Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

"You must go back to school. You have already missed a full week!" Galfore urged Kori.

Truthfully, she was avoiding school. Going to school would mean talking to Richard again. She couldn't not meet up with him. They sat together at lunch, she had two classes with him, and then there was the slight complication that they had the same best friends. Of course, it would happen eventually, but Kori was putting it off as long as possible. She had no wish to see him, especially with a girlfriend, after whatever she had told him.

She regretted it, of course, but her decision had not changed. How mad would he be when she finally spoke with him? He was just about ready to blow his top when he left the hospital room that day. Why couldn't he understand?

"Galfore, can't I have one more day at home? Just to recuperate--"

"No. That would mean I would have to leave you home alone, and I will not, I repeat, will not--"

She was going. Whenever Galfore brought in the "I repeat, emphasis" Kori knew he would not change his mind.

This found her in homeroom at seven thirty, and thankfully, Richard was in the room down the hall. "Hey, Kori. You had us all really worried, when we found out what happened, I'm glad you're okay," Collette, a fellow senior and friend from last year's ski trip whispered as the bell rang.

"Thanks."

"You can borrow my notes for English, if you want. I already studied for the test today."

"Miss Anders?" called her teacher. Kori got up and walked to the desk. "This is from the principal." She handed Kori a creamy envelope and sent her back to her seat. Unable to contain her curiosity, Kori opened it. Inside, in elegant writing, it read,

You are cordially invited to

Mallah Hotel & Suites

To celebrate

The 1st Annual 'Representing Our Schools' Convention

Kori read down the rest of the invitation, her eyebrows disappearing into her hairline. "What is that?" Collette asked.

"Some kind of fancy invite. I don't really know..."

"I'd hate to have to go and talk to Wilson about it. Maybe you could ask someone else. You think you're the only one you got one?"

"No idea."

"Girls! Are you finished talking? When you're done, let me know so I can start teaching."

Three periods afterwards came the class Kori was dreading the most: lunch.

Fortunately, though, Richard was nowhere to be found. She sat down next to Karen, glancing around as if she was being followed. "Hey, Kori, how's it going?"

"Pretty good. I almost forgot what day it was, though, and walked into Dr. Chang's class instead of Mr. Maud's..."

"I forget odd and even days anyway," Roy shrugged.

"But still...hey, do you guys know what this is?" Kori asked, sliding the invitation on to the table. Alan frowned at it.

"Hey, did you get it in homeroom?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Dick got one of those, too, and he was pretty mad about it, for some reason. Well, he's mad about everything right now, but you know..." Alan trailed off and resumed his conversation with Wally.

Kori was shocked. Why would Richard get one of these? He wasn't exactly a star pupil. And what were the odds of the two of them getting the same invite that no one else seemed to have?

"Great," she muttered. "The one other person who has it, I can't talk to."

Fury. Anger. Fury. Anger. Before today, Richard hadn't known that there was a difference between the two. When he was furious, he felt the need to take the fury out on something...or someone. So currently, he was trying to stay angry.

How dare Slade try to tell him what to do. How dare he taunt him with whatever happened between him and Kori. How dare Kori be so confusing. How dare this idiotic, dyed-blonde freak-- "Dick! Wait up! OMG why didn't you meet me at the mall? OMG I was all alone for fifteen minutes! OMG are you mad at me? OMG are you going to break up with me? OMG--"

"Yes! Yes, for the fiftieth time, I'm breaking up with you! Now leave me alone!"

Kori just had to be so frustrating! It was all her fault! He still couldn't figure out what 'I'm not ready for a relationship yet' meant. And if his locker did not open, he was going to tear it off the wall.

Not only that, but he'd had another fight this morning, with Alfred. The poor butler had asked him what was wrong, because he seemed angry, and Richard nearly bit his head off. "Kori just got attacked, and now she won't talk to me! What do you think is wrong?"

Alfred had suggested a guidance counselor, and Richard had walked out. But now, it seemed like a good idea. Only, this wouldn't be happening if Kori hadn't decided to be so unsure at the last minute.

He was very bitter.

"Mr. Grayson?" his teacher said as soon as he entered the classroom. "You are to report to the main office and sign out for your dentist appointment."

Dentist appointment? Richard stared confusedly at her for a few seconds, but shrugged and walked out. He wasn't complaining about missing school.

Unfortunately, he couldn't just ditch. A Mercedes was waiting for him right outside the school doors. "Good afternoon, Master Richard," Alfred greeted, apparently having completely forgotten about the morning's argument. He grabbed Richard's backpack and put it in the trunk, and then filled Richard in on what was going on.

There was no dentist appointment. Bruce had decided to let Richard skip a little bit of school to go somewhere that might make Richard feel a little better. The ride was silent, as Alfred didn't want to give anything away, but Richard had a strong feeling that they were going to a shrink's office.

Surprisingly enough, though, Alfred stopped the car in Jump City International Airport. A man, his wife, and their daughter were all waiting as Alfred pulled into the parking spot. Richard's eyes widened, Bruce was right, he felt a lot better.

"Hey, Dick! We're back early!" Babs called to him.

Okay, maybe a little drama...