"Artemis if you don't get up now you'll be late for school" Artemis mother Paula yelled from inside the kitchen.
Ugh Artemis inwardly groaned. She thrashed about in her small twin sized bed and sighed dramatically.
School, Oh how she hated school. Especially on Tuesdays.
Now normally she could deal with it. She could deal with Gotham Academy. She could deal with the normal snooty rich kids, their normal snooty lifestyles with their normal snooty problems. But today….today she didn't quite feel like dealing with anything.
Two days had past. It had been two days since she had broken up with her boyfriend.
Two days and Wally still hadn't called her.
"Artemissss" her mother tried again. But to no avail, the only sound Artemis could hear was a mocking sultry know it all voice. The kind of voice that echos told you sooo's with their haha's.
It had been two days.
She knew, oh how Artemis knew her relationship with Wally was fading. She could see it. Every second Wally was becoming more and more distant. Giving bullshit excuses like he has chores or he's tired. Since when was Kid Idiot ever tired.
"Artemisssss"!
At first Artemis just assumed it was because he was trying to give her some space, four months ago they spent nearly every day together. Maybe he thought he was annoying her. But then Sunday happen and it became all to clear to her.
Why she's the one with the mega attitude
Well honey you're not the best girlfriend to hit the market either
Well they certainly don't hate me, baby girl
She was annoying him.
The know it all voice told her to suck it up, get angry, hate him.
She pulled her cover further over her head, as her mother yelled once more for her to get ready. Tears began to sting the corners of her eyes.
In that moment she tried to think of hating him. She really did. But with every bad moment, came a million good.
Wally was the guy who ran all the way to Gotham at midnight just to tell her happy birthday.
He was the same guy that came up with month-iversaries that just so happen to always revolve on what Artemis likes.
He was the guy that said it didn't matter who her dad was and convinced the rest of the team to follow.
He was the only guy, the only person who ever truly saw her.
She couldn't hate him if she tried.
A soft hand padded her head causing Artemis to further burrow into her covers. Still the hand continued to pad her head, if there was one thing Paula Crook was its persistent.
"Artemis" her mother sighed.
"I'm sick", Artemis groaned.
" Is that so, were you sick Monday as well. " Paula replied.
"Deathly, couldn't go if I wanted" Artemis quipped.
Paula wily smirked, " Seriously you're pulling the sick card with a paralyzed women. Your paralyze mother…..whose slaved over a hot stove to make you breakfast".
She received no response which only made her sigh harder, "Artemis, you've already missed a day. You need to go to school honey".
Again no response. Paula Crock signed yet again, "Maybe if you told me what was bothering you-
"Nothing's bothering me" Artemis immediately interjected. This time Paula did not sigh, she knew what was coming. Before she could even get another word in Artemis threw the covers off of herself and hustled to her closet.
"Honey I want us to have an...open relationship. I want you to know you can tell me-
"I'm gonna stay at the cave tonight okay" Artemis once again interrupted.
Before Paula could blink, there stood Artemis in her Gotham Academy uniform, with her thick blond hair messily tied in a ponytail. Her face was absent of any tears or red marks, but Paula knew….she knew something was troubling. Something was wrong.
She wanted to ask, god did Paula want to ask but….she couldn't. She's too afraid that asking, would feeling like pushing and before she can even fix it, Artemis would be gone. And this time she's not sure if she would come back.
So instead, against her better judgment, she softly muttered , "That's fine, Artemis".
Again Artemis said nothing. She simply walked out of the room, pausing at her door slightly to watch as her mother stared at the still warm, slight wet, thin blue covers.
In the softest voice,one she was sure her mother would not hear, Artemis muttered, "I'm sorry, mom".
Walking to the bus stop felt like walking to her death. Riding the bus felt like a slow agonizing murder. And entering the prestigious Gotham Academy felt like walking into hell.
The gatekeepers, I mean security guards glared as Artemis nonchalantly presented her id card. One muttered about disrespect while the other slipped her a detention slip.
Great..just what she needed.
Partially because she really didn't feel like going to class late, and partially because she wasn't feeling today at all. Artemis decided to venture to the "supposedly" haunted boiler room, instead of second period biology. She stayed there for the next two periods, she would've stayed their the entire day. However by period four she desperately needed to pee.
Just her luck, as she tossed her paper towel in the trashcan and pushed on the restroom door, the lunch bell rang and a mass of students had entered the hallway.
One student was a witty pigtailed black girl Artemis knew all too well.
"You look worse for wear" Karen Beecher, Gotham Academy's coolest cheerleader said.
Artemis huffed, "I look like me".
Before Karen could retort a freshman dropped a empty bag of chips on the ground.
"Hey AJ, recycle goes in the recycle can, watch where you throw your shit!" Karen yelled. The freshman of course ignored her, causing the black teen to huff and grab the abandoned bag of chips.
As Karen and Artemis walked to the nearest trash can, neither girl were surprised to find a pile of trash just two meters from the can.
"Didn't anybody read my sustainable school memo" Karen yelled once more.
Most students groaned already annoyed with Karen, Artemis only smiled.
True, last year when Karen showed Artemis around, she thought she was a little annoying. I mean come on she's a happy, hyper, smart, little gossip, whose super eco-friendly with the perfect cheer body. She's an anti- Artemis.
But then Artemis started to get to know who Karen was outside of school. And then she started to fight with Karen as Bumblebee,and now Karen's her best friend. Her sassy, tree hugging best friend.
Once Karen finished picking up the rest of the trash, she bum rushed Artemis in a hug, "I heard from BB what happen between you and Kid Flash. I'm sorry Arte. I would've checked in but I was in recovery the last two days".
"Yeah its uh fine, how's your arm, I heard the Gizmo kid really laid one on you" Artemis replied.
Karen grimaced as soon as Gizmo's name left Artemis lips. She did not want to talk about Gizmo, and she knew Artemis knew that.
Bringing him up was not a mistake. It was Artemis way of telling Karen she did not want to talk about Wally. She couldn't talk about Wally.
"Okay, I got the hint. Just let me know if you want to okay" Karen sassily muttered.
She rolled her eyes at Artemis deadpaneed expression and quickly changed the subject, "Well then since your so perky, you can help me with my ultimate diabolical plan".
Artemis shrugged her shoulders as the duo began walking again, "Sure but I hope you know saying diabolical plans when your a superhero is verrrry hypocritical"
"I'm just an ordinary cheerleader, I have no idea what hero your talking about" Karen joked back.
Artemis playfully sighed, Karen only Karen. " Right, What's the diabolical plan this time, not another new ecosystem for the anatomy frogs".
Karen ever the hothead, instantly drew her voice three octaves higher, "Hey that was a great plan, and we really helped the little buggers!... but no. See there's this new student, Victor Stone. A transfer from Star City, he thinks he's a big shot football player and you know Gotham Academy is pulling out all the stops".
Artemis rolled her eyes and grinned, when wasnt Gotham Academy pulling out all the stops.
" What's it this time red carpet with gold stitching".
Karen rolled her eyes as well as she opened the door to the cafeteria and pointed an ostentatious giant poster of a larger black teen, who Artemis could only assume was Victor. "Worse"
"Lobster for lunch is a nice touch" Artemis drly added as she picked up her plate and handed it to the lunch attendant.
"Yeah, sure it is" Karen muttered. She too handed her plate off to the lunch attendant smiling sweetly as extra butter was added on hers. Once the two teens, received their lunch both girls walked over to their table.
" I'm not too sure what the diabolical plan is for, so the Academy's gonna be a bit extra for football boy, what's the issue," Artemis said while cracking the arm of her lobster.
Some of the juice splattered over to the next table but neither girl paid it attention. Instead Karen stabbed her baked potatoes and sassily replied, " The issue is Sparky here, is one of the rudest people I have ever met".
Artemis paused from her lunch to peer up at the angry girl, "Sparky?"
"Stupid, egotistical football brain. All I asked was if I could talk to his dad and do you know what the hell he said to me…
Artemis rolled her eyes for the millionth time that day, seriously Karen can be so dramatic sometimes "How the hell sho-
"He said, him and his dad don't do groupies. Seriously me a groupie, Meeee? Boy has got to be short a few brain cells or something cause baaaabyyyy he has no idea who the hell he is dealing with". In the midst of her rant Karen clenched her fist and shot the nasty glare she possibly could at Victor's poster.
Artemis smirked, it appears Victor has made his first mortal enemy. She knew first hand how spiteful Bumblebee could be. "When did this happen", she asked while nibbling her asparagus.
Karen glare only intensified, "This morning. You know, Gotham Academy student council members are suppose to show all new students from their grade level around. I was absent though, so I thought hey they probably gave him to the other freshmen representative, but noooo. Apparently the other rep was absent as well, and he's so shy they don't wanna lump him with Sparky. So yah, they lump Sparky with me. And even though the idiots been here since Monday, his highness still requires a tour".
Artemis nodded, now it makes sense. Karen was the usual tour guide for incoming freshman, since the other representative was so…..weird. "So the diabolical plan is to….
Karen's hazel eyes sparkled at Artemis question.
Karen's diabolical plan had been through a few drafts. At first she thought a simple iching powder in his pads or a clothing heist would knock the chip off of Victors shoulder but the more she thought about it the more she realized she didn't just want Victor sorry, she wanted him gone.
"Were gonna drive Sparky so crazy he'll switch countries" Karen exclaimed.
Artemis snorted, "As a fellow scholarship kid, I don't think Gotham Academy will take to kindly to you driving out ...that". She finished by nudging her gaze to the giant poster, now adorn with welcome message from passing Gotham students.
Karen frowned clearly not here for Artemis logic. "If were extra careful-
"No" Artemis quickly quipped.
Again Karen paused, Artemis could literally see the wheels turning in her head. For a genius Karen could be such an idiot sometimes. "Seriously Karen you do realize if you get kicked out of here, I will die. Literally I can not be here with these preppy rich bimbos".
" As if Gotham Academy would get rid of there shining student government, science award winning, two time champion cheerleader. I'm damn near America's sweetheart here".
"Oh wow Abigail Caperson you sure look different from the magazines" " Artemis quipped.
At this Karen couldn't help but laugh, "I knew you read teen queen", she teased back.
"Ugh shut up" Artemis said with a laugh. Seriously Karen was just too much sometime. Besides she only read like one, months ago... just because Karen left it a her house...and maybe because she knew Abigail went to Central City High school like Wally.
She remembered how surprised she was to find out Wally was not friends with her. I mean come on, he's ...him. He practically shines friendliness when he enters a room. Yet when she asked him he laughed and said " I can only handle so many blondes babe, besides she's not the type of friend I'd like to have. I mean seriously can you imagine me with all that pink around ".
After which she laughed, told him a joke about being an idiot and kissed him until her face hurt.
As she recalled this her vision got a bit foggy, not so much from her past laughter with Karen but from..it. That memory, the fact that she could vividly remember the conversation like it was yesterday. That she could see his smile as clear as she could see hear his laugh.
The fact that she could feel how happy they were, was enough. It was all enough to make her wanna cry.
"Arte..." Karen tentatively said.
Instantly Artemis blinked, her vision now clear enough to see her friends troubled face, "Im fine-
"No your not, listen I know you don't wanna talk about it. I get that, I swear I do, but your my friend. Girl, your my best friend and I will not sit here and pretend that you're fine. Now look I get that you don't wanna talk about I swear I do. But...it can't hurt to talk about it. I won't tell a soul. And before you give me the whole hypocrite look, Gizmo and I..we weren't like you guys… he wasn't to me what KF is-was to you"
Artemis said nothing. While she and Karen had some deep conversations from time to time. Neither girl truly shared their past or their feelings wholey.
Artemis wasn't even sure the extent of Karens relationship with Gizmo, besides the fact that he is someone she really cared about. Now hearing Karen say, that Gizmo wasn't to her what Wally was to Artemis….it didn't help pull down herr wall. If he wasn't, if Gizmo wasn't..that. How could Karen possibly understand.
Karen sighed, "I get it, this is the look you give me whenever we talk about your dad or your sister".
Again Artemis saids nothing, a part of her wants to tell Karen this is same look Karen gives when they mention Gizmo or Brother Blood. She bites her cheek instead.
"Your gonna make yourself bleed" Kaaren quickly quips, she then lowers her voice almost deathly quiet" Look I'm not asking you to talk about your sister, or your Dad or even KF...just talk to me about are you really doing".
Artemis sighed, maybe Karen was right, "I-
"You left me". A brute voice bit out. Instantly the two girls turned forward to a tall, well built black teen. It didn't take Artemis but a second to realize this was Victor Stone, the infamous football him was a mass of gotham academy teens, some taking pictures others pulling out pictures for Vicor to sign.
Wow, he really was popular.
Despite not liking the now crowded space, Artemis smiled a bit at the interruption. God, Allah, Lady Luck whoever was definitely on her side today.
"Can't you see were busy Sparky" Karen instantly huffed.
Victor nearly growled back, "Don't call me that". He gave Artemis none of his attention as he picked up Karen's bright yellow bag and replied,"I've been walking for twenty minutes trying to find the science resource lab. Why not do your job like a good little girl".
Oh little girl, did he not know who he was talking to? Artemis paled as the rest of the students began their choras of ooooohs. This would not be good.
Karen meanwhile, had taken the liberty of snatching her bag back and pushing Victor a bit away, "Listen you spoiled-
"Karen" Artemis quickly interrupted. As much as she agreed Victor was a grade A - douche that snatch had a lot of power in it, nearly teetering on the super strength level.
Victor appeared a bit surprised by Karen's strength as well...so not good for secrete identity.
In the background a sophomore yelled out "Shit" While the crowds chorased oooooooh's and the numbers intensified.
"Karen" Artemis tried once more.
"I'm good. I'm calm" Karen bit out, she took a minute to regain her composure before she addressed Victor again, "Listen Sparky.. I mean Vicctor. It appears you have no problem making friends ask one of them to help you. That way you won't have to hang out with a groupie. Mkay great now run along".
She finished her grand explanation with a bright cheer smile and a dramatic huff back into her seat. She was trying to be civil, hopefully the lughead would take the hint.
Victor didn't get the hint, "I already asked, apparently none of them know. Science isn't big amongst this crowd. Trust me I wouldn't be here talking to you if that was an option. So again pick up your bag and do. your. job".
Karen smile once more this time at Artemis, with her teeth still clinched she bit out, "Artemis. girl. I'm. sorry. I. tried".
Instantly the pair began to argue spewing insults left and right. Some so graphic Artemis swears her sister would shudder, well no but her mom definitely would.
"You egotistical, self impudent, bullshit bastard-
"Bitchy fugly ass-
Damn, Karen definitely had a vulgar mouth on her. Victor seemed on par as well. With each insult the pair was getting closer and closer. Victor had one more bitch to spew before Artemis would have to remove Karen, because she can swear the girl is teetering on giving him a Bumblebee ass whoopin.
Fortunately before that happen, two individuals step in between the angry black teens.
"Hey guys calm down" the freshmen with perfectly quaffed black hair and sparkling blue eyes said.
"Dicks right" the red head, Barbara Gordon exclaimed. "Both of you should just take a breather".
Artemis never thought she say it, litterall never but thank god for Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson-Wayne.
Karen appeared to be equally relieved, "Oh great, Wayne and Gordon my favorite pair. So glad to see you. Dick, Sparky is your problem now".
Dick Grayson's blue eyes nearly doubled, "Huh, but Karen I kinda have..
"Don't care! Come on Artemis" Karen blissly replied. Ever the eco friendly nerd she put her forgotten food into the compost bin, before grabbing her blonde friends hand and exiting the cafeteria.
"Not sure making an enemy with one of Waynes trustbrats was wise" Artemis said once the duo entered the hall.
"Dick wouldn't hurt a fly, the kids the shyest weirdo at the school. He only talks to Barbara unless we have meetings and besides if I have to spend another second with Sparky I'm gonna tear his eyes out". Karen instantly replied back.
Well Artemis can't exactly argue with that logic. Even though Victor was an entire room away, he appeared to still aggravate Karen endlessly.
"Seriously who the hell does he think he is", Karen ranted as the two finally were nearing the student parking lot. It was nearing sixth period and Karen had left her cheerbag in her car.
Artemis didn't really reply, she nodded here and there but if shes being honest she wasn't really listening to Karen anymore. Partially because she hates listening to drama and partially because Karen's constant spewing of how much of an idiot Victor was reminded Artemis of Him and of Them and of Things she doesn't want to reflect on.
Still Karen continued, "A bitch, me a bitch, Arte I could've killed that idiot right where he stood".
Again Artemis nodded and mumbled a few asswholes here and there.
"Stupid jock fuckboy lame ass" Karen huffed as she fumbled through her trunk for her bag.
"A real lame ass" Artemis boredly replied back. She glanced over at Karen to see if the fuming teen could tell how uninterested Artemis truly was to the conversation. Just as she was about to tear her eyes away from the brown skinned girl, sparkling yellow lights caught her eye.
"Karen" Artemis warned, Karen's left hand was dramatically blinking. The usually smooth chocolate skin had begun to coat itself in an electric yellow. This was bad, Karen didn't even look like she had noticed. And without her "stingers" to regulate the current…Karen could zapp out the whole school.
"A regular type A idiot with an even-
"B"! Artemis yelled, apparently just in time as well. Instantly Karen stopped talking and fixed her eyes on her left hand. The energy had traveled enough to engulf her entire arm.
She shook her arm and worriedly looked towards Artemis, she can't .
She can't control it.
She can't stop it.