Chapter 12
Disclaimer: the usual
-Dick's POV-
Alfred stopped in front of large pale building. Rose bushes were in every corner and oak trees stood tall and high. There was a fountain in the middle of the yard and benches were around it where students sat scribbling down homework or talking with their friends. The spring's sun made a nice after affect causing the school to look picture perfect.
"Whoa," was all I could manage. I stepped out of the car and said my good byes to Alfred. There was a black fence that surrounded the school and a bored looking security guard stood at the front. I hesitantly walked up to him and greeted him with a fake cheerfulness.
The man smiled boredly and retorted, "Student I. ." I looked at him confused then I realized what he was talking about. I reached for my butt pocket and slipped out a small card that had a small picture of me and the left side of the picture was my name and a barcode number. I handed him the card and silently watched him slid the card on to a machine. The guard watched the machine for a minute until it beeped and he handed me back the card without a single word. I smiled shyly at the guard and thanked him and walked past the massive fence. I slipped the card back in to my pocket and thought, "Damn, this school has some protective issues." I searched for a familiar red head and slightly smirked when I saw her seating at a bench alone reading a book. She wore her uniform the same as me a vest and a shirt but it fit maybe a little too smugly around her chest area. Her book sat on her long bare thighs; the school plaid blue uniform skirts were a little too short. I watched her bright green eyes shift as she read through the book and she carelessly put her red flowing hair behind her ear. I blushed as I realized that I was staring at a girl nearly two years older than me.
"Stupid hormones," I quietly mumbled to myself as I walked over to Barbara. I tapped her on the shoulder and she squinted the sun blinding her for just a moment. Realization hit her and she began to collect her things.
"Hey, Barbara," I greeted her as I grabbed a few of her textbooks and handed it her. Our fingers slightly touched and I slightly blushed. Barbara seemed to gaze at my eyes for a moment then snapped back into reality.
"Thanks," she mumbled as she shoved the books into her hand bag that had the Gotham Academy logo on it, "Call me Babs. C'mon, lets go to the office so we could pick up your schedule and stuff." I nodded and followed her.
-Barbara's POV-
I felt a tap on my shoulder snapping me back into reality and I looked up. The sun blinding me for just a second and I squinted my eyes to see the person who had tapped me. I saw it was Dick and immediately began to pack the things that I had taken out to find the book that I was currently reading.
"Hey, Barbara," he greeted me as he handed me my textbooks. Our fingers slightly brushed as I took the books from him. I blushed and I eyed for a second his muscular arms that showed under the white T-shirt. The vest seemed to fit perfectly against his body showing his abs. All the sapphire just seemed toradiate his eyes. I sighed when I saw how dead they looked. When I saw the once playful heavenly blue eyes I immediately fell in love with them. I pushed these thoughts away and thought, "Creepy much?You're daydreaming about a guy nearly two years younger than you! C'mon on Babs, don't want to be a creep!" I snapped back into reality and mumbled, "Thanks, call me Babs. C'mon, lets go to the office so we could pick up your schedule and stuff." We walked into the giant building and I watched Dick glance here and there taking in the school. He looked exhausted. Dark circles rimmed under his eyes and he was noticeably skinnier.
"Hey, how are you doing," I gently asked. He gave an inaudible sigh through his nose and stuffed his hands into his pant's pocket.
"Better, I guess. It's still hard."
I smiled sadly and replied, "I'm here for you, if you want to talk. And Bruce understands, he truly does, so talk to him to." He looked down at his shoes stomping on the shiny white ground and quietly mumbled, "Yeah…" The rest of the walk to the office was in comfortable silence. I smiled at the small children that shrieked and ran through the hall ways. Gotham Academy was rich enough to provide grades from elementary school through high school. I saw Dick eye the children curiously.
"This school provides grades from second grade to twelfth grade," I answered the obvious question that was on Dick's mind. He nodded knowingly and I stopped at a door and opened it. Principal Harlem sat behind his desk reading a few papers. I cleared my throat loudly to get his attention. He looked up from his paper work and his pushed his spectacles up his long thin nose. He rose and shook Dick's hand.
"Hello, you must be Mr. Richard Grayson. I hope you like it here." Principal Harlem smiled and his face looked like a wrinkled paper bag. Dick smiled and mumbled a thank you.
-Dick's POV-
The principal shook my hand fiercely and his hand was full of wrinkles that it felt slightly uncomfortable shaking his hand. He totally had the image of an old strict man from a cartoon.
"Principal Harlem, we came for Dick's schedule and all the rest of the papers," Barbara chimed in.
"Ah, yes. Come," he ordered. We followed him to his desk and watched him silently as he rustled a few papers from a drawer. Principal Harlem pointed to each paper and said, "This is your schedule; in the bottom it has your locker number and combination and the blue highlighted one is your gym locker number and combination. This pamphlet is the rule and guidelines for this school. It contains how you will be punished if break them. Richard, this is a strict school but judging by your grades I think you could prevail."
"Um, thank you," I replied as I grabbed the papers. We stepped out of the stifling office and Barbara grabbed my schedule. A flash of confusion spread through her face.
"Um, all of these are freshmen honor classes."
"Yup," I said emphasizing the 'p'.
"Aren't you thirteen," Barbara asked confused.
"Yeah, but I skipped a grade when I was twelve." Her mouth silently mouthed 'oh'.
"Your fifteen, right," I asked. She nodded absentmindedly as she studied my schedule. Her expression brightened and excitedly replied, "Great! You have lunch with me! And to top it all off, I know where all your classes are." She showed me my classes and told me what teachers and students I need to look out for. We stopped by my locker and we waved good-bye. I nearly slammed my head against the locker when I remembered that I forgot to mention about her being Batgirl and if she could help me or not. She was just so normal. Acted like she was just the commissioner's daughter and not the protégé of the fucking Batman. And this was the perfect time to do it to when all the hallways were empty and no Bruce. I guess I just have to talk about it after school. I shoved my black school bag in after I grabbed all the necessities. Three large white binders, two blue folders, and a red small pencil case. I walked to homeroom awkwardly and sat at an empty desk while I watched students talk amongst their friends. Soon all my morning classes were over and walked over to the cafeteria with a red and blue lunchbox in hand.
"Hey, Dick! Over here," Barbara called waving her hand. I silently groaned when a couple of students laughed at my nickname. I quickly paced over to her table and saw that she sat next to two blondes. One had tannish skin and had small Asian eyes; she was taller than the both girls and her strait blond hair was tied into a tight ponytail. The other blond was about the same height as Barbara and had short bouncy curls. I sat next to them and Barbara sent me an apologetic look.
"Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have said your name that loudly," Barbara, said. I just sent her a look that said 'ya think?'
"Well, anyways, this is Artemis Crock and Bette Williams," Barbara introduced each girl.
"Hey," Artemis greeted. She flashed me look and then grinned to Barbara who slapped her arm in return. I quirked my eye brows but didn't question their actions.
"Hey, Artemis and Bette," I greeted back to the blondes. Bette put a hand to her chest and sent me a pitiful look.
"I'm so sorry about your parents. I bet Will and Veronica were great people," Bette said pitifully. Then the air went cold. Only the chatter of the students could be heard and Barbara and Artemis went stiff.
"Will and Veronica weren't my real parents. I was adopted by them but they were pretty awesome people," I quietly replied. Bette dropped her hand from her chest and gaped at her awkward mistake.
"So, how do you like it so far in Gotham Academy," Artemis asked quickly changing the subject. I shrugged and replied, "I don't know. It's a lot to take in and it's a lot bigger than my last school." Artemis smiled knowingly and she propped her elbows on the table rested her head on her hands.
"So Dick, how old are you," Artemis asked.
"Um, thirteen."
"Oh, so your in the eighth grade," Artemis said smugly.
"No, I skipped a grade, so I'm in the freshmen year."
"Oh, smart and handsome." I blushed at Artemis's comment. Was this way of her flirting? But no, it seemed more like teasing.
"Ow," Artemis squealed and than she glared at Barbara. Barbara seemed to smile but her gaze held a glare.
"Sorry, I was swinging my feet. Didn't mean to hit you," Barbara said with feigned sweetness.
"Oh, it's quite alright," Artemis smiled sweetly but she to held a glare. I cleared my throat interrupting the glare match. We talked for the rest of the lunch period and I thought Artemis was pretty cool and Bette to bekind of annoying.
-Barbara's POV-
We waved good bye all of us heading into opposite directions. Well, it's safe to say that I want to strangle both Bette and Artemis. Bette for her awkward mistake and Artemis for her constant obvious teasing.I grabbed my afternoon books and went to my next class.
I waited outside for my dad when I felt a presence behind me. I turned around and met Dick.
"Hey, can we talk in private," Dick asked.
"Yeah, sure, I need to talk to you to. Hold on, I need to call my dad that I will be kind of late." Dick nodded and waited for my phone call to end.
I hung up the phone and smiled to Dick, "We can talk in the school library. That's usually empty." Dick nodded again and followed me to the library. We picked a table that was in a dark corner and sat on opposite sides of the table.
"So shoot," Dick said.
"Huh," I asked confused.
"You said that you had something to me…"
"Oh, right. Um, why did you look away when I looked at you during the funeral?"
Dick just shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. It has nothing to do with you being…you know…if that's what you think."
"Than why did you look away," I asked. Dick rubbed his face with his hands in a frustrating manner.
"I don't know, Babs. That day, I just felt like…everyone who got close to me will die. I just didn't want that happen to you." My expression turned into shock. I took his hand into mine.
"No, Dick, that will never happen. It takes a lot to get rid of a bat," I said with a comfort.
"Yeah…I know."
"So what did you want to tell me," I asked Dick.
"You said you'll be there for me when I need you, right?"
"Yeah," I said hesitantly. My gut told me that I wasn't going to like this.
"Even as Batgirl," Dick whispered. Now, my gut was screaming to get out of this conversion.
"Depends."
This time Dick hesitated to answer back.
"I want to get Transparent with my own hands. Bruce said it was too dangerous but I want to-no, I need to do it. I can't wait another four years. I can't just sit back and let someone else do the work. I won't do the same thing to Will and Veronica like I did with my parents. But I want you to help me. I want you to send me the information you found out about Transparent from Bruce," Dick said fiercely.
"Crap. How can I say no to that but I have to. Crap," I thought. I gave a loud sigh and looked Dick in the eye.
"Dick, you can't. It's too dangerous. He can turn invisible and kill you. Please, Dick, you can't. You just, can't. I'm sorry," I said softly.
"He can do the same thing to you," Dick fought back with a glare. I gave another sigh and glared back with a Batsy mixture.
"I'm trained," I simply answered. Dick didn't cower against the glare instead his own glare deepened and a scowl was added.
"You just don't understand," he said with venom laced with every word. He grabbed his things and left in a storm. I sat there for a moment shocked.
"Crap," I muttered silently.
-Dick's POV-
I could seriously say that I could punch something right now. I needed do some acrobatics. I already called Alfred that I will be late. I think this school hadgymnastics set here somewhere. I finally found it and immediately stomped over to the high poles and ropes. I jumped on to the lowest pole and spun when I had enough momentum I jumped to a rope. Everything flashed before me. My families' murder, my uncle's useless body, Veronica and Will's murder. I didn't feel grieve but I felt pure anger. The angerspread through my veins as I jumped from pole to pole and swung rope to rope. I summersaulted in the air three times and landed gracefully on the ground. I panted and sweat dripped from my hair. Every anger, frustration, and pain strangled in my heart leaving pains in my chest. My knees gave away and then I just screamed. I closed my eyes shut and gripped my sweaty hair and screamed out all the pain. When I was down tears were riding down my face. I wiped down the tears with a palm of my hand and muttered, "Crap." I sat there for a moment until I calmed down and until I knew the pink from my eye died down. I dialed Alfred's number that I had saved in the morning.
"Hey, Alfred. You can pick me up now." I hung up when I heard Alfred say that he will be there in about ten minutes. I grabbed my school bag and tossed it over my shoulder and walked out of the school.
TIME LAPSE~
I sat in my bedroom and stared at my childhood toy.
"Hey, Peanut, what do you think I should do?" I felt foolish talking to a stuffed elephant but it has been with me through so many tears that it felt like a close friend. I came up with a reply inside my head. I gently patted the elephant on the head and weakly smiled.
"Yeah, that's what I think too."
I heard the door open and close again from downstairs.
"Hey, Peanut, it looks like Bruce is home." I set the small grey elephant on the shelf that was also adorned with mathlete trophies and presents that Will and Veronica had given me. I walked down the stairs to greet Bruce but I stopped near the kitchen door and I hid near the shadows over hearing Bruce's conversation.
"Barbara, suit up I found a lead where Transparent could be." There was a deathly pause. I didn't dear to breath as I pressed against the wall hoping that Bruce didn't see me.
"The place where Transparent is hiding is at 30 Brandi Street. Alright, meet you there." Bruce ended his call and I waited for a few minutes till I walked in to the kitchen.
"Hey, Bruce. How was work," I asked nonchalantly.
"Fine, how was school," Bruce asked not catching the incognito of my calm interior.
I gave a shrug and answered, "Fine."
"You have to eat dinner alone, I'm afraid. I need to do my other job early tonight."
"Oh, all right. Be careful." Bruce nodded and headed towards the Batcave. I breathed a sigh of relief and held on the counter top for support.
"30 Brandi Street," I repeated in my head.
TIME LAPSE~
I ate dinner casually as I could but inside I was willing myself to eat faster.
"I am glad that you have grown your appetite back, Master Dick," Alfred said over my shoulder.
"Yeah, Alfie, it's great. I didn't know I could be missing so much."
"Alfie?" Alfred questioned the sudden nickname. I blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, I like to make nicknames for people. Is Alfiealright with you?"
"It is quite alright Master Dick," Alfred said as he grabbed my empty plate.
TIME LAPSE~
I watched the hours go by and the constant ticking of the clock was murderous. Finally, Alfred went to bed and I hastily got of my bed and prepared. I searched up the address and it was quite far. A taxi ride couldn't fix that hopefully the taxi driver wouldn't ask any questions. I grabbed the water gun that given to me as a birthday present by Will was filled with non-washable paint. If he was invisible I just have to expose him, right? I dressed into black sweats and a dark blue sweater. I put black rubber gloves on my hands. I took out an old red sweater from my closet and cut the bottom. I cut out two eyeholes and put the hand made mask on to my face. I checked myself out in the mirror in the bathroom. I nodded at my incognito self. I walked quietly down the stairs down to the Batcave. I need more tools. After I found theBatcave I didn't step inside it again. I looked around breathing in the whole cave. Weapons. Where could they be? I rubbed my hands together and thought for a moment. I looked around and finally found what I was looking for. There was batarangs, grappling hooks, and all sorts of weapons. I needed somewhere I could put all these weapons. I looked around again and saw bright yellow belts that hung against the walls. Batman's was too big so that means that I needed to use Batgirl's. I ignored the fact that I was wearing a girl's belt and gently stuffed the weapons and the two water guns inside the pockets. I eyed thebulletproof vest and shrugged. I grabbed the smaller one and hastily put it on. I was about to leave when I saw a black motorcycle. I grinned at the memory when Will taught me how to ride one.
"Cool. Looks like I don't have to call a cab." I jumped on the motorcycle and sped off towards my revenge.
Review and Rate please!