A lot of things happened in the week following my decision to stay on the team. For one, Canary started pestering me about school. So did M'gann and Wally. M'gann because she wanted us to be gal pals. Wally because he didn't think it was fair for me to stay home. I refused and took to wandering around Happy Harbor with Loki trailing behind like a dog. Still no sign of Sanchez but to my surprise, Triple B came to see me. As I tell you all this, she and I are sitting on the beach, hidden from HQ and other prying eyes. More for her and Loki than for me.
"So, how's it goin'?' she asked.
"Fine. They want me to go to school," I replied.
"School never made anyone smarter," Triple B remarked.
She gnawed on one of her nails, watching the water intently.
"Your eyes," I began.
"No," she said, like always.
She sighed, looking at me.
"My life is sad, kid. I put my past behind me and that's where it's going to stay."
"Tell me something," I begged.
Triple B let out a sigh. She sighed a lot. She also coughed a lot. And sometimes, when she walked, she wobbled, as if unsteady though that probably had something to do with her heels.
"I never knew my parents," she said. "They both died in an attack."
Triple B stood.
"Why are you a criminal?" I asked.
"They were on their way to sell me to a circus," she said through gritted teeth.
Her manicured hands curled and the wind picked up. Loki whinnied nervously. I was learning that he could talk but preferred to keep that tidbit to himself around strangers. And Triple B
"My parents threw me off a cliff," I said.
Triple B calmed down after that. She even sat back down.
"Listen kid," she said. "I might not be able to see you for a while, okay?"
I looked at her.
"Why?"
"It's personal."
Everything was personal. She saw my face, which probably resembled a puppy she'd just kicked. Once more, she sighed.
"It's a job," she said.
I smiled.
"You do realize that I'm working with a team most likely be ruining this job?"
Triple B reached over, pinching my cheek.
"Hey now, smart mouth," she teased.
I laughed.
"Alright already," I laughed.
She let me go and stood again.
"See you there," she said.
She wanted to say more, I could tell but chose not to. Instead, she started walking away.
"Hey!" I yelled after her.
She half turned.
"What's Triple B stand for?" I asked.
I could see her smile from here.
"Black Brazilian Bitch!" she yelled back.
Somehow, I did go to school. Refusal seemed like a waste of energy. They couldn't really make me go. Plus, Canary had given me Sanchez back so I was set. Either way, I had to commute with Artemis which was anything but fun. She didn't seem interested in saving me from Gotham Academy's welcoming committee. Before you ask, no my eyes didn't creep anyone out as Batman had issued me some sort of contact that almost made me look normal. I say almost because I accidentally melted one so I was walking around half blinded by my black bangs. I hadn't had time to replace it just yet.
"Your first class is over there," Artemis said, almost smacking me as she sharply pointed right.
"Thanks," I said, laying on the sarcasm. "I'd be so lost without you."
Artemis eyed me.
"Look," she said. "Maybe this is the reason you're having trouble adjusting."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Did you bring your staff? Seriously?" she asked.
"Never leave home without it," I said, grinning at her.
She rolled her eyes.
"You are so weird."
Turns out my first class was gym. While I was grateful to get out of the uniform navy blazer, I was annoyed at having to exert myself first thing in the morning. Plus, one guy in particular kept looking at me and grinning. The girl next to him with red hair didn't seem too happy about it but acted like it was nothing. I couldn't sympathize. If she wanted any guy to look at her in gym, she had to ditch the sweatpants and actually wear shorts. I wanted to march over to Miss Jealousy but decided I'd dig into her some so I turned to the girl next to me.
"Hey," I said.
She looked shocked that I was talking to her. I nodded at the pair.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon," she answered dumfounded.
I nodded and turned away from her. Now I had a name. The coach blew the whistle, getting everyone's attention.
"Alright, line up!" she ordered.
Having no idea what she meant, I just followed the lead of one of the girls on my welcoming committee. Just what I needed. We were running the track today and like everything at a richy rich kids' school, the track was huge. By some huge coincidence, I ended up standing next to Barbara. She heard me sigh and her full lips drew back in a grin.
"Scared new kid?" she asked.
Few people can make something so innocent sound so evil and I vowed right there that I'd beat her. I crouched like everyone else.
"Hell no," I whispered back.
The coach whistled again. I had expected a gunshot but apparently a whistle meant go. I started later than everyone else. But I had spent my whole life running. I was fast when I needed to be. And right now, a backbreaking speed was necessary. Barbara was fast too and she had a head start. She was also passing all the kids who'd started out strong but were reduced to panting and wheezing kids who just wanted the class to be over. I dodged them, surprised to see Dick Grayson leading as we ran around the bend. He hadn't broken a sweat yet and he was ahead of Barbara. What was he? Thinking I was too far behind her to be much of a threat, Barbara slowed to a leisurely jog. That's when I really poured on the steam. In only seconds, I passed her, relishing the surprise I saw on her face. She struggled now to regain the speed she once had but failed. I smiled, unaware that my bangs had moved. Barbara stared in shock until I realized what she'd seen. I quickly covered it and promptly tripped over my shoelaces. Connecting with the ground really knocked the wind outta me and my head throbbed. I may have just achieved a minor concussion. Dick's face, twisted with worry, instantly filled my vision. He crouched beside me and the hand caressed the side of my face with no contact. Had he seen too?
"Coach is coming," he reported.
I was struck by how familiar his voice was.
"You remind me of-" I began.
He held a finger to his lips, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and moved away. Only minutes later did the coach and the nurse take his place. I let them fuss over me but kept an eye on Dick. There was no doubt in my mind that he was Robin.