Chapter 4: Hello, Hello

Chrysanthemum Balliol Preparatory Academy for the Gifted was named after Chrysanthemum Balliol, one of the first settlers of what would become Starling City. Originally starting out as a small school house, as the town began to grow more and more, people started sending their children to Balliol, who was said to have superb teaching skills and believed heavily in the right to an education. Many of her students would go on to be the founders of families that now occupied Starling's elite. Those same students, grateful for her tutelage, would send in their own donations and their own children to the school, and from there Balliol Prep was born.

Admission had once been open to all of Starling's population until the start of the twentieth century, when James Balliol, Chrysanthemum's great-great-grandson took over the institution. James, wishing to increase the prestige of his family's famous school, had made it so only the best, brightest, and (usually) most well-connected could attend. Many had decried James' actions, calling it spitting on his ancestor's grave, but he paid them no heed. As far as he was concerned, Balliol's success trumped any ideology that Chrysanthemum once espoused.

Fast forward a hundred years later, and Balliol was one of the most prestigious schools in the country. A Balliol degree was a skeleton key that opened doors to places people didn't even know existed. Everyone coveted one, and thus admission was very competitive. One didn't just enroll into Balliol. They had to apply. Their application then had to be processed by a board of the school's most tenured and respected teachers and many of their most reputable alumni. If the application passed muster, a letter would be sent to the applicant's guardians confirming their acceptance and informing them of the applicant's first day of school. Accompanying the acceptance letter was a start package, detailing the many extracurricular activities and field trips for that student for their year.

For people like the Merlyns and the Queens, that was no issue. Legacy alone was enough to push them in, being descendants of Balliol's first students. For those like the Chens and the Bowens, who weren't quite on their level, it took pulling some strings. For those like the Lances, it was virtually unthinkable, even if they had the money to afford it – they weren't connected. It was only by a stroke of luck that their daughters were admitted.

Kara and Kal were in a similar boat. They had money, but no connections. But by a quirk of fate, they had ended up stranded on the same island as Oliver Queen, and that had opened the door for them.

"We're here!" Thea announced, looking out the window. Clark climbed up next to her, and saw a large, opulent building with an open, green lawn, filled with shrubbery, statues, and benches. All around, he could see students of all ages milling about, laughing, conversing, running around, and entering the school itself.

The driver went to open the door. Thea quickly got out and helped Clark get to his feet. Kara followed him, and she looked around, astonished at the mass of humanity surrounding her.

"Miss Queen!"

A middle-aged woman, blonde with streaks of white, standing in the middle of the sidewalk leading to the school's ornate entrance, was the one that shouted. She quickly made her way to the trio, nodding her head at the driver before turning her attentions to Thea.

"Miss Queen, I was told our new student would be coming with you today."

"Dean Balliol." Thea greeted, and then gestured towards Kara and Kal. "This is Kara Danvers. The new student is her cousin and adoptive little brother, Clark Kent."

Dean Balliol smiled at them. "Miss Danvers, Mr. Kent. I am Dean Poppy Balliol, and I welcome you both to Chrysanthemum Balliol Preparatory Academy for the Gifted."

After Thea bid them adieu to hang out with her friends, reminding Clark to meet up with her when school ended, Dean Balliol had elected to take the duo on a tour of the school, before classes start. She had shown Clark the gym, the playground, the library, the cafeteria, the music room, art room, etc., and was now finishing up with his classroom.

"…And this is your room for this year. Your teacher is Miss Lavinia." Dean Balliol gestured to the door, where many students Clark's age were socializing. Clark peeked his head in, only to shy away when a dark-haired girl managed to spot him and waved. He turned back to Kara.

"Well, here we are." Kara got on one knee and gave her little brother a hug, before letting go, placing her hands on his shoulder. "Now, you be strong for me. Be good for Miss Lavinia and Dean Balliol, and make lots of friends. I'll be here to pick you and Thea up when class over." Clark nodded as Kara got up, and waved his cousin goodbye.

"Now, everyone, we have a new student today. Clark, why don't you be a dear and introduce yourself?" Miss Lavinia, a slim, dark-skinned woman with red hair asked her newest charge. Clark gulped and nodded.

He took a deep breath.

"My name is Clark Calvin Kent, but you can call me Kal. My cousin and I just moved to Starling City. Please take care of me." He finished quietly, bowing his head. The rest of the class stared at him.

Miss Lavinia, not phased, smiled. "Thank you, Dear. Now let's find you a seat." She scanned the classroom, and noticed an empty spot next to the same dark-haired girl that had waved to Clark earlier. "Ah, there's spot next to Ruby. Ruby, please raise your hand."

Ruby raised her hand. Clark walked to the desk next to her, seating his bag next to one of the legs and sitting down. He tried to hide, burying his face into his arms, only to turn his attentions to Ruby when she started poking his arm.

"Yes?"

"You like to be called Kal?"

Clark frowned. "Yeah, so?"

Ruby shook her head. "Nothing. I think it's cool that you go by your middle name."

The Kryptonian blinked. "You really think so?" he asked hopefully.

"I do. Here, let me introduce myself." she held out her hand. "My name is Ruby. Ruby Arias."

Eddie Thawne frowned as he turned to watch the entrance to the main station for the umpteenth time.

Today was supposed to be the day Iris returned from leave, and she still hadn't shown up. It was starting to worry him.

Eddie remembered when Iris dragged him aside after Joe's unexpected outburst in Singh's office, the sheer elation on her face as she tearfully told him that Barry Allen, her childhood best friend, was alive. Eddie had been happy for her, truly, but had grown slightly resentful when Iris could not stop talking about Barry. She had even gotten the rest of the day off to tell Barry's incarcerated father the news, and a week of leave to pick Barry up and help him settle back in. Apparently, Iris' long lost friend and Joe's foster son had been found on the same island as the previously-thought-dead Oliver Queen, and the two had bonded, so Barry was treated at Starling General and was visiting the court there to get revived.

He felt neglected. Iris had only texted him a few times during that week, too caught up with Barry to really check in with him. Eddie knew he shouldn't feel that way – after all, Iris had just gotten her closest friend back. Of course, she would be all about him. Eddie had no right to interfere.

Eddie was human, however, and that didn't stop him from missing his girlfriend.

A familiar giggle broke his thoughts, and he grinned as he raised his head.

His voice was immediately caught in his throat.

Iris was animatedly conversing with a very handsome young man with dark hair. Eddie had seen enough pictures to recognize Barry somewhat, but those pictures were ten years old. They depicted a gangly kid, clearly unsure of his place in the world – all in all, no one who posed a legitimate threat to their relationship.

The man talking with Iris was nothing like that geeky little kid. Barry Allen stood with confidence, steel in his back. He was very handsome – the type Hollywood would call geek even though they obviously weren't, the type that real people would say hell-ooo to.

Eddie knew he was steaming. And he wasn't the only one. All around, every unattached, young, male cop was watching the scene with jealousy. Ralph Dibny in particular was clearly unhappy, judging by the clench in his jaw.

Iris was known around the station as an Ice Queen. She was professional to a fault, and very rarely did she allow her emotions to show while on the clock. That, however, didn't stop every single guy working in the station from hitting on her. Hell, Ralph had been trying to get into her pants ever since she first started working here. Only Eddie had ever managed to crack a smile out of her while on the job, and even then, her affections for him were usually very reserved.

But apparently, none of her professionalism applied to Barry Allen.

Eddie stalked his way to his girlfriend. Iris, catching sight of him, broke off her conversation with Barry and beamed at him. Eddie's fury quelled a bit at that, but that didn't stop him from taking Iris into his arms and pulling her into a searing kiss. From the corner of his eye, he watched Barry, expecting to see an envious expression. Instead, all he got was a raised eyebrow.

The detective released a kiss, pulling his girlfriend close. "Iris. Introduce me." he asked her suavely, never breaking eye contact.

Iris giggled again. "Barry, this is my boyfriend, Detective Eddie Thawne. Eddie, this is my childhood best friend, Barry Allen." Barry held out his hand. Eddie grabbed it, gripping it until his knuckles were white as he gave it a firm shake. Oddly, Barry seemed to have not noticed, smiling genially at him as if this was a normal handshake.

"Iris told me a lot about you." he said, seemingly oblivious to the mounting tension.

"Likewise." Eddie gritted out as he released Barry's hand.

They continued to make small talk for a bit. In Eddie's peripheral vision, he could see Dibny glaring at them as he stapled some papers together.

Then, it happened.

One of the older officers was bringing in a perp into the main station. The guy seemed docile at first, until he unexpectedly slammed his arrester into one of the desks, having managed to unlock his handcuffs somehow. He grabbed the gun holstered into the officer's side, and then abruptly grabbed Barry, holding him against him as he pressed the barrel of the firearm into his head.

"Anyone move, and I'll blows this guy's brains out!" the perp shouted. Everyone froze.

Iris, who had been reaching for her own gun, held her arms out and tried to keep the panic out of her voice. "Now, let's not be too hasty here –"

"Shut up!" the man shouted, pressing the gun harder into Barry's temple. Barry grunted, but there was no fear in his expression. He seemed oddly composed despite literally being on death's door. "I am walking out of here, and none of you are going to stop me. Otherwise, pretty boy over here is getting a bullet in his head, and that's the last thing any of you want, ain't that right?" he gave a crazed laugh. Eddie scowled.

Iris' worry started to show. That's when Barry decided it was time to act.

He slammed his elbow into his captor's chest. Hard.

As the guy reached for his abused torso, Barry grabbed his arm, twisting until he let go of the gun. He kicked the firearm far away, sliding it into the main lobby, before flipping the man over, landing him on his back with an audible crack! and leaving him loopy on the floor.

Everyone stared at the scene, before Barry cleared his throat, signaling them to move.

Officers swarmed their newest arrest, cuffing him tight and marching him to the station's holding cells. Iris all but ran to Barry, hugging him close. Barry returned the embrace. Around them, the same officers that were watching him jealously were now staring at him cautiously, with a hint of respect and a bit of fear.

When she released him, she asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Where'd you learn to do that?"

Barry rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "The island. You sort of…pick these kinds of things up."

Eddie, who was listening in on their conversation off to the side, frowned.

You don't just "pick up" a move like that. You have to be taught it.

He narrowed his eyes at Barry. Suddenly, this guy seemed like he was a lot more than just a potential threat for his and Iris' relationship.

What happened on that island?

Elsewhere, in Starling City's own 1st Precinct, a far more cordial meeting was happening.

"Oliver!" Detective Quentin Lance exclaimed, going to shake the hand of his daughters' childhood friend. "It's good to see you." Beside him, his oldest daughter Laurel Lance was grinning at the scene, before going to converse with his father's partner, Detective Hilton. She and Oliver were about to have lunch with Tommy, and had decided to take the time to visit her father on the way here.

Oliver smiled. "It's good to see you too, Detective Lance. How have things been?"

Quentin tched, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "Same old, same old. Crime never changes, Oliver, it just evolves." Then he smirked, "Now, I hope you don't plan on getting into any trouble yourself any time soon."

The former castaway laughed. "Nah. I think the island was enough. If I do, though, be assured that it will be for a good cause."

Quentin nodded. "Well, come by Casa de Lance sometime. Dinah will be happy to see you, and you can have dinner with us, Laurel, and Sara whenever she's in town. It'll just be like old times."

Oliver chuckled. "I hold you to that." He stopped, however, when he caught sight of something on the evidence board. A sketch.

"Who's that?" he asked.

"A vigilante." Quentin replied. "He targets Starling City's 'elite'." he uttered the last word sarcastically.

"Elite?"

"Millionaire bottom feeders. The type prey on the less fortunate. Nothing like your parents or Merlyn's dad." Oliver went in to take a closer look as Quentin continued to speak.

"He appeared three months ago. People have started calling him 'The Hood'."

Dun, dun, duuuuuun. Cliffhanger, anybody?

And as for Eddie, think of it this way. In the show, Barry knew Iris for years and had yet to make a move, so Eddie only registered him as somewhat of a threat. Obviously, he knew on some level that even if Barry had feelings for Iris, he wouldn't try to make them known. Here, however, Barry was only around for childhood, and went missing for ten years. His supposed "death" had a huge effect on Iris' personality. So Eddie is registering him much higher on the threat scale, especially since Barry is a lot more confident here. Confidence does a lot when it comes to the attractiveness of a person.

And yes, that's who you think it is that just befriended Clark. Her mother will appear in PART II of this arc, in the next batch.