A.N.- Okay so I decided to do an "origins" sort of thing. So this is just little flashes of the character's life from the time they were born up until...well, whenever XD It just shows how they grew to be who they were! This is my first time writing this kind of thing, so I hope it's not too bad! 

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                “What should we make his middle name?” Janine asked.

                She looked down at the baby in her arms, cradling him, loving him so much. Aaron sat next to her, and he looked at the baby with little interest.

                “You choose,” Aaron said.

                “How about…Bradley,” she said with a smile. “After my father. Kory Bradley.”

                “I still don’t think Kory is a good name,” Aaron said. “Makes him sound like a queer.”

                “Aaron, this baby came out of me, so I’m choosing his first name,” Janine said sternly. Normally she would let Aaron have his way, but she was sore and tired and irritable.

                But then her eyes fell back on the baby in her arms and she felt happiness come back. She blinked away tears and kissed him, kissed Kory Bradley Arnold.

                                                                                                ***

                Kory stood up clumsily in his crib, gripping the bars. He looked around, his stomach growling.

                “Mommy!” he called. “Mommy! Hungwy!”

                Janine came into the room and Kory began to bounce in excitement. He paused and giggled, bouncing again. He released the bars and jumped up and down in his crib.

                He fell down clumsily and giggled again as his mom pulled him out of the crib. He looked back at it.

                “Wanna bounce!” he said, pointing at it. “Wanna bounce, mommy!”

                “No bounce,” she said, carrying him out of the room. “The last thing we need is for you to start jumping on beds!”

                Kory glanced back at the room, deciding he could bounce when she wasn’t there. He smiled at the thought.

                                                                                                ***

                Kory whimpered as his father raised his hand. A tear leaked down his face as his father slapped him and shoved him to the ground.

                “Kory, you stupid shit,” Aaron snarled, gesturing at his beer. Kory had accidentally knocked it over.

                “I’m sorry daddy,” Kory whimpered, and cried harder as Aaron hit him again.

                “You’re worthless! You’re stupid!” Aaron screamed, hitting him over and over again.

                Kory sobbed, curling up into a small ball, trying to protect himself. No more. He didn’t want his daddy to hit him anymore. He just wanted a nice daddy.

                                                                                                ***

                “MOOOOOOM!”

                Kory ran into the room, feeling like he could run a marathon. He was so hyped up today.

                “What?” Janine asked, glancing at him.

                “I’m going to go play soccer at the field!” he said.

                “Okay, be safe,” she said, ruffling his hair.

                He ran off, grabbing his soccer ball and jogging to the soccer fields. He set the ball down and began to practice taking shots, dribbling, practicing moves.

                He loved soccer. It could take his mind off of everything. Now made him happier than just practicing and playing. He spent almost every day practicing soccer.

                                                                                                ***

                “Kory, I…I have a boyfriend,” Janine said.

                “Really? That’s great mom!” Kory said enthusiastically.

                “His name is Brandon,” she said with a happy smile. “He has a son about your age. You’ll have to meet him sometime!”

                “I’m happy for you, mom!” Kory said honestly. He pouted. “But if you ditch me for your boyfriend, I will not be very happy with you.”

                “I would never,” she promised seriously. “You come first, Kory.”

                Kory leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his pout getting deeper. “My mom got a boyfriend before I did. My life is pathetic!”

                “Someday you’ll get someone,” she said, ruffling his hair and offering him a smile.

                                                                                                ***

                Kory and Janine walked together down the street. Kory noticed a strange man up ahead and scooted closer to his mom.

                The man noticed them and sat up. “QUACK! QUACK!”

                Kory jumped. “Mom, that man just quacked at us!” he whispered urgently.

                Janine pulled him past the quacking man. “That’s a hobo, Kory. He’s probably on drugs or something. Stay away from strange people, please.”

                “Hobos are scary,” he said, glancing back at the man. “Hobos are very, very scary.”

                                                                                                ***

                “Kory, this is Brandon!” Janine said.

                The man smiled. “Hi Kory! It’s nice to finally meet you!”

                “It’s nice to meet you too Beandon!” Kory groaned. “I meant Brandon. I swear I meant Brandon.”

                Brandon laughed, shaking Kory’s hand. “You’re a funny kid!”

                “I’m very good at first impressions,” Kory said, releasing Brandon’s hand. He turned to grab a drink, and stubbed his toe against the counter. “OW COUNTER WHY HAVE YOU BETRAYED ME THAT WAS SO UNPLEASANT YOU JERK!”

                “Don’t let my son scare you away,” Janine said with a sigh.

                “My son is very introverted, so this is refreshing,” Brandon said, laughing as he watched Kory stick his tongue out at the counter.

                Kory glanced back at Brandon and smiled. He was much nicer than Kory’s dad had been. He definitely approved of this guy.