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- Audrey I hate to disappoint so here you go-new chapter :)

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Twenty-One

I could seriously use a drink right about now.

But seeing as though I'm in a public place where I'm underage and expected to set a good example, I'll just sip the juice in my hands. Tonight was the opening fundraising event for Bìnàn and everyone who was anyone in Central City was here. I suppose charity organization looks good on their million dollar tax returns cause none of them would be here out of the goodness of their hearts.

Tonight I was wearing a blue lace party dress with silver gladiator sandals and my hair was pulled back in a messy bun, I wore matching white gold and silver jewellery. I wasn't one of dressing up all fancy but tonight it was expected of me.

I was a party girl once upon a time, name a place and I'd be there lighting it up with the rest of them but these days I fight crime, work and stay in with my cat-how pathetic is that?

"Wow would you look at you," Iris gasped behind me.

I turned around to see Iris and Barry approach me. Iris wearing a black cocktail dress and Barry a suit. "Oh hi," I frowned.

"Not having fun?" Barry asked me, a grin decorating his face.

"Not particularly," I replied. "I've already been asked a dozen times if I'm one of the kids this place will look after. I think Casey is spreading rumours about me."

"Who?" Barry asked.

"Casey Waters," I replied. I pointed to the woman in the red dress flirting with a bunch of men in expensive suits. "She hates me. No idea why."

"Nice to see you talking to someone and not hiding by the food," River smirked when she came over. "Barry," she smiled, "and Iris. Nice to meet you again. I understand you have a blog about the Streak guy?"

Iris nodded. "Guess Barry told you?"

She nodded. "I read it. You're writing is amazing. I actually have a business proposition for you. When the situation calls for it-would you handle the press related issued both good and bad for Bìnàn?"

Iris's jaw dropped. "Oh my god. Mrs Harper that would be amazing. Thank you."

"Drop by tomorrow and we can talk," River winked.

"I'm gonna go get us some champagne," Iris grinned. She walked away practically doing a dance.

"That was really nice of you," Barry told her.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder, when I turned, Jess stood there holding a single blue rose right in my face. "You know I was walking home from the gym this afternoon and I saw this. I thought of you."

I raised an eyebrow. "You are cheesy, you know that?"

Jess laughed. He circled me and proceeded to put the rose inside my messy bun. "There-perfect."

River laughed and Barry stood there with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh Jess, this is my brother, Barry," I introduced him. "And you know River."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs Harper," Jess smiled, shaking her hand.

"And you, Jess," River smiled back. "Please, call me River. Mrs Harper makes me sound old. I'm only twenty-two."

"Which is utterly amazing," Jess assured her. "Deserted on an island for five years, presumed dead. Come back and you choose to use the wealth your father left you and your siblings to make a charity organisation to help underprivileged teens and the poor. I had offers from Central City, Metropolis and Gotham to work in their branches. Not many people jump at the chance to offer young kids like Charlie and me work."

At that point Casey chose to come over and make her presence known. "River, we have another fifty thousand dollar cheque," she smiled, butting in.

"Make sure you put it in the safe,"River grinned. "The best part about this stupid party is the money. I hate them otherwise." She looked back to me, "you'll have to come and see Sara tomorrow afternoon cause we leave the day after that."

"Anything for my little superhero," I smiled.

River walked away but stopped, turning, "forgot to tell you-you, Barry and Iris are at my table for dinner. Have to fill you in on what's going on with Tessa and Laurel. Plus Felicity wants to talk about possible engagement party dates for her and Oliver. We can hit a couple birds with one stone, yeah?"

Both Barry and I nodded.

Casey waited until she walked away and turned. "You never said you knew River."

"Didn't come up," I shrugged. "But if you're interested than yes she is a good friend to both Barry and me. Casey Waters, this is my brother Barry. Barry this is Casey. The reporter over there is my sister Iris."

"Your brother works for CCPD?" my boss suddenly asked. He must have been listening to the conversation. "Forensic science, correct?"

Barry paused. "Professor Axe!" he gasped.

"Wait you two know each other?" Jess asked.

"I taught at MIT," Simon told us, "back when Mr Allen here was the best and brightest we had. Chemistry-he was always very good at it. I hope you still are."

Barry nodded. "It's great to see you again, professor."

"It's just Simon now," he objected. "I got an offer to work at this place and couldn't refuse. Not after what Bìnàn did for my daughter in Starling City. Saved her life when I couldn't. I owe Mrs Harper and this charity. Tell me what you've been up to lately, Mr Allen."

Jess chuckled as the two men wandered off. "You look stunning tonight," he whispered in my ear.

I'm pretty sure this is how romance is supposed to be.

"I thought I'd pop on over and let you know that date number two is on the cards," he told me. "This Saturday afternoon I'll pick you up at two." Jess lent in and kissed my cheek. He winked and walked away to a group of caseworkers.

I sat my juice down on the table and headed through the crowd looking for the back door. I pushed the door open and entered the back alley for some fresh air. It was so hot and stuffy in there. These days heat always affected me-guess that was my weakness like cold was Barry's.

It was one of the most gorgeous cloudless nights tonight, I could see every constellation in the sky. Oliver had tried to teach me the constellations to know where I was at any given time but it never really took. I smiled, thinking what a perfect night for a cruise along the river it would be.

I gasped, feeling a sharp pinprick on the back of my neck. Suddenly I started to feel weak in the knees, I grabbed the wall for support and touched the back of my neck. There was something in there. I pulled a dart out of my skin and stared at it. "What the hell?" I muttered. Instantly my whole body just stopped working and I fell unceremoniously face first in the middle of the alley. My breathing was heavy and my eye lids started to droop as three blurry figures came into my line of sight. Whatever was in the dart was fast acting and stopping me from moving even my little toe.

The front figure knelt down in front of me. It was the woman in the black and orange mask. "You'll do nicely," she smirked, lifting her mask up. "Charlotte Allen."

Than everything went black.