Harley navigated the cafeteria absently, lost in thought. Her peers looked at her a bit differently now, she could tell. Whether it was because she and Pam were sort of "out", or because she'd beaten Selina in the all-around, Harley wasn't quite sure. But something felt different, a good sort of different. Better. Even if the deal with Pam was a little confusing at the moment. Like, it should have all been totally fine after a full 48 hours, but Harley was still feeling a little weird about things for some reason.
In any case, she grinned at Cassandra, who nodded back serenely. Harley smoothly skirted around the table where she knew Selina would be holding court, catching Talia's and Roxy's eyes at their table and winking at each of them. For the first time since arriving at Gotham Prep, she felt like she could afford to make a choice about who she sat with, and she was entitled to that choice because…she was Pamela Isley's girlfriend or she was currently the school's leading gymnast. Either one, or maybe both.
When she plunked her tray down, Edward and Jonathan both jumped a little. "Well, well," Edward said, clearly trying to play it cool, "look who's back."
"Hey, Harley," Jonathan mumbled.
"Trouble in paradise?" Edward asked, arching an eyebrow, even if he seemed a bit giddy about the statement. He was blushing by proxy and Harley wasn't quite sure he was aware of that fact.
Harley shrugged, trying to act like it was no big deal she was now dating (and had slept with) the girl these guys had identified as the absolute top of the food chain. "Nah. Just some drama. But Pam 'n I are good." She laid the name abbreviation on thick. Oh, God, she was totally bragging. Harley looked at Edward a bit apologetically, trying to read him. "Sorry I haven't been around much, Eddie. Just—crazy."
Edward's expression softened. He started to reply – and then his owlish eyes widened even farther as he looked at something over Harley's shoulder.
"Is this seat taken?" Pam nudged Harley lightly with her hip, and Harley automatically scooted over to the left to make room for her, hoping she didn't look as surprised as she felt. As the redhead sat down with a fluid grace not often seen in a high school cafeteria, Jonathan's mouth dropped open and Edward stammered "P-Pamela Isley." It seemed that talking about Pam and Harley dating was much different than seeing visual proof right there in front of them.
Harley smiled softly at Pam, slid their fingers together under the table, and said, "Gentlemen, please address her as Pamela Lillian Isley. That's how it's written on her business cards, anyway."
Pam wrinkled her nose in confusion, looking so adorable it made Harley's stomach clench. "Just Pamela is fine, Harley – oh, you're joking." She shook her head and a tiny embarrassed smile escaped her lips. When Harley tried and failed to suppress a chortle, Pam narrowed her eyes and said, "Shall I have some business cards made for you, Harleen?"
Harley leaned her cheek on the hand not holding Pam's and grinned up at her. "Let me guess – you have a calligrapher on retainer?"
"No, I pay her by the hour," Pam started – then caught herself. "Augh! You're so frustrating."
"Yeah, but you love it," Harley said, leaning in closer now.
"I do," Pam murmured, leaning in too, so that their noses brushed gently. Harley felt a rush of relief, realizing that their banter was still fun and easy despite their surroundings.
"Ahem!" Edward cleared his throat. Harley sprang quickly backwards while Pam smirked, turning her attention to their tablemates. Eddie wore a gleeful grin, and Jonathan had apparently not closed his mouth since Pam sat down.
With a small sigh that made it clear Pam was only acknowledging the boys because it seemed important to Harley, Pam painted on one of her winning smiles. "Edward. Jonathan." She was studiously ignoring Harley's silent giggles beside her. "How have you both been?"
"Great!" Edward said. Jonathan nodded, still blinded by Pam's star-power.
Harley sighed, shaking her head as if to say she's giving you a chance here, guys. "I swear, none of you know how to talk to human beings. Thank god I'm here." She squeezed Pam's hand, which she was still holding, to show her that she was joking (kinda) and also including Pam in the social awkwardness. "Jonathan, are you still busy planning that haunted house thing?"
Jonathan's face lit up. He leaned over the table conspiratorially. "Yes!" he said in his quiet voice. "It's next Saturday. I've drawn up plans to transform the school gym into the most terrifying house of horrors anyone has ever experienced."
"Jonathan, buddy," Edward said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "we talked about this. The haunted house is for children."
"Children need to be scared," said Jonathan.
The other three cocked their heads in unison and looked at him for a moment. Then Harley said, "So . . . aside from striking terror into tiny hearts, how does this thing work?"
"It's a Gotham Prep tradition," Jonathan said excitedly, his passion for the subject matter evident. "I've been looking forward to running it my entire life. We transform the gym into a house of horrors –"
"She got that part, man," Edward cut him off and turned to Harley to take his crack at an explanation. "Every year, we put on this haunted house. Gotham Prep students organize it and volunteer the day of, and it's open to the whole community. Families who can afford to donate make huge donations that we give to charity afterwards, and families who can't afford to donate can bring their kids for some free Halloween fun." He emphasized that last word, with a pointed look at Jonathan, who shrugged and shrank back into himself, taking a bite of his food. "I think the charity is for orphans or something. I can't remember, but there are always a bunch of random kids there."
"And you have to dress up!" Jonathan suddenly interjected, his tone sounding a bit desperate. "You should come dressed as your biggest fear."
All three of his table companions looked at him strangely, Pam most of all. From her expression, Harley surmised she might be regretting sitting down at this table.
"We should go, Pam!" Harley grinned, turning to the other girl, trying to salvage what they had left of this lunch.
"Of course," said Pam with a more controlled smile, her eyes still flitting nervously to Jonathan. "It's for charity. My family believes strongly in philanthropy."
"Well, I believe strongly in dressing up in costume!" Harley piggybacked. "So I'm in!" She impulsively pecked Pam on the lips. Both girls blushed and studiously turned their attention to their lunches.
They didn't notice Selina's glare from across the cafeteria.
/
Selina chewed her food slowly, distracting herself from Bruce and Dick's discussion of their Halloween plans to watch Pam converse with some losers at Harley's table.
"Would you…date Harley?" Selina's question was directed at Diana, although she didn't remove her gaze from the blonde in question.
"Mmm…not my type," Diana answered, moving her bite of food into her cheek so that she could speak. "Pam, though? Yeah. Redheads and guys that look like they could be my brother. That's what makes my world go round."
"She's cute, though, right?" Selina asked. "Like…they look good together?"
"Few rock the girl next door look better," Diana admitted, her gaze now drifting over to that table as well. "And yeah, they're cute. Harley's complete lack of self-awareness complements Pam's vanity perfectly, don't you think?"
"Whatever," Selina muttered, dragging her eyes back to her food.
Diana laughed. "I can tell you're not a Harley fan…"
"She's a fucking dumbass," Selina snapped, more harshly than she'd intended. "Just look at her." The blonde was, at that moment, wearing the perfect dopey grin to back Selina's statement.
Diana's laugh faded into a grin. "Yeah, I think maybe you're right. But…" she bumped Selina with her shoulder until the other girl met her eyes, "I think Pam could use a little of that. Maybe Harley will inspire her to be a dumbass herself more often, since she clearly needs it. It's stressful, being exceptional all the time."
"You're exceptional all the time," Selina retorted with an eye-roll.
"As are you," Diana chuckled. "I mean…we do what we have to do, perfection is our nature, after all. But everyone needs an outlet. Maybe Pam's found hers." The girl shrugged, getting up from the table and taking her tray with her. "Lacrosse meeting. Gotta get going."
Selina nodded, but didn't look at her. "Later."
"Diana, wait!" Bruce stopped her. "You coming up to the lake with us next Saturday, or what?"
That question shook Selina from her thoughts and she looked at her boyfriend, confused. "No, babe, next Saturday is the haunted house. We're not going to the lake."
Selina's voice was stern, yet somehow also…hurt? Diana took a moment to regard the brunette, who was holding her gaze keenly on Bruce, before clearing her throat. "Yeah, sorry, Bruce. Six attractive, wealthy teenagers in a cabin by the lake on Halloween? That's a horror movie setup right there." She watched as Selina's posture visibly relaxed. "I'm with Selina. The haunted house is a Gotham Prep tradition."
Bruce groaned, but conceded with a sigh. "Fine."
"Jesus, Bruce," Dick rolled his eyes. "You are so pussy-whipped."
"Careful, Dick," Selina sat back, resuming her usual confident stance, her eyes glinting playfully once more. "This kitty's got claws."