Kori flipped the page of the novel she was reading but was barely interested in it. She glanced out the window at the sun as it slowly lowered from the sky. It was the night of prom and all across the area, there were teenagers getting ready; boys with smart tuxes and girls with long beautiful gowns. Kori had been excited for it but after her argument with Dick, she had lost all enthusiasm for doing anything.

It was Friday now and Kori hadn't talked to Dick since Monday. She looked down at her phone as it began to vibrate. It was Dick calling... Again. She sighed and pressed the 'decline' button. She had been dodging his calls for the entire week. She didn't want to hear his excuses. At this point, she didn't see what he could say to make things okay again. He clearly didn't feel strongly enough about her to admit it in public so Kori didn't see the point in trying.

Kori gave up on trying to entertain herself with the book in her hands so she closed it and set it aside. She drew her knees up to her chin and rested her head against them, keeping her eyes trained on the peaceful sky outside of her window.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps hurrying up the stairs. She turned to look at her door and watched as Garfield and Rachel strolled in. Kori gave them a faint smile.

Garfield looked very handsome in his sleek tux alongside Rachel who was wearing a beautiful dress. It was a dark blue colour and reached the floor in length. It had small pieces cut out at Rachel's sides to reveal her pale skin. The straps with a good thickness and portrayed her shape perfectly.

"You both look wonderful," Kori told them. Rachel placed her hands on her hips and stared at Kori,

"You don't. Why aren't you dressed?" Rachel returned,

"I told you. I am not going..." Kori replied, quietly. Rachel's expression softened and she sat on Kori's bed, by her feet. She rested a hand against Kori's knee and caused Kori to look up at her,

"Kori... I know that Dick screwed you over but... You can't let that stop you from enjoying yourself,"

"It is not that... I just... I do not wish to feel anything for him anymore. Seeing him will make the feelings stronger, will it not?"

"Yes but... It's something you have to get over. I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth and you know it."

Kori made a muffled sound of protest,

"Come on, Kor. It'll be fun! Sides... I bet Dick will be kicking himself when he sees how amazing you look in your dress," Garfield added, resting a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

Kori smiled slightly at their attempts to get her feeling a little bit better. She gave in to an exaggerated sigh, "Fine... But, I may take some time." She informed them,

"It's fine. When are we ever on time to things like this? Really?" Garfield challenged, causing Kori to giggle.

She moved slightly and brought them both into a hug, "You truly are my best friends... You know this, yes?"

Garfield and Rachel hugged the red headed girl back instantly, "Of course we know that, Kori." Rachel replied, "After all, you're our best friend too."

Kori smiled and released them. She got to her feet and set about getting ready for the prom. She pulled her changing screen across at the back of her room so that she had some privacy to get dressed. She was thankful that she also had a mirror at the back of her room so that she could apply her makeup and do her hair.

Rachel and Garfield sat on Kori's bed and talked about Kori's situation with Dick quietly. Rachel sighed, "I don't think he did it on purpose..."

"It seems like something a popular kid like him would do on purpose." Garfield huffed,

"It does but Dick doesn't seem to be like the other popular kids. I've seen the way he looks at Kori and the way they interact with each other. He wasn't faking any feelings, Gar... I think he's just afraid to admit them in case he gets judged."

"But if he cares about Kori that much, he shouldn't care about what anyone else thinks."

"Well, yes but-"

Rachel stopped talking abruptly as Kori had apparently finished getting ready. Rachel and Garfield smiled as their friend stepped out from behind the screen.

Kori was wearing a long dark jade coloured dress that swept across the floor when she moved. The cut across her chest was strapless and was in a subtle sweetheart style. The chest area was somewhat layered material and looked very elegant. The last amendment to the dress was a thin line of diamonds that ran just beneath Kori's bust. She wore a thin silver necklace and a pair of matching dangling earrings that made her look sophisticated. Finally, her hair was styled into loose curls that had been pulled over her right shoulder and secured with some pins. Her makeup was light and rather natural as usual.

"You look beautiful, Kori," Rachel complimented, giving her a rare smile,

"Thank you," Kori responded,

"Like I said... He's gonna be kicking himself," Garfield chuckled, earning a small smirk from Kori. They all filed out of Kori's room and took a few pictures before they left for the prom.

Dick absentmindedly chugged back another cup of punch. He had only attended the prom in hopes that Kori would be there. He had tried contacting her the entire week and to no avail had he succeeded. He knew he had been a complete jerk by acting the way he did but he just wanted to talk to her and at least attempt to make things better. He hated having to endure the days without Kori's presence after school.

He yawned and felt the urge to go home until someone caught his eye. He smiled as he watched Kori walk into the gymnasium that was decked out in a colour scheme of purple and gold. Dick stared at her for a moment and drank up her appearance. She looked absolutely stunning. He wanted nothing more than to go up to her and tell her exactly that but, he had a feeling that she might punch him in the face or something.

He sighed as she walked in the opposite direction of where he was standing. He came to the conclusion that he was never going to be able to make things up to her if he continued to fear other peoples' opinions.

"I knew it," Wally chuckled, causing Dick to jump slightly. He hadn't even realised that Wally had been standing behind him.

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Dick replied, gulping,

"Dude, it's so obvious that you like Kori."

"Pft! No I don't..."

"Dick, do you really think you're that good at being discreet? I've seen you and her together over the past 3 weeks. I've been past the diner so many times and seen you laughing together and I even stopped by the manor a couple times and Alfred told me you were with her."

Dick sighed, "Why didn't you tell me that you knew?"

"I wanted to see if you were serious about her and... I wasn't sure after the other day when you pretended not to know her."

Dick felt ashamed at the mere mention of it,

"But now that I see you staring at her... It's painfully clear that you're crazy about her."

"It's too late."

"Why is it?"

"She's been ignoring me since Monday... I don't know what to do..."

"Dick... Why are you being awkward about this?"

"I just... I'm worried about what people will say-"

"Dude, do you love her?"

Dick smiled slightly, "Of course I do,"

"Then why the hell do you care what other people think?

Dick stared at Wally for a long moment. He almost burst out laughing on the spot. Of all people, it was Wally who had made him see sense. Of course he shouldn't care; he loved Kori more than he could express and anyone who had a problem with that could go to hell for all Dick cared.

Dick smirked at his best friend, "You're right..." He chuckled,

"Duh!" Wally paused and placed a hand on Dick's shoulder, "It's your move, Grayson. Make things right."

Dick nodded but stayed still for a moment as he considered ways in which to show Kori that he really did have feelings for her. An idea struck him and he grinned.

Rachel groaned as the band on stage continued to play the upbeat music, "I hate this music." She complained,

"You're so Goth; I love it." Garfield chuckled, earning a light punch from his dark girlfriend. Kori stared at the two of them and smiled fondly.

Suddenly, the band stopped playing and Rachel perked up a bit. Someone tapped the mic and succeeded in getting the room's attention.

"Achem... Uh, excuse me?" The voice said through the mic.

Kori's eyes widened and her head snapped up at the sound of Dick's voice. Rachel raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest,

"This ought to be interesting," Garfield sniggered,

"What is your student doing?" Rachel whispered to Kori who was completely taken aback. All Kori did in response was slowly shake her head in a confused manner.

What was he doing? Kori never really thought of Dick as much of a public speaker so this was definitely a new thing. She stepped to the side slightly so that she was practically in front of him, among the crowd of course. She stared at his face. He seemed nervous and she couldn't explain why but that in itself caused her to feel nervous,

"Uh... Okay... I really need to say something... So, there's this girl. She was tutoring me in maths for a while and I didn't think much of it at first but boy, was I wrong... Uh, can I get a spotlight on Kori Anders? She's like... Right over there." Dick explained, pointing to where Kori was.

The bright light hit Kori suddenly and she scrunched up her face and put her hand up to the light. She soon adjusted to the lighting assault and lowered her hand.

As Kori regained the ability to see, she noticed that the crowd had become dead silent and had all dispersed so that there was a clear path between her and Dick. She gulped. She had never been the centre of attention so this was a very frightening concept for her. Her hands got sweaty and she could feel her heart going crazy inside of her chest.

Dick smiled as he noticed her terrified expression. Now, he spoke directly to her, "Kori... I've been a complete and utter jerk in the last few weeks. I honestly don't know why you've put up with me but you have because you're sweet and caring and kind..." He paused and sucked in a breath, reading himself for the next part, "And the truth is... I can't stop thinking about you because... I'm completely in love with you."

The crowd burst into a mix of gasps and a chorus of 'Awes' at his confession. Kori even gasped at what he had said and forgot about everyone else in the room. She swallowed the lump in her throat and fought back the tears that were stinging her eyes. She was moved by what he had said so far and the tears were threatening to spill.

"I know I've been pushing you away in front of other people but... That was stupid. I don't care what anyone else thinks because I... I just want to be with you... Everyday... All the time..." He continued, allowing his eyes to rest on the gorgeous girl merely metres away from him.

Kori felt her heart flutter at his public declaration and out of nowhere; she suddenly got a burst of confidence. She smirked whilst crossing her arms over her chest and eyed him carefully,

"Well... Wh-What are you going to do about it?" She queried, loudly,

Dick chuckled and grinned at her. In a swift motion, he jumped down from the stage and marched up to her. He picked her up by the waist and pulled her to him.

Kori closed her eyes as Dick crushed his lips against hers and held her closely to him. She smirked briefly as she heard the roar of the students cheering for them. She was pretty sure that she could hear Karen and Jenny crying too, like they were watching a deeply romantic movie.

Kori kissed Dick for as long as she could whilst running her fingers through his dark hair. Finally, they both needed to breath. Dick released her lips and set her down on her feet, gently.

Dick's arms remained securely around Kori's waist. Now that he had her, he didn't intend on letting her go. Kori's arms rested around his shoulders whilst they simply gazed at each other, their eyes fusing together in a harmonious manner.

Dick rested his forehead against Kori's but kept his eyes on her at all times. Kori smiled a little, "For what is it worth... I love you also..." Kori whispered,

Dick exhaled deeply, "Thank God for that." He commented, glad that he hadn't just expressed himself for no reason. Kori giggled and played with the hair on the back of his neck,

"You are stupid..." Kori said in a hushed tone, shaking her head at his actions over the past few weeks,

"I know," Dick sighed, closing the distance between them again.

Dick loved kissing Kori. It was like fireworks went off whenever they did. There was always an aura of passion but it was overruled by tender love for one another. Dick ran his fingers through Kori's curled auburn hair. How thankful he was for being terrible at maths. He could not stress that enough to himself...