Chapter 21
Pulling up her stockings, Dixie noticed her phone going on beside her. Picking it up, placing it between her shoulder and her ear as she pulled on her stockings.
"Yes?" she asked, forgetting to check the ID of the caller.
"Hey Dixie, you up to come over today? I remembered that you said you didn't have a shift today and wanted to hang," she heard Wally ask from the other side of her phone.
"Oh, sorry but I forgot to say that I'm going out with a friend today so I won't be able to hang out right now," the thirteen-year-old apologized. "But I heard that you and the others were on a mission lately, how'd that go?"
"Ah," Wally said, suddenly sounding down. "I met this awesome dude named Kent Nelson, have you heard of him?"
The name sounded familiar in her head before realizing who he was. "Kent Nelson? As in Doctor Fate?"
Wally hummed. "Yeah, of course, you've heard of him, but yeah, our last mission involved finding him after he went missing."
"How'd that go? I know how you don't believe in magic and all, how it's just science," Dixie asked, sitting on her bed.
"I don't really know what to think right now," Wally sighed. "I'm still trying to process it but promise me something."
Dixie kept quiet, not sure what to say before relenting. "Sure."
"Promise me to never wear the Helmet of Fate… I can't bear to lose you," Wally said, his voice soft and hollow.
Dixie smiled sadly, chuckling to herself. "I promise… Hey Wally, I'm sorry but I gotta go, call you later?"
Wally sighed, "Yeah."
"Cheer up okay? I'll bring some burgers next time I come over," the ebony promised before hanging up. Glancing at the clock, she realized that she had to leave soon for her date with Adrian. Grabbing her a small clutch, she went downstairs to the living room where Alfred was already waiting for her.
"Well aren't you dressed," Alfred noticed, opening to door for her, the car already parked outside waiting.
Dixie chuckled, "Yeah, I haven't gone out in a while."
Climbing in the car as Alfred entered the driver's seat before strapping in. "And I suppose your brothers and father are unaware that you're going on a date, miss?"
Dixie sighed, a small smile on her face. Of course, Alfred saw through her lies.
"You remind me of the time Master Bruce tried to do the same thing when he was younger," Alfred mused as he parked the car in front of the diner. "I hope you have fun, miss."
Dixie smiled, getting out of the car. "Thanks, Alfred."
Closing the door shut behind her, she watched as the car drove off before heading into the diner. Peering over the numerous tables and chairs looking for a familiar mop of blond hair, Dixie managed to spot Adrian sitting in one of the tables of the side, away from the windows.
"Hey, Adrian," Dixie greeted before sitting in the chair opposite to him. "Sorry, you had to wait."
Adrian waved her off with a smile, "Nah, I was just early since my aunt had to pick up my cousin so soon. Here's the menu by the way."
Dixie nodded graciously before going through it.
"Adrian! Didn't tell me you were here!" a waitress bounded over, notepad in her hands, ready to ask for their order. The waitress was a cheerful brunette girl who looked to be the same age around Adrian. Hair tied back to keep it away from her face, and an apron tied around casual clothes.
Adrian smiled at the waitress, obviously comfortable with her and knew her quite well. "Oh sorry, I didn't know you had a shift today, Cassie. This is Dixie, by the way, Dixie, this is Cassie, she's a childhood friend of mine who works here," Adrian said, motioning to the thirteen-year-old.
"Pleasure to meet you, Cassie," Dixie greeted with a smile, reacher her hand out to shake the other girl's hand.
"Pleasures all mine!" Cassie said, shaking her hand before looking at Dixie confused. "Have we met before? I feel like I've seen you from somewhere."
"I get that a lot," Dixie smiled innocently.
Cassie hummed before smiling once more, "So what can I get you guys?"
"I'll just have my usual," Adrian answered before looking over at Dixie who quickly went over the menu again.
"Oh, I'll just get a slive of minced apple pie," Dixie said, handing the other girl the menu.
"One classic burger with a side of fries and a slice of mince apple pie," Cassie repeated, jotting down their orders on her notepad. "And your drinks?"
"Water would be fine," Dixie answered.
"Yeah, just some water for me as well" Adrian nodded.
"Your order would be served in a while," Cassie smiled before walking off.
Dixie waited for Cassie to be out of earshot before turning to Adrian, a small smile on her face. "So you wanna explain why you choose the table furthest away from any window when there are plenty of seats elsewhere?"
Adrian smiled in defeat, "Of course you would have noticed that," the blond said sighing. "Just wanted to be sure that you won't be spotted by anyone and get you in unwanted attention, you know with you being the daughter of a billionaire and all."
"Thanks," Dixie said, looking at the older fondly.
The two continued talking for a while before Cassie came back serving their orders. As the brunette girl was placing their orders down, Dixie didn't fail to notice the way the girl's hand faltered when her and Adrian's hand grazed one another's nor the way Adrian's eyes slightly seldom trailed away from their conversation to glance at the brunette as she served other customers.
It was now four o'clock, with the two of them having to leave soon, the two of them fighting over the bill before coming to a truce to just way for their orders.
"Hey, Dixie," Adrian said, suddenly nervous, scratching at the back of his head. "I know I asked you out on a date and all but honestly it feels like we just hang out outside of work. Sorry."
Dixie couldn't help but laugh at this, agreeing. "Yeah, I got that feeling as well."
This seemed to make Adrian all the more nervous, the blond sighing to himself. "Dixie, you're amazing and all but…" he trailed off before realizing what he said. "Wait! Not that I'm saying you aren't amazing! It's just that-!"
Dixie burst out laughing at the blond, clutching her stomach as she roared in laugher. "Adrian, I know you have a crush on your friend Cassie over there," the ebony giggled.
"You– you do?" Adrian asked, shocked.
"Yeah," Dixie nodded, still giggling. "So why'd you ask me on this date and not her?"
Adrian sighed in defeat. "Uh, well I won't lie and say that I didn't have feelings for you for a while but… I've known Cassie since we were children, she practically treats me like her brother, I doubt she feels the same."
Dixie noticed the familiar black car pulling up in front of the diner, grabbing her clutch before standing up from their table. "Well, from what I've seen, it wouldn't be that big of a stretch," she smirked. "My fetcher is already outside so I gotta go, see you at school or next week?"
Adrian nodded, slightly confused at the information given to him. "Yeah, thanks for today Dixie, and I'm sorry it wasn't the date I promised you."
Dixie waved it off laughing as she walked away. "You better message me when you tell her okay?" the thirteen-year-old hollered as she left, laughing as she saw the blond turn red at her comment.
Opening the door, the ebony paled at the sight of her eldest brother sitting at the driver's seat, before straightening up and getting in the car. The air was tense and the thirteen-year-old tried her best to not squirm in her seat before Damian finally broke the silence.
"So, how was your date?" he growled.
This made Dixie suddenly angry instead of scared. "It went fine, why?"
The answer seemed to have made Damian angrier, his posture straightening even further and his eyes turning colder. The rest of the ride was quiet, Dixie still mad and glaring at the cars they passed by. When they finally arrived back to the manor, Damian suddenly spoke up as she was about to get out of the car.
"Grayson, Father told me to inform you that you and the team will be given a mission tonight," Damian said, his tone cold and detached.
Dixie tried to mask the pain she felt when her brother referred her to as Grayson once more and the cold tone he used. Nodding curtly, she got out of the car, slightly slamming the door closed before preparing to head off to the mountain.