Awkwardness

Abby tapped her fingers on her armrest. Being in the principal's office wasn't very new to Abby. She had gotten in trouble before for just talking in class. The principal, Mr. Jenkins, had already given her the usual lecture. "Violence is not the answer," he said. Of course she had rebelled in saying that Renee had provoked her, but all he said was, "Then you should've walked away." Abby sat there in pure boredom. Either Bruce, Rachel, or both would come in yelling at her before she had the time to explain at any moment now.

Renee had really gone low this time. The last time she made Abby this mad was last year. When she didn't have a date for the Spring Fling. Abby ignored that. But this time she couldn't just let go. It was obvious Renee had a heart of stone. Slam! The door suddenly opened and closed.

"ABIGAIL RACHEL WAYNE! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

Her mother's voice rang through the room like a fire alarm.

"I was thinking—"

Abby was cut off by Rachel, "I'll tell you what you were thinking! You weren't thinking at all that's what you were thinking!"

According to Rachel's fumes, Abby thought it would be best to wait until she cooled down.

"Do you know how hard I work to support you?" she stared daggers into Abby's eyes.

"Pretty hard, I guess," shrugged Abby.

"Yes, very hard," said Rachel sharply. "And at least the benefit of that would be that you do well in school. But, no. What do I get? A fight! A fight Abby!"

"Ok, first things first!" interrupted Abby, her voice rising. "I did not start that fight! Renee—!"

"Oh, so it's Renee again!"

"It is!"

"Oh, really like the time she 'accidentally' poured coffee all over my files."

"I was ten and I was not a very good liar back then," she argued.

"Really? What else have you lied about?" Rachel pierced.

"Uh…um, you can go ahead and go on with your lecture," said Abby, nervously.

"Anyway, you should be working on your studies, instead of worrying about what other people think."

"You weren't there Mom! They were making snotty comments about me being 'The Princess of Gotham'!"

"I'm sorry about that, honey, but you don't solve that by violence."

Abby crossed her arms and said, "I thought you told Bruce to keep me out of the media."

"I did and he's kept his promise," reassured Rachel. Her voice now calming down. "I called him this morning and he said he had nothing to do with it."

"Yeah, I know. It was Renee," she said annoyed.

"Look, just drop the subject, ok Hun?"

"Ok," Abby sighed.

"You know you're lucky you're not getting kicked off the boxing team or suspended from school for that matter," she said quietly.

"I know."

Rachel bent down to her level and stroked her hair.

"I know it's hard, but it's something you're going to have to get used to," explained Rachel. "Your father really missed you Abs. I'm pretty sure you missed him too."

Abby eyes started to get wet, "How can you say that? Even after all the pain he's made us go through. Especially you."

"I don't know I'm just happy that he's back and you should be too."

"Maybe, I don't want to be!" shot Abby, turning her head away from Rachel.

"Abby, if you don't let go of your past, you're not going to have a future."

She hated it whenever Rachel went all fortune cookie on her. Abby had to admit Rachel was right, but she couldn't just let go of something like this.

"I have to go back to work," Rachel got back up on her feet. "Your father is coming by early today to fill out some paper work for the school. That's why the school called me."

"I have boxing practice," she grumbled.

"Then he'll pick you up from there, I'll see you around."

"See ya."

Rachel quietly walked out of the room. Abby couldn't tell if she was disappointed or angry, but it definitely wasn't good. A moment later Mr. Jenkins came in with the punishment. Two weeks of lunch detention in Ms. Pulley's math class. Ugh.

She was more than relieved when school ended. Everyone wouldn't stop talking about what happened at lunch no matter how much she threatened them. Abby quickly changed into her boxing gear and headed to boxing practice.

Luckily, no one spoke a word about what happened. Aaron must've talked to them, thought Abby. She had to admit he was a good friend.

"Alright guys, I've got some good news and some bad news," shouted Coach Jeff.

Everyone turned their heads in his direction.

"Bad news is that the game has been moved up to Wednesday instead."

"This Wednesday?" asked Aaron, incredulously.

"Unfortunately," he answered.

"But we've barley had any time to prepare," protested Abby.

"I know that. Apparently Redwood had another game that day, so they decided to change our dates without consulting anyone."

Coach Jeff sounded very infuriated. Abby felt just about the same way. First she was forced to move in with her father; second she's proclaimed the Princess of Gotham and now this.

"So what's the good news?" asked Abby. Maybe there was still some hope.

"You're going to have to train much harder, which means more coffee for me."

Everyone groaned in annoyance and went off to do their usual routines.

Aaron held a punching bag right in front of Abby as she continuously punched it. He seemed pretty quiet when she got back from the office. Now that she thought about it, he barely took a glance at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Aaron answered simply.

"C'mon, you know, I know you better that," she smirked.

"Well, I don't know…," his voice was unsure and slow. "When that football player said to listen to me…you seemed to over react about that."

"Oh, that don't worry about that, I was just mad at him for telling me what to do."

"Really," he sounded hopeful.

"Yeah."

"So, you weren't mad about him calling me your boyfriend?"

Abby stopped punching, "Um…well…uh…," she staggered before regaining her voice. "What are you asking here?"

"Well I'm asking…questioning if…wondering if…"

Aaron couldn't seem to find the right word for this. Meanwhile Abby was nearly on the edge of her seat to find out what he had to say.

"Hey Aaron, could you help me out on my drills?"

Adam came up from right behind them. She could've asked for better timing.

"Um…sure," Aaron walked off with him, "I'll see you around, Abby."

"Yeah, see ya," she gave a weak smile.

Whew, thank you Adam, she thought. That was awkward. He'd been acting weird like this since the end of eighth grade. Abby considered this to be confusing. She liked him as friend, but there was a question that kept bothering her. Did Aaron want to be more than friends? That question would have to be answered in time. For now, Abby just had to concentrate on the next match.

She paired up with the only other girl on the team, Devin Wolfe. Devin had much more experience in boxing, so this would be a challenge. She had dark skin with blue prominent eyes. Her black hair was too tied into a French braid.

Abby punched as much as she could to get Devin, but all attempts were unsuccessful. Right when she put her fists down, Devin threw her fist into her stomach. She fell right to the ground. It didn't hurt much; it was just out of shock. Devin bent down to her level.

"Word to from the wise Abby, look for strategy not weakness."

Abby nodded, "Got that."

Devin pulled Abby up to her feet.

"Plus you might wanna slow down on your punches."

She gave her a puzzled look.

"You don't want to get tired," explained Devin.

"Oh," she mumbled.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Just asking…I heard about what happened at lunch."

Abby looked at her in disbelief.

"Dang, stories travel around fast," said Abby.

"Yeah, that's high school," she chuckled. "But you really shouldn't let them get to you."

"Who is them exactly?" said Abby, irritably. "Because I've got quite a few people who are getting on nerves right now."

"Well…the school…the cheerleaders, pretty much all of Gotham. Don't let them get to you."

"It's hard though…I can't stand…being made fun of…when I can't do anything about it."

"I know just how you feel."

Abby looked up at her.

"When I was a freshman like you…I went out for the boxing team. I made it, but the people around me weren't as happy as I was. They thought it was too dangerous for a girl to play. And I was like the only girl on the team at the time. So anyway, people started to make fun me…accusing me of acting like a guy."

"What did you do?"

"I did nothing. They were making fun of me for being myself…and not being exactly like them. That's what people are doing to you now, Abby."

She ignored her. Devin was just giving her another one of those 'don't do it again' talks.

"I gotta go," Abby jumped out of the rink.

"Just…don't let people get ya down. That's all I'm trying to tell you."

"'K, see you."

"See ya."

Her phone began to ring as soon as Abby finished changing into her normal clothes.

"Hello?"

A muffled voice answered, "This is my final warning…keep your mother's nose out of our business and we won't hurt either of you."

"Dude, whoever you are, I can't okay. I have as much luck as you convincing her out of things!"

"Just do it."

The stranger hung up. She groaned. Too many things were going on in her life. All she could ask for was help. Abby made her way into the hallway. Bruce was probably still in the office. Either that or he was late. Typical. She began to hear chattering on the outside of the walls. Abby quickly ran to the nearest window. It was what she feared…the press. Bruce was defiantly here.

The press seemed to surround the entire school. There was not one place she couldn't find where she wouldn't hear their constant chattering. Why did they have to invade on her private life? It was her private life. Abby feared of not being able to walk the streets of Gotham like a normal person anymore. She finally made it to the office. Hopefully the press wouldn't try to invade the school.

"Hello dear, you father's in the office filling out some paper work," said the receptionist.

"Thanks."

What? Did everyone know who her father was now? Abby sat herself in one of the cushion seats. She looked at her phone. Whoever called and emailed her…was obviously persistent. If there was one thing she learned from her mom…it was that if a crime was big enough, the criminals behind it will be willing enough to hide it. Just like a child hiding the broken vase from their parents. There was a thrill to it. Abby had to think of something. Rachel's life could be in jeopardy and she didn't even know it. She thought to herself…who knew crime better than anyone else in this city. That question was easily answered…Batman.

Somehow he always knew about crimes before they even happened. Like the time he saved Rachel from being killed. Or the time when Abby ran into that gang. Maybe if she explained to him about the phone calls—Batman could figure out what was happening. Jonathan Crane was a definite suspect. But like anything else it was…innocent before proven guilty.

"Abby," she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Abby looked up. Bruce smiled weakly at her.

"Hey Bruce."

"Ready to go?"

"I guess," she got up from her seat.

"You saw the press, didn't you?" he guessed.

"Yeah."

"Don't worry; we've got security waiting outside for us."

Great, she thought sarcastically.

Security had surrounded them by the time they came outside. The press did nothing, but ask questions and snap pictures. Abby swore if she didn't get to the limo on time…she was going to be blind. Besides she hated taking pictures. Bruce of course was obliviously used to this sort of thing. He smiled, waved and went on with his business. Relief came over her when she finally made it to the limo. Bruce closed the door and the limo began to drive away from the school.

"Are you okay?" asked Bruce with concern.

"Yeah, I'll let ya know when I can see again," she said sourly.

He chuckled, "That's how I felt on my first time."

"Why, do they have to do that?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "It's their job to get dirt and they'll go to great lengths to get it."

"I can't wait to go to school tomorrow," said Abby sarcastically.

"Yeah, we need to talk about that," his voice turned stern, yet quiet.

She suddenly remembered "The incident".

"Uh…yeah about that…Renee made me very angry, okay. I didn't mean to punch her."

"You did what?"

He sounded confused at that. Rachel must've not told Bruce yet. Dang it! Why did she have to have a big mouth?

"Nothing," she answered.

"You punched someone at school?" Bruce's anger rose.

"Not on purpose!" Her voice rose.

"There's always a purpose!"

"Okay! She was making fun of me! She was making fun of us! You, me, and Mom! I just got mad!"

Bruce stayed silent. She lowered her voice.

"Everyone kept talking about how…I was somehow unfit to be the 'Princess of Gotham'…and…"

He gave out a heavy sigh, "That's just their opinions Abby."

"I know, but I still, you know, feel like a freak."

He chuckled, "You'd be surprised how many people feel like that."

She faced him. "Did you feel like that?"

"Not really…I mean, I went to a private school, so money wasn't really a problem there."

"Yeah, but I'm going to a public school! You know those traditional schools? The schools where you get to wear whatever you want; have horrible lunch food, and possibly dealing with people who make up horrible lies. Not the fancy kind."

Abby looked back out the window. Bruce had no idea what she was going through. Let alone what he had put her through when he left. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Leave me alone," she grumbled.

With that he let go.

Before she knew it, they had arrived at Wayne Manor. They silently got out of the limo. Abby was about to rush to her room when Bruce stopped her. She turned around.

"Abby, I need to talk to you."

"'Bout what?" she asked.

"About school."

"Let me guess I'm grounded longer," she sat on the front steps.

"No, it's…the media. Your mother and I talked about this earlier."

She rolled her eyes. Rachel and Bruce making decisions without her consultation were starting to get annoying.

"Somehow the media got a hold of your files and now they know exactly who you are."

"Tell me something I don't know," she said sourly.

"Which means, today was not the only day the media is planning to attack your school. They're going to keep going for at least a while now."

Something in her nerves didn't like where this was going.

"So…your mother and I decided for you to stay away from school, for now."

"What?!"

Abby got up to her feet.

"The media is going to keep going until better news comes along. So, it's better to just stay here for your safety."

"So, I'm stuck here?!"

He nodded.

"What about school?"

"Your teachers are going to fax your work."

"I don't care about that! I'm talking about boxing! I have a match on Wednesday!"

"If things go well enough…maybe we'll let you go."

She screamed, "Ugh! You're treating me like a baby!"

Abby stomped up to her room.

"Maybe because you're acting like one!" shouted Bruce from behind her.

She sped up the stairs and slammed herself into her room. Abby sat on her bed letting a few tears go down her cheeks. How was she going to explain this to Aaron? The team probably didn't need her, but she still wanted to be there. Why did Bruce have to be so overprotective? Wait, Bruce wasn't like this before he left. Though he was barely around, Abby could tell that he could care less about danger.

"Hm, where did he go?" she mumbled to herself.

Being gone for seven years, there had to be something that happened. A knock came from the door.

"Yeah?"

"It's Alfred, Abby, may I please come in?"

"Sure," she groaned.

Alfred emerged from the door, smiling.

"I heard you had a rough day."

She nodded. He took a seat beside her.

"Well, don't worry about that, tomorrow will be better."

"I'm not so sure about that," she said quietly.

"Besides being stuck here, I mean."

"What's there to do around here anyway?"

Alfred opened his mouth to say something, but Abby interrupted him.

"I mean besides homework."

He chuckled, "You know your father ran into that same issue. But he always found something to do in the end."

"But I don't see why he has to keep me here."

"He just wants to protect you."

"From what? The media?" she answered harshly. "I'm fourteen years old; I can take care of myself."

"You may think that now, but as time goes on you'll realize how much you really rely on the people that love you."

"Alright, I see your point with all of the people I've known for years," said Abby, half telling the truth. "But with Bruce…I don't know. I haven't seen or spoken to him in seven years."

"You're not the only one, Abby," he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"But I thought he was dead."

A tear slid down her cheek.

"As did I, but I didn't turn against him for it."

Abby gave him a confused look. He got up from his seat.

"Well, I ought to start on dinner then…do you want anything specific?"

"Surprise me."

"Alright, then. Good-day Miss Wayne."

Alfred left the room. She groaned falling back on her bed.

"Ouch!" she bumped her head against the wall.

Abby sat back up, rubbing her head. Sometimes she couldn't understand what Alfred was saying. It was good advice, but far from her level of expertise. Her phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me Aaron."

"Oh…hey."

She suddenly felt awkward talking to him. It must've been from their previous conversation.

"So, what's up?"

"Oh not much," she said sarcastically. "You know Bruce getting on my last nerve, stressing about the match and…oh yeah, I can't go to school tomorrow."

"What?" he said incredulously.

"Yeah, apparently, I have to be protected from the media. So my parents are literally banning me from school or letting me out of the manor for that matter."

"What about the match?"

"I dunno, Bruce says maybe. That's usually code for 'not going to happen'."

"Knowing you, I'm pretty sure you'll find a way around it."

An idea suddenly popped into her head.

"You're silent…did you just think of an idea?" said Aaron, sounding inquisitive.

He knew her so well.

"Yeah," she smiled. "You know how this place is filled with secret passages?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I gonna find one that leads me outa here on the night of the match."

"Clever, but won't your dad catch you in the act?"

"I highly doubt it, besides he's probably going to be at Wayne Enterprises all day."

Abby was positive about this. Nothing now could convince her otherwise.

"Anyway…sorry about what I was babbling about during practice. I don't know what came over me."

"It's alright," she said.

He was definitely acting weird.

"It's just that, I've been having some…thoughts lately."

"What thoughts exactly?" she dared to ask.

"I don't know," he answered uncertain. "They're confusing and yet they make sense at the same time."

"That is weird."

"Yeah, but it's really got me thinking about…how good we are as friends."

Abby stayed silent.

"So, yeah there are just a lot of things to think about. Like if we could be more than friends."

"Huh?"

"I mean…uh," he seemed to have said too much. "I gotta go. My mom's calling me."

Aaron hung up before she could respond. Leaving her dumb-struck.

Hey guys. Sorry if this took awhile to update. School just seems to get crazier and crazier by the minute. Anyway, for my other stories, they should be updated pretty soon.

-Emyrox567