It's been forever and a day since I wrote an AU, but damn the need to write this one hit like a truck. Ava and Sara are high school age in this, but it's not really a high school AU. Their school lives aren't going to be the focus here. Also, expect to see faces from Arrow, Flash and Supergirl. I hope you'll enjoy reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing.

Some quick notes about the titles, for anyone who may not know.

Double Contero - is a musical composition featuring two solo instruments which are accompanied by an orchestra or concert band.

Broken Time - A way of playing in which the beat is not stated explicitly.

Overture- a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of a musical composition.

Counterpoint - the relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and contour, in music. In dance, the counterpoint, similarly, is two choreographic parts with different uses of space, time and/or body that are executed together.


The feeling of the wood tucked under her chin was familiar and the movement of the bow in her hand as natural as the breaths she took. Ava was nearing the trickiest part of the composition she was practising. The slow, harmonic notes of the Tchaikovsky piece filling the room. She stared at her fingers, drawing the strings taunt to the fingerboard. She winced when she heard two notes go off key.

"You know the notes, you're worrying too much about your positioning," her tutor, Gideon said, "Focus your mind on something else,"

Ava forced her eyes, turning her gaze to the square of sunlight falling onto the floor. She focused on that. The warm wash of afternoon light highlights the scuffs marring the hardwood. The flexes of dust floating through the shaft of light. She tried not to panic when she realised got to the part of the song that gave her the most trouble. She'd played through more than half of the section and was nearing the end…

But the sudden upbeat pounding tempo of a pop song threw her off, her next sequence of notes turning sour and discordant as her bow dragged across the strings harshly. She gave a frustrated huff, glaring at the wall. Gideon gave a sympathetic smile.

"Why don't you take a break while I go ask them to take their practice outside?" She said.

Ava huffed, placing her instrument on the table, "It's not like anyone can practice when they insist on playing their music so loudly," She shouts at the wall, even though she knew there was no chance they would have heard.

Gideon rests a hand on her shoulder before she steps out of the room, vanishing from view. A few moments past and the music quiets. Through the glass in the door, Ava watches as a group of teens, all around her age, more or less filter into the hallway, heading past and out to the main doors. She heard the laughter as they trotted out together. A blonde head appeared in the glass and gave a wave, mouthing, "Sorry,"

A small part of Ava felt bad for having Gideon kick them out. She knew this place was theirs as much as it was hers. If anything, she was the new girl here.

'They could make an effort to not be so disruptive when inside,' She reasons with herself.

Gideon stepped back into the room, "Shall we take it from the top?" She said, clapping her hands together.

"They're a menace," Ava muttered as she picked up her violin again.

A soft laugh escaped past Gideon's lips, "You think so?"

"You don't?"

"I think that statement could be said of many of the kids who come through these doors,"

Ava didn't respond to that, even if she knew it was true, "Legends. Who'd even give themselves such an ostentatious name?"

"Well, one would hope a group name would be as eye-catching as the performers,"

Ava snorted, "Sure... Can we just run the piece again?"

"You're the one who started talking about the Legends," Gideon pointed out.

Ava flushed, caught. She didn't have an argument, so she just tucked her head against the chinrest of her violin. She started to play again, grateful when Gideon silently turned back into her observing her performance and made no comments about the Legends.

She practised for another half hour before Gideon had to leave.

"The juniors are due here in five, that will have to be all for today I'm afraid," Gideon said.

Ava nodded, "Thank you,"

"No need to thank me. It's what I'm here for,"

"I know. I just, you know I didn't think I'd get this opportunity again,"

"You would have. Even if you hadn't found this place. You're a talented soul Ms. Sharpe. But if you're looking to thank me, you can reconsider playing at our showcase,"

"Oh, no," Ava shook her head quickly, "No, I'm not ready. Besides, I've only been here four months,"

"You've been playing since you were five. Twelve years of experience doesn't vanish because you didn't have an instructor for a time,"

"Maybe the next showcase,"

"I look forward to it, Ms. Sharpe,"

With that, Gideon took her leave. Ava placed her bow in its case and gathered her bag. She carefully closed the door behind, still remembering the moment during her first week when the doorknob to this room had come off in her hand. That day she'd been trapped outside while her things were still in the room. One of the Legends turned up, Jax, and became her saviour when he pulled a screwdriver from his pocket quickly reattaching the knob.

She didn't want a repeat today. She headed down the stairs to main entrance hall, skipping the fifth step from the bottom, the one with the notoriously loose floorboard. In the main hall, she saw Rip and Professor Stine. Rip was up on a ladder, adjusting the Q in Queen of the 'Robert Queen Memorial Auditorium'.

"Just a little higher, there, that's it Rip," Martin said.

Ava walked up next to the Professor, "Why are you still attempting to fix that sign? At this point, it might be easier to just take it down,"

"My dear Ms. Sharpe, we can't just forsake the name of our benefactor,"

"Former benefactor," Ava pointed out.

"Be that, as it may," Rip said from up on the ladder, "But the Queen family was once our most generous patrons. If not for them our little outreach centre may have closed its doors years ago,"

"That's more to do with the people running it than any help from a family of crooks,"

Rip gave Ava a small smile, "I'm not one to turn down a compliment, but don't be too harsh on the Queens,"

Ava shrugged, "The Q's slanted to the left,"

"What?" Rip did a double take, "Martin why didn't you same something?"

"You shifted it after I directed you to the optimal position,"

"Bye Professor, bye Mr. Hunter," Ava said, a slightly amused smirk playing on her lips.

"Have a good evening," Martin said distractedly. Rip didn't even respond, already too preoccupied with readjusting the letter he'd already started to screw in.

Ava headed down the front steps of the Star City Glades' Youth and Performance centre. It was a small centre that had seen better days. It had lost its main benefactors some years back for various reasons but was still keeping its doors open for anyone who wished to come through them. The centre offered tutoring for kids in academics. Martin Stine and his wife handled that side of the centre. There were also some sports programs available.

But it was really known for its performance art projects. It provided classes for kids who couldn't afford it otherwise. Or it gave a safe space for practice along with resoruces most wouldn't have access to on their own. Every few months the centre would put on a showcase, allowing the kids to perform on a stage in front of family and friends.

That's how Ava had ended up here. After her life had been turned upside down she was sure everything from her old life was gone forever. But her social worker, knowing about her passion for violin, had directed her here. She didn't fit in. She knew that. The kids here had all lived completely different lives from her. She couldn't help but feel like an outsider. But she loved playing too much to let that stop her from coming every day.

Ava slowed down as she passed the parking lot next to the building, her eyes drawn to the sight of the Legends practising.

Sara Lance was stand in the centre of Zari and Wally, leading them through a series of moves. She took two shuffling steps to the side, her hips swaying with each step. On the third, her hip locked and she spun 180 degrees. Zari and Wally followed her lead after a moment. Wally nailed it first try. Zari was struggling to get the flow her friends had. Sara showed her again, going slower this time. She pointed something out to Zari, nudging her hip with her hand. This time Zari followed through. On her spin she and Sara high-fived.

Ray and Nate who were sitting on the ground against the wall watching burst into applause.

Mick was leaning against the wall. He didn't clap, but he gave a nod.

Sara showed them another set of moves, but this time she ended with a standing backflip, which she did from a near standstill. Zari's instant reaction was to back up, her hands and head shaking. Ava couldn't hear her, but the message was clear enough. There was no way she was attempting that. Wally, on the other hand, looked excited.

He went right into it, despite Sara's shout of 'Wait, Wally!' For a first attempt, it wasn't bad, but he didn't quite get the full 360-degree rotation he needed to stick the landing. He came down awkwardly on his heels, stumbling backwards several steps before falling on his back. Nate burst into laughter, as did Zari. Ray jumped to his feet, rushing to Wally's side with Sara, making sure he was okay. Wally was laughing the hardest of all.

Sara gave him a playful shove and Ray got an arm around his shoulders, helping him to his feet. He did a few quick jumps on the spot, as though showing he was alright. Sara started clapping and her friends joined in. Wally gave low bows, turning each time he gave did, so he was bowing in a different direction. On the third, as he was coming up, he lifted his head and saw Ava.

She froze. He gave a smile and waved, cluing in all his friends to her presence. Ray waved as well, wearing a big smile. She couldn't quite make out Zari or Mick's expressions.

"Hi, Ava!" Nate called.

Her shoulders tensed and she started walking again. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw movement, and when she looked back Sara was jogging towards her.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Sara asked, when she was close enough, jogging on the other side of the chain-link fence that separated the lot from the sidewalk.

"Going home," Ava answered curtly.

"If you want to hang with us, you're welcome to join. I was showing the guys some new moves. If you want I could show you some too,"

Ava's jaw tensed at the flirty undertone to her voice, "No thanks,"

"Right, it's just the violin for you,"

"Something wrong with that?"

"No," Sara held her hands up, "but you don't have to dance to hang out,"

"I have to get home,"

"Maybe another time then?"

"Maybe,"

Sara had gotten to the end of the lot, the fence stopping her keeping pace with Ava, "See you around Sharpe,"

Ava was halfway down the street when she glanced back. Sara was with her friends again, already into a new set of dance moves. Ava hesitated for a moment before forcing her feet to keep walking in the direction of home.

When she got to her apartment building, Gary was sitting on the stoop, fiddling with a drone. It was something he built himself. Or, rather was trying to build. He'd done a few test flights so far with varying rates of success. As Ava walked up there was a small spark and Gary yelped, snapping his hands back.

"Geez," He said, sucking on his finger. He saw Ava then, jumping to his feet, "Ava! Hi,"

"Hey Gary," Ava did her best to smile warmly, "Any luck?" She gestured to the drone.

"I'm getting somewhere… not sure if it's where I want to go. But hey, at least it's getting somewhere. What about you? How was practice?"

Ava shrugged.

"I know you said you don't want me to come with you to the centre, but I was thinking, it would be cool to see you play,"

"You don't want to come that place, Gary. I can't stop you. It's open to everyone. But," She clutched her violin a little tighter to her chest, "I just don't feel like playing for people again,"

"But I'm not people," Gary said quickly.

Ava laughed, "Oh, are you an alien then?"

"No, I mean I'm your friend,"

"Maybe later, when I'm ready," She said, heading inside.

"I'll be here!" He called after her.

Ava headed up to her floor, opening the door to the apartment. She looked around but wasn't surprised to find it empty. There was a note on the counter. The usual thing about dinner being in the fridge and being back late after finishing something in the office. It was signed at the bottom, "Love, Ann," Ava crumpled it up and threw in the garbage.

The next day Ava was practising alone. Gideon had been there, but fifteen minutes in Rip had stuck his head into the room saying he needed assistance with something. So Ava was left to play the waltz from Coppelia on her own. She was on her third run through of the piece when the unmistakable beat of Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams' started to play in the next room, throwing her off. She sighed, lowering the violin.

She stared at the wall, considering if she should go over and ask them to turn it down. She glanced at her watch, then back at the wall. She didn't want to relegate them outside again. She considered going downstairs, seeing if any of the classrooms were empty. Or maybe she should just wait for Gideon. The woman had said she was coming back. She decided to give Gideon five more minutes before going to find a room on her own.

As she waiting she found her head bobbing along to the song. She had to admit to herself, she did like Sweet Dreams. Looking to pass the time, she lifted her violin again. After listening for a second she started to play along.

"Well, I'll be damned, Ava Sharpe playing something that isn't classical,"

Ava jumped, dropping her bow.

Sara suppressed a giggle, "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you,"

"What are you doing?"

"I didn't know you could play something that wasn't at least a hundred years old,"

"Don't be ridiculous the 20th century had some prolific composers. And besides, the best performers are proficient in several genres,"

"Right," Sara drawled, obviously amused, "Look, I came in here to borrow some chairs. We need some as props for our dance," She said, pointing at the extra chairs piled into a corner.

"Oh, uh, yeah," Ava gestured at them, "Sure, help yourself,"

"Cool," Sara grabbed one under each arm. She turned to the door, using her foot to prop it fully open as she tried to angle herself to fit through with both chairs at once. Ava felt a pang of sympathy and moved to hold open the door for her.

"Thanks," Sara shot her a dazzling smile. Just outside the door, Sara paused, looking at Ava, "That piece you were practising before. Isn't it from Coppelia?"

Ava's brows shot up in surprise, "Yeah, it's the waltz. How did you know that?"

Sara grinned, "Would you mind playing it again? Just part of it,"

"Sure…" Ava tilted her curiously but picked her violin again. She bit the inside of her cheek, focusing hard on shutting out the music from next door. She looked at the sheet music she'd propped up on a chair and started to play. Sara moving in the corner of her eyes drew her gaze away from the notes. She watched as Sara placed one foot in front of the other, toes pointing outwards. Ava's jaw dropped as Sara shifted her weight, her back leg coming up, rising up on her toes and she pivoted on her front foot, spinning. She spun, once, twice, before dropped her feet flat again, a wide grin light up her face.

"Still got it," She said, more to herself than Ava. She went for a third spin, but this time her footing wobbled. She stumbled out of the spin, catching herself on Ava's arm, "Kind of," She added with an exhale.

"Did you just pirouette?"

Sara's elated grin turned cheeky, "The best performers are proficient in several genres, Ava,"

Ava flushed red, shrugging Sara's hand off her arm, "Ha, ha," She said in a deadpan.

"Thanks for playing for me. It's cool to know I can still do that,"

"How do you even know how to do that?"

"Cap, what's taking so long?" Nate's voice interrupted before Sara could answer. He was standing the doorway, one of Sara's abandoned chairs in hand.

"Sorry, got caught up in something," She headed over to him, "I'll have to give you that story another time Sharpe, my team needs me,"

And she was gone, leaving Ava wondering what the hell had just happened.


If you enjoyed, please let me know with a comment. I can't wait for you to see the rest of this story.

Nardragon~ until the next page.