I was begining to panic about my quarterly report. Why did chemistry even exist in the first place? So many people just told me to withdraw from that class and be done with it. Oh no. I would not blemish my perfect academic career with a failing grade in one stupid class. My family had sent me to the best college in gotham. The daughter of a famous mobster would have nothing but the best.
My father's name is… well was Alexio Falcone. A big name in gotham's organized crime scene.
I tried not to think about my deceased father's side of the family often. My Uncle Sal took over as head of the family many years ago when my father was gunned down. I didn't know him well because my grandmother, my guardian, kept me out of the business as much as possible. But family is family. We tried to take care of eachother.
My mother was a model for a popular italian clothing line: her name was Isabella Russo, hence my surname (but I'll get to that). Not even a month after my birth she was back on a plane to catch fashion week in milan. I wasn't very close to her either.
My grandmother was part of the Falcone family, so we never really lacked for anything. She had made sure that no matter what path I chose for my education finances would not be an issue. But there was a catch. Which is why I had to support my end of the deal. I was free to study whatever I choose but I had to make the grades. Little did I know that my quest for perfection would lead me to him: arguably the most imperfect person that has ever existed.
It happened on a tuesday. Did you know tuesdays are statistically the most stressful day of the week? Everyone's too busy catching up on their weekend plans on Monday and all the work and responsibilities are pushed over. Tuesdays are my least favorite day of the week.
My professor told me she had arranged a tutor for me when she had finally run out of extra credit assignments to cushion my grade. I'm the first to admit stubborn and a bit proud by nature (my best friend Maria is always tensing me about it) so initially I stuck up my nose at taking an outsider's help. But Ms. Jones seemed oddly persistent that I meet this boy. I finally caved after that Intermolecular Forces test and decided to give it a try. Apparently when it came to chemical bonds he knew his stuff. Honestly all the formulas, compounds, and whatnot looked like gibberish to me.
The library was quiet in that uncomfortable way when there's nothing but the sound of people typing and not trying to get caught making out. I spotted him instantly, he was sequestered off at the corner table by the windows with a rather pensive look in his brown eyes. His dark blonde hair was curly around his ears and he kept pushing it back as he hunched over his text book. The sleeves of his dark green sweater were rolled up revealing scarred and ink stained arms. A pair of thin wire rimmed glasses were perched on his nose.
He looked handsome. So handsome that I turned bright red and my heart started going crazy in my chest with nerves. I started looking around for an exit and thought about calling the whole thing off. I thought he'd laugh at me as soon as I opened my mouth and began the awkwardness. I didn't talk to boys often, and they certainly didn't talk to me. Even less did the handsome ones like him.
I wouldn't say that I was ugly. In fact, I fluctuate between a high self esteem and a low one depending on the day. Was it healthy? No. Was it normal for a girl my age in the society we live it? Survey says: yes.
I took a few tentitive steps 's when I saw them. The scars sitting at the corners of his otherwise perfect mouth. Jagged and puckered flesh healed to a light pinkish red color. I'm ashamed to say that I couldn't take my eyes off them
Somehow I was able to muster up enough courage to approach him. "H-Hi... I think you… might be my tutor?" I started lamely trying to cover my embarrassing staring. I set my backpack down and focused on taking out my chemistry notebook.
He looked me up and down like someone considering a piece of modern art. Good, but it needs more shading. I wouldn't have blamed him if he told me off for being so rude. My curiosity was one of my worst traits.
"My names Samantha Russo. Ms. Jones assigned me to you?" He sure seemed to like taking his time to respond. I hoped he would tell me off and get it over with soon.
He stuck out his hand and the action was so sudden it startled me. I nearly dropped my pencil case.
"Jack. Jack Napier." His hands were calloused and rough against my skin as I quickly shook it.
"It's nice to meet you." The scarred boy smiled at me revealing a set of perfectly straight teeth. Jack had a smile that could take a girl's breath away, but it was ruined by such gruesome marks. In his eyes was a strange look to place. As if he were waiting for me to run scared in the other direction, or perhaps for me to grimace at the site of such scars.
I think I surprised him when I blushed and gave him a genuine smile. While startling at first his scars weren't anything more or less scary than any of the other millions my uncle or and of his men had. He was just unfortunate enough to have them on his face.
"Likewise darlin'." Jack replied as I took my seat. He languidly pushed some of his books away to clear some space on the table for my things.
"So-uh, riddle me this? What's a straight A student like you doing failing chemistry?" I blushed with embarrassment.
I let out a small nervous laugh, "Well it seems my talents lay outside the realm of science."
Jack stretched your long arms and flashed me another smile, "And what would these talents be?"
"The arts mostly. I want to be an actor or a writer." I mused, awkwardly picking at the stray string on my sweater.
"Well-uh, that sure would suit a pretty girl like you." I snapped my head up instantly. He seem pleased to see me all flustered which only incensed me.
"D-Do you think you can help me get my grades up? I really need to do well in this class." I started fumbling around with my papers and avoiding eye contact with the strange boy. I nearly jumped when he snatched the papers out of my hand. It was a complete list of assignments I had due and my current grades. Jack groaned and narrowed his eyes as he scanned the document.
"Wow. I didn't know there was a lower grade than an F."
Remember that pride I mention earlier? Another bad habit.
"Hey!" I bit out angrily. "I'm doing my best. This stuff doesn't just come natural to me. You don't have to be a jerk and tease me about it." I huffed.
Jack raised an eyebrow at me and considered me once more. I met his eyes and he broke out into a wide grin.
He kept the awkward eye contact and I swallowed hard, overwhelmingly uncomfortable.
"Don't worry darlin' I can fix that."
Hello. Thanks for tuning in. Please feel free to leave a small contribution in the review box below if you feel so inclined.
Let me preface this by saying that I have no idea where this story is going to go. In true joker fashion: I don't have a plan. I do know this is probably going to be au because I hate nothing more that reading a fanfic that is basically the novelization of a movie. The only reason I'm including this story in the Sucide Squad archive is because I'm going to incorporate a lot of elements from Jared Leto's portrayal of the Joker. Don't worry, I'm going to add some Ledger in their too.
Thats all for now.