Weeeeee! My brothers gone on a 3 day trip to Rotorua and left the computer all to me! You'll be happy to know that although his time spent away is mostly on weekdays, I'm planning ot get in as much writing time as possible. Unfortunately, I'm not actually allowed to go on the internet, but has that stopped me before? Hell no! Sooooooo, I know you're going to totally hate me for this chapter, but here it is, late and fresh off the keyboard. I know its sloppy and slightly rushed but its still a chapter so have fun and rememer to review. Please don't flame me for the ending, I know its horrible but I've gotta keep up the dramatics. XD

Last time: The guys have a good gossip about their love lifes while the girls are in assembaly. When they get out, Kori meets Xavier, the bad boy with a smile that could melt icebergs XD

This chapter: Richard sees Kori with Xavier and his temper flares. When Kori asks about X she ends up in tears. Who will be there to comfort her?

Comic book names:

Robin: Richard grayson

Starfire: Kori Anders

Beastboy: Garfield Logan

Raven: Rachel Roth

Cyborg: Victor stone

Speedy: Roy Harper

Aqualad: Garth

Bumblebee: Karen Beecher

Kidflash: Wally West

Argent: Toni Monetti

Chesire: Jade Nguyen

Jericho: Joe Wilson

Terra: Tara Markov

Arella: Angela Roth

Madame Rouge: Ms. De Mille

My names:

Red X: Xavier Red

Kitten: Kitten Moth

Jinx: Jen Xing

Blackfire: Kim Anders

Trigon: Tristen Roth

"Looks like Xaviers finally noticed Kori." Toni snickered, squeezing in next to Richard with a flirtatious smile, red streaked hair falling into her almond shaped eyes. Toni Monetti was a relatively new addition to Richard's 'clique', having befriended Raven during an unbelieveably boring lecture on damns in America. She'd recently moved to Jump City from England but her birthplace was Italy, hence the exotic name. Toni was...different from most girls, for one thing, she didn't mind getting her hands dirty. A little labour for the benefit of others was no big and that was incredibly appealing to Richard. Not to mention the fact that she had her own personality, not one stolen from the latest celebrity with the I.Q. of a pea. Or perhaps thats being to harsh on the pea. Anyway, Toni was her own person with her own opinions and style. That was another thing, instead of dressing in the latest absurd trend, Toni dressed in what she wanted to wear, which was generally what looked good on her. For instance, right now, she was wearing a strapless black top over a blood red, pleated skirt leading down to knee high black boots, with red hearts sewn along the side. On her wrist jangled an assortment of bangles and beaded bracelets, mostly scarlet or silvery black in colour, after all, coulour co-ordination is a must, no matter how you dress. Her neck was adorned with a sparkling, scarlet, heart-shaped jewel hanging from a black choker and on her fingers she wore several rings, some set with tiny jewels and others with incredibly intricate designs of silver skulls or intense copper eyes. Overall, the effect was stunning. Perhaps it would be somewhat less attractive if Toni had not been so pretty, another of her assets. She was one of those people whose faces seemed flawless no matter what time of day it was, skin never blemished and lips never dry. Her hair was jet black with two red streaks at the front and was rarely seen down, she usually had it up in some kind of eccentric twist or bun that suited her face. It was the eyes though, that caught Richard's attention. It was always the eyes; Kori's amazing pair had been the first thing that he had been attracted too and he continued to sneak glimpses at them when she was in one of her daydreams. Toni's eyes were the opposite of Kori's though, an uncommon burgundy colour, an almost red brown that reminded Richard of a fox's. If you looked close enough, you could see they were flecked with copper and bronze giving them an almost ethereal look against her olive skin. It was funny how someone as naturally attractive as Toni could like Richard but, if the rumours were true, she'd been crushing on him for quite a while. He may've actually considered dating her before Kori came, I mean, she was smart, creative, interesting and undeniably cute, but, it just seemed like everything was duller now that Kori was here, her radiance seemed to drain everything else of its previous spark and Richard seemed unable to concentrate on much else beside her.

"Looks like Richards got some competition." Roy grinned smugly and everyone laughed like he'd said the funniest thing on Earth, which, it most certainly was not.

"Oh, get a life Roy. Just because you can't get a girl doesn't mean you have to harass me." He snarled in return, usual placid tone uncommonly sharp. Everyone looked taken back for a second before they all erupted into a series of 'oooooohs' and 'ahhhhhhs'.

"Somebodies cranky today." Rachel smirked, then looked to her right. "Perhaps Kori and X are just discussing the merits of having such accomplished chefs?" She asked innocently, her head tilted. Richard knew Rachel was trying to get a rise out of him and the last thing he wanted to do was let her get the better of him. Unfortunately though, despite the warning signals going off in his brain, he turned his head ever so slightly and narrowed his eyes till he caught sight of Kori. He heard everyone laugh at his obvious curiosity but he clenched his fists and ignored them. What he saw next almost made his eyes pop out of his head. Both Kori and Xavier had their hands on the last pudding and their heads were so close if either of them leaned in further they'd be kissing. From what he could see, X was talking to her in his usual fashion, charmingly cocky. Kori looked slightly disconcerted and ready to fall over until he took his hand off hers, she seemed to regain her composure at that stage and she shook his hand heartily. Richard was glad they weren't touching anymore, he knew enough of Xavier to know that Kori should be careful. Kori proceeded to say something to him with one of her brilliant smiles and Richard was caught off guard when Xavier locked eyes with his for a brief second, an undiscernable expression upon his face. He seemed to falter before returning to Kori with a smile, his hand swiping out to grasp the pudding with an unnoticeable flick of his wrist. He always had been sneaky. Turning around, he left Kori with a strange smile upon her face, and a jealous frown upon Richard's.

Richard watched Kori intently as she chatted animatedly to Karen about something Mauritius-related, her hands gesturing wildly. His head was still spinning from the possibility that she might actually like another boy. Not that Richard thought she liked him, it was just, since she'd come to Jump City they'd been practically inseperable, Kori depended on him to explain the ways of America and now he felt, sort of, protective around her. He was just looking after her, it had nothing to do with jealousy, I mean, why on Earth would he be jealous, its not like he liked her. More than friend that is. No, Richard was merely taking care of her, there were alot of bad people out here and he just wanted Kori to end up with one of the good ones, namely someone who'd take care of her and adore her the way she deserved. Somone who'd love her with all his heart and never let anything bad happen to her, someone like him. Not literally speaking of course, just someone like him, not actually him. Richard just, didn't want to share her. He knew it was stupid and he shouldn't feel this way but it was the truth, and seeing her with another guy would simply be unbearable. This was only because she was his best friend, nothing else.

"Richard? Are you well?" Kori's voice broke Richard's train of thought and he found himself staring at her worried face. Why did she have to be so damn beautiful?

"Yeah, I'm fine." He managed, putting on a reluctant smile and returning to his now cold food. Kori continued to look at him, his discomfort was obvious and she did not like to see him sad.

"I met a boy called Xavier while retrieving my lunch, are you acquainted with him?" She continued persistently, trying desperately to get his attention.

"Sure are, nice guy, if you like cocky pricks with hidden agendas." Richard replied, unable to keep the venom from his voice. Kori had never heard him speak with such contempt and she wondered if she'd done something wrong.

"Richard, are you-"

"Look, I just don't want to talk about it." He said forcefully, trying with all his might not to lose it and tell Kori never to speak to Xavier again. He glanced upwards and what he saw nearly tore his heart in two. Kori was looking at him with a mixture of hurt and betrayal and her eyes glistened with tears.

"Kori..." He reached out for her but she turned away and spoke softly.

"Do not attempt to comfort me Richard, I know when I am not wanted." The way her voice cracked and seemed to bubble over with emotion made Richard's eyes prick and he watched as she stood up, a single, glistening tear sliding down her face.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rushing through the cafetaria, Kori tried not to let the tears fall but, to no avail. They trailed down her face, blurring everything till the world seemed nothing but a swirling mist of dull colours that smothered her till breathing was so difficult she had to stop. Grasping the wall she slid to her knees and sobbed till her eyes stung and her throat was horse.

"Kori?" Almost screaming in surprise she looked up with uncertainty at the boy in front of her. Assuming that it was Richard she prepared to tell him that his presence was not only undesirable but unwanted. Opening her mouth she paused when she saw Xavier looking down at her in concern.

"I saw you running out the cafetaria and followed." He smiled softly and kneeled down beside her, chestnut eyes fixed on her own.

"I'm sorry, you did not need to, I am fine, there is merely something in my eye." Kori managed, trying to smile reassuringly but ending up choking back another sob.

"C'mon now, theres no need to lie. Is there anything I can do to help?" She noticed Xavier still hadn't asked her what was wrong and for that, she was thankful. So thankful, in fact, that she ended up collapsing into his arms and hugging him for dear life. He felt so warm and steady that she just sunk into his chest and didn't let go for at least five minutes.

"Kori..." Xavier said softly, pulling her upward so they were face to face. Looking at her earnestly he used his thumb to wipe away her tears, fingers lingering on her delicate face. Then before she knew it, Kori was leaning forward and in one swift movement, caught his lips in a kiss.

Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. It was heart wrenching to write but I had to do it. Do you hate me? I wouldXD Tell me all about it my dear friends, Kate would sincerely like to know. Ewww, 3rd person makes me sound creepy.