Chapter Thirteen:Hollow-Point Smile
(Kori Anders' POV)
Alright ... so,... it's been a while... I mean since New York of course. Its been almost an entire two weeks since then, and while it feels much longer to me, that's only as a result of the torture these two weeks have been for me. Which isn't to say it was all bad... just most of it. Why?... merely because, aside from the kiss Richard and I shared on my birthday, which seems so long ago... my mind kept wandering over and over, refusing to let go of the moment I had with Dick during our last day in New York. Now, let me just be clear... it wasn't as exciting as I make it sound,... but for me... it was something I couldn't let go of, especially when the entire day remained perfectly untainted by time... I remember everything, beginning with that very morning... so don't worry, the lapse of time doesn't mean you will lose any amount of detail in what happened.
So here it is... our last day in New York...
A gust of cool air brushed over me, sending me into a wave of shivers as I awoke that very morning. My eyes remained closed as I narrowed them against the morning light which invaded the room from the shutters... I was not looking forward to this morning. True... Dick had made it obvious he was not all that upset about the little white lie I told him... but no matter how perfectly you dressed the situation up... it was still a lie, and I knew he would nonetheless be frustrated with me... no matter how slight a frustration it was.
The air conditioners' vent blew cooler air down upon me and I immediately pulled the thick comforter over my head with a low sigh. I was well aware that when I fell asleep the previous night, I had been in Dick's arms and that now he was no longer in the room. I could hear my friends muffled voices which echoed down the hallway and vibrated off the bedroom walls, but I ignored them as best I could and attempted to resume in my slumber... but... my mind was already alert and I knew it was a useless attempt.
Covers still tucked over my head I gently opened my eyes airing them out from the night I had spent wallowing in tears. They urgently fell upon my wrist... the sight of Dick's bracelet and the words he spoke to me when nestling it back onto my wrist choked at my mind. I ignored the smile which I was certain had formed across my face and sighed... he had been far too captivating in his protectiveness with me... and I was certain it would only continue to get worse. Because lets face it... when a guy, whether you have feelings for him or not... went out of his way to protect you ... I can't help but believe the situation would plummet you into an emotional state of utter bliss... whether it be desired or not. And that's truly how I felt. I mean, sure, Dick had always been there for me, but now... with this... he had shielded me, put himself in harm's way just to be sure that I would feel safe... and I, while of course would not admit it out loud,... I felt at myself sinking further when around him.
The entire night, at least up until I fell asleep, ... I remember him holding me tightly, his soft touch gently caressing me, comforting me, and not one moment even in the slightest did his grip upon me fade or weaken. At the beginning I felt so scared, ... for myself,... for Dick... also for Rachel and the disturbing fact that she was in possession of a weapon... and then, as the night carried on, my tears breaking way and my body fighting against the pain in which I felt from inconsolable weeping... something inside me just... stopped. I don't... I don't know what it was or how, even, to explain it... but a feeling blossomed in me. I recall, as this emotion set over me, looking up to Dick and as he sent me a warm, sympathetic smile, his lips lowered to my cheek kissing through my tears... and one thing was certain. The bracelet merely confirmed this... and while it was something I always knew... right now the fact that he would always be there for me eternally... it was renewed, a better, more appreciative understanding of him and I and our friendship was fully restored... heightened even.
I could feel my crying soften... tears clawing less aggressively at my tired eyes... and a confident set of mind settled over me. That's not to say my tears faded completely... but I think it was this moment when I was no longer crying because I was frightened by my experience... no, I was crying because I loved him more than I could ever put into words... more than I could ever express or even begin to fathom its pure, solid, unwavering extent. This epiphany alone both reviving comfort in me and at the same time a small amount of regret. Regret, not for feeling this but rather my ridiculous, yet unintentional, attempts at allowing my feelings for him beyond friendship to ever interfere with what Dick and I truly were... we were infinitely two people living with one soul... two hearts bonded together in a friendship that could never fade.
I paused... my mind falling hushed at the sound of laughter erupting from my friends. It brought even more comfort to simply know Rachel had joined in said laughter and that she was internally peeking through her anger and fear during this hard time. With a heavy sigh I tossed the covers off of me and lifted myself from the large bed with a sense of restored happiness. I pranced toward the bedroom door the sensation of my hair dancing behind me at my waist, then came to a pause, my hand inches from the doorknob. I felt myself smile... the thought of a nice warm bath exciting me further. Stepping back from the door I headed into the bathroom, my senses waking as my feet met the frigid stone tiles beneath me.
I forced my unruly morning hair into a tight bun, pausing as I caught my horrid reflection in the mirror to my right. I watched my shoulders retreat in a slouch... let's just say this wasn't the best I ever looked... I hardly recognized myself. Stepping to the mirror I leaned over the sink which met my bare skin at the waist as my shirt lifted in a stretch once I brought my face closer to the mirror. I burrowed my brows looking to my busted lip which had finally formed a decent scab... a scab which only gave off the appearance of a worse condition then it really was. When I lifted a hand to my face I forced it down upon my cheek sighing in a displeased manner... I really had to work on controlling the amount of time in which I spent crying in one time span... the effects were too disagreeable on my features. My puffy eyes and stressed complexion taunting back at me in my reflection.
Inhaling deeply I turned to the tub and brought life to the faucet, drawing a bath... the sensual steam rising and calming me as it developed around me. I lingered in silence giving my mind a break from its constant nagging and focused on nothing more than the sound of the water as it rained down upon itself thrashing against the porcelain tub crowding into a pool of what was sure to bring utter release to my sore muscles and weak demeanor.
Once the bath had reached my desired amount I stepped from my clothes and lowered myself into its' appeasing warmth, my body shuttering against its relaxing hold over me. I slipped into a trance of stillness and devoted silence, allowing myself, body and mind, to come to a halt... no stress, no expectations, no worries... nothing.
Lingering... blissful... silence...time nonexistent...
After a short while... or maybe not so short... I'm not entirely sure, nor did it matter... but I could feel my eyelids growing, my mind now swimming in a dreamlike state. How long I stayed here or if I in fact had drifted back to sleep... I didn't know, but eventually my mind clicked back on. I splashed water over my face and paused looking around at the elegant bathroom, a small chuckle escaping me... Bruce never belonged to anything that wasn't as beautiful as this apartment... right down to the perfection of this rich fashioned bathroom.
Stepping from the tub now I dried myself off, each movement still slow as my mind refused to fully awaken from my relaxed state. Wrapping the towel around me I stepped back into the room making my way to a large suitcase near the edge of the bed. I contemplated over several outfits before deciding upon one I could come to terms with in regards to my over all feelings at the moment. It had to be one that covered the bruises on my arms ... and yet... I didn't want the outfit to be too expressive. I was feeling comfortable in my own skin again since the attack and yet I wasn't sure I was ready for the bright, enthusiastic attire I would normally sport.
I hesitated in front of a long mirror, and with a shrug I took my appearance in. I didn't look too horrible, the swelling in my eyes, which had not vanished entirely, had faded slightly to an adjustable satisfaction. My gaze trailed down from the slightly over-sized, dark blue T-shirt Dick had given me years ago from a concert we had went to... then down to my black shorts... no shoes just a comfortable pair of knee-high black socks with a gray trim. I smiled now, nodding to myself, completely content, then stepped into the hallway.
I walked slowly, ever so often catching pieces of the conversation which occurred at the end of the hall in the living room. Then, I came to a halt, lingering in the entrance of the living room. I felt a smile engulf me as I looked out at the display of my gathered friends. The long black leather couch which remained against the wall directly to my right sat Victor and Dick the two were laughing among each other while, on an opposite facing couch Gar and Rachel sat, their behavior the same. It was Dick that noticed me first, he was in mid sentence then came to a halt suddenly looking to me.
I could see a familiar expression flow over his face. He flashed me a comforting yet concerned smile and waving me over, spoke in an eager tone. "You're finally awake."
It was now that the others noticed my presence and a line of smiles focused on me. I mirrored their smiles and made my way toward Dick, situating myself between him and Vic and leaned into him as he placed an arm around me. I looked to Rachel as she spoke first... her emotionless tone surprisingly nowhere to be found.
"I think you had the right idea coming out here Kor." She shrugged, hiding a smile. "I admit I'm somewhat enjoying myself."
Clearing my throat I nodded. "Glad to hear it." I looked up at Dick. "So what's the plan for today? I thought Bruce left."
"He did," Rachel replied. I looked to her as she displayed a smirk before me, ... and not that I drew any attention to it, I caught her send a smile to Gar, which... is an entire other story in which I was quickly wanting to know more about. "We thought we might spend our last day here ... ya know... together or whatever."
... and that's what we did, ... all of us... we spent the entire day in conversation never actually leaving the living room unless for the occasional bathroom break or the trips Gar and Vic would make to the kitchen to prepare the most delicious snacks. Over all... it was a great day,... one that we all were in need of in my opinion. We were always a close-knit group but days like this were always refreshing and highly enjoyable. Sometimes we found ourselves so occupied in the chaotic pace of our individual lives that even when we were around each other we never found the time to reconnect with one another like today.
Vic, he had spoken of Karen and her friends and the constant struggle he found himself surrounded by when her friends would interfere with his and Karen's time together, and that at the end of the day things were good... difficult at times,... but still good. Gar, he went on about a new girl he had met while in school,... I think he said her name was Terra. Either way he was very... very... excited about her, and while I could tell this excitement from him drew a glare in which only I noticed from Rachel,... I knew she would never actually admit her distaste for this Terra character despite not having met her.
Now, Rachel... she had barely revealed any details about her life other than the fact that she had managed to finish a new series of novels in which she was excited about. And, the obvious statement to make here is that no one spoke of her situation with her father,... and I withheld the million of concerns I had about her choice of concealed weapon... at least for now. Then,... before Dick could speak, everyone shared a laugh in the progress in which their bets against the playboy had made, ... and even I joined in the laughter, which obviously... from what I could tell... bothered him slightly. In the end he spoke about Crystal... the one from the beach house, ... and the one he was sure to return to once we arrived back home. He didn't say too much, and we all had an unspoken agreement to not draw attention to my obvious bruises and cuts... and yet, there were moments when I caught glances, from each of them, their eyes wandering over me in concern, but beyond that the day was pleasant.
When I spoke, I told of Komi and her unwise decision to flee from the cops, miss her court date, and how I was certain, should we see her again, that it would not end well. In any event, though, ... the sun had set now, and Dick and I sat beside each other, an empty box of pizza before us. The others had slowly vanished into their rooms, giving in to their tired eyes... Gar being the last to leave. He gave me a brief side hug then nodding to Dick he disappeared into the hallway, leaving Dick and I alone.
The room around us fell silent momentarily, ... aside from the movie which played at a low volume. I stared up at the black and white screen... "Hitchcock really was the best of his time." I giggled slightly, then noticing Dick's sudden silence I looked to him. He leaned back in the corner of the couch, turned at an angle toward me, ... his eyes focused on mine. I paused reading his expression. "Look... I never got the chance to really explain what happened and while..." I sighed. "... while I'd rather just forget about it... if you want to know the details I suppose I could..."
"No..." he answered, running a hand through those ebony gelled locks. I noticed as his gaze lowered to my left wrist, but he didn't speak.
My mind began racing but instead of troubling myself with what could possibly be on his mind, I opted for a change of the subject. I shrugged, tucking my legs into my chest and hugging them. "It's going to be good to be back home again."
He nodded... the silence still continuing.
"If you're upset with me just say so." I said in a slightly raised voice, which surprised even myself.
"I'm not... why would I be?" He replied, his eyes cooling again.
I hesitated. "You seem... you just seem bothered by me right now."
In what I thought would be nothing more than a continued awkward silence from him he leaned toward me, a hand upon my arm as he lifted my sleeve partially, viewing the bruises which stained my arm. His eyes were so focused on me... concern swarming his blue hues so much that I couldn't take it any longer.
I pulled away, lowering my sleeve again. "Don't worry about it." I tried to give him a comforting smile but his demeanor remained unflinching against mine.
"This never should have happened."
"Do you... do you remember the night we went to this concert?" I asked him. The question alone throwing him off.
He looked to my shirt with a smile. "How could I forget?" A sense of warmth rushed over me as he looked to the floor now with a smile. "We were both really drunk that night."
I laughed. "Yes... and you found yourself in a fight against five other guys." My laughter refused to die down. "... and you... thee Dick Grayson... lost... horribly."
He shook his head. "What can I say? ... I could barely keep my balance at the time, let alone stand alone against them."
"Right, ... and when you came back to me looking ... well, looking as awful as you did... what did you tell me?"
His laughter came to a sharp halt and he looked to me, knowing perfectly well why I had brought the subject up in the first place. He inhaled deeply. "I told you... 'the pain would fade along with the bruises,... and all that mattered was that I was with you in this moment." he paused.
"And?" I teased.
He shook his head in a chuckle. "...and... that when I was with you..." He paused locking his eyes onto mine, his voice hardening in a serious manner. "... nothing ever seemed so bad ... so..."
"... so there was no use wasting my concerns with something I cannot change." I finished.
We paused lingering in an intense gaze, before he pulled my toward him. I turned my body so that I was comfortable in in his arms and we returned to the movie, not another word spoken the entire night. Which, of course sounds like an all too adorable moment shared with my best friend, ... but its far too clear by now that it was moments such as this that slowly tore at my heart.
So, when I began this I said I had mentioned It had been two weeks since that last night I spent cuddled next to Richard... the moment never really leaving me... and it was true. It was as if every moment with him stitched its way into my mind, permanently left there... no matter how many times I tried to refuse the fact that I enjoyed every second with him, especially when he was overly affectionate with me. Now, this may sound all very romantic... a friendship made for the books... but lets not forget one very important detail... I was still undeniably drawn to my best friend in a way that, if I didn't find an outlet to express myself... frustration, desire, passion, longing... and of course that's not to mention all these coupled with the pathetic sinking feeling which lingered over me with said unrequited love... eventually, I would break. And I couldn't... like I've stated before... Dick and I were born to be best friends, and that's not to say that this was any less true now then it was when we first met... but that now... my insides were conspiring against me. It was as though if I did not force myself to remain untainted by my feelings... at least when around him as to not arise suspicion... I would probably end up ruining this friendship... and that's just something I can't live with.
As always... I'm getting off the subject. The point being,... these two weeks had been a nightmare for me, and while I had finally found an outlet to distract me from these feelings for Richard... that didn't always make it easy to be around him. Because, despite Dick's ever more protectiveness about me... he had remained attached to this Crystal girl, who, without a single doubt loathed me... that;s right, I skipped hate and moved right on to loath... with good reason though. I'll get into that a bit later, because I'm trying to explain the one reason I had been able to bear Dick and Crystal's lovey-dovey ... interactions. Interactions which seemed to occur all around me... all the time.
So here I am... these past few days of school having been nothing short of a reality check. I would go into detail about everything but the truth was, it seemed as though everything was back to normal... well, aside from Richard's increase in his already over protectiveness with me... which of course I didn't mind. As I said, Dick was shockingly still with this Crystal girl, and while she didn't really like me I tried not to let it bother me. The good part of this scenario was that it threw everyone for a loop. Vic, Gar, and Rachel's bets had come to an undesired halt... which of course there was humor in, but... while I had been able to filter my feelings for Dick that didn't mean they had subsided even in the least. I guess you could say I had joined in a compromise with myself. When around him and Crystal I ignored, as best I could, their 'interactions', ... but that didn't mean once I got home to my empty house that I didn't unleash the stress of it all to the empty halls. Over all,... I was transitioning... and I thought it was going well... so far at least.
That's not to say I still didn't struggle with myself... I mean, this was Dick Grayson, best friend or not, his pores gave off this unintentional charm which had bewitched me. There were several occasions since we had been back that I found myself struggle whenever a moment occurred when it was just him and I. It wasn't because I was uncomfortable around him,... just that ever so often he would look to me with this strange ... dare I say passionate gaze? I don't how much truth holds up to this actually, and yet... whenever I caught him with those intense eyes on mine, similar to the night he kissed me... I felt as though he was trying to tell me something... and then, like a flip of a switch... he would clear his throat, sending what ever conversation we happened to be in at the time into a humorous random one... the intense gaze vanishing completely.
I couldn't understand it and a part of me thought maybe... just maybe he ... ugh, I don't know, it sounds ridiculous to even think it so I won't divulge my preposterous theory, because in the reality I lived in, the one I was constantly being reminded of with each glare sent from his girlfriend Crystal,... Dick was being nothing more than protective of me... the glance... I told myself... was nothing more than concern.
In any event... I actually have some rather ... interesting news in which, believe me, I am entirely conflicted about. Yes, this is the part where I let you in on my little distraction... a distraction that had taken the form of Roy... Roy Harper. Yes, the one I had cut from my life the moment he spoke ill of Dick and his parents... yea well... I have been... seeing him. I know ... I know... you're probably thinking... how? ... why? ... well... to be honest I found he was the distraction I was in dire need of. Go figure right...? The truth of the matter was... no matter how much time passed, the kiss Dick and I shared haunted me and I wanted to be free of it.
Which of course... Dick was completely unaware of our time with one another ... believe me, you know as well as I do... this was not information Dick could handle... at least not for now. And actually... I should be more clear about all this... when I say I'm seeing Roy that doesn't actually mean I'm with him... I'm,... I'm not his girlfriend or anything, just... friends.
Now let me just point out... I didn't actually enjoy sneaking around with Roy and lying to Dick about where I was and what I was doing but... i don;t know... Roy made me... happy. He made me forget about all the visuals playing over in my thoughts of Dick and Crystal lip locked in the parking lot,... and between classes in the hallways... or at lunch... whenever I was at his house... yea, I think you get the picture. And while I knew merely by the fact that I felt obligated to keep said friendship with Roy a secret that it only meant I knew it was wrong... but for right now, I didn't care. I was happy, ... distracted... and I was rather enjoying myself. Which ... obviously so was Dick, since he was so busy with Crystal to even notice my sometimes odd behavior when I spotted Roy across the hall and we exchange smiles... but yea... rambling again.
So here I was... Thursday afternoon, ... in school, where else?... the day was almost through, well to be more accurate, it was half way through. We, all of us, Vic, Gar, Rachel, me,... Dick AND Crystal... sat around a large table in the food court ...and it was... a rather quiet day, nothing too exciting. I remained silent, staring down at my disturbing excuse for cafeteria food... then... I looked up and saw him. Roy stood near the exit of the door, waving me over in a rushed manner.
I immediately diverted my eyes from his and scanned over the table quickly. No one noticed my sudden excitement, and even as I stood it was as if I were invisible. Actually, I should probably mention... Gar and Rachel were becoming slightly close when we initially returned from New York... and then something happened... or rather someone... Terra. I'll go into detail more about that later, because trust me it's rather interesting... but since I'm skipping it for now, I'll leave you with a hint... let's just say Rachel and jealousy is a toxic mixture.
I stepped toward the exit glancing back at the oblivious table of my friends then vanished behind the cafeteria double doors. Roy took my hand and pulled me down the hallway before I could object .. or even smile to him.
"Where are we going?" I laughed.
He ignored me, taking me down the hallway and out into the school parking lot. He stopped before his bike, tossing me a helmet then smiled. "Let's get out of here."
I hesitated... my thoughts wandering to ... none other than Dick himself. "No... I ... I shouldn't. I mean, ... you know this whole friendship thing is still a secret from a select few of my friends and..."
"You mean Dick?" He laughed. Shaking his head he tossed a leg over the bike. "Come on, he's got his tongue stuck so far down that chic's throat he wont even notice you're gone."
I forced a laugh, but my thoughts were mocking him... Dick would notice I was gone eventually and then I would have some explaining to do. Before I could object any further, Roy's hand was on mine, pulling me toward him.
We rode for a short while, stopping before my house. AS he and I both stepped from the bike, I hesitated. "Why are we here?"
My nerves jolted into alertness as Roy looked back to me with a wide smile. "Look... I'm just gonna be honest with you..." he shrugged running a hand through his auburn hair, his blue eyes shinning... "I'm tired of sneaking around."
I rolled my eyes... I was finally allowing myself to enjoy time with Roy and now he was about to ruin it. "Look... I get it... I do... but if we want this friendship to keep working..."
"That's just it..." he said taking my hand once more and leading me toward my front door, pausing on the porch. I felt myself inhale deeply as he gave me this passionate look. "I don't want to just be your friend Kori... not anymore."
I felt my eyes widen. Laughter consuming me as I shook my head. "You don't know what you want." Hesitation set in further as his gaze remained firm upon mine. I cleared my throat, my mind confused now. "Where is this even coming from?"
A strange emotion overcame me as his eyes narrowed. "You don't realize how beautiful you are ... how amazing you are... do you? I mean... I've made it perfectly clear I have feelings for you."
I froze... what? ... My mind receded into a still-frame of utter darkness... I was beginning to understand it did this whenever I really... really... needed it to focus. I swallowed hard... "Roy... I... " Nothing... no words... just... mush...
Now, if my mind was frozen in shock already... what Roy did next only complicated things further for me. As I remained in a stuttering display of bafflement... he leaned forward, his hand upon the back of my neck and instantly his lips were on mine. The emotion that settled over me was nowhere near as intense as it was with Dick,... but I wasn't entirely numb to the small spark that ignited between our joined lips.
Before I knew it... Roy had lifted me into his arms, our lips still in a dominating clash of emotions.. which continued even as he entered my house slamming the door unintentionally and lowering me back upon the couch. He hovered over me his lips becoming more aggressive now... and then...
"Am I interrupting something?"
Both Roy and I jumped, frozen as we looked up ... Komi?
"What?... what are you doing here?" I asked in confusion... my normal embarrassment of having been caught disappearing. I moved out from beneath Roy and crossed my arms before my sister. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in?"
Komi ignored me... directing her drunken gaze over Roy. She smiled. "Not bad..." I looked to Roy with a shrug of annoyance and found myself shoved back as Komi leapt over the couch lowering herself into the seat beside Roy. She looked to me with a smirk. "I think you were better off waiting for Grayson though... he's got more money."
My eyes widened and I could feel my impatience for her magnifying. "Komi... you belong in jail." I paused when she turned the television on ignoring me. Eyes narrowed I lifted my cell phone to my ear... which of course caught her attention immediately.
"Who are you calling?"
I smiled. "The police... who else?"
I fell back as she lunged at me, ... my phone sleeping out of my hand. She positioned her knees over my arms... a trap in which she had perfected since childhood... one that really pissed me off. Roy remained wide-eyed, unsure of whether or not he should interfere... and he didn't. I struggled beneath my sister as she grabbed my phone and ended the call.
She glared down at me now. "You fucking bitch... you would really turn your own sister in?"
I rolled my eyes. "There's no way around it Komi... eventually you will pay for what you have stolen and the acts you have..."
"Yea, yea... " she rolled her eyes lifting herself from me and looking down at my phone. "Ohhh... what have we here..." She laughed as my phone rang. "Speak of the devil..." She answered the phone with a devilish grin. "Grayson... how are you?"
My eyes widened... the sound of my heart beat quickened against the fear which developed over me.
"Where's Kori?" She laughed.
I stepped to her shaking my head frantically, my eyes pleading for her to remain silent.
She smiled back at me... and I was certain she would tell Dick about finding me and Roy together and the position she found us in on arrival. Her gaze lingered on mine and then she spoke again. "Actually... she's standing here in front of me... with..." My eyes grew even wider. "... with a fever. She came home early ... fi that's alright with you?"
I felt my entire body sigh in relief and I lowered myself back upon the couch in silence. My chest was heaving in adrenalin as Komi extended the phone down to me. Inhaling deeply I lifted it to my ear. "Hey Dick."
"So... Komi's in town?"
I released a laugh. "Yea well... it's a long story."
"I get it." He paused. "So... you disappeared on me. Are you really feeling that bad you had to go home?"
I sighed, I hated lying to him ... but I just wasn't ready for him to know about Roy... I was still coming to terms with the shift in our relationship myself. "Uh... yea... I just..." I looked to Roy as he placed a hand upon my knee... I flashed him a smile . "I couldn't focus..."
"What?"
My mind snapped back to the phone. "Oh well... I have a headache... its nothing too serious."
"Did you want you want me to..."
"No..." I said, knowing perfectly well what he was about to suggest.
"I could be there in twenty minutes... I really don't mind."
"No...just... stay at school, there's no need to leave just because I have a headache. I'm fine.. I'm just here dealing with Komi at the moment."
It was now that he gave me an unsatisfied sigh, then hung the phone up. I paused looking to Roy now... not entirely sure what to say or how to act in response to him kissing me... that definitely changes our relationship, and I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about it. I Swallowed hard as he smiled back at me. "You... you should go."
His eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
I stood lifting a hand to my forehead, knowing perfectly well that Dick would show up on my doorstop in less than the estimated twenty minutes... I knew better than to actually believe he wasn't already on his way here. "It's Dick..."
"I thought you told him not to come here?"
"I did... which is exactly why he will be here soon."
"I can keep him company." Komi said, her smile lingering seductively down at Roy as she twirled a strand of hair between her fingers.
'Komi... not now." I paused looking to a frustrated Roy as he stood and headed for the door. "I'm sorry about this... I just... what ever this is between us... I can't have Dick finding out just yet."
He rolled those gorgeous blue eyes at me with a sigh. "Its like this guy owns you or something." AS my eyes narrowed, his softened, and he stepped to me, sending one last kiss to my lips. "Can I at least pick you up in the morning?"
"No." I shouted. I paused noticing the offense he had taken in my tone. I laughed. "Ha...no..."
"Right... because Dick takes you to school..."
"Obviously, lover boy..." Komi laughed... stepping to me, and shaking her head at Roy. "... and yes... you're right to assume that Grayson owns Kori... 'cuz he practically does... and believe me, when he finds out about you two..." her laugh carried on again.
I stepped outside with Roy now, closing the door behind me to shut out Komi from our conversation. I turned to him with a hesitant smile. "Ignore her... she's... Komi." I placed a hand upon my waist, realizing for the first time that i was nervous around Roy again... something that hadn't happened since I first met him. "Look,... I'm not really sure what to say here... I ... I'd ask you to come back later but... I don't know how long Dick will be here or if he's going to stay the night or.."
"He stays the night?"
I sighed, cursing at myself beneath my breath. "Not like that... just... he's very concerned about me being home alone all the time."
As Roy departed in an upset manner I sighed turning back to the house and entering.
"Well..." Komi spoke again, she looked to me with narrowed eyes. "I'm just gonna go ahead and assume you don't want Dick finding out about..." she paused her hand waving between me and the door Roy had disappeared behind."... what ever this is you two have going on?" I nodded, and as she tossed my phone back to me she stuck her nose to the air. "Good... now I have something on you and you have something on me..." she paused before entering the kitchen. "You tell anyone I'm here... and I'll make sure Grayson finds out about your little friend and the special time you spend together."
I sighed, leaning back on one of the kitchen counters... it was obvious this wouldn't last long. Komi would become easily angered at something I did and would tell Dick about Roy and I... but right now... I found myself more focused on Roy. He seemed so hurt by my behavior after he and I kissed. While I didn't blame him... it didn't change the fact that I had to compose myself before Richard would arrive... which was proving to be more difficult than I could have anticipated.
It was now that Komi continued babbling about one thing or another but I tuned her out, my thoughts remembering Roy's touch, his words... and those disappointed eyes that pleaded before me as he left. Now, I must have been so lost in thought that even time seemed irrelevant to me, because within what felt like minutes... I heard the front door open... Dick's voice sounding. My chest tightened as my nerves set in... I knew I would have to really try hard not to look suspicious around him... an issue which quickly vanished as I noticed Crystal enter the kitchen beside him. Alright... I told myself... there goes my guilt. If he could have guilt free fun with someone else... then so could I... although, I still preferred to keep it from his as long as I could.
"Nice place." Crystal said as her eyes wandered over the kitchen. She looked to me, hugging her arm tighter around Dick's waist in an obvious display of territorial possession.
I smiled, "Thanks..."
"Whose the whore of the week this time...?" I heard Komi laugh as she looked to Crystal. My eyes went wide as Crystal glared now. Komi stopped before Crystal, her eyes wandering over her. She chuckled to herself. "You could do better than this Grayson."
It was now that Dick spoke, his voice annoyed more than ever. "It's a pleasure to see you too Komi."
All remained silent as Komi stepped inf front of Dick now, her eyes smiling flirtatiously over him. "My, my, Grayson..." She shook her head, running a hand down his chest. "... let me know when you get bored playing with these pathetic girls you always find... " she paused licking at her lips. "... I'll gladly entertain you for a while."
My jealousy flared now, and before anyone could speak I did. "Komi..." her eyes did not tear from his. "... just... leave him alone alright?"
"Why would you care?" She looked to me with that scandalous gleam of hers. "... you've made it clear to me that you have other things on your mind besides Grayson."
I swallowed hard as she stepped from the kitchen in a laugh, leaving the awkward air to linger around the three of us now.
"She is such a bitch," Crystal said kissing Dick upon the cheek.
Dick looked to me with a sigh, then stepping away from Crystal he approached me. "Are you sure you're alright?"
I nodded, looking into his eyes... those eyes burning right through me. I did not need him here right now. It only distracted my mind from the main focus of this moment... Roy. I was slowly becoming more excited about my time with him... and when I would see him again. The thought of how complicated things would soon become never crossing my mind.
"Yea..." I sighed. "Just a little headache... as I said."
He nodded, Crystal making her way behind him, her arms clasped around his waist now, her chin peeking over his shoulder. I looked to her with a forced smile, then said, "Look, Dick... I told you... you didn't have to come here and..."
"I know..." he said with a smile. My heart jumped as his hand lay over mine now. "...but as it is you do owe me a rain check."
My eyes narrowed. "For what?"
He smiled, removing Crystal's hands from him now. "You ... me... a bottle of wine... and a..."
I shook my head. "Right..." I sighed, I had completely forgotten about the night, way back then, when Becca interrupted our monthly tradition of spaghetti and wine... the only problem... right now was not the time I needed to be alone with him. "Well..." i smiled at him, then back at Crystal. "... why don't we all make a night of it?"
He hesitated, his brow raising. "You, me... and Crystal?"
I laughed, he knew she didn't like me and that I was well aware of it. "Yes... we are perfectly capable of coexisting beside one another." I smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Besides... it wouldn't be nice to just kick her to the curb." I glanced to Crystal with a shrug. "Unless that;s what you want?"
I could see Dick's eyes narrow, slightly thrown off by my behavior at the moment, and to be honest, while I knew it was rather blunt... I didn't care. On the contrary ... I was hoping to piss her off enough to get her to beg Dick to leave... I really wanted to see Roy at the moment.
... speaking of Roy... he had text me right at this exact moment, instantly killing the awkwardness within the room.
I lifted my phone from my pocket...
ROY: You never gave me your answer...?
Now, while he was vague... I knew he was referring to whether or not I would be comfortable with being his girlfriend... and right now... I really was.
I must have been smiling because Dick leaned over the counter to peek at my phone with narrowed eyes. "Who put you in such a good mood?"
I jumped slightly, pulling my phone from his view and shrugging..."No one... just... order a pizza or something." My voice lowered as I placed my hands to the keys of my phone, texting Roy back. "i just need to check on Komi. I'll be... right ... back."
KORI: I'll consider it...
I ignored the awkward glance Dick had focused upon me as I exited the kitchen, running up to my room, laying back upon my bed for a moment. I wanted to enjoy this conversation with Roy.
ROY: Something tells me you already know your answer...
I smiled.
KORI: If you're so certain... then why ask?
ROY: To have it confirmed
I paused, lingering in thought. I was on dangerous ground... my next reply would either crush his heart, or crush Richard's.
KORI: Dick's here and... I think it's better if we save this for another time.
There was a long wait before he text me back, and when he did I knew why... the text was longer then expected.
ROY: Just give me an answer Kori. You've teased me all week with that beautiful smile of yours... I can't wait to know. If you don't respond then I'll have no other choice then to ask you in person... I don't care if Dick's there. He's going to find out eventually... besides, he can't always have you to himself. ... say yes.
I found myself smiling again...
KORI: Yes =]
Now... as I sent this last text, I felt a part of me cringe. Not because of Roy, no Roy was amazing,... it was because I didn't know what to expect from Dick once he found out that I was actually seeing someone, and not just someone... the one person he asked me to steer clear of.
My mind jumped in excitement as my phone sounded once more.
RACHEL: Where are you?
I paused, slightly disappointed it wasn't Roy responding. Nonetheless...
KORI: Home... don't feel well. Y?
RACHEL: I'll be there soon.
My eyes narrowed.
KORI: Y? What's wrong?
RACHEL: If you don't have to be here then I don't either
"Kori!" Dick's voice rang. I looked up to find him narrow eyed lingering n the door-frame of my room. "What are you doing?"
I sighed,... despite the new feelings I was enjoying for Roy... no one could make my heart beat the way Dick did. He stood there in a state of concern... obviously a result of my behavior. I swallowed hard. "I... I have something to tell you."
His smile surfaced now and he made his way to the bed, laying back beside me and taking me into his arms with a kiss to the forehead. "What is it?"
"I..." I inhaled deeply, his eyes so dreamy to me in this moment. "...I..."
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(A/N) Sorry it too so long for me to update but here's the chapter you've been waiting for =] Chapter Fourteen is already written and will be up shortly so... please remember to R/R