Chapter 5

Rachel

The next morning, it was Rachel's first day of school and she couldn't help but feel butterflies in stomach.

What's the big deal? She thought to herself, making sure that she wasn't accidentally broadcasting to Dick or anyone else.

I've been going to this school for years and it's not like anyone will be suspicious of me…

Except for the fact that my father has been on the news… and I've been named as his daughter… and no one really knows where I've been… She thought for a minute, then broadcasted to Dick.

Hey Dick?

Yeah Rache?

What do I say to the people who'll ask questions about where I'm living and stuff like that?

Ahh, yeah, I forgot to tell you, Bruce has come up with a 'backstory'; Your parents split up when you were little and you're living with your Mum, who also lives in Gotham. You can say as much as you like about what happened to your dad, just not that we found you and you're living here with us. Ok?

Sure. Thanks Dick.

No problem. Now get up or we'll be late!

Rachel chuckled and hopped in the shower, before going through her normal routine; concealer on her more obvious scars, her blue contact lenses that she'd got from the house, and then she slipped into some clothes she got back. Since it was cold, she decided to wear a navy-blue turtleneck and some denim jeans with her trainers. She decided to keep her hair down today, even though it was in a choppy bob. She remembered how excited she'd been when her father allowed her to dye the ends of her hair red, even after the beating she'd got for annoying him.

She sighed at the bittersweet memory before heading downstairs for breakfast. She met up with Dick and he greeted her before giving her a grin, which she returned. He was wearing a light green t-shirt and some tracksuit bottoms with running shoes. " You look awfully sporty today Mr Grayson." she said teasingly as he stuck his tongue out at her before replying, "I've got to do a run 3rd period today." he said, groaning. She giggled and they walked into the kitchen together, had breakfast and then started the walk to school. As they got closer, they came to a silent agreement where Dick slowed down and Rachel sped up, as to not make it look like they were walking together.

As she got to the steps up to the school, Rachel looked at her timetable and sighed, she had an ok day, but it wasn't the greatest :

Geography

Biology

English

English

Maths

Most of the day went by in a blur. And luckily, apart from the odd whisper or finger pointing, no one really bothered her, until the short break between 4th and 5th period. Jack and Dylan were some of the biggest bullies in the school, but they never bullied her. In fact, they did quite the opposite, they hit on her all the time, even after she'd made it clear that she was not interested. This time it was Dylan who decided to try it.

She was just getting her maths book from her locker when he strutted up from behind her with a few of his friends. He made her jump when she turned around and he was there, one hand on the locker by her head, the other in his pocket.

"Hey," he said, flashing her a brilliant white smile, "I'm so sorry 'bout your dad, maybe you could come round to my place tonight, my folks aren't home." Rachel flashed him a smile that meant, 'you know my answer in gonna be no'. "Sorry Dylan but I have a lot of work and I'm kinda behind on it, so no thanks." She tried to walk away from the lockers, but Dylan grabbed her hand and she was back where she started.

"Are you sure you can't? Just for a couple of hours? We could… watch Netflix… and Chill." he said in a way that was impossible not to see his real meaning. Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "Definitely not, if that's what you mean." She tried to move away again but this time, Dylan grabbed her waist and slammed her into the lockers causing her to whimper in pain, he had just jarred her stitches. Dylan tried to kiss her but she moved, earning her another slam into the lockers. This time she cried out and whispered "Please… you're hurting me…" People had started to gather around them and gasped when they saw blood coming through the bottom of her top and when Dylan saw it, he backed away and mumbled,

"Shit, what is that?" Rachel didn't hear him properly though; pain was clouding her vision and she slid down the lockers and into a ball. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Dick pushing through the crowd and running to her. He slid onto his knees tilted her chin gently. "Are you ok Rache?" he asked softly. "Does it look like I'm ok?" she replied through gritted teeth. "Point taken." He said, smirking slightly. He rummaged around in him tracksuit bottoms, brought out a container and popped the lid off. He reached inside and handed her a small pill. She looked up at him and took the painkiller. "Just in case." he said and she swallowed the capsule. He comforted her and stroked her hair, ignoring the people staring at them. Among them were Barbara, AJ, Johnno and Artemis, Dick's close friends, and they were confused as hell. Since when did Dick know the cute, shy loner in the year?

Rachel started to feel sleepy and groggy and she couldn't really feel her side, or anything for that matter. She told Dick that the painkillers were setting in he smiled. He asked if he could see her side and she nodded, pulling up the edge of her top. Dick immediately spotted that some of the stitches had been ripped out, and they were bleeding, a lot. When she asked how bad it was, he replied with "Could be better, could be worse." and with that he pulled her top down and she fell asleep.

Dick gently picked her up bridal style with ease and turned to face Dylan, who was trying to get lost in the crowd, and glared at him, making him shrink away. "What did you do to her?" he asked, dangerously calm. "I-I uhh…" he stuttered, moistening his lips. Dick rolled his eyes "In the future, leave. Her. Alone." he ground out. Now everyone was really confused. Since when was Richard Grayson so protective of a nobody?

Dick met eyes with AJ, whom he had he last class with, "AJ, tell Miss White I won't be there for maths, ok?" AJ nodded and with that, Dick walked off, Rachel in his arms.