Forbidden Connections

Repentance.

"Eve!" she called out, watching her leave. Lily sat on the floor by the lockers, seeking space, especially after the recent incident. Eve went to her locker, sat down, and quietly ate an apple, acknowledging Lily's presence with a nod but not speaking. Lily looked up from her book and sighed. "Hey, Stark. Thanks for getting me out...and sorry for accusing you." Eve smiled softly and replied, "You're welcome. No worries." She pulled out a book and began reading while snacking on her apple. Lily added, "Your little friend is expelled. And I filed a lawsuit," mentioning it casually. "Well, that's not my problem," Eve said with a poker face, returning to her reading and putting on her headphones. Lily raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Eve's demeanor. "You know, Stark, as much as we both dislike it, we're alike in many ways, yet very different. That makes this more interesting." Eve paused her music and looked up, curious about Lily's words. "And what does that have to do with anything?" she asked softly. Lily smiled mischievously, eyes locked on Eve's. "It has everything to do with it. It's part of the game, and the game is currently tied."As the bell rang, Eve discarded her lunch and gathered her belongings, heading to her next class. Meanwhile, Lily lingered, waiting for everyone else to clear out. With the coast now clear, she covertly affixed a poster to Eve's locker - a photo of Eve and Tim. Jackson assisted in posting similar photos elsewhere, and Lily retreated to the nurse's office, feigning forgetfulness about her pills and seeking a heart rate check following the closet incident. When class ended, Eve discovered the photos on her locker, finally understanding the game Lily had mentioned. Unfazed, she opened her locker, collected her materials, and prepared for her final class of the day, seemingly uninterested in engaging with Lily's game.

As everyone saw the pictures plastered everywhere, whispers and snickers erupted in Eve's next class. From across the room, a girl called out, "Hey, Eve, aren't you already rich? So why are you with the Wayne boy? Or are you just a slut?" Others asked intrusive questions like "How long have you been dating?" or "Didn't expect you to go for him." Eve tried to block out the noise and ignore the questions, eager for the day and week to end. Lily observed the chaos she had orchestrated, various rumors spreading like wildfire, some too vicious to bear. She knew Tim would be furious, but she aimed to keep "winning." Kids folded and threw the pictures at Eve's desk like paper planes, while online rumors proliferated, adding fuel to the toxic fire.
Overwhelmed by the whispers and memories, Eve excused herself from class and called her dad, Tony, from the restroom. Sobbing, she asked him to pick her up again, pleading, "Please, no meeting. I just want to skip school for the rest of the week. The rumors are everywhere - online and in the halls. I'm being called names, and I can't take it anymore." Tony firmly replied, "I'm coming to pick you up, but I'm not letting this slide. I'll call the principal and Bruce. We need to address this." Eve begged, "Please, Dad, just let me avoid it for now."Here's a revised and edited version of the text:
"Eve, you can't skip school. Let's talk about this," Tony said, driving to the school. "I'll be there in 10 minutes. I'm calling the principal and Bruce." He hung up. After 10 minutes, Tony arrived and texted Eve, "I'm in the main hall." The principal announced, "Timothy Drake Wayne and Lilliana Wayne, report to the office." Lily looked confused and headed to the office with Tim, who asked, "What did you do now, Lily? First, the pictures, and now what?" Eve sat with her dad and Bruce in the principal's office, feeling out of place.
"I didn't do anything. I was in the nurse's office when those pictures were set up," Lily defended herself as they entered the office. Surprised to see her father, she asked, "Daddy? What's going on?" The principal gestured to the empty seats, and Lily sat down beside Bruce, feeling uneasy. Eve remained silent, zoning out and unaware of her surroundings. Tim nodded in agreement with Lily, then noticed Eve's dried tears and wondered what Lily had done this time.

Bruce awaited the principal's explanation, skeptical of Tony's claims. "I didn't do anything!" Lily protested, looking at Tim and crossing her arms. "Actually, it does involve you," the principal said. "According to Mr.Stark, Eve has called him twice, crying to go home due to your actions. This isn't the first time; it's been happening since we returned from break. And now, this picture has circulated around school." Lily denied any involvement. The principal turned to Eve and Tim, inquiring, "Do either of you have any input regarding this statement?"Here's a revised and edited version of the text:

"Check the hallway cameras," Eve suggested, gazing at the principal. "I bet it was her and her lover boy Jackson." Eve defended herself,  Bruce demanded truth from Lily, "Explain yourself, no more lies. You're never getting your phone back otherwise." Lily resorted to sarcasm, "Do I need a lawyer or can I plead the fifth?" Tony added, "I already requested the footage be reviewed before this meeting."
The principal nodded, revealing the evidence on the monitor. It showed Lily pasting posters on Eve's locker and Jackson assisting. Additionally, Caroline Wilkins had written a statement, citing Lily's history of bullying as motivation for her own actions. Lily was left speechless, unprepared for the consequences of her actions. She had underestimated the situation, thinking she would get away with it. The truth had caught up with her, leaving her with nothing to say.
As Bruce and Tim watched, Lily's deception was exposed. Meanwhile, Eve heard vengeful whispers and felt her powers surfacing. To conceal her abilities, she swiftly left the office, her eyes glowing and magic emanating from her hands. She focused on positive thoughts to regain control. Tim noticed her departure, assuming she was overwhelmed. Bruce confronted Lily, his anger restrained. "You lied and played the victim while Eve suffered. I told you to leave her alone, not torment her. The Waynes and Starks may have differences, but we respect each other's boundaries. You're tarnishing the Wayne family reputation, Lily."

"Give me a moment," Tony said, getting up to check on Eve. "Eve, honey?" he said softly. Meanwhile, Lily avoided eye contact, unwilling to face her father, Tim's judgment, or the principal's disappointment. She had nothing left to say, except for things that would only worsen her situation. The principal sighed and presented two options, which would require Mr. Stark's approval: suspension, which would go on her record, or expulsion, meaning she'd have to transfer schools and repeat junior year. However, if she chose to stay in Gorham Prep, she'd have to forfeit her early graduation and repeat junior year. Panicked at the thought of losing her graduation, Lily spoke up, "No! I need to graduate early! I'll take the suspension."Eve composed herself, hiding her hands and opening her eyes. "I'm fine, dad...just needed some air," she said, returning inside and sitting down. Tim cautioned Lily, "Suspension will raise eyebrows and tarnish our family's name, especially dad's. It's a bad look." Bruce nodded in agreement. "He's right, Lily. Suspension will have consequences. You know what it'll mean," he said, gazing at her.
"But I want to graduate early," Lily said, panicking. "The university won't mind a small suspension. My designs are in demand, and if I repeat a year, my whole life plan will be delayed!" She pleaded with both of them. The principal spoke softly, "I'm afraid the decision is yours, Eve and Tony." Tony looked at Eve, "Whatever you think is best." Eve didn't want to seek revenge and ruin Lily's life plan. "I'll let her choose," she said softly. "You don't fight fire with fire. If she wants suspension, give it to her." Bruce looked at Eve, then at Lily, while Tim was shocked that Eve wasn't seeking payback. Lily stormed off, feeling like her life was over. The principal called after her, but she had already left. Tony turned to Bruce, "I told you, but you didn't believe me."

Eve glanced at Bruce, and they exchanged a small smile. Tony addressed Bruce, "Keep your daughter on a leash and your son away from my child." The principal dismissed the families and requested Lily's final decision by the end of the day. Tim protested, "I didn't do anything! All I did was help her." Tony and Eve left the room, while Bruce held Tim back.
As they left the office, Eve saw Lily being comforted by Jackson and couldn't help but feel a hint of frustration. Lily always seemed to play the victim, and it was starting to wear thin. Bruce held Tim back, emphasizing Tony's words: "Stay away from her, do you understand?" Meanwhile, Tony offered Eve a comforting gesture, his hand on her shoulder. Outside, Lily watched them leave with a glare. This wasn't how she had planned things to go. She was going to be suspended, but at least she still had Jackson by her side. He knew what to do next. She joined her father and brother, bracing herself for their disappointed looks. It wasn't new, but it still stung.