Disclaimer: I don't own anything mentioned below.

"Korina? Wake up, my bumgorf. It is time to return home."

She hadn't really been sleeping, but pretended, so no one would worry past the point that they already did. Slowly, she climbed out of the hospital bed, wincing at the contact on the ice cold floor with her bare feet. She hadn't stood up in days.

Galfore ushered her into a wheelchair and bundled her in at least five layers. The nurse carted her out of the hospital and into Galfore's car. "I am sure you will be pleased with the arrangements made in your room."

"Arrangements?"

"You will see."

Kori buckled in her seat belt, and they began a silent ride back home. Galfore knew something was off, but fiddled around with the radio dial instead of addressing it. His wife would be better at that. Still, Galfore's cursing at the 'strange American music' definitely helped lighten Kori's mood, even if it only was a slight amount.

"SURPRISE!"

As soon as Kori flipped on the light in the dark house, nearly all of her friends jumped out from behind couches and tables and chairs. A huge banner had been set up, "WELCOME HOME, KORI!" Balloons were everywhere, and there was a cake, too. It was like a birthday party.

Only, Kori didn't feel like partying.

"W-what?" she started, less-than-eloquently.

"We're glad to see you out of the hospital, girl!" Karen declared. "Everything's so serious, it's nice to have a party every once in a while, isn't it?" Vic, Gar, Roy, Wally, Alan, Jenny, Angelina, and Rachel (sort of) agreed vociferously.

"Oh...oh wow..." Kori forced a smile. "Thanks, you guys."

"You don't look so good. Are you sure you're okay?" Vic asked, concerned. Gar gave her a closer inspection, but Kori pulled back.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry, but after sleeping for so long, I'm not feeling the greatest, it'll take some getting used to..." she lied. "Do you mind if I grab a quick shower?"

When she stepped out, though, Karen, Rachel, Jenny, and Angelina were waiting in her room. "Hey. Listen, I tried calling Dick up, but...you wanna tell me why he's making up lame excuses not to be here?" Karen asked.

"Nothing's wrong, everything's fine!" Kori said as brightly as she could manage. Obviously, it didn't work out so well, because even Rachel didn't shake her head in disgust at the happy-bubbly-ness. With more prodding on their part, the story came out. And it didn't make Kori feel any better when she told it.

"I don't get it," Rachel said when she finished.

"What don't you get?" Kori asked quietly, not liking the angry look Rachel was giving her.

"Dick gives you a perfectly good chance to get back together and you blow it?"

Kori was hurt. More than that. How could Rachel not understand? Karen, though, saved her from explaining. "What do you mean, perfectly good chance? In case you haven't noticed, Kori's going through just a little bit of a hard time right now. And Dick comes in, hold on, he's IN a relationship, and he cheats on that girl just like he did to Kori last summer. Do you think she's going to stand for that? How would you feel, ready to go back to some guy who's cheated on nearly every single girlfriend he's had?"

"Confused," Rachel answered, but Karen wasn't done ranting.

"Dick's my friend, sure, but he can be such a...a..." Karen could not find a word bad enough. "You know what I mean. So frustrating! You'd think by now he'd get some brains and use them!"

"Richard Grayson to the principal's office, please," called a voice over the intercom that morning. Mr. Plasmus was snoring, so Richard just left. He hated that office. Slade Wilson, the principal, used to scare Kori half to death, he remembered. But that just got him angry, so he stopped remembering.

"Mr. Grayson. I'm afraid I cannot say it is a pleasure to meet you again," came Slade's deadly voice. Who names their kid 'Slade' anyway? Richard thought insolently.

"Same. What do you want?"

"Manners, dear boy, manners. Weather is nice, isn't it? Now, why don't you tell me why each and every one of your friends is absent today. Unexcused."

"They are?" Richard played dumb. He knew exactly where they were, but it was satisfying to taunt Slade.

The air turned icy cold. "They are. Now, it's far too much trouble for my poor secretary, so please let them know, next time you have one of your little 'get-togethers,' that they are very close to suspension...possibly expulsion...if they decide to play hookey any longer."

Richard snorted. "In case you can't keep track of your students, Kori was attacked. Of course they're going to be at her house."

"Then why aren't you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

Slade frowned, and then continued in a more businesslike voice. "Enough small talk. I called you here to offer you an opportunity--something that you most definitely do not deserve, acting as childish as you are--for a state recognition."

Richard frowned. "Come again?"

"There is a certain state meeting, with representatives from all high schools, on December third. I would like to send yourself and Miss Anders, if she has...recovered. It is a prestigious honor. There is a dinner that begins at eight o'clock--"

"Hold on a second. I never said I'm going anywhere."

Slade's eyes narrowed. "You aren't?"

"No. Definitely not to some idiotic convention. I would've joined the student council if I wanted to do that. Count me out." He stood up, ready to leave.

"Why don't you ask Miss Anders? I'm sure she'll want to--"

"How about I don't?" Richard snarled. "You can't make me do anything."

He left the office.

Sorry, nothing really happening in this chapter...or the next...but the one after that will have...well, you'll see, but there is a LOT.