Chapter 19:

"Alright, today we're going to play dodgeball," the coach said.

"Oh, boy…" Daphne groaned.

"Cool! I love dodgeball!" Shirley exclaimed.

Most of the students were not motivated to play but it was their coach's request. Damian was confused because he was not exposed to such sport.

"What's a dodgeball?" he asked Max.

"It's easier to play than to explain. You'll get it in an instant," the brown haired replied.

"Hmm…" the coach hummed as he looked at the students.

The students looked at each other. The coach chose Damian and Tom as the leaders of different teams. He told them to pick their team members.

"Alright… I pick Cynthia," Tom started.

Damian glanced up at Tom before saying, "Daphne."

Daphne mentally groaned. She went to his side. Tom picked his next member. Max and Shirley were picked by Damian. They explained to him what they know about dodgeball. The boy listened and nodded to each explanation. The game started and Daphne was to run and get the ball. Tom's team started to throw the balls. Damian swiftly caught the one Tom threw.

"He's cool," Max muttered.

"He has good reflexes and sharp eyes," Daphne explained, understanding Damian, "…and is a real hardhead."

The orange haired jumped away from a ball which almost hit her. Shirley caught one but gave it to Damian to throw. Soon, only Daphne's three bullies remained. Daphne gave out a small smirk. She was going to enjoy throwing balls at them. Damian was holding a ball. He pondered before handing it to her.

"Do you want to finish them?" he asked.

"Sure," Daphne said, taking the ball with a smile.

She calmly threw at one of the girls. All three screamed and one was out. Shirley and Max stifled their laughs. In the end, Damian's team came out victorious. They do have Damian and Daphne on their team after all. Shirley was quite an athletic type too.

"That was a good game. Break!" the coach said.

Shirley and Max cornered Damian. "That was awesome!" they shouted.

Damian took a glimpse at a shrugging Daphne. He turned back to her two friends. Shirley excused herself to catch up with Daphne who was walking up to a bench. Damian heaved a sigh.

Max decided to ask, "So, what's your deal with Daphne?"

The boy furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?" he asked.

The brown haired laughed and shook his head. "Never mind…"

Daphne packed her things as the bell rang. It was the end of school. She sighed, glad that she was able to get through another day with Damian as a classmate. He didn't get a chance to talk to her much since the other girls would bug him most of the time.

"Why are they so persistent…?" Damian sighed angrily.

Shirley chuckled. "Because you're a Wayne I guess…" she replied.

He turned around to speak to Daphne but she was already heading to her bike. He didn't give up that day, so he rushed to catch up with her.

"I wonder why he is so into her…" Max muttered.

"I don't know. Whenever I asked, he'd dodge the question," Shirley replied.

"She did the same thing. They have that in common," the brown haired said and they both laughed.

Damian caught her figure at the front gate. He rushed to get her. He pulled at her arm before she could paddle away. She turned to him.

"I need to talk to you," he said.

Daphne gave out a small smile. "Okay… What is it?" she asked.

He was about to say something but Alfred had suddenly arrived. He mentally groaned, wishing that Alfred was a little bit late that day. Daphne smiled when Alfred lowered the window.

"Hello, Miss Daphne," he greeted her.

"Hello, Alfred. It has been a while," she replied.

Alfred turned to Damian who was still standing beside the girl. He smiled at his action.

"Would you care to join us for dinner, Miss?" he invited the girl.

"Hmmm? I guess I could, but I'll have to inform Delphinium first," Daphne gave in, oblivious that Alfred was actually helping Damian.

"That would be good. I miss cooking with you, Miss," Alfred muttered calmly.

Daphne nodded and replied, "I'll follow you two with my bike, okay?"

Alfred nodded. Damian got into the car. Daphne sent a text to her sister and a text to her maids. She started to paddle towards Wayne Manor. It was one more day before the party. Daphne hadn't decided whether to attend it or not. Having to paddle towards the manor made her think about the party. She abruptly sighed. They soon arrived at the manor. Daphne parked her bike beside the car. Alfred showed her to the kitchen. She happily followed him. Of course, Damian was watching.

"I will give you a chance to speak to her, Master Damian. Have dinner with her," he remembered what Alfred had said in the car.

He sighed as he entered the manor. Daphne didn't have a change of clothing and the only one that she left at the manor was her maid uniform. She put that on since she didn't want to dirty her casual clothing. Alfred enjoyed her company. They cooked dinner together while Damian lied in his bed, thinking of the best way to tell Daphne how he feels.

"How is the company holding up?" Alfred asked.

"Oh, it's actually pretty good. We have lots of shareholders and partners helping us out and teaching us. My sister is doing great," Daphne replied with a smile.

Alfred nodded. "I am glad then. Master Bruce has been wondering about the two of you after you left. He mentioned about visiting you," he said.

Daphne wiped her hands after washing them. She said, "He hasn't though…"

"Soon I hope," the butler said.

Daphne rushed to get the soup out of the pot and into the bowl. Alfred scooped up rice onto the plate. Damian entered the kitchen. The food was already on the counter but was not yet served at the dining table. He told them that his father would be on his way home. Alfred raised a brow at him.

Damian sighed. "Eat with us?" he asked Daphne.

Daphne blinked before giving a small nod. She went to serve everything on the dining table. They suddenly heard a car's lock and assumed it was Bruce Wayne.

"He has become a little bit obedient at times…" Alfred made a remark about Damian.

"But is still a hardhead," Daphne complained, turning to Alfred, "One time, he got into a fight with another boy from our class just because the boy caused his team to lose in a basketball match."

Alfred chuckled. "Sounded like him indeed."

Daphne laughed. Bruce made an appearance to the kitchen. He smiled when he saw the girl.

"I thought I heard a familiar voice around here," he muttered.

Daphne washed her hands, wiped them dry and rushed to hug her former caretaker. She jumped up to wrap her arms around Bruce's neck. Bruce patted her head lovingly and held her waist. She tightened her hug because she missed him so much.

"How have you been, Daphne?" he asked.

"Good…" was all she answered.

"Did you help Alfred cook?" he asked, walking to the dining room with her.

Daphne gave a nod. Damian rushed down the stairs to the dining room. He stopped when he saw Daphne talking with his father. He walked up to them. Bruce looked at him as he took a seat beside the man.

"We've been waiting for you," he said.

"Welcome back, father," Damian replied.

Bruce patted his head, earning a scowl from him. They started to eat quietly after that. Damian did glance up at Daphne once in a while but that was all. He decided not to tell her anything yet, seeing how happy she was to have seen his father and Alfred that day. It was enough to satisfy him. After dinner, Daphne stayed to do the dishes and to help Damian with the homework. Bruce and Alfred listened in as they argue about calculations and science facts. Damian didn't want to listen to her at all, causing her to feel useless at some point. It was late when she decided to go home.

"Why don't you just stay here? I'll send you home first thing in the morning," Bruce offered.

Daphne shook her head. "Thank you for the offer, but I'd rather go home now. It's not midnight yet, even though it is way past my bedtime," she replied.

"If you say so. I'll follow you with my car," he insisted.

"That would be nice," she smiled.

Delphinium, Tiara, and Mana watched as Daphne ran around the kitchen to make breakfast. Even though they have two maids, they decided to take turns cooking and doing chores. Their maids are more of companions than servants. It was Daphne's turn that day and she had forgotten all about it. Adding the fact that she got home late the night before, she overslept that day. Still, they like teasing her.

"It's okay, Sis. We'll cook," Delphinium suddenly spoke up.

"No. It's my turn. I'm almost done anyway. Eggs and bacon are good, right?" she replied.

"Sure, Miss," Mana replied, getting nods from the other two.

"I'll go get my stuff ready for school now," she sighed, rushing up the stairs.

"She is so messed up today," Delphinium remarked.

Tiara nodded. "Regarding the party, has she decided yet?" she asked.

The older Aldrin sighed and shook her head. "She didn't say a word about it. Mr. Wayne contacted two days ago, saying that he has something to discuss with us. So, I'm certain I'm going," she explained.

"I see. Shall we prepare your attire?" Mana asked.

"Yeah, that'll be good. It is tonight after all… I have to come home early," Delphinium replied.

"Okay. Are you wearing a dress?" Tiara asked.

They caught sight of Daphne dashing out of the house. A smirk suddenly formed on Delphinium's face. She suddenly had an idea to tease Damian.

"On second thought, get my sister a dress instead. Bring them over to the office after lunch," she decided.

Tiara and Mana looked at each other. They could definitely read the young Aldrin's smirk so they didn't ask any questions. Delphinium told them where to get Daphne a dress and some hair accessories. She told them to bring her makeup kit as well. The two nodded.

Meanwhile, Daphne arrived at the school in the nick of time. The bell rang exactly when she parked her bike. Before she could reach her classroom, she bumped into Damian who happened to be reading the Science textbook. She stopped and he looked up at her.

"The bell just rang," she said.

"I know. I'm heading to class," Damian replied.

Daphne nodded. They walked side by side but didn't say a word. When they got to the classroom, all eyes were on them. Damian and Daphne glanced up at each other before walking up to their seats. The teacher came in just as they were about to sit down. Daphne heaved a sigh. Max chuckled at her behavior.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"It's nothing. Did you talk to him?" he changed the subject.

"No, he didn't say anything and I have nothing to say to him," she replied, taking out her textbook.

The Math teacher started her class. Damian's mind wandered off like most of the time. He thought about what to say to Daphne at the party that night. Alfred had told him to invite her to come to the manor with them because there were some things to discuss beforehand.

Meanwhile, despite being spied on a few days ago, Delphinium was having a nice day at work because her mind was filled with joy about the party. She had a lot planned for her sister and Damian. A visitor she was expecting suddenly came to her view. She told Arnold to let him in.

"Hello, Grayson," she flashed a smile.

"What's up?" Dick asked, feeling awkward as he was talking to Daphne's sister.

"Are you going to the party tonight?" she asked.

"Yeah, Bruce told me to come. Kate and Luke will be patrolling the city in our place," he explained.

Delphinium nodded. "I see…I need your help with something," she started to explain her plan.

Daphne jotted down some notes from her Science teacher right after class. Shirley was already out of the classroom to wait for her driver. Max and Damian were discussing some things about their Science project. Daphne knew that the black-haired boy actually wanted to wait for her. The party would be held that night and Alfred had texted her that he wanted her to come. Dick and Bruce did the same thing. She was forced to agree to come. She had informed Delphinium that she would meet up with her at the manor.

"Hey," Damian suddenly called for her.

"Yes?" she looked up at him.

"Alfred will be coming to pick us up," he stated.

"Thanks, but I'll take my bike. I'll meet you there," she replied politely.

Damian gazed towards her before complying. Max exited the school before they did. Daphne waited for Alfred to come pick Damian up. Once the young Wayne got into the car, she started to paddle towards Wayne Manor. When they arrived, Damian got out of the car and went straight to his room.

"Why is he acting like that?" Daphne asked Alfred.

"He must be nervous for tonight, Miss," Alfred remarked.

Daphne nodded. They went to the kitchen together. She was surprised to see Delphinium and their two maids there. Her sister smiled at her.

"What are you doing here so early?" she asked.

Grinning, Delphinium replied, "To get you ready for tonight."

"Uh, I'm going to be a maid tonight. Alfred said so," Daphne replied, confused.

"Yeah, I told him to tell you that," the older sister said, chuckling.

Tiara and Mana urged Daphne to a room they had prepared to get her ready. Delphinium smiled at her sister. Alfred chuckled as he watched Daphne protesting the idea.

"You are very devious, Miss Delphinium," Alfred muttered.

"I like to call myself the matchmaker," Delphinium joked, chuckling, "So, where is her maid uniform?"

Alfred gestured the girl towards the stairs. Delphinium understood. She made her way to her sister's room which was beside Damian's. The uniform was already neatly set on the bed. She put it on because she would be taking Daphne's place as the maid of the manor. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She is only three inches taller than Damian while her sister is two feet shorter than Damian. The skirt was too revealing for her to wear. She smirked.

"It's not like anyone would be looking at me," she mumbled, exiting the room.

As she was closing the door, Damian got out of his room. What she was wearing caught his attention.

"What are you wearing?" he asked.

Delphinium turned to him with her hands on her hip. "What are you wearing? You're supposed to be ready by now."

"I want to have my tea first," he replied calmly, walking away.

"Then, I'll serve you," she said, catching up with him.

"Where's your sister?" he asked.

"Busy. She has other tasks to take care of," Delphinium replied.

Damian furrowed his brows. He kept on walking towards the kitchen with Delphinium by his side. She whistled as they walked. Alfred had already prepared some tea for the two of them. He briefed Delphinium about what she would be doing at the party. She nodded to every instruction. Damian just sat there, munching on some biscuits and listening too. Tiara made an appearance with a smile on her face.

"How is she?" Delphinium asked.

"Still sulking, Miss," Tiara giggled.

"I'll go talk to her," she sighed, getting up from her seat.

Mana bowed to her as she passed by. She entered the room where Daphne was told to stay in. The girl was sitting at the make-up mirror, staring at herself.

"Hey," she called.

Daphne turned with a dissatisfied expression. "Why?" she asked, knowing that it was Delphinium's idea.

"I just thought it'll be fun," she joked, pulling on a stool.

She settled it behind Daphne's chair and sat on it. She reached for the comb to start combing her sister's hair. Daphne sighed, shoulders slumped, lacking motivation.

"What's wrong?" Delphinium asked.

"I just…I don't think I should be around him," Daphne confessed.

Raising a brow, her sister asked, "Why not?"

"Sometimes he's angry, sometimes he's too affectionate and sometimes he is too full of himself! I don't get him…!" she burst.

Delphinium smiled, putting the comb away and working on Daphne's hair. "Well, sometimes I'm irrational, sometimes I'm reckless, sometimes I get angry for no reason… You're still here with me," she said calmly.

Daphne's hair was combed and tied into a crown braid. She looked a bit mature than her age. Delphinium worked on her face next, putting some faint blush and pink lipstick. Daphne played with her fingers.

"Will he notice me?" she muttered.

Delphinium placed a hand on her cheek and smiled. She nodded. Her sister forced a smile.

"You should take it off," she said, pointing at the hairpin.

Daphne touched it and shook her head. "No… It's a part of me. I want to wear it…" she muttered.

Her sister shrugged. "Okay. Just come out when I come get you, okay?"

The younger Aldrin nodded. She sighed, looking at her reflection once again.