Chapter 20: Girl Talk

Tim's POV

I was sitting at my desk reading when suddenly Stephanie comes and walks up to me.

"Hi Tim." She says brightly while smiling.

My mind went blank for a second. I wanted to say hi, but the words wouldn't come out.

A moment of awkward silence passed before she said, "Would you like to be partners for the science fair?"

I nodded.

"Great!" she exclaimed. "I'll talk to you later." And she skipped back to her desk.

I think I'm in love.

********Break********

What was I thinking! Stephanie would be coming over tomorrow! Tomorrow! To do a project with me! Me! I can barely even talk to her. How can we do a project together?

I needed to talk to someone. I slid off my bed and walked towards Jason's room. Jay was the only one home. Dick was in class. Bruce was at work. Alfred had taken Damian and Titus to the some pet thing.

I took a deep breath and opened his door. I came in just in time to see Jay come in through the window and enter his messy domain. He always smokes on roof, so Alfred, Dick, or Bruce won't catch him. He definitely smells like smoke.

"Did you need something?" he asked while flopping down on his bed.

"Um… I didn't mean to bother you… but I wanted to ask you something… but it can wait if you're busy. It's not really important." I answered nervously from the doorway.

He reached into the top drawer of his nightstand and removed a pack of gum, mouthwash, and some cologne to hide the smell of smoke. He sprayed himself with the fragrance. Then he took a swig of the breath freshener, swished it around, and then spit the mouthwash back into the bottle and placed a wad of gum into his mouth. Jason is disgusting. I really need to rethink my theory about coming to Jason for advice.

He placed the contents back into his drawer, leaned against his headboard, and turned to face me. He looked me over then motioned for me to move closer.

I slowly left my position from the door and walked towards his bed. I climbed up the side and moved to sit beside him.

"What's wrong Babybird?"

"I…I… it's nothing. Sorry I bothered you." I apologized.

I moved to exit his bed but I felt his arm encircle my waist and then he lugged me beside him. He crisscrossed his legs and settled me onto his lap, so we were facing each other.

"I asked you a question."

I slowly exhaled and met his gaze. "What do you do… if you like someone? There's this girl and I well…"

Before he could answer Dick opened his bedroom door. "Jay, have you seen-" His eyes fell on me and he moved and settled onto the bed. "Are you okay Timmy?" he asked with concern.

"He's fine. Tim's got his first girlfriend." Jason said.

Dick suddenly reached out and seized me and dragged me onto his lap.

Dick began excitedly asking me questions. "What's her name? What does she look like? How old is she? Where's she-"

"Damn Dick, were you planning on asking her out instead? Besides we were in the middle of a very important conversation." Jason interrupted. "Anyway, you need to walk straight up to this bitch and play it cool. Make her want you. Give her a compliment; tell her she has a nice ass, then walk away. She'll be running after you. Be standing there with like two or three babes hanging around you. Make her jealous. It works every time. Act like you're in charge. Then-"

Dick started laughing. "Timmy, don't ever listen to advice from Jason. You need to treat her with respect. Let her lead first, offer her choices, and be respectful. Once she feels comfortable, take over. Then you'll be in charge. Then you can-"

Jason started laughing. "That would completely work if George Washington was still president! Ignore Dick, he has no clue."

"Jason, you don't even know when Washington was president! And your ideas are completely wrong!" Dick yelled.

"Yes I do! He was president during the Civil War! And my ideas are better than yours!" Jason bantered.

"He wasn't even alive during that war!"

"How would you know! You weren't there!" Jason screamed.

"Oh really! I guess that's why I graduated valedictorian, while you failed twice!"

"It wasn't my fault! How was I supposed to know they fail you if you don't show up! And it's hard!"

I slid off Jason's bed and left them to yell at each other. I heard barking coming from downstairs; Damian and Alfred were home.

********Break********

I entered the kitchen and took a seat on the stool beside the countertop where Alfred was preparing dinner.

"Good afternoon, Master Timothy. How has your day been?" he asked while smiling.

I shrugged. "Alfred, can I ask you something?"

He stopped chopping vegetables and looked at me.

"Is something wrong?" he asked concerned.

"What do you do when you like somebody?" I asked.

"Well, you should try to court her. But remember to remain true to yourself and the young lady. Give her the uttermost respect she deserves."

"Court her?" I questioned.

Damian suddenly walked though, interrupting our conversation.

"No Drake, Pennyworth is wrong. You must dominate her! Women are like animals! We must rule them! Then they will love you."

"Master Damian! That is not a good opinion to have of young ladies!" Alfred chided him.

"No Pennyworth, your ideas are wrong!" Damian exclaimed.

I give up! I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. I couldn't help but let a few tears escape my eyes. Stephanie was going to be here tomorrow and I had no idea about what to do.

I blindly bumped into something. The next second I found myself being lifted by strong arms.

Bruce's POV

"Tim, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned.

"Stephanie's coming over tomorrow to do a science project and I don't know what to do!" he stated while dripping tears onto my chest.

I settled into a chair while propping him up on my knee.

"Do you like Stephanie?" I questioned, while wiping the tears from his eyes.

He nodded in response.

"Then just be yourself. She wouldn't have agreed to work with you if she didn't already like you."

Tim seemed to be thinking it over. "I guess you're right. Do you really think she likes me?"

"I don't see why not."

Tim beamed up at me. I gave him a smile in return.

"Thanks, Daddy!" he cried happily before turning to give me a hug.

I returned the embrace and placed him the floor. Together we walked into the kitchen to see what Alfred had ready for dinner.