Another chapter up! Starting to lose my drive to write this fanfic though. The views have definitely gone up so that is a plus so hows about those reviews do the same? I know, I know...I said in the beginning that I knew that reviews would be on the low side with this particular category of fanfics but who doesn't like to know how their story is doing? Anyways, the story will be jumping into some drama here soon and some events that will change the OC quite a bit. Stick around if you want to find out what happens.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice.
Chapter Five
First day of school…
Over the course of the month of July, Aaliyah had found herself in the company of Wally, Robin and Megan. The other boy never seemed to want to hang out with them but that didn't stop them. Aaliyah, much to her surprise, found herself actually shopping with Megan. The older girl was starting to grow on her, like an older sister and Aaliyah was beginning to enjoy her company.
Wally would still annoy her with his antics but she found most of them quite funny. Both he and Robin always seemed to want to try and outdo the other which fed her need for entertainment. The teens would meet at the diner often, or when Aaliyah would get a random phone call from Wally or Megan.
There was an incident at the power plant when it was attacked and Aaliyah got her first glance at the young superheroes that she had heard so much about. She couldn't hide the fact that she was beside herself with excitement but for the sake of not wanting bodily harm she remained at a distance.
The sound of the bell snapped her out of her thoughts as she then had to run to her first class to avoid being late. "Great first day and I'm already screwing it up." She huffed when she barely made the late bell.
Most of the students at the school seemed nice enough, a lot wanting to know about where she was from and more about herself. These were questions that she didn't really feel like answering so she stuck with short answers and played as if she wasn't interested in the topic of her life. The clock on the wall seemed to slow down each time she looked at it, it was her lifeline to getting out of here and it was messing with her.
Lunch time didn't seem to get there quick enough as Aaliyah pulled out her lunch box and sat down at a table in the corner of the large cafeteria. She pulled her phone out as well and hid it under the table as she sent a much needed text.
Hey Aaron – Aaliyah
It was a few minutes before she received a response.
Hey Ali. How's life? – Aaron
Peachy! – Aaliyah
Ha! What's up? – Aaron
At lunch and missing you guys – Aaliyah
Oh so we are only good for lunch buddies huh? - Aaron
No! – Aaliyah
Ha-ha. I know what you mean. It's empty here without you. – Aaron
I miss you guys– Aaliyah
We miss you too Ali – Aaron
I miss you – Aaliyah
I miss you too Ali – Aaron
Aaliyah looked at the time and let out a low sigh.
Sorry I have to cut this short but I'm running out of time. I still need to eat my lunch. Talk to you later? – Aaliyah
Of course – Aaron
She smiled at her phone as she put it back in her bag and began eating her forgotten lunch. The rest of the day dragged on and by the end Aaliyah was dragging herself to the exit. As much as she wanted to sprint far, far away from the building she just couldn't muster up the strength to do so. I either need to make friends here or risk getting into serious trouble. Boredom is a troublemaker.
A familiar shadow passed in front of her as she walked out of the school. It circled around her several times before seeming to vanish. She looked up quickly but the bird was definitely gone.
"Hey Aaliyah!" It was Megan and that other boy. Aaliyah waved at the two, trying for a small smile. She really was happy to see some familiar faces after all the bombardment during her first day. They were high school students so them being here caught the attention of the other middle school students soon enough.
"Hi." She could feel the curious gazes on her form as the two older teens approached her. A few students stopped and smiled at the older boy and waved sending him a quick 'hi' which he ignored.
"Want to meet us at the diner today?" The question was asked before the two had even gotten close to her.
Aaliyah thought about it for a moment then shrugged, "Sure. I don't have anything else to do, first day doesn't always end with loads of homework."
Megan smiled at the younger girl and clapped her hands together, "Great! Conner and I will get the others together."
"We will?" oh so the boy, Conner, does know how to speak and he does have a name. Aaliyah snickered at his tone and flat expression. His features softened when Megan smiled at him but didn't say more.
"See you there, Aaliyah!" the older girl called out as she grabbed Conner's arm and pulled him in another direction.
Aaliyah couldn't help but smile at the two, they were cute together. Megan was bubbly and Conner seemed more reserved, total opposites but they do say opposites attract, right? Kind of made her think of why she enjoyed hanging out with Wally, he was more energetic compared to her more quiet and laid back ways.
The bench near the road was empty so she decided to sit there until her mother arrived to pick her up. Listening to music once again to drown out any unwanted noise sounded like the perfect way to pass the time. The song was a little dark but she found it strangely comforting in a sense, sometimes she weirded herself out.
About a minute into the song and her focus was slowly fading into the melody. A feeling of weight on her shoulder made her jump slightly, whoever it was is about to get knocked out. She looked to her right and saw no hand but feet, bird feet to be exact. What the heck? She looked up and gasped dropping her phone, it ripped the earbuds out of her ear as it smashed to the ground.
Beady eyes stared into her green ones, a crimson red beak was now about an inch from her nose as the dark bird loomed over her. It seemed to study her for a moment before looking forward, she wasn't sure why but she followed its line of sight. Nothing was there so she turned her attention back to the larger than normal crow that now sat perched on her shoulder.
"Have you been following me?" As if she really expected an answer from a bird, she huffed and looked down at her now broken phone and groaned.
"I have…" a slightly raspy feminine voice echoed.
Her head whipped to the bird with wide eyes, "U-um, did you say something? Please tell me I am imagining things."
The bird looked at her once more, its beady eyes darting around. She let out a sigh of relief, I must be losing it, seriously. A bird stalking me? Ha! Yeah I am a serious nutcase.
"Look at me, broke my phone and talking to a freaky bird." She threw her left arm up in exasperation then hit her forehead.
"You'll get a headache doing that ya know…"
Her hand slid down her face slowly, peeking through her fingers at the bird that still sat perched on her shoulder staring at her. It ruffled its feathers a bit and turned its attention back to the area in front of them. Once again Aaliyah found her line of sight following the birds.
"Ok, that's twice, twice!" Her temper started to flare, she felt like at total lunatic sitting on a bench with a big freaking black bird on her shoulder that she just so happened to think was now talking to her. "How are you doing that? Your beak doesn't move so I'm guessing your voice is in my head?" She hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. Wow, am I really doing this right now?!
"Calm down child, you seem to be a little distracted…and yes, because of a certain connection, I can communicate with you this way. However, you cannot do the same."
"Ha! Distracted doesn't exactly cover the fact that I am sitting here talking to a bird. More like one step closer to a tight white jacket and padded room." She knitted her eyebrows together, "Wow, I cannot believe I am doing this. And you being in my head seems like a total invasion of privacy, which I am not too fond of." Her voice now a whisper as to not draw any attention if she hadn't already.
"I cannot delve into a mind and invade private thoughts, this is simply how I communicate."
Aaliyah crossed her arms looking off into the distance at nothing, she was trying to take all this in. As strange as it all was, she had to admit it was kind of cool in a completely crazy way.
The crow looked back to her, bowing its head slightly, "It would seem I have troubled you."
Aaliyah's eyes narrowed, "Troubled? That doesn't even begin to cover it feather head." She shifted her gaze around to make sure no one else was around to see the little display.
"You don't seem all that troubled as you have not asked me to let you alone."
With a low growl, "That is a good question, why haven't I turned you into roadkill?"
"That would require the desire, you do not possess that desire child. You are curious, no?"
She balled her fists tight at the words, "Curious? Of course I am curious, what exactly is going on here? Even if I am going nuts, I still have enough sense left to know that this is not normal."
"That will be answered in due time, I am merely here to test you."
"Test me? For what?" The urge to yell was killing her and she held her tongue, biting it until it bled.
The crow shifted its beady eyes forward again and nodded slightly. Without warning it flew off of her shoulder and towards a tree a good distance away disappearing from view.
She narrowed her eyes in the direction the bird had flown, "Well it's official, I am losing it." The sound of a horn tore her attention from the tree, her mother stopped the truck in front of her waving. Aaliyah grabbed her broken phone and her bag getting up and walking to the truck.
"So how was your first day?" Her mother's voice was cautious but bright.
Aaliyah looked out the window at the school and then looked at the bench she had been sitting at. A small frown forming, "Interesting is an insignificant word to be used to describe my day."
A few hours later…
Aaliyah stood outside the diner that she had come to love, she still didn't do well with the large amount of people that would usually be in it but having a few friends waiting for her inside made it easier. She opened the door and found it about half full, to her delight of course, with her friends sitting at a table towards the back.
They seemed to be in deep conversation about something that ended abruptly once Conner spotted her and jabbed Robin in the side. All of them turned to look at her and waved, gesturing for her to come sit down.
Taking a quick look over her shoulder she slowly made her way towards the table. Thoughts of what had happened earlier had plagued her mind to the point she was unable to focus. The words the freaky bird had spoken were true, she was beyond curious and a bit troubled.
She approached the table and Wally pointed to the open seat next to him, "Saved you a seat next to your favorite person." He smiled.
"Yeah, me." An arm wrapped around her shoulders once she was seated. Looking over to the owner of the arm she saw a smiling Robin.
She sent him a brief smile before turning and leaning forward on the table.
"What?! You punch me when I supposedly invade your 'bubble' but not him?!" Wally pointed to Robin who held a triumphant and smug look on his face.
"It's because I am her favorite." Robin teased Wally as he pulled Aaliyah closer.
"Dude! You are so not her favorite." Wally pouted which made Robin laugh.
Without warning Aaliyah stood up from the table causing Robin's arm to drop. "I need to get some fresh air. I'll be back in a minute." Her tone was flat as was her expression, this seemed to worry the others as they watched her walk out of the diner.
"What do you think is wrong with her?" Megan asked placing her fingers to her lips. The worried look she held was pushing her to follow the girl but before she had the chance Wally stood up.
"I'll go find out." He walked passed the table and towards the door. He found her sitting on the bench looking off into nothing. Clearing his throat caught her attention and she looked to him with a blank expression. "Mind if I sit?" He pointed to the space beside her.
She shrugged her shoulders and looked away from him. Usually Wally was all about throwing out a joke and teasing her but right now something was off. He sat down with his hands in his pockets and leaned back so his head was resting on the brick wall.
"So," he cleared his throat again, "what's up?"
She let out a long sigh and leaned forward placing her elbows on her knees, "Just…nothing, it's nothing."
"Seems like something to me." He turned his head as it still rested on the wall and looked at the girl sitting next to him.
She looked up at him, green eyes meeting green eyes, taking a deep breath. "I think I'm losing my mind."
Wally looked at her, both eyebrows raised, "Uh oh. Where is your music?" He sat forward quickly which made her jump.
"My music?" She let out a huff of irritation, "I dropped my phone earlier today and broke it."
"How long ago was that?" He asked in a rush.
She looked at him with a stern but curious look, "A few hours. Why? What does this have to do with anything?"
He let out a long sigh and stood up extending his hand, "Good there is still time to save you then."
"Huh?" now she was totally lost.
"No time!" He said in mock horror as he grabbed her hand, "I can see it is already taking affect."
He pulled her up and started walking away from the diner. Aaliyah glanced back and then turned to focus on him. "Where are we going and what about the others?" She pointed back with her thumb at the diner as the distance grew.
"We are going to save you from the nuthouse." He turned and smiled at her.
She raised an eyebrow, "O-kay?" She said slowly lowering her head.
He pulled her into a nearby electronics store and headed straight for the back. They walked the isle for a moment before he finally stopped in front of a display of iPods. It was then that Aaliyah realized what was going on and she laughed, "Seriously?"
"What?" He turned to her and shrugged. The movement caused Aaliyah to stiffen, now noticing that he had yet to let go of her hand. Heat rose to her cheeks as she tugged her hand a bit trying to get it loose from his. Her faced burned hotter when his hand tightened around hers instead of doing what she was hoping it would.
Wally kept to looking at the selection of iPods on display and tried not to make direct eye contact. He had instinctively tightened his hand when he felt the slight tug not knowing exactly why he did it.
"Um, Wally?" Her voice was small and not like her usually strong one. She stepped forward placing her free hand on her chin as she looked at the display, "What am I supposed to be doing here?" Ignoring the feel of his hand was harder than she thought. Focusing her attention on what was in front of her was a good start though.
He looked down at her as she looked to be studying the devices, "Well we are here to help with your addiction." He smiled.
Her eyes stopped moving over the various devices and focused on the slightly taller boy, "My addiction?"
"Yep. I don't usually help feed an addiction but I don't want our next encounter to be me visiting you in the nuthouse." He tried to sound serious but the smile that was threatening to show was making it hard.
"Uh huh, and who says I would let you visit?" She felt him loosen his grip on her hand and took the opportunity to pull it free and cross her arms. She had a kind of mental sigh at the relief of now having her hand free.
His smile widened, "Awe come on. I think the better question is why you wouldn't?"
She laughed as she shook her head at him and turned to look at the devices again. "Well, this will just have to wait anyways. I can't pay for them right now."
"It's cool I got this." He shrugged with a slightly smug look on his face. Before she had the chance to argue he had grabbed one and started heading to the counter faster than she could blink. She hadn't even made it to the counter in time to stop him from paying for it before he was heading towards the exit.
He walked out of the store with the bag in hand and shot a quick smile and wave to her over his shoulder. Aaliyah stopped in front of the counter where the clerk stood with a smile. She looked at the woman who looked to be in her mid-30s or so. "Please tell me he didn't really buy that and he walked out with an empty bag."
The older woman chuckled, "I'm afraid he did indeed buy it."
Aaliyah found herself hitting her forehead with her palm again, at this rate I just might give myself a headache doing this.
The older woman chuckled again, "You two make a cute couple."
Aaliyah's faced paled and then turned a new shade of scarlet as she looked at the clerk. Immediately she started waving her hands in front of her, "Oh, no, no, no. He isn't my boyfriend. He is just a friend that, uh, just so happens to be a boy. Not in any way like that." She took in a long breath of air at the sudden loss as she had rambled it all out in one breath.
The older woman laughed at Aaliyah's embarrassment, "Ok, ok." She looked at the younger girl with a gleam in her eyes, "He seems sweet and genuine. Friend or not, I see more." With that she turned and walked to the back of the store humming to herself.
Aaliyah stared at the woman as she disappeared behind some tall shelves and then looked towards the door. "He is just a friend." The need for convincing was there and telling herself out loud did the trick. That was until she stepped outside and saw him casually leaning on the wall to the left of the door, hands in his pockets. She could feel the blush coming on once again but quickly pushed it away.
She suddenly had the urge to punch him and after what happened in the store she intended on doing just that. He looked up to her as she walked towards him, he smile for a second before she reared back and hit him in the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" his smile now replaced with mild shock. He gripped the arm she had hit and looked at her like she had just done the most horrible thing in the world.
"Look," she let out a weary sigh, "it's not like I don't appreciate what you did, ya know buying that and all but…" her face heated up as she thought about what she was going to say next.
"Then why did you hit me?" He pouted a bit.
A low groan escaped her lips as she gripped her head with her hands refusing to look him in the eye. "This is so embarrassing."
"What is?" He let his hand fall down as he pushed himself off of the wall and turned to face her.
She looked up at him then looked away just as quickly, "The older lady in there, thought you were my boyfriend." She murmured.
It was silent for a moment before Wally burst out laughing making her jump slightly.
"And what is so funny?" she placed her hands on her hips as she scowled at him.
"Really? That is why you are upset?" He continued to laugh but it slowly lightened up.
She puffed her cheeks out and crossed her arms, "Yes!"
Laughter slowly turned into chuckling and the amusement in this voice was thick, "What's so bad about that?"
Her face fell flat and she uncrossed her arms, "I'm done talking about this." She walked around him and headed back in the direction of the diner, Wally turned and jogged to her side. Thoughts of Aaron ran through her mind along the way but were soon replaced with thoughts of the energetic red head walking beside her. I can't like Wally, not like that. I like Aaron but…he is so far away and our lives are on completely different paths now.
By the time the two had reached the diner Aaliyah's shoulders had slumped again and she had fell completely silent. Besides the fact that the walk back that had been relatively silent, she couldn't find it in herself to speak to the others now either.
"Hey are you ok?" Wally asked as they neared the door to the diner.
She looked up at him and then looked off in another direction, "I don't know."
"Look if it's about what happened back there-" he started but was quickly cut off.
"It's not that. I just have a lot on my mind. Sorry, and I really do appreciate you buying this for me." She smiled and pointed to the new iPod. Wally smiled and nodded.
He reached for the door opening it and waving his hand for her to go in first. They both walked to the table the others were still sitting at and took their previous seats. Conversation started again as if they had never left and Aaliyah felt herself falling into a comfortable place.
"He seems nice enough."
Aaliyah's eyes widened and scanned the area quickly, her gazed stopped suddenly when she spotted the familiar bird sitting on the window sill of the diner. She narrowed her eyes at the bird and turned her attention back to her friends.
"Keep him close, never know when you might need him. Or the others."
She looked back to the window but the bird was gone. Whatever.
A few hours later, at home….
Aaliyah had just gotten out of the shower and was in the process of getting dressed for bed when there was a knock on her door. She quickly pulled her shirt over her head and rushed to the door.
"Hey sweetie." Her mom chirped.
"Hey, what's up?" Aaliyah turned to pick up the discarded towel and threw it into the hamper.
"Well I wanted to see if you were doing alright." He mom walked into the room and sat down on her bed.
"I'm fine." She looked at her mom and walked to the bed to sit next to her. "Why?"
"Well, you were really quiet on the way home. You are usually quiet but you seemed, distracted." Her mother narrowed her eyes a bit.
Aaliyah scoffed, "Distracted doesn't even cover it." She threw herself back onto the bed and groaned.
Her mother's faced turned from concern to amusement as she raised an eyebrow, "Is it a boy?"
Aaliyah whimpered as she placed both hands on her face, "Not you too."
"Me, too?" Her mom leaned towards Aaliyah and pulled her hands off of her face. "Spill."
Another groan, more like growl, escaped her throat, "My friend Wally found out about my phone and decided to take me to an electronics store to buy this." She grabbed the iPod that was sitting on her bed and showed her mom.
"Well that was nice of him. Is this why you are so down?" Her mom asked as she examined the device.
"No." Aaliyah looked at her mom as her cheeks heated up, "The clerk there thought that Wally was my, boyfriend." She looked down at saying the word 'boyfriend' and tried to hide the growing embarrassment.
The sudden laughter caught her by surprise and she looked at her mom with shock.
"That is why you have been acting like this?" Her mom continued to laugh.
"Yes!" Aaliyah snapped but apologized as soon as she realized what she had done.
Her mom placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled, "Don't be embarrassed, I can understand why they thought that. It's not often you see an act of kindness like that without there being more."
"Yeah," she smiled weakly at her mom, "guess I just overreacted."
"Do you like him?" The question was a little straight forward for Aaliyah's liking. She stared at her mom with wide eyes and looked down at the iPod that rested in her hands.
Her eyes softened as she studied it, running her fingers over the sleek exterior. "I think I'm in trouble." She murmured.
She heard her mom sigh and then felt a hand on her back, "I think you like this boy but you are afraid of admitting it." With that she stood from the bed and walked out of the room.
"I think she is right."
Aaliyah growled as she looked at the window where the black bird was perched, staring at her with those creepy beady eyes.
"Who asked you?!" She threw a pillow at the window but it didn't seem to faze the bird.
"No one but it doesn't take a genius to see that you have developed feelings for this boy."
Thoughts of Aaron ran through her mind again but were once again clouded as thoughts of Wally overtook her mind, she plopped back down on to the bed again. She stared at the ceiling for a while before sitting back up. The bird was still sitting on her window sill so she walked over to the window and opened it. She gestured for the bird to come into the room but turned and walked away from the window before it had a chance to move.
"Feelings are a burden." She mumbled as she laid back on the bed. A moment later she felt a light weight on her stomach, she looked up to see the bird. It looked down at her then hopped off and stood to the left side of her head.
"A burden huh?"
"Yeah a burden." She said through gritted teeth. "It's not worth it."
"You are a terrible liar child. Even I can see that you have 'feelings'."
She looked over at the bird and with a huff rolled onto her right side, "You are getting on my nerves."
"You are fooling no one but yourself, child." There was a short pause, "I will return at a later time. I am unsure as to when but know that I will be contacting you again in the future."
The bird flapped its wings once sending it gracefully towards the window where it disappeared into the night once again.
Aaliyah sat up and looked at the open window, she rolled her eyes as she stood up and walked towards it. Peeking out of the window once again she was frozen as she noticed the silhouette standing in the same spot once again. She regained her bearings as the figure's head moved to look up in her direction. In a quick motion she slammed the window shut and jerked the curtains closed.
Her back hit the window and she ran a hand through her hair, "We really should consider getting a dog." She mumbled and walked to her bed.
So there will be events in the future chapters as well as a time lapse later on eventually setting my OC into Season 2. Thoughts so far?
