Disclaimer: Don't own the real Teen Titans, only everyone else...yeah, I think I said that right.Sorry I have not updated in a while. I have had tons of homework and a lot of other things. But, this is the longest chaoter
Corrie slouched down in her seat, her eyes fluttering shut as her history teacher prattled on. Mrs. Forelock was old and wrinkly, and had the eyes of bat. She had no idea that half of her class was missing, or that the other half were on their way to sleep. She just kept talking about Napoleon and the battle at Waterloo, her old voice cracking as she went on.
Corrie groaned and leaned forward, her head resting on her hand that were laying flat across the desk. She was almost asleep when her neck started to hurt, so she sat up. Rolling her eyes at the old bat writing on the chalkboard, she reached inside her backpack and randomly grabbed a notebook. She flipped it open and when the first blank page came into view, she stopped and grabbed a pencil. She started to doodle anything. As minutes dragged on, her pencil flew over the paper, her eyes concentrating. She jumped when the principle, a fat, bald man in a red tie, knocked on the door. She blinked, then glanced down at what she had drawn. She muttered a cure and glared at the paper.
She had done a portrait of Logan. She always seemed to either be thinking, or drawing him, and he never seemed to get out of her mind. She had no idea the principle had walked up until he slammed down a fist, making her jump and the class chuckled, well, at least the ones who had bothered to show up to history.
"Miss Coriander, I need you down in my office." Mr. Scolden glared behind small wire-rimed glasses.
Corrie blinked. "But, I did nothing wrong this time." He walked away, obviously expecting her to follow. She sighed heavily and stuffed her spiral into her backpack. Standing up, she threw her bag over her shoulders and trailed behind Mr.Scolden. She was aware of all they eyes following her. Some were looking at her with disgust, some with amusement and respect, some with desire.
When she made it outside to the hallway, she spotted Logan and some of his friends, who were either skipping, or were working for the office. And since they took of running, she assumed that they had been skipping.
"I would have thought, that since your parents are the Titan's, they would have raised you two better. Obviously, their parenting skills are only as good as their fighting skills. Such a pity."
Corrie stopped in the middle of the hallway, her head tilted to the side. "Do not speak of my parents in such a manner."
The principle whirled around. "Excuse me?"
"I said, do not speak ill of my parents or Logan's for that matter. They saved the city you live in more times that you can count in your puny brain. Without our parents, you would not be here right now. This town would be in ruins of it weren't for them, and just because I turned out wrong, doesn't mean that it is their fault. They have too much to worry about right now. So, I suggest that if you want someone to blame, blame me, because my parents did raise me right, I just turned in the wrong direction." Her eyes had narrowed into dangerous slits.
Mr. Scolden's face was beat red with fury. "How dare you speak to me like that, young lady! I should—"
"And how dare you speak like that about my parents. If you can talk down to my parents, then I can talk down to you, sir." The principle opened his mouth to say something, but closed it. He loosed is tie and headed for his office, mumbling, "Come with me."
She rolled her shoulders, glaring at the back of the principle's shiny head, and slowly followed, taking her sweet time. Logan and his two friends, Adam and Devin, watched in amusement as the teacher glanced behind him and barked out Corrie's name. She gave him an innocent grin and walked in behind him.
Logan smiled, studying her. Even in the school uniform, she looked gorgeous. The short black skirt that was just above the bottom of her thighs showed off her long legs, the blouse, white, which was supposed to be tucked in, left out and unbuttoned at he bottom, hugged her curves and usually made mouths' water. Her maroon tie was done, though loosely, and her hair was in a ponytail at the back of her head that swung with every move she made, caressing her back and hips. Her shoes were regular loafers with white socks pulled up to the knees, but she still looked beautiful, corny loafers or not.
Logan and his friends listened intently at the raised voices that belonged to the principle and Corrie. It didn't sound too nice, either. Adam gave a shudder. "I feel so sorry for her. By the way, aren't you supposed to watch her or protect her or whatever?"
With a heavy sigh, Logan stuffed his hands into his black pants. His dress shirt was unbuttoned, leaving his tan neck and some of his chest bare, the tie undone and hanging loosely around his collar. "Yeah. But the thing is...I want to protect her. Her parent made me think about it, truly. I mean what if they are right and one of these days she's raped or worse? I don't think I could handle that."
Adam grinned. He had shoulder length blonde hair that he always tied back and had the body of a wrestler. And, along with Logan, was a ladies man, though at the moment, he was dating Corrie's best friend, Dru. Speaking of which, Dru came running down the hall and slid toward them. The bell had just rung and people flocked out of classrooms. She stopped in front if Logan, and adjusted her skirt. She glanced up at Logan with dark brown eyes filled with mischief that was always present. "Have you seen Corrie?"
As if on cue, Corrie stormed out of the principle's office, a tall guy trailing behind her, and his eyes were not exactly on her back. Logan gave off a low growl, his eyes twitching.
Corrie whirled around on him, her skirt and hair flying. "Look, buddy. You might be new here, but no one, and I mean no one, looks at me like that. Got it?"
The guy grinned, his eyes roaming over her body. She felt the urge to gag. "Yeah, sure, whatever you say, sweetheart." She growled, her fist clenching at her side.
"What did you say your name was?" She tried to make small talk, but she was getting more pissed as he stared at her with eyes that were so brown, they were almost...red. It seemed as if his eyes were a dark red that passed as brown. His skin was pale, his teeth white, and his hair long and so blonde it was white. He was handsome, strikingly so, but for some reason, other than the way he looked at her, made her skin crawl.
"Aries. It's Aries Moore. My mother had no idea what to name me, and since I was born in April, she just chose to name me Aries. She was still a little loopy from the medicine." Aries smiled, holding out his hand. She glanced at it, as if it were not safe to touch, and hesitantly shook it. His grip was firm, cold, and soft, the hands of a prep who had never worked a day in his life.
"I'm Coriander, but most call me Corrie." She gave a polite smile.
Aries grinned, saying her name as if trying out on his tongue. "Corrie. It suits you. Unique. Attractive. Strong." He raised her hand that he had been holding and lifted it to his lips, nipping the skin. She jerked back her hand, watching him out of narrowed eyes.
He laughed, deep and strong, that had girls turning their heads to see what the beautiful sound was. Corrie watched him, her head tilted to the side, and blinked. "Do you want a tour or are you going to stand there and stare at me like I am up for bid at a dating service?"
Aries chuckled. "I would love a tour." She nodded slowly and started to walk through the crowed of teens waiting for the end of the day. Logan growled, gripping Aries's arm hard, though it look friendly.
Logan plastered a fake smile on his lips. "Stay away from her, buddy."
Aries grinned, jerking his arm out of Logan's grip. "Or what? She's not yours; therefore, she is up for the taking. And I will have her, willing or not." Aries walked off, leaving Logan staring at his retreating back with resentment. He already hated him. And no matter what, he would protect Corrie with everything he had. This creep might just try to take her...in more ways then one.
She loved athletics. It gave her a chance to work out, to run, to vent anger, and volleyball was one way to do it. She leaned back against the wooden bleachers, her arms resting on the bleacher behind her, her legs sprawled out. Dru was in a similar position. Corrie yawned, her eyes watching the boys' workout on the weight room above the bleachers. Their grunts rang out, the sound of metal on metal comforting her, for she was familiar with the sound. And, also, Logan was up there. Along with Aries, who was watching her intently.
The girls' coach came out, clapping her hands, yelling out that they were about to start a game of volleyball. The guys' all stopped working out and leaned against the rail, watching as the game was started. Corrie walked down the bleachers, jumping down, and took her place, which was on the front row. She rolled her shoulder, and threw her ponytail behind her back with a flip of her head. She crouched down, knees bent, hands clasped, and rocked back and forth, as most of the girls on the front row were doing. As of luck would have it, her worst girl enemy, Thane's sister and Logan's girlfriend, was the opposing team. Most knew that they would have to sit back as the two girls pounded the ball, but stayed ready, just in case.
Corrie smiled at Theresa, her eyes alight with amusement. "Hey Theresa, that black eye looks good on you. Should have given you a matching eye, though. It would look better." Most of the girls chuckled.
Coach Miller sighed, throwing the ball to one of the girls. "Alright, alright, let's just get the game started." The girl on the opposing team served the ball, sending it over the net and was heading for the floor. Corrie dove, hit the ball with her forearms, and sent it back over the net. Theresa hit it, aiming for Corrie, but she just moved and hit the ball, her body turned sideways. It went on between the two for what seemed like hours, though some of the girls hit it also, and by the time ten minutes passed, sweat poured down all the girls' faces, their breathing labored.
Corrie tugged on her white jersey with maroon letter, airing it out. Unfortunately, it gave some of the guys a look at her sports bra, though she could care less. She bent at the waist, placing her arms in her short maroon shorts, which were numbered 11, as was her jersey.
It was 11 to 10, Corrie's team in the lead, and the guys were enjoying the game way too much. Some cheered for Theresa, but most cheered for Corrie. Logan called out, "Go Corrie!" and she smiled up at him, her teeth flashing white.
The coach threw the ball again, and it was Dru who served. She grunted when she hit the ball. Theresa hit it, almost touching the rim of the net, and Corrie literally dove, landing on her stomach just to hit it over to net before it hit the ground. She pushed herself up quickly, and was ready in an instant. The ball came flying over, and in the last minute, Corrie jumped up on the toes of her white Nikes and spiked the ball. It hit the floor on Theresa team, and she growled. Corrie grinned, taking immense pleasure in the win. The guys' cheered at the win, clapping and hooting. Logan grinned down at Corrie, and an unknown heat filled her.
The coach blew the whistle, which meant it was time to take a shower, and the girls trotted off to the locker room. Corrie gave one last look at Logan, then ran to catch up with the rest of her team.
Adam patted Logan on the back hard, grinning. "Looks like someone is in love with you." And Adam walked back to the weights.
Corrie washed the shampoo and soap off, then reached for a towel, rolling her eyes at the conversations. It was the girls on her team, and they were talking about how the guys paid attention to them, not the other team. And when she stepped out, many congratulated her on her game, some saying that they would love to play on her team again. She smiled, her day not seeming as crappy as it had before before.
She walked to her locker, twisted the lock, and started to change into her uniform. Once dressed, she brushed her hair, twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck, and applied more eyeliner and lips gloss.
Theresa walked up behind her, her reflection in the mirror Corrie was looking in. She was smirking, but her eyes held pure hate. "You might have won a stupid volleyball game, but you forget." Theresa leaned closer, her perfume almost chokingly strong. "I have the true prize. Logan." She walked away, her groupies following, coping her every move.
Corrie laughed and rolled her eyes, but she felt the instant pang of jealously. Oh, Theresa had somehow found out about her love for Logan, and she made sure that whenever Corrie was around, Theresa would hug him, kiss him, whisper things in his ear about the things to come. And she knew it made Corrie's blood boil.
Drucilla patted Corrie on the shoulder. "Don't worry about her. She obviously doesn't see the way Logan looks at you." Dru grinned, tucking her chin length black hair with bright red tips behind her ears. "Anyways, I'm sure he thinks of you when he f—"Dru laughed when Corrie swatted at Dru with her hand.
"Shut up, Dru. You know he doesn't think of me like that."
Dru rolled her eyes, hoisting herself up onto the counter. "Umm hmm. Sure, honey, whatever floats your boat." She placed a hand over her chest. "I know these things, you see. I know all the looks that run through a guys eyes and his body language."
Corrie grinned, rubbing lip balm over her mouth. "Yeah, I'm sure. You've had enough to know." Dru blinked, then realized what her friend was saying. "Hey, that is so not true. I only had a couple before I met Adam, so ha."
Corrie laughed, shoving her make up into her black backpack and slung it over her shoulder just as the bell rung. Dru grabbed her bag, and followed Corrie out, her mouth moving non-stop.
"So, what about that guy you had to show around this dumb school, with their stupid uniforms, brainless preps and rotten teachers?" Dru asked, adjusting her tie.
"His mane is Aries. He's is a complete jerk and pervert, and seems to think he is God."
"Talking about Logan, again, my dear ladies?" Adam asked, sneaking up behind his girl and wrapping his arms around her slim waist. Dru laughed when he bit the side of her neck.
Logan adjusted his backpack, glaring at his friend. "Ha ha ha. Very funny, wise guy. Anyways, I don't think I'm God." Corrie rolled her eyes, walking along beside him, then realized he was actually near her.
"Wait, hold it, stop." Logan stopped, turning his head so he could watch her.
"What? What is it?" Logan asked.
"Why are you talking to me? Before, you could care less if I was ever breathing, and now, you talking to me like we used to before you experienced what sex really was." Her eyes narrowed. "What are you up to, Logan? Did my parents put you up to this? Or have you lost your popularity? It has to be one of the two I mentioned." She put her hands on her slim hips, glaring at him. If looks could burn, he would be nothing but ashes right now.
He held up his hands, as if surrendering. "No, no, no, it's nothing like that. I just...okay, well, maybe your parents wanted me to watch over you so no one would touch you." She glared, her eyes burning.
"I don't need you help. I will never need your help, not in defeating Apollo, not ever. I can take care of myself. I always have." She started to walk away, but Logan grabbed her elbow and pulled her against him. Her eyes went wide as her body collided with his. She started at his chest, her breathing heavy. Don't make it a big deal, Coriander. He probably feels nothing. Just act like it doesn't matter. She put the emotionless shield over her eyes, and looked up at him with blank eyes.
"As I said before, I don't need you to take care of me."
Logan sighed, his hands dropping from her arms to lie on her waist. He didn't mean it, seriously, it just happened, and he still didn't realize it.
"Corrie, I'm just really worried about you. Even if your parents had not asked me to watch you, I would have done it nonetheless. I care about you, Corrie, and I don't want to see you hurt."
Ignore her beating heart, which she was afraid that he heard she rolled her eyes. "If you cared so much about me being hurt, why didn't you stop it when I was fourteen? Why wait one day before I turn sixteen? Why now?"
He chewed the inside of his lip, a habit he had yet to break when he was concentrating. "Corrie, I was young and stupid—"
"You still are," she mumbled.
He ignored her comment, continuing what he was saying. "And I never though right. I just thought with...something else. Anyways, the first time I saw you come home beaten and bloodied, I wanted to pound whoever did it to you. I still want to, to this day. Speaking of which, who is the one touching you?"
She bit her lip. "You don't want to know."
"Oh, but Corrie, I do."
She searched for an excuse to get out of the situation, and grinned when the bell rung. "Oops, the bell, better get to class." He held tighter onto her waist and took her to the trusty janitor's closet. She was not going to weasel her way out of this, oh no. He was going to find out exactly what happened and who jumped her almost every week.
He shoved her in lightly, shut the door behind them, and switched on the light. They were close, their hips practically touching, but usually, the closeness never bothered him before. And it still didn't.
"Logan..." He glanced down at her, his hands braced beside her head, leaning, and palms down, on the wall. He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Why did you shove me into a janitor's closet?" She swallowed.
"Because, you were complaining about class, so I fixed it. No one will know we were in here, so there is nothing to worry about."
"It isn't class that worries me," she mumbled under her breath to where he could not hear.
"Anyways, as I asked before, who jumps you all the time?"
She made a move for the door, but he grabbed her hand. Bad move. He lost his balance, she tripped over his feet, and they both fell, rather awkwardly, in the small room. Logan knocked down cleaning supplies, which fell on their head. She was sprawled across his lap, her cheeks red with embarrassment. Logan grunted, then glanced down, grinning. "Comfy?"
She turned her head, glaring. Since she was lying on her stomach, he patted her butt, knowing she couldn't lash out. "Well, that was...entertaining." Logan said his deep voice filled with amusement.
She blushed a deeper shade of red. His hand was still resting on her backside.
"Logan, move your hand." He glanced down. "No. I think this is rather comfortable. And how did you land like that? It should be impossible. Shouldn't it?"
"I guess not, since it was how I landed!" She hissed it out.
He laughed. "No need to get testy, now. Anyways, answer the question. Who beats you?"
She glared, tossing her hair back, which had fallen out if the bun. "I will never tell you."
Logan sighed. "Well, okay, if you say so." He slipped his hand down and she instantly said, "Okay, okay, fine." He grinned, but never moved his hand.
"It's your...girlfriends brother, Thane. Sometimes Theresa is there and watches, but most of the time, I kick Thane's butt, hers sometimes too. It's kinda fun, actually. Relives stress."
Logan blinked. "Theresa's brother? He does it too you? And Theresa sometimes helps? Why? Why would they do that?" Corrie sighed, actually comfortable, lying like this. And the warmth on her butt helped, though she was still embarrassed.
"Because...he...they hate me. I never knew of them until Thane threw me into an alley and started to hit me. Actually, come to think of it...right after that attack, you started to go out with Theresa."
He groaned. "So you're saying that Theresa only went out with me to get to you?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I was just pointing it out, that's all."
Betrayal burned in his gut, anger at the two bubbling over the rim. "When does Thane's usually attack you? Has he ever tried anything else that hitting you?"
"Only once, but Dru was there, and she hit him over the head before he could actually...well, you know. She hit him with a pipe, which seems to be his favorite weapon, and he had dropped it, so, she picked it up, hit him over the head, and we ran. That was when I was 14. Anyhow, he usually attacks whenever he feels the need to harass me, I guess. He doesn't keep a schedule. At least I don't think he does."
Rage blinded him for a mere second. The thought of that big brute hands on her, somewhere they shouldn't be, made him sick to his stomach, Only he could touch her like th—wait! What was he saying? He didn't like her that way! I mean she was like a ...no, that's not true. She was never like a sister to him. More like a close friend who was always there. Maybe there was more than just...no, no, he couldn't think like that. This was Corrie he was talking about. The skinny little brat who grew up into a tall, muscled woman, who had always used to stalk him.
He glanced down at her, his heating beating faster. Okay...maybe I do have some sort of feelings for her. I have never felt like this before. Like I want to be perfect, to be there for her, to taste her, just to hold her. It's never been like that before, never. Until now, that is. She sighed, sat up, then realized she had nowhere to go, or sit or anything.
His long legs were sprawled out, taking up all the small space. And she knew it would be uncomfortable to have him pull his knees to his chest, but sitting on her heels was staring to be a major pain.
Logan realized her dilemma and decided to handle things his own way. He grabbed her hips and sat her in his lap. She squealed, which had him laughing. He had never heard he shriek before, never heard her scream, and the sound was so foreign to him he had to laugh.
She swallowed, nervous now. "But, why are you hanging around me now?"
He sighed, leaning his chin against her shoulder, his breath hot on her neck. "I...guess I missed being around you. When I hung out with all those dipsticks, it didn't feel right. I felt like I was missing something. And I guess it was you that I was missing."
She chuckled. "It sounds like you admitting your love for someone. The whole 'I can never live with out you' kind of thing."
He gave a small smile. Is that what I'm going? Changing the words, hiding my love for her? But, I can't love. I don't know how to love. I never have loved any girl like that. Never.
Corrie arched her back, stretching. Her heard her back pop and grimaced. "That sounds nasty."
"What?" She yawed, rolling her neck to it popped.
"Ugh, that. Popping bones. It sounds... really grotesque."
Corrie laughed. "Since when do you use words like 'grotesque'? And anyways, bone popping feels good."
"It's is still nasty. And I use words like grotesque all the time." She glanced behind her, an eyebrow raised. "Umm hmm. Sure. Whatever you say."
He glared at her. She grinned, winking at him. "So, now that you know what goes on when school is out, may I please go?"
He seemed to think about it. "Come on, Cor, this is the first time I have talked to you in a while. Why do you want to leave? Am I really that bad? Come on and stay here. We only have two periods left after this one, and the principle will never find us here. I really enjoy talking to you, Coriander. I miss it, more than I ever thought possible."
She flushed a deep shade of red. "I...uh...I...guess it won't hurt anything."
Logan grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist. "And what's with all the touchy felling stuff?" She asked, cursing the redness in her cheeks.
Logan gave a low chuckle. "I just love the way you feel, that's all."
She blushed again, her heart beating fast. "Oh, okay. That settles things."
For two hours, the two talked, laughed, and blushed at embarrassing moments. They learned things about each other they had never known before, some shocking, some funny. They shared their fears, their likes, and dislikes, yet stayed away from love. Logan figured that Corrie had never really loved anyone, or just had no trust for men. That was good, though, for the though of Corrie loving another, other than him, sent a sharp pain through his chest. For some reason, he wanted Corrie to love him...like he loved her. The truth had hit him like a tidal wave, drowning his doubts. He loved her. He always had, but had pushed her out of the way, because he was afraid, afraid that she might not love him back. But he had other things to worry about. He had Apollo, Thane, and now Aries. He would protect Coriander, even if it meant risking his own life.