The Hive: Attention Gothamites! I'm extending a formal invitation to one of the hottest events of the year: Gotham Academy Homecoming. Come grab a seat before it's too late. Not only will you get to see a great game and meet prestigious alumni. You'll also get a front-row seat to the bombshell that I've been dying to drop. I've got secrets on top of secrets that no one would have discovered. I'd watch your backs if I were you, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. And you know what they say about friends…
She looked like a deer caught in headlights, her eyes as wide as her hoop earrings and mouth askew. It was a rare occasion when Bee would look like this, and Dick wish he could take his phone out to snap a photo. For now, he'll remember this very moment when the Queen of Gossip, was at a loss for words and caught in her own web. "Dick?" Bee asked. Dick shoved his hands into his pocket, with a "got you now" smirk plastered on his face. "Hey Bee, fancy seeing you here," Herald gave a small wave to Dick "Hey Dick, you needed me for something?" Dick knew Herald was trying to act all innocent as if he was that gullible.
Now Wally, on the other hand, would have bought his cool composure. For now, he'll play his game "I was coming to see if you were okay from earlier. I know Vic can be a bit—" "—I already checked on him. He's fine, right Herald?" She gave him a sultry gaze, and he nodded. As if Dick didn't notice the way they were looking at each other, they were practically ripping each other's clothes off with their eyes in front of him. Gross. "Yeah, I'm good. Thanks for checking on me," "No problem," The conversation died as quickly as it came. All three of them sat in silence, eyes wandering elsewhere. Herald let out a small yawn "Well, it's getting late. I think I'm gonna turn in for the night, you sure you can get home, okay?" Bee nodded back at him. He reached out his hand to touch her shoulder, though his eyes snapped to where Dick was standing, and he retracted it.
"I'll take her home," Dick stated. "I'm a bit far from your—" "—It's no big. Vic would be mad if I didn't make sure that his girl got home safely," Herald bit his lip and chuckled "Right, Vic's girl" with that he gave them both a wave, his eyes lingered a bit longer on Bee, then closes the door. Bee hobbled down the small steps "What the hell are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same thing, funny how we were both here on the same night," He crossed his arms and tweaked his eyebrow "On Vic's behalf," Bee rolled her eyes "Whatever you're getting at, it's not true," "What am I getting at?" Two could play this game. Bee let out a sarcastic laugh "Please Dick, I know you think something's going on with me and Herald. It's not true," It was his turn to laugh "I'm observing," Dick walked as Bee hobbled down the sidewalk to his car.
"So, what's the real reason you were visiting Herald?" Dick turned his head towards Bee. She placed her manicured hand over her face "We've been over this, I was apologizing for Vic," "I know Vic wouldn't like it if you did that—" "—Who said Vic owns me?" She snapped; Dick raised his eyebrows in concern. "I didn't mean to snap at you, it's just lately you've been grilling me," "I've been grilling you?" Bee scoffed "Please, you think those eyes of yours could be hidden behind those tacky Ray Bans," Tacky?" "Your whole face says otherwise," Dick resisted the urge to roll his eyes, Bee took her compact mirror out of her purse and inspected her face. As much as Dick hated to admit it, out of the others in the group, Bee was the most observant; next to him, of course. If there were things he didn't notice, she was bound to. Though with that observance that she carries, also brings out her sneaky nature. For as long as he'd known her, Bee knew how to hide secrets and she could hide them well. If there was ever something that they were bound to be caught in, Bee had the perfect, flawless plan to get them out of it.
This is why confronting her about Herald and Vic would be tricky. "I see the way you'd look at me across the table when I had to do something as if you couldn't believe it" "Could you blame me? You and Kory have been acting so on edge lately—" Bee giggled, interrupting his rant. "What's so funny?" She shook her head and continued to smile "Oh my god, you've got it bad for Kory," His heart thumped a bit. He was worried about Vic, not Kory. He couldn't care less about what she was doing or who she was with. It's not like he thought about her, or her pretty red hair, jade green colored eyes, or her beautiful smile. Kory Anders was the last person on his mind. "I do not, t-this isn't about her," "Dick, you only care because you're wondering how Kory got involved," "Vic's my friend and he deserves—" "—Shh" Bee put a finger to her lips as a signal to shush him. "For as long as I've known you, you never got involved in my and Vic's drama. We've always had something going on, you just started noticing cause you thought she was in trouble," What Bee was telling him wasn't true, was it? She and Vic were always in sync, they finished each other's sentences, shared food, have cute nicknames for each other.
It repulsed him to no end at how in love they were. They pulled into her driveway, a hooded figure was waiting by her front door. Dick squinted his eyes as Bee gasped "Vic," Vic removed his hoodie from off his head, he had a distant look on his face. Dick stopped the car as Vic approached them, Bee exhaled a breath "Dick, face the music. You're falling in love with Kory," His heart thumped again. "I should warn you though, Kory's not what you think she is," Before he could ask her what she meant by that, Vic knocked on his window. Bee gave him a small smile as Dick pressed the unlock button on his car door. Vic opened it with ease "Hey, where have you two been?" Bee opened her mouth but Dick beat her to the punch "I was coming out of the locker room after practice and saw Bee waiting for a ride," She gave him a thankful smile "It would be a bit better if you were there to pick me up," Vic didn't meet her gaze, instead he glanced behind her and pointed towards her crutches. "Need some help with that?" Dick noticed that Bee's shoulders slightly fell. "If you don't mind," Bee pressed the seat button that pushed it forward and Vic grabs the crutches and then places them on the ground.
Bee hobbles out of the door, Dick gives her a two-finger salute "Thanks for the ride, Dick" "No problem," He really wanted to ask what she knew about Kory, however, Vic was standing right there. Maybe she was lying about Kory, although Kory hasn't proven herself to be clean otherwise. That video of her drunk was a shock to everyone and the way she reacted, maybe Bee was right. Kory wasn't who they thought she was. That didn't mean that he could get rid of the stupid butterflies he got every time he was around her though.
The Hive: Uh-oh Boy Wonder, you better watch your back. Queen Bee knows something about your precious new girl that you don't. I know my heart is pounding through my chest, but the new girl's got yours in the palm of her hand. Hope she doesn't crush it.
Kory swung her leg over his body, her hands roaming up and down his arms. His hands groping tightly on her ass, he gave it a harsh squeeze. She let out a moan. "Baby, you turn me on" He whispered. Kory giggled before continuing to kiss him on his already swollen lips. Next thing she knew, her clothes were starting to tear off, one by one; his coming off soon after. She was left in her bra and shorts, while he was shirtless. Her head was spinning, the alcohol coursing through her veins and it made her feel alive. His hands made their way up to where her bra lie, and her breath hitched. "Stop," The guy dropped his hands and exhaled. "Come on baby, what's up? No one's around," she lifted herself off of his lap and sat down on the passenger seat. "I am not ready," "The way you were all over me in that makeup session, I'd say otherwise," He took a long sip of his beer.
"I'm not losing my virginity in a car," He scoffed "So buy a hotel room or in your case, just snap your fingers and they'll get us the biggest suite. Princess," Kory rolled her eyes, then snatched the beer out of his hand and took a swig. "Outside of those walls, I am not a princess," He chuckled as she handed the beer back to him and pressed it to his lips. "Damn straight," Kory reached over to his seat, grabbing her shirt, her hand roamed lightly over his leg. He let out a small grunt "You're such a tease," She batted her eyelashes "Who me?" He shook his head as he started the ignition. "Where you wanna go gorgeous?" Her head was still reeling. All she wanted was a hot shower, a bed, and a toilet to throw up in. She ran her fingers through her curly tendrils "Somewhere far away from here," His green eyes grazed over her body, he bit his lip and let the engine roar.
"Woo!" Kory let out a loud scream, the huge crowd around her echoed with woahs and hell yeahs. She took another shot of whiskey, it burned her throat and warmed he stomach. She was currently on a bar table with her long curls cascading down her back and his eyes on her the whole time as she danced the night away. The music blasted through the speakers, sweat dripping off of grinding bodies, and a pungent smell of drugs wafted through the air. He sat with his friends, they were taking turns snorting coke off the table. Through her eyes, the faces were blurred, one big blob of faces. She felt good, but she knew it wouldn't last. The high from this night would come crashing down and she'd regret it the next morning with a headache to go with it. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, she took it out and saw Donna's name on the screen. Crap. She promised Donna she wouldn't do this again, that she wouldn't go crazy. And now here she is, inebriated, and dancing at a bar table. Kory pressed on the messages app and texted Donna a sleeping emoji.
She shoved the phone in her pocket, then hopped off the table and strutted over to him. He glanced her way with a smirk on his face "Hey baby!" He yelled over the music. He had a bit of white powder left on his upper lip "You got something on your lip," "Want to lick it off me?" Kory cringed, she only tried coke once and she hated it. "I'm good," "Aw come on Kor, you know you want a blow" One of his friends teased, and the others laughed with him. "I'm fine," They booed her. A wave of nausea passed through her, and she clutched her stomach "Can we go, I'm not feeling so good," before he could answer, one of his friends whistled. "Hey, we got company" All of their eyes gazed over to a small group of guys across from them, staring them down. Kory felt her breath hitched as she noticed his jaw clench and him gripping the gun strapped inside his pants. Her vision was a bit clearer as she observed the individuals' faces in front of them, one by one. Only one guy in the crowd haunts her til the day, Xavier. Kory felt the room spin, cameras flash before her, she was screaming but no one could hear him, and then…she woke up.
Vic fixed his hood over his head as he strolled his way down the alleyway. Xavier stood on the opposite side with cigarette smoke billowing from his mouth. He let out a small cough before giving Vic a wave. "Well, if it isn't one of my favorite customers?" Vic nodded his head at him "You got what I need?" "Hell yeah," Xavier removed the brown bag from his jacket pocket "I gotta say, I didn't think you'd start mixing drugs together. That's a dangerous game," "I'm paying for the crap, so I should be the judge of what I put into my body" Vic took out a small wad of cash and handed it to Xavier. Xavier began to count it "It's all there," He shook his head, then shoved the wad into his back pocket. "Who am I to judge? I've got so much shit in my system, you'd question how the hell am I alive," He laughed, but Vic didn't. "Hey, something wrong?" Vic glanced up and shook his head "Just life," "Spoiled rich kid like you shouldn't be mad at life," "Trust me, being a rich kid in Gotham isn't all it's cracked up to be" Xavier took a hit of his cigarette "Don't I know it, I've been to a million places better than Gotham. It's better being a rich kid there than it is here, trust me," Vic watched as the smoke flew out of his mouth and into the air.
It had been no secret that Xavier's family was loaded, in fact during their freshman year of high school, his family would host monthly brunches, and everyone with money falling out of their pockets was invited to come. Although, as the months went by, the brunches stopped happening and Xavier's family made fewer appearances to anything. He wondered if that's what made him get so hooked on drugs, what happened when The Hive revealed that he was a cokehead? Xavier let out another cough, he sounded weak. Vic spotted a bruise blossoming over his knuckles "So, tell me. What's the new girl like?" "You mean Kory?," He nodded. "She wild? Crazy? Hot-headed?—" "—Kory couldn't hurt a fly. She's pretty tame and—why do you want to know?" He smirked before cracking open a carton of cigarettes, plucking one out, and igniting it. He shoved it into his mouth, "Making small talk, that's all," Vic scoffed "Yeah right, you never make small talk " "True, but she's hot. What's her deal?" He didn't peg Xavier to like someone such as Kory. The girls he usually went after had a reputation that followed them and it wasn't the good kind. They were wild, reckless, loud, and with big breasts. Kory was the opposite of those girls, she was kind. She never wore makeup and if she did, you couldn't tell. Also, Kory seemed repulsed at the very idea of breaking the rules, in fact, it downright made her turn ill.
She was the opposite of what Xavier chased after, he shook his head at the thought of Kory and Xavier together. "Not much, all I know is that she came from this country called Tamaran and it's kind of private there," Xavier chuckled again, he chuckled as though he knew something. "What's so funny?" "Nothing, nothing," He put his hands up in defense "You think she'd date a guy like me," Hell no. Vic contemplated his words carefully, he could tell him not a chance in hell or when pigs fly, and both choices were acceptable to this question. Xavier noticed the look on his face and nodded, then took another drag of his cigarette "Got it. Her type's more Grayson," "What gave you that idea?" "Anyone with eyes could see that they got a little something going on…it'd be a shame if something or someone were to mess it up," His voice changed again. Xavier was tricky, as Vic would like to describe him. He could lie his way out of almost anything if you didn't have a lot of evidence to back it up. His way with words came off as charming, however, that was his game.
Lay on the charm, set the trap, and BAM! You're hooked. Vic never stuck around long enough to have a conversation with Xavier, he grabbed what he needed and left to do the next thing or call Bee. Lately, as the days progressed on, she wasn't calling anymore. Another strange thing about him is that he didn't mind hearing from her. In fact, he enjoyed the fewer calls she made and her plans for homecoming. His stomach began to twist at the thought of homecoming. How was he going to tell her that he wasn't allowed to run? She'd be devastated.
Kory's hands shook as she opened the door to the crowded club, she pushed her thumbs into her pockets to calm herself down. The bartender noticed her, his hungry eyes glossed over her figure. His dirty mustache twitched upward as she moved slowly into the walkway. "What brings a hot thing like you here?" Kory glanced down at her outfit, a large t-shirt, and jeans with paint on them. Her sneakers squeaked beneath her "I believe I am meeting someone here, X?" The man's face dropped. "He's out back," Kory nodded as he gestured towards the back of the bar. The bar wasn't busy, thankfully. It was only a few people around at this time of night, she glanced up at the clock, seven. She took a couple of steps toward the back of the bar, then stop and turn her head behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed. No one with a camera or cell phone. Perfect.
"Well, well, well…if it isn't the Princess," He was sitting inside a booth near the back of the club, in the corner, where no one could see him. Kory recognized him by the way his neon x tattoo glowed under the fluorescent lights. Only a couple of people would recognize that tattoo, either you grew up learning about it or you were exposed by accident. Trust her, you didn't want to be on the receiving end of the accident. A couple of drugs were spewed out on the table: Coke, Speed, Weed. He must have been expecting people, good thing she wasn't staying around. Kory held up her hand, and Xavier's eyes roamed her body. She resisted the urge to use the crook of her elbow to cover up. "Don't call me that," He chuckled. "Fine, fine. How's about cutie?" She rolled her eyes "You know why I am here, Xavier," He nodded. "How's Tamaran? It's been a while since I've last seen you," "Tamaran is Tamaran…as long as I'm far away from it," she whispered that last part, hoping Xavier didn't hear her. Kory glanced around her to see that they were the only people in the back of the establishment. "Want some?" "I'm fine," "You never used to be like that when you were with—" "—I said I'm fine," she said, her voice cold as ice. "Oooh, cutie's got some bite. You've been hanging around your sister?" Another eye roll. She forgot that Xavier knew more about her than he'd let on.
They had a past, one she wasn't proud of and would never expose to her friends. He knew her deepest secrets, the shame written all over her body, and why she came here. He knew it all. "What do you need?" Kory took out her phone and showed him the messages from the unknown number. He rose an eyebrow before leaning back in his seat. "When did you get those?" "Since I got here," Xavier grunted "Princess—I mean cutie, don't you have people to handle stuff like this?" She grimaced. If only she could bring them into this, that was too risky. "You know it's not easy. He knows things…things that'll bring my family down," "Yeah, I know. I can only do so much before he flies out here, the most I can do is prolong it—" Damn. She wished he hadn't said that. Xavier was the only person she could go to about something like this. If Galfore found out what was going on, it wouldn't be pretty. She'd never hear the end of it. People are starting to dig into her past and she can't have that happening. The more they dug, the more they found. First Bee, then Kitten, who's next? Dick? No. She wanted Dick to be the last person to find out about her past. It was bad enough that she was starting to develop feelings for him, it'd crush her soul if he saw her differently.
"Afraid your precious boy wonder will find out?" It's as though he read her mind. "No, I'm afraid about everyone finding out," "Uh-huh, listen. I'll see what I can do, then let you know. In the meantime, you need to lay low. That means no hanging out with him and his friends, stay the hell away. Find a hobby, you draw right?" She nodded. "Cool, you know that'll cost you," Kory took a huge wad of cash out of her pocket and handed it to him. He counted the cash, then stuffed it into his jacket. "Great, I'll text you to see what I find" Kory exhaled a breath, and he chuckled again. "Don't worry Kory, no one's gonna find out that you're a murderer,"
The Hive: Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust, New Girl's a killer and that must really suck. She doesn't sparkle or shine, matter of fact, blood on her hands. My question is who's and why? Another question I have is if I should change her name to New Girl or Jailbird.
"Vic…hi" Bee was at a loss for words, her mind blank. All she could focus on was the boy in front of her, who looked so lost and hurt. She caused that, a pang of hurt ran through her body and it caused her to shiver. Bee placed her crutches on the front steps, and Vic helped her sit down. He didn't say anything, his eyes were wandering elsewhere. He used to look at her like she put the stars in the sky, but now the look was gone. "Vic," She reached out to touch his shoulder, and Vic flinched away. "I can't stay here for long, I'm only here to say what I need to say," She felt her heart crack a bit, this was it. He was going to break up with her. Bee watched as he opened his mouth, inhaling in a breath, then out. "I'm still very angry with you, how could you?" She was about to answer when he pressed a finger to her lips. He touched her, was that a good sign? "No, you talked. It's my turn now. I should break up with you right here, right now," Tears brimmed her eyes, Bee let her head hang low. Vic placed a finger under her chin and lifted it to where their eyes met. She stared into his chocolate brown eyes, there was still love there. Bee could feel it inside of her, her Vic was there. "But I'm not going to…I love you too much," Bee let out a small cry before wrapping her arms around his neck.
He wrapped his arms around her small torso "What did you, Bee, it hurt me. It still does…I keep imagining you kissing him over and over," "It won't happen again," It won't. Vic nodded and held her hand "I know it won't because anymore lies or secrets and we're done, Bee. I mean it," She kissed his forehead, then placed a hand on his face. "No more secrets," She whispered, Vic tenderly kissed her wrist and smiled. "I have something else to tell you then," Bee raised her eyebrow in concern. "After I got into that fight with Herald. Principal Wilson told me I couldn't run for Homecoming Duke anymore—" She removed her hand from his face "—He can't do that! That's not fair, you weren't in your right mind, it's not—" "—Bee, it'll be okay. I'll run next year, the title's not a big deal as long as we're still a couple right?"
Her heart dropped, and everything she worked for, it was slipping through her fingers right in front of her. Vic wasn't in the running for Homecoming Duke, their relationship was on the rocks. She was so confused about her feelings for Herald and what's worse her reputation isn't as pristine as it used to be. "Bee?" Vic glanced at her with hope in his eyes. She couldn't do that to him, he was still her knight and shining armor "Right. It's just a stupid crown and sash…we'll still have the dance to look forward to," He smiled again before planting a kiss on her forehead and pulling her in for a hug. "There has to be a way for him to get back on the board," She thought to herself "But how?".
"Herald, you know what would be great? If you were here with me—" Garfield pressed the pause button on the voicemail he was listening to. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Bee was cheating on Vic and from the sound of it, it had been for a long time and Vic had no idea. She was pulling the sweater over his eyes! No wait, that's not the phrase. It had something to do with a sheep or lamb or something. He glanced down at the photos of text messages between Bee and Herald. This was a secret goldmine, if he sent this to the Hive, they'd tell him where Terra was for sure. Then he could get some answers as to why she left without so much as an answer to his question. Was he batshit crazy over this girl or desperate? Neither option sounded good to him. However, it wouldn't be a secret anymore if he told Vic about all that was going on and there wouldn't be guilt on his conscience. Would Vic even listen to him? They haven't exactly been friends since a couple of days ago or could he call it that? Gar pushed himself up from his chair and walked over to his messy bookshelf. There were old plates, socks, and crumbs, everywhere, he didn't have much room for books. He glanced around, his eyes landed on his junior high-class yearbook.
Gar took it off the shelf, wiped away the dust, and opened it. On the front page was their school mascot: a Yellowjacket. He smiled and then flipped through a couple of the pages before landing on the memories page. There were a couple of photos taken throughout the years. A photo of some students in front of the bronze statue, kids wearing wacky clothes for school, and making silly faces. Amongst them was a photo of his former group of friends at the park. Gar stood the smallest next to Vic, Rachel, Dick, Bee, Jinx, Wally, and Garth. His eyebrows creased, come to think of it, he hasn't seen Garth at all since eighth grade. Matter of fact, it was the summer before ninth grade. He remembered Garth as the voice of reason in the group, everyone would come to him when they needed advice. If someone was in an argument with another in the group, he'd find a solution, in a matter of minutes. There would be times after Garth's swim practice when they'd both find a nearby lake habitat to hang at. He and Garth, two brothers from another mother. This is what he'd often tell the ladies that would swoon after Garth, however, they'd ignore him, still, it could have worked if Garth played along.
Everyone loved Garth, especially Rachel. She wouldn't show it, but Gar knew that anytime Garth was around. Her face would be flushed with red. He flipped through the page to see Bee with Jinx on the cheerleading squad. Bee had a mega-watt smile, her body high in the air. Behind her were fans in the stands looking at her as though she had such grace, including Vic. He closed the book, he had to tell Vic what was going on. It was the right thing to do, then he'd send The Hive what he found and no one would ever know it was him. Gar picked up his cell phone off the desk and dialed Vic's number. The phone rang a couple of times before it picked up. "Hey Vic, it's me listen I need to—" "—Hey Gar, Vic's using the bathroom" His heart sank as Bee's voice came through the phone. Shit. "Did you need something?" "Uh, um. No, it was a homework question. I could talk to him tomorrow," "Oh okay," She sighed before continuing "Listen Gar, I really appreciate what you did for me earlier. You have no idea how much it means to me," He rolled his eyes "It was nothing, I'm just happy to help you guys. It was good to hang again" He gave an uncomfortable chuckle, and Bee did the same.
He could imagine her glancing at the door, waiting for Vic to return. "Listen, it'd be nice if we could all hang out again. Like old times, except now Kory's there too," "Sure" He didn't feel comfortable sitting at the table with Bee and Vic, knowing that there was a secret being kept. This must have been how Kory felt "You should eat lunch with us! It'd be fun, I know the guys miss you and Jinx too" Wow. Bee gave him a pass to sit at the lunch table with them, just like old times, as she said. He had been wanting this for so long, to be back friends again and now it's within his grasp. Everyone's coming back together and it's all thanks to him. His stomach twisted…all thanks to him. "What about Rachel?" "Oh, yeah. She could come too if she wants" Gar could have sworn Bee didn't sound as enthusiastic as before. He had to play this very carefully if he wanted to get on The Hive's good side and his friends. Vic's friendship meant more to him and he had to tell him about what he found. "Okay, I'll talk to Rachel and we'll see you guys soon—" "—Great! Bye" Before Gar could say bye back, the phone had already hung up.
Kory paced around her bedroom as she waited for the phone to ring. Xavier said that he'd let her know when he had found something or heard anything. It's been hours and nothing, if she knew Xavier like she thought she did, he'd find it in minutes. "Kory," she heard her uncle say downstairs. "Yes, Uncle?" "Are you okay? I keep hearing you run circles into the carpet," Kory stopped her pacing, then wrung out her hands. "I was-uh-trying out a new exercise! Sorry, I will be quieter," Kory glanced at her phone. Nothing. She placed her hands on her head. What was she doing? These lies were making her crazy. First, it was the text messages, then it was The Hive, Bee, and now this. Kory walked over to her backpack and took out her homework.
If she could distract herself with work, then the anticipation wouldn't bother her so much. She cracked open her history book and began to read a chapter. Her eyes would skim through the words, but in her mind, they weren't sticking to her. The phone rings, thank X'hal. She glanced down at the unsaved number and answered the call. "Hello?" "Hey Princess, I've got some news. It's not a lot but it's something you outta know," "Don't call me that," He chuckled. Xavier stood in front of a computer screen as he continued to type. "You're not gonna like it," Kory folded her arms over her chest and pressed the phone to her shoulder "What is it?" He wiped a hand over his face before continuing "I talked to a guy I know that can find just about anything through technology. You name it, and I told him about your dilemma," "And?" Xavier inhaled a breath, her heart thumping harder by the second. "Someone's digging into your past, but it's not an old boy—" "—Let me guess, The Hive—" "—Nope. Worse. Much worse. Seems like Richie rich's father has been asking around about you, paying big money," It felt as though her heart stopped. She knew who he was referring to. Bruce Wayne.
Dick strolled down the stairs, his eyes spotting Bruce at the dining table with papers scattered around him and his laptop lying in front. "Hey Bruce," Bruce glanced up from the screen and sent him a nod. Dick continued his trek toward the fridge. He cracks it open and takes out expensive bottled water. "Why aren't you in your office?" He asked as he snapped it open and took a sip. Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed "Sometimes my office gets stuffy, so I thought it'd be better here," Dick was about to take a seat at the table, but Bruce held up a hand. "Private matters to deal with, I can't have anyone looming over— "—Aw, come on. I won't peek, scouts honor—"—Dick, I know you," Dick rolled his eyes and raked his fingers through his hair. "I saw that," He wasn't surprised by Bruce's statement. He had eyes at the back of his head, on the side, nothing could get past him, which sucked for both him and Jason, being the teenagers in the house. "May I ask what the project is?" Bruce gathered up the papers and stacked them together. "Boring investments from Wayne Enterprises, you wouldn't be interested," "Got that right," Dick took another sip, then headed back up the stairs. "Dick, wait" He stopped and turned around. Bruce had a serious gaze on his face, which usually meant either two things: you're in big trouble or we need to talk.
Neither was good, they always turned into a Bruce Wayne lecture, and they'd exhaust him and Jason to no end. Jason found a way to fall asleep with his eyes open, he doesn't know how, but sometimes he'd envy Jason's weird talents, more on that topic later. "Are you still talking to that redhead?" Dick rose his eyebrow, "You mean Kory?" "Hmm" "Why?" Bruce placed the stack of papers on the table. "What's her family like? Do you know where she's from? How she grew up?" Dick knew what that meant. Bruce didn't like Kory, when he wasn't fond of someone's presence, Bruce made it a point to make sure that person knew they weren't welcome. "Kory's my friend, Bruce," "She seems…skittish" He scoffed "I mean, you weren't exactly welcoming to her when you picked us up from the restaurant—" "—You skipped school because of her. That's unlike you—" "—Please, I skipped lunch. I've done it a couple of times before," Bruce blinked "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that. All I'm saying is something's off about her, be careful" Dick folded his arms, his glare hardening before Bruce "What are you hiding?" "What do you mean?" "You know something—" "—I'm a parent, Dick. I have a right to worry," He let out a harsh laugh "Please, you haven't parented me and Jason for a while. You only care if you think something will hurt your reputation," Bruce's gaze softened, for a moment it looked as though the statement hurt. He replaced the gaze with a steely one, his jaw tight. "We live in a nice house, you have five cars to choose from, not to mention three motorcycles all paid for, a great school, nice clothes, vacations to whatever city you want to go to. Shall I go on?" Dick glanced away from him "I may not be around a lot, but when I am. I'm here for both of you and pay for anything you ask for," "You don't listen to us though" Dick thought.
Bruce was only around when he had work or went to bed. Any other time, Bruce would be out at an event for work, hanging with Selina, or spending time with charity organizers. Dick couldn't remember the last time that Bruce attended a football game or motocross event. He got used to the feeling of Bruce's absence, for every game he missed, Bruce would make up with material things. That was how they all acted around the house, apart from Alfred. Distant. This was the first time in a while that Dick had a full conversation with Bruce, and it was about someone else. "All I'm asking Dick is to stay away from her. I don't trust her—"—Why? What's wrong with Kory?" He sighed. "I can see that you like her, I know that much…just be careful…falling for someone you don't know—"Dick's heart twitched. Everyone was telling him to stay away, even Kory herself stated that she wasn't someone to hang around. He told her to stay away at one point, but they kept finding their way to each other. The more he got to know her, the harder he fell, and damn was he falling. "Whatever," was all he could say. He took a step up the stairs, "I mean it, Dick, try to stay away," He clenched the railing, his knuckles turning white. To everyone, Kory Anders was a drug that they felt Dick got addicted to. How wrong they were, she wasn't a drug; She was a light in this fucked up, dark world he lived in and he'll be damned if anyone put that light out.
As Dick made his way up the stairs, Bruce sighed again and gazed down at the papers, Kory's face plastered on the front page. She was shielding herself away from the flash of the camera, her clothes slightly vulgar to the wandering eye. At the top of the page, the headline read "Princess Starfire has a wild side!" He flipped through a couple of pages and found an obituary with a boy around Dick's age, if not, older with dark circles under his eye and a shield tattoo on his neck. Bruce plucked the page from the stack and read through it. He placed the picture of Kory and the boy side to side, he stared closely at Kory's clenched fist, a tinge of red peeked through the closed circle. "Interesting," Bruce picked up his phone from the table and dialed a number. On the other line, someone picked up. "Hello?" "Hey, you got any more info on the girl?" "Yeah, she's a tricky one. The royal family has covered up a lot of things about their precious Princess Starfire," "What do you know about this boy? The one you sent me?" He could hear typing sounds on the other line "What do you want to know?" "Everything and how he's connected to her," Bruce gazed at Kory's expression in the photo. Her face was expressionless, eyes distant and cold.
The Hive: Yikes! Looks like the poor New Girl can't catch a break. What else will Boy Wonder's dad find? And how long before Boy Wonder connects the dots himself? She's got a lot of explaining to do, not if red x can help it. Is this a team-up that we didn't know we needed or a disaster waiting to happen?
comicgeek16: Hey everyone! I know it's been a wait, my bad! So now you guys know what Kory's hiding! Sort of..trust me there's more to what other secrets she has. Also, I didn't want to include Rachel in this chapter because that convention's gonna be juicy af ;P. The next chapter won't feature much of Bee , Vic, Wally, Gar, and Jinx, they'll be more in the chapters after this one, so be prepared! The next chapter's gonna focus on Kory and Dick's friendship/relationship, Rachel and Mr. Malchoir's brewing chemisty...it's gonna be tension building chapter. Hoco's only 10 days away after all and it's gonna be a big chapter that ends with a blast! Stay tuned, enjoy, R&R and recommend it! If you have a tumblr, follow me at comicgeek16! Peace! or as The Hive would say it : Ciao now, babes.