Chapter 18

Even without her alarm clock, Dixie was still able to wake up at the usual time she woke up for school. Silently sitting up, the thirteen-year-old girl started fixing her things and placing the folded blanket on the pillow she used before grabbing her uniform from her bag and silently heading to the bathroom, the redhead still asleep on his bed.

As she closed the door, locking it quietly, she started changing into her uniform. She patted the ruffles and folds of her uniform, sighing at her reflection in the mirror. While brushing her teeth, she started brushing her hair to make it neat and perfect as opposed to the messy hair she had as Robin.

Spitting out the toothpaste and quickly rinsing it out of her mouth, she glanced at the girl staring back at her in the mirror.

Shaking her head, she grabbed her things and exited the bathroom to see Wally sitting on his bed, using his phone and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Did I wake you?" Dixie asked as she started keeping her things in her duffle bag.

The redhead shook his head, "Nah, my alarm did."

"Oh, okay."

It was silent for a moment as the two teenagers did their own thing but it wasn't suffocating in the slightest, more comfortable than awkward.

When Wally stood up from his bed and walked into his bathroom, Dixie finished packing her bag and zipping it but not before taking out her phone. After shutting it off and tossing it into her bag the night before as she left her house in anger, she hasn't turned it on until now. When it turned on, she saw that she had several miss calls from her father and brothers and the most messages she's received since the whole CADMUS fiasco. Staring at the messages she received, Wally stepped out of the bathroom.

"Why aren't you wearing your school uniform?" Dixie asked, slightly shocked to see Wally walkout in casual clothes instead of his school uniform.

"I'll walk you to the zeta-beam, I still have some time before I actually have to leave for school, even without my powers," Wally answered.

She was about to turn him down when she realized that he woke up earlier more than he did on a regular day of school.

"You sure?" Dixie asked and yet grateful as she picked up her duffle bag and backpack.

"Yup," Wally said as he grabbed his phone on the bedside table and placing it in his pocket before pausing as he was heading to the door. "You need help? I can carry your bags if you want?"

"Thanks, Wally but I'm fine," Dixie smiled.

The redhead only nodded, knowing well that he shouldn't pry too much. Opening the door, he waited for her to leave before following her down the stairs to the living room where the two of them heard Barry talking to Iris in whispers. Noticing the two teenagers, they suddenly kept quiet.

Not wanting to focus on what the two adults were talking about after their immediate silence, Wally breaks it before it could turn awkward.

"I'm just going to drop Dixie off at the Zeta tube and head back here and prepare for school," Wally said as he grabbed two bananas, giving one to Dixie as he started eating the other one.

"It's alright, bud," Barry shook his head. "I'll be the one to walk her, I was going to head to Gotham anyways."

"Gotham? Why are you heading for Gotham?" Wally asks suspiciously.

Barry shrugs nonchalantly, "Had a call last night saying that I should head over to Gotham to discuss something."

Dixie stood there, not knowing when she made eye contact with Iris before deciding to step in.

"It's alright Walls, you should prepare for school I probably interrupted you with your homework last night when I just came," the thirteen-year-old smiled.

The fifteen-year-old seemed to have an internal argument with himself before giving in. "Fine, but I really don't mind if you come here unexpected even if I'm asleep, I'll always welcome you."

Dixie smiled even wider, "I know."

Barry grabbed the keys from the counter and kissed Iris on the cheeks, "C'mon, kid, we have quite a walk."

Dixie nodded and smiled at the two redheads. "Thanks for welcoming me to your home, Aunt Iris."

"It's no problem sweetheart, you're welcome to come over any time," Iris smiled back.

Dixie nodded and smiled at Wally before leaving with a wave.

"Call me when you get home after school," Wally said suddenly as she was about to exit the front door.

Dixie couldn't help but laugh and gave a thumbs up before leaving the house.

Barry stood there waiting for her before taking her duffle bag. "Let me carry that for you, kiddo."

Dixie didn't want to argue with him since he and Iris allowed her to stay over at the night especially since she came unannounced. The thirteen-year-old merely nodded before the two of them started walking to the nearest zeta-beam, the walk quiet even after they used the zeta-beam to Gotham. It was when the two of them were a few minutes away from her school, Barry finally broke the silence between them.

"I called Bruce last night after you and Wally fell asleep," Barry said but Dixie already knew this without him even having to say it. As far as she knew, there was no reason for him to come over to Gotham unless it had something to do with her father since there wasn't a crime in Gotham that is connected to a crime in Central City.

When she didn't respond, Barry just continued.

"He told me to tell you that there would be a family meeting when you and Jason finish school and when everyone gets home," the blond added. At the corner of her eye, the speedster saw Dixie's hand clench by her side and her eyes darken even more.

That was one thing that he couldn't help but notice when the thirteen-year-old came last night unexpectantly to his house. Her eyes were dark and lacked the brightness she always had even when she was undercover. Among the years that he's seen her without her mask, her eyes always had a shine towards them but seeing her eyes last night after not seeing them after their escape from CADMUS did Barry realize how much things have gotten hard for the thirteen-year-old, not only in her superhero life but her civilian life as well.

"Y'know, I haven't seen Wally that protective over someone besides the times where he still thought I was going to steal Iris away from him," Barry laughed, trying to brighten her mood.

Dixie chuckled, "Yeah, he reminds me of my brothers when they get protective as well but definitely not to their extent, which I greatly appreciate."

Barry hummed. "Well, older siblings are always protective of their siblings, some more protective than others but they have their ways of showing how much they care for their siblings," Barry smiled.

The two of them stopped in front of her school, some students arriving as well but otherwise not bothering the two. Barry handed over Dixie her duffle bag which she slung over her shoulder before smiling softly at her.

"You're always welcome over at mine and Iris' home," Barry said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "But just remember that your father and brothers love you even if they show it in ways you don't particularly like."

Dixie chuckled sadly, "Yeah, thanks, Uncle Barry."

"See you around, kiddo," Barry said before turning back walking away.

Dixie watched him walk away for a minute before sighing and turning to walk through the gates of her school.