章 48: Against the Tide
The next day at Gotham Prep, the atmosphere buzzed with whispers and stolen glances. Maggie had braced herself for drama. She could feel the stares, hear the hushed conversations that stopped just as she passed.
At her locker, Maggie found Emily and Stephanie waiting for her, both looking uncharacteristically serious.
"Morning, Mags," Emily said,though her usual enthusiasm was subdued.
Stephanie crossed her arms, leaning against the lockers. "We saw the fallout online this morning. Alexis's post is everywhere."
Maggie sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Any updates?"
Emily nodded, pulling out her phone. "Yeah. The school sent out an email early this morning about investigating an 'incident of inappropriate use of confidential information.' They didn't name names, but we all know what's it about."
"Great," Maggie muttered. "So now it's official school gossip."
Stephanie shot her a sympathetic look. "It was already gossip, Maggie. Now it's just sanctioned by the administration."
Before Maggie could reply, Jason appeared at her side, his hood pulled up and his usual confident stride replaced by something more guarded. He gave the girls a nod and turned to Maggie. "How bad is it?"
"People are talking," Maggie admitted softly. "But they're mostly just curious. Nobody knows the full story."
Jason shrugged, though there was tension in his posture. "They don't need the full story. The headline's enough."
Maggie frowned, hating the resignation in his voice. "We'll deal with it."
Jason gave her a small, appreciative smile. "I know."
Before they could continue, the telltale sound of high-pitched laughter echoed down the hallway. Alexis and her entourage strolled in, their perfect uniforms pristine, their expressions smug. As they passed, Alexis's gaze locked on Maggie and Jason, her smirk widening.
"Enjoying your fifteen minutes of fame?" Alexis said, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Jason's jaw clenched, but he didn't rise to the bait. Maggie, however, stepped forward, her chin high and her voice steady. "Enjoy it while you can, Alexis. Because when this blows up in your face, you're going to wish you'd kept your mouth shut."
The surrounding students fell silent, eyes darting between Maggie and Alexis. For a moment, Alexis's confident veneer faltered, her smirk tightening into something more forced. Then she laughed, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Oh, please, Maggie. Don't embarrass yourself trying to play hero. Some people aren't worth saving."
Jason stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Careful, Alexis. You're already skating on thin ice."
Alexis's entourage giggled nervously, but Alexis herself didn't flinch. "Threats, Jason? Really? I expected better. Or wait, maybe I didn't."
Maggie grabbed Jason's arm, tugging him back before the situation escalated. "Let's go," she said firmly.
Jason hesitated, his glare fixed on Alexis, but eventually let Maggie pull him away. The hallway slowly returned to its usual hum of chatter as they walked toward their first class.
By lunchtime, the tension at Gotham Prep had only grown thicker. Maggie and Jason sat at their usual table with Emily and Stephanie, but it was clear the buzz surrounding Alexis's post wasn't dying down. The whispers had turned into pointed stares and not-so-subtle murmurs as students walked past their table.
"Do you hear what people are saying?" Emily whispered, glancing nervously around.
Stephanie nodded, her expression grim. "Some of the parents are furious. I heard one of the PTA moms saying Jason shouldn't even be allowed at Gotham Prep—Bruce Wayne as his guardian or not."
Maggie's jaw tightened. "That's ridiculous."
"Doesn't matter to them," Stephanie said, lowering her voice. "All they see is what Alexis posted. They're not interested in the truth."
Before Maggie could respond, a group of boys from the soccer team sauntered over, their expressions a mix of curiosity and arrogance.
"Hey, Todd," one of the boys said, leaning on the edge of the table. His tone was casual, but the glint in his eyes was anything but friendly. "Word on the street is you've got a pretty interesting history. That stuff Alexis posted… is it true?"
Jason didn't look up from his tray, stabbing a piece of food with his fork. "What do you think?"
Another boy chimed in, smirking. "I think it's wild that someone like you ended up here. I mean, breaking and entering? Petty theft? You still do that stuff, or has Wayne got you on a leash?"
Maggie's eyes narrowed, and she opened her mouth to fire back, but Jason spoke first. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that silenced the table. "Why don't you mind your own business?"
"Oh, come on, man," the first boy said, his smirk widening. "We're just curious. I mean, how does someone with a record from thr Narrows even get into Gotham Prep? Did Bruce Wayne pay off the board or something?"
Jason's fork clattered onto his tray as he stood abruptly, the scrape of his chair against the floor drawing the attention of nearby tables. His sudden movement silenced the smirking boy, who straightened up but still wore a cocky grin.
Jason stepped closer, his height and intensity making the boy falter for a moment. His voice was low and cold, each word deliberate. "You've got a lot to say for someone who doesn't know a damn thing."
The boy tried to maintain his composure, his smirk wavering. "Hey, I'm just asking what everyone's thinking, Todd. Chill."
Jason leaned in slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto the boy's.
The cafeteria had gone eerily quiet, all eyes locked on the brewing confrontation. The boy swallowed hard, his smirk fading as Jason loomed over him, his presence radiating controlled fury.
"No," Jason said sharply, his voice low but filled with simmering anger. "We can settle this right now."
Jason's hand balled into a fist, his knuckles whitening as he stepped closer, ready to put an end to the boy's taunts the way he had back in the Narrows. The boy flinched, his confidence slipping further, but before Jason could take another step, Maggie intervened.
She moved swiftly, stepping between Jason and the boy, her hands lightly pressing against Jason's chest. "Jason, stop," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension. "He's not worth it."
Jason's eyes flicked down to her, his breathing heavy as if he were fighting an internal battle. For a moment, he didn't move,as the adrenaline coursing through him demanded an outlet. But Maggie's steady gaze didn't waver.
"Jason," she said again, her voice softer now but no less resolute. "Don't give him the satisfaction. You're better than this."
His fists slowly unclenched, and he took a step back, exhaling sharply as he ran a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered, his voice taut with frustration. "Whatever."
The boy, still pale and shaken, took the opportunity to slink backward toward his friends, who stood awkwardly by, unsure whether to intervene or disappear. "Yeah, man, whatever," the boy mumbled, trying to save face.
Maggie turned her head sharply toward him, her eyes blazing. "You're right. You're not. So why don't you walk away before you say something even dumber?"
The boy hesitated but didn't argue, his bravado completely deflated. He turned and hurried off, his friends following close behind. The whispers and murmurs in the cafeteria began to pick up again, students whispering about what they'd just witnessed.
Jason dropped heavily into his seat, his shoulders tense and his jaw still set. Maggie sat down beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
"Jay," she said softly, her voice filled with both concern and understanding. "You okay?"
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "I'm fine."
Later that day...
"Jason Todd, report to the principal's office immediately."
The classroom fell silent again, and all eyes turned toward Jason. Whispers began to ripple through the students.
"Great," he muttered under his breath, grabbing his bag. "Because this day wasn't already bad enough."
Jason entered the principal's office, his posture tense. The room was eerily quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Principal Harper sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable. Across from him sat Alexis Kaye, her arms crossed, her face a picture of faux innocence.
"Mr. Todd, take a seat," Harper said, gesturing to the chair beside Alexis.
Jason hesitated before lowering himself into the chair, his eyes flickering briefly to Alexis. She didn't meet his gaze but wore a smug little smile that made his blood simmer.
Harper folded his hands on the desk, his tone calm but firm. "Jason, I wanted to address the events of the past day, specifically regarding the social media post that has caused quite a stir."
Jason's jaw tightened. "The post where Alexis leaked my sealed records, you mean?"
Before Harper could respond, Alexis let out an exaggerated sigh and turned toward Jason. "For the last time, I didn't post that. My account was hacked."
Jason whipped his head toward her, his eyes narrowing. "You expect anyone to believe that?"
"It's the truth," Alexis said, her tone saccharine and laced with feigned indignation. "Why would I risk my reputation over someone like you? I reported the hack as soon as I saw it."
Harper raised a hand to silence them both. "Enough. Ms. Kaye has claimed her accounts were hacked, and while we are investigating that possibility, we can't jump to conclusions."
Jason's fists clenched on his lap. "You think a hacker just magically got access to my sealed records and decided to post them under her account? Come on, Mr. Harper. You know that doesn't add up."
"Mr. Todd," Harper said evenly, "I understand your frustration, but this matter is complex. We are working to trace the source of the post and determine how your records were obtained. Until then, I ask for your patience."
Jason huffed, as he turned back toward Alexis. "Hacked, huh? That's the best you've got?"
Alexis tilted her head, her smirk returning. "Believe what you want, Jason. I can't control what people think. But I have nothing to hide."
Jason opened his mouth to retort, but Harper cut him off. "Mr. Todd, I understand the emotional toll this situation has taken on you. However, there's another matter to discuss."
Jason's stomach dropped slightly as Harper continued. "Several students have reported that you nearly engaged in a physical altercation in the cafeteria today. Is that true?"
Jason leaned back in his chair, forcing himself to take a deep breath before responding. "He provoked me, Mr. Harper. He was making comments about my past, questioning why I'm even at Gotham Prep. I didn't throw a punch, but yeah, I stood up for myself."
Harper studied Jason for a long moment before nodding. "I can understand your frustration, but I must remind you that Gotham Prep has a zero-tolerance policy. You need to maintain your composure, no matter the provocation. Do I make myself clear?"
Jason nodded stiffly. "Yes, sir."
"Good," Harper said, his tone softening slightly. "Now, as for you, Ms. Kaye—"
Alexis straightened in her chair, her usual confidence creeping back into her posture, as if she were expecting the outcome to be in her favor.
"Pending the outcome of the investigation, you are allowed to continue participating in extracurricular activities and remain in the running for Homecoming Court," Harper said, his voice measured. "However, this does not absolve you of responsibility should we find evidence that contradicts your claims."
Jason's fists clenched, but he said nothing, as Alexis's smirk grew wider.
Alexis tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Of course, Mr. Harper. I understand completely. I'm confident you'll find the truth soon enough."
Harper nodded curtly. "See that you do not cause further disruptions during this process. You're dismissed."
Alexis stood gracefully, clearly emboldened by the decision. She grabbed her bag and threw a triumphant glance at Jason before striding out of the office. Jason didn't move, the tension in his body palpable as the door closed behind her.
"Mr. Todd," Harper said, his tone firm but not unkind, "I understand that this situation is difficult for you.But in the meantime, I expect you to maintain your composure. Any further incidents, like the one in the cafeteria, will only make things harder for you."
Jason exhaled slowly, the frustration clear in his voice. "Understood."
"Good," Harper replied. "You're dismissed as well."
Jason rose from his seat, his movements stiff as he tried to suppress the anger bubbling beneath the surface. He nodded to Harper and left the office, stepping into the hallway just as Alexis was surrounded by her friends, who flocked to her with hushed voices and eager expressions. Alexis, her smirk now fully returned, glanced over her shoulder at Jason and gave him a subtle, mocking wave before turning back to her entourage.
Jason's fists clenched again, but he forced himself to walk away, his steps echoing in the quiet corridor. His mind raced with frustration and helplessness, but Maggie's voice from earlier echoed in his mind: *You're better than this.*
He took a steadying breath, trying to push the anger aside. The last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. The hallways filled with the usual shuffle of students grabbing their things and heading for the exits, their chatter bouncing off the walls.
Maggie glanced sideways at Jason, his hood pulled up. She could tell he was still simmering from the meeting with Principal Harper, and the way people's eyes lingered on him as they passed only made things worse.
"Hey," Maggie said softly, bumping his shoulder with hers. "You okay?"
Jason shrugged, his voice low. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired of the looks, the whispers… all of it."
Maggie frowned, glancing at a group of students who quickly averted their gazes when she caught them staring. "They're just cowards," she said firmly. "None of them would dare say anything to your face."
Jason smirked faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, because they know better."
As they reached the front doors, the sound of laughter drew their attention. Alexis and her entourage were standing just outside, right by the steps, clearly waiting for something—or someone. Alexis was mid-laugh when her eyes landed on Jason and Maggie. Her smirk widened, and she nudged one of her friends, muttering something that made the group giggle.
Maggie sighed, already bracing herself. Sure enough, Alexis stepped forward, her arms crossed and her expression smug.
"Well, well," she said loudly, drawing the attention of nearby students. "If it isn't Gotham Prep's resident criminmal."
Jason stopped in his tracks, his hands balling into fists. "Not now, Alexis."
"Oh, don't be so grumpy, Todd," Alexis said, tilting her head with a mock pout. "It's just so fascinating, seeing how far you've come. From the Narrows to Gotham Prep… it's almost inspiring. Almost."
Maggie stepped forward, her tone icy. "Careful, Alexis. You're starting to sound jealous."
Alexis raised an eyebrow, her smirk unfaltering. "Jealous? Of what? A charity case and his overly ambitious girlfriend? Please."
Jason started to step forward, but Maggie placed a hand on his arm, stopping him. Her gaze locked onto Alexis, her voice steady but sharp. "Jealous of the fact that no matter how hard you try to tear us down, we're still standing. Must be exhausting, trying to fake perfection all the time."
The nearby students exchanged murmurs, some even stifling laughs. Alexis's smirk twitched, a flicker of irritation breaking through her polished facade. The slight loss of control made her lash out, her voice sharper and louder now.
"You think you're so clever, don't you, Maggie?" Alexis snapped, stepping closer. "Hiding behind Jason like he's some big hero when all he's ever been is a street rat. And you—pretending to be better than everyone else when we all know you're just as broken as he is."
Maggie's fists clenching at her sides as her anger flared. The mocking tone, the smug look—it all fed into the simmering frustration, rage that had been building all day. She took a step forward, but before she could speak, Jason's hand brushed her arm.
"Mags," Jason murmured, his voice low and warning. "Don't."
But Maggie barely heard him. Her gaze locked onto Alexis, and the shadows around them seemed to ripple in response. The faint, unnatural movement started near the sidewalk—dark tendrils stretching and curling as if alive. It was subtle at first, but Jason noticed immediately, his instincts kicking in.
"Maggie," Jason said, firmer now, stepping between her and Alexis. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "Let it go. She's not worth it."
Alexis raised an eyebrow, clearly oblivious to the shadows but reveling in what she thought was hesitation. "What's the matter, Maggie? Cat got your tongue?"
Maggie's jaw tightened, but Jason gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. "Hey," he said softly, leaning in so only she could hear him. "Don't give in. Focus on me, okay?"
Maggie blinked, her breathing unsteady as she shifted her focus to Jason. The shadows hesitated, the unnatural movements slowing before retreating entirely, blending back into the natural light of the late afternoon. Her fists slowly unclenched as she exhaled shakily.
"Yeah," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."
Jason gave her a small smile, nodding toward the parking lot. "Let's go."
Without another word, he slid an arm protectively around her and guided her away, putting as much distance as possible between them and Alexis. The crowd of students that had gathered parted to let them through, their murmurs following behind.
Once they reached the car, Jason opened the door for Maggie, his movements calm but efficient. "Get in," he said gently. "I'll drive."
Maggie hesitated for a moment, her mind still spinning, but she nodded and climbed into the passenger seat. Jason closed the door behind her, then quickly moved around to the driver's side.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, the low hum of the car's engine was the only sound between them for a moment. Jason kept his eyes on the road but glanced sideways at Maggie, his tone gentle but serious. "Did you realize you almost used your shadows back there?"
Maggie stiffened, her hands tightening in her lap. She hadn't thought much about it in the heat of the moment, but now that Jason mentioned it, the memory of the shadows rippling along the sidewalk flashed in her mind.
"I—I didn't mean to," she said quietly, her voice shaky. Maggie looked out the window, the passing streets a blur. "I didn't even realize it was happening until… you stopped me." She paused, her voice dropping. "What if I'd actually used them? In front of everyone?"
Jason reached over and placed a hand on her knee, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "But you didn't. You pulled back. That's what matters."
Her eyes flicked back to him, uncertainty clouding her expression. "What if I can't next time? What if I… hurt someone?"
Jason's grip tightened slightly, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "Mags, you're not going to hurt anyone.You just need to stay focused. Don't let people like Alexis push you to that point."
Maggie sighed, leaning her head back against the seat as the tension of the day weighed heavily on her. The car hummed quietly, the streets of Gotham passing by in a blur. For a while, neither of them spoke, the silence oddly comforting.
Maggie broke it, her voice soft but tinged with dark curiosity. "You know… I wonder what kind of contingency plan Batman's got for me."
Jason glanced at her, his brow furrowing. "What?"
"You know he has one," Maggie continued, her gaze fixed on the ceiling of the car. "He's got a plan for everyone. Even the Justice League. Like that kryptonite bullet for Superman. I can't stop thinking… what's in the plan for me?"
Jason's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, and he exhaled through his nose. "Mags…"
"I mean," she said, sitting up a little straighter, "it makes sense, right? My powers are unpredictable. If I ever lost control…" Her voice trailed off, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
Jason shook his head, his voice firm. "Don't do that to yourself."
"Do what?" she asked, glancing at him.
"Talk about yourself like you're some kind of monster Bruce needs to take down." He glanced at her, his expression serious but gentle. "You're not Superman, Maggie. You're not some alien god who needs a kryptonite fail-safe. You're—"
"Unpredictable," Maggie interjected, her voice quiet but insistent. "Jason, I almost lost control today. Right there, in front of everyone. If you hadn't stepped in—"
"But I *did*," Jason interrupted, his tone softening.
Maggie turned to him fully, her hands clasped in her lap. "You can't tell me dad doesn't think about it, though. He plans for everything. Contingency plans are his thing."
Jason sighed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Look, I'm not gonna lie to you. Yeah, Bruce probably has some kind of plan. He's paranoid. It's who he is. But that doesn't mean he sees you as a threat."
Maggie let out a humorless laugh. "Doesn't it? He's seen what I can do. What happens if the shadows take over, and I can't pull back next time?"
Jason's jaw tightened, and he glanced at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road. "You're not going to lose control. You've got people who care about you—people who'll pull you back if you need it."
Maggie raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a faint smile. "Like you?"
"Damn right," Jason said without hesitation. "And if Bruce has some secret contingency plan for you, you can bet I've got one of my own. It's called not letting you go off the rails in the first place."
Maggie laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe," Jason said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "But you're stuck with me."
Maggie smiled despite herself, the weight in her chest lifting slightly. "Thanks, Jay. For not letting me spiral."
Jason reached over briefly, squeezing her hand. "Anytime, Mags."
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