"Gosalyn! Breakfast is ready!".
Gosalyn groaned. Why did she have to go to school anyways? She was smart enough already, school would only waste her time.
She quickly got dressed and walked out of her room and into the kitchen.
"How are you feeling? Ready for your first day of school?", Drake said, a little too enthusiastically for her taste.
"Someone's excited to get me out of his hair?", she asked him as she ate some pancakes, "Did you make these from scratch?". The mess in the kitchen told her yes.
"How'd you know?", he asked, looking behind him, "Actually, I think it's pretty obvious right now".
He shook his head, "As for your first question, you know that if you want to continue to live with me, we need to do certain things. Such as continue your education", he said.
She rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to learn anything new at school. My grandpa taught me everything I need to know. Can't we just say you are homeschooling me?".
Drake shook his head no, "Who's going to believe I can teach you something. Plus, school is not just about memorizing information, you get to socialize! You know, make friends and stuff like that. And you never know, you might be surprised by what you learn".
"So you do want me out of your hair? What, are you actually going on some secret mission that you don't want me in?".
"Trust me Gosalyn, I'm just going to sleep for most, if not the entire school day. Think of it this way. You're actually going to be learning to interact with people. Blend in. Take notes. Analyze and take in your environment.
Try to find hiding spots, potential allies, and potential threats. As if you are undercover", Drake said.
She chuckled, "So, I'm just going to pretend to be a spy?".
"If it makes school more bearable, why not?".
Gosalyn grinned. She could appreciate his efforts to get her to school, "Fine. I assume you'll want a full report once I get back?".
"I will expect nothing less from you", he said, "Now are you sure you don't want me to walk you there?".
"We've already walked through the route together, I can go alone. Now sleep, you clearly need it".
Drake snorted as he watched her sling her backpack onto her back and reach for the door.
"Have a nice day at school Gosalyn", he said, "And for the record, I'm going to miss you".
"I'll see you after school Drake", Gosalyn said as she stepped out the door.
Drake waited for a few seconds before rushing to his room.
He knew Gosalyn was a capable girl, but he wanted to make sure she got to school safely. If she could do it this time, he would probably stop doing this, but there was no guarantee.
It's not like she had to know.
Darkwing Duck jumped from building to building, following the bus that was taking his charge to school.
Once he made sure she had gone inside the building, he fought the feeling of staying there and went back to the apartment.
Usually he was asleep at this hour, and he was starting to feel the sleepiness.
'Maybe I should stay awake in case something happens and Gosalyn needs me?', after a few heavy blinks he decided Gosalyn would call or text him if he was needed, so there really was no use in staying up.
—
Gosalyn didn't really like school.
It was long, boring, full of other kids that made the classroom suffocating. Why did they have to crowd the rooms?
Her eyes kept glancing up at the clock. Since today was the first day, they didn't really have any classes, it was just the same thing over and over and over again.
What's your name? What's an interesting fact about you? Lets' do a team building exercise and build camaraderie.
It was repetitive, boring and tedious. At least the rest of the year she could actually do some work, even though it would still be tedious, and repetitive, and boring.
If only she could convince Drake to homeschool her.
At least she might actually learn something useful with him like how to defeat bad guys or how to drive the ratcatcher. Though she had seen him in action, maybe the crimefighting thing would be a group effort.
The day was almost over when something caught her eye.
A kid being pushed against a locker.
Just as she was about to go on her way something inside her ignited. A kid, in trouble? She couldn't just walk past this without helping in any way. That's not what her grandpa would've wanted her to do. Nor would the hero inside her.
"Is there a problem here, Alex?", she asked as she reached the pair.
She recognized the bully from earlier years. Alex Dovell. Gosalyn wasn't a fan.
"Oh great, it's the 'scientist'", Alex sighed, "Are you here to threaten me with some H2O?".
"Why would I threaten you with water?".
"You know what, if you're so friendly with Carrie here, I'll let her be for the day. It is the first day after all, plenty of time to come around", Alex said, as she dropped the kid and walked away.
"Are you alright?", asked Gosalyn, holding out a hand for 'Carrie'.
"Fine, I just had to give my lunch money over. Thanks for the help".
"You're still in trouble. Alex is just going to keep coming after you when she feels like it".
"So what do you suggest?".
Gosalyn smiled, "Do you know where Alex's locker is?".
Carrie nodded.
"Good. Go there during lunch".
The bell rang, indicating they were late to class.
But Gosalyn didn't care. No, she spent the next hour thinking about how she would mess with Alex.
On the next class, she asked to go to the bathroom, knowing well that's not what she was going to do.
One closet supply raid, a picked lock, and a set up later, Gosalyn made it back to class without being spotted. Now all she had to do was wait.
She kept her distance from Alex's locker.
Gosalyn was no stranger to pranks, but something she had learned over her long history of pulling them is that if you don't want to get caught, it's better not to be near the scene of the crime.
'I'm sure someone will take a picture of the results'.
A frustrated scream let her know it had been done and she tried to hide her grin. A few kids went to check it out and she decided to go along with the crowd.
"You think she got the message?", she whispered to Carrie as she walked up behind her.
The kid smiled, "Thanks", she mouthed before going back to lunch.
Gosalyn made it to next period without a hitch and figured she was home free.
"Gosalyn Waddlemeyer please head to the principals office".
She gulped. Why would she be called in? How did they know? Had someone seen her setting up the prank? Maybe her reputation had made her the lead suspect. Yeah, that sounds about right.
"Gosalyn", the principal said, looking down at the girl sitting in front of him, "Alex said that you two got into a fight earlier".
"I would call it a confrontation", Gosalyn said, placing her hands together, "I just stood up for one of the younger kids Alex was picking on".
"So you're saying Alex was picking on a kid?".
Gosalyn nodded, "Why? Did she claim I injured her or something?".
The principal shook his head, "I'm sure you've heard of the little prank that was pulled during lunch?".
"Word spreads around fast".
"Alex is accusing you. And considering your, less than clean reputation, I'm inclining to believe her".
Gosalyn raised her hands in the air, "I can assure you I didn't do it".
"Are you certain?".
"Yes. I am certain I am not the person that pulled that prank".
The principal looked at her skeptically, "Fine. You're free to go. But if we find out it was you, we're going to have to call your guardian".
Gosalyn nodded, "Understandable".
'Maybe school won't be so bad after all'.
—
Drake waited at the door anxiously. Should he go pick her up? Should he call her? Maybe if he waited a few more minutes…
The knob turning made him rush to the kitchen table, he knew Gosalyn and she would never let him forget he was this nervous if she saw him.
He heard the door open and close, a thrown backpack thumping against the floor, "Well, I survived".
Drake smiled as she came into the kitchen, "Look at that, you're awake!".
"I figured I should be ready in case your school called".
"Why would my school call you?".
Drake raised an eyebrow knowingly.
She laughed awkwardly, "Well, as you can see, it wasn't necessary".
"Did you tolerate your day?".
"It had its highs".
"Mhm. What did you do?", Drake asked.
Gosalyn's eyes widened in surprise.
"Don't look at me like that. I know you, I know school. What did you do?".
"I defended a kid", Gosalyn shrugged, "It's what heroes do".
"And?".
"I may have pulled a prank on the bully, but it was harmless!".
Drake nodded, "Did you get caught?".
"They can't prove it was me", she said, maybe a little too proudly.
Drake stayed silent, taking in this information. Gosalyn started to panic inside, was it a mistake to tell him? Was she going to get grounded?
"Good".
Gosalyn had to do a double take, "Wait, I'm not in trouble?".
"You defended a kid and left a harmless message for the perpetrator. Best of all, you did it without getting caught. I don't see a reason to dwell on it".
Gosalyn sighed on the inside, "Right. Good, thanks. I'll be in my room", she said, trying to make a quick exit before Drake could change his mind.
"Gosalyn", Drake said, causing her to pause expectantly.
"Don't make it a habit".