I was sitting under the maple tree in the corner of the school yard, watching everyone run back and forth. Everyone was with someone else but me. Sorry, I was lying, me and a boy over the opposite side on the yard, sitting crossed legged, shuffling a pack of cards. I looked at him, closely He had shoulder length, dirty blonde hair, that hung to hide his face. After a minute I got up and dodged my way through the crowd. I stopped about a meter away from him and said, 'Can I play?'

He looked up, pushing his hair out of his face, and nodded. I sat opposite him and he shuffled the cards again. Now that I saw his face, I saw it had scratches and a hint of a bruise surfacing under his left cheek.

'You're Gwen. Right?' his accent had a twang of the deep south to it, 'You're not from around here are ya?'

'Wow, how'd you guess?' I said, sarcastically, making him raise an eyebrow, 'sorry. I'm from England.'

He didn't say anything. OK so he didn't want to talk. I should really give up trying to be nice to people, it gets you no where. I tried again, 'So, whats your name?'

he looked at me with eyebrows knitted together, then laughed slightly. I looked at him, eyebrows raised, and head tilted.

'Look, I get that you're trying to be the new girl who gets everything and everyone falling at her feet, and maybe that'll work out for ya, but I don't need some daddy's girl hanging about till she finds something better, get the picture?' he said, with a harsh tone to his voice, making Gwen smirk.

'OK, you don't want anyone about ruining your pride then fine, but,' I looked around, turning back to him, shrugging,'I don't think anyone's really paying much attention at the minute!' with that I smiled, sickly sweet, and fake as anything and turned away. I didn't need this again! I got enough of that normally. I left the boy sitting at the foot of the tree, alone again, as was I.

I guess this is the bit where I explain all about my amazing life, full of happiness and joy! Yeah, well when that happens, you will be the first to know! So start with the basics. My name is Gwen. Gwenevire Wayne. Originally come from the North East of England, I came here to Gotham to live with my distant, and only living relatives. My parents were killed because of my father's work with the Government. So I currently reside with my cousin Bruce Wayne, and his butler Alfred Pennyworth. I've been in America for about a month now, and only started school a week ago. Bruce has homeschooling with Alfred. I refused homeschooling. So here I am, on my own, already hated by everyone at the Gotham High School, because of my accent, music taste, and sense of fashion. I don't care what they think though. I never have cared what anyone thinks.

I leaned against the wall, taking my phone from my jeans back pocket, flipping it open, to find three texts from Bruce. I smiled. despite only meeting him a month ago, and the fact that he's a year younger, we get along well.

Hey, Gwen, how r u? text me when u get this :)

Then again:

hows school?

And again:

you ok? text me, Alfred worrying!

I laughed a little, typing a reply: Bruce CHILL! am fine, promise, tell Alfred not to worry about me! can take care of myself :P u ok?

I slid down the wall to the floor, flicking through my phone photos. There were a few of Wayne Manor, I just had to take, one or two of my old dog, Jack (he was a Jack Russel-imaginative name, I know!) and then stopped at a photo of my mum and dad. They looked so happy. I was when the three of us had gone for a meal at TGI Fridays for my birthday. It wasn't long before they died. I set the picture as my home screen, as my phone buzzed a reply from Bruce: fine, Alfred says hi! :) do u want a lift home tonite?

Yeah, but why don't we meet somewhere not at the school, don't want to draw attention! how about at that big shopping center in Gotham City Center at 4ish? want to wander the city a bit.

When Bruce replied confirming the plans, I flipped my phone closed, as the bell rang for the last two lessons of the day. I sat at the back of the class (Chemistry), as people filed into class. two hours, I thought, just two more hours!

The school day ended, and I was on my way to Gotham City Center. I had my headphones in playing My Chemical Romance, as I took in my surroundings. the city was huge, with towering buildings, and busy roads. As I walked, I stopped at the entrance to a small alleyway, hearing a banging, thumping and maniacal laughter. I recognized two boys from my school standing over a boy, who was hidden from my sight. The boy in question was slumped against a huge dumpster. I took my headphones out, putting them away, and cautiously making my way towards them. the two boys had their backs to me.

'Look, Napier, you got yourself in too deep this time!' said the taller of the boys. The other one, who was shorter, and rather plump, laughed, adding, 'Yeah, there's no talking your way outta this one!'

I took my bag off my back, dumping it by the wall, as I came closer. The boys turned to face me, looking confused, and rather amused. The taller boy was only a little taller than me, and had a golden tan, whereas the shorter boy looked pale, but strong. I stood my ground, as they advanced on me, 'What we got here, Chris?'

'What do you think you're doing?' I said, still standing my ground.

The tall boy, or Chris, laughed, 'Ha! Think you're tough do you? We gotta live one here, Matt!'

Matt laughed along. I smirked, 'think it's clever do you, picking on someone half your size? You ain't gotta clue, have you?!'

Chris looked mad, 'You got some nerve! You think just cos you're a girl I'll take it easy on ya?' he began to advance on me.

'Careful, boys, this is my first time!' I smirked. Chris took a swung at my face, but I ducked, kneeing him hard in the crotch. Bent double in pain, I grabbed the back of his head with both hands, and brought his forehead crashing to my knee. He fell nearly unconscious to my feet. I looked at Matt, who stood startled. I raised my eyebrows, causing him to back off. He pulled Chris to his feet and they scarpered. I looked round to see the boy who I had just 'saved' from a beating. He had shoulder length, dirty blonde hair, and deep brown eyes.

'Not exactly what you expected from a daddy's girl did you?' I held out my hand for him to take. He did, and I pulled him to his feet. he looked at me with an awkward expression I couldn't quite read.

'Where'd'ya learn that?' he asked, tentatively.

'Here and there. What they got on you?' I asked. He looked away, 'Oh come on, I just saved your sorry ass, and I don't even know your name! least you could do is tell me that! Or maybe a thank you?'

'It's Jack, and, er..thanks,' he muttered.

I cupped my ear, 'Sorry, I didn't quite catch that!'

'I said Thanks! And I'm sorry! I'm sorry I misjudged you! Geez, happy now?' he huffed. I smiled, satisfied, 'Yes! That's all I wanted to hear.'

He huffed again, rubbing the back of his neck. He was a little taller than myself. He wasn't exactly scrawny, or weak, in fact, he was rather muscly, so I was confused on why he couldn't defend himself against the two guys.

'So, looking at you now, you don't seem like the type to give up easy in a fight, especially when he can easily take them on, so, why then couldn't you hold them off?' i asked, folding my arms, leaning against the wall by the dumpster.

'I wasn't giving up, or getting beaten, Brit! I had the situation under control! Anyway, what's it to you?' he muttered, huffing again.

'Like I say, I was the one who saved your god damn ass! So I would like to know why I was called to do that! You wonder why people don't talk to you! You're so stubborn!' I almost shouted, moving towards my discarded bag, slinging it over my back, turning to leave, 'I'll not bother talking to you if you're gonna be like that! I'll not waste my breath.'

I left him alone in the alleyway, resuming my original route to Gotham City Center. I had walked about a foot or two from the alley when I heard his footsteps hurrying to my side.

'Wait, wait, wait, I'm sorry, ok? Not used to people actually trying to be civilized!' he confessed. I smiled a little.

'Well, I'm not used to beating guys bigger than me in alleyways, guess we're both having a weird day!' I said. He sighed a laugh.

'So, Gwen! Tell me, what brings you to Gotham?' he asked a bit out of the blue.

I paused, 'Family issues! Parents were killed in a car crash, so I came to live with my only living relatives which, up until about a month ago, I never knew existed!'

'Well, that's ...er... not good, I guess. I'm sorry,'he spluttered. Clearly concern and compassion were missed here.

'Yeah, not good.'

'Who's your relatives? Would I know them?' he asked.

' Well...You know Wayne Enterprises?' I said, nervously waiting a reaction.

'God, ya landed on your feet there, didn't'cha?!' he said, making me laugh.

'I guess so. What about you? Where about do you come from?' changing the subject from me.

'Not everyone gets to live a high life of luxury, ya know! I live in the Narrows. You may not know it yet, but ever find yourself, er, taking a midnight stroll through the dark alleys of the Narrows, you'll need a little more then a couple good moves to get'cha outta there!' he laughed to himself at this.

'You're mad, you know that?!' I joked. he stopped laughing, looked at me, and burst into hysterics.

'What?' I asked, incredulously.

'I'm not the only freak here you know! You don't exactly fit the requirements of normal, do ya, Brit?!' he laughed harder still. It was like a crazed cackle. my phone buzzed in my back pocket at this. It was Bruce:

u nearly there? will be 5 mins :)

I replied:

ok, will meet u there :P

I flipped the phone shut, putting it back in my pocket. Jack wiped his tears of laughter away, saying, 'Who ya textin? the boyfriend?'

'You really expect me to have a boyfriend?! No, it was Bruce! I'm meeting him at the Gotham shopping center in 5 minutes.'

'Well, It's just round the corner, so you'll be on time! don't wanna miss the limo do ya!' he laughed a little.

' You are completely mental!' I muttered. we turned the corner, to find Alfred and Bruce in the Black Bentley outside the shopping center. i turned to Jack, saying, 'I've gotta go, I'll see you tomorrow, ok?'

He saluted, saying, in a sarcastic voice, 'Yes ma'am!'

'Don't go down any more dark alleys!' and with that i opened the car door, and slumped into the seat by Bruce. i waved at Jack as we left.

'Who was that?' asked Bruce.

I smiled, 'Just a friend.'