Chapter nine 'One step forward'

Gar opened the door to the old book store causing the small bells on the handle to jingle announcing his presence. He had never recalled setting foot in a book store and he clearly had no idea where to begin looking for a Stephen King book.

"Hello?" Gar called out softly. He wasn't entirely sure why he was whispering but he felt like it was the right thing to do around books. "Is anyone in here?"

When he received no answer he merely shrugged and stepped farther into the store. The rows and rows of books made him feel dizzy and claustrophobic at the same time. Gar didn't think he had ever seen this many books in his life before. "Dude, Rachel would be flipping out right now if she were here," Gar mused to himself as he plucked up a book from one of the many rows.

He glanced at the old worn out binding on Moby Dick before sticking it back on the shelf. Silently he gazed around the store wondering where he could find the book he so desperately needed to make Rachel like him better than she already did.

"Hi, can I help you with something?" Chirped an overly happy voice from behind him. Gar winced, he knew that voice all to well.

He turned slowly as he put on the biggest fake smile he could manage at the time.

"Oh my God Garfield Logan! I haven't seen you in forever!" Squealed the blonde girl. She quickly pulled Gar into a hug before he could mumble anything about his discomfort.

"Yeah, it's…nice too see you too Terra." Gar hated lying but he didn't want to be too awful to his ex-girlfriend. Terra and Gar had dated all through their freshman year of high school and they had only broken up for the simple fact that she had cheated on him…more than once.

"So whatcha been up to?" Terra asked staring up at him expectantly.

Gar was tempted to tell her about the daily visits to the psycho ward but decided against it, although Gar figured Terra might go all professional stalker on him if he didn't give her something. "Oh, you know the usual. Reading comic books and slacking on school work. I'm debating on joining PETA," Gar laughed, hoping that he had said enough to get Terra off of his back.

She rolled her bright blue eyes at him before she began talking. "I always knew you'd join PETA someday. But if you're so set on slacking why are you in a book store?" She asked.

"I'm uh…looking for a book for my friend," Gar said sounding shyer than he had intended. "What are you doing here? I didn't think you read too much."

Terra blushed lightly. "Well, I'm actually meeting someone here," She stated. "I've been dating this guy who's really into books. He works here and I'm just waiting for him to get off of his shift."

Gar nodded wishing she wouldn't be standing so close to him. He never knew what Terra was capable of. "That's cool, maybe he could help me find what I'm looking for."

"He can, I'll go get him for you if want me to!" Terra exclaimed.

Gar obviously didn't have a choice because in less than three seconds she ran off into the back room somewhere, no doubt to fetch her new boy toy. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair hoping he could spot the book he needed before Terra came back out.

Gar looked around and made his way to the horror section looking around for the last name King. It was too bad that he didn't look faster because he was instantly pulled away from his search when Terra ran up beside him pulling along her newest boyfriend. He was slightly tall, or at least taller than Gar, with long hair that brushed his shoulders. His eyes were an eerie blue color that sent chills up Gar spine and he had a small smirk that seemed forced upon his lips.

"Gar this is Mal, Mal this is Gar," Terra introduced them quickly. "Gar needs help finding a book, would you be sweet and help him out?"

"Of course my dear," Mal answered in sickeningly sweet tone. "What do you need help with Gar?"

Gar glanced from Terra and then back to Mal. "I'm looking for the newest Stephen King book?" He asked. "I honestly don't know what it's called…"

"Ah, Under the Dome," Mal added quickly which clearly impressed Terra because she sent Gar a look that clearly stated look how well educated my boyfriend is. "I know exactly where that's at, you can come with me." Gar smiled and quickly followed Mal to the front of the store. "For future reference all of the new releases are upfront here." Mal gestured to the front of the shop.

"Oh, thanks," Said Gar smiling. "I'll keep that in mind if she ever wants another book."

"Impressing the ladies with a book?" Mal asked sending Gar a swift wink. "That's my kind of style."

Gar had to repress himself to not roll his eyes at this guy. "Yeah, well, it's really just one girl," Gar answered blushing a bit. "I just kind of wanted to do something nice for her. She's usually cooped up inside all day."

Mal smiled seeming to understand. "Well then I hope this works for you," He answered as he handed Gar a book.

"Dude! Thanks!" Said Gar quickly taking the book from Mal's hands. "How much is it?"

"Well the hardback copy in your hand is Twenty two dollars but if you'd rather have the paper back it's cheaper," Mal answered beginning to dig again for the paperback version.

"Nah, I think she'd like the hardback copy better," Gar answered as he began digging for his wallet.

Mal shrugged and abandoned his search making his way to the counter with Gar following close behind. Terra eyed the two from behind the bookshelf waiting to see if they would say anything remotely interesting about her or why Gar was really in a book store. She didn't think he would just come here to buy his friend a book, not unless he liked that friend anyway.

Gar handed Mal twenty-five dollars and watched at the blue-eyed boy bagged up the book. "Come again anytime, perhaps you can bring your lady with you? She seems to be the type that would like it here if she likes King's books."

"Maybe I will," He commented. He knew that Rachel would never be allowed to come with him to a book store in town without a chaperone but it was nice to at least think about. "I'll see you guys around then," Gar said hoping he really wasn't going to have to see Terra around too much. She could ruin everything he had going for him right now.

"Bye Gar!" Terra's bubbly voice sung after him as the door snapped shut with the sound of bells jingling.

"We can't really stop him," Vic said as he stared at Kori and Dick in the main dining hall later that night for dinner.

"Of course we can stop him," Said Dick slamming his fist down on the table. He earned a quick glare from one of the male nurses nearby. "I mean do you really want to see Gar hurt himself from trying to save Rachel? And do you really want Rachel to snap if something bad happens to him or between them?"

"We do not wish for anything bad to happen Dick," Said Kori who was very happy for the conversation that had distracted the boys. It was easier for her to avoid food that way. "But perhaps they are what you call soul mates?" Kori asked as a light pink blushed filled her cheeks.

"How'd you find out anyway man?" Vic asked as he took a large bite of the meatloaf on his plate.

"I accidentally let it slip," Kori answered looking upset. "I do hope that Gar will not be angry with me."

"Nah, Gar won't be mad," Vic said shaking his head. "He's way too nice for that, which is why we should just let this all play out the way they want it. Gar's no jerk he's going to treat that girl like a princess…even though she might hate that."

Dick groaned and pushed Kori's tray towards her as if to say 'eat'. "Look I know Gar's a great guy but Rachel's just so fragile I'm afraid she'll never get out of here if something bad happens between them," Dick began as he watched Kori take a small bite of her mashed potatoes.

"Then we just sit by and let it play out. I mean if she lets us become her friends then at least she'll have us if anything like that happens right?" Vic asked trying to remain positive while Mr. gloomy Grayson kept trying to bring down all of the good points of Rachel and Gar ending up together.

"That is a very possible idea," Kori added. "After all she has agreed to befriend me!"

Vic smiled at the foreign girl. "See, her and Kori are friends now, they can complain to each other when you and Gar pissed them off!" Vic exclaimed chuckling loudly.

Dick wished badly that he could reach over and punch Vic but that didn't seem like the greatest idea because he knew he would be stuck in five more hours of therapy each week if he did. "So, you just want me to back off completely?" Dick asked.

"No, we want you to let them do what they wanna do!" Vic exclaimed.

"I know that but what if-."

"Excuse me?" A soft monotone voice asked from behind Dick. "I didn't mean to interrupt but do you mind if I sit here?"

Kori's face burst into a grin and she quickly nodded her head. "Oh, yes of course new friend Rachel! You are most welcome here! Please sit, sit!"

Vic and Dick spun around quickly to see Rachel standing there looking semi interested in their conversation. The dark girl quickly and quietly walked around the table and took the seat next to Kori.

"So, did I interrupt something?" Rachel asked as she set her tray of food down.

Both of the guys shook their heads quickly. "No, we were just talking about the scores of the last football game," Vic answered quickly.

Rachel shrugged at this comment and took a small bite of her food. Kori glanced at her new friend and quickly copied her action.

Dick's mouth gaped slightly and he looked at Vic wondering if he believed that this was actually happening. "So, guys, how long do you think it'll take Nurse Bee to realize that I'm the only guy for her?" Vic said trying to start a new conversation.

"Not this again," Said Dick. "Vic, she's a nurse, she's not going to want to go out with you."

"Hey, I'm eighteen it's all legal. Besides I heard she's very young for her profession so we're all good!" Vic defended.

Kori giggled. "Perhaps you can invite her to the annual movie night here," She answered.

"Kori, that's just creepy," Said Vic. "Nurse Bee's a very mature woman. I can't drag her to a psycho-ward movie night."

"I think she's kidding," Said Rachel smiling slightly. She quickly brushed back her hood letting her violet hair spill out across her face.

"Yes I was only joking," Said Kori softly. She quickly turned to Rachel smiling brightly. "Friend Rachel your hair is so pretty, do you think you could dye my hair that color?" Kori asked pulling on her hair.

"Kori I don't..." Rachel glanced over at Dick who looked slightly shocked. Rachel had to agree with him the color wouldn't suit Kori's face. "I don't think this color would suit you too well. The color it is now is really pretty…isn't it Dick?" Rachel asked remembering what Gar had said about how Vic and him would bribe the girl with Dick.

"Yeah, don't change your hair Kori," Dick said smiling at her. "It looks good the way it is." He could have slapped himself from that last comment. Why couldn't he have said something more complex than something a fifth grader could think of?

Kori reached up to touch her auburn hair seeming pleased with the fact that her friends liked her natural color.

"So Kori, how's your book coming?" Rachel asked smirking. Truthfully she knew Kori was just looking for an excuse to attempt to be her friend again. Rachel didn't know why but this time she actually wanted to accept that invitation.

"Oh, it is…unopened." Kori laughed nervously. "Truthfully friend Rachel I have not yet opened either of the books you have let me borrow."

Rachel shrugged. "I know. I figured you didn't really want to read them."

"But I-," Kori began.

"Kori, we can still be friends if you don't read my books," Rachel answered as she scooped up a bite of mashed potatoes and took a bite.

Dick and Vic looked between the two girls with complete interest.

Kori gasped. "That may be the most relieving thing I have heard all day. To tell you the truth I cannot watch horror films, they give me nightmares. I feared the books would do the same," Kori answered shyly.

Dick quickly made a mental note of this. There was one way he could get Kori to snuggle up to him on the couch during movie night. He slightly wondered if Rachel knew what he was thinking because she shook her head and continued to eat her dinner. But the strangest thing that Dick noticed was that Kori was imitating her. Kori was actually eating for once and it wasn't because they were bribing her or asking her to eat, she was just doing it. It was at that moment Dick decided he needed to give up any bad idea of Gar and Rachel being together because from where he was sitting there was nothing bad about it. Nothing at all.

Nawww isn't that sweet? I know it's shorter than the others but I had a brilliant revelation for this story and just had to go with it. So, you know reviews are always good and I guess you've stopped being surprised that I'm going to update again but you know, tell me what you think or I might not. Dun dun dunnn.

By the way this would have been done yesterday but I got distracted with working on a teen titans meme for deviant art. Yes, I have no life…because I'm snowed in, in my house until tomorrow. Whooo. Haha.

Xoxo-Megz