Chapter 9 - Be my Sweetheart
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Two months.
Two months had passed since Richard's first date with Kori. For two months the two had been seen frequently together. And during those two months Kori found herself falling hard for Richard. She realized her feelings for him went much deeper then the average crush.
Kori Anders had fallen in love with Richard Grayson.
The problem was she didn't know how he felt about her.
During the past two months they had certainly grown closer to one another. Ever since their first date Richard had asked Kori out several more times. Each time she was more then eager to accept. Each date was more special then the last. And each date left Kori more confused then the last.
Not once did Richard kiss Kori on her lips. He kissed her cheeks, forehead and her hand but never once on her lips. There was this one time when Kori thought he was going to kiss her. Richard had been leaning in closer to her and was inches away from her lips.
But fate can be cruel and unusual.
Just as he was about to kiss her they had been interrupted. Richard had rented a small boat and they were riding in said boat across the pond. The boat tipped over causing them both to fall into the freezing water. And thus, the almost kiss was ruined.
And that wasn't the only problem that they came across.
Richard's many fan-girls and Kitten Moth had proved to be a problem as well as Xavier Redd. The fan-girls and Kitten would throw themselves at Richard when ever they had the chance to. Kitten would go that extra length and push herself against Richard. And although Kori wanted to rip the girl's eyes out, she couldn't. She had no right to. Her and Richard weren't dating officially. They weren't boyfriend and girlfriend.
Kori wasn't the only one with these conflicting emotions.
Richard had yet to discover if he loved Kori but he did care about her, more then he's ever had any other girl. He just wanted to do things right with her and threat her right.
But sometimes it was hard to do that with Xavier hanging over her shoulder. It came to Xavier's attention that he was losing the bet so now he tried everything he could to be closer to Kori. Many attempts had failed but there were a few that succeeded, making Richard one unhappy camper in the process.
So, Richard decided to voice his feelings to Roy and Xavier as they all sat in his living room. Richard decided to play it cool and act calm and collected.
"You bastard! I saw you today at lunch. What were you doing with your hands all over Kori like that?"
So much for cool, calm and collected.
"It's called a hug and I have every right to hug her." Xavier shot back. "We're still in on this bet jackass!"
Roy decided to intervene before a fight broke out, "Will you both shut up and sit down!"
They did as they were told to, reluctantly and quietly.
Roy sighed with relief, glad he finally got them to stop, "I don't get you two at all. You both act like idiots."
"I'm not the idiot here. Richard's the idiot!" Xavier yelled, pointing a finger at said idiot. "He's acting like Kori is his girlfriend or something."
Something inside Richard clicked when Xavier said this. Him and Kori weren't boyfriend and girlfriend... yet. Richard smirked. He would just have to fix this little dilemma.
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The weekend had finally arrived and Richard had met up with Kori, Roy, Donna, Victor, Karen, Garfield and Rachel at the mall. It was just a typical day at the mall between friends. So far the group had already eaten at the food court but as of right now, the boys had split up from the girls, heading off in opposite directions. The boys headed off to the arcade and as soon as Garfield and Victor stepped in they were lost in their own world of video games. Roy and Richard took this time to wander around the arcade and try their luck at a few games. During this time they also began a conversation.
"So..." Richard began absently. "What's the real reason why Xavier didn't want to come with us today?"
"He had a date." Roy said through gritted teeth as he tried to win at the claw machine for the tenth time.
Richard rose a brow, "With who?" Richard was a bit surprised at this information. He would have thought Xavier would have come to the mall with him and the others so he could be closer to Kori.
"Some girl named Tara." Roy said, finally giving up on the claw machine. "They were supposed to have a meeting under the sheets if you get my drift."
"Is he allowed to do that?" Richard asked. "I mean, with the bet and all..."
"It's allowed. If you want you can go off and get a girl right now. I'll cover for you."
"No thanks."
"What's the matter, Richard?" Roy asked while he playfully nudged his friend in the ribs. "I haven't seen the playboy side of you in like.. ever."
"Uh... it's complicated to explain." Richard said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, whatever you gotta say, just say it." Roy said. "I promise I won't say a thing to Xavier or the others."
"Alright." Richard paused and looked around, making sure no one was watching him and Roy. Richard turned to Roy and kept his voice low. "I think I may be in love with Kori."
Roy blinked and a wide smile spread on his face. Then... he burst out laughing. Roy slapped his knee and clutched his stomach. He was laughing so hard that tears spilled from his eyes. Richard rolled his eyes. He would have suspected teasing but this was just ridiculous. He hadn't expected his friend to laugh at his confession.
"Would you shut the hell up!" Richard yelled, glaring at his carrot-top friend.
Roy took a few minutes to compose himself and he patted Richard's back, "Man that was funny. I never knew you could pull of humor." Roy said with a smile on his face. "I mean, you, Richard Grayson and the word lover. Hilarious."
"Yeah... hilarious.": Richard couldn't believe it. He confessed his feelings and Roy didn't believe him. Roy thought that Richard was joking. Richard sighed, so much for getting advice.
"Oh man, I hate these things." Roy said, kicking the claw machine. "I can never win at them."
"Huh?" Richard wasn't even paying attention to Roy. He had missed his friends failed attempt at winning. "Move over and let me try."
Roy stepped to the side, "As your friend I should advise you that this game is impossible to beat and--"
"Done." Richard said suddenly, holding up a stuff animal. It was a green frog with a crown on it's head.
"How'd you do that?" Roy asked, still astonished by Richard's win.
Richard shrugged indifferently, "It was easy. You kind of loosened it up for me."
Roy rolled his eyes.
"Dudes, there you are." Garfield said with a wide smile on his face as he joined Richard and Roy with Victor by his side.
"You guys need anything?" Richard asked.
"Nah, but don't you think we should be meeting up with the girls by now?" Victor asked.
"Yeah, I wanna see Wicked Scary 5 already." Garfield said.
"Wicked Scary 5." Roy said with interest. "I forgot about that. Let's hurry up and get the girls."
"Ok, just one question though." Richard said. "Where did the girls go?"
Roy and Garfield had blank faces. They had no idea.
"Relax." Victor said indifferently. "This is why man made cell phones."
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Kori moved to another rack of clothes with a content expression on her face. She had been a bit worried about meeting Donna but all her worries were washed away when the two started talking and they instantly became friends. As of right now the girls were looking through one of the many stores the mall had to offer. Kori, Karen and Donna had a hard time dragging Rachel into the store but they eventually prevailed and thus the mall of shopping adventure began. Though that may have been exaggerating. It was really just a way to blow off time before the girls had to go meet the boys.
As Kori wandered from rack to rack she couldn't help but wonder what Richard was doing right now. Was he having fun? Or was he bored? Maybe tired? Kori couldn't stop thinking about him. Cupid had released his arrow and she was hit. Kori had fallen head over heels in love with Richard. Now all she had to do was tell him... But that time was very, very, far away. But...
It he confessed that he felt the same way she would gladly admit her feelings. Though that wasn't likely. Besides the dates Kori had no idea where she stood in the world of Richard. Kori sighed, relationships were hard.
"Need to talk?"
Kori turned around and there stood Rachel. Kori nodded her head, "Some assistance would be most appreciated."
"Well..." Rachel waved her hand as a sign for Kori to speak.
"Oh! I require assistance when it comes to Richard."
"What about Richard?" Karen asked, suddenly popping up.
"Who needs relationship advice?" Donna asked, appearing as well.
"Um..." Kori bit her lip. "I was just wondering where I stood when it comes to Richard. We are not officially dating and we have not yet kiss--"
"What?" Donna was beyond surprised at this piece of information.
"Back up a minute." Karen said. "You and Richard haven't kissed yet?"
"It's the twilight zone." Rachel muttered.
"I do not understand." Kori said, clearly confused. "Why does this come as a shock to you all?"
"Remember how we told you Richard is a playboy." Rachel said. Kori nodded her head and she continued. "Well, it's not natural for a playboy to not kiss a girl they have been on a date with."
"Maybe it's friends with benefits." Said Donna.
"No." Karen said, her hand on her chin in thought. "I don't think it's that..."
"Friends with benefits?" Kori rose a brow.
"Maybe he truly admires his relationship with Kori."
Rachel snorted, "I doubt that."
Karen crossed her arms, "You're one to talk. You kept your relationship with Garfield a secret. Doesn't mean it's not meaningful."
"Pardon me, secret relationship?" Donna asked, cutting in. "Do tell me the dirty details."
Rachel glared, "There are no dirty details!"
"Oh please." Karen said with an all knowing look. "There has to be some dirty details or why all the secrets."
"Dirty details?" Kori found herself lost in the conversation."
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Karen."
"And this is why I watch soap operas."
"Oh, what's your favorite one?"
"STOP!"
All eyes turned towards Kori in shock. Not once have they ever heard her blow up like that.
"I would like to save the details that are dirty and benefits of friends for another time but I truly need help with my problem with Richard." Kori said all in one breath.
"We're sorry, Kori." Said Karen. "We got caught up in the conversation."
"So, what do you need help with." Donna asked.
"I wish to know if Richard truly likes me as more than a friend."
"I can answer that for you. The answer is no."
All eyes turned to the side. Standing there was none other than Kitten in all her pink and bitchy glory. She had a wicked grin on her face as she glared at the small group of girls in front of her.
"What do you want, Kitten?" Rachel asked, glaring at the blonde before her.
"Can it, Roth." Kitten said. "I was just answering a question." Kitten looked at Kori, "What's your name?"
"Kori Anders."
"Well, Kori, you see, Richard could never like you because he likes me. So whatever crush you have on him now is best to be forgotten."
"You're one to talk, Kitten." Karen said. "Richard has rejected you one to many times. You haven't a chance with him."
"That's because he hasn't realized his love for me." Kitten shot back. "And if I don't have a chance with him what makes you think your little friend here does? She's just the new girl with the pretty face."
With that said Kitten walked away. All eyes went to Kori who was looking at the ground. A tear hit the ground and a sob emitted from the red-head.
"Kori, don't listen to Kitten." Karen said, wrapping an arm around Kori's shoulders.
"Yeah, she's just being a bitch." Said Rachel. "As always."
"But what is she is right?" Kori asked as she brushed the tears away from her eyes. "What if Richard doesn't like me?"
"Of course he does." Donna said. "Richard's never been this way with a girl before. You must be special to him."
A small smile formed on Kori's lips, "Really?"
Donna smiled and gave a thumbs up, "Really."
"Well, now since that's settled, come on." Rachel said. "We have to go meet the boys."
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Victor had called the girls and told them to meet up with him and the guys at the front of the water fountain. The water fountain was directly in the middle of the lobby of the mall. By the time the girls arrived they found the boys already waiting. Upon seeing Donna, Roy instantly went to her side and kissed her passionately on the lips. Victor kissed Karen on the cheek and they were lost in their own little world after that. Garfield wrapped and arm around Rachel and gave her a quick kiss, knowing she didn't like to publicly show affection in front of a lot of people.
During this time Kori kept her eyes on the ground. She couldn't help but be a bit envious of her friends. All of them in such a happy and heathy relationships while she was stuck in just the occasional date zone with Richard.
"Oh, Kori?"
Kori turned her head to the side, "Yes, Richard?"
"I, uh... got this for you." Richard held out the green stuff animal frog to her and his cheeks turned red.
Kori smiled and accepted his gift, "Thank you, Richard. I love it."
"Aww, isn't that cute." Garfield teased.
Rachel rolled her eyes and fought the urge to slap her boyfriend, "Shut up, Garfield."
"C'mon guys." Karen said. "We have to go if we want to catch that movie."
"Uh, you guys go ahead. I have to speak with, Kori." Richard said. "Alone."
Roy wiggled his eyebrows, "Okay but make it quick. You wouldn't want to miss the movie now, would you?"
Donna rolled her eyes and pulled Roy by his shirt as they walked along side Victor, Karen, Rachel and Garfield. Richard waited until they were out of earshot before turning to Kori.
"Hi." He said sheepishly.
"Greetings."
"Uh, Kori... I wanted to talk to you about something--well, more like ask you something." Richard cursed himself for being nervous. Only Kori had that type of effect on him.
"Go ahead, Richard." Kori said. "I am an ear."
"Actually that's 'I'm all ears'."
Kori colored and looked away, "Sorry."
"No, that's okay. I think it's cute..." Richard colored. "I said that out loud didn't I?"
Kori giggled and nodded, "Please, what is it that you needed to ask of me?"
Richard sighed deeply, "I'm just gonna get straight to the point..." Richard looked into Kori's eyes and felt like he could melt. "Willyoubemygirlfriend?"
Kori blinked and rose a brow, "I do not understand."
"Kori... will you be my girlfriend?"
Kori was literally speechless. She was waiting for the day when Richard would ask her this question. Kori concluded that this meant he truly did like her. She was in such a state of bliss that she didn't even notice the stares of the people around her.
"Kori... I kind of need and answer here." Richard said with a small smile.
He was praying she said yes. Richard truly did like her. Not only because of her good looks but her personality as well. He wasn't even thinking about the bet when he popped the question to her. All he cared about was her. The bet didn't even matter right now. All that mattered to him was Kori.
"Yes.
"Yes?"
"Yes." Kori said. "I would love to be your girlfriend."
The crowd muttered an 'aww' except for one person. Kitten Moth was fuming as she stomped away. Little did Kori and Richard know their friends were also watching.
"Kiss!" Donna yelled. Eyes turned towards her and she shrugged. "What? I like romance."
Donna was loud enough for both Richard and Kori to hear her. Richard blushed at Kori but grinned at the same time. He shrugged and smiled at her. Richard wrapped his arms around Kori and pushed his lips on to hers in a sweet and gentle kiss. Both of them couldn't be happier at the moment.
Victor grinned and crossed his arms, "Well it's about time."
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