Chapter 1! Enjoy!

GOTHAM CITY

MARCH 6TH

NINE MONTHS AND TWENTY-FIVE DAYS BEFORE

The ringing of a digital clock dragged the young hero out of his slumber. With a lazy hand, he sloppily attempted to silence the buzzing and had not succeeded until the fourth try. Dick was awfully tired from the previous night, he had gone out on patrol with his mentor. He had convinced Bruce to let him go out even though it was a school night. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but drastically changed when he accidentally let his guard down for five seconds. A thug he thought he had knocked out, got a few punches on Dick. It was nothing too bad, just a few bruises that could be easily hidden. Still hurt none-the-less.

It was the first day back from Spring Break and he was not excited to go back to school. Granted, he was a very intelligent student–always got A's in every single class. However that day, he just wasn't feeling it. Dick didn't know if it was the rest from studies or the aching in his sore ribs, but school seemed unappealing to say the least. He thought that he should spend a day at home to rest from the previous night, surely Bruce would understand. The teen then wrapped himself up in his comfortable–and expensive–duvet. Once wrapped up and looking similar to a burrito, Dick began drifting off to sleep.

His peace lasted for a few short moments due to Alfred barging into his room to ensure the youngest member of the house was awake. "Good morning, Master Richard."

"Morning, Alfred." The younger boy sighed, uncovering his face.

"You should begin getting ready, don't want to be late for school."

The butler approached the blinds that were directly across from Dick's bed. He opened the blinds letting the bright morning sun leak into the room and hitting the Grayson's face. Hurt from the sudden sunlight, Dick squinted his eyes and let out a groan. He was much more used to the dark. All wishes to stay at home were abandoned knowing that Bruce sent the manservant in to ensure that Dick went to school. There was no such thing as winning an argument with him.

"Fine, I'll be downstairs in ten."

Dick did as he promised; he brushed his teeth, did his hair and got dressed in his school's uniform. Tying the last knot on his shoes lace, Dick got up from his chair and left his room. The teen's light blue eyes seemed much more awake than before, a gleam was in his eye as he was excited for the day in front him. He has always been the most positive one of the three.

Wayne Manor was enormous, to say the least. The exterior looked to be a castle while the inside consisted of mahogany furniture and stairs. The first time Dick ever walked into the mansion, his jaw hit the floor. He was so used to living in small wooden train carts, that a place that looked so extravagant was captivating. There were many rooms and passageways throughout the mansion–Dick should know since he spent an entire month wandering and getting lost in the place. Several antiques were spread across the mansion, boasting about how wealthy the owner was. Even the bathrooms were luxurious, with a bust in the corner and towels made with Egyptian cotton. As the minor skipped down the grand stairs staring at the chandelier, it reminded him of all these things.

Food was already resting at the table when Dick had entered. The butler was at the sink washing the dishes that were dirtied in the process of making the meal. Dick felt his mouth water at the sight of the Belgian waffles that were topped with strawberries. To the side of the dish were silverware and a glass of orange juice. He all but ran to the table, eager to find out if the food was as delicious as it looked–albeit Dick already knew it would be. He grabbed the fork and knife, and cut a piece off the fluffy cooked batter. A moan escaped the young boy's lips as he savored the incredible taste.

"Thanks for the food, Alfred. It tastes amazing!" Dick exclaimed with a mouth full of food, small chunks threatening to spit out.

"My pleasure, Master Richard. Also, I suggest you not talk with food in your mouth. Don't want to stain your jacket with chewed waffle bits now, do you?"

§

As per usual, the young Grayson arrived to Gotham Academy, fifteen minutes before the first class began. The school was first built in 1897, it has been in service for over one hundred years and the architecture was the proof. The building itself was grand and definitely a jaw dropper, however, over time it seemed to not have that effect on Dick anymore. It consisted of three floors: the first had the gym, offices, and a few classrooms, the second had all core classes, and the third had all electives. If the school was silent enough, you can hear the instruments from the orchestra throughout the building.

The front entrance was filled with students conversing. Everyone seemed to have been in a group in which they seemed to be in deep conversation or laughing. Each person in a group looked similar to one another. They either wore the uniform the same way (there was a lot of ways to wear the school's uniform), had their hair styled a certain way or the way they held themselves. Dick didn't really have a group, even though many times he would hang out with the other mathletes and sometimes the Populars. He was a very social guy, so it was no mistake that he was counted as popular. The young boy always wore his heart on his sleeve.

He shuffles up the stairs and into the aging building. The lobby was full of students as well, some were walking in and out of offices, others talking. Dick walked through the corridor saying hello to some people he recognized—which was a lot—and up the stairs onto the second level. From the staircase, he walked the familiar path to his locker. Dick entered the combination to his locker and opened it to be greeted by the awful stench of the gym clothes he forgot to take home.

The Grayson instantly had his nose pinched between his forefinger and his thumb. A mixture of a gag and a groan escaped his lips and his eyes were squinted, shielding his bright blue eyes. He mentally cursed himself for not taking the clothes home like he was supposed to. The Friday afternoon before break, Clayface was terrorizing City Hall and Dick had to leave school in a hurry to help Bruce. He thought he had taken everything he needed but he obviously hadn't.

Dick thought it best to tie the bag up to try and conceal the foul odor and while he was at it, he realized how messy his locker really was. Sighing to himself, Dick decided to reorganize his locker. He began by pulling out all the stray papers and dividing them into two piles; the first was useless papers and the second was notes and such. Finding classwork that you couldn't find and had to redo was the worst feeling for Dick. He had to hold in the groan that threatened to leave his thin lips, he put so much effort for nothing.

Students began going to their lockers to get ready for class as well. Some watched their young pier clean his locker, however, it was always for a small amount of time. The acrobat then gathered the empty wrappers from protein bars he often eats, Bruce's orders. Dick's legal guardian was very strict when it came to Dick's health, especially with all the crime fighting he does. The fitness bar wrappers reminded him that he had training with Bruce again that night. The soreness in his body tingled at the thought.

Finally, Dick stacked all his academic books in order of period. It would be much more easier that way and he hoped he would keep his locker the way it was. But the young Grayson knew better, the current immaculate state of his locker would only last about a month if he was lucky. As he was neatly placing the still useful paperwork he has done in folders, the bell that signalled the beginning of classes rung.

"Dang it," Dick mumbled to himself.

The loud chatter in the hall began with friends who were walking with each other to their first class. The sound of metal meeting metal made it's way into the air of the hall. Dick quickly began stuffing everything he took out of his locker back in as quickly as he could. He didn't want to be late for class, he had a great reputation with his teachers and the last thing he wanted was for that to be ruined.

When Dick closed his locker and locked it, the warning bell sounded. He had one minute to throw away the papers and get to his first period that was on the other side of the school. Swinging his backpack over his shoulder, he decided that he would throw away the papers on the way to his class. He gathered all the scrap papers from the floor and before he ran through the halls to his first period. Some students gave weird looks to the eighth grader, but Dick simply shrugged them off.

After the maze of hallways and a few administrators yelling at him to slow down, he finally made it to the right corridor. A relieved grin appeared on his lips, only for it to be wiped off at the sound of the late bell. Dick groaned in exasperation, he almost made it on time. The late student dragged himself to the nearest garbage bin and threw away the trash that was still in his hands.

"I was so close." Dick grumbled as he pushed all the papers into the bin.

Turning on his heels, he continued on his journey to the class he was now late for. His hands were stuffed into his pant pockets with his eyes trained on his freshly cleaned shoes. Dick's blue eyes meet his disappointed reflection. Bruce wouldn't mind that he's late to a class, but it was a personal goal for Dick himself. He was proud that he was able to juggle a four-point-oh GPA and crime fighting. His parents always valued education and Dick wished to make them proud, wherever they were. The thoughts in his head were instantly pushed away when a voice began throwing profanities in the air of the quiet hall.

Dick's stare tore away from his shined shoes, to the source of the voice. There was a girl with her combination lock in her hands. It was obvious that she came from latino or hispanic roots with her dark brown hair that ended below her shoulder blades and dark tanned skin. Her hands were noticeably shaking which Dick concluded that it was because of her evident frustration. He took the time to check her entire appearance and rather shamelessly too. She wore the school's uniform of a black skirt and blazer with the school's emblem stitched on. Her skirt was risen a bit revealing more of her legs. They weren't particularly skinny like the other girls in the school, her thighs looked full. Dick wasn't complaining about it at all.

She's hot, he thought.

It was only when she spat out profanities once more that Dick decided to stop checking her out and help her instead. He marched up to her with confidence in his stride, a grin already forming on his lips. The raven haired boy approached her, however, she only noticed him from his cough for attention. Her caramel eyes met his blue ones in alert. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, she had not noticed Dick standing right beside her.

Dick took that moment to take all her facial features in. The mystery girl had high cheekbones with a rounded jaw. Her upper lip was slightly bigger than the bottom and a semi-thick nose. The carmel brown eyes were framed by long dark eyelashes, he wouldn't doubt that it was due to mascara. She had blemishes on her forehead but the redness was hidden under a thin layer of powder. It was only when Dick finished observing her face that he noticed the surprised look it wore.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He kindly smiled.

The surprised expression she wore soon faded into a frown.

"You didn't scare me." She responded coolly.

Dick was intrigued at her attempt to seem nonchalant even though he had obviously seen her shock. His signature grin tugged at the corner of his lips in amusement. An annoyed look remained on her face as she continued to struggle with her combination. Her frustration didn't cease, especially with the presence of the unwanted visitor. With her prominent discomfort of his presence, Dick that it would be fun to tease her a bit. He had nothing better to do, he was already late for class.

The smirk remained on his lips as he crossed his arms and leaned on the locker. The Grayson's eyes remained on the girl's. He kept catching her eyes that peaked to the corner to look at him. Confusion was written all over her face and Dick read it like a book. Over time the glances became more frequent and her knew that she was going to talk to him again.

She processed his appearance from the several quick glances she tossed over to him. They were the same height from what she could tell and he had raven hair with blue eyes. A combination every girl drooled for. He had slightly tanned skin which brought out his eyes even more. She couldn't deny that he was attractive. Of course she would never tell him that. Confidence radiated off of him like waves. She's seen his kind–she knew his kind. Selfish and Cocky, a terrible mix.

After a few short moments later, she spoke: "Is there something I can help you with? If not, then can you stop looking at me? I don't know how it is in Gotham but from where I'm from, staring is not only rude but completely and utterly creepy."

"You seem to be having trouble with your lock." Dick decided to ignore the words that just left her mouth.

"Wow, really? I haven't even noticed! Thank you so much, Captain Obvious." She replied sarcastically.

"Ouch," He faked a pout. "To think I was going to actually help you."

"I don't need your help." She snapped.

Dick was taken aback, "Did your old town ever teach you something called common courtesy? Y'know, the whole 'respect others' thing? Ring a bell?"

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" She rolled her eyes.

"I could ask you the same thing." He countered.

"My lock won't work."

Dick chuckled humorlessly to himself. "And now we are back to square-one. I offered to help you."

"And I told you that I don't need your help."

She turned her body back towards her locker and began working on the difficult lock, more aggravated than before. Dick glared at her as she kept trying to open the lock. He stared down at her hands and carefully watched to find the mistake she was making. With his observant eyes he instantly spotted her mistake.

Gently, he pushed her away from her own locker with his shoulder. A protest and huff of anger came from her but he ignored her for the second time. Dick quickly and correctly entered the combination into the lock and it opened. Triumph flood through him and he tossed the girl a smug look. She just rolled her eyes back in response. He stepped out the way to let her reach her now open locker. Dick watched as she put a few of her textbooks inside her locker before closing and locking it again. Giving Dick one last dirty look, she spun on her heels and made her way down the hall.

"No 'thank you'?" He called after her.

"Nope." She said, popping the p.

"You're welcome!" He said in a 'duh' tone.

"Never asked for your help!" Were her last words before she turned the corner and out of his sight.

Someone definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Hey, sorry for the long wait. School sucks. What's new?

How do you like my OC? If you said you hate her, then I'm doing an amazing job.

Originally, I was gonna end the chapter with them becoming friends after their little "show down" (I don't know what else to call it), then I decided it would be much more interesting (for me at least) to make them hate each other (she more than he) then become the besties they are meant to be! Gonna make you earn them.

I hope you don't entirely hate the way I portrayed Dick. Many people portray him to much nicer than the way I have in this chapter. In my book he will show the traditional Dick Grayson kindness but what a lot of people seem to skip over, is that he's still a flirtatious teen. He loves bugging people because he is still a kid. Dick Grayson to me is such a complex person and I can't way to show you that if you let me. Of course he will have some of my own twists in him.

Go check out my other books:

Letting Go (Jason Todd)

Remember Me (Bucky Barnes) [still needs to be posted]

Review, favorite and follow both me and this story!

I absolutely love reviews, so please do it!

-Kay (coloredreign)