Two

Warnings: None

"This is cruel and unusual punishment," I muttered to my coffee mug. "They should at least wait until after twelve P.M before assigning any classes."

My roommate, Elizabeth-or Beth as she insisted- snorted as she strolled out of the joint bathroom. Wrapped around her broad shoulders was a fluffy white towel, and her long black hair looked more like a shiny oil spill than its usual dark curly cloud. Closing the door behind her, Beth slid onto the couch beside me

"Get stuck with a morning class?" Beth asked as she propped her feet onto the small coffee table in front of us.

So far, Gotham University had everything I could ever dream of. Every dorm room had its own bathroom, and an apartment style floor plan that allowed for two separate rooms and a common "living room" that connect the two rooms. Not to mention each of these rooms were furnished rather tastefully.

The only thing that snagged in my otherwise perfect first impression was, like Beth suggested, a morning class.

Groaning, I hunched my shoulders forward so I could hang my head in mock-agony. "Unfortunately they only had one class slot for one of my required courses, so as you can imagine, I'm stuck with that."

Beth patted my shoulder sympathetically. "Hey, maybe it's a good thing you're taking this morning class."

I looked over at her and raised one of my eyebrows. "Really, huh? Were you the one who had to get up at freaking six o'clock in the morning to get ready for an eight a.m. class? Huh? Didn't think so."

She rolled her eyes at me and stood. "Well, I have to go get ready for Economics." She gestured with a wave of her hand at my slouched form, "have fun doing whatever it is you're doing."

I smiled at her then leaned back on the couch. "Will do."

When Elizabeth disappeared into her room I found myself gazing into my coffee. The normally umber liquid was caramel colored-I could not stand the bitter taste of a plain ol' cup of Joe-and I absently noted that it was no longer as warm as I would have liked. Sighing in defeat I stood up. Patting at my leg, I felt my hand brush against the outline of my smartphone. I grasped at the long rectangular device and let its humming electric current tingle under my fingers.

With my phone still in my hand, I maneuvered over to to the tiny little kitchenette that was located next to the door. I placed my cold cup of coffee on the counter and went to lean against said counter.

Scrolling through my phone, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax. With the help of some gentle coaxing, it allowed me to tap into its network and soon I found myself submerged in the what people called the Internet.

Being in the internet was a bit like being submerged in a vibrating bath heated to the perfect temperature. However, right as you're hunkering down for nice long hot soak, you find yourself being tossed out of that bath and plummeting down a mountain in a free fall you can't feel bothered to stop. There's just so much going on at once that I can almost physically feel the tiny data currents ripping harshly at my (metaphorical) skin like beads of icy cold rain, and as each current passes by, a gust of tiny wind-like voices spill (often times irrelevant) secrets to me.

When I first fully submerged myself in the Internet at fifteen, the whole experience frightened me beyond belief. I had been experimenting with my powers, something I did a lot of in Freshman year. Let's just say middle school had spat me out as an awkward and sometimes too naive child (I blame my onslaught of late-blooming puberty) who didn't get a lot of friends until sophomore year. Moving on, you're now probably asking yourself, "Why Leslie, how come you didn't discover this sometimes Godsend of an ability earlier?" Simple, I just didn't know I could do it. How I happened upon this ability had been an accident.

I had been sitting at home, staring contemplatively at my (brother's) laptop, fingers gently tracing the keys as I mused over my powers. One second I had been contemplating a silly idea of becoming a sort of outlet or modem for Wi-Fi, when all of a sudden my computer beeped and I felt the tell tale sign of the building of an electric shock as a sign that a machine basically wanted me to control it (surprisingly, or not depending on your view, many machines actually want me to use my odd powers on them). Curious as to why it decided now was an ideal time to use my powers I didn't think twice and connected to the laptop.

Immediately after this I was bombarded by a plethora of words, some in languages I didn't understand, and a new development: videos and pictures. Cat videos, plagiarized movies, vlogs, and even embarrassingly, pornographic videos. Soon following, emails, instant messages, blogs, news articles, and other things that can be associated with the internet crashed into me as well. Gasping at the sudden onslaught of information I couldn't have ever prepared myself for, I jerked back from my laptop. Once the connection severed, the wave that had crashed over me faded to the familiar background of my room. A pounding headache went rampant in my cranium for days after that, and I refused to touch any device that could connect to the internet.

Obviously, I got over what had happened to me, and I forced myself to train mentally in diving into the internet. It took countless months of small increments of exposure, but soon I formed a sort of tolerance for the immense amount of data being shared with me. I even found myself growing excited at the prospect of surfing (almost literally) the internet.

One thing though that I learned, much to my chagrin, over those months was that while I was busy dawdling in the intimate folds of the Internet mentally, my body took on a dazed and seemingly zombified state. It freaked my parents out plenty of times when they'd walk in on me during my exercises and find me hunched over her my desk and staring blankly at my laptop. Because of this, I think they thought I was constantly hyped up on drugs. Oops.

Anyway, because I had my parents walking in on me all the time (when you live with five people you tend to forget privacy), I became adept at sensing when people were walking in the room.

I must've been getting sloppy however because after only being under for less than two minutes, Beth walked back into the room. Her feet, clad in black tennis shoes, appeared in the peripherals atop my phone, and I jerked, my mouth snapping shut as my smartphone booted me out of it's network. I had programmed it to sense shoes and other things in its camera's view that resembled a person invading my personal space, and once it sensed these intrusions, it automatically kicked me back into the real world.

My head snapped up with a sheepish smile twitching at the corner of my lips. Beth raised a neatly plucked eyebrow at me, and I noticed a backpack slung over one shoulder and her still wet, but now tightly curled hair slicked back in a neat pony-tail.

"Erm...hi?"

"You okay there?" Beth asked, an amused smirk appearing on her face. I blinked and my mind flashed back to what I had been doing a few minutes ago. My face heated up. I probably looked like some weirdo just standing there with my phone nearly pressed to my face and my mouth hanging open like that.

"Yeah, I'm, I'm good," I replied with a nervous chuckle.

"You know, I've only known you for a week and you're already worrying me," she mused, her eyes crinkling at the corners as her smirk blossomed into a playful grin.

I waved off her comment and used my butt to push off of the counter. "No need to worry about lil' ol' me. Why don't you get to class?" I glanced at my phone to check the time. "Don't wanna be late again do you?"

Narrowing her eyes at me, she waggled her finger at me. "That was one time."

I shrugged in feign indifference. "It made a lasting impression."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going. Don't stay cooped up in here too long."

"Alright. I might go to the library. I need to check out a book for one of my classes anyway."

"Nerd."

I beamed at Beth as she made her way past me and opened the door. "And proud of it."

The dark-skinned girl laughed at me with a shake of her head. "Bye."

With the door shutting firmly behind her, I gave a sigh of relief and placed a hand on my hip and allowed the other the rake my bangs back from my forehead. Tilting my head down to the cellphone in my hand, I twisted my hand to where the glossy glass screen peered up at me."That was close...I probably shouldn't indulge in surfin' the web until I'm, you know alone."

My phone tingled in my hand, but nothing else occurred. "I'll take that as an agreement."

I deeply regretted not buying a light coat as I marched determinedly down the crowded streets of Gotham. The weather, while containing a wind that nipped at the tip of my nose, was definitely not cold enough for my poofy and heavy duty gray-green coat. I noticed with chagrin that nearly everyone wore way lighter jackets, and I couldn't help the self-conscious blush dusting my cheeks and ears every time I saw people looking my way.

Swiping in vague annoyance at a tendril of dirty blond bundle of hair, I mentally cursed the wind and my lack of owning a car. I should probably get one...this city is dangerous, and it'd really suck getting stuck downtown at night. I glanced at the street beside me, feeling the auras of the cars toting along down the clogged roads. Then again the traffic would be horrible.

I shrugged off my thoughts and sped up my pace. I had been wandering the city for about an hour now, and I figured I should meander my way to the public library like I had told Beth I was planning on doing. I would've been there by now, but I got distracted when I passed by a section of the city that held various shops for clothing items and accessories. I couldn't help that I was a (technically) still teenage girl in need of new clothes. So after gazing longingly at a shirt I couldn't afford at the moment, I had checked my phone only to groan at the time and begrudgingly go on my merry way.

I didn't get to the library until fifteen minutes later, and when I did cross the threshold and into the Gothic structure, I gave a deeply relieved sigh. I quickly rubbed my frozen hands together and puffed hot air onto them.

"Cold out there?"

I jumped at the voice addressing me

I looked up to see a rather young woman dressed in a black blazer and pencil skirt sitting elegantly at a desk to the right of the door. Her eyes twinkled with humor behind her square glasses, and I felt a stab of envy as I gazed at her luscious red hair that curled loosely around her shoulders. Her left hand held a hardcover book while her right hand sat on the desk before her.

"Just a bit," I murmured, stuffing my hands deeply in my pockets.

"I see. Can I help you with anything?" The woman inquired while tilting her head slightly.

I cleared my throat and gestured to the area around me, "You wouldn't happen to know where you'd have a section on microprocessing would you?"

She smiled brightly at me and hopped up from her desk, the book lying forgotten faced down. "I would actually. Want me to show you?"

"If you could, please," I replied.

Beckoning me with a flick of her hand over her shoulder, the redhead wove around the towering bookshelves that encompassed a majority of the library. The faded blood red carpet coupled with the dark walls and shelves around us really set a gothic mood I was beginning to associate with just about everything in Gotham. Despite its slightly creepy appearance, the library really did have an impressive collection of books. I mentally reminded myself that I needed to return for more than just school reading. I might tinker with machines most of the time, but curling up with a good book sounds just as appealing.

After disappearing past the first five rows, we finally made it down an aisle that caused the woman in front of me to stop. "Here we are," she said while pointing to an entire row dedicated to technology in some form or fashion.

I flashed her a grateful smile. "Thank you, miss…." I trailed off when I realized I didn't know her name.

"Barbara. Barbara Gordon. And it's no problem, really. It's what I'm here for after all."

I nodded and reached out a hand. Barbara stared at it for a millisecond before she reached out her own hand and shook mine with a firm grip. "I'm Leslie Marvy," I announced as I quickly released her hand. I mentally smacked myself behind the head at my weird introduction. I mean, I know my mom strived to instill politeness in me, but sheesh.

"Nice to meet you, Leslie Marvy. If you need any more help, I'll be up in the front," Barbara informed me before flashing one last quirk of her lips. Was that amusement in her eyes? Goodness gracious, she noticed the slight awkwardness I could feel myself emanating in waves. At least she didn't comment on it; instead she turned before I could reply and disappeared around the corner we had came from.

I made a strangled noise and smacked myself on the forehead when I was sure she was gone. "Good going, Les," I muttered."Way to act like a total weirdo."

After allowing myself to wallow in self-pity and beration, I turned towards the collection of books to search for the book I needed. I shrugged off my heavy coat and laid it beside me-it was getting way too hot for my tastes. I then crouched down on my haunches so I could run my finger over the spines displaying the titles before me. After searching the first five minutes, my calves and thighs began to burn unpleasantly, so I quickly resigned myself to the floor. Crossing my legs, I hunched over and proceed to search for another twenty-five minutes.

I eventually found the book I needed and I pulled it out so I could turn it to over to read the cover. Giving a small nod and a brief hum in confirmation that this was indeed the book, I tucked it under my arm. Still sitting, I used my other arm to pat down my pocket and grab my cellphone. I unlocked it and abruptly winced with a hissing noise crawling up my throat as the suddenly bright light of my home screen illuminated my face. I didn't think the dimly lit library was that dark, but apparently I was rudely mistaken.

After blinking for a few seconds so I could adjust my eyes, I read over the rest of my syllabus. Once I made sure that no other reading material was currently needed, I used the palm of my hands to push off the ground and stumble onto my feet.

"Ugh, my feet fell asleep," I grumbled as I shook out the tingles clawing up my right foot. When both my feet stopped their tingling, I groaned and popped my back. I'm gonna grow a permanent hump in my back if I keep sitting like that…

I sighed before glancing back at my phone. "Whoops," I mumbled when I noticed the time. Back problems would be the least of my worries if I didn't get home soon.

Gathering my coat and slinging it over one arm, I made my way down the aisles to the front. Instead of watching where I was going however, I buried my nose in my phone.

When I reached the corner I knew Barbara's desk would be, I had yet to look up. I figured I didn't really need to. I had arrived at around five p.m. and barely a soul had been creeping around. Despite the lack of anyone being in the library, I did spot a young man. He had appeared to be around his early twenties, but I hadn't been able to see anything else as he had disappeared from the corner of my eye. I didn't think anything of him; after all, no one else seemed to be in here, and as long as I wasn't being bothered, I didn't care.

However, as I approached the end of the last row, I stopped and looked up quickly at the sound of playful voices. I ducked behind the shelf I was at, curiosity brimming in me. My head tilted to side like a confused dog, and I peered through the cracks between the books. I quickly noticed the man from earlier. He was leaning against the desk in front of Barbara, and before I could catch myself, I was gazing appreciatively at his form.

Clad in dark jeans and a dark navy button up, the man looked, ahem...attractive to say the least. The arms holding him up from the desk were covered by the button up, but even underneath the cloth I could tell his arms were muscular. His black hair seemed tousled and barely combed through, and the messy tresses framed his chiseled face in an attractive manner. He was tall too, around six foot with broad shoulders and a wiry but well built frame. He seemed to possess the same mysterious allure Barbara held when I first saw her, and a subtle grace few could recognize unless you were studying him as closely as I was.

Before I could assess anything more about him, I roughly shook my head and scolded myself. It was rude to stare after all. Plus I didn't even know this guy. For all I know he could be some horrible criminal who came to rob Barbara and any other unsuspecting bookworms (hey this was Gotham; not like it wouldn't happen). Though I knew I was being ridiculous, I firmly grasped that idea in my head as my main argument for not staring at the (hot) young man looming over Barbara.

After I mentally reprimanded myself and refocused on what was going on, I was able to (barely) hear the conversation going on in front of me. The soft murmur of voices were hard to make out, but the tone didn't seem threatening. In fact….

I think they were...flirting. Their body language told me if anything else. Both parties were leaning toward one another, no matter how subtle they thought they were being. Barbara had her chin cradled on the backs of her hands which were being held up at the elbows on her desk. The stranger also hovered over her hunched form, a smile teasing the side of his face.

Oh gross.

I scrunched my face up at the display, but I quickly pushed aside the reaction. No need to act immature, I reminded myself. I was after all a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic.

Doesn't mean I'm mature about semi-public displays of affection...though they aren't really doing anything…

"You going to stay there all night?"

I gave a startled yelp as I finally noticed that both Barbara and the stranger were staring directly at me. I quickly scrambled to my full height, a scarlet blush settling over my cheeks and ears. "Erm, no I wasn't planning on it…"

I walked out from behind the bookcase and watched Barbara's eyebrows raise in faint disbelief. "Were you spying on us?" She questioned with a hint of suspicion coloring her tone.

I cleared my throat uncomfortably. "I, uh, no. I didn't want to interrupt you and your boyfriend so I decided to wait until you were done...uh talking...so...yeah." I rubbed my hand over my bottom lip as my eyes darted to the floor.

Both parties were silent for few seconds before the young man gave a laugh. "You think we're dating?"

My eyes widened as they looked back up at them, my lips curling inward and face growing hotter. "You mean you guys aren't?"

Barbara scoffed, "In his dreams maybe."

"Oh." That's a shame. They would've been cute looking couple. "Sorry for making assumptions."

The man smiled at me. "It's okay. I'm Dick by the way."

I didn't offer my hand, but I returned his smile with a tentative one of my own. "Nice to meet you. I'm Leslie."

"I see you go to Gotham U," Dick remarked, his eyes pointedly aimed at the lettering on my shirt. I looked hurriedly down at my chest and mentally noted that I was indeed wearing a Gotham University T-shirt. Huh, I didn't even remember putting it on.

"Yeah, first year actually. I'm pretty excited. It seems like a great school so far."

"It's a pretty good school," Barbara chimed in, "I go there as well. I'm in my third year as a law major. Dick here is a business major in the same year."

I shouldn't have been surprised that both individuals went to Gotham University. They looked like young, intelligent people, and Gotham U was one of the better Universities in the area.

I smiled at the information before remembering the book tucked under my arm. "Oh, speaking of Gotham University, I was wondering if I could check out this book?"

Barbara shooed Dick away from the front of the desk and gestured for me to take his place. "Of course you can. Just give me a few minutes so I can set up an account for you."

I nodded and waited. When Barbara would ask a question, I would reply. Beyond that neither of us talked, and instead Dick was looking over his cellphone while I was busy staring determinedly at the interesting pattern the grains of wood made on the desk.

"There, now you can check out," Barbara declared. She held her hand out and I reached over to her so she could quickly scan the barcode

With an electronic beep, Barbara handed me back my book and I tucked it between my legs. I then pulled my jacket on, feeling vaguely like a marshmallow. Once I zipped it up and switched the book from my legs to my hands again, I turned to Barbara and Dick. "I guess I'll see you guys later then."

Barbara waved at me, a small smile on her lips. Dick's brow was furrowed at his phone, but he glanced up at me when I said goodbye and gave me a brief nod of acknowledgement with a flash of white teeth.

I ducked out of the library after that and made my way back to my dorm.

When I walked in, I found Beth curled up against the arm of the couch with her head propped up by her arm as she watched the news on the television. Her eyes swiveled towards me when she noticed my presence and asked in a lazy drawl, "Did you find what you needed?"

I held up my book as I plopped down beside her. I was beyond exhausted, and I relished in the feel of the soft cushion beneath me. Giving a large exhale, I snuggled deeper into the couch. Beth chuckled but didn't make another sound. An odd lullaby composed by the television's low electric hum and the news anchor's voice slowly caused my eyes to close. The last words I heard were ones that would, in a way I never expected, impact my life forever.

"In other news, Commissioner Gordon once again has disclosed that the mysterious vigilante known as the Batman and his partner, Robin have both have successfully helped the GCPD in apprehending the infamous Harley Quinn. Despite this, her long time partner, the Joker, is still at large…"