If the Devil was embodied by a person, Kara was positive it would embody Siobhan Smythe. She was probably the worst human being on the face of the Earth and Kara was certain she knew it – and loved every second of it.
Really, how one person could be so mean was a mystery to her.
-X-
Leaning against a group of lockers, Alex gazed out into the sea of bodies with a wry grin. She was quite popular – not arrogance, just a fact – and yet when she graduated, no one would remember her and there was a good chance she wouldn't remember them either.
Maggie was propped up next to her, staring into the crowd. "What are you thinking about, Danvers?"
"Graduation and that, at the end of all this, I won't think about ninety-nine percent of these people again. I'm pretty sure I'll only remember you and Lena." Alex sighed loudly and smacked her head against the metal, ignoring the sting of pain. "I know it's another five months away but…"
"Eh, isn't that a good thing though? Most of these people are assholes anyway. Look at Siobhan Smythe for example. I'm almost positive if you threw water on her that she'd melt." She perked up. "Maybe we should try."
Alex rolled her eyes and nudged the other brunette playfully. "You probably shouldn't try that, but if you do, tell me how it goes."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll hear that screech of hers from space if I did."
Alex nodded in agreement. "That's probably true."
Her eyes narrowed on Siobhan, following her movements critically as she strolled toward Kara Kent, another senior that she'd only talked to a few times in class. She was smart and had the prettiest smile, but Alex hadn't dared to get too close to her. She was almost always in the presence of her boyfriend, Winn, and she wasn't going to ruin a good relationship.
She wasn't that kind of person.
Siobhan pinned Kara against her locker and sneered something Alex couldn't quite hear before knocking all of Kara's books onto the ground and pouring her Starbucks onto the papers pooled at their feet. Fury bubbled in Alex's stomach and she kicked off the metal, strolling briskly through the parting crowd, righteous anger clearly stricken across her face.
"Hey, leave her alone, Smythe," Alex growled, shoving the girl out of her way.
Siobhan rolled her eyes. "This doesn't concern you, Danvers. I was just passing along a warning to little Kara here. No need to get bitchy."
Alex glared, crossing her arms and standing straight. She might be relatively short, but that didn't stop her from being intimidating. She was popular, but everyone knew the invoking her ire wasn't a safe idea. She'd once made a lacrosse player cry without raising her voice.
"Leave. Her. Alone."
Scoffing, Siobhan turned on her heel and stalked off, her usual lackeys falling in behind her. Their heads were bowed, trying not to garner the brunette's rage.
Alex shook her head. "God she's awful." Peering at Kara, she smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop her."
Kara was gaping at her, brilliant blue eyes glittering with unshed tears. "No one's ever stood up for me before," she whispered. She glanced down in embarrassment and looked forlornly at her ruined notes. "Crap."
Bending down, Alex gathered the coffee-free books into her arms. Rising, she positioned the books comfortably into the crook of her arm and pursed her lips. "What class were those for?"
"Anatomy." Kara chewed on her lip nervously. Between worrying over her notes and talking to the Alex Danvers, her heart was pounding harshly against her ribs.
Alex perked up and gestured with her head for Kara to follow her. Weaving through the throngs of teenagers, she stopped in front of her locker and shoved Kara's books at Maggie. Her friend rolled her eyes, but accepted them with a huff.
"Y-you don't have to hold those," Kara stuttered, her eyes fixed on her shoes.
"Yeah I do," Maggie laughed. "I'm pretty sure Danvers will beat me with one if I don't."
"You're not wrong," Alex mumbled distractedly as she fished through the metal box.
Maggie smiled kindly at Kara, though the girl wouldn't lift her head enough to see it. "You okay, little Kent?"
Everyone knew Kara's older cousin, Clark. His family had taken her in after her parents' deaths and they were connected at the hip until he left for college. He'd graduated from Midvale High when Kara was a freshman and was already starting to make a name for himself in the world. He was a junior reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis and dating up-and-coming reporter Lois Lane.
News traveled fast in their little town.
Kara nodded, but stayed quiet. She knew who Maggie Sawyer was – captain of the basketball team, out and proud lesbian, and Alex Danvers' ex-girlfriend. They'd dated most of sophomore year, but decided they weren't meant to be together, though they stayed the best of friends.
"Ah ha!" Alex exclaimed proudly, turning to present her findings. She was holding a notebook full of papers and handed them to Kara with a grin. "All of my notes from Anatomy. I took that class last year so I don't need them."
Kara reached out shakily and grasped them, pressing them to her chest as though they were a present from the gods. "A-are you sure?"
Alex nodded emphatically and reclaimed Kara's books from Maggie. "Yeah. Now you won't have to worry so much. Everything from that class is in there. I don't really know why I still have them, but hey, they came in handy."
Maggie shot Alex a dubious look and arched a single brow. Maggie knew exactly why she had them. Her friend had such a crush on the shy girl and had been looking for a reason to offer her help.
Damn, she's crushing hard.
Alex returned the look with a pointed glare. "Hush," she mouthed.
The warning bell startled the little group.
"I-I should probably get to class," Kara said hesitantly. She peered at her books nestled in Alex's arms and swallowed hard at the noticeable bulge of her biceps. Her mouth was suddenly a lot drier than it had been a moment ago.
Her crush on Alex was clearly getting out of hand.
She'd met the girl her first day of school and had tumbled into a pathetic infatuation the second she smiled. She was so genuine and, while most girls liked Alex merely for the fact she was gorgeous, Kara liked her because of the person she was. She was so sweet and witty, with a sense of self that was admirable. She'd stood up for her – and other students – countless times and never expected anything in return. During freshman year, she'd gotten three different football players to leave her alone without Kara's knowledge.
She only knew now because James, one of the few players she associated with, had admitted it to her one time while she was pining after Alex.
"Come on, I'll walk you. My class isn't too far from yours," Alex lied, knowing full well that she'd have to make a run for it to her own.
Kara bit her cheek to stifle her surprised squeak. "O-okay."
There was no way in hell she was going to turn down the offer. More time with Alex? Yes please.
-X-
Kara was the last to file out of the classroom, lingering in hopes of avoiding Siobhan. She seemed to make it her mission in life to give Kara hell and the blonde desperately didn't want to bump in to her. She was on cloud nine from her encounter with Alex, even if it had been brief. They'd walked in silence to her class, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Alex seemed genuinely happy just to be in presence and it filled her with hope. Even if she didn't like her like that, maybe they could be friends.
She stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of the person leaning against the wall across from her. Alex was grinning at her, hands shoved deep into her jeans pockets. She was wearing her signature leather jacket that had been absent during their previous exchange and Kara's eyes roamed with appreciation.
Wow.
Waving, Alex pushed off the wall and settled at her side. "How was class?"
"G-good. Your notes were really helpful." Kara blushed under Alex's scrutiny and she adjusted her glasses back into place. "H-how was yours?"
"Eh," Alex shrugged noncommittally. "Boring. If I have to listen to Mr. Lord," she rolled her eyes, "Drone on about the Civil War one more time, I might just stab myself in the hand to get out of class."
Kara giggled sympathetically. He was one of the worst teachers in their school. His ego was larger than all of the continents combined and he was kind of sleazy. She didn't know why the school kept him around, but she was thankful she didn't have his class anymore.
"You have a really cute laugh." Alex's eyes widened at her slip up and flushed. "I uh…" she cleared her throat.
Kara's blush deepened. "T-Thank you."
They meandered through the halls, dodging flailing arms and oblivious teenagers that really needed to learn how to watch where they were going.
"So, where's your boyfriend?" Alex asked with feigned nonchalance. "I haven't seen you guys together the past few days."
"Boyfriend?" Kara's brows knitted in confusion.
Alex blinked owlishly. "Yeah, Winn? Is he not your boyfriend?"
"God no!" Kara laughed, shoulders shaking with amusement as she tried to keep her books in her arms. "He's just a friend." She sobered up slightly. "Well, he used to be. Now he's Siobhan's boytoy."
"That's why she was talking to you earlier," Alex said, realization dawning on her.
Kara nodded sadly. "Yeah. She told me to stay away from him."
"Oh." Alex hummed. "Well, now you have a new friend. I can't replace him, but uh…"
"You want to be my friend?" Kara stopped, startling the other girl. Her face was full of bewilderment and Alex's heart ached for her.
"Yeah. You're really cool and I regret that I didn't, y'know, get to know you before, but I plan to make that up to you." Alex shoved her hands deeper into her pockets and stared into those baby blues that haunted her dreams for a week the first time she'd gotten a good look at them.
Kara's smile in lieu of replying was blinding and Alex knew then and there that she was thoroughly screwed.
-X-
Every day after the first, Alex walked with Kara to her classes. They would talk about everything they could think of and Alex had insisted that she sit with her and Maggie at lunch. Sometimes their friends Lena and Lucy would join them, but usually the two were sneaking off into the restrooms to make out in peace. They used a different one every day so that Principal Grant wouldn't catch them – but more often than not, she would and they'd have to spend multiple lunches during the week in her office.
It drove Siobhan crazy and Kara couldn't be happier. Seeing her nemesis so angry was hilarious, filling her with a sense of joy. Alex made sure that Siobhan never got close enough to bother her, even employing a few jocks to intercept her if Alex was running a little late.
Days blended into weeks and with each passing one, Kara fell a little harder for Alex. She'd catch herself staring dreamily into Alex's glittering chocolate eyes. She was enamored by Alex's melodic voice, swept up into a daze whenever she talked, especially when she was passionate about something. She was positive Maggie caught her gazing longingly at Alex, but she never said anything so Kara assumed the other girl wasn't jealous.
In fact, she seemed really amused by the whole thing.
I'm still not sure if that's a good or bad thing, Kara mused, tapping the eraser of her pencil repeatedly on the desk. She was trying to pay attention to Mr. Carr's boring explanation of rhetoric and the English language, but her mind kept drifting to Alex; to her shiny, cropped locks and her heart-stopping grin.
She huffed, forcefully brushing her bangs aside and started doodling along the margins of her notebook paper. First, it was a little heart, but she wasn't satisfied, so she expanded it and crossed the red line. Biting her lip, Kara etched her initials above it and Alex's below. It brought a stupid smile to her face, but she couldn't stop smiling. So, her doodles turned into a page's worth of them, absorbing whatever notes she'd managed into a mass of gray nothing.
Time trickled on and when the bell signaled the end of class, it startled her. She gotten so engrossed in her drawings that it felt like only seconds had passed. She slipped out of her desk and bent to grab the books settled beneath, balancing them precariously on one arm. Lifting her hand, long fingers scraped along empty wood and she jerked upright. Her heart dropped into her stomach as she frantically searched the surface.
Her paper was nowhere in sight.
Kara's feet pounded against tile as she raced out of the room and nearly plowed into the wall of students surrounding Siobhan. She was smirking victoriously, a cruel gleam in her eye the moment her gaze fell upon Kara.
"Ah, Kara, good timing," Siobhan mocked, her grip crinkling the edge of her paper.
The pounding in Kara's ears was deafening and she could feel her heart pounding into her ribcage. Her knees wobbled slightly, threatening to buckle beneath her. Out of her peripheral she noticed Maggie and Alex meandering toward the crowd and tears pricked the corner of her eyes.
Alex tilted her head and stopped at the outskirts, studying Siobhan intensely.
"So, I just wanted to make a little announcement. It seems as though Kara here as a bit of a secret." She sought out Alex's gaze and perked up when she caught sight of her. "Alex, did you know your little pet freak is in love with you?" She waved the paper. "Yeah, she's got your name written all over her notes with little hearts and everything."
Every mouth hung open, some glancing toward Kara and watched as tears spilled down her cheeks. Her throat was tight and she couldn't breathe. She'd had panic attacks before but this was something more.
The crowd parted for Alex as she strolled through, pausing in front of Siobhan. She ripped the paper from the girl's hand and stared at it critically. No noise came from the group; they were too busy awaiting Alex's reaction.
"Where did you get this?" Alex asked quietly, glancing up at Siobhan.
"Off her desk," she preened smugly, crossing her arms in supposed victory.
Nodding, Alex calmly folded the paper up and slipped it into her pocket. The air around them seemed stifling and Siobhan started to shift uncomfortably. Maggie smirked, chewing her lip with delight.
She's finally going to get what she deserves.
"Well –"
The crack that echoed through the hall was startling. Siobhan crumpled to her knees, shrieking as she pinched the bridge of her bleeding nose. Alex towered over her, a fire dancing in her eyes that no one had ever seen before. Maggie was the one prone to violence…
Not Alex.
"What the fuck?" Siobhan screamed, glaring at Alex. Blood dripped through the cracks of her fingers and onto the white floor.
"You had no right," Alex said emotionlessly, fist clenched at her side despite the ache in her knuckles. "That was Kara's paper, Kara's property – Kara's words! Kara is wonderful and she didn't deserve this and I would be more than honored to date someone like her. You are a spoiled, self-centered snob who gets away with too much, but not anymore." Alex stooped down and seized Siobhan's shirt, drawing her close. "If you ever bother her again, I'll break more than your nose." She shoved her away and spun around, shoving through the crowd with Maggie hot on her heels.
-X-
Principal Grant was not amused. Sitting before her was Alex Danvers, one of the brightest students to grace her school. In all her four years, Alex had never passed through her office because of trouble. Sometimes Eliza Danvers had her drop off baked goods that Cat would only indulge in away from the school, but she'd never been a problem child.
So why the hell was she fighting students now?
"Care to explain why you knocked the daylights out of Ms. Smythe?" Cat demanded, narrowing her gaze.
Alex sighed, rubbing her knuckles reverently. "Siobhan stole something from my…" she hesitated slightly, "…friend and then humiliated her in front of everyone. I couldn't let her get away with that. It wasn't planned, but I don't regret it." She steeled her expression, jaw clenched tight.
Cat massaged her temples, resting her elbows on the desk. "Does this have to do with her issues with Ms. Kent?"
Alex couldn't stop the growl bubbling in her throat and it only served to confirm Cat's suspicions. This was her least favorite part of her job; she couldn't help Kara and now she couldn't help Alex. The damn school board had her hands so tied that she was lucky she hadn't strangled them all with the figurative rope. When did people stop caring about students so much?
"I hate to say this, Ms. Danvers, but I'm going to have to suspend you. Off the record, I don't blame you for what you did. Ms. Smythe had it coming, but I can't not suspend you. The board…"
"I get it," Alex smiled sardonically. "Really."
Cat leaned back in her chair. "Since this is your first offense, I'm only suspending you two days. Since it's Wednesday, you'll be getting a long weekend. Be back on Monday. You may ask your teachers for your homework, then you have to leave the property."
Nodding, Alex rose from her seat. "Of course, Ms. Grant. Have a good weekend."
She ambled out of the office and closed the door softly behind her. Waving to the receptionist, she wandered out into the halls and down to her classes. None of the teachers had any issues with her getting the homework aside from Mr. Lord. He was a nightmare, but in the end, he decided it wasn't worth arguing over.
She stuffed all her notes and the few worksheets she'd been given into her backpack and shouldered it, heading toward the door. She hadn't lied to Principal Grant; she regretted nothing. Knowledge of Kara's crush had filled her with unbridled hope and come Monday, she hoped she could talk to her – maybe asked her out (if her mother hasn't grounded her for the rest of her life, that is).
Just before she reached the exit, hurried footsteps caught her attention. Swiveling about, she only had seconds to brace herself before a blur of blonde slammed into her arms and incessant lips slipped against her own. Her backpack crashed to the ground and she gripped lithe hips, tugging Kara closer. She had absolutely no idea what was happening but she didn't care.
Kara Kent was kissing her.
"Thank you," Kara breathed, pressing her forehead to Alex's. "You didn't have to do that." Smiling shyly, she pecked Alex's cheek and stepped back slightly.
"Yes I did." Alex replied dazedly, a goofy grin upticking her pale pink lips. "Would you, uh, maybe like to get coffee or something sometime?"
"How about right now?" Kara suggested sweetly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't really feel like staying for my last class and I think my aunt would understand me skipping."
Alex resituated her backpack onto one arm before offering the other to Kara. "It's a date."
"How mad is your mom going to be?" Kara asked as they strolled outside into the bright sun.
Alex simply chuckled. Her mom would probably be overly pissed and yell so loud that the neighbors would hear, but hell…
Definitely worth it.
-X-
I know I'm shitty at updating this but I do have more than one coming out this week. I love and appreciate reviews so much! You guys are awesome. Until next time, peace out!