THE LAST FIRST DAY

Apartment rooftop

September 21st 2010, 21:30

I was sitting on the rooftop; enjoying my last few moments of freedom before going back to that hellhole they call school. You probably have already guessed that I despised school, due to my temper, talking back to the teachers and my famous ability of not knowing when to shut my mouth.

However, I promised Selina that I would try not to fuck it up, as Bruce got me a scholarship to one of the best schools in the freaking state. Seriously, wouldn't it be better if gave it to someone else. Ah, the joys of him being sort of my father.

(Don't make me think about their relationship, it makes my head hurt.)

To my utter surprise, a flash of blonde hair caught my attention. Artemis Crock performed a daring flip from the rooftop of the next building, landing gracefully on her feet. "Ten points!" I called. "I would give you a trophy, but unfortunately I'm all out."

"Ha, thanks." She replied, walking over to where I was sitting. "What are you doing out here?"

"Just watching Gotham, trying to enjoy the outside world before the tyrants force me into school tomorrow." I replied.

"You're slightly overdramatic, you know that?" Artemis told me before taking a seat.

I laughed. "You wouldn't be the first person to tell me that Blondie. So have you started yet?"

"No, that's tomorrow." She said. I raised my eyebrow.

"Let me guess, Gotham Academy?" I asked before taking a drink from my can of Coke.

She gave me a surprised look. "How do you know that?"

"I'm starting there as well." I replied. She shot me an disbelieving look.

"Seriously?" I nodded. "How did you get in?" Artemis' sounded amazed.

I raised my eyebrows. "I feel like I should be a little offended."

Artemis shrugged and cocked an eyebrow. "Are you?"

I chose to ignore that comment. "Wayne Enterprises scholarship, what about you?"

"Same here." She said.

"Although, I don't want to go and leave my friends and somewhere that I was perfectly comfortable with." I added.

"You know that makes you sound kind of ungrateful." Artemis said.

I sighed. "I know, it's just…." I trailed off.

"You don't want to go to a new school when you've got used to the old school, like your friends and don't want to be judged for where you come from?" Artemis finished.

"Yeah actually. You feel that way too?" I asked. She nodded. "Well, the day might be slightly better if we stick together?"

She snorted. "You realise that made you sound like someone off a kid's show." I laughed and nodded. "So do you want to get the bus together?"

"Sure, in our little uniforms." I said, earning a groan from Artemis.

"I completely forgot about the fucking uniforms, I'll look like such as an ass in it." She replied.

I got to my feet. "Please, we will make it look fantastic."

She snorted. "Whatever you say."

Kyle Apartment

September 22nd 2010, 07:35

Gotham Academy's uniform consisted of skirt, shirt, tie, blazer, shoes and socks. I already wanted to be back at my old school, where you could waltz in wearing sweatpants and they wouldn't give two shits. I frowned at the tie. Dear God, I despised those things. I pulled on the uniform, adjusting it something I liked. I unbuttoned my collar and made the tie loose. I pulled the skirt higher up to, it showed off my legs.

(My legs are killer; they make up for my lack of boobs.)

After pulling my hair into a messy bun and put on a little makeup, I came out of my room to grab the pasta salad for my lunch. Selina caught sight of me. "Could that skirt be any shorter?" In response, I yanked it up until the skirt barely covered my ass. Selina rolled her eyes and muttered "Classy."

"So mother dearest, any words of wisdom before I depart on my perilous journey?" I asked.

"Let's see," Selina counted the ideas off her fingers, "try not to back talk, learn to keep your mouth shut and know when to walk away; we don't need another Kaci Brown incident."

"It's not my fault someone spread a rumour that I slept with her boyfriend at Sam Campbell's party! She was the one that was in my face and calling me a fat slut! What was I supposed to do?" I exclaimed.

"How about not backhanding her, while wearing a ring, and cut her face open, making her parents threaten to sue, maybe?" Selina replied, raising her eyebrows.

I snorted, while grabbing food out of the fridge and putting it in my bag. "We both knew they wouldn't go through with that. The fact that she tried to pull my hair was hilarious."

"Cocky little shit." Selina muttered.

I skipped over to her and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. "One of the many reasons why I'm the best daughter ever."

Selina swatted at me. "Get to school you idiot." I turned and swung my bag over my shoulder, before walking towards the door. "And pull that skirt down!"

I laughed and waved. "Toodles!"

Gotham Academy

September 22nd 2010, 07:56

"Oh my God, how can you stand this?!" Artemis exclaimed, trying to tug down her skirt. She wasn't a big fan of them as she thought they were too short, for her anyway. We were standing in the courtyard (a fucking courtyard) and waiting for school to start so we could find our student liaisons.

I shrugged. "I've embraced them."

"I feel so exposed." She said, making me giggle. "Like it's going to blow up in the wind and my ass will be on display."

"Now that would be a show on the first day back." I replied. She shot me an unamused look, making me laugh loudly.

"Artemis?" A blonde girl called. I turned to see Bette Kane, a girl I had seen a few times at Bruce's charity galas. "I'm Bette, your student liaison. Welcome to Gotham Academy!"

"Thanks, I'm Artemis." I had to hold in my snort. "But you knew that."

Suddenly, someone managed to sneak up behind us and wrapped his arms around both Artemis and I. I narrowed my eyes at the assailant. God damn Dick Grayson. "We'll laugh about this someday." He took a picture and blinded us both, the little shit.

"Uh, who was that?" Artemis asked.

"Dick Grayson." I replied. "He's a little shit."

"Ignore him though." Bette added. "Oh, I forgot to say, Nina your liaison, Matt, is running a little late so you can come with me Artemis to get your schedule and meet up with him when he gets here. Okay?" I nodded. "Good, now come on."

Bette guided us to the hall for morning assembly. "As, you can see this place is pretty big so you might want to stick with the buddy system for a few days. The halls can get insane, especially at lunch. The science rooms are on this floor, along with the gym, music rooms…" She went off on a tangent, explaining the Academy to us.

Artemis and I exchanged a look. "This place is slightly bigger than I thought." I commented.

"Yeah, but you get used to it after a while. Come on, assemblies starting." Bette said. With that, we hurried into the hall. It was your basic back to school crap. Make sure you do good work, show up to class, if you misbehave then that is your arse kicked out, blah, blah, blah. We were also given are school schedules, just as a blonde haired boy raced over to meet us.

"Where have you been?" Bette hissed.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, I just got held up and mum's got the new baby and I barely showered this morning- which is something I shouldn't mention in front of two lovely ladies." He smiled charmingly at Artemis and I. "Matt Davis. I assume one of you is Nina Kyle?"

I put up my hand. "That would be me."

He smiled. "Must be my lucky day then. I'm your student liaison, what class have you got first?"

"Uh, French with Mrs Crawford." I replied.

"Ah good, you're with me then." He smiled.

"Does it say dance on your schedule?" Artemis asked.

"Yeah, it's ballet, why?" I replied.

"You do ballet?" Artemis sounded incredulous.

"Is that so hard to believe?" I asked.

"I just can't really picture you doing ballet." She smirked. "Do you a tutu?"

"Yes as a matter of fact." I replied. "And if you must know, I look fantastic in a tutu!" She snorted. I elbowed her in return.

"Ladies, I'm afraid we must depart." Matt interrupted. I waved goodbye to Artemis and followed Matt up the stairs to the French room.

"So what's Mrs Crawford like?" I asked the boy.

"Slightly insane, but you get used to her." He replied. "She has a tendency to exaggerate her accent. I nearly pissed myself when I first heard it."

I snorted. "Good to know."

We soon arrived at the French room and Matt guided me to a seat beside him. The door opened and one of the most flamboyant people I had ever met walked into the room. "Bonjour my darlings! Oh how wonderful it is to see all of your faces again," Mrs Crawford paused when she caught sight of me.

Oh no.

"And faces new! You must be Miss Kyle! Please, come and introduce yourself to the class." She said, making the entire class turn to face me.

Nope.

I'm jumping out the window.

"Chop chop, my dear, come along!" Mrs Crawford clapped her hands.

I stood up and gave a fake smile. "I'm Nina, I like ballet and, if you want to get on my good side, then get me pretty things." I then sat back down.

"Uh, wonderful introduction dear, now let's start the lesson." Mrs Crawford got up and started to talk to the class.

"Nice introduction." Matt laughed. "I'll buy you a pony."

I snorted and leaned back in my chair. "That is all I ask."

"What the genuine fuck is going on." Artemis whisper-groaned. We were in the same maths class thankfully, and both got to suffer through hideous algebraic fractions together.

"When will we need this!" I hissed. "When the hell will we ever need this shit!"

"Is there a problem over there girls?" Mr Reed, our maths teacher, asked.

I flashed him a charming smile. "Not at all sir, just discussing the equations." He nodded, looking slight uncertain, before getting back to his work.

"Why do you do that?" Artemis asked. "Do the whole charming thing?"

I shrugged. "I learnt that it's pretty easy to get what you want if you're sweet and smiley."

Artemis nodded. "Good to know."

After maths, we had English, which was good news for me as I was actually okay at the subject. We would be starting the year reading Kafka's, The Metamorphosis, but Mr Jenkins decided that before that we were to do an essay about what makes you unique.

I raised my eyebrows at this. I knew what made me unique, but we all know I couldn't write sidekick to Catwoman, one of the best thieves in the world. That would make English class a little more interesting.

Lunch time came and Bette showed us to the cafeteria. "You guys are welcome to sit with me if you want." She told us with a smile. I spotted Dick at a table, waving me over.

"Actually, I think Dick wants me to come over. Thanks for the offer though." I replied. "Are you coming?" I asked Artemis.

"You sure?" She said uncertainly. I nodded.

Bette smiled. "Okay. If you girls need me I'm sitting over there and just let me know when you're down, so I can show you where you're next class is." I smiled, nodded and we walked away.

"So how do you know Dick Grayson?" Artemis asked.

"I met him at like the charity balls and shit like that. Kid's a troll but easy to get along with." I told her.

"Hey red, how's it going?" I asked, dropping down onto the seat beside Babs.

"Good, who's your friend?" She asked as Artemis sat beside me.

"This is Artemis Crock, she lives in my building." I announced to Babs and her friends.

"Uh, hi." Artemis greeted, before turning to Dick. "Why did you take a picture with us before school?"

"I, uh, was just saying hi!" He exclaimed. I had to hold in my laughter.

"He's weird like that." Babs told Artemis, making her laugh. "I'm Barbara Gordon by the way."

"I'm Artemis…. You already knew that." Artemis sighed. "Why do I keep doing that?"

"First day nerves probably." Babs replied. "So how'd your morning go?"

"Okay. I got Mrs Crawford for French and apparently that's a bad thing." I said. "And judging by the look on your face it is."

"I had her last year. She's…..eccentric." Barbara said.

"So basically she's nuts?" I asked.

"More like, overdramatic but means well." She replied, making me laugh.

"Whatever you say Babs."

Gotham City

September 25th 2010, 19:23

Fall Out Boy was blasting in my ears as I tried to make my way through the algebra questions Mr Reed had given us for homework. I already didn't like him and I'm pretty sure the feeling's mutual. I let out a loud groan as the gods seemed to hear my prayers for a distraction. Something to get me away from this crap.

My phone started to ring, the caller ID showing a number I didn't recognise. "County Morgue: you stab 'em, we slab 'em."

A disappointed voice answered me. "My apologies. It seems I have been given the wrong number."

"Whoa, whoa! Kal?" I exclaimed, recognising the voice.

"Nina? Why did you answer the phone like that?" He replied.

"I do that whenever I don't recognise the number." I exclaimed, trying to hold in my laughter. "So, what's up?"

"Uh, would you mind if I take you up on that offer?" He asked uncertainly.

My eyes widened. "Uh- um- Yeah sure!" I spluttered. I didn't actually expect him to take me up on that offer. I told him the address of my apartment building and said to meet me on the roof. "So, uh, do you mind if I ask why?"

"I," He sighed, "Have had a very tiring past two days and I would like to get away."

"Well, I'm your gal!" I slapped my forehead. Oh my God you freak, did you just say that? "I mean, I will meet you on the roof in twenty minutes."

"Alright." He hung up and I got to work. I spent about ten minutes trying to figure out what jacket to wear over my shirt and leggings (I didn't want to look like a slob but I didn't want to look like I had put too much effort in, you know?) and in the end I decided on just a leather jacket, before brushing my hair and making me look a little more presentable.

I went to the kitchen and put out the food for Isis, before making hot chocolate. It's what Selina does for me whenever I'm feeling bad okay? Don't judge! I am so awkward when it comes to making people feel better. I pat them on the back and sit there awkwardly. Oh, maybe this wasn't a good idea.

Suck it up!

I let out a breath and picked up the cups, before making my way out of the apartment and locking the door behind me. Never underestimate my ability to get up flights of stairs while holding two cups of hot liquid and the keys between my teeth.

I finally got to the door and kicked it open. To my surprise, Kaldur was already there. He raised his eyebrows when he saw me and smiled. "Did you bring one for me?"

I rolled my eyes and handed a cup to him, before taking the keys out of my mouth. "No I intend to drink them both myself. Of course one's for you!"

"Thank you." He replied, giving me a grateful smile. Oh my, that was actually adorable. Shut up brain!

I waved him over to the ledge so we could sit down. "So what's going on? What did those brats do now?"

Kaldur raised his eyebrows. "They are not brats."

"I know, I'm kidding. But seriously, what happened?" I asked.

"There was a….disagreement involving myself and the team." He told me.

"And how big was this disagreement exactly?" I replied.

"There was a mole within the Team and I did not tell them." He admitted.

My eyes widened. "So pretty big then."

"They did not take the news well and became angry with me, even though I kept the secret for the good of the team." The last few words came out in a strangled voice, like Kal wanted to yell. My eyes flicked down the cup he was clenching.

"Okay, okay, let's not do that. Those are good cups." I said, taking the cup off him.

"My apologies, it's just…" He trailed off. "I do not want to say anything that might offend. I know you and Robin are close."

I shrugged. "Say what you want, kid can be a shit sometimes. As long as it's not plain death threats I'm good."

He nodded. "It's just… they can be frustrating sometimes. They are stubborn and unwilling to listen sometimes."

I smiled. "The only thing worse than be a teenager, is leading a group of stubborn teenagers?"

He smiled. "Indeed."

"Do you wish you stayed in Atlantis then?" I asked.

A thoughtful expression flickered over his features for a moment, before disappearing. He gave me a long look. "I used to. But now no, I do not." He smiled. "I like it on the surface."

"Must be the food, 'cause I doubt it's the people." I laughed.

"I would not be so sure." I narrowed my eyes slightly. He was giving me an odd look

"What?" I said.

He looked away from me quickly, his eyes on his cup that I handed back to him. "Nothing, nothing."

"Alight then." I trailed off, raising my eyebrow slightly.

"Thank you for this, by the way." Kal added.

"For what?" I asked.

"For letting me speak with you, of course." He replied

I smiled. "I may not be good giving advice but I am a good listener."

"And a good friend." He added

"I'm your friend?" I said.

He gave me an odd look. "Of course."

"Are you sure you want me as a friend? I am a bit of a dick." He laughed and it lit up his face. It was actually kind of nice.

"I would be overjoyed to have you as a friend, Nina Kyle." Kal told me.

"I'm getting hints of sarcasm in that answer."

He laughed louder.

Sorry this chapter is very late, I'm in the middle of exams. Luckily, this one was mostly finished before so I had time to finish and upload it. Hope you enjoyed!