Chapter Eight: The Sharpest Lives

Four days... it had been four miserable days since I last spoke with Kori. I had unintentionally noticed every minute away from her... the entire weight of my actions stabbing at my thoughts. Again... I didn't regret what had happened I just wasn't a fan of the consequences that followed. Admitting I was wrong would mean that I was comfortable with Kori being with Roy... and I wasn't... and I probably never will be. The reality had long since settled over me and I was not enjoying myself the least bit... in fact... I found myself becoming more and more irritable with the situation.

I had ended things... really before they even began,... with Tiffany, the realization hitting me that I needed to be on my own. Without Kori I was floundering and had yet to find a way to get her to return to me. At school she went out of her way to avoid me, even when in the same room with our friends she remained focused on forcing herself to ignore me... each moment slipping me further into the already frustrated state I was in. I didn't let it show that it bothered me, and in fact I had convinced myself that this was what I wanted... which obviously I didn't really believe. I wanted... no scratch that... I needed to fix things with her. This entire situation only proved that she was more than just important to me... she was a part of me. Most of the time, when not at school I struggled with what to do with myself. Within these days away from her I had to force myself not to call her... I even found myself, while in certain situations, dialing her number or driving the route to her house by habit. It sounds pathetic... and yea, it is... trust me, I'm well aware. The truth is... I was lost without her. She was the one I had spent every day alongside for eleven years... I just simply didn't know what to do with myself without her at my side.

There were several occasions whether with friends or on my own where she remained in my mind and I would say things that only she would understand the humor in. Of course, others didn't get what I was saying and as the realization set over me the weight of Kori being gone faced me again.

So yea, ... I was angry with her for the situation with Roy but in no way did I ever want to lose her. Even now as she sat across from me at the other end of the table in the food court at school I was contemplating my move. We were all gathered around the table, all available spaces taken, our conversation loud, our voices fighting over the large crowd. I drew away from my thoughts as Victor spoke.

"Check it out," he said. He lowered a magazine to the table with a laugh.

"Oh no." I heard Kori say with much distaste. I looked to the magazine now, both her and my face were plastered on its cover. We all sat in silence as Rachel read it aloud.

"Kori Anders and Dick Grayson split. " she laughed. "Miss Anders was spotted just yesterday shopping along side friend Rachel Roth and a new fresh face. The guy,... who remains nameless, was quite close with the young heiress, sparking rumors that she and Dick Grayson have finally called it quits."

"Where do they even get their information?" Gar laughed.

"Wait... you and Grayson were..." began Xavier, the playboy I had briefly mentioned before who sat beside Kori.

"No." I was surprised at how quickly Kori answered. "Its funny really... the media thinks that because Richard and I are inseparable that there must be something between us, but its never been anything more then friendship."

"...continue..." Gar said, poking at Rachel's hood, her giving him a glare before proceeding.

She inhaled deeply. "Rumors which have been declared truth for earlier this week, young Grayson was spotted arm in arm with a fellow peer named Tiffany Homles." She rolled her eyes. "When in an interview with Bruce Wayne in New York, he spilled that the two, Anders and Grayson, ... '...are in the middle of a complicated age. While their distant from each other now, its only a matter of time until they're back at it again.' "She paused. "Even your old man sells you out."

"Leave Bruce alone," Kori said. "It's likely they took his words out of context anyhow. Bruce would never intentionally draw attention to Richard and I."

'There it was again' I thought to myself. Richard,... Richard... Richard. If she hadn't made it a habit of referring to me as Richard when she was cross with me then I might actually prefer it... the name spilled from her mouth in such a sweet way. No doubt I deserved it for the way I spoke to her, but I was easily growing tired of not having her around. Even as she avoided my gaze upon her now, I could tell she was still hurt. I admit it was a shock for her to continue with such strength to avoid me, but I knew she was missing me just as much as I was missing her. I paused, finding a new found hatred for the media as Rachel continued.

"So, how will things turn out at the birthday celebration to take place for Kori this evening? ...an event where both teens are expected to attend? We'll keep you updated, for now... keep an eye out... it seems the two teens have been all over town." She laughed and looked to Kori. "You life always seems far more glorious when I read it in the papers."

Kori rolled her eyes. "None of what they say is true."

At this her and Xavier stood, leaving the table... me remaining behind rolling my eyes. I knew Kori better then anyone and I knew she was nervous about tonight. Her party was normally at my house, but this time around it would be thrown at Rachel's. She had made it very clear she didn't want me there but I knew a part of her did.

"Don't worry you have me, Dickie, and I look way better in an evening gown." Kitten said, rolling her fingers across my hair.

I moved her hand away from me and stood. I began to walk away but could clearly hear the conversation continue as I left.

"What did I do?" I heard Kitten say.

A laugh from Rachel sounded. "Don't touch his hair, its his most prized possession."

"Yea." Gar chimed in. "Don't touch the hair. It just pisses him off."

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(Kori Anders' POV)

Sixteen... was that really all? I could have sworn I had led the life of someone far older, but then again that's coming from a teenager so I don't know how realistic of a perspective it is. In the end, today I was finally turning the magical stepping stone of sixteen... not that it felt that way. I had been excited for this day for some time now but now that it was here I couldn't help thinking it wasn't all that great... perhaps I had built it up too much, I don't know. What I did know was that I was the only one not looking forward to tonight.

I had spent the week going to great lengths to avoid Richard entirely. I could tell it was making his blood boil and in truth I wasn't all that satisfied either. Today I had found myself struggling not to look into those once warm, comforting blue eyes which had scarred me so. The entire day, up to now, had been a complete blur... I was consumed in my thoughts the majority of the time. I know I had made it obvious to Dick that I didn't want him coming to the party at Rachel's house but... it wasn't true. I think you know me better than to believe any of this... this separation from Dick... was the least bit enjoyable. He was on my mind constantly and I had to force myself to replay his hurtful words in my head for strength. It sounds childish but I wasn't going to let him get away with this... not this time. No, this time I expected better from him... the only issue being I wasn't sure if it was because of my feelings for him that I was being this way or because he truly had hurt me more than he ever had... although i suppose it's a little bit of both.

I stood now in front of my mirrored closet. I looked down at my dress with a sigh... black? ... on my birthday... mmm maybe not the best choice. After all I didn't exactly want anyone to know I would not really be enjoying myself tonight. I didn't expect Richard to show and it was because of my own standoffish behavior which I ... I was conflicted about... obviously.

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It was ten o'clock now ... the party had been going on for a few hours and it would have been a great night had I not been in this present mind-set. In the end... Dick never showed. I was surprised how hurt I was by this. I mean... I suppose its my own fault, but that didn't exactly waver the anger I felt for him now. We had never spent a birthday, his or mine, apart and this entire situation I found myself in was nothing short of torture. The memories... all of them, that I had shared with Dick from when we first me those eleven years ago up until now came rushing over me.

I needed yet another distraction to cushion the blow of this overwhelmed feeling with engulfed me. All night I had faked smiles, giggled without any true amount of humor felt,... and it was all because of the one person I had pushed away. I looked to Rachel... she was sitting beside Gar on the couch, each a drink at hand. I tried to distract my mind by merely observing my surroundings, first noticing how pretty Rachel looked tonight and if not for that permanent stiffness in her demeanor, how beautiful her features really were. My eyes passed to Gar now... not even he... the comedian of our group had been able to lighten my mood, not that he didn't try and kept trying.

I smiled as Gar lifted a hand toward Rachel brushing a violet strand of hair from her cheek, receiving a lingering yet... somewhat content look from Rachel. It was now that the thought occurred to me that Rachel and I hadn't really spent much time together this week... I mean, I knew the reason and it took the form of a tall, dark, handsome, stunning blue-eyed boy ... and any other cliché you can think of, but I had realized I missed her. I missed not knowing what was going on in her life, or any of the others who I had come to avoid. It's not that this was intentional... I just wasn't feeling myself and I knew I would continue to do so until I did. Damn... there I go again... Richard ... Richard... Richard... all day... all night... I was beginning to annoy even myself.

Inhaling deeply I downed the last of my drink and having decided that I could no longer bare the energy in the room from the teenagers and friends around me as they slipped further into drunkenness... I stepped out of the room. I made my way into what I quickly learned was the only place of quiet.

I smiled, the large birthday cake designed just for me remained the center piece of a long polished wood table. I sighed again stepping to the table now and glancing down at the intricate designs on the cake... and that's when I heard it... and that's when I saw him...my Richard.

He stood there, in the doorway... just staring at me, ... the look in his eyes I was all too familiar with. The awkwardness of the situation continuously and relentlessly stooping further. Words... I couldn't form a single one... not out loud anyway. My mind, as always was racing, conflicted with the possibilities of why he was standing there before me. What more could he possibly have to say? I had forced space between us to give him time to calm down, it had been four days days... so why... why was he looking at me this way?

I swallowed hard against the lump that had surfaced in my throat as he ran a hand through his hair. I knew he was about to speak and for the first time in... well forever... I didn't know what he was thinking. Then it came... his voice sounding more hurt then I expected.

"Kori..."

My gaze tried to focus on his, but his eyes were scanning over the ground before him, a hand at the back of his neck now.

"I understand..." he began again, falling short of words once more. I inhaled deeply, his eyes looking to me with what appeared to be guilt. He shook his head. "... I understand if seeing me right now is too soon, but... I don't... I don't want to look back at this day years later as the first year we didn't spend your birthday together."

My heart sunk in my chest. Sure, he had been a fool the other day and I wasn't entirely sure I was ready to forgive him... but he was right. I didn't actually believe for one second that this would be the fight we ended our relationship over... and hearing him otherwise feeling the same, I couldn't help but feel guilty now as well. Guilt for what I'm not sure, but I felt something.

I cleared my throat. "I know."

My heart jumped again as a pair of pleading blue eyes stared back at me. As I said this a flicker... a dim flicker of hope ignited in his eyes. I saw his chest raise as he inhaled deeply, lowering a hand to his left jeans pocket with a shrug. "I miss you..." he said, pausing as my eyes narrowed. He took a step toward to long table which separated us and in turn I stepped back almost hitting the wall behind me. I looked to his hand which remained over the table as he nervously fiddled with the stack of napkins beside the birthday cake. "I don't... I don't like this..." he said, his eyes still on the table. He wasn't very good at expressing himself so the moment, for me, happened in a dream like haze. "... I don't like being distant from you." His eyes were on mine now... I'm assuming in anticipation for my reply but I just couldn't speak.

Instead I gave a brief nod, my eyes were on the floor now, my mind completely blank until he moved again. I raised my gaze to his figure. He placed a small wrapped gift upon the center of the table then turned me again. I hated myself for this moment because I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye. Even as his black converse shoes stopped before me, I found my gaze on the floor. I felt lost... I knew he had meant every one of those words he called me, the memory of his unflinching blue eyes as I teared up before him... I knew he didn't regret it. As I mentioned previously... Dick never apologized for anything he wasn't sorry for, so why he was here... I still was unsure.

I felt my heartbeat quicken as his hand moved to the bottom of my chin directing my gaze to his. His eyes had this intensity I had never seen in them before, and I felt uncertainty scramble through my head once again. We stayed in this moment for a short while before he spoke.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you... I really am. I just want you to be mine... it's how its always been." He said swallowing hard. I could hear his voice crack slightly.

I didn't speak, his apology alone still processing. And then it happened... I felt him take a small step closer to me, closer than he already was. My eyes were still on him, trying to read his behavior. I could feel his breath upon me as he backed me into the wall, his gaze still intense. He looked down at me unblinking, his eyes flowing over my every feature. I swallowed hard as he brushed a stray hair from my sight, tucking it behind my ear with a slight side smile. I could hear my heartbeat in my throat now as he leaned closer to me his lips were inches from mine now and everything around me had vanished. There was Dick... and there was me... that's all... everything else slowly faded around us.

The silence was stabbing at my senses, his hand moving slowly to the back of my neck, a thumb rubbed back and forth across my cheek. I opened my mouth to speak but fell silent as his eyes focused upon my lips now... then it happened. He leaned ever closer, his lips finally meeting mine in utter bliss. I could feel my entire body ignite in emotion, ... his soft touch meeting mine.

He lingered in the kiss, and then... he pulled away. His eyes remained shut as he rested his forehead against mine. "Happy birthday Kori."

It was the last thing he said before leaving in silence. I stood, frozen in shock, his figure vanishing behind the door across from me joining celebration and leaving me to my weak knees. I leaned back against the wall slowly lowering myself to the floor, soaking in all that had happened. Dick had just kissed me, something he had never done before. I mean, there was the occasional kiss on the cheek, just to get his female fan club to riot in giggles, but this was different. I lifted a hand to my lips, my eyes shut in remembrance. This definitely complicated things between us... but right now... I basked in the moment enjoying the utter desire I had for him in which he had fulfilled with one kiss.

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(Dick Grayson's POV)

Every inch of me... every vein... every muscle... was screaming in euphoria. My lips were against hers... those soft, perfect lips... her sweet taste igniting a passion inside of me I did not know existed. I would have remained in this moment forever if I could... but truth be told... it was a moment that shouldn't have happened... no matter how much I wanted it to.

I can't explain it. I just couldn't hold back any longer. She had been standing there when I arrived, her eyes cowering before mine in both surprise and confusion at my presence. All my thoughts, all the words I had prepared ... gone the moment my eyes lay upon her. She stood in a blue dress, my favorite color... my favorite color on her... and she looked absolutely breathtaking, the dress hugging her slim figure in all the right places. I hesitated before her, my breathing becoming strained now.

Even as I struggled with my words to her my mind was focused on her beauty and how quickly I was loosing control before her. I had placed her gift upon the table and paused... I should have left then... but I didn't. I looked to her again, she stood near the edge of the table, her eyes lowered to the floor. Her entire demeanor drew me to her... I hated the fact that this is what our friendship had become... awkward silences, choppy conversation and odd glances.

I paused before her, drawing her attention to mine with a hand below her chin. Her large, eyes looked to mine with hesitancy... hesitancy which I never wanted her to have around me... no matter the reason. It was at this point that my inner voice, which was telling me to turn back and leave,... it fell quiet allowing me this moment. Her hesitancy still lingered over me but I didn't care any longer, I was more focused on what I was about to do.

Kori... my innocent Kori had become the one most inner desire I had ever experienced and in this moment I looked over her, my eyes taking in every inch of her beauty. And then I kissed her... the feeling more satisfying then I could have ever anticipated, and what was even more amazing is that she allowed it. She allowed my lips to remain upon hers until I eventually pulled away. My eyes were shut... I was still captivated by her touch. Then... inhaling deeply,... I wished her a happy birthday and left. The moment I reached the rest of the party my mind was racing. I knew it was a wrong decision to do what I did... but there was no other way, I had to... and now that I had... I was engulfed in adrenalin.

"Dick... you made it!" I heard Vic call from within the crowd, but I was too focused to acknowledge.

I stepped out of the party quickly stepping to my bike and taking to the streets. It was now that my actions fully developed over me. I was angry at my inability to be stronger around Kori... she was a weakness... the only one I really had. I was so focused on my thoughts and the possible consequences that would follow that I had begun to drift more toward my thoughts then the road in which I sped down. So much so that I didn't even see the car as it raced around the corner and met head-on with my bike... then darkness.. pure and utter darkness consumed me.

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(A/N) Alright so this chapter is much shorter then most but... I don't know I really just wanted to focus on this main scene, which was epic for me. Either way hope you enjoyed it... Chapter 9 will be up real soon, again its already written I just need to do some editing so please R/R =]