OMG guys, I sincerely apologize for the delay. I know you guys don't have to forgive me and you all have the right to be upset. I started writing this in between finals and I promised myself I would finish as soon as school got out. Turns out around that time, my stupid laptop decided to be a bitch and die on me. Well, I finally got it up, so please review! I love feedback! (Yeah, it mentions the release of the Hunger Games movie… I wrote it a while ago…)

-PHR

Chapter 4:

* Note: Chemistry teacher is now named Mrs. Briggs (yes, iCarly influences me…)

After the last bell finished echoing through the empty campus corridors, Mrs. Briggs walked in front of the clean chalkboard and smiled stiffly at her students. The woman looked quite intimidating in her loose silk tailleur and plat form heels, despite her small stature.

"Alrighty, class! Welcome, and good morning! I hope you all have prepared for this exam, as it will be the first one for the year. The format, as you all know, will include 10 multiple choice questions and 4 open response questions. I want all of you to give me your complete responses, with all of your work. You will only have the allotted class time to complete this assessment. Good luck to you all, and may the odds ever be in your favor!" she said with a sadistic grin creating more artificial grooves on her aged Botox-face.

The class groaned at the lame "Hunger Games" quote Mrs. Bitters had thrown at the end. The movie had just been released, and some kids had already seen it at least 10 times; others had memorized the book. Wallace smirked proudly. He of course, had done both.

The husky blonde boy in front of him carelessly tossed a pile of test papers back to Wallace's (and Artemis's) desk with a yawn. With a simple glance at the questions, the flash fan-boy realized that the test would be an easy feat. After carelessly sliding one in Artemis's direction, he wrote his full name neatly on the top right hand corner. Artemis lazily took her test, rested her golden head on her palms and started writing lazily, with an obvious lack of interest.

Wallace simply smirked at her haughty attitude, and focused on his own test. He was in too good of a mood to let the arrogance of the gray-eyed blonde let him down. He had just found out last night that his parents had already booked tickets specifically for him to visit his Uncle Barry during the 1-week break that started at the end of today. Uncle Barry had promised to take his favorite red-head nephew to a "forensics chemistry" convention for young adults interested in the field. Although Wallace didn't find solace in forensics, the prospect of attending something chemistry related was enough to have him riled up in anticipation.

But of course, Wallace had other, less geeky reasons to go as well.

Linda Park.

Just the sound of her name caused Wallace's adrenal glands to release a flourish of hormones into his blood stream, dramatically increasing his heart rate and causing his finger tips to tingle. Despite being at least 1,500 miles from the girl of his dreams, Wallace couldn't remove her image from his mind. Her dark flowing tresses and demure nature— she was a babe.

Wallace had already created an agenda of how he would spend his precious vacation back at Keystone. The first day, he would relax at the convention, nonchalantly taking note of any interesting chemistry related tid-bit he would find useful. Then for the rest of his stay, he would spend in the park reciting oxidization numbers and love poems to Linda. He could almost see them—the perfect couple.

Question 1: What does 'STP' stand for?

Wally almost let out a snort at the simplicity of the assessment. Strangely enough, he saw his peers scratching their heads, tapping their pencils, and sweating profusely (which was quite unappealing, even for rich snobby children), obviously stumped on the first question. Even after he'd heard them bragging about how acclaimed noble laureates were hired to tutor them, Wallace was surprised that they still couldn't crack the first question.

Artemis was breezing through her test, furiously hitting keys on her graphing calculator, which was in poor shape from the times of being carelessly dropped and used in almost every math and science class. Ever since her outburst on the first day, Artemis had sat through every class mouth closed, and eyes blankly staring at the board, which was covered in Mrs. Bitter's elaborate handwriting. Every day after the last of the day's bells echoed to the hallways, Wallace saw the blonde girl simply drive away on her motorcycle without caring to socialize her "biker" friends. It was obvious, even to a human-behavior novice like Wallace West to conclude that something was wrong.

Like he cared.

He had better things to do. Who would want to get caught up in some eccentric female's personal melodramas when there were experiments to conduct and scientific advancements to be made? Obviously not someone in the right state of mind (like him).

"Done," Wallace breathed to himself, staring proudly at his expertly dictated significant figures for each of his answers. There was no doubt that his flawless test would distinguish him even further from his peers. Around him, everyone continued to work with their mechanical pencil erasers used all the way due to the excessive erasing. Sometimes Wallace wondered if the ordinary kids back at his old school were actually smarter than these prissy private school scholars.

Careful to avoid minimal squeaks from his chair, Wallace got up and walked to the professor's desk.

Mrs. Briggs was busy reading some cheesy romance novel titled Skylar's Outlaw , which featured hunky sweaty shirtless man (obviously on steroids) on the cover. The sight of Wallace startled her, and with a flushed face, the aged woman attempted to hide the embarrassing book under a pile of ungraded homework papers.

"May I help you, Mr. West?" she asked, completely flustered by Wallace's presence.

"Um… I finished the test," Wallace stated. He had to bite down hard on his bottom lip to keep a smirk from gracing his face. The period was barely half way through and he was already done!

"Alright, if you have double-checked your answers, then you may start a pile over there."

Her long bony fingers with stark red nails pointed to a small, intricately carved desk, which lay snugly in the corner.

Wallace nodded and lay his test carefully on the desk and walked nonchalantly back to his seats, hands in his pockets. Secretly, he felt prideful of the mixed looks directed at him from the students around him. Some glared annoyed at him, while others harbored faces filled with shock and amazement. To Wallace's pleasure, a few girls in his class clearly were impressed with him.

Yet Artemis still diligently worked, eyes trained upon her test paper.

Of course, Wallace could care less. Did he even have a reason to care? Other girls had obviously been enamored at his adeptness in the subject of chemistry, so he obviously didn't need to prove himself. Who was Artemis anyways? Some scholar-ship student who obviously was from a bad family of drunkards and abusers?

Wallace did admit, he had heard many rumors circulating around the school about the blonde beauty. Some concluded that she was an alien (which was improbable), while many of the girls thought he was a hobo (which was also improbable, and it made Wallace further consider the cognitive abilities of the students at the "prestigious" Gotham Academy).

Wallace took a seat, browsing his smart phone. He still had another 32 minutes to kill before next block, which just so happened to be a study hall. While browsing under the "daily news" column on the National Geographic website, Artemis noisily scooted back her chair, and carelessly dumped her test on the pile and walked back.

Wallace had to admit she looked a lot less intimidating without the biker getup and high ponytail she sported on the first day. Gotham Academy's simple navy sweater vest and pleated skirt made Artemis Crock look innocent and naïve, two characteristics she definitely wasn't.

But there was more.

Wallace couldn't help notice the tiny scars that crisscrossed across her legs, hinting that there was more to her than simply the eyes could discern.

Wallace glanced at his limited edition red Flash watch to get a sense of the time. School was officially out for break and all the students has already left to embark on vacations to exotic Oceania island 5-star resorts, or African Safari expeditions. Even Dick himself was going away for some "personal" business in Bialya with Bruce (it was quite peculiar since Bialya wasn't exactly a "vacationing" spot— especially now since there were many riots, but Wallace kept his mouth shut).

Today, Wallace's mother had taken the day off to pick him up so he could get home quickly and pack his bags. His flight was due to leave at 10, but with the customs, check-ins, and for the sake of flexibility, it was absolutely necessary to reach Gotham Airport by 7 at the latest. Airplanes were quite enjoyable, in Wally's opinion, especially with all the air-hostesses at his beck and call. But the plane ride was just aa hindrance they kept him from seeing Linda.

While the flight was one thing, packing was another—it was never easy. Due to his capricious tastes and sentimental attachment to almost every article of clothing, souvenir, and Flash merchandise he owned, Wallace ended up always exceeding his luggage weight limit every time. This time his mother was going to sit with him, and regulate his packing—that meant not bringing his limited addition Flash plushie and figurine set. What a shame!

"Listen, Babe, I told you that you should have failed that!"

Wallace stiffened at the voice. In the desolateness of the school campus, the voice was clearly audible. It was cold, masculine, and clearly distressed.

"Cam, don't call me that. And… I couldn't help it. My mom depends on me to get an education. She was the one who forced me to come here in the first place. I can't—"

The second voice seemed familiar, and husky, but Wally couldn't quite place a finger onto who it belonged to. He was more of a visual than auditory person.

"Babe, that's why you should flunk all your honor classes, so you can come to mine! Listen up, if you hook up with me, I can hook you up with everything you need… You know my dad has connections, and we could use your… skills…"

The voice was almost deranged, with a touch of psychotic that made Wallace remember the chilling showcase he had watched on "Investigation Discovery" last week—on serial killers.

"Cam, I know the real reason why you want me to flunk. It's obvious that some priss hired you so they could watch me fail. They obviously couldn't stand a "low-life" to get better grades than them," the girl retorted bitterly.

The air was heavy with a pregnant silence.

Wallace took this opportunity to "quietly" sneak his way to the source of the noise (quite frankly, he tripped over his own feet twice, but held his own breath, pretending that no sound was made). Creeping behind the plaster pillar, Wallace caught a sight of the lanky pale boy he had seen in on the first day.

He was talking to Artemis.

The tall skinny adolescent, Cam, as she had referred to him, inched closer to Artemis. He stuck out one skinny hand to her shoulder, and inched uncomfortably close, as if pulling in for a kiss. Suddenly, there a loud crack that made even Wallace cringe. Artemis, at almost light speed had twisted Cam's hand around his back in an unnatural manner, making him fall to his knees in acute pain. She then leaned down, and muttered something into Cam's ears before letting him go with a jerk.

Cam's face became slightly red, and he rubbed his arm gingerly, as the blonde femme fatale walked away. "I'll get you Crock. You better flunk, and join me, or I'll be sure that your poor pathetic mother won't wake up one day!" he yelled back. His voice was faltered and cracked in fear. It was no doubt that Artemis's physical threat had fulfilled its purpose of intimidation.

However, at his words, Artemis stopped in her tracks, and her head dropped in defeat.

Wallace's eyes widened behind his glasses as he watched the scene unfold. For a second, he fretted if Artemis could actually sense his presence, as she took a glance at her surroundings. But a large sigh of defeat made it apparent that she was too caught up in the situation than realize that a ginger boy was eavesdropping.

You can't give up now! Wallace wanted to tell her. Yes, he hated her, her arrogance, her manners, the way she didn't care about what others thought of her—but after hearing this, he was completely awestruck.

For a moment, Wallace felt incredibly dense, despite his vast amount of knowledge. With being granted a perfect life, a perfect family, all he could ever want and more, he had never expected to actually meet someone who didn't. Being situated in pristine perfect Gotham Academy didn't help him swallow this revelation better, since everyone here got what they wanted. Sure there were hobos in Gotham and people with family problems you saw in movies, but he had never considered someone in such close proximity to him to be in the same circumstance. And for this reason, Wallace West felt guilt, something he hadn't felt since the time he traded his mom's rhubarb for some Justice League Trading Cards (he then realized that they were fraud too!).

"I'll join," she said hoarsely, her voice barely a whisper.

Cameron grinned devilishly and walked towards her defeated figure. Gingerly, he lay his hand on her shoulder, half-expecting it to be contorted in an uncomfortable way again. But Artemis accepted his touch.

"That's great, babe. I'll give you the information soon. Meet me at the alley behind Wayne Enterprises."

"You better not try any tricks, Cam. I can twist your hand in ways you can't even imagine. Call me babe again, and I'll give you a sneak-peek of my most famous treatment".

"Whatever, Arty. Just show up".

"As long as…you don't do anything to my mom".

Before Wallace could hear any more of the conversation, he gasped as he felt his phone vibrate silently in his uniform trouser pocket (he loved the classy mandatory uniforms that Gotham Academy offered—he finally could wear trousers without looking like he was going to a wedding or someone's funeral!)

Wally, where are you? Just 10 minutes ago, you were calling like crazy for me to get here! I've been waiting for 7 minutes now!

-Mom

Groaning at his mother's untimely arrival, Wallace tucked his phone in his pocket and prayed that Artemis and Cam hadn't heard him (Wallace wasn't a man of religion, but he realized that he had to be lucky or Artemis would break his arms). With the same "stealth" which he had utilized to reach his hiding place, Wallace crept back to the main entrance where his mom's new luxury sedan awaited. The window rolled down to reveal a very impatient looking Mary West.

"We haven't got all day, Wally," she said, her normally sweet tone with an impatient edge. As kind as she could be, Mary West, like Wallace wasn't good at waiting.

Wallace opened the door, and buckled up, laying his satchel in the crevice between his feet. He sat awkwardly thinking about the events that took place 3 minutes ago.

"You alright, Wally?" Mary asked with obvious concern in her voice. "You should be excited to see Barry again! Don't forget your little sweet heart Linda!" she chuckled. As much as Wallace denied his obvious affection for Linda, Mary wasn't blind. She saw right through her only son's façade.

"Mooommm!" Wallace groaned, but couldn't help crack a smile. But then, the knot in his stomach formed again, causing him to clutch it.

He desperately wanted to share his dark revelations with someone. The fact that someone he "knew" was being blackmailed into a deal. Should he inform the authorities, or feel guilt (an emotion which he loathed) if something dreadful were to happen the next day?

Sounded like some sick psychological drama.

Wallace just needed someone he could talk to without being judged. It was awkward talking with your mom about these things, especially when you were practically a man (16 was a pretty manly age, in Wallace's opinion).

"Wally, do you want to talk?" Mary asked again. Seeing Wallace clutch his stomach with her peripheral vision was just enough to activate her motherly instincts. She turned momentarily from the wheel, and patted Wallace's shoulder gently.

"Look here sweetie, you know you can talk to me. Is something wrong at school?" she asked with her grass-green eyes looking intently at her son's crest-fallen figure next to her.

Wallace looked up at her, and smiled. Time seemed to standstill

There was a thump on the car, a blur, and screeching breaks.

Everything had happened so quickly, and Wallace felt dazed.

Before he could comprehend what was unfolding, cars around him had stopped, and a chorus of frantic voices surrounded him.

"Wallace! Get out of the car, and help me see what happened!" Mary screamed frantically, attempting to shake her son out of dazed trance.

Giving up, she opened the door and ran to the victim of the crash.

Soon, the other cars around them had stopped, and Wallace could hear the faint wailing sounds of the ambulance, firefighters and police. People had come out of their cars to check out the commotion.

"Check her wallet!" a male voice said, distressed.

"She's out cold, but it doesn't look too serious, the paramedics are coming," a woman said.

"Oh my god."

Wallace still couldn't move. Everything was happening too fast. His mind couldn't process these inopportune turn of events. People couldn't die in simple crashes. His mom wasn't even that fast, only 20 MPH, right? So he just lay in the car, his mind attempting to swerve him away from the graveness of the situation. His mind conjured the worse-case scenario of a mangled corpse, bleeding on the asphalt.

I wonder what Linda's doing… She probably must be waiting for me, I'm sure of it! Wallace thought frantically, calming his nerves.

All he wanted to think about was going to Central City. Away from here. Away from the possible death that had occurred. A death which was highly unlikely.

It was all his fault.

It was his fault because he was the one who was hiding something from his mom; he was the one who distracted her; he was the reason why someone was going to be hurt; he was the reason why the victim's family would be devastated.

And because of that fear—that guilt, Wallace could not move. He just couldn't face it.

"ID say's her name's Artemis Crock," the first male voice announced.

And that was it.

At the sound of her name, Wallace came back into consciousness Artemis. His mom had hit Artemis.

SUSPENSE!

I think I got into this habit of cliffies due to Greg..

I'm such a hardcore Dick and Babs shipper right now! They are so cute!

Meh. I wanted to portray Wally as a dork who pretended he was all that, when he was actually afraid of plenty of things on the inside. That's why he was afraid to get out of the car. LOL he's such a scaredy-cat! :D That aspect of his character will definitely play out as he gets his powers in the later chapters.