Chapter Three: Love Makes The World Go Round
Kori laid on her stomach on her bed reading a book. It was eleven. Her morning classes were over so she had some time to herself. Kitten was out boy hunting with Terra, and Raven said she had to go somewhere and talk to somebody.
It was raining so there was nothing really to do except hang out at the lounge.
Kori flipped the page. Then the door whipped open making Kori jolt from being so startled. Raven walked in. And then Robin walked in after her. Kori saw her and jumped off her bed. Kori, who throws things when being freaked out, grabbed the book and shoved it out her window. Then there was a scream. She looked down her window. It hit Professor Sanders in the head.
"Sorry." Then Kori quickly slammed the window shut and looked over at Robin and Raven. Raven and Robin had sly smiles on their faces. Kori had a frown. She shut the curtains so nobody could see.
"Robin shouldn't be in here! It's not allowed!" Kori exclaimed.
"Kori, Robin has no choice. Victor is out with Karen and his other roommate has all of his drinking buddies over." Raven explained. Kori looked at Robin. He jumped onto Raven's bed. Kori looked back at Raven. She had a hopeful look on her face. Kori sighed "Fine." She gave in.
Kori thought that if Robin was in her room, she might start saying embarrassing things. She didn't mind him being in her dorm- she has a crush on him! She was just afraid of her big mouth. But to her surprise, she was having intelligent conversations with Robin and she felt relaxed. No stress was on her shoulders.
Though Kori wasn't having any problems communicating, Robin did. He'd stutter, and would never look Kori in the eye. He'd always blush a light carnation if he did. Raven would never sit down with the two and talk. She was always over at the mirror watching the two from the reflection, or pretending to read one of Kori's book but really be watching them.
Robin didn't really notice because he was always looking down at his feel or something. Kori noticed, though. She started to get the impression Raven set this whole thing up.
Kori knew Raven was a mastermind at getting people hooked up or messed up. She also knew everyone on campus that was a senior or junior- even if they didn't know her. She probably called Robin's roommates friends over- or paid them. And then when the time was right, she'd send the two some place quiet.
Raven's cell phone began ringing telling her she got a new text message. She grabbed the phone. She read it then started to rush. Kori raised her eyebrow. Raven pushed the two our of the room. "Listen, I forgot I was tutoring Garfield Logan this afternoon. I have to get ready. Could you guys go meet him at the library and tell him I'll be right there?" Raven asked.
Raven, who'd never take no for an answer shut the door and left Robin and Kori alone in the hallway. Kori now knew Raven had set this whole thing up in only minutes. She shrugged and began walking. Robin tried to act strong in front of Kori so began walking with her. He'd always look in front of him though, never at Kori.
"We're going to be soaked when we get out there." Kori said trying to get another conversation going. He shook his head. A kid with an umbrella walked past. Robin grabbed it from him and handed it to Kori. Kori rolled her eyes but took it anyway. She thought at least Robin was trying to do something nice for her.
Kori thought Robin didn't like her, but now she was getting some mixed signs. She decided to slowly come upon the subject with nobody around. Kori decided to ask him to go to the lounge with her for lunch.
They stepped outside and Kori flipped the umbrella up above both their heads as they raced towards the library. Even if they did have an umbrella, the wind was blowing the rain into their eyes and faces. They both figured they wouldn't go outside that day so they weren't prepared for rain weather. Robin was wearing a maroon short sleeved shirt and beige kaki shorts. Kori was wearing a short sleeve jersey with the college team logo on it. She also had on short denim shorts on with her Old Navy sandals.
The rain was blowing so fast that it stung their skin when it hit it.
The two finally got to the library. The ran through the double doors trying not to make too much sound. Garfield was already sitting in the front on the rounded leather couch with his books and feet on the mahogany coffee table.
Robin and Kori ran over to him. He looked up at them with a confused look on his face. Robin and Kori were panting for air. Robin finally got his breath back and looked up at him. "Raven said that she'd be a little late. She has to get ready." Robin said. Garfield nodded without saying a word.
Kori looked around in awe. The book supply grew twice as much as it did her junior year. Robin looked at all the books with a disgusted look on his face. He turned towards the door. Kori noticed and ran over to him. They both walked out with the umbrella over their heads which Kori just put there.
"I was just going to go get a bite at the lounge, wanna come?" Kori asked him. For once that day he looked her in the eye. He smiled and nodded. "Sure!" He called. The two ran to the lounge. Roy was working, but Kori didn't care.
She eyed him for a moment then turned her attention back to Robin. But Roy was watching Robin with envy in his eyes. He squinted as Robin and Kori walked up to the front counter where he was. Roy whipped out one menu. He handed it to Kori. Kori smiled and nodded a thank you towards him, but then looked at Robin empty-handed and frowned.
"What about-" Roy cut her off. "The last one." He said sharply. Kori handed Robin her menu with a smile. Roy gritted his teeth with a deep growl.
"What about you?" Robin asked her.
"I already know what I want." She told him. Robin smiled at her then looked at the menu. He took his time eyeing every drink, pastry, soup, soda, tea, coffee, and sandwich. Kori waiting patiently but Roy was already tapping his foot and his fingers. He finally whipped the menu out of his hands.
"JUST PICK SOMETHING!" Roy screamed. Terra, Kitten, Karen, Carmen, Victor, Mr. Wilson, and everyone in the coffee lounge looked up at Roy. Robin sighed.
"Fine, I'll take a Club Sandwich." He said. Kori laughed.
"That's what I wanted!" She peeped. Robin laughed.
"Is that to go or for here?" Roy asked.
"Here." The two said at once.
"Inside or outside?" He asked.
"Outside." Kori said. Robin looked at her strangely. She smiled sweetly and sheepishly with a shrug. "I love looking off the balcony, as the rain falls all around me- of course there'll be an umbrella, though." She said. Robin shrugged with a nod.
The two headed up the stairs. Robin's black Chuck Taylors squeaked on the smooth maple wood flooring. They made it up there. They were the only ones who thought the view would be nice. So, they took their pick of the table and sat down on the hard black seats that were melted into leaves and vines.
The umbrella was clear plastic and lights flickered on in green, yellow, red, blue, and orange lights. The two became quite and things got awkward. Kori decided it was time to ask about him not wanting her at the party.
"So, Raven told me you didn't want me at that party. Why?" She asked shyly. He arched his eyebrow. Then he shook his head.
"I told Roy to tell Raven that I didn't mind you going to the party, but you really shouldn't because it didn't really seem like your style. But it wasn't that great. The whole thing was smokey and drugged up. Raven and I ended up going back to the lounge." Robin explained.
Kori raised her eyebrow and shook her head.
Robin grabbed her hand and pulled it up to his chest. Kori flushed pink. "There's another party tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me. There's no drugs. I hate when people say that don't do drugs then do them anyway." He said.
"Well, I-I- yes. I mean- no. No. Wait, definitely! No. Yes!" She stuttered. Robin sat there quietly.
"I'm sorry, is that your way of saying yes, or no?" He asked her. Then Roy ran up and slammed their food down in front of them. Then he put down two iced teas. Neither of them ordered drinks, but they both enjoyed an iced tea every once in a while so drank them.
Roy left. Kori took a gulp.
"That would be a yes. Most definitely." She said with a smile. Robin smiled back.
"Great. I'll pick you up at seven." He said. Then raised his glass up in the air. Kori giggled and did the same. Their glasses made a click when they touched each other. Then the two smiled and drank.
Roy was secretly standing behind the door to go up to the balcony. He had a wicked smile on his face. "Good night, Robin." He whispered evilly aloud to nobody.