(Don't) Be Jealous

It was a cool spring day. Gotham Academy was holding its annual springtime festival/school fundraiser. Zatanna was thrilled that Artemis had invited her to this shindig. Although she was happy to see her best friend and support her archery booth, Zatanna had a different prize in mind. This invitation gave her the opportunity to spy on her boyfriend in his element.

As Zatanna passed by the school gates, she couldn't help but take a big whiff at the buttery smell of popcorn mixed in with the caramel apples and baked goods. There were so many fun booths for games, prizes, and snacks. Gotham Academy really did know how to party. She spotted Artemis teaching kids how to fire toy arrows at a target.

"Ok that's it! Annnd pull!" The suction cup arrow flew true and hit the bullseye.

"Yes! High five kid! Here, have a cookie."

"Thank you, Miss Aramiss!"

Zatanna approached just as the young boy left to explore other stalls.

"Well aren't you good with kids."

"I mean they are kinda cute. Plus, all this goes towards the archery club funds. It's a win-win!"

"Uh huh. You sure you aren't just practicing for when you and Wally get to that stage?"

"Har Har, very funny Zatanna. I'd throw something back at you but I know for a fact you and bird boy haven't even hit first base yet!"

"Hey! I mean….well….," flusterd Zatanna could only mumble her response, "he's seen me naked already…."

"Huh? Sorry?"

"Nothing! Haha nothing."

To hide her embarrassment, Zatanna began scanning the courtyard for a certain boy with slicked back hair. Finally, she spotted booth with the banner "Come to QuizBowl! We Have Pi!" More importantly, she found her prey.

"Say Arty, what can you tell me about that guy over there?"

"Huh? Him? Oh, that's just Grayson. He's a sophomore here. He's a nice guy. We eat lunch sometimes but for some reason he's loves to tease me. It's almost as if he knows more about me than he lets on."

"Hmm. Ok, what else?"

"Uhh well let's see, his dad is billionaire Bruce Wayne. The kid's probably one of the smartest in school. He practically carries most of our competitive academic teams…..Why are you so interested?"

"Oh, no reason. I met him at the state Interscholastic competition at my school. He seemed chill."

"Uhh ok. Hey you wanna casually donate five bucks to the archery club?"

"Huh, uhh yea sure."

Distracted, Zatanna accidentally pulled out a twenty from her purse and gave it to Artemis.

"Wait, 'Tanna you gave me a twenty!"

Unfortunately, Zatanna was long gone. She approached the QuizBowl pie stand and was met with instant recognition by her (not) boyfriend.

"Oh! Hey Ze-Zatanna! Fancy meeting you here!"

"Heya, Dick! How have you been?"

"Been good! Y'know just selling some pies for the QuizBowl team. Hopefully this gets us some new practice buzzers. Funny how we're always meeting like this. One of us just has to sell something to the other haha."

"Hehe I see. Well, what's a girl gotta do to get some pie around here?"

"Heh well what would you like? We've got apple, cherry, strawberry rhubarb, lemon meringue, pecan."

"Hmm, what would you recommend?"
"Well, hmm let's see. From what I remember, you're a lady with high standards and taste."

Zatanna blushed a little at this comment, "Go on…"

"Hmm and yet, I feel like you appreciate the simpler things in life too. Something classic. How about a slice of apple for the pretty lady?"

She knew he was just toying with her, but she couldn't help but feel totally swept off her feet by his charm.

"Why thank you my good sir. How much do I owe ya?"

"For you? Just like a neutron in an atom, no charge!"

"Dick! C'mon it's a fundraiser. Let me pay."

"No really, it's ok. Just enjoy the pie."

Just then a third voice chimed in, and she seemed really annoyed.

"Dick! Mr. Boley's looking for you! He can't find the practice questions to hold a mock game in the library for the parents."

"Oh? Really? They should be in the storage room! I'll go check it out. Be right back, Zee!"

Zatanna couldn't help but smirk at her boyfriend's slip-up of using her pet name, but she let it slide for right now. Unfortunately for her, a rather annoyed looking redhead decided to take over the pie stand.

"And you are?"

"Oh! Hi, I'm Zatanna."

"Hmm, I haven't seen you around here before."

"Oh! Uh, I actually don't go here. I go to Saint Andrews up in Manhattan."

"Hmph. Then how do you know Dick?"

(Uhh he's my boyfriend!) "We uh met at my school. He was competing in the Interscholastic competition. Calculus and trivia if I remember correctly."

"Well, you seemed a little too chummy with him for having just met him once."

(What's that supposed to mean!) "Well I mean, he's such a friendly guy y'know. Plus he's a familiar face!"

"Right. Y'know, he has a girlfriend right?"

(Uh yea….me!) "Oh really? He never mentioned anything about that. She must be one really lucky girl."

"Exactly, I don't know who she is but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate you stepping into her territory."

(Who does she think she is?! And uh…he's MY territory!) "I'm sorry, but uh…..who are you exactly?"

"Me? I'm Barbara Gordon, Dick's BEST friend since we were eight years old!"

(Best friend? Since he was eight? I thought….I thought I was his….)

Zatanna began to panic a little after meeting this mystery girl whom Dick had never mentioned before ever. Taking a minute to compose herself, she fired back at the protective redhead.

"Well, I mean, have you even met his girlfriend?"

"Uhh I mean….no?"

"Ok, do you even know her name?"
"I uhhh….not really?"

"Well, then how can you be sure she'd be jealous of me? I'm just here, enjoying the festival. Can't a girl savor a nice piece of apple pie?" (That'll show her!)

Thinking she had won the battle, Zatanna began leaving the stand…only for Barbara to call her back.

"Hey! That's five dollars, please!"

Annoyed, Zatanna pulled out a five dollar bill and slammed it on the table.

"Here. Hope you guys enjoy the new buzzers."

And with that, she left in a huff. Finally, Dick came back to a steaming Barb.

"Heya Barb, everything ok?"

"Fine."

"Hey, where'd Zatanna go?"

"She left. Guess she had better things to do."

"Uhh ok. Hey, you're not still mad about what happened at Eugene Thompson's party are you?"

"Of course not, Dick! I get it. Now that I think about it, we probably wouldn't have worked out. I care a lot about you, but we're more like brother and sister. I've always got your back. I'm just glad you found someone you really like…as long as it's not that Zablama girl."

"Hehe right…." (I'm in so much trouble)