NICOTINE DREAMS ➢ D. GRAYSON

02

Heidi watched uncomfortably as Lila eyed Mr. Wayne. The poor man was was simply standing politely to the side as Heidi explained her situation to her best friend. Fortunately, he seemed unfazed by her friend's stare.

"--so I can't walk home with you today," Heidi said, scratching the back of her neck. Lila tore her eyes away from Mr. Wayne and simply stared at Heidi, before her eyes were on the man again. Heidi sighed, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose and decided to simply explain to her friend in full detail later. "See you later, Lila."

Mr. Wayne stepped forward from his spot a few feet away by the wall and motioned Heidi to follow him. She began walking in his direction, only to be yanked back by a hand in the crook of her elbow. Heidi's lips twitched upwards. Here we go.

"If I'm not made aware of what exactly this little trip entails, I will murder you, Heidi," Lila hissed under her breath, before she lifted her head to send a sweet smile to Mr. Wayne. "Take care of my friend, Mr. Wayne."

Heidi was slightly offended that Lila had no more to say to her than a threat, but she pushed it aside. Lila had no reason to worry if Bruce Wayne would murder her best friend in the back of his fancy limo because firstly, it was Bruce Wayne and secondly, she had more than enough witnesses that could tell the police where exactly she had gone after school.

Then again, he could probably just pay off the entire police force if he really wanted to.

With one last smile to Mr. Wayne, Lila took off, leaving Heidi to look after her longingly as she was guided towards the front exit of the school. Once they were outside, Mr. Wayne glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes. "You're quite close with her, am I right?"

Heidi gave him an odd look, but nodded anyway. "We're best friends. Have been since middle school."

Mr. Wayne nodded, looking genuinely curious. There was a moment of silence before he spoke up again. "And she's not a troublemaker or anything?"

Heidi shook her head. It was slightly odd for the man to ask such questions about her, seeing as this was what she knew as the first time ever meeting the man. He sounded more like a concerned family member than a practical stranger. "No, just a little energetic."

Wayne looked relieved at her answer. "That's good," he said, somewhat awkwardly. They were nearing a limo now, and she regretted that it was still early enough for people to be lingering on the school campus. Gotham High, in comparison to Gotham Academy, had never seen a limo on its campus, so the amount of eyes trained on said vehicle were expected. Heidi only wished that she wouldn't be the one to get in it.

As they reached the sleek, black car, an older man with greying hair stepped out from the driver's side, sending Mr. Wayne a pointed look before turning his gaze to her. "Miss Howard," he greeted politely, and she was pleasantly surprised by his accent. She smiled at him hesitantly as he circled the car to open one of the doors. He gestured towards the open door and she quickly ducked into the car, eager to escape the prying eyes of her fellow classmates.

Mr. Wayne followed in after her, staying by the door he entered in as she took the other side. She inspected the black leather interior of the car, trying hard not to look at the man beside her as the vehicle began to move. Heidi wasn't sure if he expected her to start the conversation, and just as she was about to open her mouth to say something, he beat her to it.

"I initially was just going to send you a thank-you letter," he began, looking out the window as if he wasn't even speaking to her at all. "I have six other guest speakers; that's what I did with them. But when your caretaker at the orphanage volunteered you, and when I saw your name, I knew I had to come and thank you personally."