AN- So I got really into Gotham and I wanted to explore the characters as I'm doing a cosplay and I really like writing villains so everything works out, ultimately. Hope you guys enjoy!
Gotham was not a place for the kind hearted, for the golden hearts. Yet, that didn't stop the few who shined through. Haven Kooris didn't have a tragic backstory or some mental illness, she was just some normal girl that lived in Gotham. Well, 'normal' was relative here. Her story begins when she was in middle school, only thirteen years old and brand new to the town. Here, new meat was nearly unheard of. Everyone knew everyone and word traveled fast. Already she had gained a reputation of the "uppity girl." In Gotham, you were one of the elite or you won't, and you stayed on your part of town. However, Haven was in Gotham Middle School instead of the local private school where she had gotten numerous offers and even scholarships (even if she didn't need them) to one of the most prestigious schools in the US.
"What's a classy girl like you doin' in a place like this?" Arnold Flass leaned against the door frame, blocking Haven from exiting to lunch.
"I'm just here to go to school, so if you could let me go past you, I'm really hungry." Haven said kindly, gripping the strap of her back pack tighter.
Arnold gave her a leering once over and rolled back against the wall outside of the classroom.
"Hey, give me a phone call if you want to study some chemistry if you know what I mean." Arnold called after her.
"Thanks," Haven smiled and turned to keep walking.
Sure, the people were rough, but they all seemed willing to be nice to her. She had no reason to dislike them or anyone. Haven walked through the now quiet halls, she was late to lunch but it's not like anyone would notice. Some grueling sound drew Haven from her daydream; the sound of someone pleading for mercy and the pound of flesh and bone against more flesh. She followed the sound to find a group of guys surrounding something and throwing punches and kicking something.
"Please stop, I'll do anything, please!" A high voice called.
"Ya shouldn't've told if ya didn't want to get beat!" A voice growled.
Haven tried to get a glimpse of what was happening. She looked down the hall and couldn't see any adult. She gathered up some courage and licked her lips.
"Hey boys, I'm still getting lost and it seems like some of the girls ditched me, could you fellas save me a table at the lunchroom? I'd sure enjoy the company." Haven smiled sweetly as the group turned around to face the newcomer.
"Haven, you're too pretty to be sitting alone. Of course we'll sit with ya." Butch Gilzean gave her a thousand watt smile.
"I'll meet you down there, I just need to freshen up a bit." Haven winked and twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
A chorus of 'alrights' and whistles game from the group of guys as they shoved each other towards the lunch room, taking a few good eyefuls of the girl. Once they had turned the corner, Haven dropped her backpack and rushed to the boy on the ground.
"Are you alright?" Haven asked after dropping to her knees next to him.
A sniffle came in response.
"Hey, I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to help." Haven said sweetly and lightly touched the boy's shoulder who flinched in response.
He relaxed and rolled slightly to face her, wincing as he must've rolled over a bruise on his back. His eyes were red from crying, but the rings around them were definitely black and blue.
"Thanks for helping me," he sniffled and rubbed his nose.
"Of course, Oswald? Isn't it?" Haven asked and helped the boy sit up.
"Yes, I-I-I'm Oswald Cobblepot." He held out his hand which was covered in snot.
Haven laughed and glanced down at his hand.
"How about we get you cleaned up before we shake hands?" Haven laughed and Oswald blushed, turning away.
Haven braced herself and threw his arm closest to her over her shoulders.
"Nice and easy, don't hurt yourself." Haven said and slowly rose to help him to his feet.
With a lot of wincing and 'ouch' Oswald finally got to his feet. The two started off to the nearby restroom after grabbing Haven's backpack.
"So how did you end up getting beat up by a bunch of thugs on the floor during lunch?" Haven asked as Oswald sat on the bathroom counter.
"I snitched, I caught them smoking over by the field and I told on them." Oswald said softly and pulled away as Haven dabbed a wet cloth on his bloody lip.
"At least you were trying to do the right thing." Haven sighed as she focused on his cuts and bruises.
"Not really I just wanted to get them in trouble. They beat me up almost everyday after school. I thought that if they got detention, I'd finally get a break."
"Well that wasn't a particularly smart plan," Haven frowned and pulled away.
Oswald nodded and turned to look at himself in the mirror.
"No worse than usual. Thank you for helping me again." Oswald smiled at the girl and clenched his hands on the edge of the counter.
"No need for thanks, they shouldn't have been hurting you." Haven responded and her stomach growled.
"Oh you missed lunch, I'm sorry." Oswald frowned and he tried to get off the counter.
"Hey, easy easy. I'm sure you're going to have a few nasty bruises tomorrow so go easy on yourself. We have a few minutes before class starts and you haven't eaten either. My mom always packs enough for two anyway. I don't mind sharing."
"A-are you sure? I don't want to put you out." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.
"No worries, besides, what kind of friend would I be if i save you and then let you go hungry. Come on, I'll help you to the courtyard." Haven reached up and held her arm out for Oswald to use as a brace for him to get down and not hurt himself.