Alisha impatiently waited in line to get her picture taken. Honestly she always wondered why schools bothered to do this more than once a year. Mother always told her it was because it was an excuse to see her "Beautiful smile." She tried not to laugh to upset her. Alisha didn't smile all that often.
She smiled of course, but only when something was incredibly funny or she was with someone she truly cared about. Whenever Alisha took pictures. her smiles always seemed forced. She looked in the mirror that was hanging by one of the camera and studied her reflection. She always felt like she was too pale. Sometimes she even wished she had nice rosy cheeks to make her seem more friendly.
She fixed her hair, feeling suddenly self conscious about herself. She suddenly wished for her old hair back, she suddenly wished she had put on make up too. Just like everyone else. She wished-
"Alisha!" A voice called, interrupting her thoughts.
She turned, seeing her best friend. Her friend decided to cut her hair short this time so it ended a few inches above her shoulders. Her hair was fashionably messy and showed off her bright blue eyes.
Alisha grinned, happy to not be alone. "Eve!"
Eve grinned back and put an arm around her shoulders, giving her an affectionate squeeze.
"Hey! You look girly today. What is the occasion?" She teased.
Alisha lightly chuckled and shook her head. "I am actually not sure. Maybe I am from another dimension."
Eve gasped, playing along. "Then who the hell are you and what have you done with my best friend?! You actually look prettier!"
Alisha gawked and lightly slapped her arm. "Hey!"
Eve laughed good naturally. "You know I'm kidding!"
Alisha's lips twitched into a small smile. "You better be. Or I would have to rip our friendship contract."
"Good thing I made a copy~" Eve sang.
Before Alisha could respond she was up next.
"Don't scowl!" Eve said, pretending to scold her.
Alisha made a face at her before standing before the camera.
"Say cheese!" The photographer said lightly.
Alisha thought of her grandpa and a natural smile came to her face. The photographer got the shot on time before it was gone.
"Thank you. You may go back to lunch now."
Alisha nodded and walked to the door and waited for Eve to finish taking her picture. Soon enough Eve walked over, grinning.
"I swear I was doing a photo shoot!" She flipped her hair and did a demure pose. "I swear I should become a model. I'll skip high school."
Alisha snorted. "Fat chance. Your fat head wouldn't even last."
"Bigger head, bigger brain." Eve said, snapping her fingers.
They walked outside and went to their classroom to get their lunches. The day was going by fast thankfully. It was almost the end of the school year and Alisha was eager to leave.
They walked over to their table and sat down, eating their lunch and doing their natural debating. Alisha didn't even know how they were friends. However she cared about Eve all the same. She somehow understood her.
AT THE WAYNE MANSION
Richard huffed and puffed as he struggled to get out of the rope. He tried to make himself as big as possible, trying to flex and bend at weird angles however that just made him fall over and wiggle like a worm in its cocoon. He grit his teeth in frustration. He had been like this for awhile now. He had counted but after awhile he gave up. He suddenly remembered something, wishing he could slap himself for not thinking about this sooner. He twisted his body around and reached inside his boot. Batman had always said to keep weapons at the ready. He managed to get it out and began to cut the ropes. He sawed and sawed. Finally after a round of 20 minutes he got himself full out. He was drained. So hungry. He quickly got up and changed before leaving the batcave to get some grub.
He went into the kitchen and opened up the fridge, taking out some milk. He opened up the top and drank from the carton.
"Well that isn't sanitary."
He closed the fridge door and wiped his lips with his hand. "Hey, Alfred."
Alfred sighed and handed Richard a napkin. "Is it so hard to ask for you to wash your hands?"
Richard grinned. "Yep." He said, popping the p.
Alfred sighed again and walked away, muttering about how the boy needed some manners.
Richard chuckled and turned, nearly jumping when he saw Bruce in front of him. "You got out. Good. Took you longer than I expected though."
Richard's mood instantly went down. "Well I didn't know if there were rules-"
Bruce raised a hand, silencing him.
"No more excuses. It isn't healthy."
Richard swallowed hard.
"Now, there are no rules in survival. You do whatever it takes. If I were were a villain, I am not going to wait for you to get up and fight. I would have already killed you the second you were down. Or tortured you."
Richard put a hand through his hair. "I know..."
"Next time, you know what to do."
"Yes, sir."
Bruce's expression softened. "Good. Now, come eat. I don't need my partner starving."
He turned around walked into the dining room.
Richard smiled. He knew Bruce seemed like a hard ass, but he had his moments. And those moments he was grateful for.
He went into the dining room, feeling like he would eat a hippo.
ALISHA'S POV
Alisha finally arrived home. She couldn't get the dress off fast enough. She changed into a t shirt and jeans, sighing in relief. Her mom came in and saw her outfit and pouted.
"Why did you change?! You looked so beautiful!"
"It was itchy. Besides," Alisha said lightly, "You will have a picture of me. You can see it again when they send the pictures in the mail."
Her mom shook her head, her ebony curls bouncing. "Yes. However as a mother I just... love seeing my daughter show her potential beauty. You tone yourself down so much."
"I don't want people to just see my looks."
"Of course not. But it makes you look more friendly, more bright. Imagine you will someday like someone."
"I don't want anybody at my school. The boys just... They don't interest me. Nor are they interested in me either. I just want to focus on school."
Her mother went over to her and kissed her forehead. "I am glad you want to focus on school. However, be a kid while you still can. That is what I am most worried about."
Alisha softened and hugged her mother around the waist.
"Okay... I promise I won't grow up to fast."
Her mom held her tightly, "Good."
She pulled away and tender brushed Alisha's hair from her eyes. "Now, let me brush your hair."
Alisha's throat bubbled with laughter.
"Really, mom?"
"Yes." She said, pouting. "I miss your old hair color though. Why did you want to change it?"
"I just wanted a change."
Alisha sat down on a chair as her mother got the brush. She began to brush her daughter's long green waves.
"Not many parents let their 12 year old daughter dye their hair such a vibrant color."
Alisha beamed at her mother. "It's because you love me."
Her mom chuckled and playfully tugged on Alisha's hair.
"OOWWW!" She whined as her mother giggled.
"You act more like my age." Alisha teased.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Her mother sang.
She continued to brush her daughter's hair.
"Oh!" Her mother suddenly said.
"What is it?"
"I need to check on the pie in the oven."
"Is it for Grandpa's birthday tomorrow?" Alisha asked curiously.
Her mother put the brush down. "Yes. Gosh... He will be 75. Can you believe it?"
Alisha smiled. "What did you get him?"
Her mother looked surprised at the question. "I got him some new hats. You know how he loves his baseball caps."
Alisha nodded.
Her mother paused. "Did you get him something?"
Alisha did a mischievous smile, something she did rarely. Her mother knew she had something up her sleeve. "Yeah. I really hope he will love it." She said earnestly
"What is it?"
Alisha shrugged. "You'll have to see it tomorrow."
Her mother knew Alisha wasn't going to tell her so she nodded. "Alright. I'll be back."
She walked out the door.
Alisha grinned and felt excited. She really hoped her grandpa loved her present. She actually had two presents. She bit her lip, wondering what reaction he would have for the second one.
Night came. She told her parents she was going to the gym. She always told them the truth, so they trusted her. Before they used to go with her every night. But after awhile they knew she was safe and could take care of herself. She changed into her tank top and shorts with tennis shoes. She tied her hair into a tight pony tail. When she got to the gym, she was feeling happy. There was a wonderful dinner full of laughter and smiles. She loved her family to no end. Right when she opened the door, she could hear someone was already inside.