Author's Note: Can we just take time to pray for the money Raven just wasted? Like Kori work so hard to get it, and now it lays on icky concrete floors of New York. Sad. Anyways, chapter 3. Nothing romantic happens yet, unfortunately, I still need to build up Raven and Kori's relationship first before I introduce boys. Might take a chapter or two. Please don't leave just yet.
Words in italics represent thought (for the most part).
Please review. Flames accepted. Feel free to leave ideas for upcoming chapters (I'll probably need it).
I do not own Teen Titans.
Chapter III: She Befriended Me
It was an hour-long car journey. The roads were clear, surprisingly, and the air smelled of freshly baked pastry. Kori had brought down the hood of her car and it allowed the warm breeze to fill out the vehicle. She sped through the streets, basking in the moment of livelihood and freedom. She was liberated. Raven looked across the road and saw many buildings she hadn't seen in a while. The moment was often interrupted by Kori's babbling, and though she wouldn't admit it, she enjoyed the presence of another female. For the first time in a long time, Raven was having fun.
Kori turned off her engine when she reached a local parking lot. The two girls hopped out the vehicle. Raven looked at her surroundings.
"I don't know what I'm getting myself into," Raven murmured, dragging her suitcase, "Hopefully I don't end up in this crazy girl's deep freezer."
Kori started walking, "Follow me friend, my residence is not far." Raven stopped in her tracks.
"Not far?" she said, "How long are we walking?"
Kori beamed, "It just a fourty-five minute walk from here. Not much."
Raven grumbled. Today was going to be a very long day.
Time flew, and before she knew it, Raven was standing in front of one of the tallest buildings she'd ever seen. It soared high, almost reaching the tips of the clouds, and it had the most unique design to it. Raven ogled at the structure.
"Kori, are you sure this is the right place? It looks… expensive." She never took her eyes off it.
Kori clasped her hands together and smiled. "This is my home, the Atelier Condo. I hope you find it to your liking."
Raven gasped. "No way! You live here?" She pointed up, "In the Atelier Condo? How can you afford this place?"
Kori grabbed her hand. "I will answer your questions once we get inside."
The doormen on either side of the building allowed entryway for the girls. Kori and Raven walked on the marvel stone that lead to the receptionist desk. Raven knew she looked insane, but she could help but admire the modern interior designing and visually appealing art. Everything was so beautifully crafted and it drew her in like a gravitational force. She didn't realize how lost she was until she heard a voice telling her to get her keys.
Raven stiffened when Kori tapped her shoulder. She turned to see Kori staring right at her.
"Friend Raven," she said, "get your keys." She was confused for a moment until she met the glare of an extremely annoyed receptionist.
Raven blushed and took the keys. "Sorry, I got a little distracted."
The girls traveled up the elevator, then Kori unlocked the door to a label '4A.' Raven stepped in and marveled at the all-white aesthetic. It had the state of the art furniture and groundbreaking technology that has yet to be publicized worldwide. She managed a breathless "wow" then sat on one of the cushions.
She dropped her suitcase and relaxed into the seat. "I've never felt anything so soft before," she commented, "I can get used to this."
Kori beamed. "I can see you are adjusting nicely," she stood in front of Raven, "the life of glamour is quite exciting."
Raven sat up. "What do you do anyways?"
"Well," Kori explained, "I am a model. I am affiliated with many respectable agencies, such as Ford Models and Elite Model Management. I have even made appearances in a few Teen Vogue magazines."
Raven noticed a stack of magazines by her right. "Are those yours?" she graced her hand over the glossed page. Kori nodded.
She flipped through the pages until she spotted Kori. Many of magazines consisted of her sporting a bikini or a new fashion trend. Raven inspected the pictures. Much more curvier than I thought. She went through all the articles except for one, in which Kori appeared on the front cover. It was a Teen Vogue publication, and she smiled warmly next to the words 'floral summer collection.'
Raven raised her brows slightly. "I'm impressed, you certainly have a career cut out for yourself. But I should have figured you'd chose from the easy pile." She flung the papers back on the desk.
Kori replied angrily, "Modeling is not child's play! You must give in your headshots to the agency managers, it takes a significant amount of time to plan and organize meetings, only if they do not reject your proposition. If you are accepted, you are thrown into a world of constant photoshoots and traveling. Not to mention keeping up with a rigorous lifestyle and diet plan."
Raven rolled her eyes, "Those are problems people wished they had. Compared to others, you have it easy. But a woman of your stature would not understand the advantage you have because you have never been through suffering."
Kori had enough. She was not about to be disrespected by a stranger in her own house. Raven had crossed the line with her today.
"Raven, listen to my words very carefully. I will not be belittled by a guest in my own home!" Kori said, her anger reaching its highest point. "Your ignorance prevents you from understanding my line of work. Do not speak of things you do not comprehend."
Raven's words set in as Kori continued, "And how would you know what I've been through? Surely, you weren't the one who grew up with me during my childhood. I am not just a pretty face that gets everything handed down to her. Everywhere I go, people like you just assume the worst about me without having to know me."
Kori poked an enraged finger at Raven's chest, "You doubt my competence and my ability to survive on my own," her eyes burned through Raven's, "I am not incompetent. I don't have life easy. I am not just a pretty face. I am a woman that has been through her share of disappointments and works arduously to live just like anybody else!"
Her eyes lowered threateningly, "If you keep up with your behavior, you may find yourself back where you started."
For the few hours Raven knew her, she had never once thought Kori possessed such a dominant side. It appeared as a grey mark in her typically vibrant, bubbly personality. She now knew to not underestimate her. Raven thought of what she'd said to Kori and her fear resurfaced. How could she act so cruel to the one person that had given her a home? Called her her friend? It was her rage, her anger that made her speak without thought. Raven's heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. She couldn't let her anger get the best of her, not again.
For the second time that day, Raven swallowed her pride. "I'm sorry for insulting you," she angled her head so that her amethyst locks concealed her face, "I'm just… upset, please don't take it to heart."
Kori had a look of sympathy and brought Raven to her feet to embrace her.
"Thank you for everything. This would be a lot to pay back." Raven said, her head snuggled in her shoulder.
"Oh, don't fret, you don't owe me any form of currency." Kori replied. Raven would not admit it, but it felt nice to be in the warm arms of someone that cared about her. She hadn't felt that feeling since she was young girl. There was no screaming, no violence, no blaming, no hatred. It was peaceful here, and for the first time in a long time, she smiled.
The sound of a phone cut their moment short. Kori quickly shuffled in her bag and pulled out a rose gold iPhone. She turned to Raven.
"Your room is down the hall by your left. Feel free to retrieve any items your desire from the refrigerator. Excuse me; I must take this call." She went to another room.
Raven crashed on the white bed behind her. She stared into the ceiling for some time, then searched the room. At each section of the wall hung pictures of Kori in multiple outfits. By her right, there was a sliding glass mirror that was partly open. Raven sat up from her bed and opened completely slid open the mirror. It revealed a huge walk-in closet with many boxes stacked inside. Being the snoop that she was, she brought out a box that had the words 'Collage graduation' inscribed in black ink. She opened the box and brought out a garnet with a hat that still had a tassel on it. What surprised her was what the scroll at the bottom of the box read.
'The President and Fellows of Harvard College, acting on the recommendation of the Faculty of Design and with the consent of Honorable and Reverend the Board of Overseers, have conferred on Kori And'r, the degree of Masters in Political Science.'
Kori went to Harvard?! Raven had severely undermined her. She had so many questions racking her brain. How did she go from Harvard to modeling?
Then, she heard yelling.
Raven put everything back and quickly headed outside. By the time she was there, Kori dropped her phone on the cushions. Kori was visibly agitated, so Raven assumed the call didn't go so well.
Kori puffed and grabbed Raven's hand. "Friend Raven, you shall be my escort to the shopping mall."
Damn. And Raven was having a good day today.
They had come back hours later and Raven's vision was obscured by the big heavy bags she was carrying. Kori had gotten some things for her as well, but she couldn't believe the amount of pink Kori had purchased. Like come on, how much pink does a girl need? By the time they got settled, the moon had situated itself with the stars. Kori had suggested to watch a film in her cinema room. With two cups of hot coco and a warm blanket, the girls relaxed themselves and allowed the stress ooze off their bodies. Raven made a metal note to bring up the topic of Harvard, but looking over at Kori's sleepy form, she let it slide and snuggled in the warmth of the blanket.
Author's Note: I'm not really sure how I feel about this chapter, it may have been a little boring (especially the Harvard part). But please, don't leave just yet, the next chapter will be the last of Star/Rae and it will pretty much summarize where they are in their relationship. Then, the fun begins.