Artemis is disabled. Wally is abused. Richard is neglected. Zatanna's mom left. Megan is bullied. Conner has anger issues. Kaldur is a foster kid. Raquel's parents abandoned her. What happens when these eight enemy teenagers are assigned to do a rep...
2024 update: I'm getting rid of most of these A/Ns, but this is so nostalgic I had to leave it in, lol.
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"They're coming over for that school project in a few minutes," Conner announced to the room.
"Ok," His stepmom, Lois said.
Conner's phone rang. It was Megan. Conner smiled. This stupid project had given him the ability to get her number- without making it obvious that he liked her.
"Hi, Conner! Zee, Arty, Rocky, and I are headed your way! And we've got Jon."
"K. Thanks for the heads up." He hung up. Since Jon was friends with Megan's brother Garfield, the parents decided that the boys could have a play date at Megan's house, then Jon could go back home when Megan came over for the project.
"Who was that?" Lois asked.
"Megan. She and her friends are on their way with Jon."
"Good." Lois smiled as she took the batch of cookies out of the oven.
-few minute time skip because I honestly don't wanna bother writing stuff here- ~2024 me agrees with 2019 me here~
"Soooo... Home life?" Dick asked.
Conner shrugged. "I live with my dad and stepmom. My dad doesn't pay me much attention, but I've gotten used to it. I have another dad, who I lived with when I was little, but then my biological dad took me back in, and I've lived here ever since. I don't see my other dad much anymore, he lives in another city."
"That sucks, Conner," Megan said sadly. "I don't see my dad much, either."
"Ok, yeah, well, that's it. Who's house next?"
"Mine," Wally said. "My dad doesn't like people over, but he's gone from Friday to Monday night for a business trip."
"Well, then, it's settled," Kaldur said. "Then we can meet at my house? The summer weather is lasting a lot longer than usual this year, and my family has a pool."
"NICE!" Raquel said. "I love to swim."
Everyone agreed it also sounded great, up until Artemis said, "You guys have fun with that."
"What do you mean?" Kaldur asked, confused.
Artemis patted her hands on her legs. "Uhhh... I can't swim, obviously."
"Aren't there classes or something for people with-"
Artemis snorted. "Yeah, of course there are. But they're expensive, and I'm poor as dirt, so that was a big no can do."
"I can try to teach you."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Not knowing how to swim is dangerous. Besides, my foster dad is the swim coach. I'm sure we can borrow the school pool on days when there isn't swim team. My dad might need to help, but it can be done. Back in Hawaii, teaching disabled kids how to swim was his job. There was this one boy, a lot like you actually, and he ended up joining our school's swim team."
Artemis shook her head, astonished. "No way."
"Yes, way."
Conner couldn't help but crack a grin. Artemis' reaction was cute.
"Do you guys want to stay for dinner?" Lois called.
There was a chorus of "sure"s from everyone except Artemis, who said she had to call her mom. She hung up a minute later. "She said ok!"
"Great!" Lois called, more than happy to help out Conner's friends.
Conner knew that she was glad that he was making friends. Because of his anger issues, it was pretty hard, given that he couldn't control himself well. But he actually liked these people now that he'd gotten to know them. Soon, Lois called them to dinner. Mr. Kent showed up a few minutes after the meal, late as usual. He didn't even question the seven extra teenagers at the table, he just took his food and ate.
When the others started to leave, Conner stopped Raquel and Artemis. "Hey, guys. I know no one's coming to pick you two up, and I was wondering if you wanted me to drive you home. I don't want you guys to ride on a city bus after dark. It sounds sketchy."
Both girls gave him pointed looks.
"Uh, I'm not saying that you guys need protection cuz you're girls, I'm saying it's just safer in general for you to hitch a ride home with someone you know than a bus full of strangers at night."
The girls nodded.
"Thanks, Conner," Artemis said.
"I'm taking Artemis and Raquel home!" Conner called. "I'll be back soon!"
"You're such a gentleman, Conner!" Lois called back.
Conner took the girls to their apartment building, where they got out and thanked him. He drove back home after making sure the girls got inside safely.
