkening gray sky. She knew it would probably rain soon and welcomed it. Opening the school doors she shivered at the difference in temperature between the now warm school and the cooling outside. Looking around for any teachers that might tell her to turn around and go home she continued her walk down the open lobby of the school. Turning right and heading down one of the many hallways she made her way down to the last door. She hadn't seen any teachers so far and the only noise was the squeaking of her shoes against the smooth floor.
Coming up to her destination she looked inside the small window that the wooden door held on it. Peeking inside to see if anyone was in the room, after moving her head back and forth a few times between the window she stepped back and turned the handle of the door and opened it. Smiling to herself as the door swung open she walked in a set her back pack down on the teacher's small metal desk in the far front corner of the room. Looking around she took in the sight of the big almost auditorium like room. It was the music room and when she could she as always in this room. Walking past all the chairs and music stands to the back of the room where all the bigger percussion instruments where she took her seat behind the school jazz bands drum set. Adjusting and moving a bit closer so she was comfortable to play she picked up the small remote that was on the stool next to her she pressed play.
They always had a cd or two in the surround sound system for the kids to listen to while they play or when they have an off day to hang out. Going through all the songs until she found one she liked Kori picked up the drum sticks and waited for her queue. She decided on Foreplay/Longtime by Boston no doubt the teachers own personal touch in the cd. A little smile played on her lips as the songs intro started playing; she loved playing this song on the drums. It was one of the more fun songs she learned.
She began the intro and even though she had been playing since she was little it still present a challenge to her. Trying to move as best and as fast as she could to get through it she was thankful for the long break in the song before playing again she took a minute to ready herself listening to the cosmic sounds of the break. Hitting the bass drum she began playing again as the song picked up once again. Loving the feeling of playing again she lost herself in the song. Making sure the song playing was louder than her drums she bobbed her head to the beat. Clapping at the breaks and giving it her all as she forgot about all that happened before and putting a little attitude into her playing. She had a set at home but rarely played it due to her mother being tired from working at the hospital and she didn't mind that but she did wish she could play more. That's why she came to the music room often because when she heard they had one and came one day after school to practice a bit the teacher loved her. Saying she was the best he's seen all year and that she could come back anytime.
As the song died down she slowed and eventually stopped her playing taking a deep breath and sitting there a minute to collect herself she let the next song play on. Just listening to the music and not noticing the boy standing in the doorway of the music room. He'd been there the whole time watching her. Thinking he was the only one in the school until he heard the music coming from one of the hallways.
"You're really good, ya know that?" He spoke making Kori jump and let out a small scream in the process of falling of the small stool she was sitting on. She could hear his laughter as it got closer and on seeing his face she couldn't believe who it was. Her eyes widened in surprise and her cheeks got a good dose of red as he helped her up.
I'm sure you guys can guess who it is :) but I wanted to save it for the next chapter. Again, let me know what you think and I'll try to have the next chapter up soon! Thanks everyone!
