Barry Allen paced in his apartment, staring down at Central City. It was his home, had been for 20 years. When his father was sent to prison, he moved with Joe and Iris, but he didn't just have the two of them to keep him company. Central City was there for him too, the twisting streets and tall buildings protecting him from...honestly, he wasn't sure. But he felt safe, and that was all that mattered. So when it came time to pick colleges, he knew there was only one place he wanted to go. CCU. Which is where he was now, a student in their Forensic Science department. He spent the better part of his college career focused solely on getting his father out. Proving his innocence.

But after 3 years in college, he wasn't any closer to helping his father.

"Barry!" yelled Cisco, his roommate. Cisco was a cool guy, and Barry was happy to call him a friend.

"What is it?"

"Two things. One, Gypsy is throwing a party tonight, and we are both going. Papa gotsta get his freak on!"

"Dude. You know I've got my paper on blood spatter as it pertains to..."

"I can't believe you. You said you would help me win her over, but you have missed every party, dance, or even mildly social gathering for 2 years! It's unhealthy, and it worries me. And I'm not one of those people who looks good worried."

Barry sighed. "What was two?"

Cisco's face turned a bright red. "Armed Robbery at the Central City Bank."

"Seriously? Why didn't you lead with that?" Barry pushed past him, throwing open the door to his room. He unlocked his closet, and grabbed the tuxedo bag which housed his suit. With a gust of wind and a flash of light, Barry was gone.

"We are SO not done talking about this!" Cisco shouted, more to himself than anything. He went to his own room, a mess of computer parts and sketches, and put on a radio headset. "Barry, are you reading me?"

"Loud and clear!" Barry hollered as he sped past stationary-looking cars and statuesque pedestrians. Central City Bank was maybe a twenty minute walk, so Barry could get there in maybe 6 seconds. 4, if he pushed himself. As he pulled into the bank, he quickly analyzed the scene. Three gunmen, one on the counter, two on either side. About 5 patrons on the ground. This shouldn't take 5 seconds, he thought.

Barry ran over to them, swiping their guns and disassembling them. 1.

He consolidated the bank customers, and helped them all outside. 2.

He sped to tie up the three men. 3.

Holding each by the scruff of the neck, he rushes them to the nearest squad car. 4. New High Score!

Money wasn't always easy to come by, so when Barry heard about an internship to work at S.T.A.R Labs, with the great Harrison Wells, he jumped at the chance. Helping with the particle accelerator, alongside Cisco, was an incredible scientific experience. One night, after everyone went home, Barry was working on a personal design to show his hero, when he was struck by a bolt of lightning. After 9 days in a coma, Barry found he had extraordinary abilities. He was fast! He could defy the laws of physics! So, with the help of his best friend, Barry became The Flash, saving people with his newfound gifts.

"I really don't want to do this."

Barry and Cisco stood outside a large, red-brick apartment building, the summer sun setting in the distance.

"Come on! You promised!" Shouted Cisco.

"No, I stopped a bank robbery. You promised for me."

"Well, you're a man of my word. Don't make you a liar!"

"You mean you a liar."

"That's what I said," Cisco retorted, pushing forward to the door of Gypsy's apartment. The pounding of electronic music, the cheers of the inebriated, this was what issued from the doorway as Gypsy opened it, eyeing Cisco up.

"Hey, Francisco!" She chittered. "It's so good to see you! Who's your friend?"

Cisco smiled. "Hey, Gypsy! This is Barry, my roommate."

"How are you?" Asked Barry. He extended for a handshake, but was engulfed in a hug he wasn't expecting. Cisco always described Gypsy as guarded and aloof. He had difficulty seeing that.

"It's so good to meet you! Francisco has told me all about you! Come in, come in!" Gypsy waved them in. The party was in full swing; people danced in a large open space in the living room, there was a pseudo-bar set up in the back, and a side room for quiet conversation and drinking. The place wasn't saturated with people. Clearly, this was a gathering for close friends, and Barry all of a sudden felt very awkward and shy.

"I'm going to kill you," Barry whispered to Cisco. "I don't know anyone here!"

"Chill out! Just stay put for 20 minutes, and you can leave. Alright? Does that seem fair?"

Barry sighed. "Fine." He grabbed a solo cup and sat on the couch, which had been pushed onto the side of the wall. He saw groups of people talking and dancing, but it didn't seem like anyone wanted to talk to him, so Barry just sipped a beer and watched the nearby social interaction. After 20 minutes exactly, Barry tried to find Cisco, but he had been captured by the party-beast. He sent Cisco a text, and pushed towards the door. He opened the door, turned a corner-

"OW!" a young woman shouted. Barry found himself on the ground, rubbing his head. Next to him, a book and a phone lay haphazardly on the ground.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," said Barry, "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"No! It's totally my fault! I'm such a klutz!" shot back the woman's voice. Barry reached for her book as she checked her phone for cracks.

"Are you okay?" asked Barry.

"Yeah! Totally fine. I've got a thick head, or so I've-"

Their eyes met. She had beautiful blue eyes, rosy lips, and wavy blonde hair. But she was more than conventionally beautiful. Her smile was brighter than the sun, and when she looked at you, she clearly gave you her full attention.

"H-hi," said Barry.

"Hi! I'm Kara!"

"Barry. Barry Allen."

"Nice to meet you, Barry Barry Allen." She smiled impishly. "Are you leaving?"

It took him a second to register what she said. "Uh...no! Nope. Not leaving. Well, maybe. Haven't decided yet. What about you, are you leaving?"

She chuckled. "Well, I've been here about 10 seconds, and I spent 8 on the ground, so I think I'll stick around. Party has to get better from that, right?"

"I'd hope so!" Barry said, with a little too much enthusiasm. He cleared his throat.

"Well...I'll see you around, Barry Barry Allen." Kara said, inching past him to the door.

"Yeah! I'm sure I'll see you, Kara...?" Barry turned to find her, but she was gone.

What the hell was that? Idiot. Barry was about to race off again, when the door opened. Kara returned, clutching a piece of paper.

"I'm sure I'll see you around, because I'm sure you'll call me. Can you handle that?" she said.

"Uh...Yeah! Yeah, I'll uh... I'll call you tomorrow?"

"Sounds good!" She smiled and shoved the paper in his direction.

Kara

072-223-8686

xo

"Great! I'll call you!"

"That is what we agreed upon!" She waved to him, and returned to the house. Barry was confused, but mostly really excited. He hadn't really be close to anyone for a while, so it felt good to have a prospect out there. He ran as fast as he could, greeting his morning patrol with incredible vigor.

Hey! This is my first fic! Tell me what you think, message me here or on my tumblr, I'm alcubiere on tumblr. Let me know what you think should happen next! Thanks so much for reading!