A/N

hiii. yes, this is another high school story lol. but this is also my first post here so pls go easy on me.

sooo i also want to start with a somewhat vague spoiler: i have read a LOT of tt hs fics and loved them all. BUT. i wrote this for the part of me who always wanted kori to make "my" choice. to really see who was in front of her the whole time and realize... things hehe

anyway, i love this ship and i hope you take a chance on it too. this will be a bit of a slowburn so i really hope you guys stick around to see me fumble my way through trying to get their story right.

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans or any of its characters !

The sun was shining, the bright sky was clear of any clouds, and birds were chirping for all early rises to hear. The day was perfect. Well, almost.

Kori Anders flew through her things in a panic. This was the third outfit she'd tried on yet it still didn't feel right. She wasn't usually one to stress about something so trivial, but she was desperate for the perfect outfit. If things were really going to change this year, she needed to do everything right. Starting with the first day of high school.

An alarm goes off for the third time in the past thirty minutes. A loud bangning at the door quickly follows.

"Your friends have been out there for fifteen minutes already, brat. Hurry your ass downstairs." Kami huffs out.

"Okay! Okay I'm going!"

Mind made up, she grabs an outfit off her bed and slips it on. Standing in front of the mirror, she looks over her lavender halter top, tying the straps behind her neck before smoothing her hands over her favorite low waisted denim pleated skirt. To finish off the look she adds her favorite pair of platform sneakers. Her hands move to run through her red locks and she smiles. The first choice is always the best one in the end.

Kori grabs her bag and heads into the hall. She meets Kami's glare as she stomps back into her room, hair still mussed from sleep.

Her older sister graduated a few months ago and is enjoying her last few weeks of freedom before officially starting her internship at their father's company. The only downside being that he's having her wake Kori up for school from now on to get her adjusted to an earlier schedule. She may call Kori a brat, but she has always been accustomed to pouting and getting their fathers reluctant yielding. So Kori feels more than a little vindicated that their parents are really pushing this new "adult" schedule on Kami.

Kori flashes her a bright smile before she can slam the door and makes her way downstairs.

"Good morning, my princess! I'm glad you made it down before your friends could inhale the rest of the breakfast that your mother made."

She gives her father a kiss on the cheek and one to her mother before turning to the three friends surrounding the kitchen island. Indeed there is a large arrangement of foods on the table like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and an assortment of pastries and spreads.

"Morning, Kori!" greets Victor with a sheepish grin, "Hope you don't mind that we got started without you."

She laughs, "I do not blame you. Her skills are Michelin star worthy."

Her mother's amused smile turns to her and she seems bashful as she says, "Oh please Kori. I don't cook that well."

"Nonsense!" shouts her father, "All that you do, my dear, is absolute perfection." Kori leaves their side as Myan starts showering Luan in kisses. Her father has always been a loud and bold man, but he has never been louder about something as he is about his love and devotion to her mother.

They met at a young age, way before he truly made his way up the ladder in the business world. And he sings her praise constantly. How he would not be where he is now without her.

She stuck with him through every little thing life threw at them. When he had a bad meeting at work, she stayed up with him all night revising his slides and talking points. If he lost a company partner, she was there helping him network with anyone who would listen at every social event they could get into. And when he almost lost his company to a bad deal, resulting in the loss of a lot of money, she was the first to reach into her limited funds and help him rebuild.

And rebuild he did. Myan Anders was now the proud owner of a billion dollar chain to luxurious resorts and private estates located nearly all over the world. There isn't a single business mogul or socialite who hasn't stayed at one of these many locations.

Nor a single one he hasn't taken his wife to. The day her father became the kind of man who was able to step away as his team continued the work they'd built together, he showed her the world. Taking his wife from one place to the next, sparing no expenses to keep the joy and excitement of seeing new things in her eyes as long as possible.

And their love has only grown stronger from there, proof being the children they love and dote on. To Kori, it was a beautiful example of what love truly is. Of all the sacrifice and trust it takes to build such a love and to keep it alive for so long. And what she hopes, with all her heart, to have one day for herself.

"You really need to learn to say no to these idiots Kori. They'll bleed you dry before you know it."

Her side eye as she munches on a blueberry muffin makes Kori giggle. Raven Roth has always been known for being her honest and blunt self. But she thinks people greatly underestimate how funny she can be. Especially because others interpret her wry comments mixed with her monotone voice as her being serious. But that is far from the truth. People don't know her heart like they do. She just shows her kindness in different ways.

It's in the way she'll roll her eyes and chastise you for not studying but still pulling out her notes to help you. Or how she pretends she doesn't love Kori's hugs but still leans her head on her shoulder, never pulling away. She's a fiercely loyal friend and Kori feels so very lucky to bear witness to it.

Victor rolls his eyes, "We would never do that to our little Kori, c'mon now," he takes a swig of orange juice before flashing Kori a toothy grin, "because who else would happily feed us like this."

"Dude, technically it's her mom making us this good stuff. We're barking up the wrong tree!"

This comes out, along with some bits of crumbs, from Gar. He continues to stuff his face with avocado toast.

Victor Stone and Garfield Logan. Two of the biggest goofballs she has had the pleasure of knowing. Though the two of them seemed like complete opposites of each other, they were as thick as thieves. And, surprisingly, a lot more similar than people knew. Both obsessed over the same video games, comic books, and even shared a sense of humor. Which drove Raven crazy whenever they got on a roll. Even worse when they argued over Victor eating meat in front of Garfield, a vegan.

The two were also the biggest sweethearts around. Victor was tall and muscular, his build adding to his big teddy bear vibe. Gar was shorter and a lot lankier but his boyish face and dimples fed into his charming joker persona. Truly they were two loveable peas in a pod.

Raven just looked toward her and rolled her eyes. Kori shakes her head along with her and grabs a strawberry filled pastry.

These were the people she'd be starting her high school life with. They were the reason she'd gotten through school in the past and knew they'd make this new stepping stone in her life a lot easier as well. Especially….

Luan swats at her husband, trying to evade his affections. "Where's Dick, dear? Will you be picking him up on the way to school?"

Vic shakes his head and answers for her. "Nah. Mr. Wayne likes to drive him the first week of new school years. I think he's trying to be fatherly or something'."

"Yeah but it kinda cancels out when he stops before actually doing the full week," mumbled Gar.

The teens keep up conversation with the couple as they take their time eating. Each of them slowly worked off the first day nerves as they joked and talked about the day to come.

Finishing up their breakfast, and after a quick goodbye to her parents, they were off to school.

The four teens pile into Victor's car. He quickly pulls away before they can even buckle their seatbelts.

Raven's eyes widen as she gets jolted into her seat. "Can we actually get there in one piece? Or will your 'need for speed' deprive me of the absolute joyous American high school experience?"

"I'm not even going that fast! But you know what? Let me show yall what my baby can do!"

"Faster dude!"

Kori laughs before sitting back, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She was feeling anxious and school had nothing to do with it.

Before she can begin to dwell on the why, they're pulling into a parking spot. Despite her resurfaced nerves, stepping out feels as good as she hoped it would. She felt so grown up already! She knew she had a long way to go, but seeing Jump City high school made her feel excited for these next four years. To grow and meet new people. Start new relationships even! Specifically with-

They're walking to the school's gates when his car appears. A sleek black Escalade pulls up to the curb near them and drops off the boy she'd been looking forward to seeing all morning. He steps out and she takes him in, in his usual Chino jeans and Polo shirt. The boys always tease him for his so-called "mature" style, but Kori loves his sleek, classic look. It compliments his features well. He's handsome and he knows it.

"Dude, totally unfair you pull up to the first day of school like a badass while we came crammed in Vic's car!" Gar says, hands on his hips. Kori giggles at his complaint.

"Excuse you! Don't be acting like my car isn't big enough for all five of us!" He counts on his fingers, "Raven, Kori, me, you and, oh yeah, your big ass mouth!" He ignores Garfield's screech of offense to give Dick their customary "bro hug".

Dick exchanges another greeting to Garfield and Raven before turning his bright smile towards Kori.

He holds out his arms and, like always, she fits herself comfortably into him. He's two inches taller and very proud of his growth spurt finally catching up to him.

Well, her tall shoes definitely don't help highlight their new height difference but… maybe she could switch to flats. It's an easy fix in her eyes.

"We saw each other a few days ago, but damn did I miss you," he says, holding her waist tighter. She can't help the laugh that comes out.

"Who would have guessed you would be so clingy, Richard."

Richard Grayson, known as Dick by most. Her absolute best friend in the entire world. Others may think that proclamation is a bit dramatic, but he really does mean the world to her.

As kids, he was always the sweetest. Never letting the boys tease her for too long and always getting offended on her behalf. Or helping Kori understand American sayings or jokes that she was lost on. Even just letting her cut the line at lunch so she'd get the last fruit cups she loved so much. He was always overprotective of her and so very patient in the way he spoke to Kori.

And it's why she came into her new high school life with the grand plan of making Richard Grayson fall madly in love with her. She knows what she feels- and knows he loves her in his own way. But she's done hiding her feelings. She's always felt things very deeply and refuses to hide any longer.

Admittedly, she only came up with this plan while she was six seasons deep into a show about contestants trying to find love without ever seeing each other. Some love is blind ideal about knowing the person's heart or something along those lines.

While she wasn't exactly confident enough to just communicate it as well as everyone on the show, her plan consists of trying to show him just how right they would be together. And so far, they were off to a great start.

"Hey, we haven't seen you since then too, you know. You don't wanna get all touchy feely with us?"

Dick rubs her back one last time before letting go. "I'm not getting my hands on your bacne Gar."

"Dude that was like, a year ago, and still a sensitive topic!" Gar responds, throwing his arms up in exasperation.

Raven rolls her eyes at him as they finally make their way through the front gates.

The creme brick fence surrounding the school had its large metal gates open up to a nearly empty courtyard outside the main building. There was a pathway leading straight to the school's entrance and grass lawns on either side. Benches and tables were placed throughout and under the giant shadows of the Coast live oak trees throughout the lawn. The school itself was also a creme color with large, gleaming tinted windows.

The five teens gaped at the sight. This exceeded everything they'd expected of their new school. They share an excited smile before plunging into their new lives.

Immediately the group is met with stressed freshmans trying to find their classes, friends grouped together catching up, and upper classmates shoving their way through the crowds of clueless kids.

The gang huddle up to the side of the hallway and pull out their phones to check their schedules.

"Pleeease tell me I have you guys in most of my classes." Gar whines.

He's stomping in place as he starts grabbing everyone's phones to peek at the screens. He's not the only one feeling restless. Even Raven had expressed her worries about not being in any classes together over the summer.

"Yes! Dudes we have P.E. together! Vic, you better pick me for all sports teams this time!" Garfield exclaims.

Victor just laughs in his face.

Raven rolls her eyes at them but seems relieved when she says, "Looks like most of us have our first period together. A bunch of other classes too."

"Hey losers, why'd you get started without us?" Wally West barrels into the group and rests his arms around Kori and Raven's shoulders.

"Um… ow."

"Wally!"

He smacks a kiss to their cheeks, ignoring Raven's grunt of protest, before throwing himself at the boys. "Guys! I've missed you since the last time I saw your beautiful faces!"

"So last week then?" Comes Raven's dry question.

"Semantics shmantics. Now hurry up and show me your schedules. I'll need to know who I'll be stealing my homework answers from."

"Wipe that grin off your ugly mug, Wally. Last year you got away with it, but that won't fly this time around if you actually want to graduate in four years." Roy Harper stepped up to the group followed by Jade West, Jenny Hex, and Karen Beacher.

The second they get closer, they break off into little groups. The guys continue sharing classes while Kori hugs the life out of her best girlfriends.

The girls have all said their greeting when Kori turns to Karen, "I didn't think you'd go back for that top! It looks perfect on you!"

Karen squeals and does a twirl to show off her new yellow gingham ruffled peplum blouse with ties on the thin straps. She paired it with a denim pencil skirt that flares at the bottom and white chunky sneakers.

"Stop, I know! I went back yesterday because I think I would've died if I didn't give in and just treat myself to it."

"You're making me feel bad for not grabbing that damn pink skirt," whines Jen, "you guys should have dragged my credit card across the pin pad for me."

"You were the one who said we needed to stop you from making 'bad' spending choices," laughed Jade.

"Yeah but that was before I got the memo we were all looking hot on the first day of school!"

"You do look hot!" Came Kori and Karen's reply.

Jade just laughed and shook her head while Raven gave her a once over.

"But isn't this how you dress all the time?"

Raven was right of course. The two shared a similar sense of style. Jen was always in mini tees and baggy straight jeans with an abundance of accessories. Big platform boots or sneakers were always a staple as well along with her bright, bubblegum pink hair.

Unlike Jen though, Raven often went with long layered skirts instead of jeans. Her gothic style suits her well, the same way Jen rocked her punk look.

"Yeah but I deserve a chance to fish for compliments on our first day too, y'know."

"Alright ladies, let's get back to the important stuff here." Victor and the boys merge the groups again and gesture for the girls to show their phones, "I don't need to copy anybody's notes, I just wanna know where my people will be throughout the day."

"You're so cute thinking we'll be buying that."

Victor steps up to Karen's claim, placing a hand over his heart. "I have no idea what you're talking about Ms. Beacher. I have nothing but the best intentions."

"Ha! As if you didn't spend all of last year stealing my notes for teachers we shared."

"Like I said, my intentions were clear." He flashes her a wide grin before snatching her phone from her hand, effectively ignoring her Hey! "Like I said, I wanna know where my people are."

His smile softened as he peeked at her through his lashes to see her reaction. Karen crossed her arms and looked away with a murmured "Whatever… just be quick about it."

Kori softly smiled and looked away from them.

Everyone in the group knew about the growing connection between the two. They'd been dancing around each other ever since they started acting "weird" last year. But it didn't take them long to figure out these so-called weird moments were their awkward and stilted attempts at flirting.

After being friends for so long, it was no wonder a flirting stage felt like unbreachable territory. But slowly, they were making their way through it. Kori saw them getting comfortable with the concept and was so happy for her friends. And she felt like she truly owed them the credit for her plan. She wouldn't have so much confidence in the way she would be approaching things with Richard if it weren't for their growth. Though she knew there will still be certain obstacles in her way…

An arm draped around her shoulders. "So we have our first period together right?"

She blushed at how close Dick's face was but gave him a small smile. "Looks like it. You'll have to make sure to sit next to me."

"Of course. You gotta keep me and my notes safe from Wally's grabby hands."

They wouldn't be sharing their first class with Wally, but she laughed and bumped his hip, going along with his banter. "Aww you poor baby. I'll keep you safe, don't worry." She turns to the rest of the group, "Shall we start heading to class?"

"Shoot, she's right! We gotta save the best seats before anyone else gets 'em! Later guys!" With that Wally runs off with Roy's arm clutched in his arm.

Roys complaint of 'slow down, you ass!' fades into the noisy morning crowd. Jade, Jen, Karen and Vic shake their heads before following the two. Unfortunately the group was split in two for this first class.

Victor turns back and flashes a wide smile, "Divide and conquer y'all. We'll all meet back up at lunch ok? And make sure you guys share your schedules to the group chat. Good luck!"

"Good luck!" Kori yells back. Raven, Dick, Gar, and Kori walk off to look for their first class.

They walk into their history class and find seats near the windows at the side of the room. Raven and Kori take up the two seats closest to the wall while Gar and Dick sit right behind.

Before they can turn back and start talking about what the teacher would be like, a man with bright red hair comes barreling in. "All right children, sit and open those listening holes you call ears up!"

Gar sputters as he tries to hold his laugh in behind them. A kid in the back pipes in, "Um… we still have like, ten minutes before the bell rings…"

"And that's exactly what is so wrong with the American education system! Children should be coming in here with knowledge already pumping through their brains and an eagerness to learn! When I went to school in the U.K-..." his loud, slurred words came out in a harsh British accent, his fast speech making it hard to decipher certain words.

More kids filed into the classroom and he still never broke his spiel. Not until two minutes before the bell rang. He surprised them all by even remembering to hand out the year's syllabus.

As the four finally walked out of the classroom, Garfield finally broke, laughing until he was bent over clutching his stomach. Looking at each other, Dick and Kori couldn't help but let out the laughs they had also been holding in. Even Raven was covering the smile on her face.

"Dudes that is about to be the easiest class of the year if he keeps that up!" Gar wheezes.

Raven recovers first. "If nothing else, this will definitely be an interesting class."

They all agreed before splitting off to find their next classes. Kori smiled while she walked away. This year surely will be interesting. She would make sure of that.

yay for first chapters !

please review ! :D