Alright, next chap. time to for some secrets to be revealed methinks....

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Chapter 7:- The Future's Orange

Three days after Gar's unwanted departure, the school was quiet. Without the class clown there to entertain them, classes became boring and life was undoubtedly a lot more peaceful. Raven had become more separated than ever and had even marked Gar's return on a calendar she had near her bed.

Meanwhile, after releasing every animal he could find in his dorm, (which included a Labrador puppy, eight goldfish, three budgies and a cat) Dick made a decision. He'd been tormented by it since she arrived, and finally he wanted to act upon it - much to Vic's relief.

He stalked over to room 259, and rapped upon the door. Raven opened it.

"Hey, Raven. Is Kori here?"

Raven stayed silent , but pulled the door open wider allowing Dick to step in. After he entered, she shut the door, then she quickly returned to her bed and pulled out a black mirror, in which she examined her reflection very closely.

Dick surveyed the room, and noticed the bathroom was shut. Assuming it was Kori - she was always in there - he knocked on the door and called out her name.

She answered: "One moment, if you please, friend Dick."

He waited politely and approached her as she exited the bathroom. "Let's go outside."

She nodded and walked outside with him.

As soon as they were outside, under the big old tree, Dick went straight to the point. "Kori? Do you want to… maybe… go out for pizza tonight?"

Kori clapped her hands in excitement. "Of course Dick! We should go up and tell the others straight away!"

"No, Kori," added Dick, as he grabbed Kori's hand. "I want it to be just you and me. Alone. On a date."

Kori beamed broadly. "I would love to Dick. May I ask the time from you though?"

"It's about two. How about I pick you up around seven?"

"Seven? Aah! That means I only have five hours to become prepared."

"Kori, you have classes this afternoon."

"Aah! Less time!" and with that, she darted off to her dorm, as Dick smiled broadly under the tree.

At seven, Jinx was knocking hard on the bathroom door. "Kori! Jeesh, girl! Quit with the make up and go already! You're gonna be late!"

The bathroom door flew open. Kori stood, wearing a long lilac skirt and a lilac top. Around her neck, she wore a necklace with a green stone on it, that matched her dazzling eyes. With the way she looked right now, she could have any guy in the school kissing her feet, probably any guy in the city.

"Looking good Kor!" exclaimed Jinx. "Now get down there!"

Kori ran as fast as she could through the door and to the front entrance. Where Dick was waiting, two motorcycle helmets in hand. He wore dark trousers and a white-button down shirt, as his spiky hair ruffled in the wind.

"Mind if we go by bike?" asked Dick as he stared at Kori's magnificent appearance.

Kori shook her head.

"Then let's go," said Dick handing Kori a helmet, and walked over to a red Suzuki parked nearby. Seeing Kori struggle with the helmet, he added: "Here allow me," and helped her with the straps before putting his on. He climbed onto the bike, and indicated Kori to sit on the back. She did so, and reached her hands around his waist, and held tightly, hugging up to him. He revved the engine twice, then shot off down the road.

They arrived at the pizza place, and ordered spaghetti, as they ate in happiness on the roof of the building. Then, in the distance thunder rumbled, and Dick got up and stood on the edge of the building watching.

"Come on Kori," he called back. "You'll love this."

Kori came up to the edge of the building and admired the storm in the distance. For some reason, it was illuminated in a orange glow, and occasionally a flash of orange would illuminate the black sky.

"It is beautiful."

"Kori?" said Dick. "I care about you a lot, and I'm worried about you."

"Why Dick?" asked Kori as she turned away from the storm and looked directly into Dick's bright blue eyes.

"I know about those green beams."

"What?"

"I don't know what they are, but I know they must have come from you."

"I - I - Don't know what you're talking about."

Dick stepped closer. "You can tell me anything Kor. You can trust me."

Kori turned back to the storm.

"Kor?"

A raindrop fell on the table behind them making a telltale sound, as the thunder struck again.

"What was that?" asked Kori alarmed.

"Just a little rain, nothing to be worried about."

"Rain?" exclaimed Kori, looking worried as she began to ran away, but was stopped as Dick grabbed her hand. An orange flash illuminated the sky again.

"Stay. Stay with me."

She looked into his eyes, and he looked back into hers. A raindrop fell on the roof of the building. Kori pulled away from Dick.

"Please," added Dick, pulling her back and looking deep into her face.

A raindrop fell on Kori's cheek and ran down it, leaving a trail of deep orange. The thunder struck, pronouncing its color and texture. Dick looked at it, shocked and surprised. Another raindrop fell on her, and ran down the bridge of her nose, leaving the same trail. Dick looked down at Kori's hands, and pulled his hands away, revealing deep orange prints in her hands. He looked up at her face, and saw that she was crying, her tears leaving deep orange treads as they trickled down her perfect face. The thunder struck again, showing her entire face in a beautiful shade of orange.

Dick reached up and touched her cheek, and rubbed his hand over it, then pulled away. He saw the orange prints in her cheeks, as the rain fell heavier. He looked at his hand, and saw the powdery substance he had rubbed off of her face. "Make up," he muttered.

Kori closed her eyes, and sobbed. As most of her true orange face was revealed by the heavy rain, leaving a few treads of pink. She turned away from Dick.

"Kori, wait…"

She looked back at him. "Why did you have to make me stay?" Hearing his silent response, she looked at her heavy, wet clothes, and levitated slowly upward, as Dick watched it wonder. She looked at him once more, with his sopping wet outfit and hair. "It would have been perfect… But you had to make me stay…" she said softly as she flew off into the distance, letting Dick watch her as she flew off into the distance.

The thunder flashed again, illuminating the entire city in a deep shade of orange.

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There we go people! Starfire is go! But what will Dick do about it? Dick makes an even bigger decision about Kori next chapter!
Next:- The Shadows Lifted