Another Gotham Story

Chapter 2

       Both of them simply stood there for a few moments. Danica recognized who it was shortly after. It was Richard Grayson, Bruce Wayne’s ward. Out of all moments in her life that she'd ever wanted to speak, now was the strongest. Dick could only stare back at her as he didn't know what to say. Sure he saved people as robin, but this was different. No smoke bombs or guns, just a somewhat clueless girl who was lucky he decided to intervene.

          Danica cleared her throat, “um..thank you.” Dick blinked in response. “Huh?” Dani was able to create a smile for him. “For saving me, ya know from that truck.” She stooped down to pick up the book she had dropped simultaneously as dick lunged for it as well. His stone like forehead bashed into her bangs and they both shrunk back in minor pain.

        “S-sorry, I was just-” dick stuttered as Dani rubbed her head and blushed. “No,it's okay. I know you're just trying to help” she smiled. “But I do really mean it. Thanks, Richard.” She slapped her free hand over her mouth in shock. “ I'm so sorry! You must think I'm so weird for knowing your name!” The vigilante teen let out a laugh. “It's okay,I'm used to it. What were you reading that almost got you hit by a truck?” Danica turns the hardcover over and showed it to him. “ It's the Great Gatsby. School assignment but I've already read it.” Dick chuckled half-heartedly, “ So you're a nerd,huh?”

       “Maybe. But we prefer the term “geek”, thank you very much.”

        “Geek? Okay, I can deal with that. I'm a mathlete myself.” He stated proudly. Danica smiled at him. “ Really? Hm, that's interesting to hear.”

The boy slicked back his hair,” You're telling me. So, where you off to?” She pulled the book back to her chest. “Home”

“Where's that?”

“Over in the northern cul de sac” she pointed. “ Well, do you want me to walk you home. I mean, you seem really distracted and we wouldn't want you getting attacked by another moving vehicle.” He gave his typical Grayson smile as she smirked back at him. “Okay, Mr. Grayson, if you insist. Right down this street.”

As the two walked on and on through the afternoon, dick found himself slowing down to prolong their little rendezvous. And for the first time in a long time, Danica found the positive energy to smile at him and his jokes. By the end of their short journey, Dani learned a lot about the boy, including that he could walk on his hands. The two ended up nearly passing the Morgan house. After redirecting herself, dick even walked her to the front door.

Danica rested her hand on the handle, and looked to her new friend with an acute blush to her face. Richard returned the slight but enjoyable awkwardness. “Do you wanna...like glass of water or something?”

Dick scratched his head and smiled,”nah,I should probably head on home. Don't wanna worry the old man,ya know.”

“You mean Mr. Wayne?”

The boy chortled out an abrupt laugh,” No,Alfred. He's our kickass butler. But I wouldn't wanna upset Bruce either.” Danica released a feminine giggle and dick found himself kind of captivated by her careless and hopeful laugh. Something about this girl made him feel...different. Not just about her,but everything around her just seemed to acquire a kind of glow. The gleam in those eyes told him so, she had somethings to learn about life but it made him want to be the one who taught her. His thoughts were interrupted by the soft click of the door as she pushed it open. “I should get started on my homework...I..” they're blue eyes met like two seas merging and they both once again lost the ability to speak temporarily.

“I'd really like it if you'd walk me home again, ya know if you want to.” dick came back to the moment at hand.

“yeah,totally! I mean,ya know if you want to..um, h-how about tomorrow? I can grab you after school.”

“that sounds great..but um,dick tomorrow's Saturday.”

“oh..right. well,we can still do something..I know where you live now. But not in like a creepy way! Ya know like a stalker type...thing.”

Danica have him an awkward smile, “I know what you meant. And I'd Love to. Um, pick me up around 2?” dick only nodded as the girl step inside her home. “Well,goodbye, Richard. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah,see ya Dani..” he stumbled back nearly tripping over a rose bush. “hehe...bye” he waved nervously and ran off. Danica watched him go from the opening in the door,then she slowly closed it. Her books hit the dining room table and she made a big deal of flipping on the sofa while kicking of her pinchy school shoes. In the midst of burying her hot face into the cool fabric, Dani processed the day. Today was long,long and annoying as most days had been lately. But as for the end, one could say it was pretty damn good.