Gotham High: Story Of The Dark Siders
9
Christmas Wasn't Mommy's Favorite
The clouds were gone. The skies were bright. The sun was shining. And the birds were singing...in Metropolis at least.
As usual, Gotham was full of rain and gloom and the residents were too used to it to even care.
Alfred stood silently at a corner as the rain hit the pavements below him. The umbrella he was holding swayed at the wind. The cars zipped fast past him almost spraying him with water.
The snow was going to fall soon.
The only time of the year where all of Gotham seemed a little more beautiful.
Alfred sighed as he realized he should have brought the car.
"Can I help you?", Jonathan asked as he opened his front door. There stood Edward and Oswald who were looking at the teen warily.
"Yes", Edward said looking over at Oswald. "We-ah... Just wanted to ah-".
"A-ask you about Jake", Oswald finished. Jonathan looked at the two of them before giving them both a hard glare.
"Why?", Jonathan asked.
"Well-It's just", Edward started before turning to Oswald. Oswald gave him a hard look before they both turned back to Jonathan. "Ok, Jonathan. Jake has been missing for weeks. We all know he wasn't the most liked out of everyone, but he was still our friend-", Oswald nudged him. "My friend". Jonathan glared at them both.
"First, It's only been a month and two weeks. Second, what makes you think I know where he is?"
"Because I saw you!", Oswald practically shouted.
"Ex-excuse me?", Jonathan asked after a moment of silence.
"I saw you. I saw you, Jake, Harley and Bane. In the middle of the night. Putting something in the fucking dirt".
"Merry Christmas everyone!", Pamela and other cheerleaders shouted throughout the school halls. Bruce sat quietly in one of the empty classrooms staring at a certain student's empty desk.
Truth be told, life was very different after Jake disappeared. The school student body just seemed to think without their insane leader balance was just not a thing. It wasn't before but now its just worse. And it started to take it's toil on Bruce.
Though they only knew each other for a few months, hated each other for those few months, Bruce still had felt him and the teen had a certain connection. Something special that he only had with Jake and Jake only had with Bruce.
The sophomore had been missing for almost two months now and was showing no sign of coming back. The days seemed to lag on without his laughter flowing through the halls. Everyone could feel it, even the teachers.
Since his disappearance Harley and Bruce have been in a steady relationship. But even that has lagged. Bruce knew, hell everyone knew Harley was only dating Bruce as a stand-in for Jake. The crazy dude was her world, her everything. And without him, Harley was nothing but a pretty face.
Bruce couldn't blame her. In Bruce's mind two months ago, he saw Jake as the enemy. Now, after many sleepless nights of thinking. He found that must have been how Jake just made friends. Coming on to Harley was the topic for one of their real arguments. Other things were just small petty things.
It was safe to say.
Jake Nipar was missed by everyone.
"You ok their Bruce?", Harvey asked as they were standing next to the entrance doors.
"Yep. Just the storm, I guess. Making me blue", Bruce replied staring out at the falling rain. "I hope Clark will be able to make the trip from Metropolis".
"It's not like it's snowing Bruce. I don't really know why it hasn't snowed yet it's almost Christmas".
"Agreed", Bane said walking out the door along with Waylon. "The rain is putting a damper on my holiday. Right, Waylon?", Bane asked turning to Waylon. Waylon gave him a long look before nodding his head.
"Right".
"What do want, Cross?", Harvey asked Bane.
"I just wanted to put in my two cents is all", Bane smirked. "Hey, Harls".
"Hi, Bane!", Harley said walking out the doors along side Barbara Gordon. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Nothing", Waylon grumbled. "Let's go". Harvey looked at the trio before walking away with Waylon.
"Jerks", Harley snarled. "Hey Bruce".
"Hey Harley", Bruce smiled. "Barbara", Barbara looked up at Bruce and smiled. "Ah..what are-?"
"We're going over to my house", Harley informed. "We were partnered for a group project in AP History yesterday".
"I offered my house since it's closer". Barbara spoke up. It was then Bruce realized this was the first time he ever heard the teen talk. Sure, he'd heard her talk before. But it was also in a crowd and you could never hear her voice. She had a nice one. Like her figure.
Whoa Bruce. Girlfriend standing right there.
"I don't like her house". Harley said.
"That's only because my dads' a cop".
"Well, no shit".
"I don't really see why that's a problem".
"I don't like cops. They're trouble".
"The people they arrest are trouble, Harleen".
"And so are cops".
"My father-".
"Ladies!", Bruce shouted. "There's no need to argue about something so trivial. Now, let's go". Barbara glared at Harley while Harley glared back.
"It's not trivial". Harley sneered.
"Let it go Harls".
"Alright losers", Jonathan sighed as he sat on his bed. He turned to Oswald, who was on a beanbag chair, and Edward, who was sitting at his desk. "So, what do you want to know?"
"What were you guys burying?" Edward asked.
"No. Next question". Oswald started but Edward cut him off.
"What the hell do you mean 'no'?"
"As in, I'm not suppose to talk about that. You can ask me anything else".
"But that's why we're here".
"Then you can leave".
"Or you tell us". Jonathan gave him a hard look.
"Listen shit for brains. I swore to Jack I wouldn't say anything and I ain't saying anything", He stood up at that. "Now get the fuck out my house".
"But Jonathan-", Oswald started.
"Out!", Jonathan yelled. Edward and Oswald jumped. They both got back up and stared at Jonathan before moving to the door.
"I'll just ask Harley then". Edward grumbled.
"Like she would betray us", Jonathan smirked.
"Thanks for the ride Bruce", Barbara said. Bruce smiled at her. "It's a really nice car".
"No problem", Bruce replied. "And it's too bad I can't drive it". He added gesturing to Alfred in the front.
"It's a tragedy sir", Alfred commented.
Barbara laughed at that while Bruce glared at him a little.
"You have a nice laugh", Bruce said. Barbara looked at Bruce for moment before blushing and turning away.
"Thanks".
Whoa Bruce. Don't send the girl wrong signals.
Maybe?
"We are here Miss Gordon", Alfred stated as they stopped in front of the apartment building.
"Thank you again Bruce, Alfred".
"Like I said, no problem".
"She's a nice girl Master Bruce. Friend of yours?" Alfred asked as they drove away.
"Actually she's Harley's partner for a project".
"Oh. So she's not your friend?"
"Jesus Alfred, yes. I guess she is a friend now. God, why do you always do that?"
"Do what, Master Bruce?" And Bruce swore he heard the smirk in Alfred voice.
Harley shut the door loudly as the limo drove off. That stupid girl! She was obviously trying to impress Bruce with here intelligence. Like she had any.
"I'll get her later", Harley muttered as she walked up stairs to her room.
Her bedroom door banged against the wall as she strolled in and slammed shit as she closed.
"Little bitch. I'm way prettier than her anyways".
"I'm sure". Harley loudly screamed as she looked at the figure next to her closet.
"What the hell are you doing here?!"