A/N: Thanks for the reviews and follows! I'm finding this to be an interesting challenge to write and I hope it's just as interesting to read.
Disclaimer: Recognizable characters belong to CW & DC
April 1982
Moira had to give him credit. Malcolm Merlyn was dominating this debate. The topic was 'Are Laws enough to keep people from committing crimes' and the poor soul he was up against had his entire argument dismantled in less than five minutes. The teacher looked at his watch and hit the bell.
"And we have hit our time limit. Malcolm, Scott, thank you for your work. Class, show of hands, who won that debate: Scott with Yes?" Five people, all friends of Scott, raised their hand. "Or Malcolm with the no?" The rest of the class raised their hands. "Well done Mr Merlyn, a definitive victory." Malcolm grinned and sat down. The teacher went up to the board and took down the debate calendar that had dictated the schedule for the past 5 weeks. He replaced it with a smaller one.
"Now that we've had a chance to experience one on one discussion, we will be moving on to team debate. I will be randomly assigning you a partner and topic, you will have one week to prepare and will present as a duo against your opponents." He walked over to the desk and picked up a hat. Shaking it, he walked over to a female student and had her select the first name. "So, up first we will have Stacey Jones," The hat was passed down the row as each student selected a name. "And Jennifer Clarke verses Moira Green and Malcolm Merlyn." Moira looked over at her new partner who was scribbling something in his notebook. He ripped out the freshly written pages and put them in his pocket. "Ms Clarke, why don't you come up here and spin the topic wheel." Jennifer straightened the skirt of her school uniform and walked to the front. A cardboard wheel was pinned to the bulletin board next to the blackboard. Jennifer spun the plastic arrow tacked to the wheel and it landed on philosophy. The entire class groaned.
"Philosophy, two weeks in a row no less!" The teacher commented. He opened his binder and glanced at the page. "So next Monday, we will see Stacey and Jennifer debate Malcolm and Moira on the topic 'ls love is a choice, or a feeling'. Stacey and Jennifer will debate that it is a choice, Malcolm and Moira, a feeling." The bell rang and the students scurried to get to their next classes on time. In the hallway Moira thought she heard someone call her name but couldn't place where the voice was coming from. She kept walking and heard the voice again. She turned around and this time saw Malcolm bobbing and weaving through the crowd to reach her. She stopped to give him time to catch up. He stopped in front of her and smiled
"Hi." He stated. He brushed a stray piece of hair out of his face and tried not to look like he was catching his breath. His cranberry blazer was wrinkled from being shoved in his bag too many times and he hadn't quite figured out how to wear his tie straight yet.
"Hi." She replied. Moira's hair was tied back, with bangs framing her face. She was wearing the girls' uniform of a white dress shirt with a cranberry cardigan and skirt. The dress shoes she had on that day were flats giving him a two inch advantage in height. "So we're working together." She started walking towards her locker again.
"Appears so." Malcolm added falling into step. "What do you think of the topic?"
"Well," Moira thought for a minute. "It gives us a lot to work with."
"And what side are you on?" He asked. She looked at him confused.
"We have to argue that love's a feeling. That's what Mr Cross assigned us."
"I know that. I want to know what you think." Moira reached her locked and entered the combination. Malcolm stood next to her expectantly.
"What does it matter?"
"For one thing, I kind of get a kick out seeing how people do it when they have to debate a side they don't agree with. Secondly, if you do agree, you might have some good points we can toss in." Moira dug through her locker for her books. "Well?"
"I don't know." She replied annoyed. She regained control of her temper quickly. " I haven't had time to think about it yet. Malcolm nodded.
"Ok." She looked at him. "What?"
"Aren't you going to tell me what you think?" She asked.
"Nope." Malcolm started to walk away. Moira was confused. She closed her locker and followed him.
"Why not?"
"Because you Moira Green, are a people pleaser." He stated. "If I tell you my opinion on the subject you will either change yours to agree with me or soften your original stance in order not to offend me." She looked at him surprised. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I mean it got you nominated for prom queen, but it is totally useless to what I'm trying to accomplish." They reached her next class. Malcolm took the folded piece of paper out of his pocket. "Here is my schedule and my phone number. When you want to work on this, come find me." Moira took the sheet and put it in her notebook as she nodded. "Otherwise, I'll see you in class." He gave a small wave as he headed further down the hall to his locker.
While she waited for English class to start Moira carefully unfolded the note Malcolm gave her. She was surprised to find him taking five classes instead of the usual four and a study period she and most of the other seniors were taking. In addition to that he said he tutored one night and worked two. When did he ever sleep she wondered.
She decided not to be too concerned. After all she only had to deal with him for one week.