I'll Be There In A Flash (Kid Flash X Robin)

Chapter One

Richard's POV

Sighing, I shake my head and close my locker with a quiet thud. "I don't know, Artemis."

Said teen crosses her arms in front of me with a pout on her face. "What do you mean you don't know? Dick, this is our Junior year of high school. We only have two years left before we go and make our mark on the world."

Tugging my backpack over my shoulder, I start to walk to class with her hot on my heels. "I'm just saying that I don't want anything special to happen." I glance over at her. "Besides, Junior year isn't that special, it's just like any other year."

"Just like any other year?" Artemis throws her hands up in the air in frustration. "This is not like any other year! This is the year where we need to be celebrating about how close we are to freedom." She hooks our arms together and gives me a look. "Face it, little bird. You can't just keep on studying all the time, you need to put yourself out there some more. You've been in the background for far too long for my liking."

"Artemis, we've been at this school for two, going on to three, years now. I'm pretty sure everyone in our grade knows each other. We just choose not to socialize with one another." Not sure if I should continue, I pull her closer so we walk shoulder to shoulder. "Besides, I like to think that I can rely on you guys no matter what....We're family, after all."

Ever since the first day of high school other students had tried to befriend me, but I knew they were just after Bruce's money. So after a couple of months without anyone to rely on I had begun to close myself off from other students around me, knowing that they would never truly care about the real me.

It wasn't until I had gone to the "Young Justice Cafe" that I met, who are now, my friends who are like family. The cafe was created by Bruce himself where it would help teens stay off the streets and out of gangs. After it became successful he had to renovate it so it was a whole building that took up an entire block. It offered part time jobs for teens and even offered scholarship funds every two months to employees. Everyone loves it and is now known as a safe haven from the city life of Gotham.

*Flashback*

Standing in front of the cafe, I can't help let out a sigh at the thought of going inside. Bruce had asked me earlier to go and give the employee paychecks to the manager earlier today. He would have gone himself, but a meeting with some investors of his had to be pushed forward in advanced.

Once inside I see groups of teenagers sitting at tables and couches, some on the main floor and others on the second loft. Feeling a bit insecure by myself, I quickly make my way to the back room, past the pool tables, gaming center, and restaurant area where I knew the manager's room would be. After knocking on the door politely, I hear a faint voice calling for me to enter.

"Hi, Richard. Running another errand for your old man?" Daniel asks, looking up from his computer on his desk with a friendly smile on his face.

Stepping forward, I hand him the envelopes with a polite smile. "Yes, he had a meeting that he couldn't get out of so he sent me. Here are all the employee checks that he approved of. If you have any questions-"

"-let him know. I know, I know." he jokes, waving  hand while taking the envelopes. "Thanks Richard."

"No problem, have a nice day." I say as I walk back towards the door.

"You too."

Exiting the room, I head towards the exit when a notice a waitress with a small group of teenagers at a table, all of them I recognize as students from my school. Upon closer inspection I realize that it's one of the newer employees, this one having a history of complaints and currently on her second strike before being fired. I'm tempted to leave it be, but seeing the angry looks and clenched fists from a blonde girl in the group makes me think otherwise.