The Sidekicks

Chapter 2

I was showered and in my PJ's, reading on the couch by the time Selina came home. She sauntered into the kitchen and opened up the fridge, she finally decided on milk. Ever predictable. She walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, gulping down mouthful after mouthful of milk, straight out of the carton. My brows furrowed and my nose crinkled up in disgust at her action. She just shrugged her shoulders and switched on the TV.
I continued reading, breaking the silence, I said "Did you have fun?"
I couldn't help sneaking a peek over my book, just to see her reaction. She grinned triumphantly and leaned back into the couch, crossing her one leg over the other. I smirked and went back to my book.

"Did you get the thing?" she said, glancing in my direction.

Keeping my eyes on the book in front of me, "Yep" I said, popping the 'p' and twirling my wrist above my head, showing off the shiny new bracelet.

I read for another hour before my eyes started getting heavy and the words started to blur and melt into the page. I sighed and dragged myself off the couch.
"Night, Lina" yawning.

"Good night, Mia" she answered.

I made my way to my room, stopping in the doorway. I glanced over my shoulder at her and smirked. "Dream of Bruce tonight." I grinned.

She scoffed and whipped her head around to glare at me. "You're so childish."

I laughed and closed my door. I collapsed onto my bed and climbed under the covers. I curled up into to a ball and hugged my pillow for warmth. I fell asleep in no time at all.

I woke up to the smell of coffee and the sun shining through my open window. I felt someone's breath on the back of my neck, so I turned slowly, only to get a face full of black fur. Salem was curled up on my pillow, napping in the sun. His breath stank. Gross. I rolled back over and picked up my phone. Nine o'clock. That's a tad early for me, I usually sleep 'till noon. Might as well get up. I sat up and stretched, cracking my back and popping my shoulders. Walking out of my room and into the kitchen, I saw Selina in the living room wearing a black pencil skirt with a matching jacket and black heels.

"Going somewhere?" I said as I grabbed a cup and poured myself coffee.

She turned to face me. "Yes, I'm going uptown to meet with a friend. I won't be back until much later, so I need you to get a few things at the store." She walked into the kitchen and handed me a list.

"Okay, simple enough. It shouldn't take long." I said as I looked over the list.

"I'll be back this evening. No parties..." She stopped at the door and smiled, "... and no boys." She sauntered out and shut the door behind her.

"Oh please." I muttered.
The only 'man' in my life was Salem, not much of a love life. I mean, he's a cat for goodness sake. I didn't even want to think about Robin, he didn't know my true identity anyway. I knew his though, Selina told me. Tim Drake... She's convinced that we'll hook up one day... No. He's too cocky for my liking. He thinks that just because he's attractive, he can have any girl he wants. No thank you.

I made my way to the living room and flopped down onto the couch. There was nothing worthwhile on TV so I grabbed my book and sat on the windowsill to read in the sun. The air got warmer and the sun was high in the sky when I realized that I had things to do. I pulled off my PJ shorts and top and searched for decent clothes. I found random items lying around and put them together. My favourite black skinny jeans and a purple tank top. Good enough. I pulled on my socks and boots and grabbed a hoodie and my leather jacket. Walking into the living room and passing the couch, I saw Salem curled up on it. I gave his head a quick scratch.

"I'll be back soon, love. Behave yourself."

I grabbed my phone, my keys and the list. Locking the door behind me, I made my way down the many steps to the apartment block's underground garage. I pulled the cover off and hung it on the nearby hook. I slipped on my gloves and put on my helmet, swinging my leg over the bike. The sound of the engine echoing in the garage was music to my ears. I smirked as I flipped the visor down. I really love this bike. I rode out into the street and I was off.

I rode to the small store a little further uptown. Luckily, the things on the list didn't require me going to a supermarket, I wasn't in the mood for crowds today. I stopped outside the store and got off my bike. I pulled off my helmet and run my fingers through my short black hair, making it look a bit better. I walked into the store and started gathering things on the list. Making my way through the aisles, dumping things into the basket and crossing them off the list. I was down to the last thing on the list and nearly had a heart attack.

"What?!" I probably should not have said that so loud.

The cashier flashed me a worried expression and I gave her a weak smile. I looked at the list again and there in black, written in small, elegant letters, read, "The pill".
They don't even have it here. I'm going to have to go to a pharmacy even further uptown.

Why Selina!

I sighed and walked to the till to pay for my things. I just stared into space while the cashier rang everything up. I know to most girls my age, this kind of thing is very normal, but I'm not most girls. I don't do normal girl things. I had a lot of social interaction with boys when I was younger, but not THAT kind of interaction. I grew up around males for most of my life, but I was always 'one of the guys'. I didn't date, I was too busy stealing so that I had money to buy food. I was practically invisible in school, so nobody noticed when I wasn't in class (which was very often). I never really had friends, I was painfully shy. So when someone actually came up to me and tried to speak to me, I lost my basic social skills. It was even worse if it was a boy that came up to me. I could never make eye contact. Eventually every one got the message and just left me alone.
So long story short, I'm NOT that kind of girl. I don't go out buying 'the pill' or... other things related to that...
Selina has tried to get me to date, but I just... can't. I don't think I need to? Sure, some nights are cold and lonely, but I manage. Hot chocolate and Netflix usually works.

I put the stuff I bought in the compartment under my seat and got onto my bike again. I put on my helmet and left, making my way further uptown. The buildings and cars started to get fancier as I got closer to the richer area. I stopped at the nearest pharmacy and took my helmet off once again. Walking inside, I noticed the smell first. VERY clean, like hospital clean. It was quite overwhelming. I also noticed that it was empty. The cashier gave me a sweet smile from behind the counter on the other side of the room.
I think a crowd would have been better than this.
I took a deep breath and walked over to the counter. Gathering up all of my courage, I leaned closer to her and I asked for the item. I was so nervous that my voice came out in a whisper, which embarrassed me even more. She handed me the small box and I paid for it. I needed to get out of there. I took a speedy walk out of the pharmacy and walked to my bike. Shoving the box in with the rest of the things, I felt my phone vibrate. A text... From Selina.

Pain killers, please!

I threw my head back and let out a long sigh. Turning around to walk back into the pharmacy, I saw someone pull up on a red bike. Thank God they weren't here earlier. I walked down one of the isles and stopped to grab some gum before making my way to the counter again. The guy that stopped outside walked passed me. I knew it was a guy because I know that smell. His cologne swept over me like a wave. Oh my, this was going to be interesting.