Just Drabbles
Chapter 31: At the mall of shopping…
This chapter is actually a preview of a later chapter planned for An Unending Promise. It's also proof that I haven't completely abandoned it. =)
Kori sighed happily as she stretched her arms heavenward. Even though she had vehemently refused to be moved from her desk and the research on Slade sitting on said desk, she was actually glad Richard had practically dragged her to the mall.
"You were right Richard, I do need to be out of the Tower and away from my office," Kori said. "I feel great in the fresh air!"
"What fresh air? This is stale mall air," he quipped.
Kori shrugged. "Perhaps, but it's nice to be out and about with no strings attached." Fighting back a blush she continued, "And it's also nice to be hanging out with just you."
Richard grinned, "Yep. A nice bonus, then again it is me."
She rolled her eyes and elbowed her playfully. "Either you have been spending too much time with Roy or Gar."
He shrugged, "They're both flirts, trust me, I'm not that bad."
Kori raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I've ever seen you flirt."
"I'm Robin most of the time," he pointed out in a lower voice. "As Richard I usually find my spare time eating pizza and ignoring the slavish looks waitresses give me."
His friend giggled. "They do that a lot," she conceded. "Want me to tell them to back off, you're taken?"
"They'll probably demand proof," Richard said wearily. He looked down in surprise when he felt Kori slip her hand into his.
"Here's your proof," she replied and proceeded to walk toward the arcade. Yet all thoughts of sacrificing singles for coins were wiped instantly from her mind when her jade eyes latched onto a new site. A rollercoaster, one with a steep incline, at least two death defying, stomach turning drops, three corkscrews and a loop de loop toward the end.
"That's sick," she said in an excited whisper. She turned to Richard, practically bouncing, her eyes sparkling. "Can we go on that? Please?"
"Sure, why not?"
Kori headed over to the ride, half running half skipping dragging Richard with her. "I don't remember seeing this ride," she said thoughtfully as they reached the line's end.
"Well it's been how long since you've seen daylight alone? Six months? A year?" Richard teased earning himself a playful shove from Kori and another roll of her eyes.
"Hush Richard. Don't exaggerate," she admonished gently. "Half of the time you were holed up with me anyway, researching villains and doing paperwork."
Richard shrugged, "I just was making sure you maintained your sanity is all."
"You stick with that story," Kori replied as the line moved. She looked down at their still joined hands. "Oh, sorry," she said and began to slip her hand out of his, slightly bewildered and surprised as he held fast to her hand.
"It's fine," he said. "I like this." He raised their joined hands. "Feels kinda nice."
Listening to what she thought to be a noncommittal tone coming from him, Kori took it as a symbol of their friendship and let her hand remained joined to his. The two climbed into one of the rollercoaster's cars and strapped in, their hands separating briefly before Richard snatched Kori's hand in his and held it tight.
"You're not a big fan of steep drops," he reminded her gently.
She rolled her eyes and snorted, "You'd think with my background in gymnastics and using the uneven parallel bars and 'my new lifestyle' I'd be okay with these rides. If only my heart would listen instead of shooting up to my throat."
Richard squeezed her hand gently. "We can get off before it starts," he said.
Kori shrugged, "I insisted on coming on this ride, and I plan on riding until the end. Just prepare for your ears to be ringing for a while."
He laughed and replied, "Bring it."
The rollercoaster shot off, Kori indeed screaming louder than Richard on the first drop as they plummeted toward the ground before winding up the first corkscrew and over a series of soft rises and falls. Her screams however quickly turned into gales of laughter and by the time the train completed the loop, a big silly grin was etched onto her face. Her gait however was slightly less than graceful when the two friends exited, using Richard as a clutch to get around the mall unscathed.
They walked around aimlessly before Kori noticed a clothing store and an item inside that made her burst out laughing. Richard shot her a confused look. "What?"
She spoke through her giggles. "I'll show you," She bounded toward the store, pulling Richard along in her wake.
Kori walked straight over toward the swimsuit section and pulled a purple creation off of the rack. She held it up for Richard to see, "Isn't it ridiculous?" She laughed. The bathing suit was of violet satin and cut extremely low, going perhaps to the navel just barely covering the wearer's chest and exposing perhaps most of her waist and hips. Still laughing, Kori went over to the shoe department and picked up a pair of knee-high boots and dropped them in front of her own feet and held the suit up to her body.
"Could you imagine if I wore this instead of my uniform?" She asked.
Richard gulped and muttered, "Yeah…stick with the uniform you have now…" He shook his head and laughed to himself.
Only my best can make me hate that I'm a teenage guy and I highly doubt she does it intentionally.
There we go! A taste of what's to come in An Unending Promise. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!