There was a soft rapping on the front door of the girls' house. Bee checked her reflection one last time, making sure her dress was laying right, that no hairs were out of place from their tight braids that were pulled together in a bun on top of her head. Her makeup, her nails…. She didn't see anything that needed her attention, so she crossed the room to open the door. Isaiah and Vic stood there, the former in a black tux and gold tie, the latter in a white tux with Kori's purple bow tie.
"Look at you! My girl's looking fire tonight," Isaiah exclaimed, pulling Bee in and planting a short kiss on her lips. When he pulled away, there was a bit of red lipstick on his mouth. Bee chuckled, using her thumb to wipe it off.
Kori was still in her room, touching up the bun at the back of her head. Bee had been kind enough to do her makeup for her, since she had no experience with it herself. She was still getting used to walking in the silver glittery strappy heels she wore on her feet, but was starting to get the hang of it. With one last glance at her reflection, she exited her bedroom.
Upon entering the living room, Bee smirked as Vic's mouth dropped open. "Wow, little lady. I'm a lucky dude to get to escort someone so beautiful to homecoming."
The compliment put a smile on Kori's face. She knew he meant it in a platonic way, but it was still nice to hear that she looked good. She wished Nightwing could see her like this. She hadn't seen him since he'd kissed her two weeks ago. But she hadn't stopped thinking about it. It took everything in her not to fly every day instead of walking from place to place. That kiss had been so perfect, and she couldn't help but wonder when she'd be able to get another. She hadn't told any of her friends about it, for fear that it had been a dream, and if she spoke about it, she'd wake up back in the Citadel's shackles.
Kori linked her arm through Vic's and allowed him to walk her out the door to his car. He opened the passenger's side door for her and she climbed into the front seat.
Gar and Terra were in the backseat, Terra's head on his shoulder. They looked like a proper couple with her silver strapless dress and his grey long-sleeve button-up and black bow tie. Their hands were laced together in Gar's lap, and he gently stroked her thumb with his own. Kori saw that he had a small smile on his face, but that it didn't reach his eyes. She wondered if he was thinking about Rachel.
Bee and Isaiah were in his Charger, which pulled out of the driveway right behind Vic, following them to the school. Kori knew better than to push any of the tempting buttons on the dash in front of her, though her fingers were itching to find out what a particularly shiny red button would do. But Vic had warned her the last time she had ridden with him with a glower on his face not to touch anything. She had a sneaking suspicion that he loved this car more than his own life.
Kori was quiet throughout the ride while Gar and Vic discussed the evening's football game. The Titans had won, with Richard scoring six touchdowns for the team. She realized she had been thinking of him less since the night of her kiss with Nightwing. The kiss that now invaded her every thought. It was the only thing on her mind even now.
Upon pulling into the parking lot, Vic got out of the car, walking around to the passenger's side to open Kori's door for her. She smiled at him as he did so, lacing her fingers in his. She could feel the cold metal of his ring against her skin, contrasting with the warmth of his hand. "I thank you for doing the escorting of me to the dance." It was the first she had spoken the whole evening.
Vic returned her smile. "I'm honored. Besides who could say no to you, little lady?"
This caused Kori to giggle. She quite liked the nickname he had given her. Apparently on earth, friends often call each other by names other than their own, and Vic seemed to have a name for all of the people he cared about: Gar was Grass Stain, Bee was Stinger, Richard was Bird Boy, and Rachel actually didn't have one, but only because she refused to answer to anything other than Rachel. Kori didn't know the stories behind any of these names, but she felt honored that Vic thought enough of her to give her one as well.
Inside, the cafeteria was dark aside from the flashing colored lights illuminating the dance floor in time to the booming music. There were already dozens of people filling the room, dancing, in line for punch. All of the shimmering decorations in the room reminded Kori of zooming through space, stars twinkling in every direction. As an upbeat song started up from the speakers, she pulled Vic out onto the dance floor with her, the rest of their friends hot on their heels. Meanwhile, Gar slipped away to get some punch.
From her spot on the dance floor, Kori had a great view of the baquet tables set up on the other side of the room. At the one in the furthest, darkest corner, she could just barely make out the shape of Richard slumped in a chair looking especially bored. Hovering over him was Kitten, very animatedly yelling about something she couldn't hear. Despite how much she wanted to believe he deserved it for for how he had left her for his ex, Kori couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him. However, that was forgotten when Gar returned to the group, drink in hand.
"Dudes! Let's start a dance circle!" he exclaimed, then jumped in the middle of the group, forcing them all to form a circle around him. As he displayed some rather dance moves, more people joined the circle. Eventually, one person after another would jump into the middle of the circle to show off their own moves. When Bee took a turn, she did a sultry dance and beckoned Isaiah to join her. Just as he stepped out to join her, however, the DJ switched to a slow song. Kori watched as one by one, the couples would find each other and sway to the music, their bodies pressed closely together. She didn't particularly wish to be that close to Vic, so she took the opportunity to escape to the punch table, squeezing past Terra and Gar (who looked rather off-balance).
On her way, she happened to hear a screeching voice, and she looked in the direction of the commotion. Kitten was desperately tugging on Richard's arm as he defiantly kept himself planted in his chair. Kori smirked. At least she wasn't the only one not getting what she wanted tonight. In the other direction, she could see Bee, Vic, and Isaiah doing something, though she couldn't tell what, aside from the fact that Isaiah seemed to be keeping a lookout. What were they up to?
Kori didn't dwell on it though as she approached the punch bowl, about to pour a cup for herself. "I wouldn't drink that if I were you," came a voice from the shadows on the opposite side of the table.
"Rachel! You are here!" Kori exclaimed.
"I decided it was worth seeing some of these idiots make fools of themselves." Rachel nodded in the direction of the dance floor, where indeed some people were proving to have two left feet. "Melchior can be rather convincing. But I'd definitely avoid the punch. It's been spiked."
"Spiked?" Kori asked, worry crossing her face. Did that mean poisoned?
"Alcohol. Gar's only had one cup and he's already practically falling on his ass." Kori looked over at him and Terra, and sure enough, he was stumbling across the dance floor, talking loudly, causing Terra to shrink a bit in embarrassment. "Not like you to not be out there dancing."
Kori sighed. "It seems I do not have a partner. At least not the one that I would prefer."
"Seems he doesn't either," Rachel said, looking at Richard as Kitten tried fruitlessly to drag his chair out onto the dance floor.
"Oh, I do not mean Richard. I have done the moving on, as they say."
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Already? That didn't take long."
"Yes, but unfortunately he was unavailable to be here tonight." Kori looked down at her pedicured toes.
"I'm not usually one to pry, but who is this guy?" Rachel asked, suddenly curious.
Kori cheeks darkened slightly, though it would go unnoticed in the dark room. "Nightwing," she managed to squeak out. Suddenly, one of the light bulbs illuminating the punch table popped and glass scattered on the floor. But Kori hardly noticed as she continued. "He kissed me." Then the speakers squealed loudly with feedback before the music cut off.
"Shit," Rachel whispered under her breath.
At that moment, Coach Medlin took the stage. "Well, that's a downer. While the DJ gets that fixed, let's hear it for the Eagles for winning the game tonight." Thunderous applause suddenly filled the cafeteria. "Now, I guess this is as good a time as any to announce our homecoming king and queen!" This caused lots of hooping and hollering from the students, anxious to see who won.
"Alright, Jump City High, your homecoming king is…" Coach Medlin pulled a slip of paper out of an envelope and read it aloud. "Richard Grayson!"
Richard looked unsurprised as he rose from his seat for the first time all night and walked towards the stage to receive his crown. Kitten stood idly by looking smug as she awaited the next announcement.
"And your homecoming queen is…" Coach Medlin look back down at her paper and called out: "Kori Anders!"
"WHAT?!" Kitten screeched, but she was drowned out be the rest of the students as they applauded.
But Kori just stood there, stunned. "Well, go get your crown, queen," Rachel said.
Cautiously, Kori made her way towards the stage. She didn't know what to do as a sash was draped around her shoulder and a tiara placed atop her head.
"Now it's time for the King and Queen to share a dance!" Coach Medlin announced into her microphone. "That is if our music is working."
Right on cue, a slow song started playing from the speakers, albeit a bit more crackly than before. Richard turned to Kori and offered her his hand. "I guess one dance won't kill me," he said, as she speechlessly took his hand. He carefully helped her down the steps off the stage and to the center of the dance floor, then placed his hands gently on her waist, pulling her close to him. Kori slowly slid her arms around his neck, following his lead as they swayed together to the music. "Kori, I owe you an apology." His voice was low, so only she could hear him. Kori met his eyes, unsure of what to say. "I wish I could tell you why acted like that, but…" he hesitated. "But there's no excuse. Look, I'm gonna break up with her tonight. For good. Then maybe we can try again?"
"I, uh…" Kori sighed, confusion flooding her mind. "I am seeing someone." Her gaze dropped from his as he mentally facepalmed. He had forgotten all about Nightwing. It had been two weeks since she had last seen the superhero. He hadn't thought about the fact that she would consider herself off-the-market because of that kiss. Richard's mind raced as he tried to come up with the right thing to say. "I'm with Nightwing now."
"Oh, um," Richard swallowed the lump in his throat, stalling. "Yeah. That's great. Isn't it?"
"I guess so," Kori said, not looking up at him as they continued to dance.
He furrowed his brow. "You guess so? Is everything okay?"
"Everything is glorious!" she replied, though it was half-hearted. She signed. "Everything is not glorious. It is not the same as it is with you. Nightwing is always busy with the saving of the city. He is great, and I understand that he has the responsibilities. But it is no relationship."
"Then surely he would understand?" Richard tried to catch her gaze again, but her eyes were glassy, staring at nothing in particular over his shoulder as the song ended. Reluctantly, the two pulled away from each other. "Look. I'm not going to pressure you. I'm breaking up with Kitten either way. She's making me miserable. But the rest is up to you. I'll be here if you decide you want to give me another chance."
Kori was stunned, so unsure of what she should do, as he walked away.