Bruce flipped the collar of his white school shirt over the navy blue tie, sighed and asked,"What am I doing Alfred?"

"It would seem Master Bruce, that you are returning to school," Alfred stated in his usual matter-of-fact way as he helped Bruce into his uniform jacket.

"Maybe I should just call Detective Gordon and have him tell Kallie that I'm sick.

Alfred raised an eyebrow and Bruce shook his head. "No, I know, I have to keep my word. I can't let someone like her face those vultures alone. They'll make her go home crying by lunchtime."

Alfred's brow furrowed and he said, "I rather hope not, as it is almost the lunch hour now.

"Alfred, take me to school."

"Everyone, we have a new student today. Please welcome Miss Kalliope Krystal here to our school. Kalliope, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?"

Kalliope stared at the sea of unfamiliar faces in front of her and pasted on her most brilliant smile. "Hi," she said sweetly as she looked around her, "I'm Kallie. I just moved here from Paris, but I'm actually from Metropolis... Um, I guess that's really it for now." Turning she looked questioningly at the pretty red headed teacher.

The young woman smiled and nodded before saying, "Thank you Miss Krystal. Now, if you would take a seat we can start the lesson. Who would like to show Kallie here where we're at in the syllabus?"

A smattering of hands raised, mostly boys, and the teacher's sunny smile brightened even more. Gesturing toward a stunning brunette in the back of the room surrounded by slightly less attractive girls wearing matching accessories she said, "Ah, Sienna, how nice of you."

Sienna smiled and gestured for the girl to her right to find another seat before saying, "Of course Ms Hawkins. I feel as class president that it's my duty to make everyone feel welcome."

Kallie headed to the newly vacant seat and said quietly, "Thanks."

Sienna gave Kallie a calculating look before grinning brightly. "Sienna Lawson, class president at your service. I couldn't let you get stuck with one of those neanderthals. They would've spent the whole class drooling over you."

Kallie giggled and said, "I doubt any of them would even look at me with you around. You're absolutely gorgeous."

"Yeah, but you look like a young even more exotic Athena."

Kallie just shrugged and was about to ask about the lesson plan to change the subject when all conversation stopped. Looking up Kallie broke out into her first genuine smile all day as Bruce stood at the front of the class and handed Ms Hawkins a sheet of paper. She gave him a small wave behind the teacher's back as her smile grew into a wide grin.

"You know Bruce Wayne?"

Kallie turned her attention back to Sienna and nodded. "Yeah," she whispered as the teacher faced the class and pointed out an empty seat in the corner. "My uncle introduced us when I first got here."

Noticing the horrified look on Sienna's face Kalliope frowned and asked, "What, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Look, Bruce Wayne may be richer than Midas, but he, well, he's weird, and rude. I would stay away from him if I were you."

Seeing Kallie glance wistfully at the reclusive boy Sienna smiled brightly and said, "Have lunch with us today. Get a chance to meet everyone. Maybe it'll help you make up your mind." Kallie nodded distractedly and they turned their attention to the teacher and the day's lesson.