A/N: Because my beta likes Kyle/Verena moments...

BROOKLYN
AUGUST 20, 2010
12:17 EDT

KYLE RAYNER

"Hey there," Verena greeted me, taking a seat in front of me. "I didn't know you were going to be part of this tour."

"I didn't know you were going to be here," I replied back. "No wonder why your name sounded so familiar. There aren't many Verenas around here."

"Well, if it helps, I never told you my last name, so you probably wouldn't have made the connection," Verena told me.

I supposed so.

My art design class was taking a tour around the WayneTech branch in Brooklyn, and to my surprise, our tour guide had introduced Verena as one of the elite members of the company. She had given me a small smile when she saw me, but other than that, didn't fully address me.

Right now though, it was our lunch break and Verena had joined me for lunch. … Well, more like she texted me to grab a seat as she was informing us about her job at WayneTech.

I don't know why he caught my attention, probably because he wore a plain black t-shirt and ratty old jeans and a pair of old, worn boots in the midst of all of the clean-cut employees, but he did. He scanned the area for a second before looking directly at Verena, who was still talking to me.

He approached our table and grabbed a chair, sliding it next to Verena's easily. "Hey there, kid," he greeted. He nodded his head at me to show that he acknowledged my existence before throwing an arm over the younger girl's shoulder.

"Hal!" Verena stopped in her talking to greet the man. She threw her arms around the man like he was her long-lost uncle before pulling back. "Glad you could make it!"

The brunet chuckled softly and then patted the girl's head affectionately. "You called, so of course I came. Anything for you, kid." He then turned to me and stuck out a hand kindly. "I'm Hal, Hal Jordan."

I took his hand and he shook it firmly. "Kyle Rayner," I introduced myself.

"How old are you?" Hal asked with genuine curiosity. "You look around Roy's age."

I didn't know who Roy was, but I replied, "I turn eighteen in October."

Hal turned to Verena curiously. "How old's Roy?"

"He's eighteen in November," Verena replied without missing a beat. She turned to me and explained, "Roy's my best friend, second to Dick. Dick's my adoptive brother."

The name immediately clicked in my head. Dick Grayson was Bruce Wayne's first adoptive child. He was only nine years old and his parents had suffered from a major accident during a performance, which Bruce Wayne was attending. I, however, didn't think it was an accident, but whatever.

"Roy… is he some other famous adoptive kid I should know?" I joked.

"Actually, he's Oliver Queen's son." Hal chuckled. Well, crap. I was just kidding, but okay. He observed me with a squinting look and said, "So how'd the kid rope you in?" He grinned.

"I was in Central Park when I saw her. She's a unique girl," I responded, smiling softly at the memory. Talk about special. It hasn't even been a week since I've known her and I feel like she's the younger sister I've never had.

"She is," Hal nodded his head, agreeing with me fully. "You should tell me when she overloads you with her energy, alright?" Hal commented.

"Alright," I nodded my head, though I doubted I'd get tired of her.

"I'm still here, y'know."

"Really?" Hal asked, looking around jokingly. Then he looked down at Verena. "Oh man, you're so short I forgot."

A/N: Ugh. I did horrible on today's Calculus test and I've been so stressed. Make me happy and leave a review/request? :3