Passing The Time ➷ Barry Allen [O.H]

In The Beginning

Starling City

"Ollie!" I called out, racing down the docks. My usual black high top converse where slamming hard on the wooden planks of the dock. In the distance Oliver stood outside the entrance of the boat.

When he heard my voice, Oliver turned around with a wide  smile on his face.

"Hey, Cannon..." He laughed, calling me by my nickname.  "Did you come for one last good bye hug?" He asked, crossing his arms.

I rolled my eyes. "Well duh. Also I have something for you." I said suspiciously.

"What is it?" Oliver leaned his head closer towards me, trying to look behind my back. I jumped back so he couldn't see.

"Hey, no peeking!" I laughed. Oliver impatiently sighed.
I pulled the surprise out and held it in my hand. He looked at me with furrowed brows and a cocked head, like a confused puppy.

"A penny?" He scoffed.

I held the penny between two fingers and up so the two of us could see it. It shined in the sunlight, for it was brand new.

"It's not just any penny, Oliver." I shook my head. As I did so, I grabbed Oliver's hand and pulled it out, placing the shiny new penny in his hand.

"That there, my friend, is a lucky penny. I've been putting a penny in my shoe since I was little. I thought you'd need it, for safe travels. May you return safely Oliver Queen."

There was a pause where Oliver looked at me, as if he was meeting me for the first time. A smile slowly formed on his face and he began to shake his head in laughter.

"Carson, for a 17 year old, you are one profound thinker."

"Why thank you, Sir Queen." I said taking a bow.

"My pleasure, Miss Novak." He laughed, curtsying like a lady.

"Oliver, let's get going." Mr. Queen shouted from the boat. His deep and imitating voice traveled quickly. 

"Sorry, Mr. Queen!" I shouted in his direction. "Just getting one last hug!"

"No problem Carson. Take your time!"

Then Mr. Queen stepped back into the boat. Never to been seen again.

When Mr. Queen was out of sight, Oliver reached out and rapped his arms around me. His warm hug would permanently be burned into my memories.

"You stay out of trouble while I'm gone." Oliver stated, letting go and stepping back.

"No shenanigans with your buddy Barry." He raised a finger at me and gave a stern look, but I knew it was all an act.

"Since when have you known me to get into trouble?" I said, slowly backing up.

Oliver smiled. He showed me to penny in his fingers just before bending down and putting in his shoe.

"See ya, Cannon."

"Bye, Ollie." I laughed, getting one last look at Oliver. Unaware that, that would be my last look at that Oliver Queen.

Several Days Later
Barry's POV

I took a long breath of air in as I entered the Novak's house or in more correct terms, mansion.

Carson hated living in a mansion. She thought it made her look snooty. Everyone at school knew Carson was selfless, unlike her family. No one hated Novak inc. more than Carson Novak.

As I entered, immediately I could feel the sadness. It was quiet and the atmosphere was tense.

"Barry, thank you so much for coming over." Carson's mom led me inside. She, as always, was dressed as if she was attending a banquet and reeked of bourbon. 

"She's upstairs in her room." Mrs. Novak pointed at vast wooden stair case.

I'd been inside the Novak mansion many times, but the place always seemed to bring a chill down my spine.

"Thank you Mrs. Novak." I nodded then headed up the stairs. I stopped once I reached her bedroom door and did my special knock.

The door opened to a blood shot eyed Carson. Her t-shirt was stained with tears and her hair was knotted.
She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

I knew Oliver Queen was like a brother to Carson. She'd always tell story's of how he'd get her out of boring rich people stuff so she could go home. How he'd find time outside of being a playboy to take her to movies, football games, and give her a ride to central city. I knew exactly how she felt.

"Hey, Barry." She opened the door wider and let me in. Her room was filled with books and pictures like always.

"Hey, Carson." I wrapped my arms around her. I felt her arms wrap around me, embracing me in a warm hug.

"I figured you don't want to talk about it. " I stated. "So I brought mint chocolate chip ice cream and The Princess Bride."

I held up a bag of ice cream that I held in one hand and a case that I held in another.

"Barry Allen, your the best guy friend a girl could have." She sighed, falling back into her blue beanbag.

I happily, popped the disc in the DVD player and fell into the red bean bag next to her. I thought about tossing the ice cream but hesitated and carefully handed her the pint of ice cream.

"Smart move." She snickered, popping off the lip and diving in.

"I've learned my lesson by now."

Carson wasn't the most agile person. I had a hand full of stories where Carson had spilt or broken things that where tossed to her.

"Yeah, surely after I spilt milk on my mom the other day." Carson laughed.

"Yeah, her face was hilarious."

Carson and I laughed so hard our stomach began to hurt. Tears filled Carson's eyes. Not sad tears, but happy tears.

She let out a long sigh as she wiped the corners of her eyes.

"Thanks for being here for me, Barry."

"You where there for me when my mom died. I'll always be here for you...to pass the time."
She leaned forward and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Barry, can you promise me something?" She asked becoming very serious. I furrowed my brows and looked at her.

"Yeah, anything."

"We'll always be friends."

I couldn't help the smile that curled my lips. "Carson, you couldn't get rid of me even if you tried."