Arkham High

Chapter 11

"How do you think Harley's date went?" asked Selina on Monday morning.

"I'm trying not to think about it," retorted Pamela, checking her makeup in her pocket mirror. "As long as she gets what Harvey wants, that's what matters. And better her than me."

Harley entered the school at that moment, beaming. She felt like she hadn't stopped smiling since Saturday night. "Harley, how did it go?" asked Selina, rushing over to her.

"Oh...uh...pretty great, Selina," replied Harley, giggling.

"You got him to tell you what he's planning?" asked Pamela, eagerly.

"Um...no, not exactly," she replied. "I'm still...uh...working on that."

She jumped as a pair of hands came over her eyes. "Guess who, beautiful?" whispered a voice in her ear, as a familiar pair of lips nuzzled her neck.

"Oh...J!" she gasped, beaming as he removed his hands. "Good morn..."

She was cut off by his passionate kiss, which she eagerly returned. "Good morning to you too, gorgeous," he breathed. Harley squeaked happily, returning to his mouth as Pamela and Selina stared at them in astonishment and horror.

The bell rang, and Harley reluctantly broke away from him. "I gotta...go to class," she gasped. "Uh...see you at lunch?"

"Try and keep me away," he murmured, kissing her again. He waved at her as she headed off down the hall.

"So did you actually swap any information, or just saliva?" asked Selina, dryly.

"Yeah, that's a pretty extreme way to earn his trust," agreed Pamela.

"Actually, I...really like him," said Harley, blushing.

"I hope you don't like him too much," snapped Pamela. "You're still going to help Harvey win the election, aren't you? I don't think I need to remind you of the reward you're going to get."

"Yeah, date him if you want – just don't let him win class president," agreed Selina. "You are on our side with this, aren't you, Harley?"

"Or is Harvey gonna have to put in a negative word with the scholarship committee?" asked Pamela.

Harley stopped in her tracks, staring at her. "He wouldn't do that, would he?" she asked. "He wouldn't mess up my future like that just because I didn't wanna betray the trust of my...boyfriend?"

It was the first time she had said the word, and she blushed even deeper. It was so nice to say it.

"I don't think you understand how important this class president thing is to my boyfriend," hissed Pamela. "He has to win it. He'll go crazy if he doesn't. Probably literally."

"So find out what he wants to know," snapped Selina. "Or it's no college for you."

They headed into the classroom, leaving her alone in the hall.

At lunch, Harley grabbed her tray and headed over to sit at the nerd table, as usual. "Harley, did you enjoy the play?" asked Crane.

"Play? Oh, right...yeah, it was really good, Johnny," said Harley, clearly distracted.

"We saw you there with the Joker," said Tetch. "I didn't think he was a Shakespeare fan."

"Er...no, he...uh...well, actually, he and I are...together. Dating. Y'know," stammered Harley, blushing but unable to conceal a smile. "He's my...boyfriend."

Crane stared at her, a mixture of heartbroken and horrified. His horror grew as the Joker suddenly appeared, sliding his arms around Harley's waist and murmuring, "There's my knockout girlfriend! What d'ya think, nerds? Ain't she just the cutest little number in the whole entire school? Missed you, baby," he said, kissing her.