Two years.

It had been two years since Kory and Dick had argued, promptly broken up, and placed a thick distance between each other. That was two years of mending, two years of putting the pieces of a single heart back together, and two years of distance from loved ones.

The infamous argument that split the pair left everyone in shambles and utter chaos. The two had been high school sweethearts; together since junior year, through graduation and almost the entire duration of college. It was an unexpected fight. Sure, they had squabbled in the past, had their moments of brief fury, but nothing had shredded them and caused separation until that night. That's a story for another time though.

Nevertheless, it had nearly ruined their group of friends. The friendships they had were shared, so how was one to pick a side when they didn't know the details behind what happened? And no argument had happened to this extent before and then with the break up taking place, how was one to choose a side, to choose a friend? It shouldn't have been a choice, really. They were adults and capable of remaining friends with the two, but yet there was an evident sway.

Rachel, knowing more of the story than most, had leaned towards Kory's side. Roy and Garth had picked Dick's. Victor, who had already begun the process of moving away to New York for a football opportunity, chose Kory. His only comment on the matter had been that nobody could ever be his friend if they hurt his little sister. Donna chased Kory a few days after the split. She packed all of her things and moved, saying that Kory would need someone and wouldn't be able to do it on her own for too long. After all, a shattered heart needs companionship; a best friend. Gar and Wally were the only two that stood in a sort of middle ground. Their personalities were too lively and full of heart to be divided.

So, on the night of the break up, Kory had fled all the way to Brooklyn. At the time, Victor was in Jump City gathering the rest of his things and told her she could stay in his new place to collect herself. Donna, a day or two behind, caught a plane and found her. The two girls had stayed with Victor for a few weeks until they found an apartment together and moved out.

And that was that.

Kory, Donna, and Victor made a little life for themselves in Brooklyn. Donna dabbled in photography, Kory secured a job at a professional modeling agency, and Victor's football career kicked off and he even found himself a lovely girlfriend named Karen. Some of their friends—Rachel, Gar, and Wally—visited when they could. And while Kory's heartache had carried an air of melancholy around it for months, the gentle act of healing began its torturous process. With time, all wounds mend, or at the very least, they get covered up by a fresh beginning.

So, two years later, here we are.

"Kory, you can't be serious."

"I'm serious." She repeated the words for the hundredth time. They had taken on a bland sound when departing her lips now. "I'd be foolish not to take the offer."

"But you've gotten offers from there before, honey, and you've never taken them. And with good reason, too." Donna countered, voice softening. "It's just... it's a big decision to make and we should really sit down and talk about it before you do anything. Is it because of Vic? I know he's been thinking of moving back there and all, but you know he'd visit us all the time."

Kory shook her head, curls of cerise hair falling into her face. "It's not because of Vic." She sighed, searching for the words inside her head. The answer felt so basic though and sometimes simplicity could seem strange in the eyes of others. "Donna, you know why I left, why I took everything I could and abandoned nearly everything. You were there to deal with the aftermath of it. You were there when I cried, when I fell apart, when I didn't feel like getting up in the morning, when everything felt like too much, and you were there when I started healing. I'm not the only one that left behind everything. You did, too. For me. And you know I could never thank you enough for doing that, because I really needed someone to pick up my pieces and you sacrificed a lot to do it."

"Yeah, and I'd do it again and again." Genuine truth. They had partaken in similar conversations like this before. Some were a bit more emotional and filled with sobs, but others traveled along this line of nonchalance. These were just the facts. "But if you're thinking about moving back there because of me, then don't. Yeah, I left, but I'm happy with the life we built here. And don't do it for Vic or Karen either; they wouldn't want you to do it."

"It's not about you or Victor though." Not entirely. Of course, she felt bad, especially for Donna. Vic had already decided to move to Brooklyn, but Donna's arrival in the city was because of her. The guilt of it had consumed her for the first year, but still remained in the back of her head. Regardless, that wasn't why she had come to her recent decision.

"Then what's it about?"

"Firstly, the modeling agency that is offering me the job is way better than the one I'm with now. I'd be getting so much more if I switched to them. It would be a great opportunity for me and I don't really want to pass it up. You know they've offered it to me a few times in the past, but I feel like they're getting tired of me saying no and I don't want the past to get in my way anymore. Secondly, I know your old job in Jump would gladly take you back in a heartbeat. You had more freedom there with your photography and it shows, so don't even try and tell me you don't miss it a little. Lastly... I miss our friends, Donna. I miss Rachel, Gar, Wally, Garth, and Roy." Her heart gave a little tug. A name had been unmentioned and her heart was too aware of it. She'd add him to the list, but could he even be considered a friend anymore? Probably not. "I know Rachel and Gar come down every few months, and Wally drops over for Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving, but what about Garth and Roy? I haven't seen them once since I left and I know you've been missing Roy lately. I've heard you on the phone with him before."

Donna gave a shameful smile, but there should've been no reason for her to feel shame. "You have?"

"It's impossible to hide anything from me." Kory let out a little giggle, resting her hand over Donna's. "The point is, I miss them. I shouldn't have run off like I did. It wasn't fair to them, to you, or to me, but I'm ready to come back now. I'm ready to pick up where I left off, but better."

"But are you sure?" The worry was apparent, clear like glass. "I don't wanna bring him into this or anything, but Kory, he still lives there and our friends still hang out with him, so running into him would be an inevitable thing."

"It's been two years, Donna." Two years of breaking and fixing, two years of being able to move on without him around as a constant reminder. Not everyone is able to afford that luxury, but she did. "I'm over him now."

"I know you are, honey." Donna's palm went to Kory's cheek, a subtle touch of compassion. There was so much belief in Donna's eyes, but behind it was that layer of concern. "I was there though. I saw what happened after you two ended things. To put it bluntly, you were a mess. He wasn't a fling you just walked away from. You both dated for nearly six years and that's a lot to lose in one night, but you did and it impacted you a lot. I just... I don't want you to hurt from it any more than you already have."

"I'll be okay, I know I will." The statement carried so much hope; it overflowed with it. "I don't want him getting in the way of my life, of my friends. And I let him for two years, but I moved on and I'm ready to go back. You don't have to come with me if you don't want to, but I'm sure everyone will be happy to see you again." A sly grin traces the outline of her lips, tugging the corners of her mouth upwards. "Especially Roy."

Donna rolled her eyes, a blush blooming 'pon her cheeks. "So, you're really serious about this? You really want to do this?" A pause, a moment of hesitation. "We're really doing this?"

Emerald eyes lit up, smile nearly touching the corners. "We're really doing this. We're really going back home."

Author's Note: While this chapter was small, it was meant to be just a little introduction and to fill in some brief history. I'll try to upload once a week, but please note that reviews will definitely boost my confidence to write more so R&R! (;