Artemis
I look myself over in Megan's mirror and nod. I actually look good.
After some insistence from me that I wasn't wearing any sort of pink for any reason ever, Megan decided I should probably just wear jeans and a plain white top.
I even compromised with her about makeup, saying that she could put some on, but only enough that Wally could only notice it if he was actually really looking.
But even while I look myself over, feeling proud of my appearance for once in my life, something keeps nagging at me.
Why am I so nervous?
I've been freaking out since the second I agreed to spend her day with Wally, and I don't know why.
It's not like I'm into him or anything. Sure, I recently discovered that I find the speedster cute - very cute - but that doesn't really change anything between us. I still don't like him.
"Um, Artemis, you know I can read your mind, right?"
I groan. Leave it to me to think about stuff like this with a mind-reading Martian in the room.
"Weren't you supposed to stop reading our minds, M'gann?"
I turn around to see the green girl shrug. "It's like trying to ignore a screaming person. I couldn't really not hear your thoughts."
I sigh. "Okay. Fine. What do you want to say?"
"That even if the two of you don't know it yet, this is your first date."
My eyes widen. "M'gann, that's not funny."
The Martian girl shrugs again. "I'm not kidding. You clearly like Wally, and Wally clearly likes you, but neither of you are willing to admit it to yourselves."
Despite myself, my heart speeds up a bit at the idea of Wally liking me, but I dismiss it as nothing. "I don't like Wally. We're kind of friends now, I guess, or at least friendlier than we were, but I don't like him and he doesn't like me."
M'gann smiles. "You don't actually believe that, do you?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Of course I believe that. Why wouldn't I?"
"Probably because he totally likes you and you totally like him." I wheel around in surprise to discover that Robin is standing inside of my room.
"No, he doesn't, and no, I don't."
Robin shakes his head and smiles. "I saw your little exchange from this morning on the surveillance tapes. Yes, he does, and yes, you do."
I shake my head. "You're full of it, bird boy."
He grins. "But am I? Think about it. Wally's been surprisingly nice to you lately, and now that he's not being a dick, you're realizing that you really actually enjoy his company. That's why you accepted his invitation. You want to spend time with him, even if it's just the two of you."
As I think about it, Robin is right. Wally has been nice lately, and I actually have kind of enjoyed spending time with him. "Okay, let's say that's true. Why does that mean we like each other?"
"Well, why do you think Wally's demeanor has shifted? And why do you think he said yes when he asked you out on a date? Don't try to tell me it's not one - we both know it is."
I shake my head. "I don't know why he's acting different, and it's not a date. So you're wrong."
I see M'gann and Robin share a glance and start laughing, but I don't ask why. I really, really don't think I want to know.
Robin leaves soon after that, and I'm left sitting on my bed with M'gann.
"Artemis, what if he tries to kiss you?"
I turn to M'gann in surprise. "He won't. He's Wally."
She shakes her head and laughs. "And if you're wrong?"
I ponder this for a moment. "I… well… I'll figure it out in the moment. But I certainly won't kiss him back."
I may not know it yet, but that's not at all true.
The grin never leaves M'gann's face. "I'm going to have so much fun when you get back. You and Wally are actually going on a date!"
I groan. "It's not a date!"
M'gann raises an eyebrow. "He's paying. It's a date."
I shake my head. "Then I'll pay for myself."
"He won't let you."
"I'll do it anyway."
"Artemis…" M'gann looks a little concerned. "Just don't do anything rash, okay?"
I shrug. "What is there to do?"
M'gann sits quietly for a moment. "Artemis, have you ever been on a date before?"
I shake my head. "No, and this isn't a date."
She shakes her head back at me. "I'm ignoring the lack of truth in that statement, because that isn't what this is about. Actually look at Wally today. Don't look at him as Kid Flash, look at him as Wally West. He may be a dork, but he's a sweet guy. And he likes you."
I'm silent for a long, long time before I respond. Too long. "You really think he likes me?"
She smiles. "I know he does."
I stand up, look at myself in the mirror one last time, and walk out of the room to face the most dangerous mission of my entire career.
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. I've been unbelievably busy and I've kind of gotten away from Fanfiction, but I'll come around and update some things every once in a while. I hope you enjoy this, and please read and review!
