Author's Note -

Goodness gracious it's been too long. I've been planning to update since before Thanksgiving Break, but since then I've been loaded up with so much school work.

I'm so sorry guys. I can't promise that I'll be back on my normal updating pace any time soon. Hopefully, I won't be loaded up with work over Winter Break, so I can put up some more chapters.

I wanted to make this chapter a little bit better than it is, but I also wanted to get something out soon so you guys didn't think I've forgotten about you.

But, besides that:

Disclaimer: Only own the plot.

So, here it goes...

Did that really just happen…?

Or am I just imagining things?

Who knew that Richard would actually come to terms with being friends, and who knew it would happen so fast?

My first civil conversation with Richard, and I'm practically skipping home with glee. I'm smiling so hard, my cheeks are aching; but I can't stop.

'It's like nothing can bring me down.'

A sudden urge comes over me to tell the world of my happiness. I fish in my pocket pull out my phone, unlocking it at a break-neck speed, and dialing the first person that comes to mind.

"Hello." A bored rasp rolls on the other line.

"Rachel." I draw out in a song. I can practically hear her exasperated sigh on the other line.

"What's got you all Mary-Poppins?" She replied sarcastically.

"If I wasn't in such a good mood, would retort back to that. But, I have amazing news to tell you!" I practically shrieked with joy.

"Talk." I could tell she was massaging her temples in agitation on the opposite end.

"Okay well…you know how Richard is always coming off to me way too strong?"

"Um." She murmured in agreement.

"Well…he wants to be my friend now!" I yell in a fit of excitement.

There was a pause on the other end for awhile. I was about to ask if she was still on the other line, when she finally decided to speak up. "…Am I missing something or…?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and halted my rapid footsteps against the pavement,"What do you mean?"

"You're happy…that he wants to be your friend? I though you liked him, as in 'I wanna be with him'..."

"Well" I started, and scuffed my shows on the pavement, "it's a start. It's much better that him trying to get in my pants every day. And, besides, I'll be able to get to know the real Richard; not his whole cool-guy façade." I spoke more directed toward myself than her.

"Is that what you're telling yourself?" She quipped.

"Uh, yeah! I mean, I don't expect him to get over me in a day; which was practically all it took to change his whole outlook on getting with me. But, I think he's doing this more for the purpose of trying a new strategy to get with me." I informed her.

"Pfft. As soon as you two get together, he'll be right back to his old ways. You're expecting too much from him, Kori." She reasoned, but I totally ignored.

"I know he's not as bad as he poses, Rach. He's been through a lot…maybe it's just his copping mechanism."

"Or maybe he's just an ass." She stated unfazed.

I groan out in frustration. "Must you always find the fault in everything and everyone?!"

"That's how I am, and always will be. Deal with it, Kori."

"Pfft. Stay like that and you'll always be single too." I muttered, knowing she would hear it.

"I'll have you know, I'm perfectly fine being single. I don't need anyone." She spoke indignantly.

I scoffed at her mentality, "Just because you don't need someone, doesn't mean you don't want someone." I start walking again, with my eyes focused on the ground, following my footsteps. "I see the way you look at Gar. You may not want to admit it, but the feelings are there."

"Gar is a hyperactive dip-shit. I have no interest in him whatsoever, Kori." She took a deep breath, composing herself. "But back to the point, we're talking about your problems Kori, not mine." If I could see her now, she'd probably glare me into another dimension.

"Tuh, whatever." There was a long pause of silence on both lines, so I decided to end the conversation, before it gets awkward. "I'll talk to you later, Ms. Roth."

"Farewell Madam." I added in a terrible British accent.

She snickered in mild laughter, "Later."

Before I even realized, I was at the drive through of my house. I look up at the two-story brick house, and see a beat up '96 Camry, parked haphazardly in the drive though. 'Guess Koma's home.'

I approached the front door, steadily and painfully slow; not wanting to speed up the inevitable.

It's been so nice having her in college, miles away from home, where she can't be everyday, where she as a matter of fact never comes anyway. 'Why is she here?'

Before I could even reason out ideas why or even open the door, it flew open with a whirlwind of black hair tossing in its gust.

Behind the mess, stood an impassive faced demon beauty.

"Hello sister…" I greeted with no excitement. 'Mood dampener times a hundred.'

"That sad to see me, huh?" She grinned shamelessly.

"You could say I'm not the happiest about it." I stated honestly, it's not like she cares anyway.

"Pfft, not like I care anyway. I just decided to stop by and get a couple things for break. I'll be staying in upstate Gotham." She gloated.

"Not like I care…" I repeated, causing her to send me a steely glare.

"If I had the time, I'd give you a "Welcome Home" ass-whopping, but I'm sort of in a rush, so…whatever." She slammed the door, and locked it in my face.

I sigh and dig in my bag for my keys. 'Was that really necessary?'

When I finally was able to unlock and open the door, I was quickly shoved out of the way by none other than Koma Anders.

She hastily walked to her car door, and didn't even mutter an apology or at least a farewell; but it's not like I really expected her to.

I slam the door, and relax on its cool metal frame for a moment. 'I need a nap." I think, while I groggily force myself into a full stance. Before I could turn towards the staircase, my stomach spoke to me; asking for a quick snack. 'But first, I need to eat.'

Once I headed into the kitchen, I spot my mother and father sitting at the dining table talking softly, while my brother watches a loud superhero cartoon in the living room.

"Oh, hello honey. How was school?" My mom asks casually as she looks up from her half eaten sub.

"It was nice." I say as prance to the cabinets, searching for my hidden pack of Double Stuffed Oreos. "It would have been nicer if I came home, and didn't spot a wild level 21 Komina Anders."

My father snickers as he takes a bite out of his BLT, "I would say it was an unwelcomed intrusion, but I can't with the fact that she still has a house key."

I roll my eyes while my face is still hidden in the cabinet, searching for my delicious obsession; that and Tamaranean Mustered Crackers. 'Mmm, yum.'

I spot my half eaten carton of cookies, thrown in a disheveled mess behind a pack oatmeal and belgof mix. 'Someone's been eating my food.' I seethed internally, and glare at the scene before me.

"Do any of you know who's been eating my Oreos?" I ask as I turn to my parents with the package tucked under my arm.

They don't even look up at me, acknowledging my question. I look over to the only other culprit, to find my brother getting off the couch, ready to bolt upstairs to his safe zone.

Before I could even comprehend what was happening, my hands hurl a Oreo directly at his head, hitting him dead on, stumbling him in his getaway.

"OW!" He yells as he rubs his head, halfway to the staircase.

"That's what you get, Clorbag!" I say angrily while shaking my pack of Oreos like a madman.

I look back at my parents, seeing them shake their heads in agreement, "Children" they mutter in unison.

I give a mild smile, then head upstairs, with the only things on my mind being food, sleep, and Richard.