Chapter 12 - I don't care

Walking down the halls of the school, I headed to Science. Richard had continued to keep his distance from me since the day he had seen X and I together, almost a week ago. I had also kept away from him, but I couldn't avoid my feelings on the matter. It hurt me that we didn't bicker and banter like we used to, and I strangely missed it.

He sometimes watched me when Xaviour was in my company, almost like it was just in case X did something. At first Kitten had been seen hanging around with him, but Richard seemed to have gone back to ignoring her.

Richards involvement in his friends lives had become somewhat strained due to their new forming relationships, but he still saw them more often than I did. I had been able to talk to Rachel on the phone the night before however, so I was feeling less alone.

Seeing Richard in science wasn't going to be fun, but after a week of silent stares and avoidance, I had had enough of being worried about it. I took my place in science and watched the people come in, among them was the teacher Mr. D Light and Richard. He sat a few desks away from me.

I sighed and slouched on my desk, tapping my pen rhythmically on the paper, ready for the lesson. A strange thing happened then, as Richard purposefully tried to get my attention. He gestured to the outside of the classroom, and then held up his note pad. Scribbled on the paper were the words 'we need to talk.'

Why it had taken him so long to initiate a talk between us, and why he needed to say it now while in a lesson confused me. Couldn't he just wait and tell me later? None the less, I raised my hand. I wanted answers as much as he did, but I had held off asking. Xaviour had said that Richard might need a while to cool down and get his head in gear, so I had been patient.

"Um, Mr. Light please can I go to the bathroom?" I asked the teacher.

"Of course miss Anders" said Mr. Light, not really paying attention as I left the room. Richard watched me go, and I guessed that he would probably wait a while before asking to be excused as well.

Taking my time, I wondered through the halls and corridors in the school, simply thinking of the mysteries surrounding Richard. About all the things I didn't know, but wanted to. Was this what the talk was about? Or was it about Xaviour and what had happened? I knew if I stayed out of the lesson Mr. Light wouldn't notice, he wasn't exactly bright...Gee Kori your so funny you should do stand up.

Another thing to think about was - If Richard really liked me would he play all these mind games? And did he actually care of my well being, or was he just worried about me getting mixed up with Xaviour because of some rivalry he has with him?

I knew he didn't hate me anymore, (if he ever did at all) but I doubted that he felt the same way I did when we were around each other.

At least I had found out something about myself during our time apart, I did have feelings for him. That much had become clear to me, but had the chance of a relationship been broken beyond repair because of what had happened with Kitten and X?

I stopped at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall waiting for him. I heard footsteps approaching after a little while, and I turned to face him.

Richard was walking from the opposite direction. It was just us, everyone else were now in their lessons.

It was like the worst game in the world had been started by our actions and pride. Now it was like we were the unwilling players facing off.

OOO

We stood in an uncomfortable silence for a little while, until I broke it by clearing my throat.

"So..." I said trying to control my voice. Richard moved to stand against the wall opposite me, I felt my insides turn as he gave me a tired sort of look.

"Kori. After that contest between us, I know I did something stupid even for me." I looked away, remembering what had happened between him and Kitten.

"But, I need to know whats going on between you and Xaviour."

I opened my mouth to reply, but he held up his hand before I could speak.

"I know its none of my business. After what I did, I know that nothing could ever happen between us." My heartbeat picked up at his words, and we locked gazes.

"However, Xaviour is something else and I'm not asking this out of jealousy. I need to know, because I don't trust him to be within five feet of you, and I know what he's really like. So just tell me now, he hasn't hurt you has he?"

Shaking my head, I finally spoke "he's just a friend to me that's all."

A flash of relief touched his face, before he muttered "he hasn't taken advantage of you then?"

I blinked and gave him a confused look "what do you mean?"

He turned to look at me sharply, his eyes glaring "damn it Kori, I saw you kiss him, I thought he forced you into it." He ran a hand through his ebony hair "but you did it willingly. You're even hanging out with him after everything he's done!"

I felt my anger rise, my fists clenched in annoyance "he isn't that bad! At least he listens to me, and yes he might have kissed me, but that's been settled between us. We're just friends and there are times that hes kind-"

"Kind? He's the one that knocked us out, and you just-" he was cut off by a sound in one of the nearby classrooms, I guess we had both gotten so caught up in our emotions we hadn't thought about our surroundings.

We quickly walked down the hallway, turning a few corners. Richard looked behind us, and I was reminded of my first day here when he had played that prank on Mr. Slade.

When he turned back to me, silence engulfed us once more.

Richard sighed deeply and looked out of the window next to us, the light from outside making his blue eyes shine slightly. When he turned his gaze onto me, I held it, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me.

"Sometimes... I wish I could still believe in the innocence of people like you do Kori. But other times...I wish you we'rent so naive."

I reeled back, as though stung. I knew I still had some things to lean about this country, but to hear him say it hurt me slightly.

He seemed to pick up on this "I don't mean anything about you coming here from a different country. It's just the way you are, that trusting, selfless side of you, that I worry for. It might work against you one day. But in a way I envy your innocence..."

I looked away, not sure how to respond to that. I then decided to say exactly what I thought, since he seemed to have spoken plainly.

"Well sometimes I wish you could trust me with the truth Richard. If you had told me of the secret between you and Xaviour, I could have helped you. but you don't function that way, do you Grayson?" Some bitterness leaked into my tone.

"You won't ever let anyone help you, and I am tired of this." I rubbed my head, noticing that my accent from my old country was coming back to me. A memory of my parents came hand in hand with this, and I sighed heavily.

"It will hurt more, in the long run to hold onto things that weigh you down."

Richard stood there speechless, it was almost like no one had ever been so blunt with him before. That I was honest with him and didn't hold back a thing, seemed to humble him slightly.

The bell rang.

It seemed Richard and I had talked for so long we had missed our lesson. As we turned to go mull over each others words, our eyes connected and a thought seemed to pass through both our minds.

...This isn't over.

OOO

Xaviour's POV:

Walking around school, I resisted the urge to take out my lighter from my pocket.

A while ago, perhaps I would have set this place aflame, like I used to in the old days on the streets. It wasn't to be however, as instead of the dull roar of the flames in my ears, I heard the 'nails on chalkboard' effect that Kitten Moth's voice seemed to have on me.

Becoming a lackey for a bunch of high school students, wasn't on the list of things I wanted to do during my adolescence. Trying to keep my brain from shutting down, I listened as the blonde chick called Kitten (I mean really?) harped on about 'her Robbie poo.'

Kori was right about this girl, she was batshit crazy.

Unfortunately I had landed into some trouble a while back, so now I owed a bunch of people some debt.

It wasn't money I had to pay back, nah it was worse than that. I had to keep this spoiled brat company on Friday night, why Friday? Who cares, so long as its not Saturday night.

To make it real that I was asking her out, I had to win her over first, which meant spending time with the hell spawn. I laid on the charm and she complained for awhile about how my breath smelled. Gritting my teeth I asked if promising to quit smoking would shut her up - I mean go out with me. Kitten agreed and I kissed her as a farewell present, wiping the lipstick off my sleeve when she left. What Kitten however didn't see, was me walking away around the corner to talk to some.. odd business associates.

"Did you do it?" Said one of them.

"Yeah, yeah I did it, are we even now?" I snapped at a tall and muscular guy.

"Aww not enjoying your time with her?" He asked mockingly.

"What do you think?" I muttered, itching for a cigarette.

"Well man you just have to keep it up till Friday, then you're free."

"Hey... why are we doing this anyway, surely they can get together on their own?" Said Wally West, a track star if I wasn't mistaken, crossed his arms.

"They have to get together by Friday night or I'll loose the bet along with you two, by X taking care of Kitten, Kori can go to Richard." smiled Karen, who was Vic, the muscle guy's girlfriend.

"I ought to be given a medal for this, do you know how disgusting it is to kiss that pile of-"

I stopped talking as the three in front of me gave me annoyed looks. Obviously they weren't done taking about meddling in their friends love lives. It showed how small high school life really was in my opinion, if they got their kicks being match makers.

I think I'd rather go back to being a pyromaniac than turn out like them.

"So to win, we have to get them together by Friday night?" said Wally.

"Yeah, the bet was set up by Gar, come on lets go bet some cash!" Karen ran off, dragging Vic with her and leaving a disgruntled Wally to catch up.

"I just hope Kori can learn to see though his act." He sighed sadly, giving me a glare as he left. Ah, obviously he hadn't forgiven me for my past with Richard. I shrugged and turned away in the opposite direction.

I'd wound up being in debt with Victor Stone when he saved me from a bunch of thugs I'd run into. My old life on the streets had caught up with me. and if it we'rent for him turning up when he did to help me out...well I doubt I'd still be here. Setting Cutie up with Richard was an easy debt to pay off in theory, but in practice...I sighed lightly. That girl was okay, but seeing her with Richie made me uneasy.

Sometimes I wish that I liked to play the hero and get the girl in the end.

Unfortunately I'd always be the thief.

OOO

Kori's POV:

Later on at night, I sat on my comfy sofa and placed my laptop in front of me. I signed on to a messaging website, seeing that all three of my friends were online.

"Kori! I'm going out! Don't forget to wash up!" My sister Koma, called from downstairs.

I sighed, feeling a head ache coming on. Sometimes I wished Koma would talk to me a little more instead of brushing me off, and ordering me to do something instead. I didn't mind helping out, but it felt lonely around the house sometimes.

"Okay sister."

"Don't even think about throwing a party while I'm gone, I know how you love to live life on the edge! Good bye sister dear."

I gritted my teeth, my sister wasn't exactly someone I could talk to anyway. She often put me down as weak and a goody goody, which was fine with me, but there was a lack of affection between us that I missed from when we were younger. She had grown distant since our parents had passed.

As I was invited into a four way conversation with my friends, I noticed their names on the website were their nick names they sometimes used in school.

Jinx says: Hey Its Kori!

Bumblebee says: Hey girl!

Raven says: Hey r u OK?

I smiled a little. It had been a little while since I really spoken to my friends, and I also missed them. Starting tomorrow, I vowed to put more effort into meeting with them, and not to let my friendship with X make me feel awkward about being with them. I answered honestly.

Starfire says: I've been better

Bumblebee says: Wait! I have news!

Starfire says: What is it?

Jinx says: Karen is going out with Vic.

Raven says: He finally asked her out.

Starfire says: Oh I'm so happy for you Karen!

Jinx says: Yes, well that's old news now...whats bugging you Kori?

I decided to tell my friends everything about what had happened with Richard and X, and about my feelings involving them. We talked long into the night, but their advice on the matter reassured me, and I wondered why I had held back telling them everything. They accepted me the way I was.

Raven says: I think Richard likes you.

Starfire says: I don't know anymore.

Jinx says: Well I think we need something to happen, to see whether he likes you for you, and not just your body and beauty.

I thought about this for a moment. Jenny had a point, but after my conversation with Richard I couldn't see us being anything more than friends from now on, even if I did still feel something for him. I focused on the next topic, and rose an eyebrow in confusion.

BumbleBee says: Did you see the poster?

Raven says: Yes, are you going?

Starfire says: What poster is this?

Jinx says: There's a school dance on Friday, 7 till 10... you going Kori? I mean I can see how...

Starfire says: I'll go, thank you for helping me you guys. I'll see you tomorrow yes?

OOO

The very next day I did just that, and met up with my friends at lunch. I was curiously unable to find Xaviour and ask him if he wanted to join us.

"What are you talking about? You said he wasn't good enough for a girl like me, why the sudden change?" I eyed Karen skeptically after she had suggested that Richard and I were made for each other, she ignored my insistent gaze.

"Oh my look here he is now, your knight in shinning armor!" Said Karen in a sing song voice, happily pointing over at the car park, where Richard and his friends looked like they had stopped to hang out around a motor bike.

I wondered if it was Richard's, it seemed like the kind of thing he would own. But I had never actually seen him ride it to school, so to see it there made me lean forward to get a better look at it. It was red, and had a few flames painted on its sides.

"Star?" Jenny tapped me on the shoulder, I awoke from my day dream about zipping through the streets at night on the back of such a thrilling ride.

"Huh? " I muttered distractedly, questions floating through my mind. In reality I didnt really know very much about Richards likes and dislikes, was the motor bike a hobby? My shoulders slumped slightly. How could I even expect Richard to open up to me if I didnt know such simple things about him?

"Are you alright?" I jumped and gave a nervous laugh, turning to Jenny's concerned gaze.

"Oh yes, I'm very happy, the day is filled with sunshine and funny -"

"Kori it's us, you can tell us anything." Said Rachel flatly, looking up from her poetry book. her indigo eyes calming to my mood.

"W-well...its just.." I looked over at him again, hoping to get my point across.

"Richard?" Said Jenny smiling, and I nodded.

I knew that I wasn't supposed to care so much after everything, but now that I had talked to him after a little while, I just wanted to go over there and speak to him again.

"I've gotta go somewhere, I'll be back in a second" said Karen getting up, Rachel frowned wondering what her friend was up to, just like I was.

Karen simply winked, and walked away leaving me confused. When I tried to ask Jenny and Rachel what that was about, they led me away to the vending machines, having a strange argument.

"I'm going to win that bet, get ready to be beaten pink." Muttered Rachel.

"No way, they'll never get together next week, its so gonna be the week after!"

OOO

Richard's POV:

"Dude, that Kori chick is one weird and complicated girl, why do you think she hangs around with Xaviour?" said Gar to Wally as I looked over my bike. I listened to my friends chatter as I stayed quiet. I'd taken on a silent and serious air, gazing at nothing in particular.

To people who knew me, like my friends currently hanging around it meant I was thinking about a topic very important. Vic had said once that you might as well hang a sign around my neck when I got like this that said - do not disturb.

"Hey, Vic there's your girl friend" said Wally smiling as Karen approached us.

Gar noticed the annoyed expression on her face, and fell to the floor on his knees in a panic. "I didn't mean what I said about Kori I swear!"

Karen rose an eye brow, and shrugged at the strange boy on the ground. "I'm just here to talk to Richard, not kill you Gar."

Wally snapped his fingers, "darn it. I was hoping for something interesting to happen."

It was Vic's turn to raise a brow, but Karen smiled sweetly as she sat down facing me. I was currently in 'do not disturb' mode as I looked over my bike, thinking things through about Kori in my head without noticing her.

"YO! PIN HEAD!"

She yelled and caused me to stumble back, along my other friends in surprise.

"I've got a bone to pick with you!" She shouted again and Gar covered his ears.

"What is it Bee?" I replied dryly, my tone of voice made Vic and the others cower away in fear of Karen's reaction. I simply wiped my hands on my jeans and tried to remain looking unaffected. In truth Karen even scared me sometimes, but I wasn't about to let her know that.

"You should know! My friend is miserable every day because of you! So stop being so cold hearted you jerk, and...ask her out on Friday night?" She added as an after thought. I turned to her then, a frown on my face.

"She might be you're friend but it's got nothing to do with you. Besides we just need a little time before anything else happens between us." I said getting a little annoyed.

Karen obviously felt like screaming and pulling out her hair, she seethed and mumbled under her breath. 'No wonder Kori has such a problem with this guy.' She then spoke up.

"Listen you idiot. You hurt her by being so God damn confusing all the time! First you hate her, then you tease her, then you try to save her, after that you're mean again and then you seem to like her, but kiss Kitten, now what!"

Karen yelled at me some more, and I looked away, feeling my chest tighten the more she said. She was right of course, I hadn't handled things in the best way possible and Kori had suffered because of it.

"Do you like her or not? Because if you do like her then ' more time' is not what she needs. If you give her anymore damn time she'll be lost to you forever." Her last words somewhat bothered me, wasn't that the point of kissing Kitten in the first place, to push Kori away? I knew that I didn't deserve someone like Kori, after all.

She deserved someone who could treat her right, someone who could give her happiness, someone who she could trust.

Could I give her that?

I thought about how the plan with Kitten had backfired on me, when I had seen Kori in the arms of Xaviour. The desire to protect Kori from anything, including myself was strong, I realized.

I also thought of my relationships with other people. My adoptive father who taught me to always hide my emotions, my grandfather type figure of a butler Alfred, who contradicted that and expressed a desire to care for others quietly. My friends had also helped shape me into who I was today and despite that...despite them being here, I did want more.

I wanted her.

And if she wanted me back, I knew I wouldn't, couldn't mess it up ever again.

That's when I also realized it wasn't a crime to want happiness...and maybe...Kori could be the one to bring that, maybe that was why I felt a need to protect her? I couldn't however shake the feeling that it was too late. That I had missed my chance and the green eyed beauty was gone.

I raised my head and looked Karen in the eye.

"I don't want to loose her, but I made a mistake...actually quite a few, and now I feel like I've already lost the chance to be with her. I got what I originally wanted didn't I? It's too late."

And then Karen, Vic, Wally and Gar smiled at me, like they had been waiting for those words from me all along.

"It's never too late."

ooo

Yay! Richards admitted he likes her! FINALLY! I sorta got that idea from the real Teen titans TV show, God it took ages for Robin and Star to get together but at least they did. The next chapter will be great...ill try and update fast! review!