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The front door to the mid-century modern house creaked open and slammed shut with the heavy footsteps being heard walking down the narrow hallway. The student's mother was sitting at the kitchen table, her police badge laid next to her computer and coffee, which was now cold, next to it. The woman was pale, very angular features, high cheek bones, sharp and intimidating blue eyes and dark brown hair pinned down in a tight bun.
"Hi, Momma," Roxy dropped her bag on a chair and grabbed an apple in the fruit bowl on the table. "How was your day?" she took a bite of the apple and leaned casually against the counter.
Her mother looked up from her computer, a smile on her face at seeing her daughter…that is, before she noticed a stain on her sweatshirt "Is that blood?"
Roxy frowned, glanced down then back at her mother like she had totally forgotten that it was there. She muffled an inadequate response with a mouth full of apple, "No?"
Her mother pursed her lips in a straight line as her eyebrows pulled together, "That's not a question you're supposed to answer with a another question."
Roxy gulped and scratched the back of her neck nervously, "For the record, the blood isn't mine-"
"That's what I was worried about." Her mom muttered and stood up to inspect the outfit.
"It was another couple of sidewalk creeps," Roxy explained frantically as her mother examined the stain. "I broke a few noses, they were babies about it."
Her mother let out an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Roxanne Lee Butcher-"
"I'm sorry!" Roxy waved her hands frantically. "They wouldn't leave me alone!"
Her mother sighed again and held out her hand, "Hand over the sweater. Honestly, sweetie, I don't know how you attract all this trouble."
She began to strip out of her bloodied sweater, leaving herself in her blue lace bra and joggers, "Hey, I could put this to good use if you'd just let me become a police officer."
"No." her mother said sternly. "Become someone safer, like a librarian, or a teacher."
"Ew." Roxy made a face as her mom went to dispose of the sweater. "Can't you meet me in the middle? You know I like studying Art History, how about I become Indiana Jones?"
"We will discuss this later," her mother called from the laundry room. "You have school tomorrow, you need to go to bed."
Roxy let out an incoherent groaning noise as she threw her head back in annoyance. She made her way upstairs to her room, which was lined with messy stacks of books that she had read and empty mugs. There was a faint scent of lavender and cinnamon from a candle she had burned earlier that day. She peeled off the remnants of her outfit and pulled on her plush shorts and grey tank top.
The sudden crippling muscle aches finally settled in as she relaxed and fell onto her bed. She absolutely knew she wouldn't be able to move the next morning—
"ROXANNE!"
She let out a muffled groan into her pillow before turning her head to the side and yelling in reply to her mother, "WHAT?"
Her mother burst through her bedroom door holding the invitation she had forgotten was sticking out of her duffle bag downstairs.
Shit.
NEXT NIGHT:::
"I told you I didn't want to come."
Roxy crossed her arms over her chest hugging her letterman jacket over her formal dress her mother forced her to wear. The black mini was just formal enough for a Wayne party, it showed off her muscular appearance but the letterman jacket was her doing, she never particularly liked dresses, this was the only way both her and her mother would be happy.
"As Gotham's star athlete it's required to go." Her mother told her as they approached the giant doors of Wayne Manor.
"I don't remember signing a contract that said this." Roxy quipped and pouted at her mother. She adjusted the heels she was wearing as her mother rang the doorbell. "I could run away right now before they open the door and you couldn't stop me."
"Roxanne Lee don't you dare-"
The large decorative doors swung open revealing a smartly dressed bald man.
"Ah, Mrs. Butcher and Miss Butcher." The man spoke with a British accent and held the door open for the duo to walk in. "We've been expecting you."
Roxy's mother thanked the butler as her daughter strode right through and into the large high ceiling ballroom. A crowd of people dressed in black dresses and suits and smelled of rich snobs filled the room to the brim.
There wasn't any sight of children her age, which created an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Ah, Roxy Butcher, there you are."
The athlete glanced to see the broad billionaire approaching her. He was dressed in an obviously expensive suit and a strong cologne and whisky came off of him…clearly enjoying himself.
"How have you been?" he asked.
Roxy shrugged and tucked her hands into her letterman jacket, "Good. Great party by the way, Mr. Wayne."
"It's only just getting started." He said and stood to the side. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Already? Roxy thought and tried to control her short floppy hair. Didn't even wait til I had a drink in my hand…
"Roxy Butcher," Bruce Wayne gestured to the woman that was approaching them. "Diana Prince."
"Hello," Ms. Prince smiled kindly and held out a hand to Roxy. She shook her hand and quickly took note of how strong her grip was. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ms. Prince is an antiquities dealer," Mr. Wayne explained. "I heard you want to study Art History when you go to college."
Taken completely aback by surprise, Roxy stared up at Bruce Wayne with wide eyes, "W-Wha-How did you- I mean, y-yes!"
"I've read your analysis on the Amazonian Harbinger Gauntlets, it's astonishing." Ms. Prince complimented and held out a bubbly beverage that Roxy didn't even notice she grabbed from a passing waiter. Roxy took the beverage from her and sipped it recognizing the tasted as ginger ale, probably meant for the kids at the party.
"Thank you!" Roxy said and blushed a little. "I spent months studying the piece at Metropolis Museum. I have a great interest in Amazonian artifacts."
"As do I." Ms. Prince smirked then glanced at Bruce, like it was a signal for him to leave, which he did.
"I will let you two be." He placed a hand on Roxy's shoulder. "I have to go mingle as the host, please enjoy the festivities and let me know if you need anything."
"Sure, Mr. Wayne." Roxy nodded. Diana waved him off as he departed. Her gaze turned back on Roxy with a very heartwarming stare.
"From your look before, I take it you weren't expecting to meet me." Ms. Prince took a sip of the champagne that was in her hand. Her tone wasn't insulted, it was genuinely curious.
Roxy glanced away nervously, "Huh, well, honestly, Mr. Wayne told me he was going to introduce me to college recruiters."
"Ah, yes." Ms. Prince recalled. "Bruce did mention you had an interest in…lacrosse, was it?"
"Not so much an interest as it is a chore now." Roxy admitted and took another sip of her ginger ale. She caught Diana's curious look with a raised eyebrow. "Sorry, that must've sounded rude."
"I'm not bothered," Diana grinned at her, admiring the young highschooler's spunk. "You're being put on a pedestal at such a young age…" she trailed off with almost like she knew what Roxy was going through.
"You're actually the first person not to ask me about playing lacrosse in college." She told her sheepishly. She scratched the back of her head and glanced around remembering that anyone could ask her and ruin this moment.
"I want you as my apprentice."
Roxy, once again surprised by this woman, "You're apprentice?!"
"I'd like to…mentor you." Diana said and placed her empty glass on a passing waiter's tray. "You have untapped potential, Roxy. I'd like to help you harness it."
Being completely overwhelmed with joy, Roxy embraced Diana.
"YES!" the girl gushed. "Yes, I'd love to be your apprentice!"
"Haha!" Diana returned the hug. "I'd like to discuss this more with you. Can we get coffee tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course!" Roxy told her. "I know a great place in the city."
The duo exchanged phone numbers and parted ways, leaving the young athlete in a greater mood than she had been in a long time. That is, until she turned around.
Her mother, of course, immediately found the college recruiters. She pouted and glanced around at the other attendees.
"I'm way too sober for this." She muttered under her breath.
"I'd have to agree."
Roxy looked over her shoulder to find the one and only son of Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson. He wore a suit similar to his father's but he looked more approachable than him.
Dick was holding two glasses that definitely did not hold ginger ale and handed one off to her. She took it with a grateful smile and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Seems like we're the only two kids here." She joked and sipped the champagne.
"It's because we are." He told her.
She nearly spewed out the drink, "Wait, seriously?"
"Was it not obvious?" his eyes widened and gestured around the room. "If there were kids there would be more tension in the air."
Roxy sighed and chugged the rest of the glass, surprising her classmate.
"That's not usually a drink you'd-"
"I need something stronger."
"There's a stash in the kitchen."
"Let's go."
