Chapter Text
The days at Gotham Academy were all the same.
Most people would say it’s impossible to find a school with three Olympic pools, a polo team, more horses than professors, a national-level archery team, and the best education of the American east coast boring.
But Charlotte Winehouse is not most people.
And it wasn’t just school she found boring, it was everything else too.
She walked across the hallway, hair perfectly combed, not a stray out of place. Her friends were beside her, the conversation spinning around the last concert Michael Michigan gave that weekend, in Star City, which they obviously assisted, with VIP tickets and their matching baby blue ribbons in their hair, true to the artist signature colour.
She nodded and smiled when they commented enthusiastically this part where they had all sang along to the new song, and laughed when they recalled this part (Lia even squealed when mentioning it) where Michael had winked backstage,(they got special passes to enter it), and they were sure it was directed to Charlotte.
She honestly didn’t care about Michael Michigan. She didn’t hate his music though, nor like it. What she felt...it was an indifference.
Charlotte was indifferent to a lot of things.
But still, she carefully listened to MM’s songs, and learned the lyrics, because Charlotte Winehouse would enjoy a pop star like Michael Michigan. So then she was able, at the concert, to sing along, even if she clearly didn’t demonstrate the same enthusiasm as her friends. But it was okay. They were accustomed to it. Charlotte Winehouse never squealed over something, nor swoon, nor other non regal things every other 14 year old girl, rich or poor did.
Charlotte was something else entirely, she was above those kind of things, her friends nodded, as if it was a fact, something as universal as an apple hitting the floor when it fell from a tree.
Each of them entered their different classes and Charlotte started another uninteresting day. She sat through English, answered the teachers questions in math, and carefully completed her exercises in chemistry.
Lunch came, and new rumors with it.
- Apparently Jason Todd has kissed Tyra Benguini at her locker.- Hannah gossiped eagerly as they sat down at their table, the one they always sat down at, the left center table, not next to the window but still close enough to see the fresh grass of the football field, and the stables behind it.
- Already kissing girls?- one of her friends giggled.- He’s only been here for a week!
She listened to the conversation, eventually nodding, but more concentrated on her lunch.
- He’s so handsome though.- Lia sighed.- He’s got that whole rebellious vibe going on.
- Yeah, for real! He’s just so dreamy, and hot, and misterious...
- And cool.- Hannah added. Charlotte’s friends nodded sollemnly.
Eventually the whole lunch was centered around Bruce Wayne’s new ward and the kiss with Benguini.
Charlotte said nothing. She didn’t need to. They were used to that. If she wasn’t interested, she simply let the words drift past.
Jason Todd. He was someone worth keeping in mind. If only because she’d need to invite him to the charity gala her parents had asked her to organize. Grayson and Wayne were already confirmed.
The days went by. Jason kissed two more girls. That was what people said, anyway.
Charlotte finished the gala guest list. She confirmed the string quartet. She met with the caterer after piano lessons.
She hadn’t spoken to Jason. But she’d noticed him. Skipping class sometimes. Not wearing the tie. Never loud, but never uncertain either. Always a little off the pattern. The school didn’t quite know what to make of him.
He didn’t seek attention, but didn’t shrink from it.
He was somewhat of a puzzle. And the right social status, the interesting background, the careless attitude....
He had her intrigued, and very few things intrigued her.
It was when he took her seat in the library, the one that no one else dared to touch while she was there, that she decided it.
Jason Todd was hers.