Harley's POV
I quickly shuffled along in the over crowded hallway, only an inch given to move every moment or so. I sighed to myself in irritation. I was going to be late at this rate. I finally made it to my class, late as I had predicted. I plopped down in my desk and waited to get chewed out by my English teacher. Instead of paying attention to her words as she did, I felt eyes boring into me. A suffocating stare from the front of the classroom. I met the eyes and inhaled sharply. A boy, his hair was a dirty blonde, with a slight curl to it and a grin on his light tan lips. I felt my heart stop and I held my breathe as we continued the stare down. His eyes were brown, a boring color but I could see past that. Something was hiding inside those dark depths...somehow...I knew that smile of his was only skin deep. He was actually attractive, aside from that knowing smirk of his.
"Harleen!"
The teacher slammed her hand on my desk, causing my eyes to dart back up to hers.
"Do you understand, Ms. Quinn?"
She inquired, drilling into me with her green eyes peering over the frame of her glasses. The others in my class snickered and I made a quick glance at the boy at the front of our classroom. I blushed in embarrassment, I hated it when people called me that...and I hated it even more when people would belittle me in front of others.
"Yes ma'am, I apologize. It will never happen again."
I told her plainly, resisting the urge to snarl my words in a demeaning tone. She narrowed her eyes only for a moment before returning to the front by the black board next to that boy. She cleared her throat before speaking.
"Class, we have a knew student to this school. His name is J-"
"You can just call me Joker."
He said, still grinning at me. The teacher gave him a strange look but put a hand on his back.
"A-alright. This is Joker. Please take a seat anywhere."
She said. He grinned even more, almost like the Cheshire Cat.
'Shit.'
I thought. I swallowed hard and he walked forward, taking a seat next to me. I could feel him staring at me again but I refused to look back at him. In my peripheral vision I noticed him turn fully towards me.
"What's your name again, blondie?"
He inquired with a small laugh. I rolled my eyes.
"Harleen Quinnzel."
I told him, not bothering to look his way. He chuckled.
"I like that name, Harleen Quinnzel. Rework it a little and you get Harley Quinn."
He laughed again. I half smiled.
"Yeah, like the clown character, harlequin. I know. I've heard it before."
I told him, almost irritated. I had known this boy for less than ten minutes and I already knew I was going to end up hating him.
"It's a name that puts a smile on my face!"
He told me with a growing grin. I nodded in acknowledgment. He faced forward again when I failed to reply. That was the end of that, thank god. Two periods later, I went to my locker to trade out my books for my next classes. On the top shelf, there was a note. How the hell did that get there?
"Come and see me at lunch. -J"
I smirked at the note and closed my locker. I had to admit, I was worried he had accessed my locker without my permission. However, I thought that he was strangely charming. Once class began, I couldn't help but wait anxiously for lunch to come. We got out at 11:33 and it was now 11:32. 11:33 was so far away some how. The bell rang and I bolted out of my class and into the hallways. I slowed myself down, just in case he was watching from somewhere. I didn't have to search for too long before I spotted "J" in the courtyard. I bit my lip and walked over to him calmly. He smiled at me almost kindly but I also saw a hint of mocking in his grin. I flashed him the note from my locker with a small frown.
"Wanna tell me how this got in my locker?"
I asked, my voice serious. He giggled at me, like I was stupid for asking the question and the answer was so obvious.
"I put it there."
He answered simply. I crossed my arms over my chest, my frown deepening.
"I'm sure the principle would be interested to know how you got into my locker..."
I threatened, tapping my foot against the ground impatiently. He smirked.
"If you were going to tell, you would've already done it."
He replied. I paused for a moment. I smiled in defeat, and I hated that I smiled, I was supposed to be mad.
"I suppose you're right."
I told him. He scooted over and patter the spot next to him for me to sit. I did so carefully. My body was tense, like I was sitting next to a venomous snake.
"And you didn't tell because?"
He inquired. I frowned for a moment, thinking of a reason. I really had none...well, the reason why was because I found it charming. Of course he didn't need to know that.
"It doesn't really worry me that you got into my locker. So why bother?"
I retorted, he grinned mischievously.
"I like your attitude Ms. Quinn. What would I have to do to get inside of your head I wonder..."
He said, rubbing his chin. I smiled.
"I'll let you inside my world if you'll let me inside of yours..."
I shrugged. He smirked. Something about him was off, sadistic even. What the hell was going through his head? Well, I've always had a thing for extreme personalities...and he most definitely was extreme, that much was clear to me.
"It's a deal, ."
He chuckled, shaking my hand firmly. Ugh, that nickname was so infuriating.
"Call me Harley, everyone does."
I insisted gently. He laughed a bit.
"Alright, Harley. I'll go first."
He said, purring my name. I felt myself grow warmer. He sighed and looked up to the sky, as if he were searching for the right words to use.
"Y'know, my dad beats me up pretty bad. Every time I get out of line, WHAM! Or sometimes I'll just be sitting there, doing nothing. POW! Pops sure does like the grape, ya see."
He told me, his tone emotionless. Oh...not another one of these...I had heard far too many stories like these, only to find out they weren't true and that they just wanted my pity.
"Uh huh?"
"There was only one time I've ever seen my father smile. We were at the circus and the clowns were running around, pulling their pants down. He laughed and laughed, I'm sure he busted a gut. One day, when he came back from work, I ran up to him. I was wearing his pants and I dropped them to my ankles. 'Pops look! My pants fell down!' I said, laughing."
I began to laugh. Tears welled in my eyes from sadness, not from laughing. Though, you couldn't tell from looking. I was glad I was able to hide that sorrow. He stopped laughing abruptly.
"Then he broke my nose..."
He continued in a sad tone. My laughing died in my throat. I frowned and regained my composer. He looked up at me and smiled a bit.
"But, that's just the down side to comedy. You're always taking hits from those who just don't get the joke. What about you, Ms. Quinn?"
He asked.
"It's Harley."
I corrected him tiredly.
"Sorry, Harley. It's your turn."
He said, fixing the name. I smiled, though it quickly faded as I began to start the beginning of my journey.
"My mother and father used to beat me. Until I was about four actually. Then I was taken away. I started hurting myself and others and according to the state, I was dangerous and needed to be institutionalized. I was until I was twelve. Then I went into foster care. My new family is nice enough, though, the woman drinks and the man is spineless..."
I hissed through my teeth. I caught Joker grinning out of the corner of my eye, he was looking at my wrists.
"Hmmm we make a perfect pair, don't we, Harley?"
He inquired, matching up the scars on his forearms to the ones on mine. I clicked my tongue in disgust.
"Just because we have similar scars doesn't make us a perfect pair."
I scoffed, standing up. He began to laugh, the sound was a bit frightening as it echoed in the vacant courtyard.
"You've got spunk. I like that. But I must say Ms. Quinn, I don't give up that easily. Besides, I do enjoy a bit of a hunt."
He stood and winked at me. He passed me and I sighed.
"It's Harley!"
I shouted, trying to drill it into his damn skull.
'What the hell? I can't breathe when I'm around him...'
I asked myself as I felt my pulse flutter higher. I shook it off and continued off to my next class.