Disclaimed

.

"Absent"

.

Richard Grayson waited on his normal perch in Gotham Academy's North Quad, bright blue eyes searching with no avail. Next period would be his free period and normally it was shared with a slightly caustic blonde. The blonde was nowhere to be found. It worried him slightly, as it punctuality was a big deal to Artemis and she never seemed to miss school either. When he had hacked into her records, he had seen that she had only ever missed one day in elementary school. Other than that, her attendance record had been perfect. Routine was something that Artemis apparently valued greatly in her civilian life.

A frown tugged at his lips as he watched one of her only friends at the school begin to cross the area talking to Barbara Gordon. As they passed by him, he called out ignoring the warning bell that sounded.

"Hey Babs! Bette! Wait up," hopping down from the short, stone wall he was currently sitting on, he joined in step with the two girls.

"Hey, Dick," Babs greeted him with a grin. Bette only offered a small smile, her face shone with concern even through that. "What's up?"

"I was wondering if you'd seen Arty today? She usually gets coffee with me during free period," he asks the red head casually; in truth, he really does want his normal coffee, but knowing where Artemis was ranked pretty high on his priority list as well. Keeping track of people was once of those things he had pick up from Bruce. He eyes Bette carefully out of the corner of his eye; and at the mention of Artemis' name the frown on her face intensifies. Immediately, his own concern overrides his curiosity.

"She's probably just sick," Babs shrugs and turns to regard Bette, who has first period, AP Literature, with the girl in question.

"No, she's not sick" the normally cheerful blonde murmurs and shakes her head.

"Then where is she?" Dick asks quizzically and Barbara's expression matches his tone to the tee.

"Look, you can't tell anyone. I wasn't even supposed to hear it, but I was running a little late this morning," both Babs and Dick grinned, Bette ran late every morning. She continued giving them a serious look. "I mean it, tell absolutely no one because it might be false. It could just be teachers gossiping like they normally do or something."

"And we get to be the gossiping students then?" Babs laughed lightly. "I like the way that sounds. Now tell us or we'll be late for gym."

"Alright, alright. On my way in to class, I heard Mr. Jenkins talking to Prof. Dudley right before the bell rang," Bette began, a little louder, biting her lip slightly. Dick and Babs had stopped and moved closer to the blonde in anticipation to hear what she had heard. "Mr. J was talking about how it was a shame to have lost such a bright student, especially when going to school here opened multiple doors no matter what your background was. Duds agreed and then said that she had been looking forward to having Artemis next year. She said that the girl's parents were crazy to decline the remainder of the scholarship!"

"Wait," Babs said slowly, holding one hand up as though it helped process what she had just heard. "Artemis transferred back to North? And declined the rest of her scholarship? Is she crazy?"

"She doesn't go here anymore?" Dick was astounded. Hadn't Artemis and her mom made a deal about her coming to school here? If she had that she would get to continue her superhero thing on the side? Wasn't that what Ollie told Bruce?

"That's what I heard them say and then Mr. J didn't call even call her name for attendance," Bette frowned once more. "It's a shame. She was really smart and I thought the two of us were getting along so well."

Overhead, the final bell rang and once more it was paid no mind. Bette and Babs had gym, while Dick had free time so no one would notice them being just a tad late. Even on the beautiful, sunny day, the three managed to look somber. Two saddened by the loss of a new member of their little clique and the third internally worried about what this translated into for the team.

"You guys had better get to class. I'll call Bruce and see if he can sweet talk any information out of the secretary when he and Alfred come and pick me up today," Dick finally stated in a determined sort of voice. The two girls shared a look, but nodded.

"We'll see you at lunch," Babs called over her shoulder with a wave as the two rushed away into the gym facility where their class was held. Dick stared after them, still sorting and analyzing what Bette had said.

Finally, with a sigh he set off towards the open gates of the school to get his normal coffee. Pulling out his cell phone, he sent a quick text to Artemis. He didn't really expect a reply.

'Where are you?'

Without waiting for a send confirmation, he dialed Bruce's private office line.

"Hey, Bruce…No, no. Everything's fine…I can't just call to talk?...Well, actually. I just heard the weirdest thing…"

Don't hit me. M'kay?
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