Felicity Smoak was a 16 year old senior that was already accepted into the computer sciences and cyber security programs at MIT while the other students in SC Prep could easily buy their way into Ivy League colleges without the grades to match. She and her mother Donna moved from Vegas when she received the scholarship to attend Starling City Prep. Her mother was a beautiful blonde cocktail waitress at two of the best hotel casinos in Vegas but that wasn't exactly respected in the high society of the city. They just packed their bags moved out of their simple two bedroom apartment and moved into a small 2 bedroom townhouse on the good side of the Glades. While Felicity earned extra money by tutoring to save for her move to Cambridge the following year, Donna Smoak worked three jobs in restaurants and the grocery store in order to afford the cost of living in SC, although it was equal to that of Vegas. Hotel casinos pay far more money and there aren't too many $100 tippers at a pizzeria.
When she got a scholarship to the most prestigious high school in Starling City, Felicity Smoak didn't expect to be treated like this. Yes, the majority of the students were the children of one percenters but surely her family's lack of money was negated by her intelligence. But apparently being a genius wasn't something to be proud of when the rest of you was an awkward, babbling, nerdy brunette that failed to inherit her mother's natural effervescence when dealing with others. Of course, the parents appreciated her genius level IQ and her willingness to tutor their children but their children were anything but appreciative.
Not all were unintelligent, most just didn't try hard enough as Felicity found out when tutoring. One such person was Oliver Queen and he was the only person who treated her as if she belonged there. The fact that he could already be a model with his handsome face, tall fit physique and smile that could turn Felicity into a puddle of glue didn't hurt and often allowed him to get whatever he wanted and if that didn't, his family's money did. Felicity had a tutoring session with him in 20 minutes and found herself in the bathroom touching up her lip gloss. She wasn't a girly girl by nature considering she often preferred computers over people but lip gloss was her armor in many ways and her mother told her that sometimes armor is important when dealing with people who think they are better than you. Plus, she would be seeing Oliver and there was just something about him that made her feel all fluttery.
She walked to the library and saw Oliver was already there. While he was regularly late to class, he was never late to a session which surprised and intrigued her. He was a bit of a mystery and to Felicity mysteries needed to be solved.
"Hello Oliver," she spoke and he turned to face her with a grin on his face.
She called it her Felicity grin as if seemed different than the fake smile he gave everyone else. Even his gorgeous on/off girlfriend Laurel Lance. Gorgeous Laurel was the daughter of a detective, was brilliant and planned on being a lawyer after she went to Standford.
"Hi Felicity," his voice warming her insides, "You going to prom this Saturday?"
Felicity shuffled through her book bag, "Not likely, so I noticed your mother called and said your English grades have greatly improved but that your science could use a little help...what?" she noticed he was just staring at her.
"Why aren't you going to prom?" he asked.
"What does it matter?"
"I don't know. You're only a senior once and I rarely see you do anything else but study or eat when we go to BBB. I was just wondering," Oliver appeared slightly nervous.
"Well, there are more important things I could be doing on Saturday besides going to a prom that I not only don't have a date for but don't have a dress for. In fact, I only got tickets because my mother forced me but she has to work so I can probably get away with not going."
"Why don't you have a date?" he grabbed his science book from his bag.
"You're the only one who treats me like I exist outside of class and these sessions. Nobody else recognizes me beyond the poor girl from Vegas who got a scholarship. So, back to science," Felicity answered trying to hide her frustration at his questioning.
He put a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, I didn't mean to upset you and personally, I think it is impossible not to recognize you."
Felicity tried to control the butterflies in her stomach but she couldn't stop the smile that formed on her face. Her mother called it her Oliver smile.
"Can we just study please?"
"Yeah, but I think you should go."
It was at that moment that Felicity almost decided she would.