Voila. New chapter. So, umm...hope y'all enjoy it!
Please read and review.
Flamers and Praise welcome!
XOXOXOXOXOX
I was wearing yoga pants and my gym shirt as I came into the hallway. My hair was in a wet, messy braid, and I can't say I cared in the least. It took a thirty minute shower, followed by a sweet day dreaming of Robin to get my mood up a little bit, but I knew I was still on edge. Two and a half days left in this school year...and than only one more to go. Three hundred and sixty eight days before I could move to some place new.
That was definitely something to look into. Where I wished to attend college. Far enough away from here that I could possess a certain level of freedom...but close enough that I can be here should anything happen. I long for space from my sister's ways, but I still would like to be able to know she was okay. ...that leaves the question of Robin. I'm unsure of our relationship, but I can't help but wonder where he and I would be a year from now. It's too early to think like that, of course, but...would we still be dating? Would we still be friends? Partners? Food for thought, I suppose.
"Hey, girl!" Karen's voice pulled me from my mind. A thought for much later, as it were. Trying to clear my head, I looked to her with a light smile,
"Hey, Karen. How are you this morning?" I asked, blankly, the idea of running off to college with the boy wonder still circling swiftly...but Bee's sternly amused face cut me off dead in my mental tracks.
"You tell me. You're the one with the brand new dream boat." she teased...but she knew me too well. I still didn't want to be teased about it, but...I'm starting to like having an excuse to think about him. My superstitious self doesn't necessarily want to talk to my friends about the details at the moment, but...I believe I've safely entered 'day dreaming and hopefulness' domain. I fought not to turn red,
"Don't call him that." she smiled at me with knowing eyes,
"So it went well?" she asked me...and try as I might to hide it, the invisible flames that licked at my cheeks gave me away in an instant. Slowly, I looked her over and nodded, before throwing my head back with a silent squeal of recollection.
"It did. It really did." X'hal, 'well' would be an understatement. It was like something I would see in a movie. Perfectly cliche in the greatest way. You know, aside from being thrown out of the theatre. I fear I may be forming a deep-seeded addiction to spending time with him.
"I want details! I'm happy for you, but you've been neglecting..." but she trailed off. I was mid-amused eyebrow raise when I noticed her gaze dart behind me. Curiosity got the better of me, and I followed it. Huh...that's strange. All I see is a pair of our teachers walking down the hall? What's so crazy about that? Mrs. Kypton spotted me and waved with a smile. I was quick to return it, before Bee cut me off by yanking me back to facing her and looking me dead in the eye,
"Okay, don't be mad." ...uh oh. This couldn't-in any way-be good.
"Why?" I asked, feeling my eyes narrowing by the millisecond. She looked away from me, as if the ceiling suddenly became extremely interesting. I was ready to ask again, until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I slowly whipped around to identify whoever wanted my attention, and found Mrs. Kypton standing behind me,
"Ms. Anderson, I'm glad I caught you. After your English final, could you come to the auditorium? I still need your audition." had I been drinking, it would have been splattered across her face.
"A-audition?" I asked, trying to make sure I heard her correctly. Audition for what?
"For the talent show!" she chimed in enthusiastically. ...no. Again, I'm pretty sure I didn't hear her correctly.
"Th-the auditions were last week." I told her softly, re-checking the dates in my head to make sure I wasn't completely mistaken. She smiled at me sweetly,
"I know, but I found your sign up sheet. I must've lost it while prepping for exams. I figured I would squeeze you in during the free period." Ohhhh, no. There's a reason I've never signed up for any of the school talent shows. Awful stage fright. I get embarrassed if I'm singing at a red light with my windows up and make eye contact with someone. There's no way-I repeat-absolutely no way I could possibly get up on a stage in front of all my peers. I sighed and tried to keep a leveled attitude.
"Mrs. Kypton, I didn't-"
"You hear that, Kori? She's going to make an exception for you!" Karen cut me off, elbowing me gently with a huge toothy grin. She's been trying to get me to sing for a long time. It was more than a little obvious that she was the one who planted my false sign up sheet.
"Well, and Mr. Grayson." Mrs. Kypton chimed in again...I saw Bee's face fall,
"Oooooh..." she took a step away from me as we could mutually feel my blood begin to boil. Richard? No. No way. It was bad enough she was trying to force me into the school talent show, but my audition would be in front of Richard Grayson? That's more than enough to make me want to transfer schools. I swallowed the angry and very large lump in my throat and looked at the sweet older woman in front of me,
"No thank you, please. I-"
"I'll send for you after your exam. Good luck, dear!" before I could get another word out, she'd turned away from me and begun prancing (pretty cutely) down the hall. I was at a loss for words. She's so happy to have me involved, it's going to be excruciating to set her straight... Or...X'hal, maybe I should just run with it. How bad can it be, right? ...probably 'heart attack in front of the entire student body' bad... Wait a minute. I've still got to deal with Bee!
"Okay, now before you kill me, think of Vic." she told me, throwing her hands up defensively. I had so many emotions running through my body right now, I'm surprised my eyes weren't burning a hole through her face.
"How could you?" was all I could manage.
"Oh, it's not that bad. Don't be a drama queen. Show off your pipes, girl!" she shouted loudly enough for me glance around and make sure we hadn't attracted any witnesses. Oh, X'hal, what ever would possess her to do this? I could feel my heart ready to explode, and I hadn't even gotten to the audition itself.
"I feel I need to excuse myself before I strangle you." I told her in a faux calm voice, turning and starting away from her, trying already to piece together how I was going to get out of this damn thing without hurting Mrs. Kypton's feelings...
"You'll knock em dead, Kor!" I could hear my friend calling after me. Nope. I just kept my head down and pressed on. Arg, what am I going to do? I know I'm making a bigger deal of this than it really is. It's just high school. But my heart is pounding at the thought. I absolutely don't want to let down Mrs. Kypton, but at the same time, I really don't know if I can do this. X'hal.
I need to collect myself. I'll just have to wait until the audition. That should tell me all I need to know.
-THREE HOURS LATER-
I was sitting in class, trying to get lost in my notebook...unfortunately, my nerves were still getting the better of me. I figured my Honors English Qualifying exam would've been enough to distract me for a while, but all I can think about is standing on an empty stage with a spotlight on me. The silence of the sea of people that would be staring at me. I could feel my palms sweating now. An occasional cough in the crowd...a cliche introduction, and my music starting...urging me to join in. I felt sick...
It took a moment to pull my head out of my partial hallucination, and survey the people around me. Rachel was lost in a book of poetry. The teacher was no where to be found. Most of the students were loud and obnoxious. It's been the same all week. Yet here I am, halfway freaking out over something that hasn't even happened yet.
-knock, knock-
As if on cue, Mrs. Kypton's face appeared through the doorway,
"Ms. Anderson, may I have you in the auditorium, please?" the lump in my throat grew bigger as I tried to swallow it down. Ohhhh here we go. I stood up slowly and nodded to her, reluctant as I've ever been.
"She actually did it?" Rachel's voice stole my attention for a moment. What did she mean by that? 'She actually did it?' Was I the only one left out of this twisted little plot?
"You knew?" I asked her, slightly irritated. Suddenly, my dark friend looked like a deer in headlights. Her cheeks adopted a red tint-rare for her, to say the least, and she made a point to look at anything but me.
"Uhh, you don't wanna be late." she muttered, without glancing up. I glared at her for a moment before taking Mrs. Kypton's lead out of the classroom and down the hall. ...I felt like I was walking to a courtroom that would sentence me to something terrible. I can't remember a time I've felt this insanely nervous. Although there was a sense of debate in my head. Maybe I should just go for it. At least the audition. See if I could even make it in. You never really know...maybe it'll be good for me?
"Please take a seat, dear. Mr. Grayson should be here any moment." ...I hadn't realized we were already in the auditorium. My mind was doing back flips. And let me assure you, the thought of Richard being here did anything but help my nerves.
"I don't mean to sound rude, but must I really wait for him?" I asked, hoping she'd understand. It's no secret between faculty that he and I weren't exactly friends. I guess you form a reputation when your high school nemesis is a celebrity... She was one of the softer teachers. Maybe she'd let me slide just a little, here.
"It would make the process much easier on me, dear." was her response. Ah, great. Here comes the unintended guilt trip. I sighed,
"I-I guess I'm just...nervous." And I was speaking the truth. She seemed simply to acknowledge my comment, yet...take an encouraging-rather than sympathetic-glance my way,
"This should be good practice for you than." she said, merrily. I released an inward sigh, but decided it best to keep quiet. I wasn't getting out of this. Might as well just suck it up now, and-the sound of the door opening made me jump. I warily looked up and saw Richard coming into view, wearing a very dim frown. Well, looks like I'm not the only one not wanting to be here.
"Ah, perfect timing! Welcome Mr. Grayson. Please have a seat next to Ms. Anderson." Mrs. K instructed through a smile. His icy blue eyes cast themselves onto me, followed by a twitch of his brow.
"I'll pass." he spoke pompously, taking several steps past me and sitting on the end of the row. I couldn't help but smirk to myself. Talk about childish.
"Very well." our sweet teacher began, "Now here are the initial forms." she walked between the two of us, placing a thin packet of papers on the desks in which we sat. I glanced down to do a quick once over before returning my attention back to her.
"But before we begin the paperwork, I'd like to have you audition. You're both singing, correct?" she asked, looking back and forth between us. I was slightly surprised by this. Richard? A singer? I didn't quite picture that. It took me a brief moment to notice his eyes focused on me, but I couldn't bring myself to look back at him. Instead I nodded quietly at the question at hand and continued staring down at my feet.
"Damn. I hoped we'd see how you build yourself every morning." I heard him say. Someone certainly woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I should've come to expect something like this from him, though. A chance of all chances to poke some fun at me. I rolled my eyes and looked anywhere but at him.
"Mr. Grayson, that wasn't very nice." Mrs. Kypton scolded him, but out of the corner of my eye, I could see him shrug.
"Anyone can sing. I just think it takes a lot of work to create that." he spoke with fake enthusiasm in his voice. I still don't understand what ever gave him the idea that I'm artificial, but this isn't what I feel like dealing with right now. I could feel myself involuntarily sigh, and shook my head, waiting for the audition to press onward.
"What is it, like a paint by number?" he asked, waiting for me to give in and glance over him-which I did-offering a cocked brow and a very sarcastic expression. You know, I think this is a good sign. Perhaps it's fate that Richard is here. To unknowingly make the decision that being in this stupid talent show just isn't worth it. Slowly, I rose to my feet and looked over to my teacher,
"I'm sorry to waste your time, Mrs. Kypton, but I'm going to have to pass." I told her as monotone as I could, before turning from them both and hastily making my way out of the auditorium with my head down.
"Ms. Anderson!" I could hear her calling after me. Already, I felt guilty, but that was the last place I wanted to be right now. It feels like a 'hide in the library and get some writing done' kind of day.
XOXOX
Today just didn't seem like a good day. Between having a light shined onto Kori Anderson's true nature, and the fact that Bruce demanded I try out for the school talent show, my mood could be summed up to : SHIT. Oh, did I fail to mention? That's right. Bruce thought it would be good for my image if I participated in our end of the year 'talent bash' as the teacher's called it. I got busted a few weeks ago at a night club downtown, drinking underage as it was. Needless to say, he wasn't happy. And I refused to join any kind of programs through the school, so this was his final retort.
It might just be the most humiliating thing I've ever been forced to do. Last week I was a little less upset about it. It seemed like a great way to re-obsess all the senior girls with Dick Grayson. They all seem hooked on the 'rock star' kind of thing. But now, I've got Star. The other girls aren't even a thought. So I'm back to square one: humiliation.
I released a sigh and ran my hand through my hair. Towards the auditorium, I go. She said third period, right? Ugh. There was no part of me that wanted to do this. Maybe there was some way I could get out of it? I mean, hell. Who knows if I'd even make it? I could purposely bomb the audition. Than Bruce can't say I didn't try. Though knowing him, there's a good chance he's already paid them off.
"Hey, man. How'd it go?" Vic's voice seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Huh?" I asked blankly, looking up at him. He gave a 'yikes' kind of look,
"That bad, huh?" what is he...? Wait, backtrack. How did what go? What did I do last night? Oh, god. He's asking about my date! Man, did I blank. Christ, Dick. Recollect. Star...how did my night with Star go.
"Ah, no, my head was in another place. She's great, night went smooth." I clarified, keeping my head level. No gushing, and no shitty mood. Just level out.
"Glad to hear it, man. How'd you get home?" he asked as we walked.
"Phoned my bike." the expression he gave me was one of delightful shock.
"You can do that?" he asked, completely mesmerized. I couldn't help but smirk,
"Yeah, my Mustang does it, too." I spoke simply, somewhat dangling the words as if bait to his technologically obsessed self. He seemed in a state of absolute awe,
"Y'all really do have more money than God." he spoke, as if astounded. I have to admit, it was fun messing with him.
"Bruce does." I corrected him, waiting for the obvious rebuttal.
"Yeah, but you will." It's true. I'm the sole heir to the whole of Wayne Enterprises. The company, the billions, the title. It's still just a matter of...if I really want to accept all that or not.
"Might." I muttered softly.
"Nah, you're inheriting everything. Bruce even said so." I looked him over, but his cheeky grin just told me it wasn't the time to have that whole 'want to be my own person' speech.
"Careful, man. Might start thinking you're only friends with me for the money." I teased, instead. He threw up his hands defensively and gave me a very serious look,
"Hey, you know that ain't true." I rose a brow and waited for the rest. There was always more, when it came to Vic. "I like the cars, too." and there it was. I couldn't help but laugh,
"Can't forget the cars." he chuckled for a short moment, before his face lit up in thoughtfulness,
"Before I forget, are we still on for laking this Friday?" he asked me, hope written all over his face. I was almost insulted. We've had these plans for months.
"Do you have to ask?" he nodded through a grin,
"Are we inviting everybody, or keeping it small?" he inquired. Eh, that's a decent question. It was fun last year when we made it a free for all. That being said, it got a little more than out of hand. It's only our junior year. It's not a big one.
"I'd say just our group." he nodded in obvious relief.
"I was hoping you'd say that. Too many babes in bikinis, Karen wouln't let me outta her sight." I couldn't help but laugh. I can't even tell you how many times he got slapped last summer.
"Ah, love." I mumbled, before the bell rung loudly, putting a quick end to our conversation. I glanced over to part ways, but he had a strange look on his face,
"You'll see soon enough. It's only a matter of time til your girl gets crazy on ya." What? He's got to be insane.
"Pretty sure Star isn't like that." I spoke honestly.
"Oh, they're all like that. Trust me." he spoke sternly. I just shook my head. Starfire is nothing but genuine and amazing. But he didn't have to know. I'm fairly certain he won't be meeting her any time soon. Either way-I'm still due elsewhere and it's past time for me to excuse myself,
"I've gotta go though. Audition for the talent show." I was met with a heavy guffaw,
"You're kidding, right?" I sighed and rubbed the back of my head. This is about the reaction I expect from most of my friends,
"I wish I was. Bruce thinks it'll help redeem my image after I got caught at the club last month." he still looked extremely skeptical, looking at me with a slightly judgmental sympathetic gaze,
"Social suicide." he warned. And if I weren't Richard Grayson, that would probably be true.
"I think my reputation can handle it." I told him, receiving only a shrug,
"True. If anyone can come back from a high school talent show, it's you." I rolled my eyes for effect, but he speaks the truth,
"Hey, thanks buddy." I told him sarcastically, turning and starting away from him.
"Knock em dead." I heard him call after me, but felt no need to respond. Tis now the moment of my reckoning...high school talent show auditions. I'm already mortified. The feeling grew worse as I neared the auditorium...I just prayed no one would see me go in. I glanced around to ensure my solitude and stepped inside, walking down the aisles where I saw Mrs. Kypton looking pleased to see me, and...wouldn't you know it. Kori-fucking-Anderson. Just my luck...
"Ah, perfect timing! Welcome Mr. Grayson. Please have a seat next to Ms. Anderson." she spoke with a sweetness in her voice, but I couldn't help at look at the princess I was directed towards. I slightly rose my brow and studied her. She wouldn't even look at me. What a joke.
"I'll pass." I told her loud enough for Kori to hear, and walked past her, down to the chair furthest away from her. What the hell was she doing here, anyway? It's like I can't escape her.
"Very well." Mrs. Kypton seemed slightly disappointed with my lack of enthusiasm, "Now here are the initial forms." she made a lap between the two of us, dropping off a packet of annoying papers on the desks in front of us. Great. More work for something I don't even want to do.
"But before we begin the paperwork, I'd like to have you audition. You're both singing, correct?" she asked, glancing between us. I wanted to laugh out loud. Kori? Singing? This ought to be hilarious. I'd have to admit I was slightly surprised. Someone like her, I'd have expected more of a show than some poor attempt at karaoke. Still, I'm upset enough with her, I see this as a grand opportunity to have a little fun,
"Damn. I hoped we see how you build yourself every morning." I spoke with a dull tone to my voice, watching her from the corner of my eye. I noticed her roll her eyes, but surprisingly, there was no response from her.
"Mr. Grayson, that wasn't very nice." Mrs. Kypton snapped at me. I tried not to laugh, and offered a slight shrug. Not very nice? Ah, see, I was going for a little worse than that.
"Anyone can sing. I just think it takes a lot of work to create that." I added on, trying to give a bit more excitement to my comment this time around. She shook her head, but still remained silent. Heh, tough cookie. Nothing? No comment at all, Kor? That doesn't seem like you. Where's that temper I saw this morning? Or does that only work with figures of authority?
"What is it, like a paint by number?" I asked, turning to her. She looked me over for a moment, and I rose a brow, trying to fake some curiosity. She held my gaze for a moment before her face fell flat, and she stood up, glancing over to our teacher,
"I'm sorry to waste your time, Mrs. Kypton, but I'm going to have to pass." and with that, she turned and left. Head down, silent. Well, I take it back. That was a little more satisfying than I thought it would be.
"Ms. Anderson!" she was called after, yet responded with the slamming of the auditorium doors. I couldn't help but smirk. This was definitely better than I had expected. She had a good front, but I got to her, that's for sure. I tried not to grin too widely as I caught site of Mrs. Kypton glaring at me angrily,
"That was incredibly rude, Mr. Grayson." She scolded...I could only shrug. You wanna see rude, you should see her in her spare time "I've half a mind to eliminate you from the competition." she added. Oh, is that so?
"Fine by me." I told her, standing up and getting ready to walk right out of there. Sadly, she held her hand out to stop me and shook her head,
"I won't be that harsh with you, just learn to show some respect, Mr. Grayson." ...I growled under my breath. Respect? I think you're talking to the wrong student here. This was going to be a long period. I could tell by the smile on her face,
"Shall we begin?"
XOXOXOXOXOX
So...more of a slightly angsty filler chapter, but I'm anxious to hear what y'all thought.
Until next Tuesday.
Love y'all!