The Project •On Hold•

✨ Chapter Five ✨

"Hey, Dad," Zatanna said as she walked into the apartment above her father's magic store. "Those kids are coming over for a school project, in a few minutes, ok?"

Giovanni Zatara smiled at his daughter. "Of course it's ok, I already told you so. Who?"

"Megan Morse, Conner Kent, Richard Grayson, Wally West, Kaldur Waters, Raquel Ervin, and this new girl, Artemis Crock."

"That's a lot of kids. Will you be in here or in your room?"

"Not sure yet."

"Ok. I'll get some snacks ready. I made brownies after you texted me."

Half an hour later, Dick and Wally appeared. Followed by Megan, then Conner, and then Kaldur. Artemis and Raquel showed up together.

Everyone looked around when they first arrived, and their reactions to the house told Zatanna a lot about them. Dick didn't pay any attention while Wally took notice of the organization. Megan smiled and quickly settled down on the couch. Like Dick, Connor didn't pay much attention. Kaldur spoke to her about how his house must be a cookie cutter of hers, because the only differences were decorative. Artemis and Raquel were both visibly impressed. Just as they sat down, Giovanni walked in with a tray of snacks and set it down on the coffee table.

Zatanna smiled. "Guys, this is my dad, Giovanni Zatara. Dad, this is Richard, Wally, Kaldur, Conner, Megan, Raquel, and Artemis."

"Nice to meet you kids. I would love to chat, but unfortunately I need to go to work at my shop. Will you all be alright here?"

"Of course, Dad! You go on, I'll keep these guys under control."

"So, where do we start?" Kaldur asked.

"Were's your mom?" Wally asked.

"Oh," Zatanna tensed. "She left back in June."

"That sucks," Dick said.

Zatanna shrugged. "It is what it is."

"Why did she leave, if you don't mind me asking?" Artemis butted in.

"Because she just didn't care about my dad, and they got into an argument- which I eavesdropped on- and my dad gave her an ultimatum, adjust to the rules he set up for my well being or leave. She chose to leave."

"I am sorry," Kaldur said.

"It's ok. It just sucks because sometimes it feels like it's my fault."

"How is it-" Conner started.

"Her mom left because her dad made rules her mom didn't like because of Zatanna. That makes it seem like it's her fault." Artemis said. "Trust me, I know the feeling Zee. The exact same thing happened to me back in July, only my dad was the one who left. It sucks, but it's life."

Zatanna cracked a smile. "I love how you never said that it wasn't my fault."

Artemis shrugged. "I feel like it's my fault my dad left- because it totally is- so I'd kind of be a hypocrite. But I doubt that it was your fault, your mom is just a bitch. My dad legitimately left because of me. He was sick and tired of the disabled kid that he hated, ruining his image of a perfect family, so he left."

"That's horrible," Zatanna said.

Artemis shrugged. "It is what it is. I don't miss him, he was a total jackass. Anyway the topic was your family, so let's hurry up and get back on it, please."

"Ok so, my family is now just my dad and I really, I have cousins, but this project is about home life. My dad owns the magic shop below this apartment. He is really awesome. He brings in enough money to make sure we're comfortable. He's a really good dad, we're not that exciting of a family. We're just normal, except that my dad was a famous magician."

"Well, that's really cool." Megan said.

"It is. I guess that's it. It feels weird to say any more now, and we have until December. We'll figure out whose house is next at school tomorrow, I guess."

There was a chorus of awkward "yeah"s, and everyone headed out, leaving Zatanna feeling uncomfortable with how much of her personal life had to be exposed for this project.