Bluejay: The Protégé of Black Canary

Bonus chapter

I'm going to add this at the end of the previous chapter, but I though you guys would like an extra scene between Jackie and Dick just to show her getting to like him more as himself and not as Robin.

Connor raised an eyebrow at my school uniform when I came down the hallway the next morning. But it wasn't like he'd never seen it before, so I frowned at him, still bitter from last night. When I ran back to my room after I caught Robin and Zatana alone in the hanger last night, I had gotten very little sleep.

"What?" I asked, noticing the way his gaze lingered.

I looked down, expecting my skirt to be stained with chocolate or something.

"You sure you're going outside in that? It's pretty chilly today." He informed me.

Connor's messy, wind blown hair indicated he had already taken Wolf outside for his morning exercise. I grabbed a protein shake from the fridge, making no moves to change or heed his warning. I was too angry to be worried about my legs turning to popsicles in the cold November air.

"I'll be fine." I insisted.

If Connor caught on to the dry edge in my tone, he didn't say anything. We wished each other a good day at school before we parted ways. I headed to the Zeta Tube with my backpack straps clenched in my hands. I was worried about running into Zatana this morning. I knew she moved in because her father was now the host of Doctor Fate, but so far I hadn't seen her yet.

I stepped into the Zeta Tube, waiting to be carried to Gotham City. I knew my prejudice towards Zatana wasn't fair. After all, shouldn't I be empathetic if nothing else? Zatana hadn't done anything mean to me yet, but I couldn't help the curdling in my stomach every time Robin looked at her. The familiar bubbling sensation returned to my blood as I teleported, materializing into a phone booth in the subway.

I reached out to grab the handle, flinching at the cold surface. Goosebumps rose on my skin as I was immediately enveloped in the freezing temperature of the phone booth. I shivered and rubbed my arms, my breath clouding in front of my face. Without being able to fight it, I let out a groan. It was about an eight minute walk from the subway to my school, and I was only dressed in my uniform.

I grabbed the handle and twisted it, but the door was frozen shut. The last of my patience had been tested. I shoved my shoulder against the frost encrusted door, but it didn't budge.

"Are you kidding me?" I grumbled.

After my second attempt, the ice gave way and the phone booth door flew open. I yelped and grabbed the edge of the frame to steady myself as I slipped on the cement. I groaned again. I was going to have to be quick if I wanted to get to the school faster. My teeth chattered together and goose bumps rose on my arms and legs. I slowly made my way to the stairs, and no surprise- they were covered in ice. I gripped the slick railing and tried not to fall over. It felt like forever until I reached the top, only to groan again.

I no longer had the protection of the underground subway, and the cold wind bit into my thin blazer and bare legs There was about four inches of snow on the ground, although thankfully most of it was pre-trampled. Stupid no-jeans policy. I was tossing that out the window next time. Ice crunched under my shoes and flakes fell from the sky. There were some days that I could tolerate the cold, but not today.

"Dammit, Connor." I cursed.

I found myself missing my waterproof, warm, and insulated suit. I hugged my sides and focused on avoiding patches of ice and snow on the ground.
I paused in my tracks when a sleek, nice, black car pulled onto the curb. My heart leapt into my throat, and I got ready to make a run for it. I wasn't sure how far I'd get because of the ice, but I'm sure I could make it if my life depended on it. I gritted my teeth, preparing to run, when the window rolled down, and a familiar face with dark hair and blue eyes leaned out.