actually my name's maria..

[another set that's been forever lost in my drafts.]

[cleaning out drafts, had a really good story in mind for these two, but nothing.]

Barbara Evans,
 

I flutter open my eyes as the sun enters through the blinds. My entire body is aching and I feel a dried drool on the right side of my cheek. Beneath me I can hear a steady breathing and I try to remember what happened last night.
My clothes are on, so having sex it's a no. Then I realize that the person with the steady breathing it's Dan. A warm smile crawls onto my lips the moment I look at him. His eyes are closed shut and his mouth is slightly open. His hair is still ruffled and he isn't wearing the light green shirt of his. He looks so peaceful when sleeping. For some reason it makes my heart melt for a brief moment.
After I stare at him for a couple of more seconds I jump off the bed and make my way towards the bathroom. By the time I am out of the shower and brush my teeth Dan has woken up. The bed head of his, looks incredibly sexy on him and I make my best effort not to let the hormones take over.
“I have no idea how I spent the night here..” Dan says to me sheepishly, whilst rubbing the back of his neck.
“It's okay.” I put my tooth brush at it's place and approach him, placing my hands on his chest, looking up at him. “We haven't done this in a long time.”
“Sleep together?” he chuckles and cups my face.
“Just sleep. No funny business.” just as I make a smile, Dan's lips crush against mine and I wrap my arms around his torso pulling myself closer to his body.
“I gotta go, Babs..” he breaks the kiss and I let out an unexpected whimper. “I have classes at ten.”
“It is ten.” I lean my head to the side and shift my weight on my left leg. Dan mutters a curse and turns around facing my very well practiced puppy pout.
“Not that look, Babs..” he moans and covers his eyes with his hand.
My puppy pout seems to be the only thing that is able to bring Dan on his knees. Well, Dan is not the only one who is weak whenever I unleash my secret weapon; my dad seems to have a bad case of puppy pout too. How do you think I got everything I wanted?
I walk over to Dan and push him against the wall, completely blocking his way. I slowly remove his hand from his eyes and face him. He rolls his eyes annoyingly, not wanting to accept the fact that he lost.
“I swear, that look is going to be the death of me someday..” he finally says, sighing loudly. His frown doesn't maintain much longer and it's replaced with a warm and kind smile I am so used of seeing, but it never seems to be enough.
His hands gently cup my face and bring it closer to his. His lips touch mine and we stand there exchanging sweet kisses. For a moment he breaks the kiss again and stares into my eyes. His thumb is caressing my cheek as our noses make contact.
“What?” I say quietly, my voice almost sounding like a whisper.
“Nothing...” Dan shakes his head. “I just have a weird case of déjà vu.”
“Like that one from three years ago?” I chuckle.
“Yeah.” he nods, smiling, “Something like that.”
We spend the next hour lying on my bed. From time to time we exchange a couple of kisses, but afterwards we go back on just lying and listening to the sound of the TV. While Dan is playing with the locks of my hair, I am occupied with something else.
Like the thoughts of us starting this 'relationship' of ours again. While part of me is craving for it, this other part, the wiser one, keeps screaming at me that is bad idea.
‘Do you want to have your heart broken again, Barbara? Remember last time... Remember what was the real reason you called it quits!? Do you...?’
I close my eyes shut and try to shut all the voice in my head. Yes, they have a point, but the past is something I don't like to remember. I just don't. Every time I think of... /that/, it makes me sad and my mood crashes that very second.
F.uck.
There's another reason why I can't f.uck Dan.
Jason.
Why? Oh, God why?
“Is something troubling you?” Dan turns towards me and stares at me worryingly.
“No. No, no, no.” I shake my head, denying.
I know how Dan is protective of his stuff. I know I am completely killing the dignity of the feminist in me when I describe myself as one of the things he owns. But that's just how it is. He saw me first. In a way. Plus, I know how jealous he can get. And it's never pretty. In fact, it's hideous.
Finding out what happened between me and Jason might be his breaking point. He might flip out, completely losing his mind and beating the literal s.hit off of Jason. He might be so angry that he will never be able to look me in the eye, yet speak to me. I can't live through that. It was hard enough for me to be separated from him when he got that lung infection and had to be put into quarantine for a week. Can you imagine what will happen when we will break contact for ever?
I will break. I won't have the one person I tell everything to and yet here I am keeping secrets from him. Lying to his face. The longer I stall my confession, the worse things will get.
“Babs, you're scaring me. Are you sure you're alright?” there he goes again, cupping my face, bringing it closer to his.
“Dan, I am fine.” I touch his hand with mine, looking straight into his eyes, reassuring him that everything is fine, when I am obviously lying. And he knows it. He knows me that well that he reads me as an open book.
He kisses my face and then my lips. Slowly he picks me up and places me on his lap, once again brining my body closer to his. We proceed to kiss and it's all so new to me. We've never done this. It always has been fast, filled with lust and the need for sex. Something of a competition. Who will finish first, who is going to be on top... but it doesn't seem to matter right now.
We were never making-out buddies.
We were either best friends or f.uck buddies. Nothing in between.
This, /new/ thing is so strange. It feels nice, as if there aren't places he needs to go. Like there's plenty of time in the world and right now the only place he wants to be is with me. Kinda makes me feel special.
I feel the coldness of his fingers on my stomach as I feel his hand slowly going under my T-shirt and making it's way up. His touch is ticklish against my skin and I feel shivers appear on the back of my neck. His lips travel towards my neck and he is slowly applying wet kisses on every single spot. A couple of moans escape my lips as I enjoy how his warm breath crawls on the crook of my neck and how his teeth are gently nibbling it's skin.
My hands travel to his hair and I start to grab big chunks of it. I feel it's softness around my fingers enjoying at every single touch of it. He removes his lips from my neck and returns on my lips. Pulling me by the hips he brings me much closer towards his body.
I feel it. I feel /him/. He wants me. He needs me. Probably more than ever. I wonder how much it pained him to see me walking around his apartment in only a towel. Or his shirt. He's been restraining himself for all these years. I wonder how badly he wanted me whenever he smelled his shirt and it smelled like me.
Maybe just like me, he has had bad sex. But there's no bad sex for Dan.
Nevertheless, he waited long enough. I don't care if this makes me a super s.lut. I am doing this because I love him. He's my best friend. He does everything I ask him to do. I can let this slip.
I am the one who breaks the kiss and stare at his gorgeous blue eyes for a brief moment. I breath in a long breath and take off my T-shirt, throwing it on the ground. My hand reaches the back of his neck and I pull his head closer to mine.
“Do bad things to me.” I whisper in his ear and lie my back on the bed.
Dan stares at me with both surprise and confusion, before he leans forward and starts kissing me. My hands travel towards his chest and with an incredible speed unbutton his shirt. He takes a moment to shrug it off of his body and to throw it on the floor, only then to go return his full attention to me. I feel his hand traveling down my stomach and unbuttoning my shorts. Without any extra effort he manages to slip his hand under my underwear and I close my eyes as I am expecting the best.
“Did you hear that?” all of a sudden jumps off of me pulling out his hand from both my shorts and underwear. He stares at me, his eyes wide open and slightly startled.
“You're just being paranoid, now relax.” I pull myself up and continue to kiss him.
“Babs...” he says, as I place kisses on his neck, “When is your dad coming back again?”
“Twenty-forth..” I say through kisses.
“Barbara..” he manages to say with a high-pitch in his voice. “Today is the twenty-forth!”
I push him away from me, my eyes open wide. It doesn't take long enough for me to realize that I am sitting in my bra and I am so close of my dad finding out that me and Dan were just about to have sex.
I can't let him find out. We have kept this a secret for such a long time. Dan is the only guy my dad trusts. Well, not completely, but still he trusts him more than he trusted the other guys I dated or were interested in me.
“Put your shirt on...” I jump of the bed and throw Dan his shirt. “If my dad asks, we are cleaning up my room..” I say while putting my T-shirt back on.
“Hey Babs..” I am just about to exit my room when I hear Dan calling out my name, “Remember when I told you that your puppy pout is going to be the death of me?” I nod, already knowing where his comment is leading, “I think it might be today..”
“It won't be, cause we are /cleaning/.”
I run in the living room the exact moment my dad enters the apartment. “Barb?” he asks, surprised to see me. “What are you doing here?”
“Cleaning my room.” I say to him smiling and throw myself into his arms. “What are you doing this early?”
“It's the twenty-fourth, Barb. I told you I'm coming home on twenty-fourth.”
“Really?” I lean my head on the side, “I must've forgotten.”
“Are you by yourself?” he kissed my head and heads towards the bathroom.
“No. Dan's here too..” I follow him and I feel the sudden tension that appears in his shoulders. “He's helping me clean..”
“Why? You never clean your room.” dad says a little bit suspicious.
“Hasn't Babs told you?” Dan suddenly appears in the hallway, a huge smile crawling on his face. “She's moving in with me.”
“Wasn't she already living with you?” my dad pulls his bad cop voice that scares even me. But Dan is just standing there, calm as ever. He smiles confidently and brushes his fingers through his hair.
“Not officially. I finally finished the guest room.”
I stare at Dan with wide eyes, completely surprised with the pun he is just pulling. Is he for real? If he is, than this means that I /actually/ have to clean up my room and leave, for like forever.
“Is this true, pumpkin?” dad turns around facing me, his gaze soft now.
“Yeah. I was going to tell you when you returned from your trip.” I nod slowly, completely taken aback.
“Dan, when you're finished, can I have a talk with you?” the bad cop stares and voice are back as my dad turns his entire attention towards Dan.
“Yes, sir.” Dan plays it cool and goes back to my old bedroom.
I walk around the room for a couple of seconds, trying to process what just happened. “I am moving in with you?”
“Well, you already have your entire closet stacked in the guest room, all you need is a bed.” Dan shrugs casually.
“I can't put a bed in there!” I exclaim, panicking slightly. “Where am I supposed to put my shoes then?!”
“Then don't put a bed.” he grins.
“Yeah, cause the couch is /so/ comfortable..” I say sarcastically, remembering all those times I woke up with a sore neck.
“I was saying..” Dan places his hands on my hips and pulls me towards him, so now I am standing in between his legs. “..now that we've started fooling around again.. sort of.. we can share the bed..”
I stare at him for a moment, dumbfounded by his words. Share the bed? As in sleep together? Isn't that a couple thing?
But it's not a couple thing if you make it a couple thing, Barbara! For Christ's sake.
“I like the sound of that..” a smile tugs on the corners of my lips and I lean forward and plant a chaste kiss on his lips. “Now, let's start cleaning.” I turn around and start picking up random books from the ground.
“Do we have to?” Dan whines, throwing himself on the bed.
“You put us in this mess, Daniel. Now it's time to get out.”
 

@vicks @elizabeth-kate, @chrissykinz, @sarahstardom, @kkerry, @martasmiling, @nessazura, @ingrid, @sophiaspastic, @oedipus

Barbara Evans,
 
“Vulnerability..” I stare at professor Greene as he is lecturing about the human mind. For some odd reason I took up writing as an extra class this semester, only because I thought it will help me clear my head. “When is man mostly vulnerable?”
The entire room is quiet, as Greene darts his eyes from left to right, glancing at each and every single student. Including me.
Don't say me. Please not me. Anyone but me.
“You..” he points his finger and I literally feel my heart skip a beat. I let out a relieved sigh when I see that he is pointing at Katjaa, who is sitting right behind me. “Shoot!”
“When someone close to him has died.” she answers deadpan, her strong British accent echoing around the classroom. “When they end a long relationship.”
“How about when they are about to lose their virginities?”
Muffled chuckles and snickers can be heard coming from various people. I try to keep a straight face as long as possible.
“It might.” Katjaa shrugs.
“How did you feel, when you were about to have sex with someone for the first time?” Greene walks around the classroom, his voice casual, completely oblivious about the color of Katjaa's face.
“Do I have to answer this question?” she asks, with a surprisingly high-pitched voice.
“No. Neither of you have to. But you can write about it.”
“Of how we lost our virginities?” Faux (not her real name by the way), Katjaa's twin sister asks, raising her eyebrow.
“No. How you felt, before and afterwards.” Greene claps with his hands and glances at his wrist watch. “Class dismissed.”
“Has he gone mental?” Faux asks me as we exit the classroom.
I don't pay much attention at her as I have my mind preoccupied with the assignment he just gave us. How can I write about something that I barely remember? It was such a long time ago.
How are you supposed to feel anyways? Scared? Nervous? Exited?
I walk around the campus, preoccupying my mind with the assignment. Maybe I should take a break. Do something to get my mind off of things.
Hopping into a cab I go to my dad's apartment. Walking through the familiar corridor I unlock the door and enter my old home. The smell of coffee fills my nostrils. With my father on a business trip, the apartment's empty and I feel like that sixteen year old teenager that always gets giddy when the parents are not home.
I turn on the radio and start dancing around the apartment, feeling free and relaxed for the first time in weeks. I dance my way to my old room and slam my head against the pillow. My bed is unmade just like I left it when I moved out of the apartment. My old slippers are thrown on different sides of the room and my books are still on the desk, untouched.
Now that I am here, I remember quite well that my room was never tidy. Before my parents got divorced my mother was always screaming her lungs out about how a lady's room must always be tidy. I wonder how she would react if she catches a glimpse of my current situation. Having a mental breakdown is one of the things she might experience. Next to a heart attack.
I turn to the side and reach towards my bed side table. I struggle to open the drawer. After a couple of minutes of struggling, I finally get the drawer open and peek inside. My old diary is lying inside, a layer of dust over it. Next to it there are a couple of pencils, bobby pins and my dream journal. I reach for my diary, dust spreading every where in the process and open it.
I started writing a diary when I moved in New York. At first I wasn't an avid writer, but ever since things got slightly interesting and I got enrolled in one of the best schools in the country, I started writing daily. Sometimes even a couple of times during the day. Spending time with Dan, meant an endless list of adventures and things to be discovered. The first kiss, love and heartbreak were one of those things.
There was also the so called 'sacred virgin bond' we share. When I look deeper into it, I remember that it happened when my dad was on a business trip. Similar to the one he is now. We were both sixteen and he came over after school, so we can do our homework. It didn't take us long enough to ditch our homework and to waste time on watching Dexter's laboratory and talking about random things.
And then the topic about sex surprisingly popped out of nowhere. I was slightly more uncomfortable about leading that kind of conversation, while Dan seemed perfectly okay talking about how he gets turned on by every single living female being that walks the Earth.
“Including me?” at that time, I thought it was incredibly stupid of me to ask him that question. But I couldn't help it and it just escaped my lips.
Dan stared at me, slightly sheepishly. He nodded, hiding his embarrassment with lowering his head and staring into his hands. I was flattered, because there were times that I thought Dan was also hot. Ever since he had hit puberty, he started to be more and more comfortable in his own skin and it wasn't long after he lost that awkward teenager persona. Talking with girls and flirting with them seemed like a breeze. With a simple smile and a wink of an eye he could swoon any girl. Including the teachers. No wonder everyone liked him.
“Do you sometimes think of kissing me?” I blurted out again. Now I was the one hiding the embarrassment.
“Ever since we kissed in the eight grade.” Dan answered automatically.
Our stares locked and he moved himself closer to me. His face was inches away from mine and I could hear my heart in my ears. It's beating is something I can remember until this day. I remember begging myself for him not to hear how loud and fast it's beats were.
“Babs..” he asked me with a shivering voice, “If I kiss you right now, promise that you won't hit or slap me like you did in the eight grade?”
I chuckled at his question and nodded. I felt his lips against mine and I wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him closer to me. The kiss was nothing like the one we shared in the eight grade. It's sloppiness was gone and it was pretty obvious that Dan gained some practice over the years.
It wasn't long before I was lying on my back and we were making out on my bed. His hands were all over the place, just like I unintentionally let out a couple of moans escape my lips.
“Dan..” I broke the kiss and there was that hunch in the back of my head that told me I am going to regret this decision, but I couldn't care more. “..let's have sex.”
The picture of Dan's confused face is something I am also very familiar with. Telling him that I want to have sex with him, must've been the most shocking thing something ever told him. He kept staring at me with that same look, blinking rapidly with his eyes from time to time.
“Well?” I finally asked, not able to wait any longer.
“Why me?” he managed to say something, his voiced high-pitched as f.uck.
“Because you are my best friend. And I trust you.” I smiled. “Also, I know that you will never hurt me.”
“I won't hurt you.” he shook his head.
“I know.” I nodded, smiling again.
Ever since that day, me and Dan became more than best friends. We were best friends with... potential. Having sex with each other was one of our things. No weird moments, no awkwardness afterwards. It was natural. Both of us were completely comfortable with each other. Maybe because we've known each other since kids, but maybe there was something else in that whole little 'relationship' we had for three years.
The sound of my phone ringing, brings me back to reality and I jump startled. “Hello?” I answer it hastily.
“I've been calling you this entire morning..” Dan's voice sounds relieved from the other line, “..where have you been?”
“I had classes. Afterwards I went to my dad's apartment...” I return my head on the pillow and twirl a piece of hair around my finger.
“Where are you now?”
“Still here..” I roll my eyes at the sound of just how demanding his voice is. There are times when Dan thinks that just because I sleep on his couch he is also supposed to take care of me. Not that I don't like that extra attention, but sometimes it annoys me that he acts like an alpha male, bossing me around.
“Can I come over?” there's a strange pitch in his voice, and I can feel that smirk tugging on his lips, instantly knowing which memory came to his mind.
“Yeah, my dad is out of town.” I answer as nonchalantly as I can.
“I'll be there in five.”
I lie in my bed for a couple of more minutes until I get up and start to walk around the apartment, killing time until Dan comes. The radio is still blasting from the speakers and I start to spin around the living room. Who said the feeling that I was a sixteen year old disappeared? I remember doing the same thing every time my dad went on a business trip.
My dancing stops the exact moment I hear the doorbell. I run my way towards it and find Dan standing in front of me with ruffled hair and out of breath. “Did you run your way to here?” I shut the door behind me, without taking my quizzical stare off of Dan.
He throws himself on the couch, looking exhausted. I take a better look at him and notice just how good messy hair looks on him. His shirt is slightly unbuttoned on the top and there are beads of sweat on his forehead as he tries his best to catch his breath.
I walk over to him and sit in his lap. “Poor baby..” I coo at him, jokingly. “Did you run all this way, so I won't need to wait for you?” I run my fingers through his thick hair.
“Yeah, babe..” he grabs me by the waist and pulls me closer towards him, and his face is now standing inches away from mine. I feel my heartbeat going faster and faster and suddenly I feel the exact same way like that sixteen year old teenager I have flashbacks about. “.. can't let the one I love wait for me..” he says with an incredibly sensual voice that makes me want to cross my legs.
My hands slips from his face and slowly strokes it's way from his neck towards his incredibly toned abs. We haven't teased each other like this in a long time, I wonder what came over him, that makes him act like this.
I stare straight into his beautiful blue eyes, without intention to remove my gaze from them any sooner. “So you admit it...” I say with a surprisingly flirtatious voice. “... you /are/ in love with me.”
“Only you.” Dan whispers into my ear, making me shiver at just how hot his breath is against my skin. His left hand is going up and down my thigh, his thumb making small circles in the inside, while his right hand is cupping my face. “Babs..” he says to me, a small smirk tugging onto his lips, “if I kiss you right now, promise you won't hit me like you did in the eight grade? But instead you will want me to do things to you, which might get your father to kill me?”
I chuckle at how innocent he tries to sound. But there's no single trace of that sixteen year old boy in the guy in which lap I am sitting right now. This guy is confident to the point he is being c.ocky. His smile makes my knees weak and there's something in his eyes that makes me want to do everything he asks me to.
I brush a big chunk of hair behind my ear and I lean closer to him, planting a kiss on his lips. He places his hands on my hips pulls me closer to him. I wrap my legs around his torso as my hands shift from his neck to his chest and the other way around, wanting each part of him. A sudden feeling of hunger rushes through my body. I never wanted to f.uck someone in the way I want to f.uck Daniel right now. Not even when Jason's hands were all over my body...
Pause.
I push Dan away from me, feeling completely out of it.
I can't do it. I can't have sex with Jason and then have sex with Dan. It's a s.lutty move. And I am /not/ a s.lut. Sure there are things that I am not exactly proud of doing, but this will definitely top each and everyone of them, making me feel like a super s.lut.
“What?” Dan stares at me with a both quizzical and concerned stare. I avoid his gaze and get off from his lap taking a position right next to him on the couch. I put my arms around my frame, trying to comfort myself with a pathetic self-hug. “Does this has something to do with what happened three years ago, Babs?” now there's a genuine concern in his voice. Scared even.
That thought didn't cross my mind at all while we were about to f.uck the living daylights of each other, but now that he planted it inside my brain, something wants me to rethink the decision we were about to make. Just thinking about it makes me feel at unease and I feel a sudden rush of sadness and repressed memories flood my body.
Like the guilt I felt for having sex with his brother wasn't enough, I had /this/ to worry about too. “Babs..” Dan cups my face and makes me face him. “If you don't want this to happen again, it's okay. It really is. But... the way you sat on my lap.. it reminded me of much fun we use to have when we were teenagers..”
“Don't we have fun now?” I say, a little bit bluntly.
“We do. But not like /that/.” he lets go of my face and runs his fingers through his hair. “Honestly, I miss it. I miss /us/ messing around.” he says through a soft chuckle.
“I miss it too..” I looked over him, smiling. “But I need time. Just for a little while.”
“You said the same thing three years ago, Babs.” Dan laughs, “I think I've waited enough.”
“Oh please. Like you haven't had a good portion of sex partners in the past three years.” I playfully nudge him with my elbow in the ribs.
“True.” he nods, laughing.
“I am the one who was stuck with the terrible sex..” except the one I had a week ago. That one was ah-mazing! No words can describe the feeling. Who knew Jason had such a crafty.. everything. Especially tongue.
“Whenever you're ready.” he plants a chaste kiss on my lips. I return the kiss and we end up making out. No hands all over. No craving. No sexual tension. Just a simple make-out session between two best friends... with potential.
 
@vicks @elizabeth-kate, @chrissykinz, @sarahstardom, @kkerry, @martasmiling, @nessazura, @ingrid, @sophiaspastic, @oedipus

[collab with the great @oedipus ]
 

Charlotte Conrad,
 
“Can you hurry up, Blondie?” I heard Nightwing’s slightly annoyed voice shouting from the building next door. “I have places to be!”
“So do I!” I shouted back, walking on the edge of the rooftop’s building, completely oblivious about the fact that I may fall, die and not make it to Dick’s birthday party. “If you really must know..-“
“I really don’t care..” he shook his head, his arms crossed over his chest, his voice /really/ annoyed now.
“..I have a birthday party to attend to..” I looked back at him, the biggest grin tugging on my lips. I take a few steps back and make a successful jump onto the building where Nightwing’s standing.
“So do I!” he replied, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Wayne’s Manor?” I raised my eyebrow, quizzically staring at him. There’s no way we’re both attending Dick’s birthday.
“Yes..?”
I can’t believe it. Does he know Dick?
“Well, maybe I’ll finally see you without a mask..” I said, turning on my heel and playful smirk on my lips.
“Don’t be so sure about it, I have a girlfriend..”
“I have a boyfriend too...” I shrugged. “But if I see you first, you’re buying me a drink..”
“She’s really nice..!” he shouted at me as I jumped on the fire escape and started to make my way on the ground. “Funny, smart and great at... everything!”
“Well, I hate to break to you,” I shouted back at him, from the ground. “but my boyfriend’s hundred times more handsome than you are without your stupid mask! And he is also great at.. everything!” and when I mean everything I mean sex. “I’ll see you!”
“Not if I see you first!”
***
How is it possible for him to be late for his own birthday? I understand the fact that it is me that is always late and Dick is the one that is always waiting for me, but the other way around? Impossible.
My eyes roamed around the room, scanning each and every single person in the room, as I stood leaned next to the bar. I can’t let Nightwing win. I just can’t. Not now, when I have such advantage.
Among the crowd of people I noticed Rachel and Harvey holding hands and smiling to each other. A smiled appeared on my face and then disappeared the very moment I remember the argument Rachel and I had. Merde.
I turned my back to the crowd and started to play with the straw in my glass. I was bored out of my mind and... can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but lonely.
“Hey..” I turned my head, coming face to face with Rachel. My mood brightened a bit, when I saw that smile on her face.
“Hi..” I answered with the biggest grin and tugged a big chunk of hair behind my ear.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been avoiding you for the past weeks.. it’s just, I needed some time to think..” she lowered her head, avoiding my stare. “..and I realized that I am completely lost without you..”
“Well, you don’t have to worry, because I haven’t been avoiding you at all.” I straightened my dress, the grin still present of my face. “As a matter of fact, I finished all wedding arrangements. All you need is to choose what colors and patterns you want!”
“You did all that and...” she brought her face closer to mine and whispered, “..managed to save Gotham every night?”
I shrugged. “No biggie. I’m used of having a busy schedule.”
“Thank you.” Rachel smiled genuinely and pulled me into a tight hug. “So, where’s Dick?”
“Honestly? I have no idea...” I answered with a small pout and chugged down the last of my drink.
“Does he know?”
“About what?” I raised my eyebrow quizzically, even though I already know what her question is going to be.
“You know, you being.. you know who..”
“Nope. Don’t plan to.” I glance over at the barman, pointing my finger at my empty glass, asking for another drink.
“You have to tell him! What if something bad happens to you!? How are you going to explain that!?” there was panic in her voice.
“I’ll find I way. Like I always do.” I avoided her stare and continued to stare at the crowd filled with people.
“You’re going to just look him in the eye and lie to him?” I picked up Rachel’s concerned stare with the angle of my eye. “I thought you were better than that, Lotte.”
I thought I was too. But I know Dick. And I know just how protective and possessive he gets. I don’t want him fearing for my life every night I go on patrol.
“Yeah, well..” I shrugged casually, scanning my brain for a topic that will make Rachel forget about me not telling secrets to Dick. “..I will tell him when you tell Harvey about Paxton Powers..” I finally face Rachel, a small smirk tugging on the corner of my lips. Rachel’s eye widen and her face is starting to change colors. So that’s the thing that struck her nerve at most?
“I don’t know what you are talking about..” she answered with a blank stare, obvious at how hard she was trying to keep a straight face.
Yeah, right.
“He is super gorgeous..” am I really going there? Anything for the change of topic. “..and he likes you, that’s what I’m saying..” I leant closer so I can whisper in her ear. Rachel’s red cheeks turned to a shade of burgundy and quickly tugged a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Suddenly I came face to face with her waving hand and the engagement ring that almost poked my eye out.
“I’m engaged, remember?” she replied, “Plus, you are ranting.”
I frowned at her comment, but quickly smiled, obvious about her not so obvious intentions. Yeah, I don’t think it will be /that/ easy to change the topic, Rache. “You can’t even admit it to yourself!”
“Admit what?” she asked me, her arms crossed on her chest as if she was defending herself.
I mentally sighed, seeing that I somehow managed to upset her, although I only meant it as a joke. “It’s alright to be temped, you know..-“
And I am saying that from my own experiences. I might be dating the hottest guy in Gotham, but somehow I still end up fantasizing about Nightwing’s a.ss from time to time. What if I am having the same problem Rachel has? What if I also end up between to guys? Oh, merde.
“I’m getting married before summer so, no. It isn’t alright.” Rachel brought me back to reality with her overly dramatic head shake. A tight smile formed on her lips as she grabbed me by the arm and we started walking towards the tables. “And you, silly girl, shouldn’t try to justify me for thinking of another men.” She said, whilst glancing around the room and somehow successfully managed to catch Paxton’s stare. Her reaction was something that definitely made me grin like an idiot. “I don’t even know why he keeps looking at me in that way. He makes me feel so exposed..” she whispered and I started to laugh at her comment.
“He is a man after all..” I winked playfully at her as I passed her a flute of champagne.
Rachel chugged down the champagne like she hasn’t had a drink in days and took another one from the passing waiter. “Please don’t get drunk like that last time..” I said meekly, with a slight annoyance in my voice. Unlike last time, I don’t think I will be able to get rid of her that easily and I have places to be!
“What last time!?” she widened her eyes, pretending as if she doesn’t remember, but her blush on her cheeks gave her away.
I rolled my eyes and returned to my previous mission, track Nightwing. “So..” Rachel playfully nudged me in the ribs, hitting my bad spot. I let out a not so quiet wince and covered my wound with my free hand. “..oh my God. I am so sorry.. I completely forgot about.. /that/.” She covered her mouth with her hands, a worried stare on me.
“It’s fine..” I shook my head, smiling. “It didn’t hurt that much, anyways..” I shrugged, lying. It hurt like a mother-.”What were you going to ask me..” I blinked a few time, trying to repressed the tears that gathered in my eyes from the pain Rachel caused me.
Rachel shook her head, as if she was trying to remember. “Ahm, I was going to ask you what kind of present did you get for Dick..”
“You’re looking at it..” I said casually while taking a sip from my champagne and avoiding her stare completely.
I noticed Rachel staring at me with her mouth slightly agape. “I thought you guys have already.. y’know..”
“Had sex?” I jumped straight to the word she was trying so hard to avoid. “Yeah, we have..” I nodded and took another sip. “I actually got him a tie... the sex is something that comes afterwards..” a noticed a slight relief on Rachel’s face, although I had no idea why it was there in the first place. I’m a grown up girl, I can do whatever I want.
“And how are you going to explain /that/..” she subtly pointed her finger at my wound.
“I’ll figure something out..-“ suddenly I feel the presence of someone’s hands wrapping around my waist and pulling me from behind.
“That better be my birthday present you’re talking about..” Dick whispers in my ear, a playful smirk tugging on the corners of his lips. I try to hold back a wince of pain as he tightens his grip around it.
“I should’ve gotten you a present?” I turned my entire attention towards him, “Merde, now what?”
“I have a few ideas you can make up to me..” he seductively whispered in my ear, so only I can hear him. I felt heat rush into my cheeks as I glanced over at Rachel, trying my very best to keep a straight face.
“I’ll see you Rachel..” I said with a incredibly high-pitched voice, whilst waving my hand at her.
“Have fun you, too...” she replied, “Oh and Dick! Happy birthday..!”
“Thanks..” he looked at Rachel over his shoulder and smiled widely.
The moment we were out of sigh, Dick pressed my body against the wall, his hands all over my body, inspecting every inch of it. His lips were on mine, then they were on my neck as he applied wet kisses from whom I couldn’t stop moaning. Without effort he picked me up from the ground and I comfortably wrapped my legs around his body.
Suddenly I found myself put somewhere soft. Oh, hi bed, when did you get here?
I lied my head on the bed, looking up at Dick who was struggling with his tie. I grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him down, landing him over my body. His fingers skimmed the skin on my bare back and started playing with the zipper, partially unzipping my dress.
I turned around, sitting on top of his pelvis, a playful smirk tugging on the angles of my lips. I placed hot kisses down his neck, while my hands were taking care of his pants’ zipper. “I think it’s time for your birthday present, Grayson..” I whispered in his ear and could notice his lips spreading into a wide grin. “But I gotta warn you.. it’s gonna blow you away..” I stood up straight, smirking.
Dick placed his hands on my hips and as he was once against reaching for my dress’ zipper managed to touch my bad spot. An unwanted wince escaped my lips and he lifted himself up the exact moment. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing..” I shook my head, pulling my lips into a slight smile. “Just a bruise, no big deal... now down.” I pushed him back on the bed and pulled myself down as well as his pants. His hand slowly brushed across my wound, making me wince once again, but this time I made sure it was only mentally.
“Ahm, Charlie..” I heard Dick’s voice calling my name with a slight pitch. “..are you sure everything’s okay?”
Is he kidding me? Is he /seriously/ kidding me? Like the pain I feel in my ribs isn’t enough? I raised my head and come face with face with Dick’s panicked expression as he is slowly waving his right hand covered in red liquid. My eyes widen at the sight. That is /your/ red liquid Charlotte! I look down at my wound and notice a big red puddle on my dress.
I look back at Dick, my expression panicked as well, now. I start to feel like I can’t breath and Dick pulls himself closer to me, cupping my face with his clean hand. “Look at me.. you’re going to be fine.. okay?!” he tries to stay calm, but the panic in his voice is unavoidable.
“I can explain..” I say panting.
“I’ll get some help..” he jumps off the bed and runs out of the room, “Lie down.”
I did as he told me and put my head on the soft pillow and did my best to breath equally. I stare at the ceiling and tried to think of a logical explanation that I’ll have to tell Dick later. But what if it doesn’t work? What if he doesn’t believe me? Didn’t we promise that we won’t keep anymore secrets from each other? That we will tell each other everything, no matter how bad it is?
Maybe Rachel is right after all. I should tell him the truth. I /should/ tell him the truth.
My train of thoughts was cut short the moment I heard someone enter the room. “F.uck.” I opened my eyes and saw Rachel run up to me, kneeling next to me. I slowly removed my hands from the bleeding wound, giving her a peak of it.
“Things with Dick were getting heavy when my stitches opened..” I said quietly with an unexpected giggle. I looked over at Dick with an apologetic smile, but he didn’t smile back. He just stood there, staring at me with his jaw clenched. “He barely spoke to me since I started bleeding..” I looked back at Rachel, winking slightly.
Rachel turned her gaze to Dick, who still stood like a statue, eyeing him from head to toe. “He is shocked I think..” she replied quietly.
“I can handle this..” he spoke suddenly, and both me and Rachel turned our heads towards him. “You just wait here..”
“I don’t need you to handle this, Richard!” I yelled back at him, as he was exiting the room, “I need Alfred!”
Dick stopped at his tracks right under the door’s aisle. “He’s not here..” he answer quietly, almost as he regrets that Bruce gave him a day off. “Just trust me, okay baby?”
For some reason his calm voice made me feel at ease and I managed to relax slightly and placed my head back on the pillow. He has never called me baby before. It’s always Charlie, Conrad.. but never /that/.
“And for God’s sake, Dick.. put some pants on!” Rachel said with a grin on her face.
Flustered, Dick glanced down his pants and zipped them up and then exited the room in a flash.
“I’m gonna tell him..” I looked over at Rachel and faced her concerned expression. “I’ll tell him that I’m Batgirl..”
She simply nodded with a small smile, but her smile quickly disappeared when I let out an agonizing groan. It hurt like a mother. Now that I think about it, it hurts more than when I actually got stabbed. Rachel quickly jumped off the bed and ran over to the wardrobe, taking out a couple of towels and pressing them against my bleeding wound.
“What’s taking Dick so long?” I panted, angrily.
“Give him time..” Rachel muttered, concentrating on the bleeding.
“Can you please talk to me, anything.. just please try to get my mind off of things..” I looked her with pleading eyes.
Rachel stare at me, as if she was arguing with herself if she should tell me or not. “Paxton kissed me!” she said so quickly as if the entire sentence was a single word.
“What!?” I widened my eyes, unwillingly lifting my body in surprise only to wince in pain and lie back down. “What!?” I repeated as she shrugged her shoulders embarrassed.
Rachel wasn’t able to continue as Dick ran inside the room carrying a first aid kit. “Close the door.” He glanced over at Rachel and sat on her place. He was surprisingly calm as he took out some medical things out of the kit. He gently pressed a piece of cotton dripped in alcohol, on my wound and I let out a small cry.
“It’s okay, just look at me, okay?” he patted my hair with his other hand, looking straight into my eyes.
I glanced over at Rachel who was staring at both of us, a small smile gracing her lips. What was she thinking about? Maybe about Harvey? Or was it about Paxton? What if she was thinking about that kiss? I felt a wave off sadness splashing me, when I saw her placing her arms around her small frame.
“Where did you learn to stitch up wounds?” I looked down at my wound who was craftily stitched by Dick.
“Alfred taught me...” a small smile appeared on his face.
“I will leave you alone..” Rachel’s voice suddenly chirped up and we both turned our heads at her. “If you need me, I’ll be... somewhere..”
“Rachel..” Dick called out Rachel’s name with a voice that even scared me. Almost demanding. “Don’t risk what you have with Harvey for Paxton. It’s not worth it.”
Rachel stare at Dick with a shocked expression and turned her head towards me, “I’ll check up on you later..” she pulled a small smile and she disappeared.
“Dick...” I said meekly, mentally inhaling a large amount of air. “..I need to tell you something..”
He gathered the medical equipment completely ignoring me. “Are you listening to me?”
He wasn’t. He just gathered his stuff, ignoring every single glance and stare I shot at his direction. “I need to tell you...-“
“Whatever you have to tell me, it will have to wait...” he finally said something that sounded more like a mutter than actual talking. “Get some rest now.. we’ll talk... later.”
Super.
I managed to f.uck up yet another one of my relationships.
Way to go Charlotte.

Barbara Evans,
 

 
I barely stand in the long corridor of the building where Daniel is living. Ringing the door bell for the tenth time and holding my heels in my hands. A few frustrated sighs escape my lips as I look around the corridor to kill time. What might've been only two minutes seem like two hours when your feet are killing you and all you want to do is go to sleep.
Maybe going out partying wasn't the brightest idea I've had today, but it was still worth it. I haven't had fun like that in months, plus all that negative energy that I've been gathering for the past weeks seems to be gone now. It's amazing what dancing can do to you.
“Come.On!” I grit through my teeth, shifting my weight from one foot to another.
The door finally opens and a startled Dan peeks from it.
“Finally.” I gasp and push the door open. A shirtless Dan greets me as I enter the apartment.
“I am tired, hungry and I really need to pee!” I drop my heels on the ground and they make a loud thud noise. “Sorry, if I woke you up.” I say casually, as I open the fridge and take out ingredients so I can make myself a sandwich. “Candice offered me to crash at her place, but sleeping over at some girl's place I just met didn't seem like a very bright idea.” I take a huge bight from the poorly made sandwich of mine and chew it hastily.
“Babs...” Dan finally speaks after a long silence. “..I wasn't sleeping.”
“Well then I'm not sorry..” I say with a full mouth, showing the air with my fabulous sandwich and dropping a piece of lettuce on the ground in the process. Eh, some of the cats will take care of it.
“I'm kinda, with somebody..' he says, as if he is trying to find the right words to tell me that he's been having sex with someone until I appeared on the door. Great. Barbara Evans, world's greatest c.ock-blocker strikes again!
The exact moment he mentioned that he was with somebody, that somebody appeared in the middle of the living room, wearing nothing, but Dan's white shirt that I love. My shirt! I grit my teeth and somehow manage to destroy what was left of my sandwich. The girl, was not older than 20, with blond hair and bright eyes. She looked fairly confused and stare at me as if I were the strangest creature in the entire universe. I know that I have ginger hair, but doesn't give you the right to stare at me like that.
“Actually... I am.” I drop what's left of the sandwich on the kitchen counter and run across the room to pick up my heels and clutch. “Sorry.” I say after a pause. “You seem really nice.” I say to the blond, smiling sweetly. “I'll be going now. Carry on.” I say in a hurry and exit the apartment in a flash. “Use protection.” I open the door for the last time peeking my head through it and exclaiming loudly, making a complete fool of myself.
Of course they will use protection, Barbara! They are not idiots!
In the process of trying to get out of the apartment as I fast as I can, I forgot my jacket and now I am freezing my a.ss off. I have nowhere to go, I am starving and I really need to pee! Maybe spending the night over that Candice girl isn't such a bad idea after all. Except if she is also having some action and I am here c.ock-blocking the b.itch of it. Damn it Barb!
I pass by a 24 hour diner and stop in front of it. My stomach rumbles at the thought of stuffing myself with a bunch of chocolate waffles, French fries and a strawberry milkshake. Pushing the door open and stumble inside and look around like a lost puppy. The smell of freshly made waffles, almost makes me lose my mind and I determinately walk over to the bar.
“What's a girl like Barbie doing in a place like this?” a deep voice that is freakishly familiar calls me by my most hated nickname. I cringe slightly before I turn around and face the person who definitely wants something bad to happen to him tonight.
Instead of a random drunk, I come face to face with Jason. Sitting in one of the booths, he is eying me from head to toe, his eat-s.hitting smirk plastered all over the place. On him is still that worn leather jacket and bad-boy attitude.
“Jason..” I say through a unexpected sigh. “What are you doing here?”
“Eating..” he jerks his chin towards the plate of waffles that is lying in front of him. “Wanna share a waffle?”
A grimace appears on my face and my head is loudly telling me to say 'no'. But, my stomach thinks differently. His loud rumbling wins the battle and I find myself sitting in front of Jason, stuffing my mouth with waffle. “This is... amazing!”
“Best thing you ever had?” Jason leans forward, smirking.
“You can say so..” I answer nonchalantly, shrugging in the process. “So..” I answer after swallowing that one big bite, “..how was jail?” I ask him the question, although I know that he hasn't been anywhere near a jail cell. I simply do it to irritate him.
“I wasn't in jail!” he answers almost instantly, clearly annoyed. I smile at myself, satisfied with the expected reaction. “I was traveling..” he adds later on, his tone calmer than before.
“How was that?” I take another bite from the waffle, staring at him intensely.
“Eh, nothing special.” he shrugs casually, “Being on the road all the time can be boring at time, but it has it's on charms..”
“Does Ray know you're back?” I'm surprised myself of how fast I changed the topic and went straight to the point.
“What is this? Day time TV?” that same frustration in his voice peeks in and he leans back, avoiding my stare.
“You didn't answer my question, Jay..” I say softly.
“No.” Jason answers quickly, shaking his head. “But Dan does..” he runs his fingers nervously through his hair, letting out a heavy sigh.
“I know..” I nod, surprised by the softness in my voice. “He told me..”
Jason doesn't say anything. His head is turned on the side and he is doing a very good job at avoiding my gaze. I push the now empty plate of waffles whom I shared with myself instead of him and keep staring at Jason. Being quiet like this for a very long time is definitely not a Jason thing. He is either ignoring me or has traveled some another planet.
Seeing that there is no way in hell to make him talk, even about stupid things like the weather I get from my seat and slam a ten dollar bill on the table making him jump startled. He is staring at me quizzically, the 'What's the matter with you woman' look on his face.
“Thanks for the waffle. I think I'm gonna go home now.” I say, tugging my hands on the corner of my skirt.
“By yourself?”
“I got here by myself..' I say casually and turn on my heel, ready to leave.
“Let me at least walk you home..” Jason glides off from the booth and steps next to me. “It's pretty late..”
“Fine.” I shrug and exit the diner.
I literally freeze in my spot the moment I step outside. The cold wind is wrapping around my body like a well needed blanket and I can't seem to do anything, but shake like a leaf. Why did I have to forget my jacket back at Dan's apartment?
“You didn't bring a jacket?” Jason walks beside me, staring at me like I'm some kind of an idiot. Well, technically I am an idiot, leaving without a jacket when outside is the freaking North Pole!
“I forgot it at Dan's apartment..”
“I thought you guys stopped doing that..” Jason replies, a weird pitch appearing for a brief moment in his voice.
“We did.” why does everyone seem to assume that if I left something trivial like a jacket or wallet over at Dan's we are sleeping together again? God. “I live on his couch..” I add, my voice drained from any kind of enthusiasm.
I brace myself for Jason's snarky comment, but there isn't any. Instead he is shrugging off the jacket and places it on my bare shoulders. “Here, I don't want you to freeze to death.” I glance over at him who is now wearing a simple T-shirt.
“Aren't you cold?” I tug on the jacket and breath in it's smell: cigarettes, alcohol and gasoline. Yup, that's Jason alright.
“I can handle some cold. It's you that I am worried about..”
Something about his reply makes me smile and I feel warmth at the pit of my stomach. We reach Dan's building and enter the elevator, non of us saying a word through the entire ride. As I walk in front of the door that leads into Dan's apartment I stop and hesitate if I should ring the bell. Not wanting to c.ock-block, yet another one of Dan's attempts to get laid, I slide down on the ground and lean my head on the wall.
“Why aren't you getting in?” Jason stands in front of me, his eyebrow raised.
“Dan is getting laid at this very moment. I don't wanna c.ock-block him..” I shrug, pouting my lips slightly.
Jason paces around the corridor for a couple of minutes until the rings the doorbell. I jump out in that exact same moment. “What are you doing?” I ask him through a hiss.
“C.ock-blocking.” there's a specific seriousness in his voice, that for some reason I find attractive. I stand back and stare at him.
The door opens after a couple of seconds, and a quizzical Dan is staring at both me and Jason.
“It was his idea to ring the bell. Not me.” I point my finger at Jason, childishly blaming him.
“It doesn't matter. I'm alone anyways.” Dan says through a sigh, and shifts his gaze towards my direction. “Get in Babs..” he jerks his head towards the inside of his apartment. I obediently sneak pass both Jason and Dan and enter inside. “Leave, Jason.” the tone in Dan's voice is ice cold and strict.
“Yeah, bye Barb.” Jason waves his hand awkwardly at me, and I realize that I am still holding on his leather jacket.
“Wait!” I call after him, shrugging off the jacket. “Here..” I hand him the jacket, smiling softly. “We should catch up.. how does brunch sound?”
“Gay.” he replies quickly and puts the jacket back on.
“Breakfast, then?” I lean my head to the side, smiling sweetly.
“Coffee.”
“As you like...” I let out an unexpected giggle and Dan slams the door in Jason's face.
“As you like..” Dan imitates my voice poorly and joins me on the couch as I take off my heels and massage my aching feet.
“I don't sound like that.” I scoff at him, rolling my eyes.
“Do you actually like him?” he asks me after a short pause.
“He's cute..” I answer, shrugging casually. At this point, I don't care that much of what Dan thinks of my opinion about his brother. It's not a lie that he cute, charming even, but his arrogant and intolerant behavior always seems to be a big turn off. Well, to me that is, I don't know about the other girls.
If you considered, every member of the Wellington family, especially from the opposite sex is incredibly handsome. They all have those puppy-dog eyes of their and that hair that makes you run your fingers through it. And not to mention their bodies...
I stop myself, as I notice hotness rushing through my body. I look back at Dan who is staring at me with an unapproved look. “Barb... he is my brother. My little brother.” he emphases the word 'little'.
“Only by a year!” I protest and narrow my eyebrows.
“He is still my younger brother!”
I am not in the mood to have this conversation with him right now and I lift myself of the couch heading towards the bathroom. Daniel doesn't say anything. After a few minutes I hear the door of the bedroom slamming and I know that he went to sleep.
I slowly head back to the living room and I put on one of Dan's old T-shirts. I slip under the blanket and let out a small sigh. What if I actually like him? I shake the thought of my head immediately. He smells like cigarettes, drinks like it's the last day on Earth and has the worst temper in the entire planet. But yet, something about him makes the pit of my stomach flatter.
No. Get him out of your head Barbara. You have already f.ucked Daniel. You can't have his brother. It's wrong. You're gonna go in hell. You're gonna burn in it. Stop thinking. Stop thinking. Stop thinking.
It's wrong.
 

@vicks @elizabeth-kate, @chrissykinz, @sarahstardom, @kkerry, @martasmiling, @nessazura, @ingrid, @sophiaspastic, @oedipus

Barbara Evans,
 
“Where's Dan?” Jerry walks over to me, an obvious frown on his face. He is not that happy to see me. I frown myself, but only mentally. Instead, there's a huge grin plastered all over my face, as I ruffle Jerry's hair and put my arm around him, pulling him closer to me.
“He's busy.” I say as we both walk out of the school yard. “Aren't you happy to see me?”
“Not that I am not happy..” he explains, obviously feeling guilty, “It's just, I didn't expect you to be the one picking me up from school.”
“I know, I have told Dan a million times that you are too old for someone to pick you up from school..” I chuckle, glancing over at Jerry, who is sporting a troubled look in his eyes. “What's the matter Jer?” I stop walking and face him. I seem to have forgotten just how tall he got. Just last summer he barely reached 5'8. And look at him now, towering over me like the big boy he is. “Is something bothering you?”
Jerry looks away, opening his mouth to say something, but he closes it seconds later.
“Jerry, you know that you can tell me everything, right honey?” I cross my arms over my chest, ignoring the hair that the wind blows into my face.
“I can't talk about this right now, can we go home?” Jerry's voice sounds tired and filled with frustration. At the end, I decide to do whatever he wants, although I had a whole day planed.
I walk behind Jerry as he is walking with a fast pace, the sulking expression still present on his face. My stomach is tightening at the thought that something's wrong and I can't shake off the feeling that can't do anything about to ease his troubles. As I stare at the back of his head, I'm reminded of Daniel when he use to be sixteen. It's funny how much both him and Jerry are alike. Both goofy and awkward. Well, Daniel got over his goofy and awkward faze the moment he hit puberty, while Jerry's faze is still creeping around.
We walk into the Daniel's apartment. Jerry drops his backpack on the ground and walks to the bathroom without saying a word.
“Barbara!” I turn around at the sound of my name, “Hamlet is doing the 'You shall not pass' thing again.. he won't let me use the bathroom.” a small smile appears on my lips when I listen to Jerry's Lord of the Rings reference and the pitch in his voice.
“Hamlet..” I say to my cat with a slight strictness as I pick up him up, hugging him softly. “Do your business.”
Jerry replies with a small smile and enters the bathroom as I go back to the living room area. I drop Hamlet on the ground on my way there as he gets violent and starts playing with my necklace. My mood brightens even more when I see Dog sleeping on the kitchen counter. I am so happy to see him that I don't even mind him sleeping on the place where both me and Daniel eat. Well, where mostly Daniel eats. I'm usually the one that eats on the run, a sandwich in one hand and coffee in the other, frantically running through the streets of New York, hoping that I am not late for yet another one of my classes.
“Are you hungry, do want something to eat?” I ask Jerry, the moment he walks out of the bathroom.
“Not really.” he shakes his head, and glares at me, “Why is the cat sleeping on the kitchen counter?”
I glance over at Dog, and look back at Jerry, “He just likes sleeping there...” I shrug casually. “You know, I had tons of plans for us to do..” I take a place next to him on the couch. Jerry seems to be ignoring me, returning to his sulky mood, as he reaches for the remote control and starts flipping through the TV channels. “..we could've gone to that art gallery you told me about. And then we could've seen that new Hobbit movie... I'm told that it's really good, plus I know how much you love Lord of the Rings..” I say to him enthusiastically.
“Don't get mad, but I kind of wanted to spent my day with my brother, not his girlfriend..” he says bluntly.
“I'm not his girlfriend!” I reply right away, my voice ice cold.
“Sorry. Ex-girlfriend.” he rolls his eyes with frustration. “I forgot you guys stopped doing that...”
So it's about that? Should've known. He is still having a hard time getting over the idea of his big brother and the person he counts as a sister... engaging in a physical...-whatever. I let out a heavy sigh, trying to find I way for him explain.
“I was never his girlfriend. I am not his ex-girlfriend either. What we had three years ago, was nothing close to a romantic relationship, got it?” I say, my tone a little bit harsh.
“You're missing the point Barb.” I stare at him sheepishly. “Each year, on this particular date, Dan picks me up from school and hang out. Just the two of us. It has nothing to do with your relationship with my brother.”
My glare softens and I stare at Jerry, since I have no idea what to say. So it's not about that after all. “He just had some important things to run, that's all. I'm sure he will be able to hang out with you tomorrow..” I say meekly, trying to make him feel better.
“You don't get it, Barb!” his voice is louder and angrier. “We always hang out on March 15! Always!” Jerry's voice started to have that nervous pitch. He instantly lowered his head and stare at his hands. If I'm not lying to myself, I am pretty sure I saw tears in his eyes. I try to rewind and remember the past couple of years. Flashbacks of memories, some good, some bad come back, but non of them are the ones I am looking for.
And then it hits me. Exactly five years ago, on the same date, Dan ditched me so he can pick up Jerry from school. He wouldn't pick any of my calls and when he returned it was 3 am in the morning and a pair of tortured blue eyes were begging me to let him in, even though my dad would kill both us of the thought of Dan sleeping over.
I don't know much about their mom. I don't think I even know her name. All I know is that Dan was nine when it happened and it stained him greatly. It stained the entire Wellington family. After her death, Ray worked more and spent less time with his sons. Dan doesn't want to talk about her, nor mention her. Just at the word 'mother' his body flinches slightly and he stiffens.
Not getting along with my own mother is pro in this situation, since talking about my her might upset the person I care about deeply. But having a disastrous relationship and not talking for almost a decade is not exactly something I am proud of. I should be lucky that I even have her in my life. But when I think back at all the things that I went through with her, I regret the decision of even thinking of her. Just remembering that I was put on ADD medication just because I was a happy, energetic and a perfectly normal child, makes my dislike towards her grow bigger. Up to the point that I might even hate her.
I glance over at Jerry who is now hugging his legs, pressing them closer to his body. There's nothing left for me to do, except to hug him. Slowly stroking my fingers through his hair I rock him back and forth as if he is a little kid. “I will kick his a.ss for leaving you all by yourself when he gets back.” I say, trying to speak through the limp that suddenly appeared in my throat. “He'll pay. No one hurts my baby..” I mumble in his hair.
A small chuckle comes out of Jerry and he raises his head, facing me. His cheeks are wet from the tears he's been crying, while a smile crawls on his lips. “You don't have to do that. He will feel guilty enough to kick his own a.ss.”
“You're right about that..” I smile back, agreeing with Jerry's description about Daniel's only flaw. Always punishing himself for other people's sadness.
The mood brightens up the moment both me and Jerry catch up on the Adventure Time marathon. I am surprisingly into the show, singing the entire theme song after watching three episodes. Seven more and I know the names of all characters.
“So this is in a post-apocalyptic universe, where Finn is the only human left?” I ask Jerry, without removing my eyes from the TV, violently chewing the popcorn in my mouth.
“Yes.” Jerry replies with great enthusiasm.
“What about Princess Bubblegum and the Ice King? Aren't they human too?”
“Not exactly..” Jerry shrugs, his eyes also glued on the TV.
After three hours spend watching Finn saving random princesses, catchy songs and Ice King's crude humor, Daniel finally comes back home. He seems surprised that both me and Jerry are in a great mood, laughing like a bunch of idiots while singing along to 'Bacon Pancakes'.
“Did I miss something?” he closes the door behind him, whilst staring at both of us with a raised eyebrow.
“Only the marathon of the greatest show ever created!” I shout enthusiastically. “Where have you been all day?”
“Can I talk to you?” Dan runs fingers through his hair, a serious look suddenly on his face. “Alone?” he continues after a short pause.
“Yeah.” I get up from the couch and follow Daniel to the bedroom. The mess from last night is gone and Daniel's room is tidy as it always has been. “Why did you ditch your brother on a day like this?” I skip to the point and cross my arms over my chest, narrowing my eyebrows slightly.
“I had to take care of another brother of mine...” Daniel sighs, reminding me that he is the older brother that needs to take care of everyone and that he Jerry isn't the only brother he has.
“Jason's back?” I say, surprise in my voice. I haven't seen Jason for over year and a half. Last thing I heard is that he was in jail somewhere in Utah or Ohio, but it turned out to be a rumor. Also, he didn't exactly left leaving behind sunshines and rainbows. Instead, there was a long pile of his grudge against his father and Dan's broken nose and bruised ribs.
“Yeah. The bastard got into trouble again.” Dan walks around the room, frustrated. Sighing every now and then. He runs his fingers several times through his hair, a clear sign that he is angry and has no idea what to do.
I approach him and take his hands into mine, massaging them softly. “You'll figure it out. Like you always do. But now, there's a sixteen year old that needs you and I don't think he wants to spend his toughest day watching cartoons about the only human on Earth saving princesses.”
“Adventure Time is on?” an exited smile appears on Dan's face and the usual sparkle in his eyes shows up.
“Yeah, and I think that he would rather watch it with you instead of me.”
“You have a point,” he nods. “What am I gonna do without you Babs?”
“You would've spend your Friday nights clubbing and snorting coke out of toilet seats, instead of watching The Breakfast Club for the seven millionth time..” I lean my head to the side, the biggest smile tugging on the corners of my lips. “Now go and bond with your brother..” I push him towards the hallway and out of the bedroom.
“What are you going to do?”
“Visit my dad. I haven't seen him in days.” I pick up my shoes from the floor and quickly put them on back on my feet. “Bye, Jer.”
“Yeah, yeah, just leave already.” he replies, his eyes super glued on the TV.
A grin appears on my face and I throw one last glance at the boys. Dan has now joined Jerry on the couch and with a big smile on his face is quoting some of Jake's line. “You're all a bunch of dorks.” I exclaim, but neither of them pays me attention. Taking this as my queue to leave I am out of the apartment and on the street of New York in no time.
 
@vicks @elizabeth-kate, @chrissykinz, @sarahstardom, @kkerry, @martasmiling, @nessazura, @ingrid, @sophiaspastic, @oedipus

taylor swift || state of grace
 
[so here it is, i finally got around barbara's story. made a couple of changes along the way.
intro set: http://www.polyvore.com/are_you_satisfied_with_an/set?id=63985599
collection: http://www.polyvore.com/barbara_evans/collection?id=2069345 ]
 
Barbara Evans;
 

I know where I am.
I just know. Sure my mind went blank in a matter of seconds and I got lost in the only city I know like the palm of my hand, but I know where I am.
I’m in my old neighborhood.
I stood in the middle of the streets, my eyes wandering from building to building, inspecting the balconies, the windows. Nothing has changed. Everything is exactly the same, since I moved here ten years ago.
As wind blows my hair and sends it straight towards my face, memories come back and it feels like it was just yesterday when me and my dad came to New York.
My mother's angry voice was still ravaging my brain when we got off from the cab and entered the three story building that soon I was going to call it 'home'. Excitement was bouncing up and down my body. The feeling that I finally escaped the dull and boring life I led in Kentucky kept reminding me that I am in New York. New York! Can you believe it? An entirely new city! A city that is thousands and thousands time bigger than the small town I use to live in.
“What do you think, Barb?” dad asked me, his eyes glowing from excitement. The apartment wasn't very big. It was untidy and old. There was a broken window in the kitchen and the lighting that came from the bathroom scared the crap out of me. Back at the time, the 10 year old me that the apartment was awful. And to make it worse, I thought that there had ghosts for roommates!
But, that glow in his eyes. That single glow, forced the lie to come out of my mouth and put the biggest smile on my face. “I think it's great!”
Life in the city was harder than any of my dad's and even my expectations. It was hard and we struggled. There were days were I survived solely on bread and butter, but things like that only brought me and my dad closer. I still remember the late night monopoly we played instead of doing my homework. Boy, did I get in trouble for that.
But one day, everything changed. My dad walked into the apartment with the biggest smile I've ever seen. The glow in his eyes he had that very first day, was shining brighter than ever! He took me into a big bear hug and said those four words that lead towards where we are today: “I found a job.”
I can't really remember who was happier in that moment. Me or my dad. Probably it was him, because he knew that I won't have to go through that struggle. Not anymore. For three more months, me and my dad resided in that apartment building. On the second week of December, my dad packed our bags and called a cab.
During the entire can drive he didn't say a single word. His lips were in a thin line, but a small smile was tugging on the corner of his lips. I tried to distract myself during the ride. The scary thoughts that we were going to move back in Kentucky preoccupied my brain, but I managed to shrug them off with the beautiful scenery outside the cab window. I might've lived in New York, but only a small part of it was explored my little old me. The lights, the build boards, the busy people on the streets, the yellow cabs that were waiting in line in front of us; behind us. Everything fascinated me to the fullest. I stare at these new things with an awe. I knew very well what I wanted in that single moment: to live here. To live on that exact street, that had all those pretty lights and billboards.
The sudden stop of the car brought me back to reality and I turned to look at my dad. He quickly got off the cab and gestured his hand for me to step outside.
“Dad?” I asked him, as my feet touched the ground. “Where are we?” my entire attention in that moment devoted to the beautiful things that surrounded me.
“Home.” was the only response I got. My eyes shifted towards his tall built, his head blocking the December sun. His response didn't make sense to me at that time, but now when I think about it, I know exactly what he meant.
This new place. This place that I greatly admired and that leaves in awe till this day was-is our new home. I obediently followed him inside the building, and later the elevator. Everything was so fancy and different from the building I was so used to living in. There was a carpet on the floor and the walls were covered by beautiful patterns, instead of the dull shade of wash-out green that was covering the corridors of my old home.
I took slow steps as I walked behind my dad. He refused to have his bags carried by the man with a funny hat and a red jacket and now he was struggling to walk to the end of the corridor without stumbling on the side. Quiet snickers would've escape my lips each time he nearly tripped or lost balance. My dad's response was either him shaking his head, or a nasty glare. But sadly, non of those things seem to scare me enough so I would stop.
The new apartment was wonderful. It was nothing like I've seen before. It was light, clean and there was no sing of any ghosts.
“From now on, this will be our new home..” dad patted my head and started to walk around the apartment. I stood there for couple of more minutes until I went to look around on my own. That apartment was my home for 10 years.
Until I decided it was time to start living on my own. On my own! I was barely 21 when I told my dad I want to move out from the apartment. Why? My relationship with my dad had nothing to do with my sudden decision. The only thing that made me want to live on my own was the thrill of being alone. Well, not alone, alone. I would've still had my cats, but...
And here I am. Twenty-one. Unemployed and a college student. Not to mention that I am also homeless. When I have no place to stay, no place at all, I finally gather enough courage and return to my old home. My excuse is that I miss my dad and old home.
Without regret I will open the door of my old room, and breath in the mess that has stayed the same from the day I closed the door. The single drop of my head against the soft pillow makes memories rush back to my brain. Something, like I've had just now. And everything reminds me of how I miss it. How I miss my childhood. My innocence. But let's face it, I wouldn't trade anything in the world, for where I am now.
New York is the only place in the world where I want to be. I found a lot of things in this city, and finding myself is one of the many things. And there is Daniel...
“I'm back...” I slam the door behind me as I enter Daniel's apartment. I still find myself asking how come he ended up living in a penthouse and I am the one living on the thirty-thousand dollar worth couch.
“Babs..!” Daniel's voice is distant and panicky. “Dog is gone!”
I drop all my belongings in the very moment and run towards Daniel's bedroom. I peek inside from the door that is slightly opened and I find myself eye to eye with a complete chaos!
“What the hell happened in here!?” I exclaim in surprise, my eyes wide open. The bed sheets are all over the place, along with Daniel's clothes and books. Daniel is on his knees, looking under his bed, while a plate of cat food is lying beside him.
“I swear, he was here ten seconds ago!” he removed his head from under the bed and looks at me with a tortured stare as if he lost our child. He nervously runs his fingers through his thick hair and pouts slightly.
“He must be somewhere..” I skip a pile of books and walk over to the middle of the bedroom, right next to where Daniel is standing.
“What if he got out?” Daniel sighs. I've never seen him so stressed when it came to my cats.
“No..” I shake my head, absentmindedly. “You know he is terrified of cars..”
I bite my lip nervously and look around the room. I'm use to Batman disappearing, but Dog? He never goes anywhere. He barely goes to the bathroom to take a dump. I feel a presence of cold fingers wrapping around my left leg and look down. Daniel's hand is comfortably wrapped around my leg, a sad look in his blue eyes. I don't why, but my heart breaks instantly when I see that look in his eyes. It rarely happens, but when it does it has a tendency to torture the crap out of me.
I slowly sit beside him, resting my head on his shoulder, while his hand travels into mine. I shiver at his cold touch and it takes time for me to get use to the temperature of his skin. It’s not long, after I entangle my fingers around his and we set there, together in a comfortable silence.
“I’m sorry..” Daniel whispers and breaks the silence.
“What for?” I remove my head from the crook of his head and look at him.
“For loosing Dog..”
“You didn’t lose him. I’m pretty sure he’s somewhere around..” I once again look around the room, and beg for Dog to be somewhere in the apartment. “Hey, Dan.. since when do you care so much about my cats?”
“I don’t.” he shakes his head, a sly smirk tugging on the corners of his lips. “But Dog is kind of my responsibility too, y’know.”
“Just because you got him for my birthday, doesn’t mean that you are also responsible...”
“Yes I am! God, Babs, I had no idea you’re this selfish. He’s ours, we share him.”
“Oh, something of an unwanted child, ha?” I say through laughter.
“Wouldn’t you like that..” a smirk appears on his lips and his hand reaches my cheek and pinches it gently.
A small squeal escapes my lips, I've always hated when people pinched my cheeks, but for some reason couldn't help but smile. and I slowly lifted myself off the ground. “Why is this place in such mess?” I ask Daniel as I make sure I don’t trip somewhere along the way.
“I told you, I was looking for Dog...” he smiled sheepishly.
I take that hard to believe, but I nod anyways. With slow steps I walk out of his bedroom and look around the apartment. I ignored Hamlet sitting comfortably on Daniel's exam papers and throw myself on the couch. I pull my legs closer to my body and put my arms around them, a tired sigh escaping my lips.
“You look tired..” Daniel's voice echoes in the distance. I mumble an 'a-ha' and close my eyes. I just need a second to rest my head and clear my head. Just a second. “How about you take the bed tonight?” I feel Daniel's breath on my neck.
“That sounds nice...” I mumble smiling, my eyes still closed shut.
“Come on, get up...”
I force my eyes open and lazily get up from the couch. As I make my way back to the bedroom I make sure to glance over at Daniel. He is standing in the middle of his kitchen, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he is opening a cat food.
Dork.
I make my way to his wardrobe and pick out a plain white shirt. Within seconds I'm out of my regular clothes and slip on the shirt. Finally feeling comfortable, I throw myself on the bed and close my eyes. It's been a long time since I've slept in an actual bed. Falling asleep is going to be a lot easier.......
.....now.
 
tagging people who i think might like to read this:
@vicks @elizabeth-kate, @chrissykinz, @sarahstardom, @kkerry, @martasmiling, @nessazura, @ingrid, @sophiaspastic, @oedipus

super long collab with the always amazing @oedipus
 

[flashback]
I sighed in frustration as I sat on the edge of the building. Dangling my legs from the ledge like a two year old I glanced from one alley to another looking for a gig.
Slow night, I noted myself frowning. Guess I will catch the Girls marathon on HBO after all.
Slowly picking myself up from the ledge and jumping onto the fire escape I started to slowly accept the fact that I am no Batman after all. Maybe that a.sshole Nightwing was right. I am /not/ worth it.
‘You’re probably some stuck up rich girl who has nothing smarter to do with her life! ‘ his harsh tone echoes in my head and stabs million daggers in my stomach. ‘You’re probably doing this for the sake of karma or whatever!’
I’ll show you karma, you d.ick!
“Give me your bag and everything will be okay..” I quickly shrugged off the thoughts about Nightwing and his big mouth and concentrated on the ‘conversation’ that was leading a few feet away from me. I jumped off the fire escape and confidently positioned myself on the pavement.
Well, what do you know? This might not be a slow night after all. Although, I am kinda bugged that I’m gonna miss the Girls marathon. Maybe if I take care of this quickly I’ll still make it in time.
“Put your hand down you old perv!” I yelled at him, my voice stern and frustrated.
“Another pretty face..” really, you can barely see my figure in the darkness. “This must be my lucky day.” As I got closer to the two of them, I noticed the creepy grin slurring all over the drunk’s face.
“YOUR. HANDS. OFF.” I exclaimed each words separately, whilst my hands were slowly curling into fists.
“Why don’t you come closer sweetie?” oh, this guy was definitely asking for trouble. A smirk tugged on the corners of my lip as I did what he told me. The moment I stepped under the street light, I saw his smug grin slowly disappearing. “You..” was all he managed to say in that very moment.
“Me..” I nodded my head, already knowing where this conversation was heading.
“You’re one of those stupid bat-kids, aren’t you?” he spat, his grip tightening around the innocent woman.
“I wouldn’t call myself stupid... nor a bat-kid.” I slowly started to walk closer and closer towards him. “I’m more of a.. unwanted child..” I made a pause, to look over at the person I needed to save. The poor woman looked frightened. From the looks of it, she was probably in her late twenties, brunette, with gorgeous shoes. I wonder where she got them from?
Alright, focus Charlotte, focus!
I mean Batgirl! You’re Batgirl!
Charlotte’s at home, doing Bruce’s stupid paperwork, remember?
“Daddy Bats doesn’t want ya?” he eyed me from head to toe, “His loss..”
“Yeah...” I nodded slowly. “Tell me, Jeff.. is it alright if I call you Jeff? Oh, never mind I’m still gonna call you Jeff. Are you hungry?”
The bastard licked his dry lips in a disgusting manner, making my insides tie in a knot. “What are you suggesting?”
“A knuckle sandwich..” I punched him in the face the moment I exclaimed those three words. The bastard shouted in pain, as his hands were covering his now bleeding nose. His tight grip was no longer holding one of the woman’s arms, and she was free. Her eyes were open wide, staring at me with what looked like gratitude. I simply shot her a smile, and returned to punch the living daylight from ‘Jeff’.
“Don’t you think that’s enough?” I heard a voice echo behind me. I dropped Jeff on the ground turning to see Nightwing standing behind me. I couldn’t see his eye because of his stupid domino mask, but I could sure feel his eyes glaring at me with judgment.
I glared back at him, my lips pursing into a pout. I kicked Jeff in the stomach one last time and turned to the woman who was still standing on the same exact spot.
“Hi..” I cheerfully greeted her. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
It took a few seconds to get a response out of her, as she was still pretty shaken up. “Y-yeah..” she nodded. “Thank you..”
“Don’t mention it..” I grinned, flattered. “Do you want me to make you company until you get home?” I asked her politely.
“That’s very generous of you, but I think you’ve done enough..” she glanced over at Jeff who was now picked up by Nightwing.
“I’m gonna drop him off by the police.. can I get your name ma’am?” Nightwing’s gaze turned towards the woman.
“Ahm, yes, of course.. Rachel.. Rachel Dawes..” she answered in a hurry.
“Alright then. Ms. Dawes, get home safe.. you’re in good hands..” he glanced over at me and disappeared along with Jeff in the darkness.
Did he...? Did he just praise me? No...
“So? How bout a ride home? Well, not exactly a ride home, ride home, since I don’t own a car.. to be honest I can barely ride my bike..” I started blabbering.
The woman whose name was Rachel, smiled politely. “As I said previously there’s no need for your company. My house is just a few blocks away..”
“Alright then. But make sure you avoid dark alleys.” I turned on my heel and started walking away.
“Hey!” I heard someone exclaim and I turned in an instant, “I didn’t catch your name..!”
“It’s Batgirl!”
 
[present]
 
"short or long?" charlotte asked with a thoughtful look on her pretty face, moving her hand swiftly from a dress to another. i shrugged, smiling as positively as i could at her, even though we had been in the shop for an hour already, without finding a dress,"i don't care". she stuck her tongue at me before gesturing dramatically, "what about this?" she took a long yellow gown from an hanger and putting it near her figure. "you aren't going to wear that at my wedding. i hate yellow" i said, taking it away from her and putting it back in its place. she pouted, twirling a wisp of her blond hair in her hand, "what then?". i giggled seeing how distress she was for such a silly thing like a dress, "it's not silly" she replied like she was actually reading my thoughts. my eyes widened, "how-" i raised a brow and now she was the one laughing, "i know you well, rachie". i turned back to the clothes and grimaced seeing as her hands were moving on the light fabric of a bright pink dress now, "you won't wear pink, either". she shot me a bad glance, putting both hands on her hips, "you are acting bossy" i nodded with a tiny smile, realizing that i was being a big nuisance for one that 'didn't care'. "i like this" i handed her an adorable grey cocktail dress but istantly regretting since her smile turned into a grimace, "that's simple" she stated as if i was to punish just for purposing it to her.
“Short or long?” I asked Rachel as I felt up the fabric on every single dress in front of me.
“I don’t care.” She answered with a simple nod.
How can she /not/ care? Is she serious? It’s her wedding we’re shopping about after all! I stuck my tongue at her, when a certain yellow dress caught my eye. I smiled happily at the thought that I found /the/ dress. Now if she only approves..
“What about this?” I placed the dress near my body, showing it to Rachel.
“You aren’t going to wear that at my wedding.” She pointed at the dress with disgust. “I hate yellow.” She added and took it away from me.
“What then?” I asked her, pursuing my lips into a pout. Rachel didn’t answer, but it was obvious what she was thinking. She thought that this entire thing is silly. More likely she thought that /I/ was being silly! Me of all people!? “It’s not silly.”
Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise. “How-?”
“I know you Rachie..” I laughed, amused with her face expression, before I turned my attention to the dresses. Only this time, it was a pink dress that caught my eye.
“You won’t wear pink either.”
I glared at her, letting go of the dress’ fabric. “You’re acting bossy.” And for a person that ‘didn’t care’ she sure seemed to care what color was the dress was going to be.
“I like this.” She handed me a grey cocktail dress after a couple of minutes of searching. I tried to stay subtle, but somehow my face seemed to give me away.
The dress was awful. And too.. business lady like. ‘But Charlotte aren’t you a business lady?’ the little voice in my head, that seems to appear just now, asks me. Yes, but I am a business /woman/ who is twenty three years old! Not to mention that she has the personality of a sixteen year old air head.
“That’s simple.” I finally said, after the long choice of words that weren’t going to hurt her feelings.
Rachel let out a frustrated sigh and returned the dress. “Then I have no idea.” She shrugged and threw herself on one of the leather sofas.
I frowned when I saw how much I’ve been a pain in the a.ss. I’ve put my interests before hers, completely forgetting how stressful this entire thing has been to her. “Well, judging from the.. dress you picked out..” I tried to say the word ‘dress’ without choking. “You like pastel colors and simple designs..”
Rachel raised her head and stare at me with a seemingly cheerful expression. That means I got at least something right.
“But..” I raised my finger, “It can’t be white in any case..”
“Why not white?” Rachel asked innocently. Is she for real? I stare at her with a shocked expression. Come on, Rachel!
“Because you can’t wear white to a wedding! The bride is the one with the white dress!” I stated, with a slight frustration in my voice.
I calmed down when a purple dress caught my eye. I quickly ran up to it and snagged it from the rack, bringing it to Rachel as fast as I could. “What do you think?” I danced around with the dress placed close to my body.
“Isn’t this too.. /simple/?” Rachel said, her voice teasing me.
“So it doesn’t have any patterns and the color is a little boring...” I looked at the dress once more, “..but it a beautiful dress. Plus, it has a bow! A bow, Rache! You know how much I love bows!” I cooed, jumping around like a two year old.
“Yeah, you do love bows... and the color is gorgeous..” the dress was now in her hands as she inspected the fabric. “What are you waiting for? Go, try it out!” she shoved the dress towards my direction and started pushing me towards the dressing rooms.
“Hey!” I shouted from inside the dressing room, that I was violently shoved into. “Will you at least zip the dress for me?” I asked her as I was getting out from my shirt.
“Sure thing..” Rachel suddenly barged inside, but she looked distraught. No, this was more of a shock.
“Rachel? Don’t you think you’re a little bit too early? Kinda caught me off guard here..” I gestured toward myself, wearing only a bra.
“What is that?” she asked me, her voice shaking. I noticed that she was pointing her finger towards my stomach. I looked down, spotting my cut. Oh, that... I sighed mentally, thinking of a way to explain the situation.
Telling her that I got stabbed in the ribs section while patrolling wasn’t exactly the right answer.
“Charlotte...” her voice was shakier and shakier
“I just realized something..” I quickly changed the subject, putting my shirt back on. “I have this meeting. Bruce will kill me if I’m late..”
“What about the dress? And an explanation?” she yelled after me, still standing in the dressing room.
“Buy the dress now. Explanation later. Come over my place around seven?” I yelled back and exited the store in a flash.
 
[flashback]
“Alfred..” I managed to say as I bursted in the Wayne’s Manor’s kitchen. There Alfred greeted me with a puzzled look. His face expression pale as if he’s seen a ghost. Well, having a girl bleeding to death, dressed in leather calling out your name appearing in front of you, is somewhere close.
“How.. who are you?” he stuttered, slowly drawing the kitchen knife closer to him. Great, that’s the last thing I need. More stabbing.
“It’s me..” I barely spoke, my hand slowly reaching the corners of my mask. “.. Charlotte..” I removed the mask from my face and smiled weakly.
“Don’t you think it’s a little too late for Halloween Ms. Charlotte?”
Was he trying to be funny? Cause I know something even funnier.. ME F.UCKING BLEEDING TO DEATH!!!
“Not the right time to show your British humor, Alfred...” I placed my hand over my wound. “..I’d really appreciate if you’d..-“
Turn the lights on please.
Am I dead? Is this what after life looks like? Or am I dreaming?
No. I am definitely dead. There’s even a light. I wonder what happens if I don’t go towards it? Will I go to hell? Or will I be an Earth bound spirit? That’s it, no more Ghost Whisperer for you, Charlie. I wonder if there’s TV in the after life.
No. I wonder if I’ll finally see mom.
“Charlotte..” a voice is heard from the distance.
“Mom?”
“She’s alright..” there’s that voice again.
“Mom, when did your voice become so... manly?” I finally open my eyes, only to find Alfred and... Bruce? Alfred and Bruce are staring at me.
“She’s going to be alright..” Bruce looks over at Alfred with a grim expression. I manage to pick myself up and support myself on my elbows. Bruce is now a few feet away with his back turned. But he isn’t wearing his usual work suit. Nor one of his robes that he likes so much. He’s wearing...
“..a bat suit..” I said out loud. My sudden exclamation draws Bruce’s attention and he is staring at me. Face to face. “You’re Batman.” I said in an awe. “You’re Batman! You’re Batman!”
I try to get the thought out of my head so I can finally face reality. All those clues! All those facts! They all lead towards Bruce! And I never saw it coming. Even now, when he is in my face, wearing the freakin’ bat suit I can’t see it coming.
“You should lay low for a while.. stay out of the radar. Rest.” He finally said something after a long pause. His voice, gentle, almost fatherly like. There’s guilt plastered all over his face, as it was his fault that I got stabbed.
There’s nothing much I could do except to nod and obey. I probably should, cause this thing hurts like a mother..
“Hey Bruce..” I called out his name, a smug grin spreading across my face. “Did you know it was me?”
“Honestly? I had no idea..”
That’s what I wanted to hear.
 
[present]
Alright. I can do this. I can give her a logical explanation about the stab wound and numerous bruises around my body. I can. I know I can. I am Charlotte Conrad. I am so sneaky that not even Bat- Bruce Wayne couldn’t guess that /I/ was the one behind the Batgirl mask. Ha!
My confidence slowly drifted away the moment I heard the sound of knocking on my door. My heart started beating super fast and I forgot each and one of the explanations that were roaming my head for the past hours. I slowly walked over to the door and opened it widely.
My expectation’s of how Rachel’s face would look like were correct. She had fury and anger written all over it, with a pinch of sympathy and fear. “Hey..” I smiled slightly, but she didn’t smile back. Instead she walked pass me and threw herself on my sofa. Her gaze quickly turned into a deadly glare.
“Tell me everything. Now.” She spat.
Alright, I never thought I’ll say this before, but I am genuinely scared of Rachel now. Do you know that sweet, caring smile of hers? Well, it’s gone now!
“It’s not a big deal.” I shrugged. It looks like those explanations I was thinking about didn’t have plans of coming back inside my head.
“Are you serious?” Rachel widened her eyes in disbelief, “This looks like a HUGE deal to me.”
I bit my lip sheepishly as I started walking circles in my living room. Come on... good explanation. Good explanation...
“Is it Dick’s fault?” I stopped. Her words pierced through me like daggers.”Did he make those?” she pointed her finger at my ribs.
I blinked at her, drowned in confusion. “You mean?..” He hurt me? How can she think of such thing? “...no, no.. Of course no!” I started waving my hands at her in defense, whilst unintentionally I started laughing like an idiot. “He would never-“ Dick would never hurt a fly! Well, except for those several bad guys he fought when he was Robin. But hey, those must’ve been some really bad guys! And in his defense, he was only serving justice! Or something like that...
“Then I would really appreciate you telling me why is your rib section all black and blue!” Rachel exclaimed loudly, clearly upset. “And, that... cut! It’s fresh!”
I sighed heavily, feeling my legs slowly giving up. Not being able to keep standing, I sat cross legged on the carpet, facing Rachel’s panicked gaze. I guess there was no escaping it. She will like me to tell her the truth. And I want to tell her everything, but...
“Charlotte, in what kind of mess just are you?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, and raised my head coming eye to eye with Rachel. “I... have a side job..”
“What kind of job? Are you dealing drugs or something? Are you a part of a fight club?” she started screaming at me hysterically.
“I am... somewhat of a superhero..” I paused, “.. well, actually more of a vigilante.” I smiled slightly. Rachel’s expression was unchanged. Well, instead of furious and angry, she now looked furious, angry and confused.
“You’re not going to tell me that you’re Batman, are you?” Rachel laughed ironically. I kept staring at her with a straight face. “Oh my God! You /are/ Batman!”
“Not exactly. I’m the Bat/girl/.” I waited for Rachel’s reaction, but there wasn’t any. “Those bruises are from various scumbags I fought over the months, and that cut... it’s actually a stab wound. I got stabbed not too long ago.” I paused, shifting my gaze towards the carpet. “If it weren’t for Alfred.. I would’ve probably died..” I said quietly.
“Did you really brake your arm because you slipped?” she asked me, her voice harsh.
“No..” I shook my head. Why was I feeling guilty? Was it because I was hiding it from her? “.. I got pushed from a balcony..”
“Pushed from a balcony!?” Rachel was now on her feet pacing, no stomping around my living room. “Charlotte, are you trying to get yourself killed?!”
“I’m actually trying to do something right...” I answered calmly. "Don't tell me, you're angry with me?" I looked up at her, with a harsh glare. I hated when people judged me, and it seemed that this was exactly what she was doing.. my best friend, judging me. That hurt like mother..-
“I hate to tell you, but I can’t-“ Rachel started to say something, but paused immediately. “You should stop doing that.” She sighed heavily. I kept staring at the carpet, my fingers slowly scraping the material. “Now I know why you didn’t tell me... I work for the district attorney, you know that.”
“Your fiancé you mean...” I finally said something, which sounded more like a snarky comment than a reply.
“I represent the law, I work to free this town from everything that is not legal and guess what? My best friend and maid of honor happens to be a vigilante!” she stated, shrugging her shoulders as if a ton of weight is on them. Weight that I put. Damn it Charlotte! I finally told my best friend something that’s been bugging me for a long time and instead of relief, I feel a big slap of regret.
“I’m sorry..” I said quietly, meeting her eyes for what seemed like an eternity.
Rachel shook her head. “I don’t know what to say, really..” she got up from the sofa once again and walked over to the kitchen. The room got really quiet, until sounds of drawers and doors opening and closing reached my ears. I got up quickly from the carpet and walked over to where Rachel was.
“Are you looking for something?” I asked her after a whole minute of watching her opening and closing the kitchen drawers. Is this something she does to reduce stress?
Rachel turned to look at me, but didn’t say anything. She just started to laugh uncontrollably, holding her stomach with her hands. “Batgirl, really....?” what was supposed to sound like laughter, sounded more like a cry for help or a silent sob. I just stood there, staring her in cheer confusion. “I need something to drink, ‘Lotte.” She grabbed my hand, as if her life depend on it. “Something strong, now!”