1 You Have Got To Be Kidding Me

"Come out!" Nova demanded, tapping her foot impatiently, "Let me see it!"

"Nova-" Kori protested from the safety of her bathroom

"Nope, I don't want to hear it," Nova dismissed, "Come on out!"

Astrid glared at Nova, elbowing her in her side. "Maybe if you were nicer, she'd be more willing," She suggested sarcastically before directing her attention toward the door Kori was just behind. "It'll be fine, Kori. Come on, the party's in full swing. The only ones who aren't there are us."

Kori clapped her hands over her face in anguish, groaning defeatedly. Suddenly she stood to attention as an idea occurred to her. "I'm trying to sort some things out with the company," She lied, "I may be a minute, so you guys can go on without-"

"Nice try," Nova interjected, "I told them not to call you, Cashmere, Cole, or Artemis tonight."

She put her hands on her hips triumphantly, though her foot still tapped against the plush carpet of Kori's bedroom floor as she waited for Kori to give in.

"Vic doesn't listen to you," Kori snickered.

She may have lied about the company needing her help, but everyone at least knew that to be true.

"Victor knows better than to screw with this one, today," Astrid muttered, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

"Damn right," Nova scoffed, "Now, come on, you're not talking yourself out of this one." She paused, a sly smirk creeping onto her face. "Besides, Xavier's out there. Being preyed on by Carmen, last I saw."

Kori nearly dropped her phone.

She knew she'd have to see him today but she didn't think-... oh no. She shook it off, though.

"What does that have to do with me?" She questioned.

But the lapse in conversation, coupled with the slight panic in her tone, wasn't fooling anyone. She could practically feel the smirk on Nova's face and the coy smile on Astrid's.

And that would just not do.

"Who or what he does in his free time is his own business," She continued, "He's a big boy. If he wanted to get away from Carmen, he would."

The snort from Nova that followed was immediate, allowing Kori no time to delude herself into believing she'd catch a break.

"Oh, please," She sighed, "You obviously want him. And it's pretty clear he wants you."

That really threw Kori for a loop. What was obvious?

"I haven't seen the boy in years," She argued, "If I looked like I wanted him way back when, I sure as hell don't now." She was content with her answer until she realized... "Besides, he's Cashmere's best friend," She added, "That's gross."

Nova was preparing a slick retort when the bedroom door opened, revealing Anthem on the other side.

"What's taking so long?"

"Kori's being a-," Nova began.

"I'm being held against my will!" Kori screamed.

Nova turned to narrow her eyes at the bathroom door before facing Anthem once more. "She's being difficult," She supplemented.

Astrid cleared her throat, then. "Not quite," she spoke up, "She's not a fan of the suit, Anthem."

"Oh, it can't be that bad," Anthem reasoned, "Let me see."

"Anthem, you're supposed to be on my side," Kori complained, "Just hand me my tank and some gym shorts."

"Oh, for Christ sakes," Nova muttered.

She pulled a pin out of her hair and bent it between her teeth, swiftly picking the lock.

Kori tried to hold the door closed but to no avail. Before she knew it, Nova was wrenching the door open.

Anthem appraised her, nodding her head as she took in her attire. "Asymmetric mesh panel tie string one shoulder brazilian two piece bikini swimsuit," she noted approvingly.

Kori stared at her for a moment. "...Does your jaw hurt?" She questioned.

Anthem rolled her eyes in response. "You look cute," She shrugged, "That's all I'm saying."

"I'm all exposed," Kori protested, "Someone, literally anyone, switch bathing suits with me."

"I don't see a problem," Nova huffed. She took in Kori's newly revealed figure, freezing as she caught sight of her hip. "Is that a new tattoo?"

Kori narrowed her eyes, placing the hand over the partially visible inked image of what looked like an "S".

Nova was about to open her mouth to question her actions when Anthem spoke.

"I'm gonna go get Artemis," She said, "I think I know what the problem is."

Kori let out a heavy exhale and sat on the edge of the bathtub. The last thing she wanted to do was sit through an intervention.

"You know..." Nova began, "I think your scars make you look badass. And nobody out there is gonna judge you for them."

"They're ugly, Nova," Kori argued, "In every sense of the word."

Nova opened her mouth to protest but was interrupted as the door opened.

"Everyone!" Artemis called as she entered the room, "I need you to clear the room. My sister and I need a moment."

Everyone gave various looks of understanding before filing out of the room.

Anthem was the last one out, offering a small smile before closing the door behind her.

Artemis wasted no time. "Talk to me, big sis," she urged, "What's going on?"

Kori groaned in annoyance, but it was directed towards herself. "I don't know, Art, it's the same thing as always," she shrugged, "I just don't like the scars. And there are a lot of people out there." A pause. "I don't like for my friends and family to see them. I don't even like it when I see them. A bunch of strangers, Art? No way."

"Kori," Artemis sighed, "Your scars are not ugly. It's like painting on a canvas. They're just marks that tell a story. A story of your greatest struggle and your greatest triumph. Be proud of that."

"That doesn't change the fact that they're reminders," Kori pointed out, "The 'triumph' doesn't erase the struggle part."

"Because of your mindset," Artemis argued, "You're too negative, Kor. Those scars are evidence of the bad things that happened to you but look where you are, right now. Home. And that, on its own, speaks to your strength. That's the part of the story your scars tell that you keep forgetting."

Kori groaned quietly and buried her face in her hands.

But Artemis was having none of it.

"These scars do not take away from your beauty," she continued, "They only add a little razzle dazzle to it."

This prompted a small chuckle from Kori.

Artemis smiled and pulled Kori's hands away from her face. "You are gorgeous, big sister," she stated firmly, "Especially in that bathing suit."

Kori laughed even harder through an embarrassed groan.

"Now that I've gotten my point across," Artemis began with a bright smile, "Let's get out there. Luke's been asking about you."

"Luke?" Kori echoed tiredly.

She didn't necessarily have a problem with Luke. But there was only so much doting a girl could take.

"Uh huh," Artemis confirmed giddily, taking Kori's hand and dragging her along out of the room and toward the party, "And Max, Simon, Luther-"

"Yeah, I get it, I get it," Kori interrupted.

Artemis snickered at that. "... Xavier asked about you too, you know," she added slyly.

"Artemis…" Kori called warningly.

"What?" Artemis questioned innocently, "I'm just saying. The boy is never in town and he misses you."

"He's also always in town," Kori pointed out.

"And, yet, you never see each other," Artemis deadpanned as they came upon the door that led to the party. She reached for the doorknob before pausing and turning to look at Kori. "You ready for this?"

Kori opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing out. She pulled it out from where it was tucked in her bathing suit, glancing at it then back at Artemis. "I gotta take this," she told her, "I'll be right back."

She didn't wait for a response before walking off quickly to find a private spot to take her call.

She was gone for about 10 minutes when Artemis finally called out to her.

"Kori, who are you talking to? The president?" she questioned, "Christ, come on! We're missing out on the pool bombs!"

There was no answer but Artemis knew her sister had heard her.

Another five minutes went by before she summoned her again.

"Kori, it's almost three o'clock!" she yelled, "Party started 45 minutes ago!"

"Alright!" Kori called back, "I'm coming!"

There was a short beat of waiting before Kori was finally jogging back to where she'd left Artemis.

Artemis stared at her expectantly.

"Don't do that," Kori sighed, "I had a business call. It's alright, let's go."

"You're ready?" Artemis inquired suspiciously.

"Yes," Kori replied with a genuine smile, "I'm ready."

Artemis surveyed her sister for a moment before giving her a smile of her own. "I'd hope you are," she hummed dramatically, "Keep that same energy when Cashmere sees what you're wearing."

"What?" Kori protested, "Art, I didn't even-"

Before she could finish, Artemis opened the door and nudged her out, stepping out behind her and closing the door, firmly, behind them.

Kori looked like she had a few choice words for her.

But, she only shook her head in disbelief and made an immediate beeline for the drink table, praying that the cool sugary relief of an iced Orange Fanta would take the edge off like the drink had done for her many times before.

"Hey, Kori, it's good to-"

"Not now, Luke," Kori dismissed, continuing to the drink table without so much as a glance at Luke.

She was almost there when someone turned around and she was suddenly crashing into their chest.

"Whoa," the person said, quickly putting their hands on her shoulders to steady her.

A man.

Kori instantly knew who he was. 'You have got to be kidding me', she muttered.-