Kori's POV
"Hello what can I get you today?" I asked my customers, a family consisting of a father, a mother, and little son.
The little boy looked up at me and smiled, showing me his two missing front teeth. "Can I have the smily face eggs with bacon and pancakes?"
I gave him a smile. "Of course you can. And what can I get the both of you?" I asked the parents.
"Twelve chocolate chip pancakes for me and a fruit bow for the Mrs." the father told me.
I gave them another smile before excusing myself. I walked over to the touch screen computer to send my orders in for the chef to make. I am so not feeling up for the work right now.
After I called my sister on Friday I patiently waited with Gar in the bathroom while trying to clean up the stain on my mother's dress. Kom was not too happy when she took a look what happened. She wanted so badly to go in to the gym and break Kitten's neck but I restrained her from doing so. I have seen Kom fight and she could do a lot of damage if she wanted. When I got home my father took a good look at me and laughed. I could smell the alcohol on his breath when he took a hold of my glasses. Let me just say that I have taken worse than what he did that night. I ended up finding my old pair of glasses from when I was in middle school so I am wearing those until my new glasses come arrive.
Gar called me yesterday morning and invited me over to his place. I told him I could not go and I would rather be left alone for the day. In all truth I actually went down to the school to spend some time in the green house. No one was there and it was quiet. I had the time to myself to think.
I felt bad for Gar for turning him down so I called him and told him to meet me at the park. We spent time talking, well he spent time talking and blabbing that he found the Christmas presents early this year. I told him to relax considering Thanksgiving is next week away and we still have another month or so until Christmas.
Now here I am working and wanting to go home badly. Sunday is always a busy morning so I was tired by the second hour.
Marilyn came by me. "Kori table nine please."
Unfortunately for me, things just keep getting worse. Of course Richard Grayson and his friends are here for breakfast and of course I happen to be the waitress for them. All of his friends are there. Rachel, Karen, Vic, Wally, Donna, and Jenny. Might as well save myself the humiliation and get this over with.
I fixed my pony tail and with a sigh I made way over to the table. I stood at the front of it. "Hello. How is everyone today?" I asked.
They stopped talking and looked up at me.
Donna was the first to say something. "Hey Kori!" she greeted.
I gave her a smile. She always seemed nice. "Hello Donna. Sitting for a change?" I asked.
She gave me a nod. "Yea Dick invited us all out for breakfast on him."
"Hey aren't you the girl who got cake dumped on her?" Wally asked pointing at me.
My face turned red and I looked down. "Um...I uh-
"Yea you are her," said Karen.
I held back my tears and shook my head. It is not even worth it. "What can I get for you to drink?" I was looking at Richard and I did not know why. Perhaps I just wanted him to help me change the subject.
"Just get us a pitcher of orange juice," he told me.
I gave him a nod before leaving. Well at least he helped me out there. The thoughts of Friday night came back to me and I found myself angry at him again. How could I be so stupid for even thinking he is a nice and sweet person. The more I think about it the more I get angry.
I grabbed the pitcher of orange juice and placed it down on their table. I gave them a few more minutes to look over the menu while I checked on my other customers. I did not want to pay attention to Richard and his friends so I did not. I simply walked over to the table, took their order, and left. No small talk and no questions asked.
I knew Richard wanted to speak to me. I could see it on his face when I went to give them their food. I paid no attention to him and I knew his blood was boiling. He probably never has to work this hard for a girl's attention considering his reputation. I am not any girl.
It was a surprise to me when he excused himself from his friends and came over to me. I stood on the inside of the bar and he stood on the out.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
I paid no attention to him and instead filled up a gentleman's mug of coffee.
"I don't understand why you're acting like this," he continued.
I walked over to the dirty plates on one of the seats at the bar and cleaned up. "Acting like what?"
He leaned forward. "You're giving me the cold shoulder. I didn't do anything wrong so can you just talk to me?"
I crossed my eyebrows at him. "Talk about what? The fact that I was humiliated Friday night in front of the entire school? Or the fact that my mother's dress is now ruined? Or shall we talk about the fact that my glasses are broken?"
"Look I'm sorry that happened but its not my fault Kitten did this to you," he said.
It was not his fault and I knew this. Kitten has always been a bully to me. I do not know why I am really angry. I guess it might be that I thought he would stand up for me but then again we are not really friends. He does not know me and I do not know him.
My face softened. "I am sorry. You are right. It is not your fault."
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Silly question to ask me but he does not know. "I am fine. You should go back to your friends before they think you have a thing for me."
He looked back at his friends who seemed interested in what we are talking about. "Why don't you sit with us on your break?"
He was only trying to be nice to me. "No thank you," I told him.
He did not push for me to sit with them and it kind of made me sad.
"Okay. Just don't be sad," he said.
"I am fine," I lied again.
He gave me a nod. "Nice glasses by the way. Purple looks good on you."
My cheeks turned slightly red as I watched him make his way back to his friends. I cannot tell if that was a compliment or not.
Richard's POV
I knew I'd be questioned by my friends when I came back to the table. Wally was the first to say something. No surprise there.
"Why did you go talk to her?" he asked.
I gave him a shrug and resumed eating my meal. "I just wanted to see if she was okay after what Kitten did."
He raised an eyebrow at me. "Why?"
"Because I can relate," I told him.
He gave me a chuckle. "You can relate to freaky Alice?"
"Her name is Kori!" I shouted and kicked him from under the table.
"Ow! Dude relax!" Wally exclaimed. He leaned down to probably rub his leg.
"Why are you getting so mad?" asked Vic.
I tried to remain calm. "Nothing. Never mind. Just let me finish my breakfast."
I don't know why I got angry at Wally. Actually I do know why I got angry at Wally. Kori's name is Kori not Alice. I mean how hard is it to remember someone's name? She's been called Alice her whole high school life and no one stopped to think that maybe that isn't her name. Gosh Kitten can be such a bitch! How could someone bully a sweet and innocent girl like Kori?
"Dick are you alright?" asked Rachel.
I waved her off with my fork. "I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine," she told me.
"Drop it okay?" I asked.
She narrowed her eyes at me probably for being such an ass right now. But I mean I'm mad. Not at them but at myself. I know Kori agreed it wasn't my fault Kitten did this but I could have done something. I could have stood up for her but my brain wasn't working at the time.
"You guys want to go to the mall after?" asked Jenny.
"I can use a new pair of boots," said Karen.
Donna gave out a nod. "Yea and I totally need a new case for my camera."
Kori came by carrying another pitcher of juice. She replaced it with the empty one. "Does anyone need anything?" she asked.
Most of us shook our heads.
"When do you get off?" Donna asked.
Kori looked back at the clock for a minute. "I get out in forty five minutes."
"Want to come to the mall with us?" Donna asked.
I raised my eyebrows and so did the rest of the table. Did Donna just ask Kori to go to the mall with us? I looked up at Kori who was biting her bottom lip.
"Um...I do not know-
Donna grabbed Kori's hand and pulled her down. "Oh pretty please? Don't make me beg."
Kori looked at us before answering Donna. "Okay?"
"Great. We'll wait until you finish up," Donna said letting go of her hand.
Kori stood up straight and fixed her glasses. "Excuse me," she said and left.
"What the hell?" asked Wally.
Donna eyed me and gave them a shrug. "Hey we work together. Might as well get to know her."
"She seems like a nice girl," said Rachel.
"Except her taste in fashion is just a big no-no," Karen pointed out.
We all looked at her.
She gave us a shrug before leaning into Vic. "What? I could make her over and she'd be datable and hot as fuck!"
We all groaned at her mentioning the makeover.
Vic turned to his girlfriend. "Honey bee. Maybe you shouldn't make over another poor soul."
Karen backed off of Vic and placed a hand on her waist. "And whats that supposed to mean?"
"Well your last makeover ended with the girl crying for her mama," Vic said.
"Ain't my fault people can't take criticism," Karen said.
We waited for Kori to finish up her last tables. Marilyn let her go twenty minutes before her actual shift ended and Kori went to the bathroom to change out of her uniform. Donna had some extra sweatpants she could use with the turtle neck she wore under her diner uniform. She wouldn't want to be going to the mall in a diner uniform.
Kori got to ride with the girls and I drove with the guys to the mall. I kind of wish she drove with me. Kori isn't the most sociable girl and who knows what Karen and Jenny are asking and telling her. I'm not too worried about Rachel because she tends to stay quiet herself and isn't inappropriate like the rest of the girls. Donna seems to like he enough to invite her to the mall with us.
Once at the mall the girls wanted to go their separate ways. I didn't need anything from the mall and I kind of wanted to spend some time with Kori for reasons I did not know why. I just felt like being around her. So the girls agreed I could be their bag carrier.
I did know what I'd gotten myself into. I knew once we made it to their favorite store, Naughty vs Nice, they'd want me to sit down in the dressing room and give them feedback on their outfit. Half the store contains clothing for girls like Karen and Donna and the other half of the store contains clothing for girls like Jenny and Rachel.
"I have never been to a store like this," Kori said looking around. "Everything seems so...revealing."
Karen grabbed her hand. "C'mon we'll help you out. You like the color purple?"
I watched as Karen lead Kori to a rack.
"I'll be over there," I said pointing the couch in the dressing rooms.
It didn't take long for the girls to each enter their own dressing rooms and try on things. I'd be crazy for saying I didn't like watching the girls dressing up and posing for me but half of them I consider like my sister.
Rachel isn't one to try on things so she sat next to me after she purchased her things. We waited for them to come out and they all did at the same time except Kori.
"Wow we look hot!" Karen exclaimed.
Donna twirled around in front of the mirror. "I don't like the ruffles on this one."
"You look good," I told her.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Ruffles are not my thing."
I sighed. No matter what I say it doesn't matter. If they think it looks good then it looks good and if they think it looks bad then it looks bad.
Jenny twirled in front of me. "Like it?" she asked.
"You look hot," I told her.
She gave me a giggle before walking over to the mirror. "Don't let Wally hear you say that."
"What are you and Wally anyways?" asked Karen.
Jenny turned a little red as she brushed lint off the dress. "We are something."
"Kori!" called Donna. "You need to come out!"
There was no response and a silent.
"Kori?" asked Donna. She walked over to her dressing room door and knocked on it. "Do you need help?"
"It fits fine," Kori softly spoke out.
"Wanna show us?" asked Jenny.
"Do I have to?" asked Kori.
Karen let out a laugh. "You could either come out by yourself or I'll karate kick the door open."
The door opened slightly and Kori's head popped out. "I do not feel comfortable showing you."
"Aw c'mon!" Karen whined. "We're your friends."
"You are?" she asked.
I looked around to see all the girls nod. I then turned to Kori and hoped she would show us her dress.
Kori let out a sigh and nodded. "Okay. Do not laugh."
She stepped out and my jaw dropped. I was defiantly not expecting what I am seeing in front of me. Talk about having a hot body! I mean I knew she has a nice ass but her body is...hot damn!
"Oh my god," Donna said slowly.
Jenny walked over to Kori and pushed her in front of the mirror. "You look so hot!"
I felt someone tap my chin and I shook my head. Rachel had an eyebrow raised.
"You have a little drool right there," she said pointing her her own chin.
I rolled my eyes at her. "Very funny Rae."
"You need to show your tits more," Karen said and grabbed one of Kori's breast.
My eyes widened and a goofy grin formed on my face. "Remind me to come shopping with you girls every time."
Rachel smacked my arm. "Stop perving on Kori!"
Kori turned to me with wide eyes and covered her chest with her arms. "I will go change now."
She went to go change in her dressing room but Karen grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her back. I watched as Kori let out a big wince and leaned forward.
"Are you okay?" asked Karen. She moved her hand from Kori's shoulder and gasped. "Oh my gosh Kori. How did you get that?"
I looked up to see a blue bruise on her shoulder and extending over to her neck.
"Oh it happened when my sister and I fought," she said letting out a laugh. "It is no big deal. My black eye has gotten much better." She twisted her neck before making her way to the dressing room. "I will go change now."
I kind of feel bad for her. I mean I fight with my brothers all the time but it never gets like this. Her sister must be a real bitch to treat her like this.
The girls minus Kori and Rachel wanted to shop some more. I was growing kind of bored and tired of carrying the bags so I excused myself with Kori and Rachel. We went the pretzel stand and grabbed a snack. I couldn't believe that Kori has never had a pretzel before. I ordered her one and two others for myself and Rachel. We found a small round table near the stand and took a seat.
Kori looked at the pretzel and lifted it up to smell it. "It smells good at least."
I passed her a little packet of mustard. "Try it with this." I took a bite out of my own pretzel.
She opened the packet of mustard and placed some on her pretzel. She lifted the pretzel to her mouth and took a bite. Her eyes instantly widened. "This is delicious!"
"You're not original from around here are you?" asked Rachel.
Kori swallowed and shook her head. "No. I moved here from my home island of Tamaran. It is in the Caribbean."
"That explains the hair and skin," Rachel said.
Kori gave us a nod before taking another bite. "You both have lived in Gotham all your lives?"
"I have but Dick used to live in a circus," Rachel told her.
I silently cursed at Rachel for bringing that up. Its no secret that I was adopted by Bruce right after my parents fell to their death but I don't like talking about it.
Kori raised her eyebrows. "You were in the circus?"
I gave her nod. "Yea."
"What happened? Why did you stop performing in the circus?" she asked.
"My parents died," I simply said.
Her bright smile fell and her eyes dropped to the floor. "I am sorry."
I know that look. It's the same look I get whenever someone brings up my parents. I'm just surprised that she knows what I'm feeling.
"Who did you lose?" I asked her.
"My mother," she replied.
I looked over to Rachel who rolled her eyes at me. I'm not one to comfort someone. Rachel moved her chair over to Kori and placed an arm around her. "It's okay Kori. No need to be sad. Do you want to talk about it?"
She shook her head and readjusted her glasses. "No thank you. It happened a long time ago." She cleared her throat and looked at me. "Can you take me home?"
I exchanged glances with Rachel before giving her a nod. "Yea it's not a problem."
Rachel offered to take the bags I was holding for the other girls from me to give to them and offered to excuse us for leaving early. I kind of wanted to leave early myself so I'm glad Kori said something. Her mother's death didn't happen too long ago. I can tell by the way she spoke her mother's name. My parents died when I was nine so I had time to recover from the traumatic experience. Of course I had help with Bruce's old psychologist flame Dr. Chase.
I looked over at Kori as I stopped at a red light. "Kori?" I asked.
She turned her head to me and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"How long ago did your mother die?" I asked.
She looked down and sighed. "Two years ago, here in Gotham. She was shot walking home from work in Crime Alley."
My eyes widened. "Crime Alley? That's the most dangerous part of town."
She gave me a nod. "I know that...now."
I grabbed her hand and she flinched back which surprised me a lot. I let go of it and cleared my throat. "You know if you ever need to talk to anyone...I'm here for you always?"
She gave me a smile. "Thank you. I do appreciate it and I know you have been through the same thing so if you ever need to talk to anyone...I am here for you always as well."
I gave her a smile. "Everything is great then?"
She returned the smile and nodded. "Everything is great."
I quickly made a sharp turn.
"What are you doing?" asked Kori confused. "My house is the other way."
"I know," I told her smiling. "But I know a place that just opened for the fall and winter again and they sell the best hot chocolates."
She raised her eyebrows at me before looking out the window. "You better be right or else."
"Or else what?" I asked playfully.
She grinned. "Or else I will teach you all the wrong ways to solve math problems and have you fail the quiz coming up." She crossed her arms and pursed her lips together.
I let out a chuckle. "Then its a good thing they sell the best hot drinks here."
I pulled up in the driveway of an old log house. It's very old style and country looking. Bruce's good friend Tommy owns the place and opens up during the fall and winter. His wife Nancy uses her great grandmother's recipe to make the best hot drinks.
I opened the door and held it open for Kori to walk through first. There was only a table or two of customers so the place was pretty empty. Tommy walked up to us with a big smile.
"Ah look at yous Grayson! Being a gentleman and holding doors for the ladies," he teased.
I turned red and Kori looked amused.
Tommy grabbed Kori's hand and kissed the top of it. "And does this beautiful young lady gots a name?"
Kori giggled and took back her hand. "My name is Korina but you can call me Kori."
"And you've gots a beautiful name," Tommy said. He threw his head back. "Nancy! Come out heres and take a look at who came to visit."
A shot blonde lady came out carrying a tray with two colored mugs on top. She beamed me a smile before walking over to a table and setting down the drinks. She then walked over to me and stood on her toes to pinch my cheek.
"I haven't seen you in a year!" she cooed. "Oh look you've grown much taller than last time."
"Hi Nancy," I greeted, rubbing my cheek from her punches.
"Oh and you've brought your girlfriend?" Nancy asked.
Kori and I exchanged glances before we both found the floor very interesting.
I cleared my throat, "This is Kori. She's just a friend."
Nancy gave me a nod as she looked over Kori. "Ah well she's much prettier than the other redhead. What was her name? The rude girl who didn't like my hot chocolates?"
"Barbara?" I asked quietly.
Nancy smiled and gave me a nod. "Oh right that's her name. What happened to her?"
"Oh Nancy that ain't any of your business," Tommy said.
Nancy swatted Tommy on the back of his head. "It to is my business." She turned to me and smiled. "Go ahead and take a seat and I'll bring you out something delicious!" She grabbed Tommy by the ear and pulled him out back with her.
"They are an interesting couple," Kori said.
I gave her a nod. "Yea they are but they're the best. We can take a seat by the window."
She gave me a nod and followed me over to a table. We both took off our jackets and placed them on the hook besides us.
"You've had hot chocolates before right?" I asked Kori before taking a seat.
She pushed herself in and gave me a look. "Yes I have had hot chocolates. I am not born from outer space."
I let out a chuckle. "Okay sorry. Just wondering since you've never had pretzels before."
"I come from a different country," she told me. "I am sure that if you moved to Tamaran you would have a difficult time with things."
I looked at her. "You had a difficult time coming here?"
"Of course I did," she said looking down. "Learning the language and culture is most confusing. I had more trouble with the slang words and I have been told that my English is too formal."
"Yea I noticed that about you," I told her. "You don't use any contractions."
She gave me a shrug. "It was how I was taught."
Tommy came over with a tray and two mugs on top. He placed one mug down in front of me and another mug down in front of Kori. Nancy sure whipped out something good.
"Salted hot chocolate with whip cream and caramel syrup," Tommy said before leaving.
Kori picked up her mug and gently blew on the beverage. She took a small sip before pulling the mug back. I let out a laugh when I saw that she got whip cream on her nose. She crossed her eyes and looked down at her nose which made me laugh more.
"Oh that is embarrassing," she said.
I shook my head. "No its cute." I reached over for a napkin and wiped the cream off her nose.
She scrunched up her nose. "I will be smelling whip cream all day now."
"How do you like the hot chocolate?" I asked.
She lifted up the mug and blew on it again before taking another sip. This time she closed her eyes and sighed. "Delicious."
I smiled before taking a sip of my own. "So you're still going to help me pass?"
"I guess I will be nice," she told me.
"How are you kids doing?" I looked up to see Nancy smiling at us.
"We're good," I told her.
She placed a plate down. "I thought you kids might like some dessert."
I looked at the cake and thanked Nancy. She gave us both a fork before giving us some space.
"I love strawberries," Kori said taking the big chocolate covered strawberry off from on top of the cake. She took a bite and let out a 'Mmm'.
I stared at her in delight. "Good?" I asked.
She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Did you want a bite?"
I gave her a nod before leaning over to take the bite from her. My mouth closed on the entire strawberry and a bite on her fingers.
"I said a bite Richard!" she exclaimed giggling. "Not the entire strawberry."
I let out a laugh as she gave me a playful pout.
"So I'll buy you a box tomorrow," I told her. "I'll even add a bow to the box."
She gave me a content smile and we continued to drink and eat the cake.
There seemed to be something on Kori's mind and I could tell that she wanted to ask me a question. "What?" I asked her.
She gave me a shrug. "Nothing."
"You're a bad liar Anders," I told her. "Now tell me what's wrong."
"I was just wondering about that Barbara girl," she said.
Out of the million things she could have said, she ended up mentioning Barbara. I was not expecting this. "What about her?" I asked.
She looked down. "You two dated?"
I gave her a nod. "Yea."
"How long?" she asked.
"Two years," I replied.
"Did you break up with her?" I asked.
"We both decided to end it together," I said.
"Were you ever in love with her?" she asked.
I stopped and looked at Kori. "No. Why all the questions?"
She looked around and gave me a shrug. "Oh I was just wondering."
I didn't mind all the questions. I mean its Kori. "Any more questions?" I asked.
"Just one more," she said.
I gave her a nod signaling to ask me.
"Do you still have feelings for her?" she asked.
I thought about it for moment. Barbara was a big part of my life. She was my first real girlfriend and she gave me my first kiss. Do I love Barbara? Yea probably like a sister now. Am I in love with her? No way. We broke up because she fell in love with another guy. We had too many complications anyways. And there was the fact that she was older than me and already started college this year and I'm still a junior in high school. Do I have feelings for her? No.
"No I don't," I told her.
She smiled and gave me a nod. "Good. This is really good," she said pointing to her drink.
We finished up the last pieces of the cake and drank up the rest of our hot chocolate. We sat a little more and just talked. We seriously just talked. I haven't just talked to a girl in forever. Everything usually just ended up with sex. It actually felt nice to talk to someone and get to know them. Kori isn't like the other girls in my school or the girls I call my friends. She's so different and I like it.
It was getting late so Kori and I said goodbye to Tommy and Nancy. We thanked them for everything before leaving and making our way home. The drive to Kori's house didn't take too long. I kind of wish it did because we were getting into a serious conversation about what we're doing for our future. I told her I want to be a cop and she told me she wants to teach special needs children.
"Well this is my stop," Kori said. "I guess I will see you tomorrow night?"
"Yea just meet me by my car after practice," I told her.
She gave me a nod and opened her door.
I immediately turned off the car and opened my own door. "Let me help you with the bags."
"Oh you do not have to," she told me.
I gave her a nod. "What kind of guy would I be letting a girl carry her own bags?"
She gave me a giggle. "You will be insane for letting her do that."
I opened the door to the back of my car and took out her two bags. I walked up with her to the front door.
Kori rang the door bell before turning to me. "Thank you again."
"It's no problem," I told her. "I actually had a good time with you."
She looked taken aback by that comment. "Um...thanks?"
"No I didn't mean it like that," I quickly explained. "I mean I really had a good time with you. I like talking to-
My sentence was cut off by the abrupt sound of the door opening. A tall and large man came out with blood shot eyes and he smelt like alcohol.
"Who's this?" he asked mumbling.
I looked over at Kori who seemed to be shaking. "My friend. The one I am tutoring. Remember I told you. He is from my class. You gave me permission remember?"
The man rubbed his eyes. "He payed you?"
"Not yet," Kori said.
The man opened his eyes and looked at me. "Pay her or else she isn't going to tutor you anymore. No daughter of mine is doing this kind of stuff for free."
Kori's father has clearly been drinking...a lot tonight so I just cooperated. I wasn't about to get into a fight with a middle aged man so I took out my wallet and gave Kori her payment.
"I'll just see you in school," I told her.
She gave me a nod and an uneasy smile. "Sa...same to you. Good night."
"Good night," I said and made my way back to my car.
I had a disturbing feeling in my gut. Something was way off back there.
Sorry guys! I've been busy lately and school has me stressing out again. I promise to at least update once a week if not then I will give myself permission to die. A cookie for whoever knows what movie I stole that last line from.
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