Chapter 7

I desperately try every possible exit. The doors are all automatically shut, and there are no windows in this hallway. The classrooms are all locked, and the small window in each classroom door shows that police cars are already starting to surround the building. Even if I did go out the windows, I'd be dead meat once I got down. In frustration, I kick the wall, hitting a set of metal bars. I look down at what I'd just kicked, its the school ventilation system, the old-fashioned kind that's just large enough to fit a person. Perfect.

I'll admit it was so embarrassing doing a quick-change in the middle of the security room as the police cars began surrounding the building. I watch as Kat/Batman unbolts the vent grate and slips in, making sure to close it behind her. By the time the police see the footage, she'll be long gone. With my tights still on under my jeans, I grab a security guard jacket, throw it on, and rest myself casually on the desk chair, displaying myself as if I was asleep the whole time.

"What's going on?!" a police officer shouts, as a group of them knock down the door.

I pretend to jump awake in surprise, jolting around in my chair for good measure. The police officers roll their eyes, clearly having fallen for my security guard disguise. Its good the school still keeps the jackets, but we haven't had a security guard since even before I came. They continue through the building, while one of them stays here to ask me some questions.

"Did you hear the school alarm go off?" the officer asks.

I shake my head, "No, but I know the thing gets tripped all the time. You know those teenagers."

Luckily, my extreme tallness gives off the illusion of being an adult, and the thick jacket obscures how thin I am.

"Are you aware of the recent rumors of the school having its own 'Batman'?" the officer continues.

"Well, I know the students were recently passing around some Joker masks after the incident at the corner store up the street, and I saw that stuff on the news, but other than that, no." I reply, using my clearest, deepest, most adult voice.

He asks me a couple more questions, how long I've been working here, yadda yadda yadda. I eventually excused myself, saying that I had to get home. The other cops soon returned, saying that they couldn't find Batman. Its hard to believe that these officers were actually referring to Kat as Batman. It's actually kind of cool, really. I grab my backpack and head out. The cold air and icy streets are to be expected in Gotham, especially at night. Its a good thing I didn't bother to take off the security guard jacket, which protected me against the cold. Maybe I'll keep it, its not exactly fashionable, but it might come in handy again…

I stumble into school, my nose sniffling. That vent duct was a great way to escape from the cops, but it was so dusty in there, and now my allergies are acting up because of it. I notice that, despite the police investigating the building after the Riddler set it off, today the school appears to be functioning just as it would on any other day. Maybe the police wrote it off as just an accident, the school fire alarm does get set off pretty often, the miracles of working with fifty year old technology.

My first classes are a blur to me, and I also remember I still have practice during lunch as well. Today's the big day, the game against Disco Tech, which means I'll have to stay late. Hopefully I can find somewhere to get some sleep before the game. In my English class, I begin to lay my head down to doze a little. There are fifty other guys in the class, who's gonna notice me? And besides, there's probably at least two other people behind me doing the same thing. Instead of sleeping however, my mind begins to wander toward last night. Its hard to believe Martin knows my identity (although his reaction to it with the Robin outfit was half embarrassing, half adorable), but I didn't think he'd be the first to find out. In fact, I hadn't planned on anyone finding out. I should probably be more careful, lest more people figure out who I am. And there's also the Riddler, if he's really going to do something during the game tonight, I have to be ready. My costume is in my hall locker, and I can easily slip it into my gym locker during lunch practice. They leave the locker rooms unlocked during the game for the players, mascot, and of course us cheerleaders, so it'll be easy for me to sneak from the gym and into the locker room if something were to go wrong. But, what could he do? After taking a look at the Riddler, he doesn't appear to be very physically intimidating, maybe he'll hire some henchmen. But the way he stands, there's something very grandiose about him, despite the fact that I'm almost half a foot taller.

"Katherine, are you sleeping?" I hear the teacher ask.

I slowly lift my head back up, trying to appear natural, "No, just taking notes."

The teacher, looking only about half into it herself, decides not to continue her inquisition. Besides, I could sleep in this class everyday and still end up with an A at the end of the semester.

Lunchtime arrives and I've gotten a substantial amount of sleep from both my English class and my AP World History because we had a sub who had no idea what he was doing. I pick up my lunch of a salad and some salmon from the cafeteria before heading over to the gym. As I enter the gym, I see that its completely changed from the flatline, plain gym that I'm use to. Its always fun to see the gym decorated for the games. Everything from the bleachers to the scoreboard is plastered in black and grey decorations such as streamers, banners, posters, and balloons. It looks more like a graduation ceremony than a basketball game, and the dark and unusual school colors give off the aura of a Halloween party. The forklift used by the decorating committee is still out off to the side of the gym, next to a yet unhung poster proudly proclaiming the Gotham Bats. As per usual, I am the only cheerleader with a lunch handy. I use the fifteen minutes given to eat before practice to actually...eat while the rest of the girls actively text.

"Kathy, a salad and fish? Don't you think that's a bit much?" Sydney asks, waving her phone around in-between Snapchats.

"I'm not gonna be able to eat for the rest of the day due to the game." I explain. "And I'll need the strength."

"What I do is I pig out during breakfast so I don't have to eat for the rest of the day." Tara smiles brightly.

Sydney shakes her head, "No, I just snack all day, but never in front of people. I don't know, it's embarrassing to eat in front of people, especially boys."

"Me too! That's why I always eat at home, where no one has to see me be fat!"

I forcefully stab my fork into the salmon, causing sauce to fly everywhere, "I am trying to eat!"

The two girls stop their gabber, and Tara stares at me as I take a napkin and wipe off the sauce,

"You okay?"

I shrug, "Just...nervous I guess."

Tara's face grows worried, "How about we talk outside?"

"I'll come too!" Sydney volunteers, although perspectively, I don't really know her that well.

The three of us walk out together, Tara's hand on my shoulder. We exit the gym into the hallway, where I sit myself by a windowsill as Tara begins,

"So, what's been bothering you? I mean, I know its gotta be more than the game. I mean, you're normally such a strong person…"

Sydney sits up by the windowsill next to me, "I think I know what's been worrying you. Its the dance, isn't it?"

I turn around and look at her, truth be told, I hadn't even thought of the dance, despite banners and advertisements for the thing being up almost everywhere, even right where we are now. I'd hate to lie to them, but would they even believe me if I told the truth?

"...yeah." I have the reputation of being the only cheerleader who's never been to a school dance. Basically for the simple reason that I've never been asked. I mean I'd love to go, but that would require a date, which I wouldn't have had.

Tara places her hand over her lips, "Oh my gosh, I hadn't even thought of that. Kathy, I'm so sorry. I mean, we were planning on hooking you up with Brad but…"

"Brad, seriously?! Even before we knew he was a psycho, she can do way better than that." Sydney defends.

"I know, but at least his name sounds hunky."

Sydney sighs, and turns back to me, "Look, I know how you feel, I mean, freshmen year, for the Homecoming Dance, I was stuck with the captain of the chess club."

...that's Joey. I remember how excited he was for it, he dressed up for it and everything, even though Homecoming is a more casual dance. Unfortunately, he had to borrow his father's suit, which looked at least two sizes too big and thirty years out of date. Subverting the disappointing prom cliche, he was the one who came running out crying. I think Martin has the whole incident recorded on his phone…

"...that doesn't sound too bad." I tell her, with a gentle smile.

"I mean, we can find you a date right?" Tara asks. "There's the captain of the soccer baseball team…"

"He's already going with Treasure." Sydney corrects with a sigh.

Tara pauses for a second, "Sydns, get out your phone, lets go down a list of candidates. Now, captain of the baseball team."

Sydney taps rapidly on her phone for a few seconds, "...taken."

"Really guys, he doesn't have to be anyone important. I would've been fine with Brad, if he wasn't, you know...crazy." I tell them.

Sydney sticks her finger in front of me, "Shush. You're practically co-captain of the cheerleading squad. You deserve to go out with someone amazing."

"So...what about the captain of the tennis team?"

Sydney blows a raspberry, "Ew, no. The tennis team sucks."

"What about the football captain? Everyone wants to go out with the football captain." Tara says exasperatedly, throwing up her arms.

"...isn't he gay?"

Tara slaps her hand on her forehead, "Oh, right. Uhm...I don't know...captain of the basketball team?"

"Hey, that's my date!" Sydney shouts, her high-pitched voice nearly squeaking.

I sigh, "Look you guys, I'll be fine. If I find someone, I'll go, and if not, well, that's okay."

I stand up and begin walking back to the gym. As soon as I enter I begin calling the girls to begin warm-ups. I don't usually order the other cheerleaders around unless Tara isn't there to do so, but today I'm just not in a very good mood.