Chapter Eleven: Help Me Understand

"This isn't awkward." Vic said, pulling into a small parking lot before a small diner. The drive from the Manor to here was one spent in silence, silence in which Vic only allowed to pursue at the obvious display of frustration Kori remained in. It must have been far to clear that Kori was not in the mood for talking for even Karen remained in silence. Clearing his throat he pulled the key from the ignition and looked to Kori with a heavy sigh. "Whats wrong?"

"Nothing." Which of course wasn't so. In truth she had a wonderful morning, a morning that was instantly destroyed the moment they passed the Manor threshold to behold a sea of glares narrowed on them. She couldn't understand it... she was happy so why was everyone so hellbent on making her feel guilty for who it was who made her happy?

Now, it may not have even remotely been a believable reply but at the same time it was obvious to Vic that she hadn't even attempted to cover up her far too clear irritation this morning. He followed her into the diner and sat across her, his eyes narrowing as she hid beneath a large menu trying to avoid any conversation.

"Kor..."

No reply.

"Kori..."

Still nothing. What could possibly be bothering her? If it was Richard, Vic would have no issue in driving back to the Manor if only to extend his disapproval with any insinuated altercation the two could have had; of course it would be less of an argument and more of a physical explanation of violence, but he had decided to give Kori the chance to prove his assumptions wrong.

"Kori Anders... you answer me little lady!" He demanded firmly, both Karen and Kori jumping at the volume of his voice. With this Kori released the menu to the table, cowering before Vic's intimidating gaze.

"Yes Vic?" She said lifelessly.

"I'm not even going to ask why you and Richard were together this morning because I have been very clear that you should stay away from him but..."

"And I have made it very clear that we are friends." Which was true, she wasn't lying per say. I mean sure they were slightly more than friends but that didn't meant their friendship just came to a halt as a result of more intimate altercations. In the end, she knew what he was getting at and while she wasn't technically being dishonest, she was withholding obvious truths.

"Fine," He replied, unconvinced. "... so what's bothering you?"

Kori sighed, her finger tracing the small pattern of the tablecloth beneath her hand now, suddenly feeling like a child being scolded by a very aggravated parent. "I don't know. Nothing I guess."

Annoyed, frustrated, angry, saddened,... which ever adjective suits best, it didn't matter, at some point they were all an insight to how Vic was feeling right now. "Kori... what happened to us?"

With this Kori's mind went blank. This was entirely unexpected. "What? What do you mean?"

Vic's sigh only amplified the obvious discomfort he felt. The sight of how bothered he was as of now only plummeted Kori's emotions into further confusion. "I ... you and I... we used to be able to talk to each other about everything... anything, and now..." He shook his head. "I feel like I don't know you."

Kori swallowed hard. He was right, she may have been gone a long time, may have changed but that in no way meant she was willing to allow her friendship with Vic, the closeness they once shared, to become nothing more than a memory, and the lack of effort she had put in trying to rebuild said friendship was burying her in guilt. "I'm ... I'm so sorry. Vic, this ... this is my fault. I..."

He waved a hand in front of her dismissively, causing her to fall silent. "I'm not trying to play the blame game. I just want my best friend back." The helpless shrug he gave her was enough to make her want to cry but she held back. "I miss you Kor."

She lowered her head into her hands, her breathing shaken. "I know. I miss you too Vic."

"Uh... I'm gonna go to the bathroom." Karen whispered awkwardly, excusing herself and giving them the space they needed in this conversation.

"All I'm asking..." Vic continued, his voice soft. "... is that you let me be here for you. I can tell somethings bothering you and I hate the fact that I can't tell what it is, but I can't help if you don't tell me."

Kori hesitated, their eyes meeting in silence. Inhaling deeply, and after a long moment of contemplation Kori said, "Fine... but if I tell you this you have to promise to keep it between us."

"Of course I ..."

"I'm serious Vic." Kori interrupted with an immense amount of vitality ringing in her voice. "You want to claim that best friend card again then I need you to be my best friend again. If I tell you this you have to stick by my side, no judgement, no anger, just helpful responses."

Vic hesitated, a part of him knew where this was going, knew it had something to do with Richard, and while he wasn't happy about it, he was certain she needed him in this moment. "Lets hear it."

Kori bit at the bottom of her lip, the words she was about to say were a struggle to muster against Vic's narrowed gaze, even his posture resembled that of judgmental anticipation. "I sort of... I'm kind of... I kissed Richard."

Vic paused. He already knew that, everyone already knew that. So why would it bother her? Or him for that matter? He gave off a relieved chuckle. "Yea, but everyone already forgot about it so..."

"No..." Kori said, her gaze fixated on the table now. "I mean, I kissed him again,..." Noticing the tense broadening of his shoulders she began to rush her words, her tone almost in a squeal of a pitch. "I've actually kissed him a lot more than just a handful of times and,..." she swallowed hard, her eyes averted still. She figured, what the hell,... why not just get all of this off her chest? Sure, she would talk to Komi about it later but a headstone doesn't exactly give great advice and she was nonetheless desperate for an alternate perspective of her situation with Richard. "I slept with him last night and..."

"What?" Vic shouted, no amount of rage being held back.

Kori paused, replaying her last words in her mind before she broke into laughter. "No... I mean I slept beside him, ... in his bed..." she continued to elaborate as Vic refused to calm, that vein in his neck pulsating violently. "... we didn't have sex."

There was an awkward silence. Vic was trying to think of anything that could calm the anger he felt right now, the presence of Kori innocently sipping at her orange juice before her not helping matters. He was enraged that she would go against his warnings to remain as far from being intimate with Richard as possible but he knew she was taking a risk telling him what took place between them and was giving his all to try to calm himself; regardless of how upset he was with her right now.

His teeth were clenched in a tight lockjaw of sorts as his words cracked through them slowly. "Why?"

His judgmental scowl was far too much for her to handle, so she made the decision to not hold back in her feelings. Her theory was this... perhaps if she revealed the depth of how she truly felt about Richard, Vic would suddenly, hopefully, understand. Doubtful, but worth a try.

She licked at her lips nervously, then said, "I like him." He exhaled curtly, the act deflected by Kori with a giggle. "He makes me happy Vic."

"That's what he does. But how long will it last Kori?"

She paused taking a true amount of time to assess his question, then with a shrug she smiled. Her voice became uneven and dazed, as though the words she spoke weren't just for Vic's ears but also her own; she needed to believe it as well. "As long as it does."

"What?" That was entirely unexpected. He had hoped his words would convince her to back off of Richard. The mere fact she was being so careless about potentially being hurt by him was not a comforting one. He exhaled slowly, his anger thrust aside as he stared into her glittering eyes; she seemed to be content with the fact that her feelings for Richard were only momentary and that was something he didn't want for her. "Kor,... you can't be happy knowing he'd only hurt you. Help me understand where you're coming from."

Her shoulders raised in a lingering shrug, her eyes lowered against the table as her mind began to wander back to Richard, speaking more to herself then Vic now; a dreamy tone at her play of words. "I don't know ... he just, ... he makes everything better." A small laugh released from her and she lifted a hand over her smiling lips. "I mean, when I lost Komi everything felt really dark, depressing, and it didn't feel like I only lost her, I felt the weight of my parents deaths twice over. It was... I... I was lost and I wasn't sure I wanted to be found but when I'm around him, everything changes... Vic... I don't even think about that stuff; all the negativity." The intensity of the utter release she felt at this moment, being able to express how she felt, even if it was just in words, whether Vic could relate to them or not, it made her emotional. It felt as though an insufferable weight was being lifted off her shoulders. She rolled her eyes to herself mid laugh at the realization of the brimming tears that coated her vision, spawned from nothing more than happiness and peace of mind which had avoided her life for what seemed like so long now. "I'm not sad anymore. The pain doesn't ever really go away, but it fades when I'm with him." She looked to Vic now, a small sniffle invading her laugh. "He makes me smile,...laugh... happy." Separating herself from her thoughts now and tuning into the hesitant gaze of Vic's large brown eyes, she swallowed hard; that guilty feeling setting in once more. "Can't that be enough for any of you?"

He remained silent for a moment. He wished things could be that easy; that he could just ignore that gut feeling in his stomach that this wouldn't end well but he knew better. He had seen Kori when loss occurred, when something important in her life was stripped from her fingers and it was anything but easy to witness; especially a best friend on the sidelines. "And what will happen when he hurts you?"

Her lips scrunched in an awkward purse. To even consider this gave life to a far to intense sharpness of pain within her. "I don't know... " Her hands began to tremble as she began to fidget them within her lap." ... and I don't care. I can't think about that because it distracts from the now; distracts the feelings he gives me now." She gave off an exasperated laughed, hating that she had to justify her choices to anyone. "I'm happy with him and even though he... even if he were to..." she shook her head. " ... it shouldn't matter why I spend my time with him or why I'm interested in him. As my best friend all that should matter is that it is my choice to do so."

Vic remained quiet, his mind striving for any solution that could convince her to reconsider. Then, as he glanced up at her again, finding nothing more than her happiness shining back at him, he gave a reluctant nod. "Alright."

Kori's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Alright?"

His chest raised in a heavy sigh, a hand running over his bald head. "Alright Kor,... I don't like it, but I'm not going to judge your actions. You're right, you can do what you want."

"And..." Kori said nervously.

Vic shook his head with a heavy sigh, his hands out at his sides in defeat. "And... I wont breathe a word of this to anyone." Directing a stern finger at her, he smiled. "Mainly because Rachel would kill you... and Spike."

"Spike?" Kori asked curiously, her head tilted to the side.

Vic laughed and forcing the pitch of his voice into a high, more taunting manner, his fingers making quotation marks as he said, "Richard."

Kori erupted into elated giggles now, Vic eventually joining her.

"I'm just saying to be careful. Dick is... "

"Your friend." She reminded him.

He gave a reluctant nod. "Definitely. I mean, I love him like a brother but... if he ever hurts you I wont hesitate to..."

"I don't want to know." She exhaled heavily, suddenly feeling more at ease with her situation. "I just... I want you to know that he's not as horrible as all of you make him out to be. And... and I... I can't believe that he would ever hurt me; not intentionally anyway." She blushed, noticing her phone vibrate against the table, a bold font RICHARD staring back at her. Quickly silencing the phone, she smiled back at Vic. "I promise that you and I are going to have a lot more fun. I think its safe to say I've been a tad distracted lately."

"Tomorrow's Christmas Eve." His brows danced mischievously.

"You know what that means." Karen said with a giggle as she returned to the table.

A true chuckle sounded from Vic now as he nodded. "So are you going to invite anyone to join in on our traditions tomorrow?"

Kori hesitated. To be honest she wasn't sure what Richard was to her. He was more than a friend but there was really no way to tell if they were actually boyfriend status yet. Thrusting this thought aside, she smiled. "I don't know if anyone could handle seeing that."

He shrugged. "You never know."

Kori smiled, the happiness she felt in this moment never more enjoyable. Having Vic back, really having him back, it was a soothing, healing instant between friends.

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Rachel. Richard. Silence. Glares. Silent accusations. Tension heavy in the air. It was long since everyone had departed from the Manor and Richard had spent a few hours before having to be at work just relaxing. It would take one phone call that could ruin his entire day, and it was Rachel who was responsible for this.

Apparently, a little birdy, to whom he was assuming went by the name of Roy Harper, had gladly informed Rachel of the incident this morning when Kori and himself were found wandering into the Manor alone. To be clear, he was certain it was obvious to everyone that things between him and Kori had progressed but he just couldn't understand why it was anyone else's concern. Either way, Rachel was far beyond upset and after a lengthy monologue of how disappointed she was in him the only thing that had caught his attention was the fact that Rachel had offered up the information that she, as well as Karen and probably everyone else he considered a close friend had been conspiring against him behind his back in hopes of getting Kori to think of him as nothing more than an untrustworthy playboy; something he hadn't been in a very long time.

As of now he sat in a small room within the hospital at a small table, across from Rachel. If it had been for any other reason he was certain he would have merely stood her up, just as she would have done the same to him in the fit of rage they were both feeling, but Richard was anxious to pry every bit of detail Rachel had spouted off to Kori in relation to him. Which was perfect because it just so happened Rachel's eyes burning with suspicion. Learning of Kori and Richard's private getaway this morning was something she was trying her hardest not to lash out at until she had the full story, and yet here they were, neither one willing to spark conversation first; both feeling far too frustrated.

You see, the difficult part about this situation was that Richard and Rachel were far too much alike for arguments of this relation to end on a good note, and they both knew this which is why suppressed amounts of anger were being stifled back as of now. The reality of the situation was this: they were both too stubborn, temperamental, and had a very ridiculous habit of avoiding announcing direct questions and resulted to merely dancing around the subject in riddle type traps of conversation, trying to get the other to fall, slip up, and reveal more information they would have liked. Confusing? Definitely, so lets see where this goes...

As of now Rachel sat on one side of the table which was otherwise empty aside from Richard who resided across from her and a fellow coworker at the other end of the table sitting quietly and trying to ignore their conversation all together. The mere darkened gazes that narrowed over one another's was enough to confirm the obvious tension between them but neither would draw attention to it directly.

It would be Rachel who spoke first, which could only mean she was far too anxious to assert her anger by other means. "Bruce wanted me to ask if you will be attending the celebration downtown tomorrow? He wanted me to stress the fact that it is a family event and while you are expected to be there, he would appreciate a confirmation."

"Yes..." Richard said blandly. "I'll try to make an appearance. " His eyes narrowed over Rachel. "...what about you Rachel?" He shrugged. "We all know how much you can't wait to take a turn at supporting family."

Rachel's brow arched at his misleading stab at her; the lack of sarcasm that was missing did not go unacknowledged by her who knew exactly what he was doing. He would be a fool to think she hadn't realized the outraged attitude he had given her earlier on the phone when she said she had practically 'pushed him under the bus' where Kori was concerned. It was true though, she would do anything to keep them apart. Crazy? Rude? Well, she had her reasons, whether we understand it yet or not is merely a method of patience inflicted upon us for what most would refer to as ... dramatic effect.

"I'm on call Dick, so no I wont be attending, but I'm sure you can find a way to survive without me there." She paused, looking to her coworker who was scrunched within her seat slightly hoping to go unnoticed. "This is a holiday event." It was more of a rhetorical statement, the nervous girl only acknowledged for dramatics; not for her to actually respond to. Rachel looked back to Richard, her words screeching passed her lips in a testing tone. "One meant for family to acknowledge how thankful they are to have one another and how much they appreciate them."

Great counter, but he wasn't going to give in to her just yet. He knew why she was upset with him, her words dancing around the fact that she nonetheless was waiting for him to confirm a relationship with Kori in the making, but he wouldn't give in; not that easy. No, he was more focused on getting the answers he wanted about what Rachel had said behind his back to Kori. A childish game between cousins... but never more a severely important argument; this is how they expressed themselves to one another without actually voicing the fact that each had hurt the others feelings.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Which would only make sense that you aren't going to be there." His azure gaze darkened. "You always did have your own agenda."

She gave off a sarcastic laugh, this game becoming far too much fun for her now; this conversation was more her territory then the ridiculous exchange of words she endured on most occasions with the pathetic subjects of the world. "Which makes me question why you would attend such an event. We all know how little you care for other people's concerns."

"I wonder how you can come to any assumption of my current personality or view points when you are busy sparking far too much interest of my past. It's a wonder I ever managed to become something other than what your memory serves as my personality especially when your far too concerned with keeping those references intact and never forgotten by anyone."

Rachel rolled her eyes. He never seemed more pathetic to her right now, concerned about himself and his reputation that he cared so much about. "Perhaps if you didn't enter into situations that deserve to draw to such recollections of your past then maybe people wouldn't feel inclined to revive them."

The amount of frustration he felt now was making it harder to hold back his anger. In the end, it shouldn't have mattered who he had taken an interest in, in his opinion, Rachel was his cousin, his family, and should otherwise have been on his side, not against him. "And what would, in your opinion, justify the perfect time for me to move on, grow as a person, become anything other then what my lingering past represents in your eyes? I mean is that all you see when you see me? My reputation? A playboy? A man incapable of change, or love, or emotion?"

"What does my opinion matter? You've already made it clear its nothing more than irrelevant words in comparison to what you dub as worthy behavior." She shrugged, her fingers wrapped tightly around her fork. He could be angry all he wanted, to be honest, all she was concerned with was keeping Kori from the harm he could inflict on her heart. The sparks between Richard and Kori were hard to ignore, even for someone as emotionless as herself and yet... it couldn't happen. Why? Rachel had seen Kori consumed in the feeling of love, that isn't what concerned her, no, it was the loss that would eventually follow. Again, its been made far more apparent to everyone that there were things about Kori's past that still remained in the dark, and it was this very reason Rachel would remain firm in her stance in this argument. Kori couldn't survive the heartache she was certain Richard would cause, and if she had anything to say about it... he would never have the chance to do so. The fact that she was enraged that he continued to disrespect her word and plead to leave Kori be was something she was hardly able to keep calm about. "I mean, why even pretend that my word would have any amount of effect on the decisions you make? It's obviously not true."

"Why even ask?" He laughed, leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Apparently you are far too versed in 'my ways' for me to even contemplate a response that you could not muster for yourself."

"You're right." She looked to her coworker again who merely remained silent allowing their feud to continue. "And we are all well aware of the fact that your intentions, once decided, refuse to be altered or compromised regardless of limitations that have been set before you, even by those who are close with you."

"Close?" He shook his head, never feeling more distant from Rachel then he had in his entire life. "If you're referring to yourself then perhaps you are the one who is confused my dear cousin."

"Me? Confused?" She gave off a snort of a laugh. Richard was arrogant but this was just getting to be too much. Her defined brow curved, shaking slightly in forced back agitation. "Please, enlighten me. What have I ever done to shame your name that you haven't already done yourself?"

Richards teeth were grinding behind closed lips, his fist clenched slightly. "I'm merely drawing attention to the fact that for someone like you, who holds themselves at a close light in relation to me, being family and all, then the assumption should easily be made that you would not provoke such ongoing's of deceit where my name is mentioned and should in fact do the opposite of what you have been doing."

"That's quite a lot to ask for someone who is equally ignoring such common courtesies as respect for others opinions."

He sighed, patience for this conversation thinning ever more. "What did you tell Kori about me? And why would you even bash my name? Whether I had feelings for her or not you are suppose to be my family. I thought you were the last one I would have to worry about."

"Don't act all high and mighty Dick. You expect me to loyally represent and follow stereotypes of family members having each others backs when I have gone out of my way to stress that I don't appreciate you flirting with Kori and trying to charm her into your pants and yet here you are."

"That has nothing to do with this, you made her think I was a horrible, heartless person and..."

"Oh get over it Dick. No one gives a shit." She laughed, finding humor in his mild attempt at disputing this fact. "Besides you are a horrible, heartless person when it comes to women so I was doing nothing more than giving her an insight to what to expect from your flirting should she give in."

"You wont tell me a thing about her past but you have no problem spilling all of my bad habits just to ensure she would hate me?"

"Does she?" She inquired with a smirk.

Richard paused, eyes narrowing. "This isn't funny Rachel. What did you tell her?"

"Nothing any given magazine can't confirm." She smiled, it may sound cruel but it was too clear to her that this statement had gotten under his skin and this satisfied her rage; slightly. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in her seat now. "I told her that you're a playboy, dishonest, and... well, you're an asshole that would only hurt her."

"Oh... I see, and you find that there's nothing wrong with that?"

She shrugged. Did he really think himself immune to her attitude and anger merely because they were related? "Why not? It's not like it's stopping you from wearing her defenses down. It seems she was pretty content with you this morning."

He gave in. If he were to give her the satisfaction of realizing how bothered, no, offended, he was by her antics, it would only make things worse for himself. Standing he sighed. "Fine."

Rachel sighed, feeling suddenly prey to his intense gaze which lingered back before her in utter innocence; innocence she was beginning to feel bad for. "Fine."

"Fine." He repeated firmly.

Rolling her eyes she brought her voice to a muffle, regretting her statement before she even said it. "I suppose I shouldn't have..." She paused, Richard looking over at her now as she began to fidget uncomfortably before him. "... it wasn't fair for me to draw attention to... while very honest... truthful... and valid details of who you are and what your past entails... in the end I guess it was wrong of me to do it in spite of your advances on Kori."

"Great apology Rae... I think you're getting better." He sighed, his attention cast down to his phone once more.

"And you?"

Now this made him laugh. "I wont apologize for something I didn't do."

"You're an asshole."

He shrugged. "I would hate to disappoint the theories you have about me."

There was an intense glare shared before Rachel stepped around the table toward him as he remained confidently beside her. She directed a finger up at him violently as she spoke. "I'll say this one last time. If I find out you..."

"Yea yea no need to say it again. You'll kick my ass if you find out I'm seeing Kori." Having grown tired of the conversation he glanced at his Rolex. "You better eat your lunch before you run out of time." A chuckle sounded as she exhaled curtly. "Perhaps there's more lives you can enjoy interfering with."

There was an awkward shuffle from Rachel which instantly drew Richard from his antagonizing role and listened intently to her. "Listen so... my work schedule is pretty hectic lately so I wont see you tomorrow and I'll probably be busy catching up on sleep for the next couple days so..."

Richard paused, then gave her a brief smile. He could be mad at her all he wanted, but she was family and he loved her. "Well... Merry Christmas Rae..." He kissed her upon the head and stalked off down the hallway, his voice ringing back to her in a teasing manner."Its a shame we wont be graced with your harsh attitude and overall distaste for any shred of happiness come Christmas morning."

Rachel sighed, making her way back to the table. "Right because you've been known to be a ray of sunshine yourself, Richard..." She smiled to herself, crossing one leg over the other beneath the table. "Merry Christmas to you too, prick." As her attention returned to the food Richard had brought her she sighed. It was the shifting of her coworkers feet that drew Rachel's gaze to hers. Realizing the girl was staring back at her sympathetically she rolled her eyes. "What?"

The girls' eyes widened. "Nothing I just... are you... are you alright?"

Rachel laughed to herself, no further amount of response extended to the now utterly confused and awkward girl in the corner.

Ahh, the holidays...

It was a strange relationship, Richard and Rachel's bond was never really understood by any of their friends but it was unique to their needs and expectations, and it worked. They never really hated one another, not for too long anyhow, because aside from the arrogance, attitudes, and snarky remarks, they loved each other just like any family member would, they were just a different breed of their own little amount of crazy... very interesting if you ask me.

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"Richard?" Kori squealed, as she answered her phone.

"Uh, yea, umm..." he gave off a nervous chuckle; the reality that she was feeling just as anxious and consumed by giddy feelings at the chance to speak with him again only made this moment better. "Hey uh... I just got off work so if you give me a good half hour I can shower and then meet you back at Vic's. Sound good?"

Kori bit at her bottom lip, holding her breath in an attempt to suppress her urge to screech in excitement. She turned toward Vic who had just entered the kitchen beside her and she shook her hips slightly in a small dance of eagerness, causing him to roll his eyes in response. "Sounds... great." Her shaky, hardly composed voice managed to say before she hung up the phone. She stepped to Vic, jumping slightly. "He's coming over."

Vic shook his head at the sight of her. "Geeze Kor, what are you in high school?"

She giggled. "It sorta feels that way." She suddenly paused. "Oh my God."

"What?" He asked, immediately concerned with her expression of fear.

She looked down at her phone for the time. "I have less than a half hour before he gets here."

Narrowed eyes and an agape mouth lingered in silence, awaiting her elaboration of the catastrophe of the situation in which he wasn't seeing. "Uh... okay."

Kori rolled her eyes. "I do not have enough time to get ready." Tapping her index finger, she glanced down at her appearance. She had spent her time alone painting and her clothing as well as some parts of her skin were dabbed with scattered paint marks. "Alright... its time to go into overdrive." She ignored Vic's hysteric laughter and sighed. "When he gets here... just answer the door but don't... don't let him... just... just make sure he stays in the living room."

"Damn Kori just go get ready."

So that's what she did. Her slim figure pranced away from Vic, leaving him in hysterics at her ridiculous concerns over her appearance. Now, by the time Kori had finished getting ready she checked her phone and realized a miss text from Richard which merely explained that he would need a little more time. She rolled her eyes to herself, of course he did, she should have known that on instinct, it had to take some worthy amount of time to perfect those signature ebony spikes of his.

Shrugging off the thought with a small laugh she entered the living room, annoyed that Vic was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until the doorbell rang that her nerves had sparked ever more fiercely in her veins. Making her way to the door slowly, she inhaled deeply at the anticipation of seeing him again. It had only been a few hours but she genuinely missed him and would be lying if she denied her craving of his soft, warm lips against hers, ... oh and not to mention that with her spare time she had come up with the perfect idea for their plans tomorrow.

With excitement boiling at her cheeks in her all too predictable blush her mind had designed just for Richard, she fixed her hand on the door knob. With one last deep inhale she pulled the door open, her smile suddenly falling out of existence.

"Roy?"

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(A/N) Alright so... thank you everyone for the amazing reviews, they really do help when I need to understand if the messages I'm sending in the story are being relayed correctly so... cool. This is sorta a filler chapter but if it isn't obvious shits about to go down and for the structure of next chapter this one was necessary. So... look for the next update which should be much sooner then before. Sorry about updating late, I do what I can.