Title:Supergirl the National City University student
18 year-old Kara Danvers is starting her first year at the prestigious National City University and moving in with her sister Alex Danvers. This story follows Kara still learning to fit in on Earth…. whilst also eventually taking up the mantle of Supergirl. Expect to see all the central characters from the T.V. show, at some point.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, just the story.
I've just finished watching the first season of the Supergirl T.V. show, a little late I know! And as you'd probably guessed I'm a huge fan. So much so in fact that it has inspired me to try writing my first piece of fanfiction, which I hope whoever reads it will enjoy!
My favourite part of the show thus far has been the relationship between Kara and Alex, and it is that that I want to primarily explore in my story. I've read a number of stories on here and I've got to say there are some I've really enjoyed, especially the ones with a young Kara and her settling into life on Earth. These stories have portrayed Kara as very child-like and very unaccustomed to life on Earth, while the show has Kara as an independent adult who has managed to acclimatise to life on Earth. So in my story, I wanted to look at Kara's life between these two points, where she's not quite a child, but she is not an independent adult yet. As an 18 year old and someone whose only been on Earth five years I personally feel that Kara would not be as mature as most people would at her age, and so as you'll see she is still quite innocent and child-like in this story in a lot of ways, but thankfully she's got her big sister looking out for her!
I've also really enjoyed seeing Eliza Danvers in the T.V. so she might feature quite prominently too, popping in frequently to check in on her daughters, especially Kara. Kal-el will be checking in every so often too.
Some of the stories I tell might loosely take inspiration from the show, but the majority will be completely my own. Because what I've found really interesting in the show is the life of Kara Danvers rather than Supergirl, so it might be some time before she makes her first appearance, but she definitely will be appearing! This plan might change as I get into writing and Supergirl might make an appearance considerably sooner than I currently think she will be.
I'll also try and make my depiction of the others characters as close to their T.V. counterparts as close as I can.
At the moment there is no overruling story arc, it's just a look into the life of Kara Danvers. Every now and then I also expect to throw in some very short chapters and flashback, just to tell little stories that I think are interesting and hope you will to. If people want more of a story arc or if I think of something I really like then ill add one, but no plans at the moment.
I expect a lot of this story will be written in the third person, but every now and then I might drop into the first person; if I feel it might add something to the story
A little bit of background context. This story is set roughly 6 years before the start of the TV show and Kara has been on Earth for roughly 5/6 years. As the titled stated Kara is 18 starting her first year at National City University, majoring in Physics and minoring in biology. Alex will be slightly more than the one year older than Kara than she is in the show. Here Alex will be 22 and starting the second year of her PhD in Bioengineering, also at National City University, having transferred from Stanford to look after Kara as University is a big experience, especially when you're still trying to get used to living on Earth. If anyone reading wants more background info, just let me know and I'm sure I can feature it in one of the stories I tell.
Anyway that enough about the boring stuff, it's time to hear about Kara's moving in day!
Chapter One – Moving In
'Alexxxxxxx!' squealed Kara as soon as the door opened; dropping the boxes she was holding as she did.
'Kar-' Alex tried to respond before she was cut off by a mass of blonde hair in her face, and two arms wrapped around her waist pulling her into a tight embrace, perhaps a little too tight.
Alex turned her head to the slight to get her face out of her sister's hair. 'Its only been a month since I was at home Kara' she said, the slight discomfort of the hug evident in her voice.
'Kara, I think your sister would appreciate a little less squeezing' Eliza reminded Kara for the thousandth time from down the hallway, picking up on the slight discomfort in her daughter's voice, unlike the oblivious Kara. That won't be the last time I have to remind her Eliza thought to herself.
Kara sheepishly and apologetically looked up at her sister. 'oh…. Sorry Alex…. I didn't mean to… I'm just-'
'Excited to see me' Alex cut in '… me too'. Alex returned the hug as tightly as she could, without the worry of crushing her that her sister had to deal with.
Eliza had managed to catch up with Kara and reach the door and as she did she noticed the boxes Kara had dropped. 'Kara, I told you to be careful with those boxes, something could get damaged' stated a slightly worried Eliza.
Kara's head rose from Alex's chest and turned to face her. 'Sorry Eliza…' she said, with the same apologetic look that she had just given Alex.
That face always tugged at her heartstrings, 'it's okay Kara' Eliza relied with a soft sweet smile on her face 'but you should take your stuff to your room'
That reminded Kara of the other reason she was so excited. She was moving into her new home, with her sister, and she couldn't wait! 'you're right' excitedly responded Kara. Within a flash, both the boxes and Kara had disappeared.
Eliza walked in being sure to close the door before turning back and again giving Kara another reminder. One she had also given her many times before. 'What have we said about using your powers Kara' she calmly and quietly questioned.
Kara walked back into the room to collect the bags that Eliza had carried with her 'oops…' she sheepishly replied before walking to back to her room to place the bags with the rest of her things.
After she had left Eliza and Alex turned to face each other.
'Mum'
'Alex'. They both loving said at the same time while steeping towards each other for a hug.
'she's been really looking forward to this'. Eliza said, enjoying the hug that she too had missed over the last month.
Alex pulled away from the hug placing her hands on her mother's shoulder. Turning to face her, widening her eyes, turning her head to the side in a knowing look 'I'd figured'. Alex replied with a light chuckle. One that Eliza returned. Kara's excitement was unmissable.
'How was Kara with the drive?' Alex asked slight concern replacing the light chuckle that had just been there.
Knowing what had caused this concern Eliza reassuringly responded 'She was fine. We managed to miss the rain, so we had the roof down the whole time' Both Eliza and Alex knew of Kara's claustrophobia, something that was especially bad in the car when the roof was up. After Kara's first time in the car, and the panic attack it had resulted in, she had told both of them that it reminded her of being back in the pod that brought her to Earth from Krypton.
'Good' Alex's response was simple, but the concern had clearly disappeared.
Kara's head popped round from the corner. 'Could we get some dinner, please?! I'm starving' Kara asked eyes wide, pouting.
Alex couldn't help but laugh. 'I never thought I'd see the day that Kara Danvers didn't realise when there was food around'
Kara opened her mouth to respond, but Alex predicted his question. 'Check the oven'
A wide smile burst out across Kara's face and she jumped out from the corner and skipped over to the kitchen. She bent down, opened the oven door, and picked up the bowl (without oven Gloves).
Potstickers! Exclaimed Kara, pure joy plastered across her face. They were the best food in the galaxy, as Kara had told both Eliza and Alex before; and National City had the best potstickers there was. She turned around and placed the bowl on the Kitchen top. Kara had already picked out the largest potsticker and was reaching out her hands towards it.
'Ahem'
Kara snapped out of her trance-like focus on the food and turned to face Eliza. 'We set the table first, don't me Kara? Eliza asked, in the way a parent does.
'They just look so yummy!... I was only going to have oneeee' Kara stated, asking indirectly the way a child does to their parent.
Eliza's face remained unchanged
Kara knew what that meant. 'Okayyy' she baulked. Her hand moved away from the potsticker and she turned to search for the cutlery.
Alex turned to face her mother. 'Don't worry I ordered a lot more than just a bowl of potstickers' she reassured her mother. Both Alex and Eliza knew of Kara's appetite. The yellow sun of Earth not only gave Kara incredible powers, but also an incredibly fast metabolism. She daily ate enough to feed a family of five and Eliza and Alex had never seen her turn down food. Something Alex had prepared for.
….
Later that Night during Dinner
The three were sat around the dining table, located roughly in the centre of the open plan flat. Three empty pizza boxes across the table, one in between Eliza and Alex with the other two closer to where Kara sat.
The three sat laughing, reminiscing about when Eliza had managed to get a few days off work and Alex was back after her first term at Stanford and the three had taken a weekend getaway to the beach.
'I don't think I've every laughed as much as I did that weekend' Alex thought out loud. Soft laughter still in her voice, laughter that developed into a full chuckle 'Do you remember Kara trying to surf… And when she squealed when she saw a crab for the first time' she managed to squeeze out before returning to laughing.
'Alex!' Kara burst out, the crinkle appearing between her brows; like it did every time. She really did not wish to be reminded of those parts of the weekend. Alex brought them up every time they talked about that weekend, knowing that Kara would always react the same way.
'Stop teasing your sister Alex' Eliza cautioned her daughter. Alex had always enjoyed teasing Kara.
Kara turned to face her. 'Thank you Eliza' she said before turning again to her sister to pull a silly grin, rubbing in the fact their mother had sided with her over her sister, as she always did.
Eliza looked at her daughters, so glad that they have formed the unbreakable bond that they had. When Clark had brought Kara to the Danvers' family home 6 years ago and they had taken Kara in she had been worried about how Alex would deal with it. She'd hoped that the two would get along and come to accept each other as part of their new lives. While their were problems at the start, problems that only worsened after Jeremiah's death a couple of months after Kara arrived, the two had managed to not only accept each other as part of their lives but come to relish having each other, they really had become sisters. Eliza even in her wildest dreams had never expected the two's relationship to flourish into what it had become, even for sisters they were close, each not knowing what they would do without the other in their life.
Eliza was broken out of her thoughts by Alex. 'Don't you dare eat that last potsticker Kara' she sternly told her sister.
Kara's hand froze in mid-air, halfway towards reaching for the last of the second bowl of potstickers. 'You've had a whole bowl and half of mum's already. I've only had two. That one is mine!' she continued exasperatedly, her finger rising to point accusingly at her sister.
'Ohhh let your sister have the last one Alex' Eliza ruled.
Kara smiled as she finished reaching towards the last potsticker, picking it up and popping it in her mouth. The joy that comes only from eating your favourite food plastered across her face.
'I hope you get fat' Alex blankly said to her sister, trying to hide any emotion.
'Not on this planet' Kara scoffed through a mouthful of potsticker, a small smile creeping in at the sides notable on her face.
'Of all the powers you have, that is the one I'm most jealous of' Alex chuckled.
'Six years, and I still haven't got used to how much you can eat Kara. Every time I think you couldn't possibly want any more food… you ask if that's all there is' Eliza said in slight disbelief.
'Trust me if you'd lived on a planet with a tasteless standardised meal you ate once a day that provided you with all the nutrients you needed and then you came to a planet where there was so much amazing food! You'd eat as much as me too' Kara said with absolute certainty.
'I doubt that' Alex replied 'Even Clark doesn't eat and much as you' Alex pointed out to her sister.
'Buttt Clark never had to put up with the yucky meals on Krypton' Kara counter.
'Anyway then girls' Eliza butted in. She'd always had a small appetite and didn't eat a lot of junk food. Even though Kara would consider what she had eaten a light snack, Eliza had eaten more than enough to make her full and so wanted to avoid a conversation about food if she could. 'I've only got until tomorrow afternoon in National City before I have to get back. What are we going to do tomorrow?
'Ohh' an animated Kara said, jumping up in her chair as she did. She then raised her hand to her face, using her index finger to fix her glasses that had ever so slightly slipped down her nose as a result of the sudden movement. 'There is so much to do in National City Eliza. They have this great animal sanctuary, it focuses on taking in and providing a home for animals who have been injured or abandoned in the wild, its part of one of the largest international breeding programmes in the world, it aims to return animals to the wild whenever possible, all profit made goes to towards supporting conservation efforts trying to protect natural habitats and prevent poaching and it has one of the most amazing bird enclosures in the whole country.'
Kara had always taken a special interest in birds. A couple of weeks after Kara arrived on Earth she had been out walking with Eliza when she saw a nest in the tree and a mother bird return to check on her chicks. They didn't have birds on Krypton so a confused Kara asked Eliza about them. The two then stayed and watched for the next ten or so minutes, Kara intently watching the interaction up in the tree top before the mother bird flew away. A concerned Kara then turned to look up at Eliza 'where is she going? Worry etched on her face. Eliza reassuring placed her hand on the back of the young girls head. 'There is no need to worry Kara, she has most likely just gone to get them some food, she'll be back in a little while'. The answer had the intended effect and relieved Kara of her worry. The next day at school Kara had taken a book out of the school library on birds and discovered that the birds she had been watching were common house finches. Ever since that day Kara had a keen interested in the Avian life of Earth.
'Or we could go to Bennett's, it's a restraint that has trained chefs from all over the world and they offer a course that allows you to try food from all over the world. They do this Japanese dish called Takoyaki. It's sort of this battered and fried ball of Octopus.' Gesturing the making of a ball with her hands 'Winn tried it when he went over to Japan and he said it was delicious. Though he almost didn't try it because he though octopus would be too squishy and wouldn't taste nice.'
Alex lightly chucked. Her sister had just eaten enough dinner for a small family and she was already thinking about lunch tomorrow.
Another idea popped into Kara's head. 'Or we could-'
Eliza cut her daughter off. 'I've only got until tomorrow afternoon here Kara' she knew her daughter was prone to rambling when she was excited or nervous, and this was definitely one of Kara's excited rambles. 'And besides, you're going to be spending a lot of the next three years here in National City. You don't want to do everything the city has to do straight away, do you?' Eliza paused for a second. Thinking. Before she continued 'the weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, and you need to familiarise yourself with the city, find out where things are so you don't get lost. Perhaps even have a little look around Campus, get Alex to show you where everything is.' Eliza wanted to make sure her daughter was ready for living in a big city like National City. She had been worried about Kara moving away into the city for University for some time, Kara was still adjusting to life on Earth and National City was a major city. Kara had never been to a city like this longer than a day, and never without Eliza. She knew that Alex would look after her, but she still wanted to prepare Kara as best she could before she left.
'That's a great idea mum. I can show Kara where all her classes are. Don't want her turning up late on her first day because she couldn't find the lecture room' Alex agreed.
'Well that's settled then' Eliza decided.
'We should go visit National Park in the morning, I've only been there once and its really lovely. Supposed to rival Metropolis Park, if the locals are to be believed'
'That sounds like a great idea sweetie' Eliza replied, then turning to face her other daughter, head titled and eyebrows raised. A look prompting Kara to give her opinion.
'I think so too' she replied, the earlier excited tone still in her voice.
Eliza looked down at her watch. 10:47 PM. 'Its getting late girls and it sounds like we'll have an early morning tomorrow. Kara help your sister clean up then we'll all get off to bed'
….
The Next Day. Around 7 O'clock, after the Danvers had walked round National Park, visited the Campus and gone for an early goodbye dinner
'I think Noonan's might make the BEST burger I've ever had!' Kara declared, remembering the delicious meal, works and all that she had just had. 'I'm going to eat there every day from now on! She informed Eliza and Alex. Her head tilted to the side as a thought popped into her head '... If only they did potstickers too!' Potstickers make every meal better she thought to herself.
Alex placed her hand on her very full stomach. 'I think it might just be…. Ohhhh and the sweet fries'
Kara nodded I agreement 'they were amazing!' she walked over to the kitchen and opened one of the cupboards. She leaned into the kitchen side and rose to her tiptoes to get a look at the bottom shelf. ' Alex, do you have the hazelnut hot chocolate that I like' she asked her sister, still facing the cupboard as she shuffled her feet across to give herself a better look at the other corner to make sure she had not missed it.
'It should in the cupboard over, on your left' Alex had prepared for Kara coming. She knew all of her sister's favourite snacks and other things she liked and had stocked up in preparation.
'Great' Kara replied. Lowering from her tiptoeing and closing the cupboard doors as she did. 'I'll put the kettle on and we can have a cup of tea before you have to go'
Eliza looked down at her watch. Just gone seven. '…. Actually Kara, I don't think I'll have time'
Kara turned around sharply to look at Eliza, disappointment clear in her face 'do you have to go right now she asked?' a pleading look appearing on her face.
'It a long drive, even if I leave right now I won't get back until about 11, and I said that I'd be in early tomorrow to make up for the work I missed on Saturday….. and you still have to unpack and get ready for your first day tomorrow.
The emotion on Kara's face shifted from a pleading look to one of upset. Her eyes moving off Eliza and lowering to look at her feet, her shoulders rising, her hands moving to pull the sleeves of her cardigan over her hands, and her lips pushing together in a big pout. She knew what Eliza said made sense, but that didn't mean she had to like it.
Eliza hated it when Kara had that look on her face, even more so that she had put it there.
The somewhat sad and uncomfortable tension that occurs only when loved ones have to say goodbye to each other.
A tension Alex took it upon herself to cut through. 'It's only going to be three weeks until she's back again. That time will fly by'
She's right Kara thought to herself And I don't want to make things difficult for Eliza just because I'm going to miss her. 'You're right Alex' she said, nodding as she did. Nodding in the way one does when they are to reassure themselves. Kara then turned to look at the two, a wide radiating smile then grew across her face. The kind of smile that raises the spirit of anyone who sees it, no matter how down they are feeling.
Eliza was going to find it difficult to say goodbye, perhaps even more difficult than when she had to say goodbye to Alex when she first went to University. She knew she was going to miss Alex immensely, but she also knew that her daughter would settle in fine and enjoy herself in her new home. She'd have the chance to study something that had fascinated her for as long as she could remember at one of the best institutions in the world. She was a lot more worried about how Kara would settle in. She still hadn't fully acclimatised to life on Earth or life in Midvale and she was worried about these drastic changes, more drastic than anything she'd had to deal with so far on Earth, in her life and how she would cope with them. She knew Kara was a brave and optimistic girl, one who would tackle every challenge she faced with her head high determined to overcome them. But she still couldn't help but worry. Eliza was also going to find it difficult to say goodbye for another reason. Unlike with saying goodbye to Alex just over four years ago, when she had left with her other daughter, this time Eliza was heading home alone. Heading back to the empty Danvers house in Midvale. Eliza knew she had some big changes to deal with too. She'd moved into the house over 21 years ago now, her and Jeremiah moving into their new home with their daughter who was barely six months old. She'd never lived in the house alone before. Eliza planned to through herself back into her work so she wouldn't notice the empty house so much. While she deeply wished that her daughters were not leaving home, she knew she had to let them go, to let them grow and become the wonderful people she knew they would be, people who were going to have a big impact on the city.
'Why don't you get mum's stuff for her Kara' Alex asked her sister.
Kara left the kitchen and walked over to the sofa where picked up both of her Eliza's bags. As she walked back towards the other two Eliza's soft and sweet returned as she asked her daughter 'you couldn't take my bags down to the car for me sweetie?'
Alex knew why she had asked this.
Kara took the keys out of Eliza's hands as she walked passed her and outside of the door. Eliza said nothing. She paused for a few seconds before leaning out of the door and looking down the hallway in just enough time to see Kara's hair disappear down the staircase. She knew that she wasn't out of Kara's earshot, she'd had to leave the planet to do that. But Kara had learned to zone out everything she could hear so it didn't overwhelm her; like it did when she first arrived. She knew that her daughter wouldn't be listening. She turned back to face her other daughter
Alex had been expecting this conversation.
'Alex, you need to look after your sister' a serious look on her face 'make sure she can always reach you, don't let her do anything silly. Make sure she is careful and she doesn't use her power and help her acclimatise to living here, she's still not quite got used to living her yet-'
Alex placed her hands on her mother's upper arms in a firm but gentle grasp 'Don't worry mum, I know' gentling and reassuringly noting as she finished.
The worry eased from Eliza's face, but the stern looked remained, her lecture wasn't finished. 'Make sure she gets involved in things, I wanted her to join one of the clubs at university, try something new, meet new people. As great as Winn is I and I know he's here too, but still she should meet new people make more friends…. Just check-up on them though, make sure they are people Kara can trust-'
'I know, I'll look after her'
'Eliza smiled. 'I know sweetie' she knew that there was no one in the world Alex loved more than her sister and look after as best she could.
'Make sure you look after yourself too. Work hard, bring that you work up to the standard it should be. You're a lot better than the work you did last year Alex'
Before their conversation could continue, Kara walked back into the flat.
'Alex, could I have a minute with your sis-'
Alex had known this was coming too. 'Sure' she cut in, walking towards the door as she did.
Now it was Kara's turn.
'Kara, remember everything I've taught you. And no using you powers, try and avoid using them even when you're at home' Eliza had never wanted Kara to use her powers at all, to keep her safe. But her daughter had worn her down and she had conceded to let her use them around the house, so long as she did so infrequently. 'Living in a city is different to living in a town like Midvale, it's a lot louder and busier so make sure you have you have your earpiece on you at all times.' When Kara had first arrived she had been unable to control her powers and found all the voices she could hear as an overload. Jeremiah had designed a lead earpiece that suppressed her super hearing so she didn't have to deal with it while she learned to control her powers. While Kara hadn't mastered control over all her powers still, her hearing was the once she had the best control over; she hadn't used the earpiece in about three years now. But Eliza was worried that the city, which was so much louder and more vibrant, might present some problems for Kara and she wanted to make sure she had her earpiece, just in case. 'Keep in contact with you sister, make sure you let her know if you're going somewhere, she needs to know where you are at all times; cities can be dangerous. Which is why you also shouldn't go alone after it gets dark' National City wasn't the safe rural town that Midvale was. Eliza could have kept going on and on, but she stopped herself, she didn't want to worry Kara. '….. but most importantly Kara' she said as she raised her hand to caress her daughter's face. 'Enjoy yourself! University is a fantastic experience you'll get to try so many new things and meet so many new people, give it your everything, ok?'
Kara placed her hand over her mother's and leaned into her comforting touch. 'I'll give it my all Eliza' Kara said as she gave a soft smile.
Eliza felt her eyes wetting, but she had one final thing to say to her daughter. 'And remember what's the most important rule?'
'Always listen to Alex' Kara said as she nodded, repeating the rule that had been taught to her ever since she'd gone to live with the Danvers.
Eliza looked at her daughter, reassured that she'd be just fine in National City. 'Come on then, I best be going' She wrapped her arm around her daughter and they walked out together
...
When they reached the car Eliza turned around and pulled both of her daughters into one final hug. For the first couple of seconds, she said nothing. She simply enjoyed being of their presence while she could, knowing how much she would miss them. 'I'm so proud of both of you' she finally said tightening her hug. As she loosened her grip she kissed each of her daughters on the side of the head, Alex first, then Kara. After she finally let go she turned around and got in the car.
Alex put her arm around her sister and pulled her in as their mother started to pull away. Both turned to follow the car that was pulling away, big full waves as they did.
Eliza was watching them through the rear view mirror the whole time, raising her hand and waving at them too, watching her daughters shrink in the mirror.
The three continued to wave at each other until The car pulled around the corner and they lost sight of each other.
After this Alex turned to face her sister. 'Right. Well I guess we'd better get you unpacked and ready for your first day tomorrow'
Thank you to everyone who had it through to the end of this first chapter and I hope you enjoyed it.
This chapter was intended to set the scene and given an insight into the Danvers family dynamic and show the innocent child-like aspect of Kara's personality that comes out with her loved ones.
This was only a first draft and I'd greatly appreciate any feedback people could give to help me improve my story. Either in the storylines or my depictions of characters
Also if anybody out there wants more chapters then please let me know, it would definitely help me motivate myself for the writing part knowing that there were people out there who were enjoying my story and wanted to read more of it.
If anybody had any story suggestions or things that they'd want to see feature in future chapters then I'd welcome any advice. The next chapter I'm planning on writing is Kara's first day at university, but after that if there seems to be a storyline that is popular that will probably feature next. That said if people wanted to see fuller versions of the little flashbacks given in this chapter, then I could do that first.
Also I'm English so I apologise for any people out there who use American English if this creates any confusion. Also if I get anything wrong with my depiction of American university life then please let me know, as my writing is shaped off my experiences at university in the UK and I know there are a lot of differences.
If anyone reads this please give me some feedback to help me improve and hopefully write a story that people will want to read, it would be greatly appreciated!