Just Drabbles

Disclaimer: See chapters 1-15

This chapter is dedicated to MiaPatil'sBlackMoonRoses.

Chapter 16: Mona Lisa Smile

Sunlight streamed from the heavens, slipping through the clouds before splashing down and illuminating California's Jump City University. The campus's main building was of white marble and constructed to be reminiscent of the gothic buildings built during the dark ages. Standing on the plush emerald lawn was the twenty year old Kori Anadyr. The transfer student stared at the building in awe, rarely did her eyes grace such a magnificent sight. She felt a shiver of anticipation and intimidation crawl down her spine as she clutched her books closer to her chest.

So absorbed was she, Kori didn't notice somebody had come to stand beside her until they spoke.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Kori jumped at the voice that had jolted her out of her reverie. She turned to see a man about her age admiring the school. He looked to be over six feet tall with thick, messy locks of ebony. The newcomer faced her, a carefree smile revealing brilliant white teeth, the tiniest imperfection being the top front teeth overlap one another, right over left. His cerulean eyes were just as smiling. Kori couldn't help but match the beaming grin.

The student stuck out his hand, "Richard Grayson, class of 2011."

Kori slipped her hand into Richard's, not noticing the subtle squeeze he gave her as he reveled in the softness of her skin. "Kori Anadyr, class of 2011 as well."

Richard tilted his head as he listened to both the unique mixture of Greek and French as well as the purity and innocence that rang in her lilting tones. He didn't realize he was still shaking Kori's hand until she giggled, albeit slightly awkwardly and removed her hand from her grasp. Blushing, Richard returned his gaze to the school and asked "So what brings you to JCU?"

Kori frowned slightly, abbreviations were not her friend, American or otherwise. "JCU?" She mentally puzzled out Richard's question. "Oh!" She brightened, "Jump City University." Her companion grinned and nodded. "I am from Tamaran, a remote part of Crete. The French you may hear in my voice is from my father's side of the family." She added.

"I am seeking a degree in English and I am the first of my family to attend an American school," Kori finished proudly. Her eyes became etched with curiosity. "And yourself Richard? Why are you attending Jump City University?"

Richard chuckled. "Well I was born and raised in America but I do know a wide range of foreign languages including Greek and French." He paused, arching an eyebrow. "Unless Tamaranian is a completely different language in comparison to Greek?"

Kori grinned, "Richard there is more than one Greek alphabet, but yes, Tamaranian is different from the Greek language that most others understand."

Richard nodded and continued his introduction when he caught Kori's silent prompt for him to keep going. "I'm from Gotham, majoring in Photography."

Kori's curiosity became piqued. "What subjects do you favor photographing?

Richard smiled. "Any subject really," he replied. "Scenery, people, animals. But I guess if I have to pick one subject it would be people. They are the most fascinating subjects."

Kori's own grin widened and was about to ask Richard another question hen her cell phone vibrated. She shifted her books to one arm and removed a blue Motorola from its perch on her hip. "Oh, I am going to be late for my class," she said ruefully, her lips curving into a sheepish and somewhat pouty grin. "I wish that we….what are you doing?"

As Kori talked, Richard had slid her cell phone out of her hand and began punching buttons. He looked up at the perplexed girl and winked. Seconds later he passed the phone back to her. Kori peered into the screen and saw that she had a new contact. One Richard Grayson along with a cell phone number and e-mail address.

She giggled and shook her head. "And here I was just going to ask you what class you had and whether you could direct me to my class."

"I could still do that," Richard offered. "I have Astronomy by the way."

"Is it near British Literature with Professor Donahugh?" Kori queried.

"Well actually my class is on the opposite side of the campus," Richard admitted rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. "But I do have fifteen minutes before my class starts and lucky for the both of us, I remember where that lecture hall is."

"Oh, Richard I don't want to be a burden and cause you delay," Kori protested.

"Kori, you're not a burden. Trust me," the penetrating look in Richard's cerulean depths causing Kori to close her mouth, preventing any other protests to slip from her lips.

Richard gave her a lop sided smile. "Come milady, let me escort you to the higher knowledge dwelling that is known as British Literature."

Kori giggled and took Richard's proffered arm. "Your attempt at old chivalry is truly flattering."

Two weeks had passed before Kori and Richard were able to have a true conversation, not just the occasional text message. Kori was in her dorm, seated on the window seat humming as she waited for her laptop to boot up. When her desktop appeared, Kori logged onto the internet. Immediately she saw that there was a new message sitting in her inbox waiting for her. Recognizing the address, Kori smiled and opened it.

Hey Kor, the e-mail read. Haven't seen you in forever. Want to meet up at the observatory at four? Write back soon, Richard.

Kori let her fingers fly across the keyboard typing out her response to Richard. Sounds wonderful, I'll meet you there. As soon as her finger graced the "enter" key, Kori placed her laptop on the floor and stretched. She then hopped up and bounced over to her closet. Before she opened the door however, she stopped and mentally chided herself. X'hal, this isn't a date! Kori Anadyr get a grip on yourself! You've only known they guy for two weeks and are already getting giddy? Relax.

Kori took a deep breath and gazed at her clothes. Well, the least I can do is change out of my jeans, she thought as she glanced at the giant bleach stain adorning the denim fabric. She had acquired said stain when she had accidentally bumped into fellow chemistry classmate Wally West who had apologized profusely when the beaker he had been holding and the chemical splashed onto Kori. Kori, being inherently kind, merely smiled and told him she was grateful it had been dilated, therefore it wasn't highly acidic.

After changing into clean jeans, Kori slipped out of her dorm knowing that she was early to meet Richard and walked at a leisurely pace, reveling in the warmth the sun provided whilst admiring the autumn scenery.

She arrived at the observatory at five minutes to four. Glancing around she couldn't find Richard. Pursing her lips and furrowing her brow, Kori wondered where her friend could be. Feeling her phone vibrate, Kori quickly received her answer in the form of a text. "Lol!" It read, "Come on up!" Giggling, she complied to her friend's wish and stepped into the elevator.

When Kori exited the elevator, she immediately tensed as long fingers covered her eyes. She thrust her arm back, hoping her elbow would make hard contact with the unwelcome stranger's stomach. Her elbow however was caught and a smooth tenor voice breathed into her ear in a reassuring tone, "Hey, relax Kor, it's just me." Richard chuckled embarrassedly, "I was trying to surprise you. Needless to say that plan backfired."

He released his hold over her eyes, but moved his hand up to her shoulder and guided her over to the gated edge of the observatory's uppermost tier. Kori gasped as her eyes drank in the view before her. It overlooked the campus's sprawling landscape dotted by buildings and flora alike stretching so far that it touched the beach which was lapped by waves of a deep, gorgeous azure. Above the horizon was a vast expanse of color; vivid violets and magentas streaked with violent crimson, the barest beginnings of a rich navy blue hovering over them.

Kori's voice was hushed as she spoke, "X'hal Richard, this is glorious."

Richard grinned as he gazed at her. Kori's limpid pools of jade were dancing while her mouth was pursed as she cooed over the scene in front of her. Her scarlet hair appeared to be flaming locks blowing behind her, her sun kissed skin caught in the glow of the sunset gave her an ethereal look.

As Kori enjoyed the sunset, she noted a black object being pointed at her. Looking at it fully, she saw that it was a camera. As Richard looked through the lens, adjusting the focus, Kori squeaked and ducked her head, causing her hair to swing in front of her, hiding her from Richard.

Confused, Richard asked, "Uh, Kori? Are you okay?"

"I don't like getting my picture taken," Came her muffled reply. "I am very shy and my pictures do not turn out to be attractive." She flinched slightly as Richard's fingers ran through her hair, pulling it away from her face. She smiled sheepishly at him.

"Kori, you are more than attractive," Richard said softly. "You are beautiful." A blush washed over her cheeks at that. He held up the camera. "Just one picture, trust me on this, okay?"

Kori hesitated. "Richard, truly I am very shy and don't like having my picture taken. I feel like I must have the perfect clothes, hair and smile, as if I were some sort of decoration on display. When it comes to singing, one of my hobbies, I won't do it unless it is in the privacy of my room, sometimes on the phone!" She sighed, looking into Richard's patient yet hopeful blue eyes. Her expression became pointed. "One picture, right?"

He nodded eagerly.

Kori sighed once more before relaxing her face into a gentle smile, hands folded over her right leg which was bent forward. Richard grinned and snapped his camera. Looking at the image displayed on the digital screen, his grin got wider. "Kori, you are very photogenic."

Her blush returning, Kori ducked her head once more and quietly uttered a "thanks". She felt her chin being lifted, soft lips covering her own. Before she could register what was happening, Richard pulled away and whispered, "You're welcome." This time her smile was a wide, bright beam as she quickly pulled him in for another kiss.

Hm, not sure if I like this chapter. Perhaps I'll change it after I hear a verdict from the awesome readers out there.