Chapter Six: Party Poison

(Richard Grayson's POV)

We sat around the television for a long while, brief conversation striking now and again. I looked to the clock, ... an hour,... really? It amazed me how long it took Kori to get ready, it was always an absurd amount of time. I admit time had gone quicker this time around, but only because I wasn't waiting for Kori on my own.

Rachel, while sitting across from me in the small, tan love seat, had otherwise ignored me beyond our previous conversation. I knew Kori had probably told her more information about this certain crush she had, but Rachel refused to tell me anything. If Kori being secretive wasn't enough to piss me off, Rachel aiding her in keeping me out of the loop made it worse. I looked to her, her gloomy demeanor hugged around her book. We all knew she had a past... a dark one at that, and yet she never spoke of it... at least not to me. We were good friends but she was always guarded. Even now as she sat across from me in her dark blue hooded sweater and black jeans, her violet eyes snapped to mine in a defensive manner.

"What are you looking at?" She asked me, her tone submerged in warning. She was like that though, not angry just impatient with most things in which she considered to be pointless.

I shrugged. "Good book?"

"Do you care?" She asked brushing her shoulder length hair behind one ear revealing more of her pale skinned features.

I chuckled slightly. "I asked didn't I?"

Her brow raised now, her eyes holding firm in a displeased gaze. "Yes Dick... it's a great book. One in which I would like finish without you interrupting me again." I nodded, than paused noticing her gaze soften slightly, her eyes focused behind me. "Finally."

I turned, my eyes immediately going wide. I could feel my breath become strained now as I stared back at Kori. She stood in the hallway, that innocent smile focused down upon me. My eyes wandered over her, ... she was breathtaking. Her vibrant scarlet hair spiraled down her figure in a bouncing curl. She wore a small black skirt and a purple tank stopping just above her navel ... leaving a small amount of her tanned flesh in my view. I felt myself swallow hard as my eyes met hers. She had this spark in her eyes that always captivated me... and right now I struggled to draw myself away from her light.
"Do I look... alright?" She asked, the purity in her voice resonated in my mind.

I looked to her cheeks as they flushed slightly in embarrassment as I hesitated in my response. Clearing my throat I stood, running a hand through my hair in thought as I strived for the proper response. I smiled as she tilted her head slightly looking to me for confirmation on her appearance. "You look... you look great." I cleared my throat again immediately turning to the guys who were still glued to the tv screen. "I, uh... we should go."

The drive to the Manor felt longer then it should have, for me. When we first approached Rachel's black Mercedes Kori had situated herself beside Rachel in the passenger seat, us guys left with the backseat. I sat behind Rachel, Gar stuck in the middle, and Vic behind Kori. I could hear conversation taking place the entire ride but I didn't grasp any of it, my mind was fixated on Kori.

I could tell by the narrowed violet eyes that caught my attention from the rear view mirror now and then, that Kori was somewhat annoying Rachel by the constant changing of the radio station, but she never spoke out about it. I found myself grin as Kori began singing along with the current song, her body dancing beside a still Rachel.

When Rachel finally pulled in passed the Manor gates we all filed out of the car quickly. I looked to the long row of cars that had been parked along the property as they began to enter behind us, ... you would never have guessed this party had been a last-minute decision.

"Sweet." Gar cheered, his eyes wandering over the random school peers that made their way around us. He looked to me with a grin. "I told you this was gonna be good." He turned to Vic. "Did you find Karen yet? Maybe she's got a friend for me?"

Vic laugh. "Dream on little man, Karen's not gonna set one her friends up with someone with green hair."

I laughed as Gar lowered his head in a growl of frustration. My mind quickly returning to Kori. She walked at a short distance from me toward the Manor, beside Rachel. I quickened my pace slightly, but before I could reach her Tiffany... another random from school, stepped in front of me.

"Hey," I said dismissively as her brown eyes smiled seductively before me. I tried to step passed her, but soon found her frail arm upon mine, bringing me to a halt again.

"Hey, Dick..." she said, her smiled outlined in red lipstick. "I was hoping I'd find you before the party started."

I nodded. "Yea well... here I am." I could hear her talking, hand twirled within her golden locks of hair as my gaze searched for Kori. I released a heavy sigh as Kori's figure disappeared into the Manor in the distance. I looked to Tiffany now with mere frustration. "Look,... can we do this later?"

I held back rolling my eyes as her smile receded into a whimper now, the tone of her voice contorting to a childlike whine. "I suppose." She paused briefly, then lifting a hand to my chest she stepped into me with a smile once again. "You promise you'll come find me?"

I smiled, the idea not sounding too awful. "Sure."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

(Kori Anders' POV)

Yes... this is exactly what I needed... a distraction. I stood beside Rachel currently, we were in the largest room of the Manor at yet another one of Dick's parties, this being the first to kick off the school year. It was Saturday night, and a beautiful night at that... perfect for diverting my thoughts from Dick, who would surely be too bothered by women to actually be seen. It was good though, I didn't mind Dick having girlfriends ... it only meant that I would have see less of him, which was perfect for me at the moment.

I glanced around the room in a cheerful mood. There were plenty of people who had arrived for the party, most of which I wasn't even properly acquainted with but had merely noticed in school, but it didn't matter I was excited nonetheless. I looked to Rachel who leaned back against the wall beside us in a mood.

"What's wrong?"

Her gaze hardened on the crowd before is. "This party is pointless."

"Weren't you the one who told me it sounded fun?"

She looked to me now adjusting her posture. "I'm gonna grab a drink... maybe then this will seem a whole less worse."

I laughed as she slowly made her way through the crowd, my eyes coming to a halt as Dick stepped toward me. I instantly lowered my gaze, trying to seem busy... with what I don't know, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

"Hey..." I heard his voice sound from within the rambunctious crowd.

I looked to him with a smile. "Hey Dick."

I watched as he turned his body slightly motioning to the crowd with a short laugh. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

I nodded as his smile turned to me. He looked nothing short of perfection standing before me. He wore dark jeans and a simple white shirt but in my mind all I saw was his heart-stopping baby blues shine back at me. I was angry now... I had intentions of keeping my distant from him so why he chose to seek me out was met with frustration.

"Here I am." I forced a smile.

I saw his eyes linger on me for a moment then he said, "I just wanted to make sure you and I were... alright. I mean, the last time I really had a chance to talk to you was..."

"I'm fine... we're fine. Just... enjoy the party Dick."

"Kori... right?" A voice said stepping to us.

I turned to find a tall auburn haired, blue-eyed unfamiliar face. I hesitated my eyes glancing back to a narrow eyed Richard, then said, "Yes... I'm Kori."

"Roy... Roy Harper." He said, extending a hand to me. He paused noticing Dick's glare. "You must be the one and only Dick Grayson?"

I looked to Dick who had kept his hesitance for this Roy character firm. He nodded. "Yea..." He paused then looked to me again. "So I was hoping that before the nights through you and I could take a minute to talk."

I nodded, my eyes still upon Roy. He seemed charming, a fresh face in which I had never seen in school before. "Yea... alright." I replied to Dick then directed my entire attention to Roy with a smile. "So, you must be the new guy." He nodded. "Well being at Dick Grayson's party means you managed to make friends with the right people quick enough."

I paused noticing Dick had eventually left, then looked to Roy again. He was explaining his move into town and his adjustment in school. While I was listening I also took this time to absorb his obvious clean-cut allure... oddly enough he seemed to remind me of someone very close to me. He wore a white shirt beneath a black leather jacket and a simple pair of jeans, but it was his eyes that appealed to me. They didn't have the same warmth as Dick's, but they gazed back at me with the same blue hue.

I smiled as he scratched at his head. "I can't even really remember who told me about this party... but here I am." I swallowed hard as his eyes stared into mine with a sweet smile upon his features. "...and here you are."

"How is it you know who I am anyway?" I asked, finding myself unable to hold a normal conversation after being overwhelmed by Dick's mere presence.

I was taken back by his laughter, but immediately felt a fool as he responded. "You mean other than if I had not recognized your face among the magazines and newspapers?"

I lifted a hand to my forehead shaking my head out of embarrassment. Of course, how could I forget... I was somehow a celebrity in this town. I rolled my eyes. "Right... well..." I paused looking up at him now in obvious awkwardness, the music and excitement within the room narrowing in one me now. My awkwardness soon faded as I felt his hand on mine.

"Lets just get you a drink." He said leading me through the crowd. "You seem a little tense."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

It had been over two hours now, the party was still in full swing. Drunk teens scattered every corner of the room, beer pong commenced in a wave of cheers, and I... I was having the best night in a long while. I had seen glimpses of my friends but the majority of my time was spent alongside a charming Roy Harper.

I saw Rachel only minutes ago, she had poked her head into my conversation to let me know she was heading home, and at the mention of Gar joining her for a ride home I flaunted a scandalous smile at her in which she shot down with a glare. I had also seen Vic, we had even danced briefly, but his thoughts were focused on a very beautiful Karen this evening. Aside from seeing Dick earlier I had seemed to have lost track of him... which was a good thing... I kept telling myself.

I looked to Roy now, he was leaning back against a large table, trying to get a word in with his conversation with the randomly approaching Kitten. I saw his glance focus on mine wide-eyed in a sort of 'help me' warning. I giggled to myself then stepped passed Kitten and took his hand.

"Excuse us," I said to Kitten, who in turn scowled at me. I didn't take offense though... this was Kitten after all.

I felt a smile creep upon my face as I led Roy through the Manor, his hand tightening on mine. We walked for a long while then stepped outside.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

I motioned to the large building in the distance. "Do you ride?"

He nodded. "Your telling me Dick has his own track?" He asked as we entered. I had released his hand and looked to him walking backward toward the where the bikes were stationed. The amazement on his face made me giggle. He looked as though he had never seen anything so extraordinary... which I agree it is an amazing sight in itself.

I tossed him a helmet. "Heads up."

He caught it and looked to me. "You mean we can...?"

I nodded. "That is... if you think you can keep up."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

My bike swerved passed the finish line, Roy's coming to a halt beside mine only seconds behind. As the dirt around us settled I turned to him removing my helmet leaning it against me waist with a laugh.

"I was close." He smiled, removing his helmet, as well, with a sigh. "...so... close."

I lifted a hand to my forehead, wiping away a trail of sweat. We had been at the track for a good twenty minutes and somewhere along the line I had forgotten about all the stress I was in. I smiled back at Roy, ... him being the reason for this relief. I can't really explain it... he just... he made me smile... even as I felt the effects of the small amount of alcohol in which I had consumed spiraling within me.

In the time I had spent with Roy I had come to the realization that he was far different then I would have ever expected. He seemed more like the silent, withdrawn type and yet he wasn't... in fact he had me laughing most of the night. True, I hadn't known him that long but I felt comfortable with him,... happy even.

He looked back at me with his charming smile, unaffected by his defeat. "Again?"

I shook my head, then checking the time on my phone I said, "I think I've had enough for now. The alcohol is making my head spin."

He quietly agreed and as we walked our bikes back our conversation continued.

"So..." he paused as I looked to him, noticing an awkward expression upon his face. "... you and Grayson..."

My eyes narrowed, wishing he hadn't just brought him up. "What about him?"

I laughed as he remained in a hesitant silence. Clearing his throat he said, "Well... what's the deal with you two?"

I shrugged, placing my bike among the others. "Nothing..." he looked to me with a raised brow to which I rolled my eyes in response. "... and everything." I sighed, brushing my hair behind my ear. "We've been friends for a long time." He nodded, the awkward expression lingering on his face. "Why?"

He looked to me now with a shrug. I felt my heartbeat quicken slightly as he stepped closer to me, his eyes focusing on a strand of my hair as he brushed it out of my face. "I don't know,... he seems... really close with you."

I nodded. "He is... I mean, we are." I hesitated. "Look, if he's given you the wrong impression don't trouble yourself,... Dick's a sweet guy, he's just protective of his friends is all." I paused, my phone vibrating in my pocket. Looking down to it I sighed... it was Dick. Silencing my phone now I returned it to my pocket and looked to Roy again realizing for the first time how close he actually was to me. My mind focused now on nothing more than his eyes on mine.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

(Richard Grayson's POV)

"Stay focused..."

I looked to Tiffany with narrowed eyes. I had been trying to get a hold of Kori for the past half hour and she continued to ignore me. I knew she was here, she didn't have a ride home. I cursed beneath my breath stepping back from Tiffany who kept clawing at me in her drunken haze. I lifted my phone to my ear again knowing perfectly well she was still with Roy, it had become apparent to me a while ago once I realized neither of them remained in sight within the party.

My frustration set in further as the dial tone kept ringing without a reply. I growled slightly, placing my phone in my pocket again and turning back to Tiffany. I rolled my eyes,... she was a pretty girl and yet right now... in the state she was in... no one would be proud to be beside her. She was slurring her words, a few strands of hair blonde trapped between her chapped lips as she continued to persuade me to take her up to my room. Perhaps on any other occasion when I wasn't solely focused on Kori I would have... then again maybe not, she wasn't exactly tempting to me at the moment.

It was at this time when I noticed the lights to the track were on. My eyes narrowed... who would have gone there? ... of all nights... a party in progress? I turned to Tiffany telling her to wait for me to return but she followed against my own wishes. We walked toward the track, Tiffany leaning on me and stumbling all over the place.

When we entered I immediately fell silent waving a hand dismissively at Tiffany, beckoning for her silence as well. There were two voices echoing off the track walls... one I was very familiar with, the other... I was discovering belonged to a person I was dying to get within inches of for a 'pleasant conversation'.

I stepped passed the small corner to my right and saw her... Kori,... standing within inches of Roy. I strained my ears to focus on the echoing long enough to hear what they were saying. Kori's sweet voice rang first...

"It's awkward and... strange... I don't really understand nor can I explain it." She giggled.

"It's got to be weird... living life in the eyes of the media. I mean... there must not be much privacy." Roy said.

My eyes narrowed as Kori smiled up at him now. "It's alright... it's not like I can change who I am... or who my mother is for that matter. I will admit,... sometimes I wish I had a different life, one where I'm not faking smiles for the public."

"Well..." Roy said, lifting a hand to Kori's cheek. "... if it's any consolation... you make it look easy. You always seem so happy and full of life."

That was it, I had heard enough. I had decided the moment Roy's eyes laid on Kori's that I didn't like him and right now was as good as any to let him know that. I stepped toward them raising my voice. "Kori!"

She looked to me wide-eyed and suddenly nervous as she took a step back from Roy. "Richard... I-I didn't notice you were here."

I didn't acknowledge her, to be honest I was seeing red, and my anger... it was all for Roy. I stopped before him, eyes wide. "You should leave." He looked to Kori for help but even as she tried to speak I placed a hand in front of her making her fall silent. "Just go."

My anger was fuming as he looked to Kori with a shrug and a brief, 'I'll see you later.' I waited for the sound of the door closing behind him then my glare moved to Kori. She stood before me, a confused look upon her face as she hugged herself in embarrassment. "What do you think you were doing?"

"I... I don't know... nothing. I didn't think you'd mind if we took a few laps around the track."

"Forget about the track!" I yelled. "You really think I give a shit what you were doing at the track? ... I mean with him. What were you doing? What were you thinking?"

Her eyes narrowed now, and while I could tell she was becoming angry herself it didn't faze me ... I was far too over the edge now to be brought back. "What are you talking about? I was... hanging out, making conversation."

"Making conversation?" I laughed sarcastically. I shook my head pacing slightly in front of her. "What's gotten into you Kori? You don't do things like this. You've been acting strange... distant lately little did I know it was because you were far too busy trying to whore yourself out with that..."

"Richard!" She shouted. I had never heard her so angry, but again it only fueled my rage for her. I remained silent as her eyes watered before me. She shook her head, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I... how... how could you say that?" She took a step toward me, but I stepped back glaring at her in warning. "Dick I... don't talk to me like that. Don't you ever call me that... ever."

"I'll call you whatever I see fit and right now,... after that display of behavior... taking him away from the party to be alone... giggling..." I shook my head again. "I mean... how could you be so obvious? You don't know this guy... you don't know what he's after. Or maybe you do and..."

"Stop!" She cried. Her eyes looked up at the ceiling for a moment as she held back her tears. "Of all people... of all people Richard, you are telling me I'm being too forward?" She shook her head the tears pouring from her eyes now. "I was having a good time tonight. I... I was happy, enjoying myself. I wasn't throwing myself at Roy we were just..." she paused. "You're my best friend I shouldn't have to explain anything to you."

"I don't care Kori... after what I just saw... you're not even the Kori I know." As I said this her entire body jumped slightly, not because I had yelled but rather that I had finally said the one thing to truly hurt her. The sad part... I was content with this... happy even that I could make her cry. It sounds horrible but it's actually how I felt at this time. Even as she cursed under her breath at me and left in tears I felt better with the situation.

It took a few moments of silence before I turned to make my way back to the party. Pausing before the door of the track I remained in thought. My mind played over everything I had done and said to Kori, and while I had no regrets... I had brought her to tears. I could feel a lump in my chest as I thought of what she was doing now and where she was. I knew she would be alone but she would be weeping still and it was because of me. I growled slightly, striking my fist against the wall to release my anger. The worse part ... I knew this wasn't over... I still had to deal with Roy.