The sound of my mother humming in the kitchen grated on my nerves until I couldn't stand it anymore. I got up, groggy, and stormed downstairs.
"Oh, goodie, look who's up!" she greeted me, annoyingly cheerful. "I made breakfast!"
Even from upstairs, with the door closed, I could smell the burnt toast. We live in a two-bedroom loft in the middle of Gotham, so smells travel fast. I slumped into a chair at the table, trying not to gag as she set the plate in front of me.
"Eat up, munchkin," she said with a smile.
"Thanks," I muttered, staring at the blackened toast. There was no way I was eating this. I discreetly dropped some on the floor for Nathan, our dog.
"I have work today, but you know the drill. Lock up."
"Yep, I know."
When Mom works at the clinic, she makes me lock up the house and stay inside. Ever since things went south with Dad, she's been extra cautious.
"Good, because who knows what your no-good father has up his sleeves these days."
"Okay, look," I said, knowing this would lead to another rant. "Mom might seem 'okay,' but she's not. She still has those moments where she snaps, and I know she wants to bash some brains in. Dad, on the other hand, hasn't changed—still the king of Gotham."
"Can I go out tonight?"
"With who?"
"Pepper, of course."
She hesitated, narrowing her eyes. "Which one are you going to?"
Damn it. "Uh, maybe Club 365."
"Hell no."
"Mom, please? I'm sure Dad won't even be there."
"And you think that makes it better?"
"Mom, PLEASE? We can handle ourselves, I promise."
She sighed, thinking it over. "Be home by 12."
"Yes! Thanks!"
At school*
I hated walking these halls. They're dusty and musty, and this place seriously needs a cleanup.
"Hey, Luc," Pepper called.
"Pepper."
"What did your mom say about tonight?"
"She said I could go, just have to be home by 12."
"Fair enough. She's freaking out over your dad again?"
"Yeah. Like, no hard feelings, but she knows she's not helping Gotham's death rates go down, right?"
"Exactly. And like I said, we can handle ourselves. He's not bold enough to try anything, anyway."
"Who knows with him," she shrugged.
The distorted bell rang, signaling the start of class.
"Nah, we're skipping today," Pepper announced.
"What? Are you sure?"
"Not exactly, but I could really use a coffee."
"Alright, let's do this."
At Gotham Grind*
I ordered a coffee—black, no sugar—while Pepper got some kind of all-green shake. She's been trying to go vegan.
"I wanna go to Amusement Mile," she said, slurping her shake.
"Oh, that'll be fun," I replied sarcastically, glancing out the window. A black SUV was parked across the street. "Frost."
"What?"
"Nothing, just… Look at this video," she said, showing me a clip of a guy laughing his head off as another guy slipped and fell. I laughed, a little too hard, and couldn't stop even when the video ended.
Pepper knew how I get, so she just laughed along, but I could feel the stares. I tried to calm down, but it wasn't easy.
"Ma'am, is everything alright?" the waitress asked, concerned.
I forced a smile. "No, we're fine, thanks."
Pepper grabbed my hand, and we quickly left.
At Amusement Mile*
This rundown amusement park never gets old.
"What are we getting on first?" Pepper asked.
"The Ferris wheel."
"Oh, you're asking for death today, huh?"
"Yeah, let's go."
On the Ferris Wheel*
The main reason I got on this death trap was to see what my dad was up to. That same SUV followed us all the way here, and I was sure Frost wasn't the only one in the vehicle. I glanced at Pepper, who was freaking out. I wanted to laugh but held it in, not wanting to make her more uncomfortable.
"It's almost over," I assured her.
"Oh, thank god."
After the Ferris wheel, we played a few games and grabbed some food. I kept glancing back at the SUV. Sure enough, the door opened, and Frost stepped out.
"Shit, run!" I hissed.
"What's happening?" Pepper asked, panicking.
"I don't know, but I don't like the smell of it."
Back at school*
"Ew, why are we back here?" Pepper whined.
"It's the only place he can't come and get me."
"Who?"
"Frost. I noticed he was following us the whole morning."
"And you failed to mention that?"
"Sorry, I didn't want to send you into a panic. Gotham would've been in a sleep coma or something."
"Hey, that happened one time like YEARS ago."
"Pepper, that happened just three months ago."
"Oh yeah, I forgot."
Pepper and I got into a bit of trouble a while back. It sent her into a shock when I was getting my ass beat, and she didn't know what to do. So, she panicked and released some kind of gas that knocked out half the city. It wasn't good. Batman even tried sending her away for it.
"Does your mom and Bruce still have that little 'thing' going on?" she asked.
"Oh god, yes. I think they actually like each other."
"Ha ha, Bruce Wayne could be your daddy."
"Don't make me gag."
"You two!" A voice boomed. Uh oh, it was Penguin.
"That's Principal Penguin to you! What are you two doing out of class?"
"Uh, Pepper here isn't feeling well," I lied.
He narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. "Get to class!"
"Yes, sir!"
We ran to our fifth-period class.
In Fifth Period*
"Late as usual, Ms. Quinn and Ms. Ivy," Mrs. Diana said sternly.
"Sorry, Mrs. Diana."
"Please, take your seats."
We sat in our usual spot, right at the back.
"Today, we're learning about Mythology, so open your books to page 243."
I groaned. I hate this class.
"And yes, Ms. Quinn, History hates you too," Mrs. Diana said with a smirk.
I clenched my fists in annoyance.
"Chill out, Luc," Dylan, Black Canary's son, whispered.
"I'm fine. I don't need you telling me to calm down every day."
"Yeah, you do."
I was about to pull out my knife, but Mrs. Diana grabbed my hand. "Not so fast."
I rolled my eyes.
After Class*
"This is every day, Lucy," Mrs.Diana said.
"I don't like being here every day."
"No one likes being here; it's school. I'm gonna have to contact your mother."
"It's high school, not Pre-K!" I snapped.
Mrs. Diana stood up. "I'm sorry, Lucy, but you need help."
She pushed me out of the room and shut the door.
"Fuck!" I muttered under my breath.