No One's Invincible

going through the motions

As Wally left his house to go to school, his father handed him his phone with a stern look in his eyes. Wally swallowed a lump in his throat and took it, holding it tightly in his sweaty palm.

As he walked away, he could feel the prickling gaze of Rudolph on his back and he felt a shiver travel up his spine. He felt like he was under surveillance.

As soon as he got out of eyesight from the house, Wally checked his phone. As sure as his dad had said, there was a text from Sam. He was at another school. Wally was never going to see him again. There was even a text from Wally in reply that his dad had presumably written. It was full of hate and decelerations of anger. And then, to Wally's horror, Sam had blocked him. He was all alone at school.

Robin had texted him too. Rudolph hadn't replied to those. He so badly wanted to ask for help but there was no way that it was possible. Unless...

8:43  Wally
Hey Rob. Sorry just got your texts.

8:44   Robin
How come? Are you okay? I heard about your mum. Are you coming to the cave tonight?

8:44  Wally
My dad took it off me. Yeah mostly. I am yes.

Wally then wrote a separate text.

8:45 Wally
There's something important I need to talk to you about. But I can't do it over text.

As soon as it showed the message was read by Robin he deleted it. He felt sick. What if his dad knew how to recover deleted messages? He doubted he did but it still made him nauseous.

8:45 Robin
Okay? I'll see u there then. I have to get to school now but I'll see you at the cave.

8:46  Wally
See you then.

Wally breathed a sigh of relief. He's tell Robin then. He had to tell someone. He had to do something. He was overwhelmed on his own.

At this point with the distraction, Wally was already at school. The building loomed ahead of him. His foot stung a little still and Wally realized he really hadn't eaten much. He was going to have to stock up today.

Now to face school. More like suffer through it.

Wally walked into class and felt like he could feel the eyes of the whole school on him. He was being paranoid and he knew it, but that didn't stop him from feeling weighed down under their imaginary gazes.

A voice from behind him shouted loudly in his ear. Wally felt overwhelmed. Just then Dan slammed his hand on Wally's desk and smirked.
"Hey fucktard!"

Wally desired that he'd had enough today. He didn't care if they called his dad. He was done.

He stood and shoved past Dan who looked at him weird and backed off. Wally sped walked to the back of school where he his behind some bins. He calmed down there until lunch.

He then went to the canteen and took as much food as he could and ate it quickly keeping his eyes on the teachers who might know he was out of lessons.

As soon as lunch was over he decided he would go to the caver early. School was not something that he could cope with presently.

He jumped over the school fence and walked away, ignoring the shouts of a nearby teacher. He found the nearest transport and used it, glad to be out of the depressing area of school.

When he arrived he could see m'gann in the kitchen with Superboy. They hadn't seen him come in, seemingly too absorbed in their lovey dovey conversation. Wally was thankful. He didn't want to talk.

He walked down to his room and flopped down on his bed. He decided to sleep until robin arrived. He had no idea what he was going to tell him or if he would even believe him. By now his injuries were healed so there was no evidence.

When Wally woke up he could hear the sounds of the team socializing behind his door.

Preparing himself for a moment, he left his room and went to the common area. The team seemed surprised to see him except robin and Superboy who kept blank faces.

"Wally?" Questioned Artemis "Batman said you were taking a break from the team. Why are you here?"

Wally laughed half-heartedly. Of course. His dad called in.

"Ah, yeah. He was right. I'm just here to say goodbye and all."

M'gann looked at him with pity. "We heard about your mom. We're so sorry Wally. We're here for you if you need anything at all."

Wally smiled. "Thanks guys. I appreciate it a lot. Seriously."

He then looked at robin pointedly.
"I'm gonna go up to the gym I think."

They all let him go with considerable pity in their eyes. It was exhausting. He didn't want their pity. But he appreciated that they were there for him. However, he could only fully rely on one person in the team: Robin.

He heard robin come up to the gym. He turned around and saw his face blank. He knew wally didn't want his pity.

Robin smiled but said "Are you alright man? You're not looking too great. You want to tell me something?"

Wally could feel tears welling up in his eyes. He swallowed thickly.

"Yeah Robin I do. You've got to believe me."